DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 121 



animal to do so, and the breathing is accomplished tu a great extent 

 by aid of the abdominal muscles. The horse persists in standing 

 throughout the attack. He prefers to stand with head to a door or 

 window to gain all the fresh air possible, but if not tied may occa- 

 sionally Avander listlessly about the stall. The bowels most likely 

 are constipated; the dung is covered with slimy mucus. The urine 

 is decreased in (juantity and darker in color than usual. The animal 

 shows more or less thirst; in some cases the mouth is full of saliva. 

 The discharge fi'om the nose increases in (|uantity as the disease 

 atlvances and inllanunation subsides. This is rather a good symp- 

 tom, as it shows that one stage has passed. The discharge then 

 gradually decreases, the cough becomes less rasping, but of more 

 fre(iuent occurrence, until it gradually disappears with the return 

 of health. 



Bronchitis, allecting the smaller tubes, is one of the most fatal 

 diseases, while that of the larger tubes is never very serious. It must 

 be stated, however, that it is an exceedingly difficult matter for a 

 nonexpert to discriminate between tlie two forms, and, further, it 

 may as well be saiil here that he will have difficulty in discriminat- 

 ing between bronchitis and pneumonia. 



Treatment. — The matter of first importance is to insure pure air 

 to breathe, and next to make the patient's (piarters as comfortable 

 as possible. A well-ventilated box stall serves best for all purposes. 

 Cover the body with a blanket, light or heavy, as the season of 

 the year demands. Hand-rub the legs until they are warm, then 

 wrap them in cotton and api)ly flannel or Derby bandages from 

 the hoofs to the knees and hocks. If the legs can not be made 

 warm with hand rubbing alone, apply dry mu.stard. Rub in 

 thoroughly and then put the bandages on; also rub mustard paste 

 wi'll over the side of the chest, covering the space beginning iui- 

 mediately l)ehind the shoulder blade and running back about eigh- 

 teen incht'S, and from the median line i)eneath the breast to within 

 ten inches of the ridge of the backbone. Kepeat the application 

 to tlie side of the chest about three days after the first one is ap- 

 plied. 



Compel the animal to inhale steam frf»m a bucketful of boiling 

 water containing a tablespoonful of oil of turpentine and spirits of 

 camphor, as advised for cohl in the head. In serious cases the steam 

 should be inhaled every hour, and in any case the oftener it is dono 

 the greater will be the beneficial results. Three times a day admin- 

 ister an electuary containing acetate of potash ('J drams), with lico- 

 rice and molasses or honey. It is well to keep a bucketful of cold 

 water before the animal all the time. If the horse is prostrated and 

 has no appetite, give the following drench: Spirits of nitrous ether. 



