926 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



begin to sweat profusely, and in a few minutes afterward show 

 great weakness in the back, acting as if having lost power to move 

 the hind legs ; in fact, appearing stiff all over. If not helped 

 quickly, the horse is liable to fall down. 



" The Cause of the disease is the horse making more blood, 

 while idle, than the system can appropriate. When put to work, 

 the muscles in the lumbar region become congested, and the conse- 

 quence is the horse loses power to raise or control his hind parts. 

 If treated properly, will usually regain his strength in from twenty- 

 four to thirty-six hours. 



" Treatment. — First give a sharp cathartic, also apply counter 

 irritants over the region of the kidneys, using sheep-skin or 

 counter irritants; also use the catheter. Give small doses of spii'its 

 of nitre with 10 to 15 drops aconite added from four to six hours 

 apart. When fever subsides, give nervine tonics Avith strychnine 

 in one-half grain doses, or powdered nux vomica in one-half drachm 

 doses, in from two to four hours apart. If not very serious, about 

 four hours apart. 



" If the horse is not able to rise, must not let him lie on one 

 side longer than three hours at a time. These cases are nervous 

 and must not be excited. They must be handled very gently and 

 walked around very carefully." 



As I am about to hand this article to the printers, I receive a 

 U. S. Veterinary Journal for December, 1883, published in Chi- 

 cago, 111., in which I find an excellent essay on this subject read 

 by W. L. Williams, V. S., before the Illinois State Veterinary 

 Association, and as an additional aid to successful treatment, I 

 copy that advised by him : — 



" The great essential in treatment is careful nursing, Avithout 

 which success is rarely possible in severe cases. As soon as the 

 first symptoms appear, keep the animal as quiet as possible. If 

 able to stand comfortably, have him stand as still as possible ; if 

 recumbent, procure him a good bed of straw at once, and by as 

 quiet means as possible try to prevent any effort at getting up. 

 This can usually be done readily by having a steady man hold the 

 head, or he can be assisted by another man keeping the lower fore 

 leg flexed against the chest by means of a strap upon the foot. 

 Should the animal be standing, but growing more and more liable 

 to fall, lose no time in getting him into the most comfortable place 

 at hand. When already down, unless the weather be inclement or 

 the location unfavorable, do not attempt to move him for two or 

 three hours, when he should be removed to a well-bedded, comfort- 

 able loose-box or shed. We can with little difficulty roll him on a 

 low sled or a farm gate, when a good span of horses will readily 

 drag him to the stall door, and five or six men will soon place him 

 where desired. Pass the catheter early, and keep it up twice or 

 thrice daily so long as the animal remains recumbent. Remove 



