3 2 4 VETERINARY LECTURES 



in the chest. The animal is much oppressed, and stands with the 

 elbows pointing outwards, and at times the limbs are swollen. 

 Treatment. — Relief is best obtained by tapping the chest with a 

 trocar and cannula (Plate LIV., No. 5), and drawing off the fluid — but 

 this should only be attempted by a qualified practitioner — following 

 up the operation by the administration of iodide and iron tonics 

 (par. 1073, No. III.), combined with suitable diuretics, good nutritious 

 food, and plenty of fresh air. 



518. In all acute cases of chest affections, on account of the 

 horse's breast-bone being set vertically, the animal will not lie down 

 for fear of suffocation, so that as the case progresses lying down is a 

 good sign of convalescence. Cattle, on the other hand, having a flat 

 sternum or breast-bone, and joints at the lower end of the ribs as 

 well, can lie down throughout the whole attack. 



519. Asthma, or Broken Wind (Difficult Breathing, or 

 Dyspnoea). — This is by no means so common as it used to be. It 

 may be said to exist in two fovms. The first of these consists of 

 spasms, or a rigid contraction of the bronchial muscles, induced by 

 the inhalation of certain matters, such as new-made hay (producing 

 hay asthma or hay fever), and may be due to the pollen of some of 

 the grass plants loaded with some small insect pests being inhaled 

 and irritating the throat and bronchial tubes. 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 aftermath. There is great 

 difficulty in the breathing, which is of a tight spasmodic character, 

 and it is accompanied 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 (par. 1064, No. II.), 

 or by causing it to inhale the fumes of eucalyptus oil or tevebene 

 (par. 501). 



