4 Nasal Catarrh. 



Infection appears to play a role in some cases. It does not 

 appear unlikely that cold is a predisposing- canse in lowering 

 the resisting power of the nasal mucosa. 



Nasal catarrh occurs secondarily in some general acute 

 infectious diseases and in other inflammatory conditions of the 

 respiratory organs; it also usually accompanies catarrh of the 

 pharynx and larynx. Inflammatory processes of parts in the 

 immediate neighborhood of the nasal cavities, especially in the 

 bones, teeth, and alveoli of the teeth, usually extend into the 

 nasal mucosa. 



Chronic nasal catarrh develops from the acute form only 

 very exceptionally; it is, as a rule, seen as a secondary affec- 

 tion to disease in the immediate neighborhood or in other por- 

 tions of the respiratory tract. The most common affections 

 leading secondarily to chronic nasal catarrh are: glanders, 

 neoplasms, animal parasites (Pentastomum, CEstrus), catarrh 

 of the accessory cavities, rachitis, chronic bronchial catarrh, 

 pulmonary tuberculosis, lungworm disease, etc. 



Symptoms. Acute nasal catarrh usually begins with local 

 symptoms unless it be due to a general infection. One rarely 

 sees a prodromal depression of the sensorium, malaise and 

 moderate elevation of temperature. Smaller animals generally 

 sneeze a good deal in the beginning, shake their heads and rub 

 their noses against their feet or against the floor, while larger 

 animals snort often. The mucosa appears intensely reddened 

 and feels warm. Soon there is a discharge, usually from both 

 nostrils. It is at first perfectly clear, thin fluid, watery; soon, 

 however, it becomes tenacious, glassy, somewhat turbid, at the 

 same time more abundant. Finally, in consequence of the ad- 

 mixture of numerous pus corpuscles, the secretion becomes pur- 

 ulent and less abundant ; it dries at the margins of the nostrils 

 and there forms crusts. Later on the discharge again becomes 

 clear and then ceases. The mucosa, which is at first dry, gradu- 

 ally becomes shining. It retains its intense red color during the 

 whole time and becomes more or less swollen; sometimes in 

 the larger animals, usually in the smaller ones, respiration be- 

 comes snorting and sniffling. In dogs asthmatic attacks occa- 

 sionally occur, due to a periodic accumulation of mucus between 

 the turbinated bones (Lienaux). Sometimes rattling nasal 

 sounds are heard. Exceptionally roundish, superficial erosions 

 are formed on the mucosa. The intensely red base of these 

 erosions soon becomes covered by new epithelium. 



In rare cases there are formed thin-walled vesicles of millet to lentil-size 

 (so-called " Blatterdruse, " rhinitis phlyctfpnulosa). The process which leads to 

 the formation of such vesicles is a rapid mucoid deg^eneration of epithelial cells or 

 the accumulation of a serous exudate under the epithelial covering-, which elevates 

 it in spots from the underlying tissue. The vesicles later on dry and form crusts 

 which are shed during the rapid regeneration of the epithelium. 



