221 



sometimes b}' the injection per rectum of tlie fluid extract of bella- 

 donna and of cannabis indica, of eacli 1 dram, every four or six 

 hours. This may be diluted "vvitli a quart of milk. "When the animal 

 is unable to swallow liquids, oat-meal gruel and milk should be given 

 by injection per rectum to sustain the strengtli of the animal. A 

 pailful of cool water should be constantly before him, placed high 

 enough for him to reach it without sj)ecial effort; even if he can not 

 drink, the laving of the mouth is refreshing. Excellent success fre- 

 quently may be obtained by clothing the upper i^art of the head, the 

 neck, and greater part of the body in woolen blankets kept saturated 

 with very warm water. This treatment should be continued for six 

 or eight hours at a time. It often relaxes the cramped muscles and 

 gives tliem rest and the animal almost entire freedom from pain; but 

 it should be used every day until the acute spasms have permanently 

 subsided in order to be of any lasting benefit. 



If the cause is due to the inclusion of a nerve in a ligature, the 

 division of the nerve becomes necessary. When it is due to a wound 

 all foreign substances should be searched for and be removed; if from 

 a wound which has healed an excision of the cicatrix may be bene- 

 ficial. In all cases it is not uncommon to have a partial recovery fol- 

 lowed by relapse when the animal becomes excited from any cause. 



RABIES — HYDROPHOBIA — MADNESS. 



This disease does not arise spontaneouslj- among horses, but is tlie 

 result of a bite from a rabid animal — generally a dog or cat. The 

 development of the disease follows the bite in from three weeks to 

 three months — very rarely in twelve or fourteen days. 



Symptoms. — The first manifestation of the development of this dis- 

 ease maybe an increased excitability and viciousness; very slight 

 noises or the approach of a person incites the animal to kick, strike, 

 or bite at any object near him. Very often the horse will l)itc his own 

 limbs or sides, lacerating the flesh and tearing the skin. The eyes 

 appear staring, bloodshot ; the ears are on the alert to catch all sounds; 

 tlie head is held erect. In some cases the animal will continually rub 

 and bite the locality of the wound inflicted by the rabid animal. This 

 symptom may precede all others. Generally the bowels become con- 

 stipated and he makes frequent attempts at urination, which is pain- 

 ful and the urine very dark colored. The furious symptoms appear 

 in paroxysms; at other times the animal may eat and drink, altliough 

 swallowing appears to become painful towards the latter stage of 

 the disease, and may cause renewed paroxysms. The muscles of the 

 limbs or back may be subject to intermittent spasms, or spasmodic 

 tremors; finally the hind limbs become paralyzed, breathing very 

 diflicult, and convulsions supervene, followed by death. The pulse 

 and respirations are increased in frequency from the outset of the 

 attack. Rabies may possibly be mistaken for tetanus. In the latter 



