ACUTE DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION. 211 



the " great " mucous rale. If the smaller tubes are attacked, the sound 

 is more subdued and wheezing-like, and is known as the " small " mucous 

 rale. The distinction between those two sounds will require to be very 

 carefully studied. 



Increase of the attack is marked by hurried breathing, dilatation of the 

 nostrils, heaving of the flanks, much fever, a highly inflamed state of the 

 Schneiderian membrane, and rapid prostration of the strength. A pecu- 

 liarity of the breathing may also be noticed, namely that the act of 

 inspiration is performed with difficulty, whilst that of expiration is 

 effected with comparative ease. The breathing may also be quicker than 

 the pulse. 



In pure Bronchitis the throat is not affected. The disease is in the 

 bronchial tubes, either great or small, but not in the larynx or trachea. 

 If, however, bronchitis supervenes on a previous attack of catarrh or sore 

 throat, the larynx and trachea will necessarily be involved. 



The causes of Bronchitis are similar to those of catarrh and sore throat. 



429. Treatment. 



At the very earliest symptom the patient should be removed to an airy 

 loose box, warmly clothed, bandages applied to the legs, and his food 

 restricted to grass, carrots, or bran mash. If the legs are unequal in 

 warmth and the coat is inclined to stare, and especially, if there is an 

 inclination to shivering, it will be advisable to give an ounce of spirits 

 of nitric ether with four ounces of acetate of ammonia in eight ounces of 

 water both morning and evening. If these precautions are taken suffi- 

 ciently early, the threatened attack will probably be averted. A good 

 servant will always notice the slightest deviation from health in the 

 horses under his charge ; whilst careless ignorant servants seldom see 

 anything wrong, until disease has fully established itself. 



When Bronchitis has unmistakably set in, our efforts must be employed 

 in assisting nature during the progress of the disease, which must run its 

 course, and in attempting to bring about the moist stage as quickly as 

 possible. In the early stages salines may be given, such as half an ounce 

 of the chlorate or nitrate of potass in the water or mash daily. 



After a time the pulse usually becomes weak and the patient is pros- 

 trated. Diffusible stimulants, such as carbonate of ammonia in doses of 

 one drachm, or sweet spirits of nitre or sulphuric ether in doses of half 

 to one ounce, repeated every four or six hours, are now indicated, and 

 may be continued, if their administration does not distress the patient, 

 until signs of relief are apparent. If the horse is inclined to drink, half 

 an ounce of nitre may be dissolved in each half pailful of water until the 

 kidneys are freely acted on. 



If the bowels are constipated, it is better to rely upon the effect of 

 enemata and laxative food. In some few cases there may be yellowness 

 of the eye and of the membrane of the mouth. This will be found to be 

 caused, not by torpidity of the liver, as might be supposed, but from 

 over-action of that organ, which is sympathetically excited. No treat- 

 ment is required. 



