CANADIAN HORSE AND HIS DISEASES. ]0] 



he shows symptoms of abdominal pain, " khowingly" pro- 

 nounce it " inflammation of the kidneys." 



However, nephritis is now and then to be met with, though 

 rarely. 



Causes. — In the acute form, it most commonly arises 

 from over-straining in heavy draught, galloping on heavy 

 ground with an over-weight up, injuring the muscles of the 

 loins, and involving the kidneys ; also from feeding on 

 musty hay or oats, or the too free use of diuretics, either 

 producing inflammation directly, or rendering them weak 

 and more liable to it when exposed to exciting causes. 

 It is sometimes seen in horses kept in open stables or 

 sheds, where water gets dropping on their loius, exposure 

 to cold when heated or wet with rain will also give rise 

 to pi. 



Sym.ptoms. — ^He is fevered with a quick, hard, but full 

 pulse, sometimes he is much pained, lies down and groans, 

 throwihg his legs out, and pointing with his' nose to the 

 flank or loins, he soon gets up, and stretches as if to stale, 

 makes frequent efi'orts, and forcibly ejects a small quantity 

 of high-coloured and -often bloody urine. There is pain 

 evinced on pressure on the loins, he straddles in walking, he 

 is very unwilling to turn or move in the stall. It may be 

 distinguished from inflammation of the bladder by passing 

 the hand up the rectum, when the bladder is inflamed it 

 will be hot and tender. 



Treatment. — The fever must be combated, but not by the 

 copious and repeated blood-lettings, so commonly recom- 

 mended in books, which is too depleting and apt to weaken. 

 Give in a little cold water or gruel, with the drenching horn, 

 fifteen drops of tincture of aconite, every two hours ; or 

 either of the following balls may be given, two or three 

 times a-day if necessary : — 



