DISEASES OF BLOOD-VESSELS. 349 



DISEASES OF THE BLOOD-VESSELS OF THE CHEST 

 AND NOSE. 



The horse is very subject to hemorrhage from the nose, 

 coming on during violent exertion, and many a race has been lost 

 from this cause. Fat over-fed horses are the most likely to suffer 

 from hemorrhage ; but most people are aware of the risk in- 

 curred in over-riding or driving them, and for this reason they 

 are not so often subject to this accident (for such it is rather than 

 a disease) as they otherwise would be. It is unnecessary to de- 

 scribe its s^ymptoms, as the gush of blood renders it but too appa- 

 rent, and the only point necessary to inquire into is, whether the 

 lungs or the nasal cavities are the seat of the rupture of the vessel. 

 In the former case the blood comes from both nostrils, and is 

 frothy ; while in the latter it generally proceeds from one only, 

 and is perfectly fluid. The treatment should consist in cooling the 

 horse down by a dose of physic and a somewhat lower diet; but if 

 the bleeding is very persistent, and returns again and again, a 

 saturated sqjution of alum in water may be syringed up the nostril 

 daily, or, if this fails, an infusion of matico may be tried, which is 

 far more likely to succeed. It is made by pouring half a pint of 

 boiling water on a drachm of matico-leaves, and letting it stand till 

 cool, when it should be strained, and is fit for use. 



Haemorrhage from the lungs is a far more serious affair, 

 and its control requires active remedies if they are to be of any 

 service. It may arise from the existence of an abscess n the 

 lung of a phthisical nature, which implicates some considt rable 

 vessel; or it may be caused by the bursting of an aneurism, which 

 is a dilatation of a large artery, and generally occurs near the heart. 

 The treatment can seldom do more than prolong the life of the 

 patient for a short time, and it is scarcely worth while to enter 

 upon it. Bleeding from the jugular vein will arrest the internal 

 haemorrhage, and must often be resorted to in the first instance, 

 and there are internal medicines which will assist it, such as digi- 

 talis and matico ; but, as before remarked, this only postpones the 

 fatal termination. 



30 



