20 COLICS AND THEIR TREATMENT 



because even the trained observer finds it difficult to 

 make a clear and entirely satisfactory differentiation be- 

 tween the various functional and organic hepatic troubles. 

 There are, however, certain signs, in protracted illness, 

 that point to probable hepatic derangement, viz. : extreme 

 depression, pronounced immobility, slight periodic un- 

 easiness, elevation of temperature, possibly icterus and, 

 in cases of hepatic abscess, increased phagocytosis as de- 

 termined by a blood count. 



Dangers in "Home Made" Diagnoses 



Nothing is more common than for the practitioner 

 to be called upon to attend a horse described as having 

 "kidney trouble" or "trouble with his water." This con- 

 clusion, indeed confusion, of the untrained observer is 

 quite natural because of the frequency wath which the 

 suffering animal assumes an attitude indicative of a de- 

 sire to micturate; rarely voiding any urine, the action 

 being due usually to an irritation of the bladder from 

 bowel pressure, or because the stretching gives temporary 

 ease. 



The wily practitioner will not be misguided by the 

 "home-made" diagnosis, but will through his trained 

 manipulations, observations and a historical resume ex- 

 ercise painstaking efforts and thoroughness to refute or 

 affirm the opinions expressed, remembering throughout 

 the examination of the patient the possibility of the ab- 

 sence of certain important symptoms that are masked 

 consequent upon previous administration of medicines 

 given by the owner or caretaker in a usually misguided 

 effort to effect a cure. 



