612 
ABSTRACT FROM EXCHANGES. 
that she does not rest on her left hind leg*. Two days after it is 
the right which is also kept in extension as if dislocation of the 
patella was present. The general condition is otherwise good and 
the functions are normal. The muscles of the back, of the thighs 
and shanks are hard. Pricks with needle give rise to violent 
struggles, the tendinous reflexes are exaggerated. The left leg is 
sometimes spasmodically carried in adduction and then forcibly 
backwards. Passive motions give rise to violent reactions re¬ 
sembling epileptoid trepidations of the disease of Jackson. Diag¬ 
nosis was made by the writer by comparing the symptoms to 
those observed in children and described as the spinal form of 
the disease of Little. The treatment consisted in stimulating fric¬ 
tions three times a day over the loins, thighs and shanks. Passive 
motions five times a day of all the joints of the legs affected. 
Iodide of potassium internally. After the seventh day of this 
treatment, improvement begins to be observed and after two 
weeks convalescence was well marked. Unfortunately as recov¬ 
ery was gradually progressing the little animal took broncho¬ 
pneumonia and died with it.— ( Bull. Med. Vet. Prat.) 
Alfalfa Suitable for Brood Mares. —Last year we had 
much discussion as to whether alfalfa hay or pasture influenced 
the fecundity of mares. The general impression in the west 
seems to be that it does have an influence in an unfavorable way. 
George Wright of Argentina on the other hand reports pasturing 
a large number of mares exclusively on alfalfa pasture, with a 
very large percentage of foals resulting. Our own large draft 
mares had alfalfa practically every day of the past year, and yet 
we have a large percentage of colts born and coming, all strong 
and fine thus far. I yet think one could feed too much alfalfa to 
mares, for it is a rich feed; but let no man hesitate to sow the 
crop for fear he cannot get colts, if he uses it in moderation. 
We have been careful that all our foals were born out on 
clean grass pasture. We also have disinfected the navels, so we 
have had no navel trouble this year. It is hard to save a colt 
born in a stable reeking with germs. Dr. Simpson, a veterina¬ 
rian of Indiana, dropped me a hint recently. He says the straw 
on which a colt may lie, if it is to be born in the stable, should be 
sunned for days before it is brought in for bedding. That looks 
sensible. (Joseph E. Wing, in Breeder’s Gazette.) 
