INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 97 



What are the symptoms? 



It usually occurs as an enzootic disease. The animals are ap- 

 parently well at night, and in the morning one horse may be down, 

 another dead, others refuse their food, they being unable to swallow 

 on account of a paralysis of the throat, which condition can be 

 verified by the introduction of the hand into the pharynx. In the 

 course of several hours the paralysis may extend toward the 

 posterior extremity, causing a peculiar swaying motion, with a 

 dragging of the toe of the extremity. The tail is limp, it having 

 lost its power. These cases usually terminate rapidly, the average 

 duration being eighteen hours. The pulse, temperature, and 

 respiration are not of any particular use in making a diagnosis. 



How is the disease diagnosed? 



It may be diagnosed by the suddenness of the attack, by the 

 inability to swallow, from paralysis of that part, which usually ex- 

 tends toward the posterior extremity. 



What is the prognosis? 



Cerebro-spinal meningitis is usually fatal. 



Outline the treatment. 



This affection does not seem to yield to treatment. Belladonna, 

 ergot, quinine, calabar bean, potassium bromide, morphine (hypo- 

 dermically), iodide of potassium, are drugs used. Locally, ice 

 or cold applications to the head. 



SEPTICEMIA. 



What is septicaemia? 



Septicaemia comes from septico, signifying "putrefaction," 

 and hcemia, "blood." 



It is a constitutional disease due to the absorption into the 

 blood of decomposed dead matter from a wound; or it is a putrid 

 infection of the blood, associated with certain constitutional symp- 

 toms and caused by bacteria. 



Healthy blood will destroy bacteria if they are in small quan- 

 tities, but if in large quantities they poison the blood. 



What is the causation ? 



Ptomains and toxins will cause it; also microbes given under 



pyaemia. 



