33 
OBSCURE DISEASE OF THE LUNGS, COMPLI¬ 
CATED WITH SPINAL AFFECTION, IN A 
HORSE. 
By C. Percivall, Student of Veterinary Medicine, Sheffield. 
Feeling much interested in the following case, I watched 
its progress with some minuteness. 
My preceptor, Mr. Cartledge, was requested to attend a 
black cart-horse, aged, and in good condition, belonging to 
a manufacturer in this town. There seemed nothing amiss 
with him, beyond loss of appetite and some inability to 
perform his usual labour, and he was accordingly thrown off 
work. About a week from the time of our seeing him, I 
attended, in Mr. Cartledge’s absence. From the man’s 
account, the horse was continually attempting to void urine ; 
and, in the efforts made, some pain was manifested. The 
pulse numbered 50 in the minute, without there being an}-- 
thing unusual in its character; the visible mucous mem¬ 
branes were a little heightened in colour, and the horse was 
still off his feed. I gave a dram and a half of powdered 
opium, in a soft ball, and the uneasiness quickly passed off. 
Tonics were administered for the next few days, and the 
horse seemed so far to recover as to warrant his being put to 
light work. 
The man, however, still complained that the animal was 
unable to do his work; that he stopped frequently, and 
seemed exhausted. He was now brought to our infirmary; 
and, in the absence of any other symptom than this exces¬ 
sive weakness, we were at a loss to discover from what the 
horse was suffering. The pulse at this time beat from 46 
to 48 in the minute, and the mucous membranes were of 
their natural colour; there was no cough ; the breathing was 
undisturbed, and the animal appeared cheerful; the excre¬ 
tions were regular, but the appetite was impaired. 
It was thought that the absence of a general healthy tone 
in the system was the cause of what has been stated, and 
the free use of vegetable and mineral tonics was resorted to, 
and to all appearance the horse again soon recovered. The 
appetite now was decidedly good; and, when led out, he 
was lively, and it was considered that he might safely return 
to work. 
This, with some difficulty, he performed for a week or ten 
days, when he was again placed under our care. The 
breathing now was somew hat laboured, and, w hat appeared 
xxxii. 5 
