PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS PHARYNGITIS IN SOLIPEDS. 



Cases of pharnygitis witli false ineinbranes have been seen in 

 horses by Delafond, Targue, Rev, Bouley, Riss, vSonin, Robert- 

 son, Dieckerhoff and Schneideniiihl. 



The\' have been attributed to various causes, as caustic alkalies 

 and acids, the smoke of a burning building (Bouley, Rey, Riss), 

 to an infection which operated on dogs and horses (Robertson), 

 to bacteria and other irritants. 



Lesions. The mucous membrane of the mouth, pharynx and 

 even the nares presents active inflammation with branching red- 

 ness, petechiae, circumscribed foci of necroses, and false mem- 

 branes of a grayish, yellowish, reddish, greenish or blackish 

 color. These are formed of a pellicle consrsting mainly of fibrine 

 and epithelium, pus globules and numerous cocci, and ovoid 

 bacteria. The false membranes have been found on other parts 

 of the intestinal canal (colon, caecum) ; and broncho-pnenmonia 

 and pulmonary dropsy have been concomitants. The effect of 

 the toxic products is seen in haemorrhagic inflammation and in- 

 farctions of the kidneys, and in a black color of the somewhat 

 diffluent blood. 



Symptofus. Besides the usual phenomena of pharyngitis, 

 there is intense hyperthermia (i05°-io6°), hurried breathing 

 threatening suffocation, painful cough roused by the slightest 

 pressure on the swollen throat and often causing the di.scharge 

 from the nose of shreds of false membrane. Auscultation of the 

 pharynx gives a loud gurgling sound. Deglutition is very diffi- 

 cult and painful, liquids and even solids being rejected through 

 the nose. The face is pinched and anxious and the mouth is 

 often held open and the tongue pendant. Weakness and prostra- 

 tion are marked symptoms from the first, and the walk may be 

 unsteady and swaying. The visible mucous membranes are con- 

 gested and usually have a more or less deep tinge of yellow. 

 The disease makes rapid progress and may prove fatal under six 

 days. When it takes a favorable turn, recovery and convalescence 

 may be equally prompt. 



Unless the expectoration of false membrane is detected, such 

 6i 



