INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT 255 



away quickly without causing much inconvenience or suffering to the 

 patient. In other instances, however, it extends deep into the tissues of 

 the throat and neighbouring glands, giving rise to the formation of abscess, 

 with its attendant suffering and danger. 



Causes. — Sore throat often follows upon exposure to inclement 

 weather and sudden changes of temperature, when it appears as part 

 of a common cold. Spring and autumn, while the hair is being shed 

 and a new coat produced, are the times of greatest susceptibility to this 

 form of the malady, and the liability to contract it is materially increased 

 by the depressing influence of over-work and close, foul stables. It may 

 also arise from direct injury inflicted by the lodgment of foreign substances 

 swallowed with the food, or from chemical irritants administered by mis- 

 take or otherwise, and it has been suggested that the throat sometimes 

 becomes irritated and inflamed in the colt as the result of " teething ". 



It almost invariably exists to a greater or less extent associated with 

 " strangles ", in which we experience the most severe and dangerous 

 examples of the disease. In certain outbreaks of influenza, catarrhal sore 

 throat is a special feature of the disorder, while in others it is of seldom 

 occurrence. It is difficult to assign a reason for this discrepancy, but 

 probably it may be in some way connected with atmospheric constitution. 



Inflammation affecting the mouth not infrequently extends to the 

 throat unless kept under control. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of pharyngitis or sore throat vary with 

 the severity of the disease, but they are, nevertheless, very characteristic. 

 Difficulty or inability to swallow is the most striking feature of the affec- 

 tion. 



The food, after mastication, is held in the mouth for a brief period 

 before any attempt is made to swallow, and then it is suddenly bolted, 

 while the head is sharply raised or jerked to one side as the effect of 

 pain. The throat may show T some fulness, and pressure applied from 

 without excites pain. The glands are sometimes enlarged and tender, in 

 which case the head will be poked out and carried somewhat stiffly. 

 "Where the impediment to swallowing is considerable, some of the water 

 returns through the nostrils in the act of drinking, carrying with it frag- 

 ments of masticated food. 



In cases where the disease extends to the respiratory passage there 

 will be coughing, especially with each attempt to swallow. In this dis- 

 ease the mouth contains a large quantity of thick saliva, some of which 

 trickles from the corners and hangs from the lips in ropy lengths. 



In rare instances the inflammatory action results in suppuration and 

 the formation of an abscess. Here the breathing is rendered difficult and 



