140 BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



wound in the lung. In this form too air gains access from the lung, 

 and there may not even be an opening in the walls of the chest. In 

 such cases the air maj- be absorbed, when a spontaneous cure is the 

 result. But when the s^miptoms are urgent it is recommended that 

 the air be removed by a trocar and canula or by an aspirator. 



It is evident that the treatment of woiuids that penetrate the thoracic 

 cavity should be prompt. It should be quickl}' ascertained whether 

 or not a foreign body i-emains in the wound, then it should be thor- 

 oughly cleaned with a solution of carbolic acid, 1 part in water 40 

 parts. The wound should then be closed inmiediatcl3% If it is an 

 incised wound it should be closed with sutures or with adhesive plasters; 

 if torn or lacerated, adhesive plaster may be used or a bandage around 

 the chest over the dressing. At all events, air must be prevented 

 from getting into the chest as soon and as effectuall}' as possible. The 

 after treatment of the wound should principal!}' consist in keeping the 

 parts clean with a solution of carbolic acid, and applj' ing fresh dressing 

 as often as required to keep the wound in a healthy condition. Care 

 should be taken that the discharges from the wound have an outlet in 

 the most dependent part. (See Wounds and their treatment, p. 459.) 

 If pleurisy supervenes, it should be treated ^s advised under that head. 



THUMPS, OR SPASM OF THE DIAPTIRAOM. 



"Thumps'' is generall}^ thought b}' the inexperienced to be a pal- 

 pitation of the heart. AYliile it is true that palpitation of the heart 

 is sometimes called "thumps,-' it must not be confounded with the 

 affection under consideration. 



In the beginning of this article on the diseases of the organs of 

 respiration, the diaphragm was briefly referred to as the principal and 

 essential muscle of respiration. Spasmodic or irregular contractions 

 of it in man are manifested bj^ what is familiarly known as hiccoughs. 

 Thumps in the horse is similar to hiccoughs in man, although the 

 peculiar noise is not made in the throat of the horse in all cases. 



There should be no difficulty in distinguishing this affection from 

 palpitation of the heart. The jerky motion affects the whole body, 

 and is not confined to the region of the heart. If one hand is placed 

 on the body at about the middle of the last rib, Avhile the other hand 

 is placed over the heart behind the left elbow, it will be easily demon- 

 strated that there is no connection between the thumping or jerking 

 of the diaphragm and the beating of the heart. In fact, when the 

 animal is affected with spasms of the diaphragm the beating of the 

 heart is usuall}^ much weaker and less perceptible than natural. 

 Thumps is produced by causes similar to those that produce congestion 

 of the lungs and dilatation or palpitation of the heart, and may occur in 

 connection with these conditions. If not relieved, death usually results 



