90 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



skin of the chest a plug of tow moistened with an irri- 

 tant. When necessary, tap with trocar or pneumatic as- 

 pirator. 



BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS 



Is rare. It is dangerous, but the danger depends on 

 the origin, nature, and extent of the case. Plethora, high 

 or very fat condition, and violent work or feats are con- 

 ducive of bleeding. The membranous tissues, being over- 

 charged with blood, are liable, on extraordinary exertion, 

 to give way ; but the bleeding may be owing to over-force 

 of circulation. Wound of the substance of the lung is 

 often the cause of sudden death. It may be caused by 

 violence in hunting, racing, &c, or result from ulceration 

 of the lung in consumption. ' Pulmonic apoplexy ' (blood 

 in the air cells) is said to be a dangerous form of lung 

 bleeding. 



Symptoms. — When from the bronchial membrane: 

 Blood from both nostrils, usually scarlet colored and frothy, 

 attended with more or less irritation, coughing, or snort- 

 ing and sometimes interrupted breathing; every time the 

 horse coughs or snorts fresh blood is ejected, often through 

 the mouth as well as the nose. The blood does not flow 

 in a uniform stream, as in bleeding from the nose, which 

 is usually from one nostril only, and is thus distinguished 

 from bleeding from the lungs, but is influenced by the 

 respiration and also the position of the head and neck ; 

 the more the head hangs the readier the blood flows. 

 Sometimes there is febrile disturbance, quick pulse, hot 

 mouth, legs deathly cold, or one cold while another is 

 warm. 



Remedy. — Bleeding that cannot be got at, is arrested 

 (1) by cold or heat applied so as to act reflexly; (2) by 

 lead acetate, opium, sulphuric or gallic acid or ferric chlo-. 

 ride ; (3) hypodermic injection of orgotin. 



