PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 2 ^i 



blood and deserves more extended use in veterinary practice; and 

 the intravenous injection of collargol, which has already given satis- 

 factory results through its action in inhibiting germ development. 

 Collargol is given (H., 3ss-i; D., gr. i-ii) in 5 per cent, solution in 

 sterile water. Crede's ointment is a method of using it by inunc- 

 tion (H., §ss; D., 3ss-i) on the inner surface of the thighs after 

 thorough washing with soap and water and alcohol, but is less 

 certain than giving collargol by rectum. Neither are so efficient 

 as intravenous injection. 



Antistreptococcic serum has given good results in some in- 

 stances, especially when the infection is chiefly streptococcic and 

 in its early stage. 20-50 c. c. are given under the skin and repeated 

 every twelve hours if not at once effective. Iron (tine, of ferric 

 chloride, H, §i) is indicated during and after the immediate attack. 



Metchnikoff has recently shown that alcohol, quinine and opium 

 inhibit phagocytosis and therefore destroy the body's defence against 

 infection. He recommends the use of sterile horse serum for stimu- 

 lation of phagocytosis. 



Sexual Excitement (see p. 233). 



Spasm of the Diaphragm. 



Spasm of the diaphragm is caused by overexertion, " nervous- 

 ness " or gastric or intestinal irritation acting through the phrenic 

 nerve. Horses are attacked with a severe jerking or throbbing 

 which visibly shakes the whole body. This affects more the lower 

 border of the ribs and flanks along the attachment of the diaphragm 

 and is often more marked on the left side. The spasmodic throbs 

 of the body take place at the rate of 10 to 15 to the minute and are 

 accompanied by a dull thumping noise. Rarely, a sound like hiccup 

 in man is heard, although the condition resembles it pathologically. 

 It is distinguished from palpitation of the heart by lack of corre- 

 spondence between the rate of the heart-beat and pulse and the throb- 

 bing of the body. Rarely the rate of throbbing may be synchronous 

 with the heart-beat, but the greatest area of intensity is back of 



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