202 LIGHT HORSES : BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



Pleurisy. 



This is inflammation of the membrane lining the chest and 

 covering the lungs, and may be a complication of pneumonia 

 or other diseases, or exist independently. 



Symptoms. There is fever succeeding a shivering fit. 

 There is most acute pain on moving the ribs, which causes 

 the horse to keep them fixed as much as possible, and to 

 breathe quickly in a careful manner with the abdominal 

 muscles. The countenance looks distressed, and there is a 

 short interrupted cough, while in attempting to turn there is 

 heard a painful grunt. Pressure between the ribs causes 

 acute pain. The horse does not lie down. Effusion into 

 the chest very often sets in early, and then there is less 

 pain, but the breathing becomes deeper and laboured, owing 

 to the pressure on the lungs. 



Treatment. This does not differ much from that adopted 

 in inflammation of the lungs. The general management 

 should be the same, and the hot water applications of the 

 chest should be even longer continued. Mustard may be 

 applied to the sides of the chest with advantage. Nitrate of 

 potass in ounce doses should be given in the water or gruel, 

 and Fleming's tincture of aconite, in four or six-minim doses, 

 given in a small quantity of water every three or four hours. 



After three or four days, whisky in four-ounce doses may 

 be given twice or three times a day in gruel. If fluid 

 accumulates in the chest, then it should be gradually re- 

 moved by a surgical operation, which the amateur had 

 better not undertake. 



Rheumatism. 



Some horses are particularly liable to rheumatism, an 

 inflammatory condition of certain structures in connection 

 with joints, tendons, muscles, &c. 



Symptoms. Rheumatism may be acute or chronic. The 

 acute form is accompanied with fever, and usually manifests 



