188 The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser. 



HEAVES. BEOKEN 'WIND. 



This is closely allied to asthma, but is more continuous 

 in its symptoms, and less paroxysmal. 



Causes. Overfeeding on clover hay, sainfoin, lucem and 

 allied plants : on chaff, cut straw and other bulky and in- 

 nutritious food. In Arabia, in Spain, and in California 

 where there is no long winter feeding on hay, and in our 

 Territories where clover is not used, heaves is virtually 

 unknown ; it has advanced westward just in proportion as 

 clover hay has been introduced as the general fodder for 

 horses, and it has disappeared in England and New En- 

 gland in proportion as the soU has become clover sick and 

 as other ahment had to be suppHed. The worst condi- 

 tions are when a horse is left in the stable for days and 

 weeks eating clover hay, or even imperfectly cured, dusty 

 hay of other kinds, to the extent of thirty pounds and up- 

 wards daily, and is suddenly taken out and driven at a 

 rapid pace. Yiolent exertions of any kind, and diseases 

 of the lungs are also potent causes. It is mainly a disease 

 of old horses but may attack the colt of two years old. 

 Finally, horses with small chests are most liable and thus 

 the disease proves hereditary. 



SymptoTus. There is a double lift of the flank with each 

 expiratory act, there being first a falling in of the abdom- 

 inal walls and then, after a perceptible interval, a rising 

 of the posterior part of the belly to complete the emptying 

 of the chest; also a short, dry, weak, almost inaudible 

 cough, followed by a wheeze in the throat, and occurring 

 in paroxysms when violently exercised, when brought 

 from the stable into the cold air, or after a drink of cold- 

 water. The breathing is accompanied by a wheezing noise 

 above aU evident when the patient is excited by work, or 

 when the ear is applied on the side of the chest. In- 

 digestion is also a prominent symptom and manifested 

 by a ravenous appetite, even for filthy litter, by the fre- 

 quent passage of wind from the bowels, and often by 

 swelling and drum-like resonance of the abdomen. When 



