PHTHISIS PULMONALIS, OR CONSUMPTION. 279 



difference. Dealers and horsemen generally have characterised them by names 

 that can boast no elegance, but are considerably expressive of the state of the 

 animal. Our readers should not be ignorant of them. Some horses make a 

 shrill noise when in quick action they are said to be PIPERS. This is a species 

 of Roaring. There is usually a ring of coagulated matter round the inside 

 of the windpipe, by which the cavity is materially diminished, and the sound 

 produced in quick breathing must evidently be shriller. Sometimes the 

 piping is produced by a contraction of the small passages of the lungs. 



The WHEEZER utters a sound not unlike that of an asthmatic person when 

 a little hurried. This is a kind of thick- wind, and is caused by the lodgment 

 of some mucous fluid in the small passages of the lungs. It frequently accom- 

 panies bronchitis. Wheezing can be heard at all times, even when the horss is 

 at rest in the stable ; roaring is confined to the increased breathing of consi- 

 derable exertion. 



The WHISTLER utters a shriller sound than the wheezer, but only when in 

 exercise, and that of some continuance. A sudden motion will not always 

 produce it. It seems to be referable to some contraction in the windpipe 

 or the larynx. The sound is a great nuisance to the rider, and the whistler 

 very speedily becomes distressed. A sharp gallop up-hill will speedily detect 

 the ailment. 



When the obstruction seems to be principally in the nose, the horse loudly 

 puffs and blows, and the nostrils are dilated to the utmost, while the flanks are 

 comparatively quiet. This animal is said to be a HIGH-BLOWER. With all 

 his apparent distress, he often possesses great speed and endurance. The sound 

 is unpleasant, but the lungs may be perfectly sound. 



Every horse violently exercised on a full stomach, or when overloaded with fat, 

 will grunt almost like a hog. The pressure of the stomach on the lungs, or that 

 of the fat accumulated around the heart, will so much impede the breath- 

 ing, that the act of forcible expiration will be accompanied by this kind of 

 sound : but there are some horses who will at all times emit it, if suddenly 

 touched with the whip or spur. They are called GRUNTEIIS, and should be 

 avoided. There is some altered structure of the lungs, which prevents them 

 from suddenly accommodating themselves to an unexpected demand for exer- 

 tion. It is the consequence of previous disease, and is frequently followed by 

 thick or broken wind, or roaring. 



PHTHISIS PULMONALIS, OR CONSUMPTION. 



When describing the accompaniments and consequences of inflammation of 

 the lungs in the horse, mention was made of this fatal complaint. It is usually 

 connected with or the consequence of pneumonia or pleurisy, and especially in 

 horses of a peculiar formation or temperament. 



If a narrow-chested, flat-sided horse is attacked by inflammation of the 

 lungs, or severe catarrhal fever, experience tells us that we shall have more 

 difficulty in subduing the disease in him, than in one deeper in the girth or 

 rounder in the chest. The lungs, deficient in bulk according to the dimi- 

 nished contents of the chest, have been overworked in supplying the quantity 

 of arterial blood expended in the various purposes of life, and particularly that 

 which has been required under unusual and violent exertion. Inflammation of 

 the lungs has consequently ensued, and that inflammatory action has acquired 

 an intense character, under circumstances by which another horse would be 

 scarcely affected. 



When this disease has been properly treated, and apparently subdued, this 

 horse cannot be quickly and summarily dismissed to his work. He is sadly 

 emaciated he long continues so his coat stares his skin clings to his ribs 



