CATARRHAL FEVER. 18fl 



Tlie LKvibions of the windpipe just before it enters the lungs, and the 

 numerous vessels into whieh it immediately afterwards branches out, are 

 called the branchial tubes, and inflammation of the membrane that lines 

 them is termed 



BRONCHITIS. 



It is catarrh extending to the entrance of the lungs. Tt is characterized 

 by quicker and harder breathing than catarrh usually presents, and by a 

 peculiar wheezing, which is relieved by the coughing up of mucus. 



It is to be treated by bleeding, far less copious than in inflammation of 

 the lungs, or even in catarrh. The horse will bear to lose only a very 

 small quantity of Llood when labouring under inflammation of the bronchial 

 passages. The chest should be blistered, and digitalis given, and the other 

 treatment similar to that for inflamed lungs, with the exception of the 

 bleeding. Thick wind is a frequent consequence of neglected bronchitis. 



CATARRHAL FEVER. 



This malady has various names among horsemen, as epidemic, calarrli, 

 injluenza, distemper. By the latter name it is generally distinguished in 

 racing stables. It usually commences, like inflammation of the lungs 

 and fever, with a shivering fit ; to which rapidly succeeds a hot mouth, 

 greater heat of the skin than is natural, heaving of the flanks, and cough. 

 The eyes are red and heavy, and the membrane of the nose red, but 

 considerably paler than that of inflammation of the lungs, and even 

 occasionally bordering on a livid hue. From the very commencement of 

 ihe disease there is some discharge from the nose; at first of a mere watery 

 nature, but some thickening, and containing flakes, some of which stick 

 to the membrane of the nose, and have been mistaken for ulcers. This 

 discharge, at no great distance of time, becomes mattery and offensive. 

 The glands likewise of the throat and under-jaw become enlarged, and the 

 membranes of the nostril and the throat are inflamed and tender, and there- 

 fore the food is " quidded," and there is difficulty even in swallowing water, 

 particularly if it be cold. The horse sips and slavers in the pail, and 

 repeatedly coughs as he drinks. The cough is sometimes frequent and 

 painful ; so much so, that the horse repeatedly stamps with his feet, ana 

 shows signs of impatience and suffering in the act of coughing. To these 

 symptoms rapidly succeeds very great weakness. The horse staggers, and 

 sometimes almost falls as he moves about his box ; or he supports himself 

 by leaning his sides or his quarters against the box. To the inexperienced 

 observer this early and excessive weakness will be very alarming, and he 

 will give up the horse as lo."^. The legs generally swell, and enlargements 

 appear on the chest and belly. These, however, are generally favourable. 

 The pulse is quickened. It rises to sixty or seventy, but the number of its 

 beatings, and the character of the pulse, which is seldom very hard, depend 

 nmch on the degree of fever which accompanies the disease. 



After a few days the cough becomes less frequent and painful ; the glanus 

 of the throat diminished ; the horse begins to eat a little green meat, and 

 is more cheerful. In some cases, however, the membrane of the nose 

 reddens, or streaks of red run through the lividness ; and the legs become 

 cold, and the countenance haggard, and inflammation of the lungs is at 

 fiand. At other times the brefith is olFensive ; the discharge from the nose 

 Dloody ; the evacuations loose, and slimy, and bloody ; and the animal i« 



