MUSCULAR RHEUJfATISM. 93 , 



lactic acid, which accumulates in the muscular tissue after fatigue or 

 over-exertion, and may occasionally produce temporary myositis. Up to 

 the present time,. no satisfactory proof has been furnished enahhng us 

 to identify the myositis of rheumatism ^Yith the myositis of over-exertion, 

 which, moreover, appears to differ from it in essential particulars. 



Symptoms. Muscular rheumatism is often ill-recognised in veterinary 

 medicnre, and closer observation would appear to suggest that it is 

 much less frequent than has been stated. Generalised muscular rheu- 

 matism is rare ; patients stand stiffly as though incapable of moving ; 

 the limbs and the back appear rigid, and the animal seems only capable 

 of changing its position by a single movement of its whole body. One 

 might readily believe at first sight that the case was one of generalised 

 laminitis or slight generalised tetanus. The animal has difficulty in 

 rising ; when moving the limbs are dragged, and the patient is cautious 

 in lying down. 



Most frequently the disease is localised in one region, such as the 

 shoulder, the loins, or the quarters. The affected part is stiff, tense, 

 painful, hard, and as though in a state of cramp. Palpation and pressure 

 reveal the presence of very exaggerated sensibility, which varies within 

 wide limits, according to circumstances, changes in atmospheric con- 

 ditions, etc. These local signs are accompanied l)y a general reaction of 

 varying severity, somewhat resembling that seen in articular rheumatism. 

 Appetite is diminished or suppressed, as is rumination ; the muzzle is dry 

 and hot ; the temperature may rise as high as 103° or 104° Fahr. 



Lesions. The lesions are imperfectly recognised, because those who 

 might most easily observe and study them have often neither the means 

 nor the leisure for the purpose. Possibly one would at times discover 

 lesions of -neuritis ; but in any case it is not so very rare to discover 

 lesions of interstitial sclerosing myositis in the depths of the muscles of 

 the quarter, loins, shoulders, etc., a condition rarely found in any other 

 disease. Naturally these are only the ultimate lesions of muscular 

 rheumatism ; for slight attacks leave no traces visible to external 

 examination. 



Diagnosis. The commonest error is that of mistaking the condition 

 for laminitis of all four limbs. The history often suffices to eliminate 

 this disease from consideration, while palpation and percussion of the 

 claws remove any remaining doubt. 



The prognosis is not usually grave, and recovery sometimes follows 

 the adoption of good hj'gienic conditions. On the other hand, certain 

 patients lose flesh rapidly. 



Treatment. Salicylate of soda and antipyrin still form the two most 

 efficacious drugs, particularly the first, which may almost be regarded as 

 a veritable specific in rheumatism. The doses vary with the size of the 



