50 HORSES: 



lungs, — and which, so far from constituting an impas. 

 sable barrier, may itself take on a congested state and 

 pass it on to the lungs. From this might arise acute 

 congestion* with imminent danger to life, more espe- 

 cially if from causes already mentioned the blood has 

 been constantly or often affected by the impurities 

 arising from indigestion, so that the tissues of the 

 muscles are not perfectly constituted ; or the disorder 

 might become chronic in the form of bronchitis, or 

 " heaves," which corresponds to the asthma of the 

 human dyspeptic. The liver, which is in immediate 

 contact with the stomach, often becomes congested, 

 sometimes deeply, even fatally, diseased in the same 

 manner. And so, by continuity of tissue, as already 

 stated, the entire frame forward — the chest — may 

 readily become " foundered." I am satisfied we have 

 here the cause of the disorder under consideration. 



Generally speaking, a chronic disease is the result 

 of some chronic provocation. The real seat of the 

 disorder being unrecognized, the horse is likely to be 

 fed as often, and as " generously," as before the dis- 

 order became so severe as to give rise to the " well- 

 known symptoms." Long before this, however, the 

 creature would, had he the gift of speech, have com- 

 plained of dull pains and disagreeable sensations. 

 To be sure, he might not, even then, exhibit greater 

 wisdom than is shown by many of his human proto- 

 types, who feel these same sensations without ever 



* In this case total abstinence from food for a day or more, if 

 necessary, is indicated. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



