CHRONIC COUGH. 331 



state, it may be treated by attention to the general health, a seton 

 in the side, and the exhibition of an expectorant ball twice a day, 

 composed of the following materials : — 



Take of Gum Ammoniacum ^ ounce. 



Powdered Squill 1 drachm. 



Castile Soap • . . . 2 drachms. 



Mix and make into a ball. 



CHRONIC COUGH. 



By this term is understood a cough that comes on without 

 any fever or evidences of the horse having taken cold. It differs 

 in this respect from chronic bronchitis, which generally supervenes 

 upon the acute form, and is always attended in the early stage by 

 feverishness. It appears probable that chronic cough is dependent 

 upon an unnatural stimulus to the mucous membrane, for it almost 

 always makes its appearance when much corn is given without due 

 preparation, and ceases on a return to green food. It is, therefore, 

 very commonly termed a stomach cough. The symptoms are all 

 summed up in the presence of a dry cough, which is seldom mani- 

 fested while in the stable, but comes on whenever the breathing is 

 hastened by any pace beyond a walk. Two or three coughs are 

 then given, and the horse perhaps is able to go on with his work, 

 but after resting for a few minutes, and again starting, it comes on 

 again, and annoys the rider or driver by its tantalizing promise of 

 disappearance followed by disappointment. Very often this kind 

 of cough is caused by the irritation of worms, but any kind of dis- 

 order of the digestive organs appears to have the power of pro- 

 ducing it. The usual treatment for chronic bronchitis seems here 

 to be quite powerless, and the only plan of proceeding likely to be 

 attended with success, is to look for the cause of the irritation, and 

 remove it. Sometimes this will be found in a hot stable, the horse 

 having previously been accustomed to a cool one. Here the altera- 

 tion of the temperature by ten or fifteen degrees will in a few days 

 efi"ect a cure, and nothing else is required. Again, it may be that 

 the corn has beerf overdone, in which case a gentle dose of physic, 

 followed by a diminished allowance of corn, and a bran-mash twice 

 a week, will be successful. If the stomach is much disordered, 

 green food will be the best stimulus to a healthy condition, or in 

 its absence a few warm cordial balls may be tried. The existence 

 of worms should be ascertained in doubtful cases, and if they are 

 present, the proper remedies must be given for their removal. 

 Linseed oil and spirit of turpentine, which are both excellent worm 

 remedies, are highly recommended in chronic cough, and whether 

 or not their good efi'ect is due to their antagonism to worms, tliej 

 may be regarded as specially useful. 



A very successful combination is the following mixturi : — 



