526 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



he had six cases, as a consequence, in one week, all of which made 

 good recovery. One case had been down forty-eight hours, another 

 some eighteen hours, and a third about twelve hours before he was 

 called. This success induced me to make the request that he would 

 give me, in the fewest words; the outline of his understanding of the 

 disease, with his treatment, which I give here as dictated by him : — 



This disease is generally common to horses that are worked hard, then stand 

 still with regular feed. When put to work, or when driven, perhaps not going 

 more than a quarter to half a mile, begin to sweat profusely, and in a few minutes 

 afterward show great weakness in the back, acting as if haying lost power to move 

 the hind legs ; in fact, appearing stiff all over. If not helped quickly, the horse is 

 i liable to fall down. 



The cause of the disease is the horse making more blood, while idle, than the 

 system can appropriate. When put to work, the muscles in the lumbar region be- 

 come congested, and the consequence is the horse loses power to raise or control his 

 hind parts. If treated properly, will usually regain his strength in from twenty-four 

 to thirty-six hours. , 



Treatment. — First give a sharp cathartic, also apply counter-irritants over the re- 

 gion of the kidneys, using sheep-skin or counter-irritants ; also use the catheter. 

 Give small doses of spirits of niter, with 10 to 15 drops aconite added, from four to six 

 hours apart. When fever subsides, give nervine tonics with strychnine in one half 

 grain doses, or powdered nux vomica in one half drachm doses, in from two to four 

 hours apart. If not very serious, about four hours apart. 



If the horse is not able to rise, must not let him lie on one side longer than 

 three hours at a time. These cases are nervous and must not be excited. They 

 must be handled very gently and walked around very carefully. 



After this article was written I received a U. S. Veterinary 

 Journal for December, 1883, published in Chicago, 111., in which I 

 find ah excellent essay on this subject read by W. L. Williams, 

 V. S., before the Illinois State Veterinary Association, and as an 

 additional aid to successful treatment, I copy that advised by him : — 



The great essential in treatment is careful nursing, without which success is 

 rarely possible in severe cases. As soon as the first symptoms appear, keep the an- 

 imal as quiet as possible. If able to stand comfortably, have him stand as still as 

 possible ; if recumbent, procure him a good bed of straw at once, and by as quiet 

 means as possible try to prevent any effort at getting up. This can usually be done 

 readily by having a steady man hold the head, or he can be assisted by another man 

 keeping the lower fore leg flexed against the chest by means of a strap upon the 

 foot. Should the animal be standing, but growing more and more liable to fall, lose 

 no time in getting him into the most comfortable place at hand. When already 

 down, unless the weather be inclement or the location unfavorable, do not attempt 

 to move him for two or three hours, when he should be removed to a well-bedded, 

 comfortable loose box or shed. He can with little difficulty be rolled on a low sled 

 or a farm gate, when a good span pf horses will readily drag him to the stall door, 

 and five or six men will soon place him where desired. Pass the catheter early, ana 



