1^5 



acutely affected than horses. Symptoms : On the animal being taken 

 out of the stable, it seems to be possessed of more life and high spirits 

 than usual, and rushes off on its journey in great form, but does not 

 proceed far — generally from half a mile to two miles — before it begins 

 to flag, wants to stop, and breaks out into a most profuse perspiration ; 

 the back becomes arched, and the hind legs stiffen, &c. Though the 

 difficulty is great, the animal should be got into a stable, when, if a 

 mare, it may throw itself down, and commence to strain, as if in the 

 act of foaling, ejecting from its bladder large quantities of dark-brown 

 coffee-coloured urine. A horse, on the other hand, generally stands 

 leaning against the stall, or wall, pressing its head in the manger, 

 perspiring freely, breathing quickly, with a full, strong, corded pulse, 

 while the eyelids and other visible mucous membranes are highly in- 

 jected. Quantities of the same peculiar coffee-coloured urine are passed 

 at intervals with great straining. Treatment : Owing to the sudden 

 onset and severity of the attack, I know of no other complaint affecting 

 the horse for which bleeding answers so well, or has such a decided, 

 beneficial action, unloading, as it does, the over-crowded system 

 sooner than anything else. From six to ten quarts of blood may be 

 taken, according to the size of the animal, after which a good dose of 

 linseed oil (i to i-| pints) should be administered, followed up by four 

 drachm doses of bicarbonate of potash, in drinking water, every eight 

 hours. If the attack is allowed to run its course, the animal, as a 

 rule, dies, or if by chance it recovers, it is worthless for a very long 

 time, the muscles of the loins being infiltrated with blood, from the 

 rupturing of the muscular tissue and bloodvessels, caused by the 

 excessive straining. To prevent the occurrence of this troublesome 

 disorder, animals should be regularly exercised daily ; if this is not 

 practicable, they must be put into a loose box, and lightly fed, as 

 long as their period of idleness lasts. 



445. Purpura Haemorrhagica, or Purple Bleeding. — This 

 is an eruptive, non-contagious, febrile affection, most frequently found 

 in the horse, and follows in the wake of some debilitating disease, 

 such as catarrhal fever, influenza, strangles, diabetes, &c., or it may 

 arise spontaneously without any previous derangement. It is of more 



