2l8 



these consists of spasms, or a rigid contraction of the bronchial muscles, 

 induced by the inhalation of certain matters, such as new-made hay 

 (producmg hay asthma or hay fever). This form is oftener seen in 

 cattle than in horses, more particularly after hay-time, when the 

 animal is put on to the fog, or after-math. There is great difficulty in 

 the breathing, which is of a tight spasmodic character, and it is accom- 

 panied by a wheezing, squeaking sound. The eyes are staring, and 

 the nostrils distended. The animal will take no food during the 

 attack, which may last from four to twenty-four hours. For this form 

 of the complaint, great relief is obtained by putting the animal into a 

 roomy loose box, or, better still, outside on an old grassing if the 

 weather is fine, and giving such remedies as camphor, digitalis, 

 chloral hydrate, belladonna, &c., (see Appendix), or by causing it 

 to inhale the jnmes of eucalyptus oil or terehene (par. 497). 



516. The second form is of much more importance, and is due to 

 structural change in the lungs ; some of the small air cells having 

 become ruptured, the air finds its way through the tissue of the lungs 

 to beneath the pleura, and gives the surface of the lungs a blubbery 

 appearance, called emphysema. This form of the malady is, at 

 times, due to a bad attack of influenza, bronchitis, or pneumonia, 

 but more frequently it is caused by bad food — more particularly 

 musty hay, and corn — or by putting the animal to too hard an 

 exertion, such as starting off full trot immediately after feeding. 

 Such causes act not only mechanically, but also on the gastric 

 branches of the pneumo-gastric nerve, which, by reflex action, 

 implicate the lung or chest branches. As this form of complaint 

 is incurable, the great point is to get the animal to work com- 

 fortably, and for this purpose the feeding must be regulated ; 

 nutritious diet of not too bulky a character ought to be given, and 

 plenty of fresh air allowed. A case of this kind does best out of doors. 

 The affected animal always has a peculiar way of breathing. The 

 inspiration is performed with comparative ease, but the expiratory 

 effort is double, the flank falling with a jerky motion. The cough is 

 also noticeable, being a long, dry, droning bark, which is characteristic 

 of the disease. On applying the ear to the lower part of the windpipe, 



