CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 



121 



said to be " in condition." An animal so prepared runs no risk of 

 being affected with congestion of the lungs, if he is otherwise healtliy. 

 On the other hand, if the horse is kept in the stable for the purpose 

 of laying on fat or for want of something to do, the muscular system 

 becomes soft, and the horse is not in condition to stand the severe 

 exertion of going fast or far, no matter how healthy he may be in 

 other respects. If such a horse be given a hard ride or drive, he may 

 start off in high spirits, but soon becomes exhausted, and if he is 

 pushed he will slacken his pace, show a desire to stop, and may stag- 

 ger or even fall. Examination will show the nostrils dilated, the 

 flanks heaving, the countenance haggard, and the appearance of suf- 

 focation. The heart and muscles were not accustomed to the sudden 

 and severe strain put upon them ; the heart became unable to perform 

 its work; the blood accumulated in the vessels of the lungs, which 

 eventually became engrossed with the stagnated blood, constituting 

 congestion of the lungs. 



The animal, after having undergone severe exertion, may not 

 exhibit alarming symptoms until returned to the stable ; then he wiU 

 be noticed standing with his head down, legs spread out, the eyes 

 wildly staring or dull and sunken. The breathing is very rapid and 

 almost gasping ; the body is covered with perspiration in most cases, 

 which, however, may soon evaporate, leaving the surface of the body 

 and the legs and ears cold ; the breathing is both abdominal and tho- 

 racic ; the chest rises and falls and the flanks are powerfully brought 

 into action. If the pulse can be felt at ^11 it will be found beating 

 very frequently, one hundred or so to a minute. The heart may be 

 felt tumultuously thumping if the hand is placed against the chest 

 behind the left elbow, or it may be scarcely perceptible. The animal 

 may tremble all over the body. If the ear is placed against the side 

 of the chest a loud murmur will be heard and perhaps a fine crackling 

 sound. 



One can scarcely fail to recognize a case of congestion of the lungs 

 when brought on by overexertion, as the history of the case indicates 

 the nature of the ailment. In all cases of suffocation the lungs are 

 congested. It is also seen in connection with other diseases. 



Treatment. — If the animal is attacked by the disease while on the 

 road, stop him immediately. Do not attempt to return to the stables. 

 If he is in the stable, make arrangements at once to insure an unlim- 

 ited supply of pure air. If the weather is warm, out in the open air 

 is the best place, but if too cold let him stand with head to the door. 

 Let him stand still ; he has all he can do, if he obtains sufficient pure 

 air to sustain life. If he is encumbered with harness or saddle, 

 remove it at once and rub the body with cloths or wisps of hay or 

 straw. This stimulates the circulation in the skin, and thus aids in 

 relieving the lungs of the extra quantity of blood that is stagnated 



