544 NERVOUS DISEASES. 



AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE, in districts wlieie kunuee is 

 known to appear, care should be taken that the grass is not cut 

 from swampy or lately inundated lands, and washed in stagnant 

 water — as is frequently done in India — before it is brought in. A 

 full quantity of salt (3|- oz. daily) should be given with the food, 

 or rock salt should be kept in the manger. 



THE LAMENESS OF KUMREEis characterised by marked 

 weakness in the hind quarters. In the early stages, the animal 

 will walk and trot fairly well, although with a certain loss of free- 

 dom in his hind action. He turns, however, with difficulty, from 

 want of proper control over his hind legs. If forced to back, he 

 will exhibit more or less inability to support his hind quarters, 

 or may even sit down on his haunches. Generally, the animal will 

 be unable to bear the weight of a rider on his back, and may even 

 crouch down if the loins are pressed upon by the hand. In con- 

 firmed cUses, he " drags " his hind legs — usually one more than the 

 other — fails to advance them with precision, and can progress but 

 slowly. If backed, or even turned sharply, he is liable to fall. 



SYMPTOMS OF KUMREE.— As a rule, the symptoms come on 

 very gradually, and may take three or four months to become fully 

 developed. At first, there is nothing to indicate the mischief 

 beyond a trifling awkwardness in the animal's hind action, which, 

 on being observed by persons well acquainted with the symptoms 

 of kumree, might elicit the remark that the horse was beginning 

 to " go in the loins ; " although still able to perform his accus- 

 tomed work in a fairly efficient manner. Probably he will then 

 get gradually worse, until, after a few months, he will become quite 

 useless. 



Softening of the spinal cord is usually found after death. 



CHANCES OF RECOVERY.— Other things being equal, paralysis 

 from spinal congestion is more likely to get well than that from 

 kumree. I have never heard of recovery after a severe case of 

 either variety. After a comparatively mild attack, a horse may 

 improve sufficiently for li_ght harness work, or even, in exceptional 

 instances, become all right again. If the symptoms do not mend, 

 the probability is that the animal will gradually become worse, 

 and die after some months. In' both forms of paralysis of the 

 loins, the chances are greatly against the patient. 



TREATMENT OF KUMREE.— Blister or fire over the loins, and 

 give nux vomica, as recommended on page 547. Two drachms of 

 sulphate of iron may be given in the food daily, as well as iodide of 

 potassium, from time to time. 



