9i6 Veterinary Obstetrics 



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able weather during the season furnished exceedingly luxuriant 



pasturage. During that year I observed seven well marked cases, 

 several of which offered favorable opportunities for observation 

 throughout a greater part of the course of the disease. 



A well-bred road mare, ip high condition, with a vigorous, 

 well-nourished foal, eight to ten days old, at her side, was 

 brought from the pasture preparatory to being bred. Soon after 

 her arrival at the owner's stable, it was noticed that the mare 

 was restless and nervous, her eyes somewhat staring, and occa- 

 sional muscular twitchings were present. Most noticeable of all 

 was a peculiar, very well-marked throbbing of the chest, which 

 shook the entire body. It seemed like an exaggerated heart- 

 beat, and was quite regular in rhythm and force, but was not 

 rhythmical with the heart-beat. The disturbance seemed great- 

 est along the line of attachment of the diaphragm to the ribs, 

 and the phenomena could be attributed to no other cause than 

 clonic spasm of the diaphragm. There was some trismus present, 

 but not sufficient to prevent the patient from eating with relish 

 and comparative ease. 



With quietude and moderate doses of belladonna and cannabis 

 Indica, she made a good recovery in a few hours. 



In another case I was called to attend a half-blood draft mare, 

 aged seven years, in prime condition and perfect health prior to 

 the date of my visit. She had foaled ten days before without 

 trouble, and the foal was vigorous and well nourished. She was 

 then brought from the pasture for the first time, and placed in 

 the stable. Within a few hours, sj'mptoms of disease were 

 manifested. 



I found the animal in great pain, very nervous, and easily dis- 

 turbed by any movements or noise. She lay down quite fre- 

 quently. While Ij'ing, she became more tranquil, and all the 

 symptoms abated. While dt)wn, the animal lay on her sternum, 

 and did not attempt to roll ; in rising she did so with apparent 

 ease. While standing there were constant clonic twitchings of 

 the muscles of the entire body, spasmodic movements of the 

 limbs, frequent changes in posture, trembling, profuse sweating, 

 with the nostrils widely distended, and the movements stiff as in 

 tetanus. There was no protrusion of the membrana nictatans 

 over the eyeballs, but the eyes were staring, the pupils dilated, 

 and the conjunctivae dark livid in color.' There was severe tris- 



