108 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Where may the tympanitic sound be obtained? 



In flatulent colic, oedema of the lungs, in pleurisy above the 

 level of the liquid, and in cavities of the lungs. 



What is auscultation ? 



By this is understood the act of listening to sounds produced 

 within the thoracic cavity during the act of respiration. 



This method, which is the most important of the physical 

 signs, offers the best means by which the various affections of the 

 respiratory organs may be differentiated. 



How may auscultation be accomplished ? 



By placing the ear directly against the chest-walls — called the 

 immediate method; or by the use of instruments called the stetho- 

 scope and the phonendoscope — known as mediate auscultation. In 

 ordinary practice the former is the more preferable. 



What are the sounds heard within the normal chest ? 



Over the larynx or trachea a sound is heard within, termed 

 the normal laryngeal respiration; it is heard both on inspiration 

 and expiration, is high-pitched and tubular in character. 



This sound is identical with the abnormal sound heard over 

 the bronchial tubes, and called bronchial breathing. 



Over the lung-tissue the normal vesicular murmur is heard, and 

 is produced by the expansion and contraction of the air-vesicles 

 of the lungs. 



The inspiratory part of the sound is of variable intensity, its 

 pitch is low, its quality soft and breezy, and is termed vesicular. 

 It lasts during the entire act of inspiration. 



The expiratory part is not always heard; its intensity is feeble, 

 pitch is low, and of a soft and blowing character. 



How may the normal sounds be altered ? 



The respiratory murmur may become altered in its intensity, 

 in its rhythm, and in its character. • 



The intensity of the respiratory murmur may be increased, 

 diminished, or absent. 



What does increased respiration denote ? 



Increased or exaggerated respiration denotes a want of action 

 of some other portion of the lung, and is therefore an indirect 

 evidence of disease in some part of the lung-tissue. 



