PHTHISIS PULMONALIS, OR CONSUMPTION. 215 



A3 much as he likes until the day's work is over. Green meat will always be ser- 

 Ticeable. Carrots are particularly useful. They are readily digested, and appear to 

 have a peculiarly beneficial effect on the respiratory system. 



It is from the want of proper attention to the feeding that many horses become 

 broken-winded, even in the straw-yard. There is little nutriment in the provender 

 which they find there ; and in order to obtain enough for the support of life, they are 

 compelled to keep the stomach constantly full, and pressing upon the lungs. It has 

 been the same when they have been turned out in coarse and innutritive pasturage. 

 The stomach was perpetually gorged, and the habitual pressure on the lungs cramp- 

 ed and confined their action, and inevitably ruptured the cells when the horse gam- 

 bolled with his companions, or was wantonly driven about. 



Next in importance stands exercise. The pursive or broken-winded horse should 

 not stand idle in the stable a single day. It is almost incredible how much may be 

 done by attention to food and exercise. The broken-winded horse may thus be ren- 

 dered comfortable to himself, and no great nuisance to his owner; — but inattention to 

 feeding, or one hard journey — the animal unprepared, and the stomach full — may 

 bring on inflammation, congestion, and death. Occasional physic, or alterative medi- 

 cine, will often give considerable relief. 



Thick-wind and broken-wind exist in various degrees, and many shades of differ- 

 ence. Dealers and horsemen generally have characterised them by names that can 

 boast no elegance, but are considerably expressive of the state of the animal. Our 

 readers should not be ignorant of them. Some horses make a shrill noise when in 

 quick action — they are said to be Pipers. This is a species of Rnaring. There is 

 usually a ring of coagulated matter round the inside of the windpipe, by which the 

 cavity is materially diminished, and the sound produced in quick breathing must evi- 

 dently be shriller. Sometimes the piping is produced by a contraction of the small 

 passages of the lungs. 



The Wheezer utters a sound not unlike that of an asthmatic person when a little 

 hurried. This is a kind of thick wind, and is caused by the lodgment of some mucous 

 fluid in the small passages of the lungs. It frequently accompanies bronchitis. 

 Wheezing can be heard at all times, even when the horse is at rest in the stable; 

 roaring is confined to the increased breathing of considerable exertion. 



The Whistler utters a shriller sound than the wheezer, but only when in exer- 

 cise, and that of some continuance. A sudden motion will not always produce it. 

 It seems to be referable to some contraction in the windpipe or the larynx. The 

 sound is a great nuisance to the rider, and the whistler very speedily becomes dis- 

 tressed. A sharp gallop up-hill will speedily detect the ailment. 



When the obstruction seems to be principally in the nose, the horse loudly puffs 

 and blows, and the nostrils are dilated to the utmost, while the flanks are compara- 

 tively quiet. This animal is said to be a High-blower. With all his apparent dis- 

 tress, he often possesses great speed and endurance. The sound is unpleasant, but 

 the lungs may be perfectly sound. 



Every horse violently exercised on a full stomach, or when overloaded with fat, 

 will grunt almost like a hog. The pressure of the stomach on the lungs, or that of 

 the fat accumulated around the heart, will so much impede the breathing, that the act 

 of forcible expiration will be accompanied with this kind of sound : hut there are some 

 horses who will at all times emit it, if suddenly touched with the whip or spur. 

 They are called Grunters, and should be avoided. There is some altered structure 

 of the lungs, which prevents them from suddenly accommodating themselves to an 

 unexpected demand for exertion. It is the consequence of previous disease, and is 

 frequently followed by thick or broken wind, or roaring. 



PHTHISIS PULMONALIS, OR CONSUMPTION. 



When describing the accompaniments and consequences of inflammation of the 

 lungs in the horse, mention was made of this fatal complaint. It is usually connected 

 with or the consequence of pneumonia or pleurisy, and especially in horses of a pecu- 

 liar formation or temperament. 



If a narrow-chested, flat-sided horse is attacked by inflammation of the lungs, or 

 severe catarrhal fever, experience tells us that we shall have more difficulty in sub- 

 duing the disease in him, than in one deeper in the girth or rounder in the chest 

 The lungs, deficient in bulk according to the diminished contents of the chest, have 



