Cart and low-bred horses are most subject to it.
CAUSES.- The Proximate causes are derangement of the pneumogastric and sympathetic nerves; pulmonary emphysema, or rupture of some of the air-cells. The exciting causes are irregular work and improper food. Chronic cough, or sub-acute inflammation of the lungs or bronchi, may terminate in Broken Wind.
SYMPTOMS.- The cough is short, suppressed, and so feeble that it can hardly be heard at any distance; it is also frequently attended with the expulsion of flatus from the rectum, jerking respiration and two expirations. Indigestion is a usual accompaniment of Broken Wind, as indicated by Flatulence, the presence of undigested hay and oats in the dung, and an unthrifty, thin, seedy appearance of the animal.
When made to trot fast or draw a heavy load, the horse’s flanks heave violently, and his respiration becomes wheezing, like that of an asthmatic person; this state continues for some time, and does not cease immediately on rest, as in roaring. The wheezing respiration is not heard in every case, and when the horse is in the stable it is only by applying the ear to the chest, during a paroxysm or aggravation of the symptoms, which occurs at uncertain periods, but principally at night, that a sibilant or wheezing sound may be heard, accompanied by the vesicular, and sometimes by the sonorous or cooing rale. There is also resonance on percussion and difficulty of breathing.
BRONCHITIS
Bronchitis is sometimes present in a neighbourhood as an epidemic, and is often associated with other maladies affecting the structures contiguous to the bronchial tubes.
CAUSES.- Exposure to cold and wet; standing in draughts of air or uncovered when heated; sudden changes in the weather; turning an animal from a warm, comfortable habitation into a cold or wet atmosphere.
SYMPTOMS.- “The animal for two or three days, prior to the disease being acute, may be unwell; he may be affected with what is designated a cold; he breathes a little thick; coughs occasionally; is dull and off his food. In this state he is perhaps taken out of the stable for a time and during his absence he may be exposed to a cold, damp atmosphere, when, upon returning, all the previously existing symptoms are aggravated, the pulse has risen from perhaps 40 or 45 to 60 or 70 per minute; and the respirations to 30 or 40.
The respiratory sounds are also loud throughout the lungs, a moist kind of rattle or rale, as it is termed, is present within the windpipe and the bronchial tubes. The surface of the body and the extremities are of a variable temperature; the animal coughs- the cough is peculiar; it is thick, heavy-sounding, and moist; the mouth is hot, and generally contains a quantity of thick phlegm like matter; the eyes are dull- the head is held low – extremities are variable in temperature, and the patient, during the acute and sub-acute stages of the disease, does not like down. As the disease proceeds, the rattle in the trachea and bronchial tubes becomes louder; occasionally the mucous rattle is very loud, and the breathing is of a suffocative character; suddenly the animal emits a moist kind of cough, and the loud rattle for a time disappears, only in order to again become evident, and again dispersed in a similar manner.” – Haycock.
If the treatment is commenced sufficiently early, and properly conducted, the cough becomes softer and less wheezing, the rattling in the throat ceases, or is only occasionally heard, and ceases altogether when the animal coughs, and the appetite gradually returns. In less favourable cases, the breathing becomes more oppressed and quick, the pulse beats quicker and becomes thready in character, the cough is short and dry, the nose remains dry, and the respiratory murmur ceases throughout the lungs.
These symptoms indicate that the disease has extended from the bronchial tubes to the substance of the lungs, and the chances of recovery are but sight.
For every full discussion of this disorder as it affects the horse, and particularly as respects the bronchial sounds detected by auscultation, reference may be made to the Veterinary Vade Mecum.
TREATMENT.- Aconitum. – When symptoms of inflammation or fever predominate this medicine should be given. It is also indicated by hot, dry mount and skin; quick, strong, full pulse; short, dry, frequent cough; difficult breathing; great thirst, and red, dry nasal membrane. A dose every three or four hours. It is usually best to alternate Aconite With Bryonia
Bryonia. – The large bronchi are chiefly affected; the whole chest and lungs appear much involved, the breathing is quick, short, and difficult, and the animal unwilling to move. A dose every four hours. If improvement takes place, continue the medicine less frequently till the animal is well. In some cases both this and the preceding remedy are required in alternation; that is, one dose of Aconite first; then one of Bryonia, in two, three, or four hours after; then another dose of Aconite in tow, three or four hours, and so on. As the animal improves, give the medicines much less frequently. Bryonia is suitable for those cases of chronic bronchitis when a horse coughs only when trotted, but not when at rest.
Phosphorus. – This remedy is to be preferred when the small bronchi are chiefly affected; the cough being painful and suppressed, or loud, dry, and frequent, but with scanty discharge from the nostrils. Also if, after using the above remedies little or not benefit ensues, and the breathing becomes more quickened, the mucous rale louder, and the cough more suffocating, this medicine may be alternated with Bryonia, for Aconite and Bryonia
Belladonna. – Sore throat; violent fits of coughing; great difficulty of swallowing, and pressure upon the throat, almost producing suffocation. A dose every three or four hours.
Mercurius Viv. Cough worse at night, and moist; nasal discharge thick and plentiful; large and small bronchi affected; glands swollen; may be alternated with Belladonna
Arsenicum. – Cold extremities, great loss of strength, wasting of flesh, bad appetite, tendency to diarrhoea. A dose every four hours. If the animal improves with its use, continue it till recovery is complete.
Ant. Tart. – For loose cough and copious flow of mucus; Kali bichromicum for tough, ropy, sticky phlegm; and Sulph. as an intercurrent or consecutive remedy, are very useful.
DIET, ETC. – During the severer forms of the disease, bran mashes, gruel, barley-water, and aired water; as improvement takes place, and the digestive organs become stronger, boiled barley or oats, or a little malt, or speared corn, turnips, carrots, and, if in season, great food may be given. For dogs, milk, or bread-and-milk, with fresh supplies of cold water, constitute the best diet. Meat broth may be given in cases of great debility and old age. The animal should have a warm, clean, and comfortable habitation; this should be well- ventilated, without exposing the animal to draughts. The clothing must be regulated according to the season and the condition of the skin. Back-raking and injections may be required for costiveness. A dog should be kept in the house, and in one temperature as nearly as possible. The steam from the pailful of boiling water placed in the kennel will give relief.
CONSEQUENCES. – Bronchitis may terminate in Chronic Bronchitis; thick wind; chronic cough; swelling of the limbs, and dropsical complaints. The best medicines for preventing these consequences are Arsenicum and Sulph.: the former may be given in two-grain doses, twice or thrice daily, for one or two weeks; afterwards, the latter in two-grain doses, once or twice daily, for a week or ten days. The animal must have exercise, and if the weather is fine and warm, a run at grass for a few hours every day will be of great service.
CASTRATION
This operation consists in removing the testicles and ovaries from animals, for the purpose of rendering them unfit for propagation, and thereby increasing their value for agricultural and domestic uses. Foals are best subjected to the operation just before they are taken from the dams, either in spring or autumn, in weather not very hot nor very cold. If weaning has taken place, the allowance of food and water should be somewhat reduced; training or highly-fed colts require several weeks’ rest and gradual reduction of food. (For the best method of performing the operation see the best method of performing the operation see the Veterinary Vade Mecum.)
Female animals should never be castrated when the sexual instinct is excited; in male animals the operation should not take place until one or two weeks after the last performance of the sexual act. The operation is sometimes followed by ailments which require treatment. The principal of these ailments are : inflammatory symptoms, tetanus, spasms, ulcers, etc. The chief causes of mischief consequent on this operation are : cold and damp stables, cold bathing, and exposure to cold generally soon after castration, causing inflammation or tetanus. Tetanus is also apt to set in if the operation is performed too early after the sexual act. If cows are castrated when the sexual instinct is excited, they often die.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."