250 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



How may azoturia be differentiated from fractures? 



By a careful examination and manipulation of the parts and 

 discovering the crepitation. 



Give the prognosis. 



The prognosis is variable and depends on the time and place 

 as well as the condition of the animal. 



If the animal is down, very uneasy, having symptoms of de- 

 lirium, then the prognosis is grave. In other cases the animal re- 

 mains standing, the case looks favorable, but soon the patient gets 

 weak, falls down, thrashes around, and is either destroyed or dies. 



In other cases the animal remains quiet (either standing or 

 down), the medicines seem to act well, and the horse recovers. 



The prognosis should always be guarded, as 85 or 90 per cent. 

 of severe cases die. The color of the urine may be a guide, the 

 darker the urine the more grave the prognosis, as a rule. 



The prognosis seems to vary in different years. Sometimes 

 80 to 95 per cent, are fatal while another time 80 to 90 per cent, 

 recover; again paralysis of the muscles at the stifle results. 



Give the treatment. 



There is no remedy, as yet, that has given satisfaction. 



Bleeding has been recommended, and theoretically, it would 

 seem to be indicated, but, practically, it is difficult to do, as the 

 animals are often down and thrashing about. 



Bleeding, however, relieves the pressure on the blood-vessels, 

 and the remedial agents in the alimentary tract will be more 

 readily taken up. It should be followed by an injection of normal 

 saline solution to replace the blood drawn, especially if a large 

 quantity is drawn. 



These animals are generally uneasy; they get up on their 

 front feet, bang their head on the floor, and thrash about; in these 

 cases we usually give chloral hydrate to quiet them. 



The next indication is to unload the bowels by a full dose of 

 aloes with calomel. 



This should be followed by diuretics, as nitrate of potassium 

 or colchicum, or a combination of these. Many advise strychnine 

 and other nerve-stimulants when the acute symptoms have sub- 

 sided. 



Enemas may be given to assist the action of the purge. 

 Another remedy recommended by the Germans is eserine given 

 in the trachea. 



