62 THE VETERINAEIAN 



PLEURISY 



Cause : Exposed to a sudden change of temperature, 

 confinement in ill-ventilated, damp stables, wounds pen- 

 etrating the chest, fractured ribs, heart diseases. It also 

 occurs in conjunction with Bronchitis, Influenza, etc. 



Symptoms: Grenerally only one side of the lungs is 

 affected and that being the right, although it may affect 

 both sides at the same time. First you will notice the 

 animal distressed, uneasy, shivering, the affected side is 

 painful to pressure of the hand. The breathing is short 

 and quick, and the flanks heave — which shows that the 

 animal tries to breathe as much as possible, by the action 

 of the muscles of the abdomen and not by the movement 

 of the ribs. The nostrils are dilated. There is usually 

 a short, dry, painful cough present, which is repressed 

 by the animal as much as possible, so as not to' shake the 

 inflamed parts. Often when expelling air from the lungs 

 the horse gives a painful grunt especially when made to 

 move. The pulse is generally hard and faster than 

 usual. The temperature in early stages may rise from 

 104° to 106° F. If the ear is applied to the affected side a 

 dry crackling or friction sound can be heard; a groove 

 along the lower portion of the ribs will extend back to 

 the flank. Within two or three days the pulse will be 

 softer and weaker, temperature will fall to 101° or 102° 

 F. and there will be fluids form and the painful short 

 breathing will disappear. The liquids may now undergo 

 absorption if properly treated, and the case terminate 

 favorably in a week or ten days. 



Frequently large quantities of fluid accumulate in the 

 chest cavity that cannot be absorbed, the breathing be- 

 comes more difficult, short and quick, pulse becomes weak 

 and rapid and the animal dies from exhaustion. 



Tkeatment : Place the animal in a comfortable, roomy 

 stall; blanket if the weather is chilly, permit fresh air, 

 but no drafts, as this is very important. Apply a paste 



