278 THfi NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



and the slightest alteration in the weather affects him very 

 sensibly. 



The disease may manifest itself in the diffuse form, affecting 

 the body as well as the limbs and feet, which gives to the an- 

 imal a sort of wiry, spare appearance ; yet, otherwise he 

 appears well, and can play his part at the game of food as well 

 as any creature. In the absence of all inflammatory symptoms, 

 this peculiar and almost ruined condition is designated by some 

 as general founder ; and as no one has ever drawn a line of de- 

 marcation between what is known to medical men as chronic 

 rheumatism, and what the rest of the world denominate 

 chronic founder, we shall consider that chronic rheumatism is 

 founder, and vice versa. 



Passing from the diffuse form, this chronic affection may 

 locate in the muscles of the trunk. Then it gets the name of 

 " body founder." The animal is then unable to move the body in 

 lateral directions, without showing an awkward stiffness ; and on 

 being made to turn a corner, when going at a smart gait, a 

 stiffness, apparently in the spinal regions, is generally per- 

 ceived. 



At times it locates in the pectoral region, and, in consequence 

 either of long-continued pain (which is known to exhaust mus- 

 cular rotundity) or innutrition, the parts present a shrunken 

 or hollow aspect. In the absence of acute symptoms, this is the 

 veritable " chest founder " of horses and cattle. 



A disease of this character, long confined to one or both 

 shoulders, is often followed by a similar wasting of the spinatus 

 muscles, and is often termed, when occurring in horses, 

 '* Sweeney. " The same condition of parts, however, may be the 

 consequence of diseased feet ; for we often observe an atrophy 

 or wasting of the above muscles in animals that have long been 

 the subjects of chronic laminitis, and altered structures about 

 the feet. The term founder is often applied to a ruined state 

 of these parts. Chronic rheumatism is more apt to localize 

 itself than the acute kind, and once located it is not so easily 

 removed, although the animal may receive benefit from the or- 

 dinary means, such as warni ' clothing and stimulating embro- 



