126 DISEASES OP THE HORSE. 



Cause, — Alterations and sudden changes in heat, cold, 

 and moisture. An animal not in condition for work. A 

 hereditary predisposition in the lungs to take on disease. 

 Changes which will produce lung disease in one horse, 

 will produce disease of a different character in another. 



Treatment. — Place the horse in a light and airy place, 

 and clothe him according to the weather. Bandages 

 to the legs will at all seasons be necessary to keep 

 them warm, and to that extent relieve the lungs of a por- 

 tion of blood. Aconite judiciously given, is the most 

 powerful remedy I am acquainted with. Tartar Emetic, 

 so valuable in this disease in man, dogs and swine, has 

 no effect whatever, upon either horses, sheep or cat- 

 tle, than so much flour or meal. Then give twenty-five 

 drops of the tincture of aconite root, in a cupfull of cold 

 water, and drench the hor.se. Repeat the dose every 

 four hours, till six doses are given. In the majority of 

 cases, one to two doses will be all that is required to per- 

 fect the cure. 



(2) Pleuhisy. — Inflammation of the membrane 

 covering the lungs and lining the cavity of the chest. 



Symptom. — A rigor or chill, fever, disinclination to 

 turn short, an occasional short painful cough, and careful 

 breathing, accompanied with a sigh or grunt. A pecu- 

 liar line will be observed in pleurisy, running from the 

 haunch, round the belly to the breast-bone. The breath- 

 ing is deep, not so short and quick as in inflammation of 

 the lungs. In the first twenty-four hours from the 

 attack, pain will have given way, and the horse be appa- 

 rently better. This in the majority of cases of pleurisy, 

 when left a few hours to itself and not checked, terminates 

 in HydrotJioraXy (which see^) or water or serum in the 



