LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
103 
bably in anticipation of impending heavy duties to be performed 
during the ensuing week, his attendant considers it necessary to 
augment his present allotted rations, and very likely not only in- 
crease them in quantity, but also in quality. What is the result? 
Why, the storm which has been gradually but imperceptibly gather- 
ing, now bursts with all its fury. The horse, when required on the 
Monday morning, is indisposed ; his leg is swollen ; he has a 
“ humour or weed,” or whatever the carter may choose to term it ; 
however, he is incapacitated, for he is so lame as to be only able to 
hobble along. It is clearly evident that the system being physically 
almost in a state of inaction, is receiving by far too large a supply 
of nutrition ; indeed, the blood is surcharged with nutrient material, 
that not only supplies all the exigencies of the system, but is more 
than is required. This causes a disruption of the equilibrium of the 
distributive nutrient process, ultimately resulting in inflammation of 
one of the extremities. Therefore, in one of Nature’s grand laws of 
relieving herself, she causes a determination of blood to a portion of 
the body, and there commences her operations. From these re- 
marks I think it may be fairly defined to be an inflammatory affec- 
tion, and one wherein exists a relative alteration in the component 
parts of the blood. 
Symptoms . — These are almost too well known to all for me to 
attempt to enumerate ; but as they are the index to the chapter of 
occurrences which separately and combinedly aid in effecting a true 
diagnosis, it is necessary they should be duly considered, 
fc A disinclination to feed is generally the first noticeable symptom 
indicated, and this arouses the suspicions of the attendant, who, 
perhaps, notices that upon endeavouring to turn the animal in the 
stall, he exhibits some little obstinacy, and in moving is seen to 
“favour one leg.” To these succeed swelling at first on the inside, 
but afterwards becoming more diffused, of the limb affected, together 
with those constitutional symptoms denominated symptomatic or 
sympathetic fever. Great pain is experienced by the animal when 
pressure is imparted to the inner side of the thigh, in the neigh- 
bourhood of the large vessels and nerves. The swelling of the limb 
continues, the skin becoming tense ; symptomatic fever runs higher ; 
the pulse is exceedingly rapid, and in character small and hard ; the 
breathing is accelerated ; the skin feels hot and dry ; the visible 
mucous membranes are congested ; the mouth hot and parched ; the 
secretions are partially suppressed, the faeces being hard and slimy ; 
the urine scanty and high coloured ; the countenance denotes great 
pain and anxiety. The swelling and lameness still increase, the 
limb is suspended, the slightest concussion causing immense pain. 
As the disease progresses enlargements appear in the neighbourhood 
of the principal joints. These swellings point and burst, leaving ill- 
conditioned, angry-looking sores. Finally the poor animal sinks 
from exhaustion and dies. 
Such are the symptoms where the disease pursues its course un- 
molested ; and even in some instances art, with all its healing pro- 
pensities, is unable to check its progress ; but I am glad to say those 
cases are few, where judicious care and treatment are instituted. 
