SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
457 
blood in large quantities is advisable, and has been followed by 
good results. By diminishing the quantity of the blood, the 
quantity of the poison is lessened, and absorption of the cathartics 
hastened. The kidneys usually act freely enough, although in 
the latter part of the disease diuretics are indicated. Agents 
which stimulate the functions of the skin are advisable, and the 
Turkish bath, if practicable, would doubtless be of great benefit. 
There are no known means of neutralizing the urea in the blood, 
or protecting the system against its poisonous effects. 
In the discussion that ensued Dr. Coates stated that he agreed 
with Williams in the disease consisting in a hypernitrogenized 
condition of the system. He doubted that carbonate of ammonia 
is found in the blood, but considered that it is formed irt the blad¬ 
der from the decomposition of the urea. 
Dr. Kemp said that he had found carbonate of ammonia in 
the blood taken from an animal shortly after dying from azoturia. 
Dr. Liautard, in the course of a few remarks upon the sub¬ 
ject, said: The pathology of azoturia is a mystery. The rapid 
development of the symptoms is unaccounted for. The history is 
always the same; but why is it that horses with a like history 
so seldom develop the disease ? The pathology requires extensive 
investigation, microscopically, chemically, and analytically. As 
to the treatment, cathartics assist in relieving the system of the 
blood-poison. Any means to relieve the system should be resorted 
to, but the great difficulty is to get any cathartic to act quick 
enough. I remember two ounces of Barbadoes aloes having 
been administered to a small horse suffering with this disease in 
our hospital. I expected fatal results from it, but the animal 
made a good recovery with scarcely any purgation. Cathartics 
do not seem to act, no matter what doses are given. I do not 
consider the Turkish bath sufficiently effective to relieve the 
system. Morphine should be administered to keep the animal 
as quiet as possible. 
Dr. Burden recounted his experience in several cases, especially 
noting some recoveries in which the animals resumed the use of 
one hinder extremity before the other. 
A vote of thanks was unanimously awarded to Dr. Kemp, and 
the Society went into executive session. 
