20 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



veins. The functional are the ones involved in congestion. Congestion 

 consists in an increased amount of blood in the parts, and interferes with 

 respiration. It is a forerunner of inflammation or pneumonia, and is 

 the most common disease of the lungs. 



Causes. — Rapid exertion when the animal is not in fit state, is the most 

 common cause It is a sequel of catarrh, and if worked too soon, it fol- 

 lows influenza as well as catarrh. It is sometimes produced by impure 

 air, and possibly may be due to a sudden draft of air. 



Symptoms vary some, according to the producing cause. If from fast 

 work the symptoms are well marked, the animal will be sluggish, tremble 

 in the flank ; will have labored breathing, the nostrils dilated ; oppressed 

 pulse — which sometimes becomes very weak and indistinct ; the mu- 

 cous membrane of the eye and nose are reddened. By placing the ear to 

 the side there will be heard a peculiar gurgling noise, showing that there 

 is difiiculty in the large bronchial tubes ; ears and legs are cold, especially 

 if the animal has been driven in the cold But if it is a milder attack 

 the symptoms are different. Suppose, a horse, after having catarrh, is 

 driven five or six miles, brought back and put into the stable. He refuses 

 his food, trembles, or has rigours ; ears and legs cold, mouth hot, pulse 

 quick and weak ; by placing the ear to the inferior part of the trachea you 

 hear those peculiar sounds ; the animal persists in standing, but may lie 

 down in exceptional cases ; but will suddenly jump : there is congestion. 

 Tympanitic condition of the bowels is a cause of congestion, by interfer- 

 ing with the action of the lungs. The pulmonary veins are generally the 

 ones affected, if it be suddenly produced and terminate suddenly. If the 

 horse has lived twenty-four to forty-eight hours, there may be a great 

 change ; the lung may be in an entirely gangrenous condition ; but you 

 may not find so much change. If the animal dies more suddenly, the 

 lungs may retain some of their characteristics — may swim in water. It 

 is necessary, in case of a horse changing hands, to be very careful in giv- 

 ing your opinion in such a case, as it may be produced very quickly, 

 indeed. The post mortem may reveal congestion, and that congestion not 

 be the cause of death, especially if the horse has been lying on the ground 

 sometime before death. It may be hypostatic congestion So, I say, be 

 careful. 



Treatment. — It must be energetic. This is not a very fatal disease, but 

 is rather a desirable disease to treat. Keep him in good fresh air (it is 

 better to k-ep him out in the open air than in a close s'able) ; keep him 

 well covered ; give stimulants ; give one ounce of sulphuric or nitrous 

 ether, with a little laudanum ; bandage the extremeties well ; rub the 

 body well ; keep well warmed. You may bathe the limbs with warm 

 water. If the animal is being relieved some, do not push stimulants too 

 strongly, but if not relieved, give another dose. After some time give 

 nitrate of potash, and give injection of soap and warm water, with a little 

 turpentine, and in some cases you may try blood letting, but it is not now 

 done to a very great extent. If a horse is in good condition and put to 

 fast work and taken suddenly, in such a case you may take two or three 

 quarts of blood ; after which give stimulants. But if the animal is suf- 

 fering with catarrh, blood letting would be highly injurious. If you find 

 the symptoms are relieved, and the pulse runs high, give Fleming's tinc- 

 ture of aconite ; counter irritation ; sometimes a hot application to the 

 sides is of benefit. Hut there is no need of very powerful remedies. 

 Wring a blanket from hot water and apply over the chest, and cover with 

 a dry one : use carefully for some time ; give regular exercise, but do not 

 allow to stand in a cold draft. Give genetian for a tonic. Allow plenty 

 of cold water— not too much at a time, but give often. He is likely to 



