506 GKNEEAL DISEASES. 



of pigment must be derived from the inflamed muscles, the colouring matter 

 of which is almost identical with that of the blood (hasmoglobin). The fact, 

 however, of there being a marked and continuous decrease in the number 

 of red corpuscles in the blood during the progress of the disease conclusively 

 shows, as pointed out by McFadyean, that the excess of pigment is more 

 or less derived from the broken-up red corpuscles. In severe cases, the 

 urine is charged with pigment ; but not in mild ones. The term, hiemo- 

 globinuria, signifies the presence of haemoglobin in the urine. 



The theory is advanced that in this disease there is an abnormal amount 

 of acids (lactic acid, &c.) formed in the affected muscles, vrhich are irritated 

 by this excess. In support of this theory is the fact that the alkalinity of 

 the blood is greatly diminished in hsemoglobinuria, and consequently the 

 effect of large doses of bicarbonate of soda has been very successful. 



SYMPTOMS. — The seizure is sudden, and usually appears when 

 llie horse has travelled a short distance after having been in the 

 stable for a few days. The appearance of an animal suffering 

 from this disease is characteristic; for without any visible cause, 

 he becomes excited and seems as if he had severely injured his 

 hind quarters or loins. He has a pecular, goose-rumped look 

 on account of the muscles over the quarters being violently con- 

 tracted. One hind limb is generally advanced in front of its fellow, 

 and, on attempting to put weight on it, the hind quarters occasion- 

 ally drop until the hooks, almost touch the ground. Sometimes a 

 fore limb is affected. The breathing is hurried. The animal is 

 bathed in perspiration, and is in such agony that he will seize 

 almost anything with his teeth, and, not infrequently, will tear the 

 affected side or a fore^arm. Although the pulse is hard and fre- 

 quent ; the internal temperature, even in severe cases, seldom rises 

 to any marked extent. The urine is dark-coloured and is usually 

 copious, though the horse may be unable to void it. Owing to the 

 cessation of the worm-like movement of the bowels, there is, 

 generally, constipation and retention of urine. Sometimes, the 

 symptoms are milder than those here described. On other occa- 

 sions, the animal soon falls to the ground, and continues to struggle 

 in a delirious, half-paralysed state, until it dies in a few hours. 



This disease may be mistaken for cerebro-spinal fever, but differs 

 from it (1) by the nature of the urine ; (2) and by the history of 

 the case. 

 • 



TREATMENT. — ^Place the horse in a large, well-ventilated box 

 and give him plenty of water to drink. If he can stand in slings, 

 put him in them. As he is very restless in this disease, lie will, 

 if allowed to lie down, knock himself about, and by doing so, will 

 greatly increase the pain and excitement. Besides, the fact of 

 his lying down, is very apt to induce fatal congestion of the lungs. 

 In some cases, however, he will be quite unable to support himself 

 with his hind legs, and would fall back in the slings, if they were 



