CHAPTER II. 



DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY OR BREATHING 

 ORGANS. 



1. Simple Catarrh or Cold in the Head. 



This disease is a running or discharge from the nose and 

 sinuses of the head. It first commences with congestion of 

 the mucous membrane, or what is commonly known as the 

 lining membrane of the nose and head. This congestion is 

 then followed by an inflammation and dryness of the mem- 

 brane, which in a few days is followed by a discharge of a 

 watery nature. Later on as the disease progresses this turns 

 to a thicker fluid of a whitish or yellowish color, varying 

 according to the severity of the case. 



Causes. — The most common, perhaps, is exposure or 

 sudden change in the weather, such as that of the fall and 

 spring, or standing in a draft, while warm, after driving. It 

 is generally found in horses that are in poor condition, the 

 system being run down by poor feeding or overwork. 



Symptoms. — The animal appears to be dull and does not 

 eat very well. The hair stands out and looks rough ; pulse, 

 not much affected ; the throat shows soreness when you press 

 on it. There are also discharges freely from the nostrils. 

 The breathing is about natural, and usually the animal does 

 not make quite so much urine, or water, as under ordinary 

 conditions. 



Treatment. — As a general thing the treatment is quite 

 simple. Make the horse as comfortable as possible in the 

 stable. See that plenty of pure air can get in, and that his 

 stall is kept nice and clean. Feed plenty of soft food such 

 as warm bran mashes, boiled oats, or scalded chopped oats. 

 It is a good plan to boil some flax seed and put a teacupful 

 of the juice and boiled flax seed in with the food two or three 

 times a day, according to how much this seems to loosen the 

 bowels. In all cases of this kind it is well to keep the bowels 

 open with soft food. In bad cases it is best not to work the 

 animal very much — just enough for good exercise. Give hira 



