150 HORSE, SWINE 'AND POULTRY. DISEASES 



CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 



Congestion is essentially an excess of blood in the vessels of the 

 parts affected. Congestion of the lungs in the horse, when it exists 

 as an .independent affection, is generally caused by overexertion 

 when the animal is not in a fit condition to undergo more than mod- 

 erate exercise. Very often what is recognized as congestion of the 

 lungs is but a symptom of exhaustion or dilatation of the heart. 



The methods practiced by the trainers of running and trotting 

 horses will give an idea of what is termed putting a horse in condi- 

 tion to stand severe exertion. The animal at first gets walking 

 exercises, then after some time he is made to go faster and farther 

 each day; the amount of work is daily increased until the horse is 

 said to be in condition. An animal so prepared runs no risk of 

 being affected with congestion of the lungs, if he is otherwise 

 healthy. On the other hand, if the horse is kept in the stable for the 

 purpose of laying on fat or for want of something to do, the muscu- 

 lar system becomes soft, and the horse is not in condition to stand 

 the severe exertion of going fast or far, no matter how healthy he 

 may be in other respects. If such a horse be given a hard ride or 

 drive, he may start off in high spirits, but soon becomes exhausted, 

 and if he is pushed he will slacken his pace, show a desire to stop, 

 and may stagger or even fall. Examination will show the nostrils 

 dilated, the flanks heaving, the countenance haggard, and the ap- 

 pearance of suffocation. The heart and muscles were not accus- 

 tomed to the sudden and severe strain put upon them; the heart 

 became unable to perform its work; the blood accumulated in the 

 vessels of the lungs, which eventually became engrossed with the 

 stagnated blood, constituting congestion of the lungs. 



The animal, after having undergone severe exertion, may not 

 exhibit alarming symptoms until returned to the stable ; then he will 

 be noticed standing with his head down, legs spread out, the eyes 

 wildly staring or dull and sunken. The breathing is very rapid 

 and almost gasping; the body is covered with perspiration in most 

 cases, which, however, may soon evaporate, leaving the surface of 

 the body and the legs and ears cold; the breathing is both abdom- 

 inal and thoracic; the chest rises and falls and the flanks are pow- 

 erfully brought into action. If the pulse can be felt at all it will be 

 found beating very frequently, one hundred or so to a minute. The 

 heart may be felt tumultuously thumping if the hand is placed 

 against the chest behind the left elbow, or it may be scarcely per- 

 ceptible. The animal may tremble all over the body. If the ear is 

 placed against the side of the chest a loud murmur will be heard and 

 perhaps a fine crackling sound. One can scarcely fail to recognize 

 a case of congestion of the lungs when brought on by overexertion, 

 as the history of the case indicates the nature of the ailment. ^ In all 

 cases of suffocation the lungs are congested. It is also seen in con- 

 nection with other diseases. 



Treatment. If the animal is attacked by the disease while on 

 the road, stop him immediately. Do not attempt to return to the 

 stables. If he is in the stable, make arrangements at once to insure 



