EXAMINATION OF A SICK HORSE. 11 



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previous position. In inflammation of the throat, as in pharyngo- } 

 laryngitis, the head is extended upon the neck, and the angle between 

 the jaw and the lower border of the neck is opened as far as possible 

 to relieve the pressure that otherwise would fall upon the throat. 

 In dumminess, or immobility, the hanging position of the head and 

 the stupid expression are rather characteristic. In pleurisy, perito- 

 nitis, and some other painful diseases of the internal organs, the 

 rigid position of the body denotes an effort of the animal to avoid 

 pressure upon and to protect the inflamed sensitive region. 



The horse may be down in the stall and unable to rise. This condi- 

 tion may result from paraplegia, from azoturia, from forage poison- 

 ing, from tetanus, or from painful conditions of the bones or feet, 

 such as osteoporosis or founder. Lying down at unusual times or in 

 unusual positions may indicate disease. The first symptom of colic 

 may be a desire on the part of the horse to lie down at a time or place 

 that is unusual or inappropriate. Sometimes disinclination to lie 

 down is an indication of disease. Where there is difficulty in breath- 

 ing, the horse knows that he can manage himself better upon his feet 

 than upon his breast or his side. It happens, therefore, that in nearly 

 all serious diseases of the respiratory tract the horse stands persist- 

 ently, day and night, until recovery has commenced and breathing is 

 easier, or until the animal falls from sheer exhaustion. Where there 

 is stiffness and soreness of the muscles, as in rheumatism, inflamma- 

 tion of the muscles from overwork, or of the bones in osteoporosis, or 

 of the feet in founder, or where the muscles are stiff and beyond con- 

 trol of the animal, as in tetanus, a standing position is maintained, 

 because the horse seems to realize that when he lies down he will be 

 unable to arise. 



Abnormal attitudes are assumed in painful diseases of the digestive 

 organs (colic). A horse with colic may sit upon his haunches, like a 

 dog, or may stand upon his hind feet and rest upon his knees in front, 

 or may endeavor to balance himself upon his back, with all four feet 

 in the air. These positions are assumed because they give relief from 

 pain by lessening pressure, or tension, upon the sensitive structures. 



Under the general condition of the animal it is necessary to observe 

 the condition, or state, of nutrition ; the conformation, so far as it may 

 indicate the constitution; and the temperament. By observing the 

 condition of nutrition one may be able to determine to a certain extent' 

 the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal and to esti- 

 mate the amount of strength that remains and that will be available 

 for the repair of the diseased tissues. A good condition of nutrition' 

 is shown by the rotundity of the body, the pliability and softness of 

 the skin, and the tone of the hair. If the subcutaneous fat has disap- 

 peared and the muscles are wasted, allowing the bony prominences to 

 stand out ; if the skin is tight and inelastic and the coat dry and harsh, 

 we have evidence of a low state of nutrition. This may have resulted 



