THE HOUSE. 83 



sometimes acute, but varying from time to time, and the blood present- 

 ing a considerable quantity of butf, or fibrine. The tendencies of the 

 disease are either the deposition of water in the chest, or else fibrous 

 flakes, and sometimes both conjoined. 



Sometimes pneumonia and pleurisy are combined together, causing 

 pleuropneumonia^ aiid then the danger is increased at the same time, as 

 the symptoms are rendered more obscure. 



Blood-letting is one of the first of our remedial measures for these 

 diseases, but is called for in a more marked degree in pleurisy than in 

 pneumonia. The pulse, however, in both cases must be our guide as to 

 the quantity to be taken ; and, as stated in the text, a decided efi'ect 

 should be obtained. Repetition of bleeding, too, may be had recourse 

 to with greater freedom, in pleurisy than in pneumonia. In the latter 

 disease, we must take care that we do not shipwreck the vital powers 

 by repeated and too copious bleeding, or mistake tiie effects produced 

 by bleeding for the symptoms of the disease itself. It is only by the 

 conjoint aids of science and experience that these nice discriminations 

 can be made ; it is therefore the height of folly for the inexperienced 

 owner to attempt to treat such cases himself. 



When pleurisy and pneumonia are combined, the s3miptoms, though 

 extremely severe, are yet very obscure, and the chances of successful 

 treatment are much diminished. The water in the chest spoken of in 

 the text, is the termination of pleurisy, and becomes fatal in a majority 

 of cases (particularly if, in addition to this serous fiuid, flakes of lymph 

 are also thrown out.) In some cases where water in the chest has 

 supervened early, and the inflammation has otherwise subsided, relief 

 Las been obtained by tapping. 



We have little to add with regard to the treatment of these inflam- 

 matory diseases, except that we do not approve of many repeated bleed- 

 ings. It is rarely the case that more than one bleeding is desirable, 

 but this in general should be very copious. The best guide as to the 

 propriety of bleeding is the strength of the pulse and not its frequency. 

 If some hours after the first bleeding the pulse is still strong and full, 

 as well as quick, then bleeding is most probably called for again, and 

 more particularly if the blood has exhibited a thick buff"y coat. If the 

 first bleeding has exhibited no butf on the surface, then a repetition of 

 bleeding is rarely demanded. Aloes should be always eschewed, and 

 diuretics should not be continued after twelve drachms, or two ounces 

 of nitre or resin have been taken. We have also found very good 

 eff'ects from the administration of small doses of calomel and opium, 

 twice a day, two scruples of the former, and one of the latter, being 

 sufficient for a dose ; and we have also found an ounce or tw^o of the 

 spirit of nitrous ether very serviceable in the early stage of the disease, 

 particularly if the legs and ears are cold. 



Among the consequences of these severe aff'ections of the lungs, are 

 chronic cough^ not always much diminishing the usefulness of the horse, 

 but strangely aggravated at times by any fresh accession of catarrh, and 

 too often degenerating into thick loind^ which always materially inter- 

 feres with the speed of the horse, and in a great proportion of cases 

 terminates in broken wind. It is rare, indeed, that either of theso dis- 



