180 DISEASES OF THE BLOOD 



setting their coloring matter free. Cold may assist in that it 

 stimulates metabolism. 



Symptoms. — The attack usually occurs without warning 

 and within ten to fifteen minutes after leaving the stable and 

 while being driven on the street. In rarer instances several 

 hours may elapse before symptoms appear. The patient, 

 which has been playful and lively perhaps, suddenly becomes 

 stiff behind or may knuckle in a hind fetlock. If the horse 

 be forced ahead it may fall to the ground, where it generally 

 makes vigorous but ineffectual efforts to regain its feet. 

 Some cases do not fall, however, but retain their feet; the 

 gait is stiff and the hind parts not fully under control. As a 

 rule the patient cannot walk and is therefore transported 

 to the stable or hospital in an ambulance. When down 

 during the first stages of the disease, the patient is restless 

 and may struggle desperately to rise. Quite often the head, 

 especially around the eye, is contused, the recumbent patient 

 recklessly throwing its head against the street or the stall 

 partition. While the mind is clear the face shows great 

 anxiety, no doubt due to pain. The respirations are increased 

 and the whole body dripping with sweat. The muscles of the 

 hind parts, especially the crural muscles, the quadriceps 

 femoris and the adductors are harder than normal and 

 swollen. In some instances the muscles of the anterior limb 

 are involved, especially the anconeous group. The affected 

 muscles are not particularly sensitive and in a day or two 

 become softer and relax. The temperature in mild cases 

 is not much influenced after the restlessness subsides. In 

 severe cases, however, due to such complications as decubital 

 gangrene, great blood dissolution, nephritis, pneumonia, etc., 

 the patient may show high fever. The pulse is high during 

 the excitement early in the attack, but later becomes slower 

 unless complications involving the heart muscle set in. It 

 is often 50 to 60 but may reach 80 to 100. 



The urine is often retained, distending the bladder. Where 

 drawn it is found turbid and dark, the color varying from that 

 of coffee mixed with a little milk to an almost inky blackness. 

 It is rich in sediment and if strained becomes clear but does 

 not lose the dark coloration. The specific gravity is high, 



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