508 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



sure on the throat gives rise to pain, and its soreness is further shown 

 by difficulty in swallowing, the food being altogether refused, or dropped 

 from the mouth after partial mastication. The nose is protruded, the 

 breathing is much interrupted, each act of inspiration being prolonged 

 and laboured, and attended by a coarse, hissing, wheezing, or roaring sound, 

 sometimes loud enough to be heard at a considerable distance. Intervals 

 of relief occur now and again, when the symptoms of distress subside and 

 the breathing becomes less noisy. As the disease progresses the face wears 

 an anxious expression. The membrane of the eye and nose is of a dark- 

 red or livid hue — denoting imperfect aeration of the blood, which leads 

 the animal to seek for air and turn to the door whenever it is opened. 

 The pulse is quick, full, and firm, and the legs are cold. In the paroxysms 

 of threatened suffocation the animal paws the ground with the fore-feet, 

 shakes the head violently, and breaks out into patchy sweats. 



Treatment. — In the treatment of laryngitis it is of the first import- 

 ance that the patient be jjrovided with a thoroughly clean stable, and 

 that the air be kept free from contamination with the products of de- 

 composition and irritating substances, both solid and gaseous. Nothing 

 tends so much to aggravate the disease as an atmosphere charged with 

 ammonia and other products of putrefaction. It is equally important to 

 keep down the dust of the stable, which, in passing over the larynx, serves 

 to provoke coughing and add to the breathing trouble. Ventilation should 

 be free, but it is at the same time desirable that the temperature of the 

 stable should not be allowed to fall beyond 55°, or, better still, maintained 

 at 60°, and it is to the advantage of the patient if the air be kept moist. 

 This may be done by introducing pails of boiling water into the stable, 

 from which warm vajiour will be given off. 



These provisions having been carried out, the surface warmth is to 

 be maintained by ample clothing. The food should be warm, soft, and 

 succulent, and given in small quantities, and often. Bran scalded with hot 

 linseed-tea and mixed with boiled carrots or roots, and given while warm, 

 is the most suitable diet. As a change a few creed oats may be added, 

 or a little boiled oatmeal. Or the patient may be allowed to pick a little 

 scalded hay from a pail while it is still hot. With regard to medicines, 

 it should be borne in mind that where difficulty of swallowing exists 

 the forcible administration of draughts and balls must not be attempted. 

 Small quantities of an electuary, composed of belladonna, chlorate of 

 potash, and treacle may be inserted into the mouth on a stick every three 

 or four hours, when the animal will suck it in. In the act of swallowing 

 it will be conveyed to the throat, and there exercise its soothing influence 

 on the inflamed part. Considerable relief will be afforded by causing the 



