THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. b-> 



celerated, and commonly distinct ; but, as the disorder proceeds, 

 it is very apt to grow indistinct from fulness and oppression ; 

 from which, however, it recovers by loss of blood, and then again 

 becomes perceptible, and often, compared to what it was before, 

 possessed of strength ; the ears and legs are colder than ever ; 

 the membrane of the nose is moist and reddened, and there is 

 often to be perceived a sparing yellow, slimy issue from one or 

 both nostrils. The horse stands constantly in the same place 

 and posture, often with his fore legs stretched out, and prefers 

 having his head directed either to the door, or to any open win- 

 dow there may be. He never offers to lie down ; but from time 

 to time casts a look backwards at his heaving flank, of a peculiar 

 desponding character, which the experienced practitioner does 

 not fail to recognize. The third and last stage is characterized 

 by the respiration becoming quicker and more oppressed ; the 

 pulse also quicker, but less distinct ; the coldness of the extremi- 

 ties continuing unrelieved ; the membrane of the nose changing 

 from red to a leaden hue ; convulsive twitchings of the muscles 

 of the surface ; extreme uneasiness ; lying down and rising again ; 

 reeling in his gait ; haggard countenance ; delirium ; convulsions ; 

 death." — Hippopathology, vol. ii. p. 79-81. 



The causes of this derangement are various : any thing which 

 suppresses the natural evacuations of the system will produce it. 

 Among the chief causes are want of pure air, insufficient exer- 

 cise, exposure to cold, plethora, and uncleanliness. The derange- 

 ment may, however, be excited by causes varying in their 

 general character. A horse may be driven a long distance after 

 having stood for several days in the stable without proper exer- 

 cise. The lungs are suddenly brought into active operation — a 

 part they are not well calculated to perform after long rest. 

 They, like the muscular or nervous systems, require constant, 

 yet judicious exercise, in order that they shall maintain their 

 physiological relations ; and this explains the reason why so 

 many horses are attacked shortly after a smart drive. 



Mr. Percivall says, " He that has clean and cool stables will 



have a healthy stud, and the converse of this will never fail to 



engender disease. Above all other considerations, then, in taking 



the colt from his natural state, it behooves us to guard him from 



6* 



