CHAPTER LI. 



SPOEADIC DISEASES— con^wwct^. 



LOCAL BISWASES— continued. 



(/.) DISEASES OF THE EESPIRATORY O'RGANS—coiitinued. 



CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS— PULMONARY 

 APOPLEXY— MECHANICAL ENGORGEMENT. 



Apart from inflammation of the lungs, which will be described 

 immediately, the lower animals, particularly the horse, are apt 

 to suffer from congestion of the true pulmonary blood-vessels, 

 i.e., the branches of the pulmonary artery. This congestive 

 condition is not only seen during the progress of many diseases, 

 such as laminitis, traumatic arthritis, enteritis, pneumonia, heart 

 affections, and various prostrating epizootics ; but often originates 

 in the horse during severe exertion, more especially in the 

 Imnting-field when the animal is not "in condition," or is 

 taxed beyond its strength. As a question of jurisprudence, 

 the occurrence and results of congestive pneumonia, or, more 

 correctly, pulmonary apoplexy, is a matter of some import- 

 ance, for many instances have occurred, and will doubtless 

 again occur, of horses dying from this affection within a few 

 'days after purchase, and the seller has been more than once 

 mulcted in damages to the full value of the animal. 



In order to bring a horse into " condition " for severe exertion, 

 it is necessary that it be gradually trained. First of all, it is 

 for a time walked for one or two hours daily, in order that the 

 locomotor muscles be gradually brought into tone for stronger 

 and severer work ; then it is trotted, and afterwards galloped 

 and sweated. Useless fat is thus removed, and the muscles of 

 locomotion, as well as those of respiration, are brought into a 

 condition and tone which enable them to perform the severest 

 and fastest exertion ; the tone and power of the heart are also 



