DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 121 



The animal, after having undergone severe exertion, ma}'^ not 

 exhibit alarming S3'mptoms until returned to the stable; then he will 

 be noticed standing with his head down, legs spread out, the e^'es 

 wildly staring or dull and sunken. The breathing is very rapid and. 

 almost gasping; the body is covered with perspiration in most cases, 

 which, however, may soon evaporate, leaving the surface of the body 

 and the legs and ears cold; the breathing is both abdominal and tho- 

 racic; the chest rises and falls and the flanks are powerfull}- brought 

 into action. If the pulse can be felt at all it will be found beating 

 very frequently, one hundred or so to a minute. The heart ma}" be 

 felt tumultuousl}" thumping if the hand is placed against the chest, 

 behind the left elbow, or it may be scarcely perceptible. The animal 

 may tremble all over the body. If the ear is placed against the side 

 of the chest a loud murmur will be heard and perhaps a fine crackling 

 sound. 



One can scarcely fail to recognize a case of congestion of the lungs 

 when brought on by overexertion, as the history of the case indicates 

 the nature of the ailment. In all cases of suffocation the lungs are 

 congested. It is also seen in connection with other diseases. 



Treatment. — If the animal is attacked by the disease while on the road,, 

 stop him immediatel^^ Do not attempt to return to the stables. If he 

 is in the stable, make arrangements at once to insure an unlimited sup- 

 pi}' of pure air. If the weather is warm, out in the open air is the best 

 place, but if too cold let him stand with head to the door. Let him 

 stand still; he has all he can do, if he obtains sufficient pure air to sus- 

 tain life. If he is encumbered with harness or saddle, remove it at 

 once and rub the body with cloths or wisps of hav or straw. This 

 stimulates the circulation in the skin, and thus aids in relieving the 

 lungs of the .extra quantit}' of blood that is stagnated there. If you 

 have three or four assistants, let them rub the- body and legs well, until 

 the skin feels natural; rub the legs until they are warm, if possible. 

 When the circulation is reestablished, put bandages on the legs from 

 the hoofs up as far as possible. Throw a blanket over the bodj" and 

 let the rubbing be done under the blanket. Diffusible stimulants are 

 the medicines indicated — brand}", whisky (or even ale or beer if noth- 

 ing else is at hand), ether, and aromatic spirits of ammonia. Two 

 ounces each of spirits of nitrous ether and alcohol, given as a drench 

 diluted with a pint of water, every hour until relief is afforded, is 

 among the best remedies. Or, give a quarter of a pint of whisky in a 

 pint of water every hour, or the same quantity of brandy as often, or 

 a quart of ale every hour, or 1 ounce of tincture of arnica in a pint of 

 water every hour until five or six doses have been given. ^\ none of 

 these remedies is at hand, 2 ounces of oil of turpentine, shaken with a 

 half pint of milk, may be given once, but not r« ".ated. The animal 

 may be bled from the jugular vein. Do not ta^vfe more than 5 or G 



