HEAVES. 127 



animals are so seriously affected, that it is hard to look at 

 the terrible efforts made in the art of respiration. The 

 deep and not suffered-to-be-completed respiration tells the 

 tale of great asthmatic effort and oppression. In others, it 

 is so slight that only experts can observe it; not from the 

 quickness of breathing, nor yet from its depth, but from a 

 peculiar double beat or hitch, differing from all other 

 varieties of breathing, either of fever, inflammation, or 

 debility. 



Causes. DebiKty of the parvagum nerve; for if this 

 nerve is divided or cut in its course, heaves, or broken 

 wind, is set up at once. The real condition of this 

 nerve, which gives rise to heaves, is not at present 

 known ; and it is difficult, in many cases, to trace and dis- 

 tinguish any alteration of the nerves, as they may retain 

 their color, yet their influence may be greatly impaired. 

 For two reasons I have said debility. First, because, if it 

 was cut, or had entirely lost its influence, the animal would 

 die in forty-eight hours. Second, because, by the adminis- 

 tration of power&l tonics, the symptoms of the disease are 

 greatly relieved, and in some cases they entirely disappear. 



Treatment. Horse-dealers, in order to allay the symptoms, 

 that is, the peculiar breathing, give an ounce each, of 

 powdered sulphate of iron, gentian and ginger root. It is 

 the largeness of the dose that is given, and repeated 

 for a few days, that imparts a tonicity to the nerve. 

 Although I have here spoken of this matter, I do not wish 

 to be understood as advocating such treatment, nor as 

 attempting to cheat or deceive any one; but the large 

 dose of iron meets my decided disapproval, as being highly 

 injurious to the horse — although the giving of round or 

 spherical shot, as is practiced in England, is much worse. 

 The treatment, whatever that may be, to do good per- 



