BODY MOVEMENTS. 209 



are drowsy, stumble and fall on slight provocation. Turning of 

 eyes, jerking of muscles, later on paralysis. Tonic spasms of the 

 cervical muscles; head drawn to one side. 



Intoxication Diseases. 

 Parturient paresis, milk fever, is an acute auto-intoxication 

 closelj^ following the act of parturition, and characterized bj^ cere- 

 bral paralysis. Begins with slight, temporary, cerebral excitement; 

 after a few hours symptoms of depression and paralysis set in. 

 Animals lie immovably in a characteristic attitude, see p. 34. Eyes 

 closed, paralysis of muscles of head, tongue extended, rattling 

 breathing, distention of abdomen, constipation, paresis of paunch. 

 Lowering of external and internal bodily temperature. 



C. Specific Examinations. 



We resort to the specific examinations only when definite 

 results cannot be obtained with the foregoing methods, espe- 

 cially in cases of differential diagnosis between similar dis- 

 eases. In al cases the specific examina- 

 tions are directed toward determining 

 definite diseases; and the characteris- 

 tics of these are specially considered. 



12. Body Movements. 



]\Iany diseases are not observed tmtil the animal is in 

 harness or under the saddle, others become more conspicuous 

 in their symptoms under these conditions. The rule is to 

 examine animals while engaged in their accustomed occupa- 

 tion (blind staggers, balkiness). Draft horses should be ex- 

 amined when hitched to the wagon, riding horses under their 

 rider. Unaccustomed work fatigues animals unduly and ex- 

 cites them. Sometimes fatigue and excitement make certain 

 symptoms more conspicuous (roaring) ; in such cases we make 

 an exception of the rule just given. In all cases we must ob- 

 serve that the animal is properly harnessed. 



I. Examination for Immobility. 



(Examination of So-called Dummies). 



Blind Staggers. 

 Blind staggers may be defined as an incurable disease of 

 the brain accompanied by cerebral depression. It may develop 



