SORE THROAT. I7l 



shorter and quicker, and evidently more painful than catarrh ; 

 the membrane of the nose is redder ; it is of a deep modena 

 color ; and the horse shrinks, and exhibits great pain when the 

 larynx is pressed upon. The paroxysms of coughing become 

 more frequent and violent, and the animal appears at times al- 

 most sullbcated. 



As the soreness of the throat proceeds the head of the animal 

 is projected, and the neck has a peculiar stiffness. There is also 

 much difficulty of swallowing. Considerable swelling of the 

 larynx and the pharynx ensue, and also of the parotid, sublin- 

 gual, and submaxillary glands. As the inflammation increases, 

 the cough becomes hoarse and feeble, and in some cases alto- 

 gether suspended. At the commencement, there is usually little 

 or no running at the nose ; but the secretion soon appears, either 

 pure or mixed with an unusual quantity of saliva. 



Auscultation is a very important aid in the discovery of the 

 nature, and serious or trifling character of this disease. It can- 

 not be too often repeated, that it is one of the most valuable 

 means which we possess of detecting the seat, intensity, and re- 

 sults of the maladies of the respiratory passages. No instru- 

 ment is required ; the naked ear can be applied evenly and flatly, 

 and with a very slight pressure, on any jDart that it is of impor- 

 tance to examine. The healthy sound, when the ear is applied 

 to the windpipe, is that of a body of air passing uninterruptedly 

 through a smooth tube of somewhat considerable calibre : it 

 very much resembles the sound of a pair of forge hellowa, when 

 not too violently worked. 



He who is desirous of ascertaining whether there is any dis- 

 ease in the larynx of a horse, should apply his ear to the lower 

 part of the windpipe. If he finds that the air passes in and out 

 without interruption, there is no disease of any consequence 

 either in the windpipe or the chest ; for it would immediately be 

 detected by the loudness or the interruption of the murmur 

 Then let him gradually proceed up the neck, with his ear still 

 upon the windpipe. Perhaps he soon begins to recognize a little 

 gurgling, grating sound. As he continues to ascend, that sound 

 is more decisive, mingled v\dth an occasional wheezing, whistling 

 noise. He can have no surer proof that here is the impediment 

 to the passage of the air, proceeding from the thickening of the 

 membrane and diminution of the passage, or increased secretion 

 of mucus, which bubbles and rattles as the breath passes. 

 By the degree of the rattling or Avhistling, the owner will judge 

 which cause of obstruction preponderates — in fact, he will have 

 discovered the seat and the state of the disease, and the sooner 

 he has recourse to professional advice the better. 



Chronic laryngitis is of more frequent occurrence than acute 



