DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 121 



in pleurisy. Examine his pulse and it will be found that they 

 are about regular, whereas in pleurisy they would be beating 

 quick and hard. The grating sound heard in pleurisy cannot 

 be detected. 



Treatment. — If the weather be warm or if kept in a warm 

 stable, wring a woolen blanket out of hot water, wrap it 

 around his chest and cover up with a dry blanket to keep the 

 heat in. This blanket would be better heated by wringing it 

 out of the hot water every hour. While the blanket is being 

 changed rub the sides well with white liniment. Give 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce, or 4 dessertspoonfuls 



in a pint of cold water three times a day, morning, noon and 

 night, until the soreness has passed off pretty well, then 

 follow up with a diuretic to act on the kidneys. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre 54 pound. 



Ground Gentian Root J4 pound. 



Mix thoroughly and give a large teaspoonful three times 

 a day in his feed or on his tongue with a spoon. 



18. Spasms of the Diaphragm. 



This disease is sometimes called Thumps on account of 

 the peculiar thumping noise made in breathing. 



Causes. — It generally results from being put to very 

 severe exertion, such as in running, trotting, heavy drawing, 

 or such like, too soon after eating. It is also said to be 

 caused by buckling the girth of a saddle too tight. It is 

 more liable to be noticed shortly after recovering from some 

 weakening disease. 



Symptoms. — There is a thumping noise plainly heard by 

 listening at the back part of the lungs. In most cases the 

 noise can be heard while standing near the animal. It is 

 often mistaken for palpitation of the heart, but by examining 

 with the ear along the side it will be found that the noise 

 made is too far back to be affecting the heart, and it might 

 almost be thought, by the peculiar noise made, that some 

 person was inside tapping with a hammer. There is difficulty 

 in breathing. He sweats freely and seems in pain. 



Treatment. — In an ordinary case give an anti-spasmodic. 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Mix in a pint of lukewarm water and give as a drench 



