1^9 THE HORSE. 



from the stable to grass, will equally give rise to disease of the lungs. It 

 is generally the effect of our erroneous system of management. 



We shall presently state the symptoms by which inflammation of the 

 lungs may be distinguished from catarrhal fever. It may be distinguished 

 from inflammation of the bowels by the pulse, which, in the latter disease, is 

 small and wiry ; by the membrane of the nose, which is not then so much 

 reddened ; by the indications of pain, as kicking at the belly, stamping, and 

 rolhng ; by his eager scraping of the litter, and by the belly being painful 

 to the touch, and also hot, when the bowels are inflamed. 



PLEURISY. 



Hitherto we have spoken of inflammation of the substance of the lungs ; 

 but inflammation may attack the membrane covering them and lining the 

 side of the chest (the pleura), and be principally or entirely confined to that 

 membrane. This is termed pleurisy. The causes are the same as in 

 inflammation of the substance of the lungs, and the symptoms are not very 

 dissimilar. The guiding distinction will be the pulse. As the blood in this 

 disease still traverses the lungs without obstruction, we have not the 

 oppressed pulse, but rather the hard full pulse characteristic of inflamma- 

 tion ; the extremities are cold, but not so cold ; the membrane of the nose, 

 intensely red in the former disease, because it is a continuation of the 

 inflamed lining of the air cells of the lungs, is here but little reddened, 

 because there is no connection between them, if the sides be pressed upon 

 in pleurisy pain will be felt, which the horse will express by a kind of grunt, 

 and which is easily explained by the pressure being applied so close to the 

 seat of disease. The manner of standing, however, will remain the same, 

 and the obstinacy of standing the same, and the extension of the neck, and 

 the protrusion of the nostril. After death, the pleura of the ribs and the 

 lungs will exhibit stripes or patches of inflammation, and the chest will be 

 generally filled with serous fluid. 



Copious bleeding is indicated here, as in inflammation of the substance 

 of the lungs. Blisters and sedative medicines must likewise be resorted 

 to. The only important difference is, that aperients may be administered 

 with more safety than in the former disease. Puncturing\)f the chest to 

 give escape to the fluid that is thrown out in it may be attempted. It can- 

 not do harm, but it has very seldom saved or much prolonged the life of 

 the animal. If the operation be attempted, it should be as soon as the 

 presence of the fluid is suspected, and the means by which this may be 

 ascertained we have already described. The opening should be effected 

 with the common trochar used for tapping in dropsy in the human being, 

 and should be made between the eighth and ninth ribs, and close to the 

 cartilages. Diuretic medicines combined with tonics should be administered. 



CATARRH, OR COMMON COLD. 



This is a complaint of frequent occurrence, generally subdued without 

 much difliculty, but often becoming of serious consequence if neglected. 

 It is accompanied by a little increase of pulse ; a slight discharge from the 

 nose and eyes; a coat somewhat roughened ; a diminution of appetite, and 

 cougli sometimes painful and frequent. A little warmth, a few mashes, 

 and some doses of the medicine recommended under inflammation of the 

 lungs, will speedily effect a cure. Should the cough be very painful and 

 obstinate, it may be necessary to bleed ; but then the disease is degenerating 

 into bronchitis or catarrhal fever. 



