76 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



Treatment. — If it is warm weather, or in a warm stable, 

 wring a woolen blanket out of hot water, wrap it around his chest 

 and cover up with a dry blanket to keep the heat in. This blanket 

 would be better heated up by wringing- it out of the hot water 

 every hour. While the blanket is being changed rub the sides 

 well with white liniment. Give him 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce, or 4 tablespoonfuls. 



In a pint of cold water three times a day, morning, noon and 

 night, until the soreness has passed off pretty well, then follow up 

 with a diuretic to act on the kidneys. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre J pound. 



Ground Gentian Root j " 



Mix thoroughly and give a large teaspoonful three times a 

 day in his feed or on his tongue with a spoon. 



SPASMS OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 



This disease is sometimes called Thumps on account of the 

 peculiar thumping noise the animal makes in breathing. 



Causes. — It generally results from an animal being put to 

 very severe exertion, such as in running, trotting, heavy drawing, 

 or any thing of that kind too soon after eating. It is also said to 

 be caused by buckling the girth of a saddle too tight. This 

 disease is more liable to be noticed shortly after the animal 

 has recovered from some weakening disease. 



Symptoms. — it gives rise to a thumping noise which is 

 plainly heard by listening at the back part of the lungs. In most 

 cases you can hear the noise while standing near the animal. 

 This disease is often mistaken for palpitation of the heart, but by 

 examining with the ear along the side you will find that the noise 

 made is too far back to be affecting the heart, and you would 

 almost think by the peculiar noise made that some person was 

 inside tapping with a hammer. The animal has difficulty in 

 breathing, sweats freely and seems in pain. 



Treatment. — In an ordinary case give an anti-spasmodic. 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce, or 4 tablespoonfuls. 



Tincture of Laudanum 1 " " " 



Mix in a pint of luke warm water and give as a drench every 



two hours until the animal is relieved of the thumping noise. 



If warm weather, apply a woolen blanket wrung out of hot water 



to the chest, with a dry one outside of it. If cold weather it is 



better to apply a mustard plaster around the back part of the 



chest and cover the body well. In some cases, after giving a few 



