392 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



return to an apparently perfect condition. A return to labor will 

 lead to a renewal of the same incidents. 



A history like this suggests a. strong suspicion of a thrombus in an 

 artery of the hind leg, and this suspicion will be confirmed by the 

 external symptoms exhibited by the animal. The total absence of 

 any other disease which might account for the lameness, and a mani- 

 fest diminution of heat over a part or the whole of the extremity, 

 when compared with the opposite side or with any other portion of 

 the body; a sensation of cold attendant on the pain, but gradually 

 subsiding as the pain subsides, and the circulation, quickened by the 

 rest, has been reestablished throughout the extremity; all these are 

 confirmatory circumstances. Still, it is thus far only a suspicion, and 

 absolute certainty is yet wanting. To establish the truth of the case 

 the rectal exploration must be resorted to. The hands then, well pre- 

 pared and carefully introduced into the rectum, must explore for the 

 truth, first feeling for the large blood vessels which, divided at the 

 aorta, separate to supply the right and left legs. These must be com- 

 pared in respect to the pulsation and other particulars. The artery 

 which is healthy will, of course, exhibit all the proper conditions of 

 that state. On the other hand, if the vessel appears to the feel hard, 

 more or less cordy, and pulseless, or giving a sensation of fluttering, 

 as of a small volume of blood with a trickling motion passing through 

 a confined space, the difference between the sides will make the case 

 plain. The first will be the full flow of the circulation through an 

 unobstructed channel, the other a forced passage of the fluid between 

 the thrombus and the coats of the artery. In such case the prog- 

 nosis is necessarily a grave one and the disease is more liable to grow 

 worse than better. 



TreatTnent. — No form of treatment can be advised; the suffering 

 of a helpless and useless animal can only be terminated by that 

 which ends all. 



Cases occur, however, where this condition of the blood vessels 

 exists in a much less degree, and the diseased condition is not suf- 

 ficiently pronounced for final condemnation. There may even be 

 a possibility of the absorption of the clot, or that an increase of the 

 collateral circulation may be sufficient to supply the parts with blood. 

 In such cases spontaneous recovery may follow moderate exercise in 

 the pasture, field, or stable, or continuous light work may be given, 

 but too much hope should not be placed in such treatment. 



SPRAINS OF THE LOINS. 



This is an affection which suggests to the mind the idea of mus- 

 cular injury, and is difficult to distinguish from many similar cases. 

 If the animal shrinks from the slightest pressure or pinching of the 

 spine in the region of the loins, he is by many pronounced to be 



