DISEASES OF RESPIRATOIIY PASSAGES AXD ORGAXS. I'-^S 



nicrous !)iiiuls of lymph, on the inner surface, of a bright yeUow 

 color. Several small patches of iuil.immation were likewise ob- 

 served on the ventricles of the hoait, near the valves of this 

 organ. The heart itself was also larger than usual, and much 

 softened. 



Heaves. 



A disease prevails among horses, more particularly in the 

 Eastern States, known as heaves, The afTrcted animal heaves at 

 the flanks, or, rather, performs what is knovv^n as abdominal respi- 

 lation, bv bringing into play, at the monn nt of expiration, the 

 abdominal muscles, for the purpose of aiding the lungs and dia- 

 lihragni in thi; function of expiiation and respiration. Th& 

 disease somewhat resembles asthma, it being of a spasmodic 

 character, and afier continuing for some time, will suddenly 

 disappear. The disease may be defined as being great diffi- 

 culty in breathing ; continuous ; aggravated, by dust on the road, 

 musty hay, improper provender, impure air, and sudden atmos- 

 pheric changes. On applying the ear in the region (,f bronchi, 

 or to the upper sides of the chest, a wheezing sound cf respira- 

 tion is heard. These symptoms, togt ther with the hea. ing motion 

 at the flanks, constitutes heaves. When the disease is merely 

 functional— that is to sav, brought on by feeding musty hay and 

 musty clover— a cure is affLcted by feeding jirairie hay, which 

 contains the well-known silphyum, " resin weed." The husband 

 men who reside in the vicinity of where the resin weed grows 

 are well accpiainted with the properties of this plant, and they 

 declare that it is a specific for the treatment of asthma or heaves. 

 I have used the article in the form of fluid extract, prepared from 

 the root, and I find it to be a veiy valuable remedy. The dose 

 of the fluid extract is two ounces, morning and evening. There 

 are some cases, however, which are incurable, owing to organic 

 disease of the bronchi, or rupture of air-cells in the lungs. Such 

 cases are known by the unnatuial respiration wdien the horse is 

 drawing a heavy load or traveling up hill. His breathing is then 

 very distressing, and he not onl\- brings into play the abdominal 

 muscles, but also the muscles of the chest (intercostals). Such 

 cases, although considered incurable, maybe palliated by the daily 

 use of fluid extract of resin weed. Provided prairie hay can not 

 be obtained as food, the ordinary hay used should be sprinkled 



