136 NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



The cause of this disease is not positively known. The Ger- 

 man veterinarians attribute it to irritation of the muscles by 

 cold, and classify azoturia as a rheumatic disorder. The con- 

 ditions preceding the attack are not in favor of this theory, 

 and cold can not be considered an important causative factor. 

 The most acceptable is the auto-poisoning theory advanced by 

 Dr. Law. 



Azoturia is common in the country where feed is abundant 

 and wrong methods of feeding horses are commonly practised. 

 It is a very common practice to feed horses accustomed to hard 

 work the same ration when idle for a few days as when working. 

 The blood of horses cared for in this way may become abnor- 

 mally rich in albuminoids. The suddenness of the attack, occur- 

 ring shortly after the animal is given exercise, indicates auto- 

 poisoning. This may be due to the blood in the portal vessels 

 and the liver capillaries, charged Avith nutritious and waste prod- 

 ucts from the overfed animal's intestines, being suddenly thrown 

 into the general circulation by a more active circulation of the 

 blood brought on by exercise. 



The symptoms of disease are manifested shortly after the 

 animal is moved out of the stall and given exercise. When the 

 animal is first exercised it is usually in high spirits. After 

 travelling a short distance it is noticed to sweat more freely 

 than ordinarily, breathe rapidly, lag and go lame, usually in the 

 hind limbs. It trembles, shows evidence of suffering severe pain 

 by turning its head and looking around toward the flanks, 

 knuckles over in the hind pasterns, and may fall down and be 

 unable to get up. The affected muscles appear to be swollen and 

 feel unusually firm when pressed upon with the hand. If the 

 horse does not go down recovery may occur within a few hours, 

 and we are able to move the horse to the stable. Dark brown 

 urine may be passed. At other times, the animal lies in a natural 

 position, possesses a good appetite, but can not stand. In the 

 severe form, it is restless and shows marked nervous symptoms. 



