348 THE HORSE. 



chronic bronchitis, occasioning a thickening of the mucous mem 

 brane lining the bronchial tubes, and thus lessening their diameter, 

 or it may accompany phthisis when the deposit of tubercles is ex- 

 ♦^^ensive. No treatment will be of any service except such as will 

 aid the play of the lungs mechanically, by avoiding overloading 

 the stomach, as mentioned in the last section. 



SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 



Some horses, when at all distressed by the severity of their 

 gallops, communicate to the rider a most unpleasant sensation, as 

 if some internal part was giving a sudden blow or flap. This is 

 not only a ^sensation, but a reality, for the diaphragm being na- 

 turally weak, or overstrained at some previous period, acts spas • 

 modically in drawing in the air. If the horse thus aflfected is rid- 

 den onwards afterwards, he will be placed in danger of suffocation 

 and death, either from rupture of the diaphragm, or from its cessa- 

 tion to act, or from its permanently contracting and refusing to 

 give way during expiration. There is no cure for the weakness 

 which tends to produce the spasm, and all that can be done is to 

 avoid using the horse aff'ected with it at any very fast pace, and 

 over a distance of ground. Urgent symptoms may be relieved by 

 a cordial-drench, such as the following : — 



Take of Laudanum 6 drachms. 



Ether 1^ ounce- 

 Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia . . 3 drachms. 



Tincture of Ginger 3 drachms. 



Ale 1 pint. Mix. 



Or if there is any difficulty in giving a drench, a ball may be 

 made up and given — 



Take of Carbonate of Ammonia .... 1 drachm. 



Camphor J drachm. 



Powdered Ginger 1 drachm. 



Linseed meal and boiling water suflScient to make into a ball. 



Either of the above may be repeated at the end of three hours, 

 if relief is not aff"orded. Increased strength may be given to the 

 diaphragm by regular slow work, and the daily mixture of a drachm 

 of powdered sulphate of iron with the feed of corn. 



DISEASES OF THE HEART. 



The horse is subject to inflammation of the substance of the 

 heart (carditis) of a rheumatic nature, and of the fibro-serous cover- 

 ing (pericarditis), but the symptoms are so obscure that no one but 

 the professional veterinarian will be likely to make them out. 

 Dropsy of the heart is a common disease in worn-out horses, and 

 hypertrophy, as well as fatty degeneration, are often met with 

 among well-conditioned animals. 



