m azoturia, from forage
poisoning, from tetanus, or from painful conditions of the bones or
feet, such as osteoporosis or founder. Lying down at unusual times or in
unusual positions may indicate disease. The first symptom of colic may
be a desire on the part of the horse to lie down at an unusual or
inappropriate time or place. Sometimes disinclination to lie down is an
indication of disease. When there is difficulty in breathing, the horse
knows that he can manage himself better upon his feet than upon his
breast or his side. It happens, therefore, that in nearly all serious
diseases of the respiratory tract he stands persistently, day and night,
until recovery has commenced and breathing is easier, or until the
animal falls from sheer exhaustion. If there is stiffness and soreness
of the muscles, as in rheumatism, inflammation of the muscles from
overwork, or of the bones in osteoporosis, or of the feet in founder, or
if the muscles are stiff and beyond control of the animal, as in
tetanus, a standing position is maintained, because the horse seems to
realize that when he lies down he will be unable to rise.

Abnormal attitudes are assumed in painful diseases of the digestive
organs (colic). A horse with colic may sit upon his haunches, like a
dog, or may stand upon his hind feet and rest upon his knees in front,
or he may endeavor to balance himself upon his back, with all four feet
in the air. These positions are assumed because they give relief from
pain by lessening pressure or tension upon the sensitive structures.

Under the general condition of the animal it is necessary to observe the
condition or state of nutrition, the conformation, so far as it may
indicate the constitution, and the temperament. By observing the
condition of nutrition one may be able to determine to a certain extent
the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal and to
estimate the amount of strength that remains and that will be available
for the repair of the diseased tissues. A good condition of nutrition is
shown by the rotundity of the body, the pliability and softness of the
skin, and the tone of the hair. If the subcutaneous fat has disappeared
and the muscles are wasted, allowing the bony prominences to stand out;
if the skin is tight and inelastic and the coat dry and harsh, we have
evidence of a low state of nutrition. This may have resulted from a
severe and long-continued disease or from lack of proper feed and car