SIMPLE AILMENTS 287 



follows too great exertion in the hunting-field, especially if 

 the horse has been allowed to stand about after a severe 

 run, and has thereby contracted a chill. If the animal after 

 reaching its stable takes a little food and water, and is 

 disposed to lie down, it may be considered all right ; but if 

 the breathing increases in frequency, and the animal grows 

 restless, it may be concluded that the lungs are distressed, 

 and the sooner a dose of carbonate of ammonia is 

 administered, and the veterinary surgeon sent for, the 

 better. 



If, instead of being restless, the animal appears thoroughly 

 exhausted, unable to eat, with rather rapid breathing, further 

 trouble may be warded off by administering as a drench the 

 sulphate of magnesia powders, mixed in a pint of water, 

 with the addition of two sherry-glasses of gin or whisky. 



Pleurisy, or Inflammation of the Pleura. 



This is also too serious a disease for any one buL a 

 qualified professional practitioner to take in hand. 



The pleura is the membrane which lines the inside of the 

 chest, and which covers the lungs, and hence any inflam- 

 mation in this region interferes with the due working of 

 the lungs, and causes pain in breathing. 



The horse stands in a crouching manner, and seems 

 uneasy, but does not move on its own initative. The pulse 

 is hard, quick, and wiry, and the temperature high. The act 

 of drawing air into the lungs soon causes pain to be felt, 

 when there is a short catch in the breath, and then the 

 air is expelled as slowly as possible in a drawn-out effort. 

 There is a short, hard cough, which makes the pain worse, 

 as also does the act of taking a full breath, which the animal 

 will only do if moved suddenly, or frightened unawares. 



The internal remedies consist of giving the sulphate 

 of magnesia powders in the water ; and if the fever is 

 severe, by administering 80 drops of aconite in a wine- 

 glassful of water twice, or three times, at an interval of 

 two or more hours. 



