LARYNGITIS. 



Causes. — The various conditions causing iJaryngitis are 

 about the same as those causing simple catarrh, le., ex. 

 posure to cold and wet, changes of temperature, and more 

 particularly if sudden, draughts of cold air, balling with a 

 stick, administration of irritant medicines, as ammonia, etc., 

 not sufficiently diluted. The disease sometimes appears in 

 an epizootic form, most commonly occurring as an epizootic 

 during the spring or autumn months, this form most 

 probably being due to atmospheric influences. 



Symptoms. — Usually the first symptom observed is dul- 

 ness of the animal, difficulty in swallowing. AVhen drink- 

 ing, part of the water returns through the posterior nares 

 into the nasal chambers, and out through the nostrils. The 

 neck and head are held in a stiff position generally, with 

 the nose elevated and poked out in an endeavour to bring 

 the air-passages as nearly as possible on a line. There may 

 be a flow of saliva from the mouth, as the throat irritation 

 will cause the animal to move his tongue about, and thus 

 increase or stimulate the flow of saliva. In most cases of 

 laryngitis a rise in temperature is noticed. If the increase is 

 well marked, it indicates the case to be a severe one. A 

 cough is usually present, which changes in character as the 

 disease increases or decreases in severity, at one time being 

 hoarse and dry, at another time of the variety described as 

 moist cough. Coughing is easily excited by pressure on the 

 larynx, or by an attempt on the part of the animal to drink. 

 The state of the circulation varies — in some cases strong, in 

 other cases weak ; pulsations generally number from sixty to 

 seventy beats per minute ; tongue sticky, hot, and slightly 

 furred; all the visible mucous membranes are reddened, 

 and there is a more or less abundant flow of tears. The 

 breathing may or ma}^ not be difficult, but is quickened in 

 all cases. There may be a swelling of the limbs at a certain 

 stage of the disease, and a discharge from the nostrils, 



