222 



disease we fliid tonic spasms of the iinisclesof the jaws, or stiffness of 

 tlie neck or back very early in the attack, and evidence of viciousness 

 is absent. 



Treatment. — As soon as the true nature of the disease is ascertained 

 the animal should be killed. 



Prevention. — When a horse is known to have been bitten by a rabid 

 animal immediate cauterization of the wound with a red-hot iron may 

 possibly destroy the virus before absorption of it takes place. 



PLUMBISM — LEAD-POISONING. 



This disease is not of frequent occurrence. It may be due to habitu- 

 ally drinking water which has been standing in leaden conductors or 

 in old i)aint barrels, etc. It has been met with in enzootic form near 

 smelting Avorks, where, by the fumes arising from such works, lead in 

 the form of oxide, carbonate, or sulphate was deposited on the grass 

 and herbage which the horses ate. 



SijiniJioms. — Lead-poisoning produces derangement of the functions 

 of digestion and locomotion, or it may affect the lungs principally. 

 In whatever system of organs the lead is deposited mostly there will 

 we have the symptoms of nervous debilit}^ most manifest. If in tlie 

 lungs the breathing becomes difficult and the animal gets out of breath 

 A'cry quickly when he is compelled to run. Roaring also is very fre- 

 quently a symptom of lead-poisoning. When it affects the stomach 

 the animal gradually falls away in flesh, the hair becomes rougli, the 

 skin tight, and colicky symptoms develoj). When the deposit is prin- 

 cipally' in the muscles i^artial or comj)lete paralysis gradually develops. 

 When large quantities of lead have been taken in and absorbed, symp- 

 toms resembling epilepsy may result, or coma and delirium develop 

 and prove fatal. In lead-poisoning there is seldom any increase in 

 temperature. A blue line forms along the gums of the front teeth, 

 and the breath assumes a peculiar offensive odor. Lead can always 

 be detected in the urine b}' chemical tests. 



Treatment. — The administration of 2-dram doses of iodide of potassa, 

 three times a day. This will form iodide of lead in the system, which 

 is rapidl}^ excreted by the kidneys. If much muscular weakness or 

 parah'sis is present, sulj)hate of iron in dram doses, and strychnia in 

 2-grain doses may be given twice a day. In all cases of suspected 

 lead-poisoning all utensils which have entered into the suj)ply of feed 

 or water should be examined for the jjresence of soluble lead. If it 

 occurs near lead works great care must be given to the supply of 

 uncontaminatcd fodder, etc. 



UR.EMIA. 



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

 nuria, or when, from any cause, the functions of the kidnej^s become 

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



