362 DISEASES OF BREATHINGr. 



as regards fresh air, water, fomentations, warm clothing, laxative 

 food, and nitre. In giving this advice to inexperienced horse- 

 owners, I am of course assmning that they are unable to obtain the 

 aid of a veterinary surgeon, who is the only person competent to 

 intelligently treat such serious cases. 



If there be great difficulty in breathing, which will occur when 

 laryngitis (sore throat, p. 367) is present, tracheotomy may 

 have to be performed. Although this is a very simple opera- 

 tion ; it is generally advisable to defer it as long as possible, from 

 the danger of its causing the horse to subsequently " make a 

 noise," if the edges of the divided cartilage happen to unite in 

 an irregular manner. When the animal's breathing becomes 

 laboured, he should be carefully watched, and the operation per- 

 formed the moment he begins " to fight for breath." 



If diarrhoea sets in, it is not generally advisable to check it ; as 

 it is almost always an effort of nature to expel waste and dele- 

 terious matters from the system. 



In the second stage, when the fever has passed off, corn should 

 be gradually given, with, if much debility exists, a couple of quarts 

 of beer a day, or skimmed nailk and, say, a dozen raw eggs. Dis- 

 oontinue the nitre, and give twice a day in a pint of ale — 



Powdered gentian or chiretta 



„ , ginger ^ 2 



Sweet spirits of nitre ... ... ... 1^ oz. 



>j 



Or, 



Sulphate of quinine ... ... ... 1^ drachm. 



Dilute nitro-muriatic acid ... .. 1^ ,, 



Water ... ... ... ... ... 1 pint. 



If the cough continues, blister the throat with cantharides. Nurse 

 the horse, and attend to his general health. 



The liver is frequently implicated in an attack of various chest 

 diseases, as will be indicated by the yellow colom' of the gums and 

 lining membrane of the eyelids. The practitioner should, how- 

 ever, neglect such secondary symptoms, and attend solely to the 

 alleviation, of the original disorder; resting assured, that, as it 

 subsides, the liver symptoms will gradually disappear. 



Chest diseases are often far more serious than they appear to 

 be at first glance. Hence, if the person who has charge of the 

 horse suspects that there is anything wrong with the animal's 

 organs of breathing, he should use, when possible, the clinical 

 thermometer (p. 681) ; for there is always, during the acute stage 

 of these attacks, a marked rise in the temperature of the body, 

 with a corresponding degree of danger to the animal. This in> 



