THE GENERAL SYMPTOM WHICH ATTENDS ALL DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS.
Nephritis is not so common at the present time as it used to be formerly; the growing information of the people has in some measure altered the practices of the stable. The master is not quite so much the slave of a groom's ignorance as was once universally the case; the animal is no longer regarded as a mysterious creature which it required a particular education to understand. Urine balls, therefore, are no longer regularly kept in every loft. Niter—one ounce of "sweet nitre," or, to speak correctly, an overdose of harsh saltpeter—may, however, be still permitted, and by particular horse proprietors regarded as a charm against every ill. It is true that such a dose of a powerful diuretic is four times the strength which science would, under any circumstances, approve; but certain people in remote parts are happy in the conviction that an ounce of "sweet niter" can possibly do no harm.
The urinary organs of the horse must be little disposed to disease; they must be capable of surmounting a vast quantity of ill treatment. Were not ignorance thereby protected from the consequences which it provokes, half the horses in England would be disabled; inflammation of the kidneys would become the most common of equine disorders.
The horse has small need of diuretic medicine; it is much exposed in that direction. Every purge, should it not act as intended, passes out of the body by stimulating the kidneys; the ordinary provender of the animal may operate in the same manner. Foxy oats, kiln-dried oats, new oats; musty hay, mow-burnt hay, new hay; beans in particular conditions; grasses, when first in season, and water of any novel kind, will all operate energetically upon the renal glands; therefore the horse, in its ordinary food, will possibly imbibe more than a sufficiency of a most debilitating medicine; and the knowledge of such a liability may induce some men to withhold "sweet niter" from the future diet of the creature.
It may be necessary to inform men and masters that a horse needs rest when under the operation of diuretic, quite as much as when subject to the action of purgative medicine. It is never safe to take the horse from the stable while the animal is passing any unusual amount of water. Excess of secretion proves the eliminating organs are excited. Before any part can exhibit excitement, an extra quantity of blood must circulate within it, or it must be in a condition bordering upon inflammation. The urine is secreted from the blood by the kidneys; therefore before a greater bulk of water can be passed, of course more blood must flow through the glands.
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.
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.