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OVEE-EXHAUSTION. 



Exhaustion and over-excitement of the system, although 

 (strictly speaking) cannot be considered as forms of disease, 

 yet I shall treat upon them for two or three reasons : — First, 

 because they are states of the organism which very frequently 

 are the forerunners of the most destructive kinds of disease ; 

 secondly, because they are the most prolific sources of disease ; 

 and thirdly, because they have never been treated upon, and 

 in fact scarcely recognised by veterinary writers as anything 

 worthy of their attention, beyond a mere passing remark. A 

 close observer, however, of equine disease will perceive their 

 effects almost hourly. Cab and livery horses are exceedingly 

 liable to suffer in consequence. They especially predispose the 

 organism to both acute and typhoid forms of disease — such as 

 Acute Inflammation of the Bowels, of the Peet, Kidneys, and 

 Heart, Lungs, and also of Typhoid Pneumonia. I have wit- 

 nessed, on several occasions, attacks of Enteritis and of Lami- 

 nitis, of a most frightfully severe character, arising from these 

 causes. A veterinary surgeon having the care of horses 

 belonging to an establishment where the work is of a most 

 uncertain and irregular character, as in livery stables, should 

 always be on the alert as to the existence and consequences of 

 Exhaustion and over-excitement. 



Symptoms or Ovee-Exhatjstion. — Over-exhaustion of the 

 system deranges, more or less, every function within the 

 organism ; so that, in noting its symptoms, we simply note what 

 relates to a condition of general disturbance. 



The temperature of the skin is deranged ; the legs and feet 

 may be of a feverish heat, while the hair upon other parts of 

 the body may be penfeathered. The appetite will be fickle, or 

 the animal may refuse every kind of food, and yet appear 



