222 I UK MODERN HOHSE DOCTOR. 



" Symptoms. — The first or premonitory symptoms of putrid 

 fever are a peculiar wrangling of the body and striding of the 

 limbs, as if the horse was conscious of his inability to walk. At 

 the same time, there will be some difficulty of swallowing," and 

 some thirst ; the horse will appear as if drinking a great deal, 

 and will delight to continue at the water a long while, when in 

 fact he is getting little or none down. These symptoms are soon 

 followed by extreme muscular debility — a weak and intermitting 

 pulse. The horse gets down, is totally unable to rise, or to 

 swallow either food or drink ; not from any swelling or obstruc- 

 tion in the throat, but from want of strength in the muscles of 

 deglutition to perform their functions. lie lies on his side, paws 

 with his fore feet, struggles, and seems in great distress ; now 

 commences breathing short, rattles in the windpipe, (which is 

 full of a substance like lively soap suds, which exudes from the 

 mucous surface of the windpipe and bronchial tubes,) coughs so 

 as to shake the entire frame, although it is a peculiarly weak, 

 ineffectual cough, brings nothing up, nor does it afford any relief. 

 From the weakness of the circulation, there will be, at every 

 round thereof, more or less of blood deposited in the lungs, till 

 they become congested, or filled with blood. This congestion of 

 the lungs is often mistaken by inexperienced persons, as well as 

 those poor in diagnosis, for primary inflammation of them, and 

 the lancet is resorted to, (although the pulse would forbid its use 

 if they knew how to consult it,) which hurries on, at a rapid 

 rate, the very congestion which they were expecting to relieve, 

 by producing still greater debility in the system, which is the sole 

 cause of the congested condition which the lungs are frequently 

 found in after death. In some cases a great discharge of saliva 

 takes place from the mouth ; breath very offensive ; bowels cos- 

 tive, and when a discharge does take place from them, it is gen- 

 erally covered with a white, slime-like substance, though in some 

 instances a purging takes place, but by no means a common 

 occurrence ; legs and ears cold ; the heat of the skin is generally 

 too low, although in some rare instances it rises to a high degree, 

 and is acrid and burning to the touch. The countenance ex- 

 presses some anxiety. His eyes preserve their healthy look till 

 near death, when tears may be seen rolling around in them. 



