CHEONIC COUOH.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



[thick wikd. 



any cliange of atmosphere excites these ex- 

 cessively irritable parts into action ; making 

 the horse cough whenever he is moved in or 

 out of the stable ; for the air being either 

 hotter or colder than what was before 

 breathed in the regular way, becomes a source 

 of irritation. Drinking cold water will, from 

 the same reason, produce the same effect for a 

 time, if given in the stable; but if a horse is 

 allowed to drink at a pond, where the water is 

 of tlie same temperature as the atmosphere, 

 no ill effects will result. Any irregularity of 

 motion or hurry in the pace of the animal will 

 produce this cough ; and in some cases, it is 

 continued to such a length of time, as to be 

 truly distressing. There are instances in 

 which the irritability of the bronchial mem- 

 brane itself, does not seem so much increased 

 as to alter either the quantity or quality of 

 the mucus secreted. It may become inordinate 

 in quantity, where horses, when they cough, 

 discharge it at the nose, or it may be more acrid 

 in quality ; but, in either case, it proves a 

 source of continual irritation. In some ca:es, 

 the deposit of adhesive matter in the air-pas- 

 sages, arising from catarrhal inflammation or 

 inflamed lungs, will produce chronic cough, 

 and the deposit will then cause irritation. This 

 deposit of lymph-like matter is sometimes 

 removed by the violence of the cough ; and by 

 administering expectorants, a separation is 

 frequently obtained, when great quantities of 

 this obstructive matter is brought up. In 

 Bonie constitutions, a large portion of it becomes 

 absorbed, and this may be assisted to a great 

 extent by administering proper medicines. 



The remedies for chronic cough are applied 

 in accordance with the symptoms it exhibits; 

 and when it appears from a want of mucous 

 secretion, we know of no medicine so effective 

 as the ball prescribed in catarrh. On the 

 other hand, if the mucous secretion should 

 flow in such quantities as to cause the horse 

 to be weakened by it, then it will be proper to 

 administer the following : — 



Sulphate of Iron . . . 2 drachms. 

 Gentian . . . i ^2 do. 



Aloes 1 do. 



Honey to form the ball. 

 One of these balls to be given daily. 



If the secretion should be of an acrid, watery 

 description, a course of mercurial medicine 

 272 



should be tried, being careful, at the same 

 time, that the animal does not get a chill 

 during the time this medicine is being given 

 him. The following is recommended as 

 good : — 



Blue Pill 2 drachms. 



Ginger 1 do. 



Form into a ball, with soft soap. 



Give one of these balls every second day for 

 a fortnight. If the horse should reject his 

 food in the course of the exhibition of the 

 medicine, desist from giving it for a i'ew days, 

 and commence again. This we have known 

 to remove very severe attacks of chronic 

 cough, and frequently, when attended with 

 worms, when the coat was staring and dry, 

 and the stools foetid and slimy. 



In chronic cough, great attention should be 

 paid to the food of the animal— never to give 

 clover. It is heating, and altogether unfit for 

 horses so affected. Chaff, also, is not to be 

 recommended in this disease. Good sweet 

 oats and hay, both made a little damp, will be 

 found the best. Carrots, occasionally, are ex- 

 cellent ; so also are a few Swede turnips ; or 

 even a few potatoes cut up will afford great 

 relief. Occasionally, bran mashes, with a little 

 scalded linseed, will also prove useful. 



In cases of chronic cotigh, where it appears 

 of an aggravated nature, insert a rowel in the 

 chest, and dress with the digestive ointment. 

 (See Ointments, in the medicinal part of this 

 section). Keep the rowel in for at least a fort- 

 night. Should the cough be very severe, apply 

 the following liniment to the whole length of 

 the horse's windpipe night and morning. 



No. 1. 

 Oil of Turpentine . , . . 3 oz. 

 Olive Oil 3 do. 



Apply as above directed. 



Or, No. 2. 

 Cantharides . . . o . , 1 oz. 

 Olive Oil 5 do. 



Let these remain in a bottle for about six 

 days, occasionally shaking it, and then apply 

 as above directed. In cases of coagulable 

 lymph being deposited in the windpipe, these 

 liniments will greatly tend to remove it. 



THICK WIND. 



This disease is generally the sequel to in- 

 flamed lungs, which baa thickened the air- 



