16i MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Woollen cloths wrung out from hot water may be 



applied with great advantage around the chest, and should 



be renewed every two hours, or oftener, so long as the acute 



symptoms last.* 



•) The indiscriminate use of blisters and sinapisms to the 



{ chest is a practice to be deprecated. But we are of opinion 



/ that in many cases of pneumonia decided advantage is to 



/ be obtained by vesication. 



ASTHMA AND BROKEN WIND. 



ASTHMA. — Definition. — Asthma is a morbid condition 

 characterized by paroxysms of dyspnoea, probably de23ending • 

 upon spasm of the circular muscles of the bronchi, and 

 often accompanied by a wheezing noise in the respira- 

 tion. 



Etiology and Nature. — The causes of asthma are 

 heredity, direct and reflex nervous irritation, fatigue, over- 

 work, and debility. Asthma bears a close resemblance in 

 many points to broken wind, and appears to be due to 

 spasm of the circular muscle-fibres of the bronchial tubes. 

 If prolonged, asthma frequently terminates in that paralytic 

 condition of the bronchial tubes, and in those changes in 

 the structure of the pulmonary-tissue, constituting broken 

 wind. 



The latter condition may be aggravated by further spas- 



^ Great care is necessary in the mode of application of hot rugs, and 

 several methods have been suggested. In the first place, the hot pack 

 should be closely applied, so that no cold air can pass between the rugs 

 and the skin. In the next place, the temperature of the rugs should be 

 as high as the animal will bear. A good method of applying this 

 treatment is to obtain a piece of felt aboi;t an inch thick and a foot 

 and a half wide, fitted with straps. After being well wrung out from hot 

 water and applied closely to the chest, a waterproof lined with flannel 

 should be strapped round the felt. A simpler method is the application 

 of an ordinary blanket, folded three or foiar times, over which is placed 

 a dry rug, the whole being fastened with a surcingle or plough line. 



