484 WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE 



and everything else ■whicli may impede respiration or fidget the 

 horse. 



The head should be turned to the -wind, the ears and legs well 

 rubbed, as well as the surface of the body, if wisps or cloths can 

 be procured, and a good dose of alcohol (whisky or brandy), one 

 or two wine-glassfuls, and water administered ; or if this cannot be 

 procured, then warm gruel with a quantity of ginger or pepper in 

 it must be given. Acute congestion of the lungs, when occurring 

 in the stable, presents the same symptoms : great distress of coun- 

 tenance, widely-dilated nostrils and very hurried breathing, cold 

 legs and ears, &c. Remove from the hot stable to a cool place, or 

 throw open the doors and windows ; give a stimulant as above, and 

 repeat it in half an hour or so, if the veterinary surgeon has not 

 arrived. Rub the legs, ears, and body well, then clothe and band- 

 age to keep up the surface temperature. If relief is not soon af- 

 forded, and skilled aid has not yet been available, horse rugs soaked 

 in hot water and wrung out should be wrapped round the body, 

 and these again covered with dry rugs. If the amateur can prac- 

 tise phlebotomy with safety, the horse should be bled from the 

 jugular vein to the extent of six or eight quarts. Spirits of am- 

 monia, in doses of half an ounce in a quart of tepid water, and 

 frequently repeated, is an excellent medicine. Mustard poultices 

 should be applied to the sides and front of the chest, if the hot- 

 water rugs have not been employed. 



Pleurisy. — Pleurisy generally commences suddenly, like con- 

 gestion of the lungs, and the symptoms are not very unlike those 

 observed in that condition. Only the ribs are, as it were, fixed, 

 the sides of the chest do not move, and the breathing is mainly 

 carried on by the muscles of the belly — inspiration being short and 

 catching, while the air is expelled slowly and carefully. Turning 

 the horse round suddenly — he is unwilling to be moved — will cause 

 him to grunt; there is usually a short, painful cough, and if press- 

 ure be applied by the ends of the fingers between the ribs, over the 

 inflamed part, the animal winces, grunts, and tries to evade it. 

 There is often much uneasiness, though it is rare that he seeks to 

 lie down. Until the arrival of the veterinary surgeon the treat- 

 ment should be the same as for congestion of the lungs, hot-water 

 rugs or mustard poultices to the sides of the chest being all-im- 

 portant. 



Inflammation of the Feet. — Inflammation of the feet, or 

 laminitis, is a very serious condition in the horse, and demands 

 careful and active treatment at its very commencement or congest- 

 ive stage, if grave consequences are to be averted. It is most fre- 

 quently induced by long or rapid journeys on hard roads during 

 hot weather, or in animals not in training ; improper shoeing, and 



