496 THE HORSE. 
SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
Some Horses, when at all distressed by the severity of their gallops, 
communicate to the rider a most unpleasant sensation, as if some internal] 
part was giving a sudden 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 affected 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 cure 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 :— 
Makelofdtaudanvim= 200 aus io usiees! Gt) mun Cen TONG LAC IIS! 
there. i 1s, Wve ese cn ele sounces 
Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia 2) a eles) Ge) RoLGrachme: 
MncturelohGingers) aaa ee cee ip mona Tachinss 
Ale 6 Oh OF Oo) 6 Oy Go GB oto 6 ol og. of Ui I Gbe 
Or if there is any difficulty in giving a drench, a ball may be made up 
and given— 
Take of Carbonate of Ammonia . ... . .. . J drachm. 
Camphor . . g ONG 6 0 5 6 6 6 9 ey Okendinn. 
Powdered Ginger ye 1 drachm. 
Linseed meal and boiling water sufficient to make into a ball. 
Hither 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 (pericar- 
ditis), 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, are often met with among well-conditioned animals. 
DISEASES OF THE BLOOD VESSELS OF THE CHEST 
AND NOSE. 
I'HE HORSE IS VERY SUBJECT TO HEMORRHAGE from the nose, coming 
on during violent exertion, and many a race has been lost from this cause. 
Fat over-fed horses are the most likely to suffer from hemorrhage ; but most 
people are aware of the risk incurred in over-riding or driving them, and 
for this reason they are not so often subject to this accident (for such it 
is rather than a disease) as they otherwise would be. It is unnecessary to 
describe its symptoms, as the gush of blood renders it but too apparent, 
and the only point necessary to inquire into is, whether the lungs or the 
nasal cavities are the seat of the rupture of the vessel. In the former 
case the blood comes from both nostrils, and is frothy; while in the latter 
it generally proceeds from one only, and is perfectly fluid. The treatment 
