THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 843 



falls ; and a death-struggle ensues, the creature dying in 

 consequence of the distended abdomen compressing the 

 lungs and preventing the breath being inhaled. 



SWELLED BELLY — DROPSY. 



The symptoms of a general attack of dropsy are swelling 

 of the belly, the sheath, the loose skin in the space between 

 the arms, the breast, the sides of the face and nostrils, the 

 arms, thighs and legs. These are the ordinary situations 

 for dropsical swellings, though it does not always happen 

 that all these parts are affected. In general the legs are 

 only secondarily affected, the tumour in the first instance 

 appearing in the body and arms and thighs, and from them 

 gravitatiug into the legs. At times the tumefaction is, 

 when once it has commenced, very rapid in its progress, 

 and spreads to such an extent in the course of a few hours 

 after its first appearance as to render the animal almost 

 incapable of locomotion. 



Causes. — Horses that are turned out to the strawyard in 

 the winter season are the frequent subjects of dropsy. 

 They leave a warm atmosphere for a cold and humid one, a 

 generous diet for one that comparatively starves them, and 

 they drink ad lihituin of water, which may be, but most 

 probably is not, of the most wholesome description. The 

 skin will certainly received a check in regard to its per- 

 spiratory functions; the air-passages, also, will feel the 

 effects of cold and moisture ; while the digestive organs 

 will experience more or less alteration in their economy in 

 consequence of the change of aliment. 



The Treatraent promises little, because it is rather a 

 symptom of visceral disorganisation than of simple irrita- 

 tion. We are warranted, however, in attempting the 

 removal of the fluid by exciting the absorbents, and by 

 strengthening the system generally by tonics. We must, 

 however, use no depletion. It may also be observed that 

 purgatives are not admissible here ; on the contrary, tbey 

 may be expected to occasion much constitutional disturb- 

 ance. Mild blisters, etc., external friction, frequent and 

 long-continued, are best, with gentle, repeated exercise, 

 aided by warm clothing. 



Mr. Mayhew sensibly recommends that the food should 



