224 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



UREMIA. 



Uremic poisoning may affect the brain in nephritis, acute albumi- 

 nuria, or when, from any cause, the functions of the kidneys become 

 impaired or suppressed and urea (a natural product) is no longer 

 eliminated from these organs, causing it to accumulate in the system 

 and give rise to uremic poisoning. 



Symptoms. Uremic poisoning is usually preceded by dropsy of 

 the limbs or abdomen ; a peculiar fetid breath is often noticed ; then 

 drowsiness, attacks of diarrhea, and general debility ensue. Sud- 

 denly extreme stupor or coma develops; the surface of the body 

 becomes cold; the pupils are insensible to light; the pulse slow and 

 intermitting; the breathing labored, and death supervenes. The 

 temperature throughout the disease is seldom increased, unless the 

 disease becomes complicated with acute inflammatory disease of the 

 brain or respiratory organs, which often occur as a result of the urea 

 in the circulation. Albumen and tube casts may frequently be found 

 in the urine. The disease almost invariably proves fatal. 



Treatment. This must be directed to a removal of the cause. 



ELECTRIC SHOCK. 



Electric shock, from coming in contact with electric wires, is becom- 

 ing a matter of rather frequent occurrence, and has a similar effect 

 upon the animal system as a shock from lightning. Two degrees of 

 electric or lightning shock may be observed, one producing temporary 

 contraction of muscles and insensibility, from which recovery is pos- 

 sible, the other killing directly, by producing a condition of nervous 

 and general insensibility. In shocks which are not immediately fatal 

 the animal is usually insensible, the respiration slow, labored, or gasp- 

 ing, the pulse slow, feeble, and irregular, and the pupils dilated and 

 not sensitive, or they may be contracted and sensitive. The tempera- 

 ture is lowered. There may be a tendency to convulsions or spasms. 

 The predominating symptoms are extreme cardiac and respiratory 

 depression. 



Treatment. Sulphate of atropia should be given hypodermically in 

 one-quarter grain doses every hour or two hours until the heart beats 

 are invigorated, the number and fullness of the respirations increased, 

 and consciousness returns. Stimulating injections per rectum may 

 also be useful in arousing the circulation; for this purpose whisky or 

 ammonia water may be used. 



