KUMEEE. 545 



rangements of the system — paralysis among the rest — a train of 

 symptoms which does not suggest kumree. The symptoms of 

 kumree in no way suggest that this disease is caused by the eating 

 of lathyrus sativus (p. 588). 



As a PREVENTIVE MEASURE, in districts where kumree is 

 known to appear, care should be taken that the grass is not cut 

 from swampy or lately inundated lands, and that it is not washed 

 in stagnant water — as is frequently done in India — before it is 

 brought in. A full quantity of salt (3|- oz. daily) should be given 

 with the food, or rook salt should be kept in the manger. 



THE LAMENESS OF KUMREE is characterised by marked 

 weakness in the hind quarters. In the early stages, the animal 

 will walk and trot fairly well, although with a certain loss of 

 freedom in his hind action. He turns, however, with difficulty, 

 from want of proper control over his hind legs. If forced to back, 

 he will exhibit more or less inability to support his hind quarters, 

 or may even sit down on his haunches. Generally, the animal will 

 be unable to bear the weight of a rider on his back, and may even 

 crouch down if the loins are pressed upon by the hand. In con- 

 firmed cases, he " drags " his hind legs — usually one more than the 

 other — fails to advance them with precision, and can progress but 

 slowly. If backed, or even turned sharply, he is liable to fall. 



SYMPTOMS OF KUMREE.— As a rule, the symptoms come on 

 very gradually, and may take three or four months to become fully 

 developed. At first, there is nothing to indicate the mischief 

 beyond a trifling awkwardness in the animal's hind action, which, 

 on being observed by persons well acquainted with the symptoms 

 of kumree, might elicit the remark that the horse was beginning 

 to " go in the loins ; " although he might be still able to perform 

 his accustomed work in a fairly efficient manner. We shall, pro- 

 bably, then find that he will get gradually worse, until, after a 

 few months, he will become quite useless. 



Softening of the spinal cord is the chief peculiar appearance ob- 

 served after death. 



r CHANCES OF RECOVERY.— I think that paralysis from spinal 

 co%estion is more likely to get well, other things being equal, 

 than that from kumree. I have never heard of recovery after a 

 severe case of either variety. A horse which has had a compara- 

 tively mild attack, may improve sufficiently for light harness work, 

 or may even, in exceptional instances, become all right again. If 

 the symptoms do not mend, the probability is that the animal will 



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