214 PLEURISY. 



difficult, the cough short and laboured, ex- 

 citing great pain. The mouth at first is par- 

 ched and dry ; but when a critical discharge 

 issues from the nostrils, in consequence of a 

 reduction of the symptomatic inflammation 

 upon the glands of the head and throat, a 

 slimy moisture appears in the mouth like- 

 wise; his whole frame bearing evident proofs 

 of universal oppression, that seriously indi- 

 cate the necessity of expeditious relief. 



Having taken a concise but accurate view 

 of the distemper in its external appearance, 

 it becomes immediately necessary to go out 

 of the usual track, and explain the cause as 

 well as the symptoms of disease. As the 

 LUNGS are known to emit in health a greater 

 proportion of perspirable matter for tran- 

 spiration than any other part, it conse- 

 quently follows that, upon either a partial 

 or universal obstruction or suppression, they 

 become (by the compulsive absorption of 

 that very proportion) the immediate seat of 

 disease ; and, where the blood is previously 

 viscid, or in an indifferent state, its ten- 

 dency to inflammation is instantly promoted 

 by the morbidity of the obstructed perspir- 



