The animal in such a state is not fit for work; every step taken brings into action muscles which pass directly under the kidneys, and which must, therefore, when contracted, compress those organs. During labor, in proportion to the force required must be the power of the contraction exerted by the organs of motion; in a healthy state, such exertion is not always free from danger. Excitement is, however, far from a healthy state. Then the glands are gorged with blood; being squeezed for an hour or two while thus swollen or plethoric, they are very likely to be bruised; inflammation may thereby be engendered, or renal abscess may possibly ensue. Agriculturists are entreated to pause over the above statement. Such persons often possess a well-bred and promising colt. The farmer, however, is mostly uneasy until he has, according to his own notions, "tried the beast." He may be a personable man, riding fully "eighteen stun." The colt, probably, would be taxed to carry a third that load. The "_sweet_-niter" dose is administered over night to take all fever out of the body; and, while the kidneys are excited, the animal is saddled, mounted, and ridden to the hunt. Everybody knows the manner in which most farmers ride. The horse may have a hard run and be kept out for a long day. On the return, a full rack and a heaped manger are placed before the overridden quadruped. Neither are touched. The saddle is removed and the back appears to be "queerly sticking up." The large full eyes are repeatedly turned round; and the renter of land is in doubt whether the creature is staring reproachfully at him or is simply inspecting its own quarters. However, with the apathy which too many agriculturists habitually display, the colt is left for the night. By the next morning the animal is ruined, even should it survive an attack of acute nephritis. [Illustration: A COLT BROUGHT HOME AFTER THE FARMER HAS TRIED "WHAT KIND OF STUFF IS IN IT," BY A HARD DAY WITH THE HOUNDS.] The symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys are a hard pulse, decidedly accelerated; quickened and short breathing, suggestive of pain; pallid mucous membranes; frequent looking toward the seat of anguish; head depressed; back roached; hind legs straddled, and the urine scanty. The animal almost refuses to "come round" in its stall, seldom lies down, and crouches beneath pressure when made upon the loins. Subsequently, as the symptoms alter, pus or matter may subside in the water. It is indicative of an unfavorable termination should a fetid odor attend the secretion, and should it be deeply tinted by the blood. Death is generally close at hand when the pulse grows quicker but more feeble, when pressure elicits no response, when the body is covered with perspiration, and when a urinous smell is perceptible on approaching the animal. [Illustration: THE TEST FOR NEPHRITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.]