Treatment of Weed, 157 



insufficient exercise ; or to over-feeding on green food, as fresh 

 clov^er and rye grass ; or to intestinal irritation of various 

 kinds. Large coarse horses with thick legs are particularly 

 subject to it. 



Symptoms. — The attack is often preceded by disorders of 

 the stomach, as colic, constipation, loss of appetite and exces' 

 sive thirst. Sometimes chill and shivering usher it in. The 

 first local indication is observed in one of the hind legs, gen- 

 erally the left. It is favored and held from the ground. On 

 examining it, it is found swollen on its inner surface, the 

 swelling sometimes extending from the body to the foot. 

 There is heat of surface, tenderness to the touch, and some- 

 times the swollen glands can be felt like cords or lumps un- 

 derneath the skin. The respirations and pulse are twice as 

 fast as in health, the animal shows suffering in his face, and 

 frequently turns his head to look at the aifected limb. His 

 nostrils are dilated and perspiration rolls from his side. The 

 swelling increases until abscesses form, which will break in- 

 ternally and run along the limb unless freely lanced. 



Horses that have once been attacked by weed are liable to 

 a recurrence of the malady, time after time, until the limb 

 assumes permanently an enlarged and distended condition, 

 injuring both their appearance and their usefulness. 



Treatment. — When seen in the early stages, when chill 



and shivering are prominent, the animal should be warmly 



clothed, and a moderate purge given, as : — 



No. 158. Powdered aloes, 4 drachms. 



Calomel, 1 drachm. 



Mix and give at one dose in a ball. 



Should the chill continue. Prof. Williams recommends the 



following as a powerful stimulant to the skin, inducino- a 



general warmth over the whole surface of the body : 



No. 159. Tincture of arnica, 1 to 2 oz. 



For one dose, mixed with warm water. 



