CHRONIC ALVEOLAR EMPHYSEMA 51 



of fever are characteristic. Its chronicity (absence of fever) 

 and physical signs (auscultation and percussion) differentiate 

 emphysema from acute febrile diseases of the respiratory 

 system (pleuritis) . According to King mild cases of " heaves' ' 

 may be exaggerated for diagnostic purposes by intravenous 

 injections of arecolin. He injects 30 drops in 5 ss of normal 

 salt solution into the jugular. While in "non-heavy" horses 

 the injection produces a passing dyspnea, in "heavy" ones a 

 pronounced double-pumping of the flanks is induced which 

 lasts several minutes. 



Prognosis. — As far as the life of the patient is concerned 

 the prognosis is good, but from the standpoint of healing, 

 there is no hope of a permanent cure. Diffuse bronchial 

 catarrh and weak heart are bad complications. 



Treatment. — ^No treatment, hygienic, dietetic or medicinal 

 wUl cure chronic pulmonary emphysema. By using the 

 patient only for light work, feeding good nutritious food 

 (clean oats, bran), allowing only small quantities of dustless 

 (moistened) hay, and watering frequently but in small 

 quantities at a time, the symptoms may be overcome so 

 long as the above dietetics are persisted in. 



Drugs. — ^There are several drugs such as belladonna, 

 datura stramonium, hyoscyamus, which contain atropin, 

 that will mask the symptoms (dyspnea) in a marked degree. 

 By using such drugs horsetraders often deceive prospective 

 buyers into believing the horse to have "good wind." How- 

 ever, the abatement of the symptoms is only temporary, 

 lasting usually but one day. The abnormal dilatation of 

 the pupil, dryness of the mucous membranes and rapid pulse, 

 which usually follow the use of a "dope," should put the 

 veterinarian on his guard. Gypsies not only administer 

 drugs but drench "heavy" horses with shot, in this form giv- 

 ing as high as two pounds of lead at a single dose just before 

 the animal is to be sold. In addition very little water is 

 allowed. No satisfactory explanation of the therapeutic 

 effect of this agent has been given. Its action is probably 

 mechanical. 



Arsenic is useful, usually given in the form of Fowler's 

 solution (Bss) three times daily in the drinking water. 



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