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~\concestion OF THE LUNGS 
CONGESTION of the lungs, or pulmonary congestion, is one of the most 
important diseases to which the horse is liable. It is therefore essential that 
our readers should have a clear and thorough knowledge of its distinguishing 
features, and of ,its mode of treatment ; for, indeed, not only is it one of the 
most preventible of maladies, but it is at the same time one which is in most. 
instances thoroughly amenable to early, vigorous, and judicious treatment. 
Congestion of the lungs is met with in the horse, not only during the progress. 
of many diseases, such as inflammation of the lungs, of the feet, and of the 
bowels, and in injuries of the joints, in heart disease, and in some contagious. 
fevers, but also as a distinct and independent affection. It is the latter 
kind, which we propose to discuss; for that form which complicates other 
diseases, is treated of, in connection with the primary malady. The kind of 
congestion which results in some forms of heart disease is called passive, and 
this may also be due to the general exhaustion resulting in some fevers and 
other debilitating conditions. The kind which occurs as an independent 
affection, is called acute or active congestion. It is the more frequent of the 
two forms in the horse, and is the more important and easily recognised. 
When it is accompanied by bleeding from the nose, from rupture of the 
small vessels in the lungs, it is sometimes spoken of as pulmonary apoplexy. 
When an animal in an untrained condition is suddenly called upon to: 
perform any unusual exertion, the heart, lungs, and muscles may not be able 
to respond to the increased strain put upon them. Under these circumstances * 
—as, for instance, when an untrained horse is suddenly put into the hunting- 
field—the heart’s action becomes embarrassed and tumultuous, the blood 
accumulates in the small vessels of the lungs, and the breathing becomes. 
more and more distressed, until, at length, the horse may die of suffocation, 
consequent on over-loading and engorgement of the vessels of the lungs with 
impure blood. Under careful training, the heart and the other organs are. 
gradually accustomed by regular and careful exercise to perform additional 
work. Their tone and vigour is enhanced, and the system responds duly to: 
even severe strains. 
The symptoms of the acute form of pulmonary congestion, are in most 
instances of a very severe type. The horse stands with his limbs out- 
stretched, and gasps for breath. All the muscles which can possibly aid in 
respiration are called into action; the nostrils open and close in quick. 
succession, and the flanks héave to and fro with great rapidity. Cold sweats. 
bedew the surface of the body ; the extremities become very cold, and the 
lining membrane of the nostrils shows, by its livid hue, the condition of the 
blood circulating in it. The pulse is much quickened, and may reach Ico to 
140 beats per minute. It is feeble, oppressed, indistinct, and becomes almost 
imperceptible in severe cases ; and there is a tremor all over the body. The 
heart’s action, irregular and tumultous from the first, becomes still more 
embarrassed. The lungs become more engorged, and the breathing still 
more distressed, until, at length, unless treatment prove av ailing, death 
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