New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-04-20

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture.)
In the examination of a sick horse
1t is important to have a method OF
system. A thorough knowledge of tn,
conditions that exist in health is OF
the highest Importance, because it Is
only by Il knowledge of what Is righl
that n can surely detect a wrong
condition. A knowledge of anatomy
or of the structure of the body, and
of physiology, or the functions and &c.
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. A degree of fever that does
not produce marked dullness in a SEN
bred may cause the most abject dejec-
ton in a coarsely bred, heavy draft
horse. This and similar facts are of
vast Importance in the diagnosis of
disease and in the recognition of it's
Significance.
The purpose of this series largely is
to help farmers early in the sickness Of
an animal to detect serious symptoms
which make the services of a 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 silagc, and this may explain the
profound depression and weakness
that are characteristic of forage poi
soning. If the horse has been kept in
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 Il few evident symptoms, will be
,,n,,,rb ia nct,lIicb Al 1i,rYnri- Of
aZoturia excess of nitrogen in the
urinc). If the horse recently has been
shipped in the cars or has been
through a dealers stable, n feverish
condition is an Indication of possible
influenza or pneumonia.
1t is also important to know whether
the particular horse under examina-
ton Is the only one in the stable, or on
the premises, that is afflicted in the
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
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 excess
quantities produces symptoms re-
sembling those of disease.
Attention should be paid to the at
Iitude and general condition of the ami
nal. Sometimes horses assume posi-
ions that are characteristic of certain
For nynmn1n in tatppns
the muscles of the face. neck
md shoulders are stiff and rigid, as
we'll as the muscles of the jaw. A
lorse with tetanus stands with his
muscles tense and his legs in n some
What bracing position, as though he
leck is stiff and hard, the head is
extended upon it, and the face
s drawn. and the nOstrils are dilatcd. =
The tail Is usually held up n little, and
when pressed down against the thighs
t springs back to its previous posi-
ion. In inflammation of the throat.
he head is extended upon the neck
nd the angle between the jaw and the
over border of the neck is opened ms
ar as possible to relieve the pressure
hat otherwise would fall upon the
hroat. In dumminess, or immobility,
he hanging position of the head and
he stupid expression are rather char
cteristic. In pleurisy, %peritonitis and
ONE other painful diseases of the in
ernal organs, the rigid position of the
Ody denote an effort of the animal |
o avoid pressure upon and to protect ;
he inflamed sensitive region. l
The horse may be down in the stall {