524 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



As a prompt diffusable stimulant during. the severe depression, 

 the following may be given : — 



Sulphuric ether 2 oz. 



<■ Water 1 pint. 



Given as a drench. Or, 15 to 25 drops tincture of aconite, in a pint of ale. 



After the attack has passed off, the horse should be turned out 

 where he will be well protected from the glare of the sun by trees, 

 etc., and allowed to rest for a few weeks ; and if it can be avoided, 

 he should not be driven afterward in the hot sun. 



f . Azoturia, Partial Paralysis, Spinal Meningitis, etc. 



Under these and other names we will notice a disease which is 

 at times very common in this, country, and very alarming: in its as- 

 pect, from the suddenness of its attack and severity of its symptoms, 

 producing almost complete loss of power of the hind quarters. 



Causes. — It usually occurs in horses which are being "fed up," 

 Or which have been accustomed to hard work, and are allowed to 

 , remain in the stable for a few days, having a liberal allowance of 

 good feed ; the system becomes plethoric, more blood being formed 

 than the system can dispose of, whereby the vascular organs are 

 , overloaded, and consequently, under increased action caused by ex- 

 ertion, they are apt to become congested. 



Symptoms. — -The animal is apparently in excellent health and 

 spirits. He starts off lively ; but before he has gone ^ar, he sud- 

 denly stops, crouches, seems very much distressed. The sweat rolls 

 off him in streams ; he blows and heaves at $he flanks ; he cannot 

 move for a few minutes- He drops on his hind quarters; can 

 hardly drag them after him. When made to move, he drops as if 

 his leg was dislocated or broken. The pulse is very high, from sixty 

 to eighty, and the muscles of the quarter are swollen and hard. In 

 some cases he gets down, and cannot get up again ; but seldom is 

 loss of power at first complete, or sensibility entirely lost. The 

 urine is generally very high colored ; we have seen it black or coffee 

 colored, which is a sure proof of the trouble, and always voided with 

 difficulty. 



Treatment. — When seen in the early stages, abstract six quarts 

 of blood,* remove the urine with a catheter, and give from 1 to 8 

 drachms of aloes. Persistently apply hot-water cloths to the loins, 



•There is some difference of opinion as to the propriety of bleeding. Some of the heat 

 practitioner! do not ndw bleed for this difficulty, and while I should regard it good treatment, 

 - it may be omitted, as physicking, with other treatment, will usually give sufficient relief; but if 

 the case is very hearty, short-necked, and full blooded, bleeding would seem to be advisable. 



