The wretched slave, after the distance is accomplished, is taken from the shafts and led into the stable; it is hardly tied to the manger before a sickening sensation seizes on the body. The head hangs down; the furnished rack and manger are not glanced at. This alarms the groom's prejudices. At length the man imagines it must be thirst which prevents his charge from eating. The attendant hastens for water, but on his return he finds the horse blowing; that is, panting or breathing quickly.
CONGESTION IN THE STABLE.
This symptom, which only denotes exhaustion, used to be regarded as the forerunner of inflammation of the lungs. Doubtless, it would terminate thus seriously, were nothing done to arrest the progress of the affection. The change from extreme labor to perfect rest produces a revulsion of the system. The capillaries contract and soon become in a congested condition. Not only does this state affect the lungs, but it is present all over the body. Should the pulse be now taken, the artery will be round and gorged. The beat may be either quicker or slower than most books fix the number at; but it will be very feeble and will convey no idea of vital activity. It hardly stirs, suggesting the surging of a tranquil summer sea upon a sandy shore. Partial perspirations may break forth, and the body may become wet with a fluid of no higher temperature than the skin from which it exudes. The feet are cold; the eye is fixed; the living type of obedience moves not, when commanded; hearing is lost; all natural functions appear to be arrested, except the breathing; and that being involuntary, nevertheless is evidently disordered.
If this condition be immediately attended to, it will disappear almost as quickly as it was exhibited. Take two ounces each of sulphuric ether and of laudanum; cold water, one pint. Give this drink with caution, as the animal to which it is administered is not conscious. Have patience with sickness, and the whole will be swallowed; or the fumes will be inhaled and do almost as much good as the imbibition of the fluid.
The drink being given, do not leave the stable. Wait by the side of the horse, watching the effect of the draught. If in ten minutes the horse has not perfectly recovered, or be but partially restored, let another similar portion be poured into the body. More will seldom be required; but, notwithstanding, watch for twenty minutes after the last drink, as such fits occasionally vanish and reappear.
The rack and the manger must be emptied. Gruel is all we dare at present trust within reach of an exhausted frame. Though the animal would eat, solid food must be withheld. The body should be lightly, but well clothed; and a pail of gruel should be suspended from the manger, so that a heavy head need not be raised high to partake of it.
The next day the creature, thus treated, may return to its customary food and be as well as ever; but when the animal reached home, should the groom have been in a hurry, if company should have been waiting for dinner, and the horse should be hastily turned into the stall by the only servant kept by gentility; then the congestion is unseen, and any disease may follow it. This condition used to be, as fainting in the human being once was, treated by the abstraction of blood. But to bleed a debilitated horse, is to increase the cause of the affection, which it should be the province of physic to destroy. By the stimulant, which leaves behind no inflammatory tendency; by the subtle distillation, which speedily traverses the frame, we revive the system and awaken lagging nature once more to vital activity.
When congestion is not noticed in the first instance, and has time to become confirmed, the original disorder is invariably swallowed up in some greater evil. Pneumonia and pleurisy are the favorite shapes which it assumes; but it has terminated in fatal enteritis.