INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 57 



deep-rooted inflammation, but assuredly from the very reverse. 

 It has been caused by an extraordinary degree of inflamma- 

 tion bursting the coating of the vessels and filling the air- 

 cells with blood, and having thus instantly destroyed their 

 functions. 



There are bad cases, which are not so rapid in their 

 termination, but which are nevertheless equally fatal. This 

 happens when no rupture in the vessels has taken place ; 

 and although means have been adopted to take ofi" the 

 pressure of the inflammation, yet these have been insufficient 

 to produce the desired effect. In such a case the breath of 

 the horse will be extremely disagreeable, with a running at 

 the nostrils, which is a sure indication that mortification has 

 taken place in the substance of the lungs, and that death 

 will soon follow. 



Inflammation of the lungs will be distinguished from 

 inflammation of the bowels, by the pulse in the latter case 

 being small and wiry ; the mucous membrane of the nose 

 not being so red, and by pains in the belly, which are indi-- 

 cated by kicking, pulling, stamping, &c. 



Cause. — This malady is brought on by the numerous and 

 sudden transitions from heat to cold, to which most horses 

 are subjected. They are, under the careless and wanton 

 folly of masters and grooms, often galloped, or otherwise 

 worked and overheated, and then permitted to cool in the 

 open air, or in the draught of a stable. The stable itself is 

 also kept too hot, frequently from twenty-five to thirty degrees 

 beyond that of the atmosphere ; and its air is but too often 

 of an impure kind, and which being breathed affects the mem- 

 brane which lines the cells of the lungs, This is weakened, 

 and hence rendered susceptible of irritation and inflamma- 

 tion from breathing an atmosphere which is impregnated 

 with ammoniacal gas, generated by the manure and urine.- 



I 



