MILLET DISEASE IN HORSES. 
399 
That which was cut when about one-fourth headed prod ced 
the same results as that which was fully headed, or that which 
had partly ripened. 
The symptoms as observed were as follows: For a num¬ 
ber of days previous to the attack the kidneys acted very 
freely. This continued several days when their action was 
much less than the normal. Muscles of shoulders, chest, loins 
and haunches stiff and sore. Later on there is soreness of 
the joints, usually the stifle and hock. This often changes 
from one leg to another, or from the hind to the fore extrem¬ 
ities. There are well-marked symptoms of pain with a slight 
amount of fever. The temperature usually varies from 102 
to 104 degrees. In exceptional instances it may reach 106 
degrees but soon recedes. The pulse is more frequent and 
hard. The fever is remittent rather than. continued, and 
varies according to the intensity of the pain. At no time is 
the animal free from pain or fever during the course of the 
disease. It is a continued succession of ups and downs, 
gradually growing less marked until the disease finally comes 
to an end. Membranes of the eye reddened, tongue coated, 
mouth hot, dry and sticky, having a peculiar sour odor. 
Bowels constipated, urine scanty, thick and stringy. The 
pain in the muscles causes the animal to assume a cramped 
or drawn together position, with back arched and a well-de¬ 
fined line along the lower ends of the ribs. He has no dis¬ 
position to move, but if made to do so, has a straddling, un¬ 
gainly, painful gait, frequently groaning at every step. Oc¬ 
casionally the animal lies down and is unable to rise, more from 
the severe pain than from any changed condition of the mus¬ 
cles or joints. At first there is profuse sweating, especially 
in the region of the affected muscles. The animal will flinch 
and show more or less evidence of pain ; or, if pressure be 
applied to the affected joints, the same result will be manifest. 
If the horse be down he will lie comparatively quiet, and oc¬ 
casionally makes a feeble effort to rise. The intense pain that 
this movement causes induces quietude again, and it is seldom 
that he will rise, even if persistently urged to do so. There 
is loss of appetite, the animal generally assuming a painful ex- 
