8 
ALBUMINOUS URINE. 
human medicine on the subject, and soon learned that the case must 
be one of “ serous or albuminous urine,” a conclusion in which I 
became afterwards confirmed by the application to the fluid of the 
usual tests. Since this I have noticed two other cases. 
The Symptoms observed in one slight case were, a continual 
desire in the horse to stretch himself out in his stall, and thus con- 
tinue with his fore legs extended under the manger, and his hind 
ones backward, unless disturbed, all day long ; not for the purpose 
of staling, but apparently because that posture seemed an easy or 
a comfortable one to him. In another case the horse stood in his 
stall “ all of a heap,” with his back roached and his hind legs ad- 
vanced underneath his body. Led out, the animal in his gait 
evinces stiffness in the back and loins, which is most manifest in 
turning round. There is some fever attendant; but this, in a slight 
case, will but amount to a slight heat of mouth and acceleration of 
pulse, without materially affecting, perhaps, either the spirits or the 
appetite. In a severe attack, however, there will be rigors, and a 
great deal of pain, manifested by accelerated respiration and loud 
blowing or puffing at the nostrils, anxious countenance, and small 
quick pulse ; combined with extreme disinclination to move, and 
great pain and difficulty in progressing and turning the hind parts. 
The bowels are commonly confined. 
The state of the urine, however, must constitute our diagnosis. 
The groom must seize the earliest opportunity to collect some. 
Should it prove albuminous, it will assume a deep or dead straw- 
colour, and be found of the consistence of a thick solution of gum. 
Submitted to the test of bichloride of mercury, it will yield a co- 
pious milky fiocculent precipitate, resembling white of egg ; and in 
some casses — not in all — the albumen contained in it will coa- 
gulate on exposure of the urine to heat : when this last test fails, 
I take it the failure is attributable to the large quantity of water 
with which the albumen is united. Its coagulation, however, may 
still be effected by adding a little acetic acid, and afterwards some 
prussiate of potass. 
The adult period of life seems the time at which we are to look 
for this disease. My patients were aged six, seven, and eight years. 
Relapse took place in one instance. The first attack, but slight, 
happened in April 1839 ; the second, very severe, occurred in 
March 1840. 
During cold weather the disease has appeared. I have had no 
case in summer. 
Pathology. — Dr. Blackall, many years ago, directed the atten- 
tion of the medical world to the albuminous condition of the urine 
in dropsy, regarding it as an indication of inflammation and a guide 
