138 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



the bowels are often loose. The animal ca*n not stand much work, as 

 the muscular system is soft. Round-chested horses are said to be pre- 

 disposed to the disease, and it is certain that in cases of long standing 

 the chest usually becomes rounder than natural. 



Certain 'individuals become very expert in managing a horse affected 

 with heaves in suppressing the symptoms for a short time. The}^ take 

 advantage of the fact that the breathing is much easier when the stom- 

 ach and intestines are empty. They also resort to the use of medicines 

 that have a depressing effect. When the veterinarian is examining a 

 horse for soundness, and he suspects that the animal has been "fixed," 

 he usually gives the horse as much water as he will drink and then has 

 him ridden or driven rapidly up a hill or on a heavy road. This will 

 bring out the characteristic breathing of heaves if the horse is so 

 afflicted, but will not cause the symptoms of heaves in a healthy horse. 

 All broken-winded horses have the cough peculiar to the affection, but 

 it is not regular. A considerable time may elapse before it is heard 

 and then it may come on in paroxysms, especially when first brought 

 out of the stable into the cold air, or when excited by work, or after 

 a drink of cold water. The cough is usually the first symptom of the 

 disease. 



Treatment. — When the disease is established there is no cure for it. 

 Proper attention paid to the diet will relieve the distressing symptoms 

 to a certain extent, but they will undoubtedly reaj^pear in their intensity 

 the first time the animal overloads the stomach or is allowed food of 

 bad qualit}^ Clover hay or bulkj^ food which contains but little nutri- 

 ment have much to do with the cause of the disease, and therefore 

 should be entirely omitted when the animal is affected, as well as before. 

 It has been asserted that the disease is unknown where clover hay is 

 never used. The diet should be confined to food of the best quality 

 and in the smallest quantity. The bud effect of moldy or dusty ha}^ 

 fodder, or food of anj- kind can not be overestimated. A small quantity 

 of the best haj^ once a day is sufiicient. This should be cut and damp- 

 ened. The animal should invariably be v> atered before feeding; never 

 directly after a meal. The animal should not be worked immediately 

 after a meal. Exertion, when the stomach is full, invariably aggravates 

 the symptoms. Turning on pasture gives relief. Carrots, potatoes, 

 or turnips chopped and mixed with oats or corn are a good diet. Half 

 a pint to a pint of thick, dark molasses with each feed is useful. 



Arsenic is efiicacious in palliating the s^^mptoms. It is best adminis- 

 tered in the form of the solution of arsenic, as Fowlers solution or as 

 the white powdered arscnious acid. Of the former the dose is 1 ounce 

 to the drinking water three times daily. Of the latter one maj^ give 

 3 grains in each feed. These qiiantities may be cautiousl}^ increased as 

 the animal becomes accustomed to the drug. If the bowels do not act 

 regularly, a pint of raw linseed oil ma}^ be givea-once or twice a mouth, 



