144 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



CHRONIC COUGH. 



A chronic cough is always the consequence of some 

 previous affection of the air passages, which remain 

 in a state of irritation. Bronchitis, if improperly 

 treated, usually leaves behind it an irritability which 

 causes chronic cough. 



Coughing takes place immediately after drinking 

 cold water, without any symptoms of the horse having 

 caught cold ; indeed, the cough is of a different nature 

 and sound, being a dry harsh sound utterly unlike that 

 existing in inflammation of the respiratory organs. Im- 

 mediately after leaving the stable also, the horse usually 

 coughs three or four times, and then is free from 

 it perhaps for the rest of the day. The treatment of 

 the cough must depend on its nature, which is so 

 obscure, that the general health of the horse should be 

 the careful study of the groom, who should never allow 

 him to become either in very high or very low condi- 

 tion ; and should give emollient food when practicable, 

 such as boiled linseed and bran mashes. 



All manner of balls and drenches are recommended 

 in chronic cough, many of which serve to flatter the 

 expectations of the owner for a time, but which all 

 fall short of effecting a cure. The favourite drench 

 consists of spirits of turpentine, mucilage, and laudanum, 

 the favourite ball being composed of tar and powdered 

 squill, of each one and a half drachms. 



The ball is most preferable of the two, since it is the 

 most harmless. 



