INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 55 



flowing in another channel, Avhich, although not so direct in its 

 course, will not retard the necessary progress of the circulation. 



CHAPTER III. 



DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 



INFLAMMATIOiY OF THE LUNGS. 



Symptoms. — Of all the diseases incidental to the horse, 

 that of inflammation of the lungs is the most prevalent, 

 and certainly the most fatal. Sometimes this malady is 

 sudden in its appearance, but in the greater number of cases 

 fever is a premonitory symptom. In its early stages it is 

 not very rapid, but is indistinct and heavy in its action, 

 feeling vibratory under the pressure of the finger. In other 

 instances it is hardly to be perceived, so languid is its 

 motion. This is followed by dilated nostrils, coldness in the 

 extremities, and heaving in the flanks, which clearly indicate 

 an oppression in the breathing ; differing, however, from the 

 laboured and hard action of the lungs in fever, and also the 

 irregular breathing in broken-winded horses, which appears 

 as if it required t-\vo expirations for every inspiration of air 

 into the lungs. In inflammation the pulse is quick, hurried, 

 and irregular, caused by the pain whicli is felt by the animal 

 at each attempt to draw in the air, giving the appearance 

 of something being imperfect in the respiratory organs. 

 The animal thrusts out his head, the mucous membrane of 

 the nose becomes very red, especially in the inside angles of 

 the nostrils, where it continues ; although at times it 

 extends further up, from which position it may disappear, 

 but still maintaining its chief seat in the lower portion of 



