194 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION 



(b) Lumbago. Rheumatism of the muscles of the loins, 

 particularly of the psoas group, producing paraplegia in the 

 horse characterized by stiffness of the back and weakness or 

 paralysis of the hind parts. 



(c) Torticollis. A rheumatic torticollis (myalgia cervicalis) 

 produces a stiffness and bending of the neck. The splenius, 

 trapezius and brachiocephalic muscles are principally 

 involved. 



(d) Intercostal rheumatism which produces pleurodynia. 

 Pleurodynia in horses frequently follows long railway 



journeys. It is characterized by dyspnea and sensitiveness of 

 the intercostal muscles. 



Among other locations for rheumatism may be mentioned 

 the region of the hip (hip lameness), masseter muscles (dis- 

 turbance in mastication) and abdominal muscles (constipa- 

 tion) . Sometimes muscular rheumatism is generalized, affect- 

 ing practically all of the muscles of the body (polymyositis) . 

 If the case is severe and attended by fever, death may ensue. 

 Frequently as the result of chronic rheumatism the animal is 

 left permanently lame in the shoulder or back. 



Treatment. — Rheumatism is usually treated by local appli- 

 cations such as massaging the affected muscles with soap 

 liniment or by applying heat. To relieve intense pain nar- 

 cotics are useful. Preparations of salicylic acid or salicylate 

 of soda (5ij) are of some value. For chronic rheumatic 

 shoulder lameness the following prescription is recommended : 



Ifc — Veratrin . gr. vij 



Alcohol diluti gij 



M. f. sol. 

 Sig. — Inject 5 c.c. every twelve hours subcut. over region of shoulder. 



ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM. 



Definition. — Articular rheumatism is undoubtedly an in- 

 fectious disease. It affects the joints, producing in them a 

 serous or serofibrinous inflammation. 



Etiology. — While the causes are not known very probably 

 staphylococci and streptococci are the chief offenders. Cold 

 is never more than a predisposing cause. The germs enter 



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