CHRONIC PLEURISY IN THE HORSE. 203, 



rather dull and drowsy. It remains standing with the head lowered and 

 the nostrils dilated. The conjunctiva is pale and slightl}- infiltrated. 

 The submaxillar}- artery is tense, and rolls under the finger ; the pulse 

 is small, fifty per minute. The cough is infrequent, slight and dry. 

 Percussion is painful ; the animal threatens to kick, and if its head is 

 firmly held, constanth' backs away from the pleximeter hammer. The 

 area of dulness occupies almost half the lower part of the chest on both 

 sides, and is limited by a horizontal line. On auscultation the whole of 

 this zone is absolutely silent, except over about eight inches of its upper 

 part, where a tubal murmur can be heard. The rh3thm of the heart is 

 normal ; the two sounds are, however, dull. There is no serous infil- 

 tration under the chest, or oedema of the limbs. The temperature is 

 39° C. (io2'2° F.). The urine deposits a large quantity of sediment, 

 but contains neither albumen nor sugar." 



During the two days following this examination the condition 

 remained stationary. On the door of the box being cautiousl}' opened 

 the horse took no notice, but suddenly lifted its head at the least sound. 

 When excited its appearance became more animated, but in a few 

 moments it again appeared somnolent, or began to gather a few- 

 fragments of hay from amongst its litter. The temperature varied 

 between 38-8° and 39-3'' C. (ior8° and 102-7° F-)- 



The owner would not undertake the cost of treatment. He con- 

 sented to our tapping the chest to remove a portion of the liquid which 

 was interfering with the lung's action, knowing, however, that improve- 

 ment would only be temporary. We withdrew eight and a half quarts 

 of liquid. On the following day the patient was remo\-ed. 



Some years ago I several times saw an interesting case of chronic 

 pleurisy in a horse which had previously- suffered from acute pleuro- 

 pneumonia. In spite of the use of mercurials internall}- and externally 

 the disease had assumed a chronic form. The animal was bought by a 

 small horse dealer. It was then rather thin and soon became "blown" 

 at exercise, but when at rest showed no well-marked morbid S}-mptom 

 if we except a dribbling of saliva from the mouth, consequent on the 

 action of the mercur3\ This, however, the new owner explained to us, 

 was in a way an advantage in selling the animal, as he referred the 

 trifling symptoms shown to injuries about the mouth. A buyer \\as 

 soon found. The horse was fi\-e }ears old, and the price moderate. 

 But from the first day this bu3'er noted that the animal showed little 

 appetite, and soon had difficulty in breathing during work. He had its 

 teeth rasped, but finding the condition did not improve he brought it 

 here for inspection. We dispelled his doubts as to the animal's condi- 



