DISEASES OF HORSES 149 



justify the term of "grunter" being applied to the horse, as the 

 grunting ceases when the animal recovers from the disease that 

 causes the pain. 



High Blowing. This term is applied to a noisy breathing 

 made by some horses. It is distinctly a nasal sound, and must not 

 be confounded with roaring. The sound is produced by the action 

 of the nostrils. It is a habit and not an unsoundness. Contrary 

 to roaring, when the animal is put to severe exertion the sound 

 ceases. An animal that emits this sound is called a high-blower. 

 Some horses have, naturally, very narrow nasal openings, and they 

 may emit sounds louder than usual in their breathing when exer- 

 cised. 



Whistling is only one of the variations of the sound emitted 

 by a horse called a roarer, and therefore needs no further notice, 

 except to remind the reader that a whistling sound may be pro- 

 duced during an attack of severe sore throat or inflammation of the 

 larynx, which passes away with the disease that causes it. 



CHRONIC BRONCHITIS. 



This may be due to the same causes as acute bronchitis or it 

 may follow the latter disease. An attack of the chronic form is 

 liable to be converted into acute bronchitis by a very slight cause. 

 This chronic affection in most instances is associated with thicken- 

 ing of the walls of the tubes. Its course is slower, it is less severe, 

 and is not accompanied with as much fever as the acute form. If 

 the animal is exerted, the breathing becomes quickened and he soon 

 shows signs of exhaustion. In many instances the animal keeps up 

 strength and appearances moderately well, but in other cases the 

 appetite is lost, flesh gradually disappears, and he becomes emaciated 

 and debilitated. It is accompanied by a persistent cough, which in 

 some cases is husky, smothered, or muffled, while in other cases it is 

 hard and clear. A whitish matter is discharged from the nose, which 

 may be curdled in some instances. If the ear is placed against the 

 chest behind the shoulder blade, the rattle of the air passing through 

 the mucus can be heard within. 



Treatment. Rest is necessary, as even under the most favor- 

 able circumstances a cure is difficult to effect. The animal can not 

 stand exertion and should not be compelled to undergo it. The 

 animal should have much the same general care and medical treat- 

 ment prescribed for the acute form. Arsenic may be given in the 

 form of Fowler's solution, 1 ounce three times daily in the drinking 

 water. An application of mustard applied to the breast is a bene- 

 ficial adjunct. The diet should be the most nourishing. Avoid 

 bulky food. Linseed mashes, scalded oats, and, if in season, grass 

 and green-blade fodder are the best diet. 



THE LUNGS. 



The lungs are the essential organs of respiration. They con- 

 sist of two (right and left) spongy masses, commonly called the 

 "lights," situated entirely within the thoracic cavity. On account 

 of the space taken up by'the heart, the left lung is the smaller. 



