rxFLAMMATiONS.] MODERN VETERINAllY PRACTICE. [iwrLiMMiTioKi. 



bv the imisi-uhir contract Idii of thoso parts. 

 Tliere id a glandular cavity on each sido of tho 

 throat, uaiiK'd tonsil, which secretes a imicous 

 fluid, wbicli is retained in tlio cavity until 

 wanted, by a scuii-cartilagiuous flap. This has 

 been described as the opeuing of the eustachian 

 tube; but tliis opening is situated itninediately 

 above it. The mucous fluid is forced out by 

 tho action of gaping, when it is wanted. The 

 tonsil is the part affected in strangles; and 

 the matter formed in this glandular cavity, 

 passes d )\vu through the excretory duct of the 

 submaxillary gland, inflames it, and causes it 

 to become an abscess. This abscess is cora- 

 uionlv, but erroneously, supposed to be the seat 

 of strangles. The horse's stomach has nearly 

 one-half of its surface lined with a strong cuti- 

 cular membrane, which lines the oesophagus, 

 and terminates abruptly, and by a fringe-like 

 edge. It is on this part that bots are usually 

 found. Sometimes, however, they leave tliis 

 part, and attach themselves to the sensitive 



part of tho utomach — properly so named — 

 where tho food is nourished and rendered fit 

 for being converted into blood. In the horse, 

 digestion and ciiylilicatioix aro performed in 

 tho stomach only, not by any particular juice 

 that is formed there, but by virtue of its sen- 

 sorial power, which it derives in comnuju with 

 all the vital organs ; and, in a more especial 

 manner, from the cerehrum or brain, and Irom 

 that part of the brain named corpora pi/rami- 

 dalia, through the eight pair of nerves, or jjar 

 vagum, as tliey are termed. 



It appeared necessary to go thus far into a 

 description of the digestive organ — that is, the 

 organs subservient to digestion — in order to 

 impress upon tho reader's mind the importance 

 of the stomach in tlie animal economy ; and to 

 show how liable it must be to become diseased, 

 when frequently distended with unwholesome 

 food, containing little nutriment, and requir- 

 ing great exertion to be digested — such as the 

 hay often given to horses. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



INFLAMMATIONS. — INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART ; BOWELS; INTESTINES; LIVER; KIDNEYS; BLADDER; 



NECK OP THE BLADDER. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART. 

 Inflammation of tlie heart is a disease that 

 rarely affects the horse ; but it does occur 

 sometimes in conjunction with inflammation 

 of the lungs. In such cases, a quantity of 

 water becomes effused in the pericardium, and 

 constitutes water at the heart. The symptoms 

 are so very much like those of inflammation of 

 the lungs, that it is frequently mistaken for 

 that disease. However, this is rather an ad- 

 vantage than otherwise ; for here the same 

 remedies may be brought into application. 

 Still, there is one symptom by which inflam- 

 mation of the heart may be discovered to have 

 a distinct existence from all other diseases ; 

 that is, by the rebounding noise that organ 

 makes at every pulsation, which may be clearly 

 beard by any person standing in the stable, 

 2 Q 



though unacquainted with the disease. Also, 

 by placing the ear to the chest, it will be found 

 that, at every pulsation of the heart, the fluid 

 in the pericardium makes that undulating 

 noise so peculiar to this disease, that it is 

 almost impossible, with a little attention, to 

 mistake it. On examining the pulse at the 

 usual place, it will be found hard and wiry, 

 and occasionally to have a fluttering motion. 

 This will at once suggest the necessity of im- 

 mediately drawing blood, not in a definite 

 quantity, but as the pulse becomes affected; 

 for if too much be taken, it will increase the 

 debility which the horse is labouring under. 

 However, bleeding must be resorted to ; and 

 that as extensively as possible. After this, the 

 bowels must be examined ; and if at all costive, 

 be must be back-raked, and clysters of warm 



297 



