48 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM 



This pathological condition is commonly termed 

 "thumps." Some writers have aUuded to it under the 

 title of palpitation of the heart. The condition, from 

 its pathological side, is not entirely clear. Most authors 

 have, however, adopted the designation of diaphragmatic 

 spasm, and content themselves with giving clinical proof 

 that cardiac palpitation only occurs eoincidentally with 

 the spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm. No doubt, 

 there is a close connection between the two conditions. 

 It has been a rather difficult matter in the past, however, 

 to trace this connection. 



For all purposes of a practical nature it is sufficient 

 that we understand that there occurs in these cases a 

 pathological state which is, no doubt, due to a trophi c 

 N nerve disturbance of some sort, and that the symptoms 

 ^ which we see as a result of this disturbance are, in the 

 main, the effect of spasmodic contractions of the dia- 

 phragm. We must accept this view if we would have our 

 treatment of the condition conform to at least a semblance 

 of scientific handling. 



' ' Thumps, ' ' or diaphragmatic spasm, is seen most com- 

 monly in driving horses. Since the advent of the automo- 

 bile, it has been forced into that class of diseases usually 

 termed ' ' rare, ' ' because of the fact that the class of horses 

 which was most frequently affected is now decidedly in 

 the minority. Heavy horses performing slow and method- 

 ical work are hardly ever affected. Causative factors in 

 the development of diaphragmatic spasm are over-exer- 

 tion, especially during hot weather, heat, great excitement 

 in nervous animals, and occasionally debilitating infec- 

 tious diseases. 



The mortality rate is low, but the affection is important 

 from a clinical standpoint because of the fact that the 



