O^ DOMESTIC ANESIALS. 



The Respiratory Passages are all lined by the mncons raetnbrane. 



Catarrh^ or cold^ inflammation of the upper air passages, should never 

 be long neglected. A few mashes or a little medicine will usually re- 

 move it. If it is neglected, and occasionally in defiance of all treat- 

 ment, it will degenerate into other diseases. The larynx may become 

 the principal seat of inflammation. Larynr/itis will be shown by ex- 

 treme diflSculty of breathing, accompanied by a strange roaring noise, 

 and an evident enlargement and great tenderness of the larynx when 

 felt externally. The windpipe must be opened in such case, and the best 

 advice will be necessary. Sometimes the subdivisions of the trachea, 

 before or when it first enters the lungs, will be the part aflfected, and we 

 have bronchitis. This is characterized by a quick and hard breathing, 

 and a peculiar wheezing sound, with the coughing up of mucus. Here, 

 too, decisive measures must be adopted, and a skillful practitioner em- 

 ployed. His assistance is equally necessary in distemper^ influenza, and 

 epidemic catarrh, names indicating varieties of the same disease, and 

 the product of atmospheric influence; diff"ering to a certain degree in 

 every season, but in all characterized by intense inflammation of the 

 mucous surfaces, and rapid and utter prostration of strength, and in all 

 demanding the abatement of that inflammation, and yet little expendi- 

 ture of vital power. 



Cough may degenerate into inflammation of the lungs ; or this fear- 

 ful malady may be developed without a single premonitory symptom, 

 and prove fatal in twenty-four or even in twelve hours. It is mostly 

 characterized by deathly coldness of the extremities, expansion of the 

 nostril, redness of its lining membrane, singularly anxious countenance, 

 constant gazing at the flank, and an unwillingness to move. A success- 

 ful treatment of such a case can be founded only on the most prompt 

 and fearless and decisive measures ; the lancet should be freely used. 

 Counter-irritants should follow as soon as the violence of the disease 

 is in the slightest degree abated ; sedatives must succeed to them ; and 

 fortunate will he be who often saves his patient after all the decisive 

 symptoms of pneumonia are once developed. 



The diseases of the lungs have been recently carefully investigated, 

 and we are enabled to detect three important varieties in the inflamma- 

 tory affections of the lungs and chest, viz., congestive inflammation of 

 the lungs, ox pulmonary apoplexy — pneiunonia^OT true inflammation of 

 the lungs — and pleurisy, or pleuritis. The first consists in the distention 

 of the small vessels of the lungs with dark venous blood, and is gener- 

 ally produced by over-exertion, particularly if the animal, when attack- 

 ed, is not in proper condition for work. The symptoms are rapid 

 breathing, cold extremities, and short duration of the disease, ending 

 either in death or recovery. When death supervenes, the lungs are 

 black. With regard to treatment, bleeding should be adopted if the 

 pulse is distinct as well as rapid ; if not, a diffusible stimulant should 

 first be given and bleeding should follow. 



True pneumonia is longer in its duration, but the symptoms are often 

 obscure at first. There is considerable distress, but there does not ap- 

 pear to be any active pain ; and in this respect it may generally be dis- 

 tinguished from pleurisy. The j)alse is full, strong, and rapid — pain, 



