290 B.JLY ASTHMA. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of Hay Asthma are in many 

 respects similar to those of Broken AVind. The disease is 

 insidious at its commencement, and slow in its progress. The 

 first symptom usually observed is a cough, which at the begin- 

 ning of the disease is hard and short, and which in time 

 becomes more frequent, and more closely allied to Emphysema 

 of the Lungs. The animal affected may perform his work 

 moderately, and the appetite may not be impaired ; but, in 

 spite of a generous diet, the cough remains. The hair is also 

 dry-looking, the skin unthrifty, and the general condition bad. 

 Sometimes a discharge issues from the nostrils, which differs 

 in colour and varies in consistency in different cases — being in 

 one instance thin and clear, and in another not unlike thin but 

 well-boiled gruel. In other cases, again, the nostrils remain 

 dry ; this is the Inost uncertain form of the affection to cure, 

 and the most prone to terminate in Emphysema of the Lungs, 

 or in Broken Wind. 



If the ear be applied to the chest, a faint blowing sound is 

 heard, which is frequently accompanied by low groaning, 

 creaking, and sibulous rales. In other cases, the air passing 

 through the lungs sounds so peculiarly, that it seems to the 

 auscultator as though it were drawn out of his ear. 



In the state as above described the patient may continue for 

 an indefinite time, especially if young, and not properly treated ; 

 but if the animal be aged, and the general treatment severe, or 

 relief be not afforded by the administration of suitable medi- 

 cines, the animal ultimately becomes broken winded, and 

 radically incurable. 



Causes. — The causes are connected with the food. Dusty 

 hay is a frequent cause, and one which often acts with rapidity ; 

 but whether by deranging the digestive organs, or by acting 



