2J8 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



o{ the lungs, for catarrh, or that of the mucous 

 membranes in contiguity, with which it may 

 be confounded ; though the experienced vete- 

 rinarian will readily distinguish between the 

 two. In the catarrhal epidemic, the extremi- 

 ties do not continue invariably cold ; but are 

 sometimes cold and sometimes warm. The 

 distress of countenance is not so great ; sore 

 tiiroat is commonly present ; the breathing is 

 less laborious, and the pulse seldom op- 

 pressed. 



The cough in catarrh is generally deep, 

 and very painful ; a weakness, not corres- 

 ponding with the violence of the symptoms, is 

 very early seen in the complaint ; and though 

 the lining of the nostrils may be inflamed in 

 catarrh, it is seldom so much so, if pneumonia 

 be coming on, as to present a purple hue. 

 The principal necessity which exists for 

 making a careful distinction between the two 

 diseases, arises from it not being found pru- 

 dent in the catarrhal affection to push the 

 bleeding, and other parts of the depleting 

 system, so far as in the pneumonic ; and also 

 from the greater necessity of placing the 

 Horse in a cool temperature in the latter, to 

 what exists in the former. Inflammation of 

 the liHigs, has also by the inexperienced, been 

 occasionally mistaken for colic ; because the 

 Horse sometimes expresses considerable un- 

 easiness, and often looks round to his sides ; 

 in which mistaken cases the treatment gene- 

 rally pursued, has been such as to increase 

 the disease. But, in colic, the Horse ex- 

 presses acute pain ; by turns he lies down and 

 rolls, and then suddenly rises, stamping with 

 his fore feet, or kickina: at his bellv with his 

 hind legs ; while, on the contrary, in perip- 

 nevmony he never lies down, but stands stu- 

 pidly quiet, except now and then, when he 



may look at his flanks ; but without any of Iho 

 indications of pain which colic forces him tc. 

 It may be added also, that the nasal mem- 

 brane in colic remains unaltered in colour 

 unless inflammation of the lungs be at hand. 



CAUSES, 



The alternation of heat, with cold, is pro- 

 bably the most usual cause of this complaint. 

 It was formerly considered that it could onlv 

 be produced by a removal from a warm to a 

 colder temperature ; but it is now known that 

 the sudden access of a warmer medium pro- 

 duces it also, though certainly not in an equal 

 degree. Mr. Colman, I believe, thinks that 

 exposure to simple cold, never produces the 

 disease ; and that, though turning Horses to 

 grass without preparation may emaciate them, 

 it never produces peripneumony ; but this ap- 

 pears not borne out by experience, and ha-s 

 occasioned ill consequences. Human subjects, 

 horses, cows, sheep, and dogs, are all more 

 liable to coughs, colds, and pneumonic afiec- 

 tions, in cold climates than in warm ones. 

 The persons who slaughter Horses in London, 

 are accustomed to expect a great number in 

 the winter time, especially if severe and frosty, 

 from the fatal effects of inflamed lungs. 

 Hunting on a cold scent, with frequent checks, 

 or travelling with a cold wind blowing against 

 the chest; washing the legs and body Mith 

 cold water while the Horse is hot ; a sudden 

 removal from a warm stable to a coki one. 

 Any of these may occasion inflammation of 

 the lungs, if great care be not taken ; and, as 

 has been remarked, the removal from a cold 

 stable to a warmer one, or from grass to a 

 warm housing, without preparation, may also 

 produce it. In fact, so liable are Horses to 

 affections rf the chest from a change of tem- 



