522 
J. SCHMIDT. 
or azoturia) of horses which is generally designated nephritis by us. The 
most diverse views also exist regarding the etiological relations of this malady. 
Taking cold is most frequentl}’ considered the cause or rather as the exciting 
cause. On the other hand there is almost no difference of opinion as to the 
manner by which the disease develops and the course it pursues, and even in 
the way in which the disease develops and in the varied courses it pursues we 
have important indications of the etiology. 
As it is known the malady occurs as a rule in well nourished horses, on a 
drive, after having previously stood at rest for a longer or shorter period. If 
such horses are hitched to a vehicle they are often restless and exert themselves 
beyond need. After a brief exertion, about quarter of an hour, the malady as¬ 
serts itself by the horse losing its energy, does not bear on the bit as formerly, 
sweats profusely, somewhat stiff in the posterior parts and to a degree uncer¬ 
tain in its movements. If the driver is observant at this period and compre¬ 
hends in a degree the import of these symptoms, he will stop, unhitch the 
horse, procure a stall for him at the nearest yard if possibla, have him rubbed 
and blanketed, and if possible attended by a veterinarian. In the course of an 
hour or two the horse materially improves and after 3 to 4 hours as a rule will 
have wholly recovered. But if the driver is unobserving or perhaps misinter¬ 
prets the symptoms, he drives farther or even uses the whip in order to reach his 
destination, causing the progression of the horse to become more and more 
feeble ; he finally falls down and remains recumbent, shows restlessness and 
uses the anterior limbs without being able to get up. In this case the disease 
ends fatally or in the most fortunate instances continues for several days to be 
followed largely by a persistent paralysis of some muscle groups. The various 
courses pursued by the malady consequently depends upon whether the horse 
is rested as soon as the disease appears or if he is driven farther. 
Since the disease arises during locomotion, and can also be aborted by 
rest or by continued movements can be developed into a more severe grade, it 
seems to me beyond doubt that the pathogenic substance is developed by motion. 
The muscles are, after the preceding long period of rest, brought into increased 
activity during the vigorous movements of the horse, from which follows an ex¬ 
alted tissue change with breaking down of the albuminoids, perhaps in a manner 
that some of these products of decomposition acquire the power to exert a solvent 
action upon the coloring matter of the muscles and the blood, as well perhaps 
as other injurious properties. These toxic substances cannot be excreted from 
the blood by the depurative organs, as rapidly as it is absorbed from the muscles. 
Again in this case one. of the chief symptoms is an evident paralysis. 
Just as in cows after over eating, and the increased absorption of substances 
in such quantities as to act as toxins, though not ordinarily poisons, marked 
nervous symptoms, especially paralysis, are observed, likewise we find in horses 
gross nervous symptoms especially paralysis of the posterior extremities, due 
to the suddenly exalted hmscular activity with the consequent increased forma¬ 
tion of the products of tissue change. These theories could also be extended to 
other affections which likewise have their origin in auto-intoxication, e. g., the 
laminitis of horses ; but since I wish here merely to show by comparison with 
calf fever, that a self intoxication with like symptoms to this disease can origi* 
