102 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



well understood as it ought to be, seeing its importance 

 as to the proper value of an animal. Heaves, then, may 

 be defined a dijQSculty in breathing, whereby, the value and 

 usefulness of the horse is seriously impaired. There is 

 every degree of intensity to be seen in this disease. 

 Some animals are so seriously affected, that it is hard to 

 look at the distorted efforts made in the art of respiration. 

 The deep and not suffered-to-be-completed respiration, 

 tells the tale of great asthmatic effort and oppression. In 

 others, it is so slight that only experts can observe it; 

 not from the quickness of breathing, nor yet of its depth ; 

 but of a peculiar double beat or hitch, differing from all 

 other varieties of breathing, either of fever, inflammation, 

 or debility, it is still single and separate. 



Causes. — Debility of the parvagum nerve; for if this 

 nerve is derided or cut in its coarse, heaves, or broken 

 wind, is set up at once. What the real condition of this 

 nerve is, which gives rise to heaves, is not at present 

 known; and it is difficult, in many cases, to trace and 

 distinguish any alteration of the nerves, as they may re- 

 tain their color, yet their influence may be greatly im- 

 paired. For two reasons I have said debility. First, be- 

 cause, if it was cut, or had entirely lost its influence, the 

 animal would die in forty-eight hours. Second, because, 

 by the administration of powerful tonics, the symptoms 

 of the disease are greatly relieved, and in some cases they 

 entirely disappear. 



Treatment. — Horse-dealers, in order to allay the symp- 

 toms, that is, the peculiar breathing, give an ounce each, 

 of powdered sulphate of iron, gentian and ginger root. 

 It is from the large dose that is given, and repeated for 

 a few days, that gives or imparts a tonicity to the nerve. 

 Although I have here spoken of this matter, I do not 



