924 DISEASES AND THEIB TKEATMENT. 



lowance of good feed; the system becomes plethoric, more blood 

 being formed than the system can dispose of, whereby the vascu- 

 lar organs are overloaded, and consequently, under increased ac- 

 tion caused by exertion, they are apt to become congested. 



Symptoms. The animal is apparently in excellent health and 

 spirits. He starts oft' lively ; but before he has gone far, he sud- 

 denly stops, crouches, seems very much distressed. The sweat 

 rolls off him in streams; he blows and heaves at the flanks; he 

 cannot move for a few minutes. He drops on his hind quarters ; 

 can hardly drag them after him. When made to move, he drops 

 as if his leg was dislocated or broken. The pulse is very high, 

 from sixty to eighty, and the muscles of the quarter are swollen 

 and hard. In some cases he gets down, and cannot get up again ; 

 but seldom is loss of power at first complete, or sensibility entirely 

 lost. The urine is generally very high colored ; we have seen it 

 black or coffee colored, which is a sure proof of the trouble, and 

 always voided with difficulty. 



Treatment. When seen in the early stages, abstract six 

 quarts of blood,* remove the urine with a catheter, and give from 

 7 to 8 drachms of aloes. Persistently apply hot water cloths to 

 the loins, and cover them up well with dry blankets, changed 

 every half hour. Give 20 drops of tincture of aconite in a little 

 cold water every two hours, till the fever subsides. If the pain is 

 very severe and twitching, give the following drench : 



2 ounces sweet spirits of nitre, 



2 ounce i tincture of opium, 



1 quart cold water. Mix. 



Injections of soap and water should be given, and the legs 

 well rubbed and bandaged. It is important also that he be turned 

 gently, about every three hours, and that his bedding be made as 

 comfortable as possible. According to modern practitioners, who 

 have had decided success in the treatment of this disease, it is not at 

 all necessary to put in slings. In fact, the better recoveries are 

 made without putting in slings; neither should he be urged to get 



* There is some difference of opinion as to the propriety of bleeding. Some of 

 the best practitioners do not now bleed for this difficulty, and while I should regard 

 it good treatment, it may be omitted, as physicking with other treatment, will usually 

 give Eufficient relief ; but if the case is very hearty, short-necked, and full blooded, 

 bleeding would seem to be advisable. 



