124 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



is usually a dry cough from the beginning, which, however, changes 

 in character as the disease advances; for instance, it may become 

 moist, or if pleurisy -sets in, the cough will be peculiar to the latter 

 affection ; that is, cut short in the endeavor to supj^ress it. In some 

 cases the discharge from the nostrils is tinged with blood, while in 

 other cases it has the appearance of muco-pus. The appetite is lost 

 to a greater or less extent, but the desire for water is increased, par- 

 ticularly during the onset of the fever. The membrane within the 

 nostrils is red and at first dry, but sooner or later becomes moist. The 

 legs are cold. The bowels are more or less constipated, and what 

 dung is passed is usually covered with a slimy mucus. The urine is 

 passed in smaller quantities than usual and is of a darker color. 



The animal prefers to have the head where the freshest air can be 

 o|)tained. When affected with pneumonia a horse does not lie down, 

 but persists in standing from the beginning of the attack. However, 

 if pneumonia is complicated with pleurisy, the horse may appear rest- 

 less and lie down for a few moments to gain relief from the pleuritic 

 pains, but he soon rises. In pneumonia the breathing is rapid and 

 difficult, but Avhen the i^neumonia is complicated with pleurisy the 

 }"ibs are kept as still as possible and the breathing is abdominal ; that 

 is, the abdominal muscles are now made to do as much of the work as 

 they can perform. If pleurisy is not present there is little pain. 

 To the ordinary observer the animal may not appear dangerously 

 ill. as he does not show the seriousness of the ailment by violence, as 

 in colic, but a careful observer will discover at a glance that the 

 trouble is something more serious than a cold. By percussion it will 

 be shown that some portions of the chest are less resonant than in 

 health, indicating exclusion of air. If the air is wholly excluded the 

 percussion is quite dull, as that elicited by percussion over the thigh. 



By auscultation important information may be gained. When the 

 ear is placed against the chest of a healthy horse, the respiratory 

 murmur is heard more or less distincth', according to the part of the 

 chest that is beneath the ear. In the very first stage of pneumonia 

 this murmur is louder and hoarser; and, also, there is heard a fine 

 crackling sound something similar to that produced when salt is 

 thrown in a fire. After the affected part becomes solid there is an 

 absence of sound over that particular part. After absorption begins 

 one may again hear sounds that are of a more or less moist character 

 and resemble a bubbling or gurgling noise, which gradually change 

 until the natural soiuid is heard announcing return to health. 



When a fatal termination is approaching all the symptoms become 

 intensified. The breathing becomes still more rapid and difficult : the 

 flanks heave: the animal stares wildly about as if seeking aid to drive 

 off the feeling of suffocation : the body is bathed with sweat : the horse 

 staggers, but quickly recovers his balance ; he may now, for the first 



