100 CHEST FOUNDER. 



CHEST FOUNDER. 



THE chest founder appears to be a disease but little 

 understood by farriers in general ; they are, however, 

 not backward in offering many remedies, and speak 

 of some with much confidence, when they propose 

 performing a cure. But experience has proved, beyond 

 the possibility of a doubt, that the chest founder is one 

 of those dreadful diseases to which the horse is subject, 

 that admits of no cure. 1 can here be of more use, by 

 speaking of its seat, and describing its symptoms to a 

 purchaser, than by pretending there exists, for that 

 disease, a specific medicine, or propose its use to the 

 owner of such an unfortunate animal. 



The chest founder is sometimes produced by violent 

 exercise on a full stomach, and drinking large quan- 

 tities of cold branch water ; by the use of mouldy 

 bran, corn, or oats, or by eating large quantities oi 

 green food, such as oats, wheat, peas, &c. while per- 

 forming hard labour. 



From dissection, it appears that the seat of the 

 disease is in the lungs ; the heart and liver are also 

 considerably enlarged, insomuch that there is not room 

 for them to perform their office with ease. The liver, 

 lungs, diaphragm, and surrounding parts, are all 

 covered with large brown spots, and are much 

 inflamed. 



A horse that is chest foundered, will straddle or 

 stake with his fore legs, showing an unwillingness to 

 bring his feet together ; and if they are placed near 

 each other, he will not permit them to remain so 

 for a minute. Indeed they are frequently twelve or 



