176 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



Heaves, broken wind, asthma. — Many loosely apply the term 

 " heaves " to all ailments where the breathing is difficult and 

 noisy. While the veterinarians define these ailments as if well 

 understood, yet they seem to be unable to do much for such 

 diseases. Heaves is often associated with indigestion, or to an 

 error in the choice of food. Overfeeding, especially with dusty 

 or moldy hay, is a common cause. Severe work immediately 

 after feeding may bring on the ailment. Again the tendency 

 to the disease seems to be hereditary, hence animals thus dis- 

 posed should not be used in breeding. Heaves is readily rec- 

 ognized by the deep, moist, grunting cough; by the peculiar 

 movement of the flank during expiration and by the dilated 

 nostrils which frequently discharge a thick mucus. These 

 are more noticeable immediately after feeding or watering. 

 " Heavy " horses are very common. 



When the disease is established, there is no cure. Proper 

 attention should be paid to the quarters and diet. Provide 

 light, dry, clean, and well-ventilated quarters. Feed easily 

 digested, nutritious, and not bulky food. Moisten the hay 

 and do not feed too much. Molasses as well as carrots, pota- 

 toes, or turnips chopped and mixed with oats and corn, are a 

 good diet. For medicine give arsenic, in the form of Fowler's 

 solution, at first two teaspoonfuls in the food or water three 

 times daily, gradually increasing to a tablespoonful three times 

 daily and continuing for one month. 



Roaring, whistling, thick wind. — These are due to an obstruc- 

 tion in some part of the respiratory tract which prevents the 

 free passage of air. The causes are numerous and not well 

 understood. It often follows distemper or injury to the throat. 

 The tendency is hereditary. Some animals seem more dis- 

 posed than others, especially those with long slender necks. 

 When the disease is established, there is little that can be done 

 by way of treatment. In certain forms of the ailment, light 

 bUstering over the larynx will give relief. 



