340 THE HORSE. 



of a larg< abcess, and consequent destruction of substance. The 

 fonrier is a very common sequel of pneumonia ; and probably there 

 are few attacks of it without being followed by a greater or less 

 degree of hepatization, by which term the deposit of lymph is 

 known, from its causing the lungs to assume the texture of liver 

 (f i nap'). In very severe cases, gangrene of the lungs is induced ; 

 but as death almost always speedily follows this condition, it is not 

 necessary to consider it, excepting as bearing upon the fatal result. 



The cause of pneumonia may be over-exertion, as in the hunting- 

 field, especially in an unprepared horse ; or it may come on as a 

 primary disease after exposure to cold; or it may follow upon 

 bronchitis when neglected and allowed to run on without check. 

 In the two first cases it appears to be produced by the great con- 

 gestion of blood which takes place in the fine network of vessels of 

 which the lungs are in great part composed. The blood in the 

 one case is collected by the increased necessity for its aeration with 

 a failing circulation, as in over-exhaustion, or in the other it is 

 forced inwards upon the vital organs by the chill which the skin 

 has received. The capillaries are then roused to act beyond their 

 strength, and an inflammatory condition is established as a repara- 

 tory effort of nature, which may possibly stop short as soon as the 

 object is accomplished, but more frequently goes on beyond this, 

 and an attack of pneumonia sets in with more or less intensity, 

 according to circumstances. For these reasons, when the lungs 

 are evidently congested, no pains should be spared to relieve them 

 by causing the skin to act, before the aid of nature is invoked, 

 since it can never be certain that she will stop short at the proper 

 point. 



CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS is too often neglected and allowed 

 to go on to inflammation. Veterinary surgeons, indeed, are sel- 

 dom called in before this stage has run its course and inflammation 

 is established. It is true that every hunting man endeavors to 

 ascertain all the particulars relating to it, because he is constantly 

 in fear of having to treat it, and he would gladly benefit by the 

 advice and experience of those more competent to treat it than 

 himself. But the great mass of horsemasters are wholly ignorant 

 of its action, and I shall therefore endeavor to lay down instruc- 

 tions which may be beneficial to those who are so unlucky as to 

 have a horse with congested lungs, either caused by over-exertion 

 or by a chill, or by a combination of the two, as most frequently 

 happens. 



When a fat " dealer's horse," that is, one made up for sale and 

 not for use, is ridden in a sharp burst across country, his lungs are 

 most unfortunately tried, for ha is not only loaded with blood con- 

 taining an excess of stimulating materials (or in a state of plethora, 

 as it is called), but his heart and blood-vessels are not prepared by 



