166 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



but death is generally caused by an affection closely connected 

 with it. 



Symptoms. Almost every experienced horseman is able to de- 

 tect heaves. The peculiar movement of the flanks and abdomen 

 point out the ailment at once. But in recent cases the affected animal 

 does not always exhibit the characteristic breathing unless exerted 

 to a certain extent. The cough which accompanies this disease is 

 peculiar to it. It is difficult to describe, but the sound is short, and 

 something like a grunt. When air is inspired that is, taken in it 

 appears to be done in the same manner as in health ; it may possibly 

 be done a little quicker than natural, but not enough to attract any 

 notice. It is when the act of expiration (or expelling the air from 

 the lungs) is performed that the great change in the breathing is 

 perceptible. It must be remembered that the lungs have lost much 

 of their elasticity, and, in consequence, of their power of contracting 

 on account of the degeneration of the walls of the air cells, and also 

 on account of the paralysis of muscular tissue before mentioned. The 

 air passes into them freely, but the power to expel it is lost to a great 

 extent by the lungs; therefore the abdominal muscles are brought 

 into play. These muscles, especially in the region of the flank, are 

 seen to contract, then pause for a moment, then complete the act of 

 contracting, thus making a double bellowslike movement at each ex- 

 piration, a sort of jerky motion with every breath. The double ex- 

 piratory movement may also be detected by allowing the horse to 

 exhale against the face or back of the hand. It will be observed that 

 the expiratory current is not continuous, but is broken into two jets. 

 When the animal is exerted a wheezing noise accompanies the breath- 

 ing. This noise may be heard to a less extent when the animal is at 

 rest if the ear be applied to the chest. 



Certain individuals become very expert in managing a horse 

 affected with heaves in suppressing the symptoms for a short time. 

 They take advantage of the fact that the breathing is much easier 

 when the stomach and intestines are empty. They also resort to the 

 use of medicines that have a depressing effect. When the veterina- 

 rian is examining a horse for soundness, and he suspects that the 

 animal has been fixed, he usually gives the horse as much water as 

 he will drink and then has him ridden or driven rapidly up a hill or 

 on a heavy road. This will bring out the characteristic breathing 

 of heaves if the horse is so afflicted, but will not cause the symptoms 

 of heaves in a healthy horse. All broken-winded horses have the 

 cough peculiar to the affection, but it is not regular. A considerable 

 time may elapse before it is heard and then it may come on in 

 paroxysms, especially when first brought out of the stable into the 

 cold air, or when excited by work, or after a drink of cold water. 

 The cough is usually the first symptom of the disease. 



Treatment. When the disease is established there is no cure 

 for it. Proper attention paid to the diet will relieve the distressing 

 symptoms to a certain extent, but they will undoubtedly reappear in 

 their intensity the first time the animal overloads the stomach or is 

 allowed food of bad quality. Clover hay or bulky food which con- 



