108i IKI'^LAMMATION OP THE LUNGS^ 



The breathing is moi'e difficult in some cases 

 than in others, according- to the degree of inflam- 

 mation present, and is performed with more ease 

 when the horse is standing. The difficulty and 

 quickness of breathing arise from two great a 

 quantity of blood being collected in the vessels of 

 the lungs and branches of the windpipe : whence 

 it happens that the air cells are lessened in size, 

 from the increased pressure of the blood, and their 

 capacity for air is in this way diminished ; and 

 most likely many of the air cells become closed 

 and impervious ; on account of which, as often as 

 the animal takes his breath, not as much air is 

 admitted into the lungs as is sufficient for them to 

 perform their office properly ; therefore the animal 

 is obliged to breathe more frequently : the blood in 

 the lungs now being in greater quantity, and cir- 

 culating slower than in health, the free return of 

 it from the head and neck is thereby mucli im- 

 peded, and hence the eyes and mucous membrane 

 of the nose frequently look red and inflamed, and 

 the veins of the neck swelled and distended with 

 blood. 



The cause of this disorder appears to be from 

 cold, or whatever checks perspiration ; drinking 

 cold water after being heated by violent exercise ; 

 low or high feeding will make a horse subject to 



