Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
_Symptoms._--The symptoms may include stiffness, weakness, and increased
sensibility of the loins, and modified secretion of urine (increase or
suppression), or the flow may be natural. Usually it contains albumen,
the quantity furnishing a fair criterion of the gravity of the
affection, and microscopic casts, also most abundant in bad cases.
Dropsy, manifested in swelled legs, is a significant symptom, and if the
effusion takes place along the lower line of the body or in chest or
abdomen, the significance is increased. A scurfy, unthrifty skin,
lack-luster hair, inability to sustain severe or continued exertion,
poor or irregular appetite, loss of fat and flesh, softness of the
muscles, and pallor of the eyes and nose are equally suggestive. So are
skin eruptions of various kinds. Any one or more of these symptoms would
warrant an examination of the urine for albumen and casts, the finding
of which signifies renal inflammation.
_Treatment_ of these cases is not always satisfactory, as the cause is
liable to be maintained in the disorders of important organs elsewhere.
If any such coincident disease of another organ or function can be
detected, that should be treated first or simultaneously with this
affection of the kidneys. In all cases the building up of the general
health is important. Hence a course of tonics may be given (phosphate of
iron 2 drams, nux vomica 20 grains, powdered gentian root 4 drams,
daily) or 60 drops of sulphuric acid or nitrohydrochloric acid may be
given daily in the drinking water. If there is any elevated temperature
of the body and tenderness of the loins, fomentations may be applied,
followed by a mustard pulp, as for acute inflammation, and even in the
absence of these indications the mustard may be resorted to with
advantage at intervals of a few days. In suppression of urine,
fomentations with warm water or with infusion of digitalis leaves is a
safer resort than diuretics, and cupping over the loins may also
benefit. To apply a cup, shave the skin and oil it; then take a
narrow-mouthed glass, rarify the air within it by introducing a taper in
full flame for a second, withdraw the taper and instantly apply the
mouth of the glass to the skin and hold it closely applied till the
cooling tends to form a vacuum in the glass and to draw up the skin,
like a sucker.
As in the acute inflammation, every attention must be given to secure
warm clothing, a warm stall, and pure air.
TUMORS OF THE KIDNEYS.
Tumors, whether malignant or simple, would give rise to symptoms
resembling some form of inflammation, and are not liable to be
recognized during life.
PARASITES.
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