SYMPTOMS, COURSE, AND COMPLICATIONS. 59 



from the recognised healthy standard. These interposed beats, 

 so to call them, may as to time bo increased in freqnency, or 

 they may be of an entirely different character ; usnally they 

 are possessed of both features, irregular as to relative time, 

 and irregular as compared with the character of the other 

 pulsations. 



Accompanying such cardiac complications, there is also, in 

 some instances, particularly those where this complication has 

 existed for some time, a disposition to dropsical swellings in 

 the dependent parts of the body and limbs. Although 

 structural changes in connection with the heart may not be 

 a very common complication of influenza, considering the 

 number of animals aifected, functional disturbance to the 

 extent of palpitation and irregular action is very common. 



c. Pneumonia or PUuro-j)neumonia. — This manifestation 

 of the thoracic form of the fever is one Avhich, besides being 

 common, is also extremely dangerous. In this form, whether 

 the lung substance or the pleura, or both combined, are 

 invaded, we have exhibited in a most characteristic manner 

 the specificity of the inflammatory action. Although the 

 pleurisy or pneumonia of influenza may bear in some manner 

 comparison Avith common pleurisy or pneumonia, and although 

 located in the same structures, in its progress, development, 

 and textural results it is in some points distinctive. 



In ordinary pleuritis and pleuro-pneumonia the exudation is 

 usually rapid and of a plastic character, and the organizations 

 and organized adhesions are perfect, firm, and well defined. 



In the thoracic manifestations of influenza we frequently 

 find effusion, but the material effused is of an entirely different 

 character. It does not seem to possess the same capacities 

 for organization as the other, while as to perfectly formed 

 adhesions, they are not at all frequently met with. 



When the true lung structure is implicated, either chiefly 

 or along with the pleura, there is not only marked prostration 

 and muscular debility, as in those instances where adynamic 

 fever is a distinguishing feature, and the upper air-passages 

 only involved, there is also much pain both when a fit of 

 coughing occurs and when an attempt is made to move the 

 animal. The results of the diseased action and the disposal of 

 the products ofler little of further special differential characters 



