SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM 551 



and thus lessening their diameter. No treatment will be of any service 

 except such as will aid the play of the lungs mechanically, by a\'oiding 

 overloading the stomach, as mentioned in the last section. 



Careful dieting, as for broken wind, has a modifying inSuence, and con- 

 siderable improvement may take place in recent cases by the absorption 

 of the morbid products of inflammation. 



SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM 



Some horses, wdien at all distressed by the severity of their gallops, com- 

 municate to the rider a piost unpleasant sensation, as if some internal part 

 was giving a fjudden blow or flap. This is not only a sensation, but a reality, 

 for the diaphragm being naturally weak, or overstrained at some previous 

 period, acts spasmodically in drawing in the air. If the horse thus aiTected 

 is ridden onwards afterwards, he will be placed in danger of suffocation and 

 death, either from rupture of the diaphragm, or from its cessation to act, or 

 from its permanently contracting and refusing to give way during expiration. 

 There is no cui'e for the weakness which tends to produce the spasm, and all 

 that can be done is to avoid using the horse affected with it at any very fast 

 pace, and over a distance of ground. Urgent symptoms may be relieved by 

 a cordial-drench, such as the following : — 



Take of LaiKlanum 6 draclims. 



Ether 1^ ounces. 



Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia 3 draclims. 



Tincture of Ginger 3 drachms. 



Ale 1 pint. Mix. 



Or if there is any difficulty in giving a drench, a ball may be made up 

 and given — 



Take of Carbonate of Ammonia 1 drachm. 



Camphor 4 drachm. 



Powdered Ginger 1 drachm. 



Linseed meal and ^yater sufficient to malce into a ball. 



Either of the above may be repeated at the end of three hours, if relief 

 is not afforded. Increased strength may be given to the diaphragm by 

 regular slow work, and the daily mixture of a drachm of powdered sulphate 

 of iron with the feed of corn. 



DISEASES OF THE HEART 



The horse is subject to inflammation of the substance of the heart 

 (carditis) of a rheumatic nature, and of the fibro-serous covering (pericarditis), 

 but the symptoms are so obscure that no one but the professional veterinarian 

 will be likely to make them out. Dropsy of the heart is a common disease 

 in worn-out horses, and hypertrophy, as well as fatty degeneration, is often 

 met with among well-conditioned animals. 



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