MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM 367 



muscles are affected. The various functions of the body are 

 interfered with owing to the pain from the disease. The 

 sensibility of the skin is either normal or hypersensitive. As 

 a rule no appreciable rise in temperature is noted. The 

 respirations are increased and may be shallow when the 

 respiratory muscles are affected. The pulse may be increased 

 materially, due to the pain present. The general condition 

 of the animal is good and the appetite retained. In severe 

 cases animals become emaciated from the disturbance of the 

 functions. Complications occur occasionally in the form of 

 acute inflammation of serous membranes, and disturbances 

 in the digestive tract. 



Course.— The acute attack, as a rule, lasts only a few days 

 to one week. The symptoms may disappear entirely. 

 Recurrence of the condition is to be expected. 



Prognosis.— Complete recovery without periodical recur- 

 rences of the disease can hardly be hoped for. Unless 

 complications develop the patient will apparently recover 

 from the attack. 



Treatment.— The early indications in the treatment are: 

 Protection of the patient from exposure, relief from the 

 pain and the administration of antirheumatic agents. The 

 animal should be placed in a moderately warm, dry place 

 with a soft bed. All further exposure to cold and dampness 

 should be avoided. Local applications to the affected 

 muscles are recommended. Massage the muscles with soap 

 liniment, camphor liniment, or chloroform liniment. These 

 should be applied once or twice daily. Hot towels applied 

 to the affected area often give relief promptly. Internally 

 administer sodium salicylate or salicylic acid in large doses 

 (0.9 to 1.5) once daily. When the pain is intense it is 

 advisable to control it by subcutaneous injections of morphin 

 sulphate (0.1 to 0.2). This may be repeated in twelve to 

 eighteen hours if necessary. Complications as they arise 

 should be treated. In cases that tend to become chronic, 

 potassium iodid is highly recommended (0.2 to 0.4). Ple- 

 thoric animals should be depleted by administering saline 

 laxatives (magnesium sulphate 8.0 to 12.0). 



