218 CHAPTER 22. 



PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 



439. Nature, seat, and causes of Plturo-pneumonia. 



Pleuro-pneumonia is inflammation affecting both the lungs and pleurae. 

 The disease may attack one lung or one portion of one lung, but it more 

 often attacks both lungs at once. The pleurae are generally involved to 

 the same extent as the lungs. The position and extent of the disease 

 must be ascertained by auscultation. The causes of pleuro-pneumonia 

 are the same as those of other diseases of the Respiratory System. 



440. Symptoms. 



The symptoms in the early stage are those of pneumonia, with the 

 addition of the friction sound and elevated ridge across the cartilages of 

 the ribs, which were noted above as characteristics of pleuritis. The 

 pulse is more affected than in pneumonia, and less so than in pleuritis, 

 and may probably range about 70. 



In the second or moist and in the later stages the symptoms are also 

 similar to those which have been already detailed under the head of 

 pneumonia and pleuritis, and are in fact, as we might expect, a com- 

 bination of both. Thus whereas in pleuritis the effusion or exudation is 

 poured out into the cavity of the chest, and in pneumonia the substance 

 of the lungs is affected by the out-poured fluid, in pleuro-pneumonia 

 both results may ensue. 



A peculiar low form of pleuro-pneumonia often prevails as an epizootic 

 in large towns, the early symptoms of which are very obscure. The 

 animal merely shows dulness and loss of appetite and increased frequency 

 of pulse. The respiratory movements are at first so little affected, that 

 unless the practitioner is on his guard and tests the state of the lungs by 

 auscultation, the disease may gain a head before its real nature is 

 suspected. , 



TREATMENT OF PNEUMONIA, PLEURITIS, AND PLEURO- 

 PNEUMONIA. 



441. Treatment of the Premonitory Symptoms. 



From the details given above, it will have been perceived that these 

 diseases are cognate in their causes and nature. Hence the treatment 

 required is also very similar. 



When any of the premonitory symptoms, such as slight catarrh, fever- 

 ishness, dulness, or loss of appetite, appear, we must at once have recourse 

 to an abundant supply of cool fresh air, abstinence from corn, laxative 

 diet, entire rest, extra clothing, and warm bandages to the legs. In all 

 cases it is desirable that the patient should at once be removed to an airy 

 loose box. Diffusible stimulants are also beneficial. 



