176 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



[Loco weed poisoning.* An intoxication disease affecting 



chiefly the nervous system. Effects not noticeable until a consid- 

 erable quantity of the "loco weed" has been eaten. Gait slow and 

 measured, eyes glassy and staring, vision interfered with, convul- 

 sions when animal is excited, later on, general emaciation. Occurs 

 in western States. 1 »U. S. Report. 



h. Diseases of the Liver. 



Distomatosis, cachexia distomatosa, a disease of sheep (less 

 frequent in cattle or goats) caused by Distomum (Fasciola) hepati- 

 cum or lanceolatum. Course chronic. The first symptoms appear six 

 weeks, or later, after invasion of the host by the parasite. Anemia, 

 hydraemia, cachexia. Eggs of parasite in feces. 



IX. Urinary Apparatus. 



In diagnosing diseases of the lungs percussion and aus- 

 cultation of the chest is of fundamental importance. In dis- 

 eases of the urinary apparatus we depend on the results of 

 physical and chemical examinations of the urine. Experience 

 has taught us that affections of the kidneys and urinary tract 

 are not as common in animals as they are in man and conse- 

 quently urinary analyses hardly merit the same importance 

 that is attached to them by physicians. Besides this the entire 

 field of kidney pathology in animals has received so little at- 

 tention from investigators that our lack of knowledge is often 

 evident to the diagnostician. 



Results of a urine examination often enable us to diag- 

 nose affections of other organs the abnormal products of 

 which pass over into the urine. 



The collection of the urine from animals is 

 always attended with difficulties, in practice it is often impos- 

 sible. As a rule the urine is caught up in a vessel during the 

 natural act of the animal. In horses a vessel can be secured 

 to the sheath and the urine thus collected. In female animals 

 the use of a disinfected catheter is permissible. 



In the course of the clinical examination we consider the 

 urine first ; if the latter shows material changes we also 

 examine the urinary organs. 



