DIAGNOSIS.—This is extremely difficult, for the attendant symptoms may be readily attributed to some other malady. They often come on suddenly; the horse becomes dejected, thin, and unable to work; respiration is accelerated; pulse and heart beats are irregular; there is some stiffness in turning, or tenderness on pressure applied to the loins; swelling and cramps in the hind legs; Paralysis. Varicose Veins DEFINITION.—A morbid dilatation of the veins, causing a knotty, unequal swelling, so that their valves, which cannot undergo a corresponding enlargement, cease to be efficient. The effect is a retarded and imperfect flow of blood on the return to the heart. The disease occurs most frequently in the form of a soft, elastic tumor in the saphena vein, where it passes over the inner surface of the hock joint; but it may affect another vein, or many veins. It is commonly found where the blood has been repeatedly drawn. CAUSES.—Violent efforts in drawing; strains; inflammation set up by a prick in shoeing; frequent bloodlettings. SYMPTOMS.—The affected veins are dilated, tortuous, knotted, and divided into separate pouches, with obliteration of the valves. Varix of the saphena at the hock joint is attended with a tumor, which gradually increases in size, is flaccid to the touch, slightly pendulous, and shaking loosely when the horse walks; becoming full and tense on pressure of the vein above it; and capable of evacuation by pressure from below upward. TREATMENT.—Occasional doses of A.A., are beneficial. CHAPTER VI.—PART I. DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Apoplexy Occasionally, in consequence of high feeding and deficient exercise, and especially in fat young horses, with short necks and large blood-vessels, this disease occurs. It may also come on in consequence of drawing a heavy load up a hill. It is predisposed by an overloaded stomach. SYMPTOMS.—In apoplexy, the horse either suddenly falls down lifeless, or there are premonitory symptoms, such as vertigo, the animal holds his head down, or leans it upon something, yawns, perspires slightly, and moves clumsily, etc. Afterwards, the animal falls down suddenly, the circulation becomes disturbed and irregular, eyes red, protruded, and staring; breathing labored, short, rattling; body covered with sweat, and eyelids paralyzed. After a few convulsions the animal dies; or, in rare cases, an improvement takes place, to be again, after a longer or shorter period of time, followed by relapse, or to result in paralysis. (Compare the symptoms with those of Epilepsy).