BRONCHIAL ASTHMx\ IN THE DOG. 



Definition. Pathology, neurotic origin, bronchial spasms, swelling of 

 mucosa, fibrinous inflammation of bronchioles, Berkart's streptococcus, irri- 

 tants formed in indigestion, overfeeding, inactivity, plethora, constipation. 

 Symptoms, obesity, sluggishness, recurrent paroxysms of dyspnoea, hard 

 cough, tense abdomen, constipation, piles, depilation of skin, tartar covered 

 teeth, foetid breath. Retching, vomiting, a glairy mucus, emaciation may 

 follow. Lesions, emphysema, fatty deposits in mediastinum, old standing 

 diseases of the heart, lungs and digestive organs. Treatment, antispas- 

 modics by lungs or rectum, stramomium, nitre fumes, emetic, purgatives, 

 vegetable diet, exercise, sedatives, blisters. Asthma in the horse. 



Definitio7i. — A neurotic affection mainly affecting the pneumo- 

 gastric nerve, and leading to paroxysms of stenosis or constric- 

 tion of the bronchioles and attacks of dyspnoea. In its initial 

 .stages it is associated with corpulence and disordered digestion, 

 and later with congestion and swelling of the mucosa of the 

 bronchioles, emphysema, and dilatation of the right side of the 

 heart. 



Pathology: Asthma is generally attributed to spasm of the 

 bronchial mu.scles (Williams), and though recent observations 

 have failed to sustain this it must be admitted that in the majori- 

 ty of cases it is of decided neurotic origin. Again it is attributed 

 to erythematous swelling in patches of the bronchial miicosa, 

 (Clark). Another theory is that it is a fibrinous inflammation of 

 the mucosa of the bronchioles, the tenacious exudate blocking the 

 tubes more or less completely and relief coming with a more 

 diffluent secretion. Berkart found a streptococcus in the sputa 

 which he supposed to be the final cause. Again it has been held 

 to depend on the circulation in the blood of deleterious matters 

 introduced during digestion. Again it has been attributed to a 

 neurosis roused by constipation and the accumulation of irritant 

 matters in the intestine. Whatever local conditions ma}^ be 

 operative, there can be no doubt that in dogs it is almost exclu- 

 sively confined to those kept indoors, overfed, without exercise, 

 plethoric and con.stipated. The disease seems to originate in and 

 persist by nervous disorder propagated from the digestive organs. 

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