DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 81' 



of a pale urine of a high density (1.060 and upward), rapid loss of con- 

 dition, scurfy, unthrifty skin, costiveness or irregularity^ of the bowels,, 

 indigestion, and the presence in the urine of a sweet principle — grape- 

 sugar or inosite, or both. This may be most promptly detected by 

 touching the tip of the tongue with a drop. Sugar may be detected 

 simply b}^ adding a teaspoonf ul of liquid 3^east to 4 ounces of the urine 

 and keeping it lightly stopped at a temperature of 70° to 80° F. for 

 twelve hours, when the sugar will be found to have been changed inta 

 alcohol and carbon dioxide. The loss of density will give indication, 

 of the amount of sugar transformed; thus a density of 1.035 in a urine 

 which was formerlj^ 1.060 would indicate about 16 grains of sugar to 

 the fluid ounce. 



Inosite, or muscle sugar, frequently present in the horse's urine, and 

 even replacing the glucose, is not fermentable. Its presence may be. 

 indicated by its sweetness and the absence of fermentation or by Gal- 

 lois' test. Evaporate the suspected urine at a gentle heat almost ta 

 dryness, then add a drop of a solution of mercuric nitrate and evapo- 

 rate carefully to dryness, when a yellowish residue is left that is- 

 changed on further cautious heating to a deep rose color, which dis- 

 appears on cooling and reappears on heating. 



In advanced diabetes, dropsies in the limbs and under the chest and. 

 bell}^, puffy, swollen eyelids, cataracts, catarrhal inflammation of the. 

 lungs, weak, uncertain gait, and drowsiness may be noted. 



Treatment is most satisfactory in cases dependent on some curable 

 disease of liver, pancreas, lungs, or brain. Thus, in liver diseases, a. 

 run at pasture in warm weather, or in winter a warm, sunny, well- 

 aired stable, with sufficient clothing and laxatives (sulphate of soda, 

 1 ounce daily) and alkalies (carbonate of potassium, one-fourth ounce) 

 may benefit. To this may be added mild blistering, cupping, or even 

 leeching over the last ribs. Diseases of the brain or pancreas may ba 

 treated according to their indications. The diet should be mainh-" 

 albuminous, such as wheat bran or middlings, pease, beans, vetches, 

 and milk. Indeed, an exclusive milk diet is one of the very best; 

 remedial agencies. It may be given as skimmed milk or buttermilk, 

 and in the last case combines an antidiabetic remedy in the lactic acid«. 

 Under such an exclusive diet recent and mild cases are often ontir* ly 

 restored, though at the expense of an attack of rheumatism. " (Jodeia. 

 one of the alkaloids of opium, is strongly recommended by Dr. Tyson, 

 The dose for the horse would be 10 to 15 grains thrice daily. In cases- 

 in which there is manifest irritation of the brain bromide of potas- 

 sium, 4 drams, or ergot one-half ounce, may be resorted to. Salicylic 

 acid and salic3"late of sodium have prov^ed useful in certain cases; also 

 phosphate of sodium. Bitter tonics (especially nux vomica one-half 

 dram) are useful in improving thenligostion and general health. 

 11381—03—6 



