206 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



the leg are unsuccessful; the animal stands on the affected limb, but 

 is unable to move it; it is unnaturally cold; it does not, however, 

 appear to cause much suffering unless attempts are made to change 

 position. This cramp may be of short duration — a few minutes — or 

 it may persist for several days. This condition is often taken for a 

 dislocation of the stifle joint. In the latter the foot is extended back- 

 w^ard, and the horse is unable to advance it, but drags the limb after 

 him. An examination of the joint also reveals a change in form. 

 Spasms may affect the eyelids, by closure or by retraction. Spasm of 

 the sterno-maxillaris muscle has been witnessed, and the animal was 

 unable to close the jaws until the muscle became relaxed. 



Treatment of spasms. — An anodyne liniment, composed of chloro- 

 form 1 part and soap liniment 4 parts, applied to cramped muscles 

 will usually cause relaxation. This may be used where single exter- 

 nal muscles are affected. In spasms of the glottis, inhalation of sul- 

 phuric ether will give quick relief. In spasm of the diaphragm, rest 

 and the administration of half an ounce of chloroform in 3 ounces of 

 whisky, with a pint of water added, will generally suffice to bring 

 relief, or if this fails give 5 grains of sulphate of morphia by hypo- 

 dermic injection. If spasms result from organic disease of the nerv- 

 ous system, the latter should receive such treatment as its character 

 demands. In cramp of the leg compulsory movement usually causes 

 relaxation very quickly; therefore the animal should be led out of 

 the stable and be forced to run or trot. Sudden nervous excitement 

 caused by a crack of the whip or smart blow, will often bring about 

 immediate relief. Should this fail, the anodyne liniment may be 

 used along the inside of the thigh, and chloroform, ether, or lauda- 

 num given internally. An ounce of the chloral hydrate will cer- 

 tainly relieve the spasm when given internally, but the cramp may. 

 return soon after the effect has passed off, which in many cases it 

 does very quickly. 



Convulsions. — Although there is no disease of the nervous system 

 which can be properly termed convulsive, or justify the use of the 

 word convulsion to indicate any particular disease, yet it is often 

 such a j)rominent symptom that a few w^ords may not be out of place. 

 General, irregular muscular contractions of various parts of the body, 

 with unconsciousness, characterize what we regard as convulsions, 

 and like ordinary spasms are dependent upon some disease or irrita- 

 tion of the nervous structures, chiefly of the brain. No treatment is 

 required; in fact, a general convulsion must necessarily be self- 

 limited in its duration. Suspending, as it does, respiratory move- 

 ments, checking the oxygenation and decarbonization of the blood, 

 the rapid accumulation of carbonic-acid gas in the blood and the 

 exclusion of oxygen quickly puts the blood in a condition to produce 

 the most reliable and speedy sedative effect upon the nerve excitabil- 



