528 PLEURISY, 



In addition to this or other treatment by specific or ordinary 

 medicinal agents, the exhibition daily, in the food, of small 

 doses of linseed-oil is always deserving of a trial. 



In cases where a sudden accession of symptoms occurs from 

 no appreciable cause, or as a sequel of a slight catarrhal attack, 

 good in all cases seems to follow the application to the sides of 

 the chest of a smart cantharidcs liniment, and the exhibition 

 of the usual febrifuge mixture of sether, acetate of ammonia, 

 camphor, and belladonna. 



When the urgent symptoms are relieved, the continuance 

 for some time of such tonics as arsenic and nux vomica are 

 indicated. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



PLEURISY — INFLAMMATION OF THE PLEURA. 



Definition. — Inflammation, ixtTtial or general, of the serous 

 membrane lining the thoracic cavity, and covering the viscera 

 contained there. It is characterized by the early appearance 

 of febrile symptoms and local ^^a-iw, shoiun when the horse is 

 moved, or the chest percussed. The morbid action is attended 

 with effusion into the cavity of the pleural sac of serous fluid, 

 'plastic matericd, or i^urulent liquid. 



Pathology, a. Causation. — The appearance of a pleuritic 

 attack may, in numerous instances, be attributable to the 

 operation of influences very similar to those which have been 

 indicated as connected with the development of pneumonia, 

 the greater number of which may be grouped under — 

 (1) Extension of an inflammatory action from parts connected 

 with or contiguous to the pleura ; (2) Direct irritation, result- 

 ing from injuries, or the existence of certain adventitious 

 growths in immediate connection with the membrane ; (3) The 

 action of a rapidly lowered temperature, and other meteoro- 

 logical disturbances ; (4) Blood-contaminations, as appearing 

 in certain specific and constitutional diseases. 



Like pneumonia, having regard to the mode of its origin, we 



