DISEASES OF CATTLE 111 



times daily: Digitalis tincture, 1 ounce; iodid of potassium, 30 

 to 60 grains; mix. Apply strong counterirritant to chest and put 

 seton in dewlap. (See "Setoning,"). If collapse of the lung is 

 threatened, a surgical operation is sometimes performed, termed 

 paracentesis thoracis, which consists in puncturing the chest cavity 

 and drawing off a part of the fluid. The instruments used are a 

 small trocar and canula, which are introduced between the eighth 

 and ninth ribs. Draw the skin forward so that the external wound 

 may not correspond with the puncture of the chest, to prevent the 

 entrance of air. Only a portion of the fluid should be removed. 

 The animal gets immediate relief, but it is generally only tempo- 

 rary, as there is a tendency for the fluid to accumulate again. 



PNEUMONIA. 



This is an inflammation of the lung substance. It is divided 

 into three different forms, viz: First, croupous pneumonia; sec- 

 ond, catarrhal pneumonia; and third, interstitial pneumonia. But 

 these various forms can only be differentiated by the expert, and 

 I therefore deem it necessary for the purposes of the present work 

 to treat the subject under the general head of pneumonia. 



The causes of pneumonia in general are the same as those of 

 the various other inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. 

 The germ is called the pneumococcus. It mostly follows conges- 

 tion of the lungs, but may in rare cases have a parasitic origin. 



Symptoms. In the first stage, that of congestion, the disease 

 is usually ushered in by a chill, although this may not always be 

 observed by the attendant. This is followed by an elevation of 

 temperature, usually 105 to 106 F., or it may be even higher. 

 The respirations are quick and shallow; the nostrils are dilated; 

 the pulse is full and hard. Cough may or may not appear in this 

 stage. The nose is hot and dry; the tongue sometimes protrudes 

 and is slimy; the coat is staring, and the skin dry and harsh. The 

 urine is usually diminished in quantity, high colored, and the 

 bowels constipated. The animal stands with the fore legs wide 

 apart to facilitate respiration. On auscultation crepitation will be 

 observed over the portion of the lung affected. The sounds elicited 

 on percussion are practically normal in this stage. 



In the second stage the temperature generally drops one or 

 two degrees, and respiration is performed with much difficulty. 

 The cough is frequent and painful. The animal still stands with 

 the fore legs wide apart and the elbows turned outward. If it as- 

 sumes the recumbent position it rests on the sternum. All secre- 

 tions are more or less suspended, particularly the milk in cows. 

 The animal has a haggard appearance, and the pulse becomes small 

 and wiry at this period. The extremities are hot and cold alter- 

 nately; the crepitation which was present in the first stage is now 

 absent, and no sound on auscultation will be heard, except it be a 

 slight wheezing or whistling noise. On percussion dullness over 

 the diseased lung is manifested, indicating consolidation. The 

 lung has now assumed a characteristic liver-like appearance. 



