FEVER
,—HORSES are subject to, and frequently attacked with, originating in various causes, and acting upon different constitutions in a different way. Judicious discrimination should be made between what is (ab origne) a FEVER within itself, and symptomatic fever, dependent upon, and arising from, another cause. Extreme pain may produce FEVER, as in large formations of matter, where tumours approach gradually to suppuration. Fever may become attendant upon inflammatory cholic, or upon a severe fit of the strangury, or spasmodic affection of the kidnies. In all INFLAMMATIONS of the LUNGS, the fever exceeds description; but these fevers are called SYMPTOMATIC, as being a concomitant, or distinguishing trait, of the DISEASE upon which it is founded, rather than a disease within itself.
The predominant symptoms of FEVER are, an agitated lassitude and debility of the whole frame, with evident disquietude in every position; quick and strong pulsation; mouth parched and dry, with a burning heat to the fingers, when placed under the tongue; breath of a fleshy offensive smell; the eyes red, inflamed and prominent, as if propelled by internal inflammation; heaving more or less in the flanks, according to the mildness or severity of the case. Frequent attempts are made to STALE; the urine is very red in colour, and comes away in small quantities: the dung is generally hard, voided in single or double globules, to each of which adheres a viscid slime, indicative of much internal foulness amidst the interstices of the intestinal canal. Loss of appetite, difficulty of respiration, a refusal of food, and impatient thirst for water, are amongst the most invariable diagnostics of fever; and as these symptoms are more or less violent, may be estimated the severity and DANGER of DISEASE.