DISEASES OE THE NEEVOUS SYSTEM. 245 



Treatment. — As soon as the true nature of the disease is ascertained 

 the aninal should be killed. 



Prevention. — ^When a horse is known to have been bitten by a 

 rabid animal, immediate cauterization of the wound with a red-hot 

 iron may possibly destroy the virus before absorption of it takes 

 place. 



PLUMBISM, OR LEAD POISONING. 



This disease is not of frequent occurrence. It may be due to the 

 habitual drinking of water which has been standing in leaden con- 

 ductors or in old paint barrels, etc. It has been met with in enzootic 

 form near smelting works, where, by the fumes arising from the 

 works, lead in the form of oxid, carbonate, or sulphate was deposited 

 on the grass and herbage which the horses ate. 



Symptoms. — ^Lead poisoning produces derangement of the func- 

 tions of digestion and locomotion, or it may aflfect the lungs princi- 

 pally. In whatever system of organs the lead is mostly deposited 

 there we have the symptoms of nervous debility most manifest. If 

 in the lungs, the breathing becomes difficult and the animal gets out 

 of breath very quickly when compelled to run. Roaring, also, is 

 very frequently a symptom of lead poisoning. When it affects the 

 Btomach, the animal gradually falls away in flesh, the hair becomes 

 rough, the skin tight, and colicky symptoms develop. When the 

 deposit is principally in the muscles, partial or complete paralysis 

 gradually develops. When large quantities of lead have been taken 

 in and absorbed, symptoms resembling epilepsy may result, or coma 

 and delirium develop and prove fatal. In lead poisoning there is 

 seldom any increase in temperature. A blue line forms along the 

 gums of the front teeth, and the breath assumes a peculiarly offensive 

 odor. Lead can always be detected in the urine by chemical tests. 



Treatmen,t.-^Th.e administration of 2-dram doses of iodid of potas- 

 sium three times a day is indicated. This will form iodid of lead in 

 the system, which is rapidly excreted by the kidneys. If much 

 muscular weakness or paralysis is present, sulphate of iron in 1-dram 

 doses and strychnia in 2;grain doses may be given twice a day. In 

 all cases of suspected lead poisoning all utensils which have entered 

 into the supply of feed or water should be examined for the presence 

 of soluble lead. If it occurs near lead works, great care must be 

 given to the supply of uncontaminated fodder, etc. 



UREMIA. 



Uremic poisoning may affect the brain in nephritis, acute albumi- 

 nuria, or when, from any cause, the functions of the kidneys become 

 impaired or suppressed and urea (a natural product) is no longer 

 eliminated from these organs, causing it to accumulate in the system 

 and give rise to uremic poisoning. 



