DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 105 



the organs connected with an}^ other function of the animal, and, as 

 many of the causes can be avoided, it is both important and profitable 

 to know and stud}^ the causes. 



CAUSES OF DISEASES OF KESPIKATORY ORGANS. 



The causes of many of the diseases of these organs mnj be given 

 under a common head, because even a simple cold, if neglected or 

 badly treated, may run into the most complicated lung disease and 

 terminate fatally. In the spring and fall, when the animals are chang- 

 ing their coats, there is a marked predisposition to contract disease, 

 and consecjiuently care should be taken at those periods to prevent 

 other exciting causes. 



Badly ventilated stables are a frequent source of disease. It is a 

 mistake to think that country stables necessafil}^ have purer air than 

 citj' stables. Stables on some farms are so faultil}^ constructed that it 

 is almost impossible for the foul air to gain an exit. All stables should 

 have a sufficient supply of pure air, and be so arranged that strong 

 drafts can not blow directly on the animals. In ventilating a stable, 

 it is best to arrange to remove air from near the floor and admit it 

 through numerous small openings near the ceiling. The reason for 

 this is that the coldest and most impure air in the stable is near the 

 floor while that which is warmest and purest, and, therefore, can least 

 be spared is near the top of the room. In summer, top exits and cross 

 currents should be provided to remove excessive heat. Hot stables 

 are almost always poorly ventilated, and the hot stable is a cause of 

 disease on account of the extreme change of temperature that a horse 

 is liable to when taken out, and extreme changes of temperature are 

 to be avoided as certain causes of disease. 



A cold, close stable is invariably damp, and is to be avoided as nuich 

 as the hot, close, and foul stable. Horses changed from a cold to a 

 warm stable are more liable to contract cold than when changed from 

 a warm to a cold stable. Pure air is more essential than warmth, and 

 this fact should be especiall}' remembered when the stable is made 

 close and foul to gain the warmth. It is more economical to keep the 

 horse warm v/ith blankets than to prevent the ingress of pure air in 

 order to make the stable warm. 



Stables should be well drained and kept clean. Some farmers allow 

 large quantities of manure to accumulate in the stable. This is a per- 

 nicious practice, as the decomposing organic matter evolves gases that 

 are predisposing or exciting causes of disease. When a horse is over- 

 heated it is not safe to allow him to dry by evaporation; rubbing him 

 dr}" and gradually cooling him out is the wisest treatment. When a 

 horse is hot — covered with sweat — it is dangerous to allow him to 

 stand in a draft; it is the best plan fo walk him until his temperature 

 moderates. In such cases a light blanket thrown over the animal may 



