50 THE VETEEINAEIAN 



LUNG FEVER 



(Pneumonia) 



Cause : Predisposition is largely aeeoniitable for this 

 disease, whicli is more common to young horses than 

 old; also, changes of temperature, introduction of for- 

 eign bodies or liquids into the trachea (windpipe) and 

 the bronchial tubes, inhalation of smoke or irritating 

 gases, excitement, exposure to cold after clipping, turn- 

 ing out to pasture from a warm stable, or injury to chest 

 or ribs from being struck with a pole, etc. 



Symptoms : Dullness in spirit ; animal usually shivers 

 or trembles ; when this ceases the temperature rises to 

 perhaps 103° to 106° F., pulse increases to sixty or 

 ninety per minute, full and bounding; breathing short 

 and labored and abnormally quick, increasing to per- 

 haps fifty inspirations per minute, whereas in health it 

 does not exceed twelve or thirteen per minute. A cough 

 is also likely to be present, and the animals remain stand- 

 ing until they are on the road to recovery, or until death 

 takes place. Other symptoms are constipation, feces 

 covered with mucus or slime ; urination frequent, scanty 

 and dark in color; appetite poor, but thirst great; the 

 eyes look glassy and the membranes have an inflamed 

 appearance. It is a good sign if the animal looks about 

 freely. When the critical stage is past the temperature 

 and pulse gradually fall, the appetite returns* and the 

 urine becomes more abundant, and takes on its natural 

 color, the cough loosens, and the discharge from the 

 lungs is profuse, and of a yellowish color, and the 

 breathing becomes normal. 



Tkeatment: Good care is of the utmost importance. 

 Place the horse in a comfortable, well ventilated stall, 

 being careful to exclude drafts. Hand rub and bandage 

 the legs with woolen cloth. Blanket the animal, give 

 plenty of bedding and keep pure water before him at 

 all times. Internally administer Quinine, two ounces; 

 Iodide of Ammonia, two ounces; Ammonia Bicarbonate, 



