The Elbert County tribune., 1917-04-20

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
In the examination of sick horse
1t is important to have method or
system. A thorough knowledge of the
conditions that exist In health is of
the highest Importance, because it is
only by knowledge of what is right
that one can surely detect wrong
condition. A knowledge of anatomy,
or of the structure of the body, and
of physiology, or the functions and ac-
tivities of the body, lie at the bottom
of accuracy of diagnosis. 1t is impor-
tant to remember that animals of diff
ferent races or families deport them
selves differently under the influence
of the same disease or pathological
process. degree of fever that does
not produce marked dullness in a SEN
sitive and highly organized thorough
bred may cause the most abject dejec-
ton in coarsely bred, heavy draft
horse. This and similar facts are of
vast Importance in the diagnosis of
disease and in the recognition of its
significance.
The purpose of this series largely is
to help farmers early in the sickness of
an animal to detect serious symptoms
which maize the services of veteri-
marian desirable. Failure to detect
such symptoms often leads to delay in
calling in help until the disease has
made such progress that it is too late
to save the horse.
1t is important to know, first of all,
something of the origin and develop
ment of the disease; therefore the
cause should be looked for. The cause
of disease is important, not only in
connection with diagnosis, but also in
connection with treatment. The char
acter of feed that the horse has had,
the use to which he has been put, and
the kind of care he has received should
all be closely inquired into. 1t may
be that the horse has been fed on dam
aged feed, such as brewers grains or
moldy silage, and this may explain the
profound depression and weakness
that are Characteristic of forage poi
soning. If the horse has been kept in
the stable without exercise for several
days and upon full rations. and he be-
came suddenly lame in his back and
hind legs, and finally fell to the ground
from what appeared to be partial par
alysis, these facts, taken in connection
with a few evident symptoms, will be
enough to establish a diagnosis of
azoturia excess of nitrogen in the
urine). If the horse recently has been
shipped in the cars or has been
through n Dealers stable, a feverish
condition is an indication of possible
influenza or pneumonia.
1t is also important to know whether
the particular horse under examina
tion is the only one in the stable, or on
the premises, that is afflicted in the
same way. If It is found that several
horses are afflicted much alike, there
is evidence of a common cause of dis
ease which may prove to be of an in
fectious nature.
Another item of Importance Is the
treatment that the horse may have had
before he is examined. 1t sometimes
happens that medicine given in exces-
sive quantities produces symptoms re
sembling those of disease.
Attention should be paid to the at
titude and general condition of the ami
NAL. Sometimes horses assume posi-
tions that are characteristic Of certain
diseases. For example, in tetanus
Qockjaw) the muscles of the face, neck
and shoulders are stiff and rigid, as
well as the muscles of the jaw a
horse with tetanus stands with his
muscles tense and his legs in a some
what bracing position, as though he
were gathered to repel shock. The
neck is stiff and hard, the head is
slightly extended upon it, and the face
is drawn, and the nostrils are dllated.
The tail is usually held up little. and
when pressed down against the thighs
it springs back to its previous posi-
tion. In Inflammation of the throat,
the head is extended upon the neck
and the angle between the jaw and the
lower border of the neck is opened as
far as possible to relieve the pressure
that otherwise would fall upon the
throat. In dumminess, or immobility,
the hanging position of the head and
the stupid expression are rather char
acteristic. In pleurisy, peritonitis and
some other painful diseases of the in
ternal organs, the rigid position of the
body denotes an effort of the animal
10 avoid pressure upon and to protect
the infamed sensitive region.
The ho-se may be down In the stall