DR. LEGEAK'S STOCK BOOK. 35 



PLEURISY. 



The chest cavity which contains the heart and lungs is lined 

 "by a thin, glistening membrane, called the pleura. It also covers 

 the lungs. Inflammation of this membrane is called pleurisy. 



Causes. Pleurisy is caused by sudden changes in the weather, 

 exposure to cold and wet, and by the various conditions which 

 cause pneumonia. Other causes are impure blood, wounds of the 

 chest-wall, broken ribs, etc. 



Symptoms. It begins with a chill, which soon passes off. The 

 animal stands stiff, similar to founder, with the fore-legs as far 

 apart as possible, and, when compelled to move, he grunts or 

 grcans with pain. The breathing is noticed to be done back of 

 the ribs (by the abdominal muscles), while the ribs are kept as 

 still as possible. On placing the ear to the side of the chest a 

 kind of grating sound can be heard, caused by the dry pleural 

 membranes rubbing against each other. But in a few days, pos- 

 sibly less, the animal stands apparently free from pain, and there 

 is no grating sound in the chest; this is a sign that a fluid has 

 collected in the chest between the layers of the pleura. Such a 

 collection of fluid in the chest-cavity is called hydrothorax, or 

 dropsy of the chest. A great amount of fluid may thus be col- 

 lected, rendering the case a hopeless one, without any very well 

 marked symptoms being observed. Besides these signs, there is 

 a cough, an -elevation in temperature, and pressure on or between 

 the ribs gives rise to considerable pain. 



Treatment. The general care and comfort of the animal is to 

 bo about the same as in pneumonia. As there is generally a high 

 fever, and a rapid, strong pulse, give 15 drops of tincture of 



