THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 2R3 



disease extends over the voluntary muscles oi the trunk 

 and extremities, tlie appearances are distressing in the 

 extreme. The head is raised, the ears pointed forwards, 

 the nostrils dilated, and the nose is protruded ; the legs 

 straddle wide ; the tail is cocked, and quivers ; and the 

 abdominal muscles are drawn tight over the belly, giving 

 to the horse an appearance of having just completed some 

 extraordinary exertion. 



The complaint presents a few moments of imperfect 

 relaxation, sometimes from the extreme contractions of 

 over-strained muscles, while profuse sweats mark the dis- 

 tress of continued convulsion. The circulation is, in most 

 instances, at first not much affected ; but as the disease 

 increases, the pulse quickens and becomes tremulous and 

 irregular. The respiration, also, gradually becomes hurried 

 and intermittent ; costiveness is usually present, and the 

 urine is sparingly voided. In this state of suffering the 

 animal may remain from six to ten days, when, worn by 

 inanition and irritation, he dies in convulsions. At others, 

 either from remedies or spontaneously, the contractions give 

 way slightly ; feeble attempts are made to eat ; the limbs 

 become gradually under the action of the voluntary muscles ; 

 and a slow recovery takes place. Post-mortem examination 

 shows no change from the healthy state, except some 

 inflammatory appearances in the lungs or intestines, one or 

 both. 



Treatment. — There are many cases narrated in veterinary 

 books in which some modes of treatment of very opposite 

 kinds have been practised with success. Some bleed largely, 

 that they may gain the full advantage of this sedative 

 influence. This depletion is followed by strong purgatives, 

 and then the disorder is attacked locally by a blister, from 

 the poll down to the rump, the sides, and, in some cases, all 

 over the belly. By this system of counter-irritation, they 

 tell us, they have overcome the original affection of the 

 spinal cord. Setons, too, have been inserted along the 

 whole course of the spine ; but they have not proved effica- 

 cious. Sheepskins, applied warm, from the poll to the tail, 

 have been found to give more relief, and are certainly more 

 humane. Docking and nicking being barbarities fortunately 

 out of date, we may forget the treatment given in the older 

 veterinary books, so often called for by tetanic attacks from 

 those cruel operations. 



