134 



tnat tne great change in the breathing is i^erceptible. It must now 

 be remembered that the lungs have lost much of their power of con- 

 tracting on account of the degeneration of the Avails of the air-cells, 

 and also on account of the paralysis of muscular t issue before men- 

 tioned. The air j)asses into them freely, but the power to expel it is 

 lost to a great extent by the lungs; therefore the abdominal muscles 

 are brought into play. These muscles, especially in the region of the 

 flank, are seen to contract, then pause for a moment, then comjjlete 

 the act of contracting, thus making a double bellows-like movement 

 at each expiration, a sort of jerkj" motion with every breath. When 

 the animal is exerted a wheezing noise accompanies the breathing. 

 This noise may be heard to a less extent when the animal is at rest if 

 the ear be applied to the chest. 



As before remarked, indigestion is always present in these cases. 

 The animal has a depraved appetite, as shown by a desire to eat dirt 

 and soiled bedding, which he often devours in preference to the clean 

 food in the trough or manger. The stomach is liable to be overloaded 

 with indigestible food. The abdomen may assume that form called 

 "pot-bellied." The animal f requentlj' i)asses wind, Avhich is of fi A'ery 

 offensive odor. Attacks of colic may occur, which in some cases are 

 fatal. When first put to work dung is j)assed freciuently; the bowels 

 are often loose. The animal can not stand much work, as the mus- 

 cular system is soft. Round-chested horses are said to be predis- 

 posed to the disease, and it is certain that in cases of long standing 

 the chest usually becomes rounder than natural. 



Certain "smart" individuals become very expert in managing a 

 horse affected with "heaves" in suppressing the sjnni^toms for a 

 short time. Thej" take advantage of the fact that the breathing is 

 much easier when the stomach and intestines are empty. They also 

 resort to the use of medicines that have a depressing eft'ect. When 

 the veterinarian is examining a horse for soundness, and he suspects 

 that the animal has been " fixed," he usually gives tlie horse as much 

 water as he will drink and then lias him ridden or driven rapidly up 

 a hill or on a heavy road. This will bring out the characteristic 

 breathing of "heaves." All broken-winded horses have the cough 

 peculiar to the affection, but it is not regular. A considerable time 

 may elax)se before it is heard and then it may come on in paroxysms, 

 especially when first brought out of the stable into the cold air, or 

 when excited by work, or after a drink of cold water. The cough is 

 usually the first symptom of the disease. 



Treatment. — When tlie di.sease is established there is no cure for it. 

 Proi^er attention j^aid to the diet will relieve the distressing symptoms 

 to a certain extent, but they will undoubtedly reapjiear in their inten- 

 sitj^ the first time the animal overloads the stomach or is allowed food 

 of bad quality. Putting aside all theories in regard to the primary 

 cause of tlie affection, it is generally admitted that it is closely allied 



