216 PHTHISIS PULMONALIS, OR CONSUMPTION. 



been overworked in supphincr the quantity of arterial blood expended in the various 

 purposes of life, and particularly that which has been required under unusual and 

 violent exertion. Inflammation of the lunors has consequently ensued, and that 

 inflammatory action has acquired an intense character, under circumstances by which 

 another horse would be scarcely aflfected. 



When this disease has been properly treated, and apparently subdued, this horse 

 cannot be quickly and summarily dismissed to his work. He is sadly emaciated — 

 belong" continues so — his coat stares — his skin clings to his ribs — his belly is 

 tucked up, notwithstanding that he may have plenty of mashes, and carrots, and 

 green meat, and medicine — his former gaiety and spirit do not return, or if he is 

 willing to work he is easily tired, sweating on the least exertion, and the sweat most 

 profuse about the chest and sides — his appetite is not restored, or, perhaps, never 

 has been good, and tlie slightest exertion puts him completely oft" his feed. 



We observe him more attentively, and, even as he stands quiet in his stall, the 

 flanks heave a little more laboriously than they should do, and that heaving is pain- 

 fully quickened when sudden exertion is required. He coughs sorely, and discharges 

 from the nose a mucus tinged with blood, or a fluid decidedly purulent — the breath 

 becomes offensive — the pulse is always above 40, and strangely increased by the 

 sliglitest exertion. 



When many of these symptoms are developed, the animal uill exhibit considerable 

 pain on being gently struck on some part of the chest; the cough then becomes more 

 frequent and painful ; the discharge from the nose more abundant and foetid, and the 

 emaciation and consequent debility more rapid, until death closes the scene. 



The lesions that are presented after death are very uncertain. Generally there are 

 tubercles; sometimes very minute, at other times large in size. Thej'are in different 

 states of softening, and some of them have burst into the bronchial passages, and 

 exhibit abscesses of enormous bulk. Other portions of the lungs are shrunk, flaccid, 

 indurated or hepatized, and of a pale or red-brown colour; and there are occasional 

 adhesions between the lungs and the sides of the chest. 



Is this an hereditarv diseased There is some difficulty in deciding the point. It 

 /.as been scarcely mooted among the horsemen. One thing only is known, that the 

 side has been flat, and the hrlly tucked up, ai d the animal has had much more ardour 

 and willingness than physical strength. These conformations, and this disposition, 

 we know to be hereditary, and thus far phthisis may be said to be so too. Low and 

 damp situations, or a variable and ungenial climate, may render horses peculiarly 

 susceptible of chest affections. All the absurd, or cruel, or accidental causes of 

 pneumonia lay the foundation for phthisis ; and, particularlv, those causes which tend 

 to debilitate the frame generally, render the horse more liable to chest aft'ections, and 

 less able to ward off their fatal consequences. I'he most numerous instances of 

 phthisis occur in those poor persecuted animals that are worn out before their time, 

 and they are frequent enouo-h among cavalry horses after tlie deprivations and fatigues 

 of a long campaign. 



What is the medical treatment of confirmed phthisis'? The practitioner must be 

 guided by circumstances. If tlie horse is not very bad, and it is the spring of the 

 year, a run at ixraas may be tried. It will generally seem to renovate the animal, 

 but the apparent amelioration is too often treacherous. It should always be tried, 

 for it is the best foimdation for other treatment. The summer, however, having set 

 in, the medicinal effect of the grass ceases, and the flies tease and irritate tlie animal. 



The medical treatment, if any is tried, v\'ill depend on two simple and unerring 

 guides, the pulse and the membrane of the nose. If the first is quick and hard, and 

 the second streaked with red, venesection should be resorted to. Small bleedings of 

 one or two quarts, omitted wi'cn the pulse is quieted and the nostril is pale, may he 

 effected. Cimnter-irrtlnvis will rnrelv do harm. They should be ajiplied in the form 

 of blisters, extending over the sides, and thus brought as near as possible to tho 

 affected part. Sichilive Tindlrh-.a sliould bo perseveringly administered : and here, as 

 in acute inflammation, the chief dependence will be placed ow (li<:i!alis. It should 

 be given in small doses until a sljijhtly intermittent pulse is produced, and that state 

 of the constitution should be maintained by a continued exhibition of the medicine. 

 Nitre may be added as a diuretic, and pnhis antiinimialis as a diaphoretic. 



Any /o?)/cs here 1 Yes, the tonic effect of mild and nutritious food — green meat of 

 almost every kind, carrots particularly, mashes, and now and then a malt mash 



