118 ' TEEATMJSNT OF DISEASES 



THUMPS. 



This is a term applied by some persons to a disease known to the 

 members of our profession as Palpitation of the Heart. It is not al- 

 ways an organic affection of the heart, but is often symptomatic, or 

 sympathetic. 



Thumps, or Palpitation of the Heart, is easily discovered by 

 placing the hand on the region of the chest, just beneath the shoul- 

 der ; the thumps or palpitations are then distinctly felt. 



Should the animal be the subject of any well-marked disease, and 

 palpitation accompany it, I should not feel alarmed about the palpi- 

 tation, but proceed to treat the disease. In the restoration of the 

 animal to health the palpitation would cease. 



Thumps, or palpitation, often occurs in consequence of spasm of 

 the diaphragm, or raidriif ^ when confined to this muscle, the palpi- 

 tation is noticed to occur at the flanks instead of in the region of 

 the chest, and the inference is that the disease is not organic, but is 

 of nervous origin ; hence, in such cases I recommend the use of 

 antispasmodics. The best anti-spasmodic drench that I know of, is 

 composed as follows : 



Fluid Extract of Indian Hemp 2 ounces. 



Powdered AsaftEtida 1 scruple. 



Syrup of Garlic 4 ounces. 



Mix. Dose : one ounce night and morning. 



The whole region of the spine should be anointed once daily, with 

 some stimulating liniment. The American Magnetic Liniment is the 

 best preparation I know of for the purpose. 



Occasionally, thumps or palpitation, is the result of dropsy of the 

 brain. When this happens to be the fact, a cure is almost impossi- 

 ble ; yet if the animal be a valuable one, I should try ray best to 

 save his life. The only reliable agent in a case of this character, is 

 iodide of potass, twenty grains of which should be administered, 

 twice daily, in the form of a drench. 



WARBLES. 



Warbles are a kind of local abscess occurring in the region of 

 the back, induced by undue or unequal pressure from the saddle. 

 When matter can be detected in them, they should be opened and 

 dressed with compound tincture of aloes and myrrh. If this cannot 

 be obtained, apply the American Magnetic Lotion. 



ROARING IN HORSES. 



Roaring is usually the result of structural alterations within the 

 larynx or upper part of the windpipe bordering on the trachea. In 

 mild cases of roaring, we usually find a thickened state of the mem- 



