355 



In sucli a case tbe prognosis is necessarily a grave one. 'So form of 

 treatment can be advised; and tbe safferiug of a helpless and useless 

 animal can only be terminated by that which ends all. 



Cases occur, however, where this condition of the blood-vessels exists 

 in a much less degree, and the diseased condition is not sufticiently pro- 

 nounced for final condemnation. There may even be a possibility of the 

 absorption of the clot, and that an increase of the circulation may be 

 sufiticient to supply the parts with blood. In such cases attempts may 

 be made looking to the possibility of relief, and the pasture, field, or the 

 stable, and unmolested nature must be trusted for the rest. 



Sprains of the loins. — This is an affection which suggests to the mind 

 the idea of muscular injury, and is ditficnlt to distinguish from many 

 similar cases. If the animal slirinks from the slightest pressure or 

 pinching of the spine, in the region of the loins, he is by many pro- 

 nounced to be '• lame in the loins," or " sprained in the loins," or " weak 

 in the kidneys." This is a grave error, as in fact this simple and gentle 

 yielding to such a pressure is not a pathological sign, but is normal and 

 significant of health. Yet there are sev^eral conditions to which the 

 definition of " sprains of the loins" may apply which are not strictly 

 normal. The muscles of the back and those of the loins proper, as the 

 psoas, may have been injured, or again there may be trouble of a rheu- 

 matic nature, perhaps suggestive of lumbago. Diseases of the bones 

 of the vertebral column, or even those of the organs of circulation, may 

 give rise to an exhibition of similar symptoms. These symptoms are 

 characteristic of a loss of rigidity or firmness of the vertebral column, 

 both when the animal is at rest and in action. In the former condition, 

 or when at rest, there is an arched condition of the back and a con- 

 strained posture in standing, with the hind legs separated. In the latter 

 there is a lateral, balancing movement at the loins, principally noticea- 

 ble while the animal is in the act of trotting — a iieculiar motion, some- 

 times referred to as a "crick in the back," or what the French call a 

 "tour de bateau.'''' If, while in action, the animal is suddenly made to 

 halt, the act is accompanied with much pain, the back suddenly arching 

 or bending laterally, and perhaps the hind legs thrown under the bod}'-, 

 as if unable to ijerform their functions in stopping, and sometimes it is 

 only accomplished at the cost of a sudden and severe fall. This mani- 

 festation is also exhibited when the animal is called upon to back, when 

 a repetition of the same symptoms will also occur. 



If a slight pressure on the back or the loins is followed by a moderate 

 yielding of the animal, it is, as we before remarked, a good sign of 

 health. With a sprain of the loins pressure of any kind is painful, and 

 will cause the animal to bend or to crouch under it more or less, accord- 

 ing to the weight of the pressure. Heavy loads, and even heavy har- 

 nessing will develop this tenderness. In lying down he seems to suffer 

 much discomfort, and often accompanies the act with groaning, and 

 wiien compelled to rise does so only with great diflQculty and seldom 

 succeeds without repeated efforts. 



