194 THEORY AND PRACTICE 



Fl. Ex. Gelsemium ounces ij 



Potassium Bromide ounces i j 



Aqua qs. ad pint i 



M. Sig. — Give a 2-ounce dose about every three or 

 four hours. 



In addition to this Dr. Ellingwood suggests lithium citrate (1 

 dram in water) every two or three hours for the fi'rst 50 or 60 

 hours, then three times a day. 



For local treatment use hot fomentations. Wring out a rug 

 in hot water and apply over the loins. Cover with water proof 

 and then dry blankets. This keeps the steam in. During con- 

 valescence give nux vomica. Remember that a horse's chances 

 are much better for recovery if he is able to remain in the stand- 

 ing position. If he can bear about two-thirds of his own weight 

 slings may be tried, but they usually aggravate the symptoms. 



If the muscles waste in the hind quarter, treat by stimulating 

 with setons. Put in three setons about two inches apart and 

 leave them in about six weeks. Send the animal to pasture and 

 give a good long rest. It may take six months for the muscles to 

 redevelop. If necessary you can medicate the setons with canth- 

 arides, turpentine, etc. Be sure to give gentle exercise, but give 

 all he can take. If the wasting is extensive and severe get him 

 up for exercise every two or three hours. 



Although the urine is so dark colored and full of the coloring 

 matters of the blood, yet a microscopical examination of a por- 

 tion of it under the high power lens does not show any pigment 

 crystals. Also an examination of the blood does not reveal any 

 diagnostic features. The red blood corpuscles are normal in 

 color and size and do not give evidence of having lost their con- 

 stituents. In fact some authorities consider the pigment body 

 which colors the urine to be directly a muscle element and not 

 a blood. Muscle haemoglobin, however, has the same composi- 

 tion as blood haemoglobin. 



Friedberger and Froehner say that the blood in azoturia 

 will show the haemoglobin crystals. 



Azoturia is a complex affection. It is rather a disease of the 

 liver and blood forming functions than of the kidneys, although 

 the vulgar idea is that the disorder is one of the urinary tract. 



