COURSE AND TERMINATIONS. 489 



tating tlie chest the healthy respiratory murmur is modified to 

 that of mimite crepitation, a sharp or fine craclding sound 

 pecuUar to the very earhest stages of inflammatory action, or 

 to that of returning health in resolution. 



This sound may be very generally diffused ; or we may find 

 cases where it is difficult of detection except over limited 

 portions of lung-structure, the rest giving no sound whatever. 

 In some, a grunt accompanies the expiratory part of the res- 

 piratory act. 



Cases of pulmonary congestion occurring in connection with 

 other diseases, although the symptoms exhibited are seemingly 

 less severe, are more generally fatal than when appearing as 

 the result of over-exertion. 



Course and Terminations. — In severe and acute cases of pul- 

 monary congestion, unless the primary determining and sus- 

 taining element of the abnormal state, the increased blood- 

 flow and pressure, is withdrawn or arrested, and time and 

 power obtained for the natural resumption of the circulation, 

 the condition of imperfect oxygenation of the blood and the 

 physical obstruction oft'ered to the circulation in the pul- 

 monary vessels rapidly terminate in death from asphyxia and 

 coma. When, under judicious management, the vascular 

 engorgement is arrested, and the power of heart and lungs 

 restored in the function of corrected circulation, the turgid 

 vessels and blood-channels gradually resume their former con- 

 dition, and with the free course of the circulating fluid, and 

 its regular contact with pure air, the horse may shortly regain 

 his normal state. 



Still, it is always deserving of recollection that even this 

 temporary disturbance of function seems not to be possible 

 without leaving a certain amount of weakness and suscepti- 

 bility to disease. In many instances following recovery from 

 congestion of the lungs we meet with a great susceptibility, 

 under very slight or no appreciable cause, to a recurrence 

 of the same condition, or one equally dangerous, inflammation 

 of lung-structures. 



Treatment. — In many cases of pulmonary congestion, even 

 when the seizure is severe, if these be attended to when 

 observed, great rehef is obtained by the employment of the 

 simplest means, such as clothing the body and allowing the 



