DISEASES OF THE DIAniRAGM AND THE HEART. 141 



horse in the most distressing situation. He was scarcely able 

 to breathe, and his breathing was so loud as to be heard at a 

 distance of many yards ; and there was a discharge of bloody 

 mucus from the nostril. Attempts had been made to wash down 

 what appeared to be sticking in his throat, and to force it down 

 with a pi'obang. I made an opening in the front of the wind- 

 pipe about 6 inches below the throat, and then thrust a probano" 

 upwards through the larynx, and immediately withdrew it again. 

 The horse was relieved, and got quite well. He worked as a 

 post-horse for several years afterwards, and was named by the 

 post-boys Cut-throat.'''' 



[If the roaring is recent, and produced by tight reining, we may 

 effect considerable benefit by leaving off the beai-ing rein, and 

 elevating the head and muzzle for some hours daily in the stable, 

 in a contrary position to that produced by tight reining. — Ed.] 



CHAP. XXX. 



DISEASES OF THE DIAPHRAGM AND THE HEART. 



[The diaphragm, or muscle which separates the chest from the 

 abdomen, is liable to two diseases, spasm and rupture. 



Spasm of the dia})hragm, of which there are several cases on 

 record, is denoted by a loud thumping noise, sometimes per- 

 ceptible several yards off, and felt at various parts of the body, 

 but particularly at the region of the diaphragm ; the heart, at the 

 same time, being, though quick, yet very weak in its action, and 

 the pulse at the jaws almost imperceptible. The respiration is 

 usually quick and laborious, and is sometimes attended by- 

 shivering. 



The cause of these symptoms is over-exertion, particularly on 

 a full stomach. 



The treatment which is generally successful consists of bleed- 

 ing, followed by aperient medicine, and opiates. 



Rupture of the diaphragm is to be attributed to the same 

 causes as the foregoing disease, — any thing, indeed, Avhich sud- 

 denly demands a powerful respiration ; and in several instances 

 it has been known to occur to broken- winded horses. 



The exertions used in parturition have sometimes ruptured 

 the diaphragm, and so likewise have the struggles of colic. 



This disease, although always attended eventually with a fatal 

 termination, has yet been known to exhibit for some time the 

 symptoms of broken wind. In such cases the diaphragm has 

 been only moderately ruptured, and a portion of the intestine 

 insinuated through the fissure. — Ed.] 



