MEMBRANE OF THE NOSE 101 



CHAPTER VIII. 



WB now procved lo the consideration of the diseases of the respiratory system. 

 THE MEMBRANE OF THE NOSE. 



The mucous membrane of the nose is distinguished from other mucous surfaces, n<X 

 onl 7 by its thickness, but its vascularity. The blood-vessels are likewise superficial ; 

 they ai e not covered even by integument, but merely by an unsubstantial mucous coat. 

 They are deeper seated, indeed, than in the human being, and they are more protected 

 from injury ; and therefore there is far less haemorrhage from the nostril of the horse 

 than from that of the human being, whether spontaneous or accidental. Lying imme- 

 diately under the mucous coat, these vessels give a peculiar, and, to the horseman, v 

 most important tinge to the membrane, and particularly observable on the septum. 

 They present him with a faithful indication of the state of the circulation, and espe- 

 cially in the membranes of the other respiratory passages with which this is con- 

 tinuous. 



The horseman and the veterinary surgeon do not possess many of the auxiliaries of 

 ihe human practitioner. Their patients are dumb ; they can neither tell the seat noi 

 the degree of pain; and the blunders of the practitioner are seldom buried with the 

 patient. Well, he must use greater diligence in availing himself of the advantages 

 that he does possess ; and he has some, and very important ones, too. The varying 

 hue of the Schneiderian membrane is the most important of all ; and, with regard to 

 the most frequent and fatal diseases of the horse those of the respiratory passages 

 it gives almost all the information with regard to the state of the circulation in those 

 parts that can possibly be required. Veterinarians too generally overlook this. It 

 has not yet been sufficiently taught in our schools, or inculcated in our best works on 

 the pathology of the horse. 



It is the custom with almost every horseman who takes any pains to ascertain the 

 state of his patient, to turn down the lower eyelid, and to form his opinion of the 

 degree of general inflammation by the colour which the lining membrane of the lid 

 presents. If it is very red, he concludes that there is considerable fever; if it is of a 

 pale pinkish hue, there is comparatively little danger. This is a very important 

 examination, and the conclusion which he draws from it is generally true : but on the 

 septum of the nose he has a membrane more immediately continuous with those of 

 the respiratory organs more easily got at presenting a larger surface the ramifica- 

 tions of the blood-vessels better seen, and, what is truly important, indicating not only 

 the general affection of the membranes, but of those with which he is most of all 

 concerned. 



We would then say to every horseman and practitioner, study the character of that 

 portion of the membrane which covers the lower part of the membrane of the nose- 

 that which you can most readily bring into view. Day after day, and under all the 

 varying circumstances of health and disease, study it until you are enabled to recog 

 nise, and you soon will, and that with a degree of exactitude you would have scarcely 

 thought possible, the pale pink hue when the horse is in health the increasing blush 

 of red, and the general and uniform painting of the membrane, betokening some excite- 

 ment of the system the streaked appearance when inflammation is threatening or 

 commencing the intensely florid red of inflammation becoming acute the starting 

 of the vessels from their gossamer coat, and their seeming to run bare over the mem- 

 brane, when the inflammation is at the highest the pale ground with patches of vivid 

 red, showing the half-subdued but still existing fever the uniform colour, but some 

 what redder than natural, indicating a return to a healthy state of the circulation the 

 paleness approaching to white, accompanying a state of debility, and yet some radia- 

 tions of <;rimson, showing that there is still considerable irritability, and that mischief 

 may be in the wind the pale livid colour warning you that the disease is assuming 

 n typnoid character the darker livid announcing that the typhus is established, and 

 that the vital current is stagnating and the browner, dirty painting, intermingling 

 with and sub iuing the livi 'ness, and indicating that the game is up. These appeal 



