450 DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN. 



The Symptoms will vary, and be more or less charac- 

 teristic, according to the nature and extent of the lesion, 

 the stage the case happens to be in, and other circumstances. 

 The horse grows dejected and loses his appetite ; his respi- 

 ration becomes short by fits — sobbing or sighing perhaps — 

 and much distressed should he be moved at all ; sometimes 

 there is a sort of catch or arrest observable in the respi- 

 ration, the animal making two expirations to one inspira- 

 tion; the membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth become 

 exsanguineous and pallid, or they may exhibit a yellow 

 tinge; the extremities are cold; the pulse frequent, and 

 small and weak, at times quite imperceptible; countenance 

 distressful ; tremors, and cold sweats ; instable upon his legs, 

 rocking from side to side in the stall, or staggering in his 

 walk, till at length he on a sudden falls down and ex- 

 periences a sort of fainting fit, followed by convulsions; 

 from this he perhaps recovers and rises again, but distrust- 

 ful of his declining strength, he stands with his legs 

 stretched out underneath him, like so many physical props 

 of support ; sooner or later he sinks again in another faint- 

 ing fit, the pupils of his eyes growing amaurotic : at 

 last he falls to rise no more, and in convulsions he dies. 

 (J. Field.) 



Cases do, however, occur wherein restlessness is evinced, 

 lying down, &c., as though colic were present, with occa- 

 sional similar attacks ; though it may be remarked that the 

 animal all the time is very cold. 



What is to be done in such a case? Certainly not 

 what ignorant farriers and grooms are in the practice of 

 doing — bleed. No ! this must be regarded as a case of 

 passive haemorrhage ; and as such must be treated by se- 

 dative and styptic measures, and not by depletives. The 

 coldest water may be dashed against the right side, or ice 

 may be applied upon it. A clyster of cold water may be 

 administered. And in regard to internal remedies, the 

 best, perhaps, will be found to be oil of turpentine, that 

 being both styptic and stimulant. Sugar of lead, also, so 

 famed in human medicine, may be tried. And I should 



