248 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



Whether fever, however, arise from any local and evi- 

 dent cause, or be self-creative, the phenomena observable 

 seem in nowise to differ ; from which we are led to the 

 conclusion that in either case we may consider it the same 

 disease. 



The horse is at first observed to have become spiritless 

 and heavy. In the stall he stands with his head hanging 

 down, and manifests unusual disinclination to turn or move ; 

 out of the stable he has evidentlj^ lost much of his natural 

 vivacity, and is found to sweat on comparatively trivial 

 exercise. The extremities (the ears and legs) and the sur- 

 face of the body grow cold ; the coat becomes roughened ; 

 actual shivering, or an approach to it, may or may not 

 occur. He refuses the next feed put before him ; or, should 

 he pick at all, he prefers the hay, or even the new straw. 

 By degrees the sense of coldness leaves the body ; at length 

 both the extremities and it grow warm — perceptibly warmer 

 than usual. The mouth, likewise, which was livid and cold 

 before, now becomes hot and dry ; the pulse rises with the 

 accession of heat. In all cases it becomes quick ; in most, 

 also full ; in others, also hard. Respiration is visibly 

 disturbed : the animal draws his breath, though perhaps 

 still but slowly, with a sign of labour or weight evidently 

 unusual. By this time the early dejection is often succeeded 

 by an unnatural watchfulness ; the horse will have his head 

 raised and his ears erect, as if he were in the act of listen- 

 ing, when he proves still, in reality, listless of all around 

 him. He has now no appetite ; his dung, if he should 

 have lately voided any, is high-coloured and in small rolls. 

 He stales but little at a time, oftener than usual, and 

 perhaps not without some groan, grunt, or extraordinary 

 effort. 



We find that debility is one of the first changes which 

 takes place ; and in all the varieties and changes of 

 appearance debility is always a leading feature. 



Causes. — Debility, over-exertion, customary evacuations 

 suddenly suppressed, cold applied to the body while hot. 

 Horses that are kept in very warm stables, highly fed, and 

 have very little exercise are peculiarly liable to febrile 

 attacks. 



Like most other disorders, however, and oftener, indeed, 

 than most others, fever makes its appearance without any 

 evident or determinate cause, unless we choose to ascribe it 



