540 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



BRONCHITIS 



Bronchitis is an iuflammatiou of the mucous membrane lining the bronchi, 

 and almost invariably extending to these parts through the trachea, from 

 the larynx and nasal passages, which are primarily affected as in ordinary 

 cold. The membrane in the early stage becomes filled with blood, and as 

 a consequence, the diameter of the tubes is diminished, attended by some 

 difficulty and increased rapidity of breathing. After a time a frothy mucus 

 is poured out from it, and this still further interferes with respiration, and 

 necessitates a constant cough to get rid of it. These symptoms are always 

 present, but they will vary greatly in intensity, and in the rapidity with 

 which they progress, from which circumstances bronchitis is usually said to 

 be acute or chronic, as the case may be. /w the acute form there are also 

 several variations, and veterinary writers are in the habit of again sub- 

 dividing it into acute and sub-acute, but the two leading divisions are 

 sufficient for all practical pux'poses. It begins with the usual premonitory 

 appearances of a severe cold, accompanied by a staring coat and entire loss of 

 appetite. The breathing is somewhat accelerated, the temperature increased, 

 and the pulse of greater frequency and less force. The ears and legs vary 

 in temperature, the visible mucous membranes are injected, and a cough 

 which is hard, dry, and painful. On auscultation there is a dry rattling 

 sound, very different from the crepitation of pneumonia, and as soon as 

 mucus is secreted, succeeded by gurgling and soap-bubble sounds easily dis- 

 tinguished when once heard. If the attack goes on favourably, the cough 

 becomes loose, and there is a free discharge of mucus, both from the lungs, 

 as evidenced from the nature of the cough, and from the nostrils, as shown 

 by the running from them. 



On the other hand the prognosis is unfavourable when the breathing is 

 very laborious, with the legs extended, and the cough constant and ineffectual 

 in affording relief. 



Treatment. — Counter-irritation still commends itself to the majority oi 

 veterinary practitioners as likely to afford the most immediate relief 

 combined with those internal remedies which in human medicine are known 

 as expectorants. 



Bronchitis pure and simple without the laiynx being involved is 

 infrequent, and it is usually advisable to apply mustard to the throat and 

 down the course of the trachea till the thick muscles of the brisket are 

 reached, where the application would be useless as being so far from the 

 affected tubes. The sides of the chest immediately behind the elbows may 

 receive a share of attention in some cases, but as a rule the veterinarian 

 contents himself with covering the parts already named. 



Where laryngeal symptoms do not preclude the administration of a ball, 

 the following will be found suitable and may be given twice a day : — 



Take of Digitalis h drachm. 



1 Calomel h drachm. i 



\ Tartar P^metic 60 to 80 grains. ' 



Nitre 2 drachms. 



Mix with treacle. 



Chronic bronchitis seldom exists except as a sequel to the acute form^ 



