330 THE HORSE. 



sity, and in the rapidity with which they progress, from which cir- 

 cumstances bronchitis is said to be acute or chronic, as the case 

 may be. In the acute form there are also several variations, and 

 veterinary writers are in the habit of again subdividing it into 

 acute and sub-acute, but the two leading divisions are sufficient 

 for all practical purposes. It begins with the usual premonitory 

 appearances of a severe cold, accompanied by a staring coat, and 

 entire loss of appetite. The breathing is somewhat quicker than 

 natural, and the pulse is raised to sixty or seventy. The legs re- 

 main of the usual temperature, and there is a hard dry cough, the 

 lining membrane of the nostrils being intensely red, and in severe 

 cases dry and swollen. On auscultation there is a dry rattling 

 sound, very different from the crepitation of pneumonia, and as 

 soon as mucus is secreted, succeeded by gurgling, and soap-bubble 

 sounds, easily distinguished when once heard. If the attack goes 

 on favorably, the cough becomes loose, and there is a free dis- 

 charge of mucus, both from the lungs, as evidenced from the 

 nature of the cough, and from the nostrils, as shown by the run- 

 ning from them. jOn the other hand, the prognosis is unfavorable 

 when the breathing is very laborious, with the legs extended, and 

 the cough constant and ineffectual in affording relief. Should no 

 relief be afforded, death takes place a week or ten days after the 

 onset of the disease, from suffocation. The treatment should de- 

 pend greatly upon the urgency of the inflammation, which only an 

 experienced eye can judge of. If slight, nitre and tartar emetic 

 internally, and a blister (to one or both sides, according to the 

 extent of bronchi involved), will suffice, but in very severe cases 

 blood must be taken at the onset, or it will be impossible to control 

 the inflammation. Bleeding should be avoided if it is judged 

 prudent to do so, for of late years the type of diseases has changed 

 so much in the horse, that he is found to bear loss of blood badly. 

 Nevertheless, it is not wise to lay down the rule that it is never 

 desirable. The bowels must be acted on by the ordinary physic 

 ball, resorting to raking and clysters, if the time cannot be afforded 

 for the usual laxative preparation. For the special control of the 

 morbid state of the membrane the following ball will be found 

 advantageous : 



Take of Digitalis . . . drachm. 



Calomel ^ drachm. 



Tartar Emetic 60 to 80 grains. 



Nitre 2 drachms. 



Mix with treacle, and give twice a day. 



Should the disease continue after the blister is healed, a large seton 

 may be put in one or both sides with advantage. 



CHRONIC BRONCHITIS seldom exists except as a sequel to the 

 acute form, and after adopting the balls recommended for that 



