INFLUENZA. 353 



disturbed than the action of the heart, by the lividity, of the 

 mucous membranes, and by the semi-coniatose condition of the 

 affected animaL 



The pneumonia of influenza is characterised by a soft, dull 

 cough, by rapidity of the pulse, great coldness of the extremities 

 and surface of the body, by crepitation on auscultation and 

 dulness on percussion of the lower parts of the chest, the 

 post mortem revealing desquamation and proliferation of the 

 bronchial epithelium, the presence of catarrhal products in the 

 tubes and vesicles, and by effusion of serosity, mostly confined to 

 the lower portions of the lungs. In consequence of the asthenic 

 nature of the inflammation there is a tendency to gangrene and 

 disintegration of the lung tissue. This termination — a rare one 

 it must be admitted — is expressed by fcetor of the breath, 

 sweats over the body, a faltering and excessively feeble pulse, 

 rapid emaciation, looseness of the hair of the mane and tail, 

 rapid sinking, and death. 



Panzootic catarrhal fever is not very frequently complicated 

 with pleuritis, although, during some seasons, the latter disease 

 rages as an epizootic. 



Abdominal or enteric complications. — In all catarrhal affections 

 there is great irritability of the gastro-enteric mucous membrane, 

 hence all teachers of experience warn their students to be care- 

 ful in administering purgatives. Succeeding to the naso-laryn- 

 geal symptoms, those of abdominal pain will become manifest, 

 the animal frequently looking at its flanks, alternately lying 

 down and rising, kicking at its belly, and frequently passing 

 small quantities of hardened fseces, thickly coated and mixed 

 with mucus. There is great debility, and some degree of torpor 

 or somnolence ; in some instances the sphincter ani is relaxed, 

 and the anus constantly open, the animal straining incessantly, 

 and exposing the intestinal mucous membrane of a deep red 

 colour. The conjunctivae are yellow ; the tongue is coated, dry, 

 and shrunk ; the animal is thirsty, and the urine is high- 

 coloured and scanty. Great care must be taken in properly 

 diagnosing this condition, for, if treated as ordinary colic, the 

 result is almost sure to be fatal. 



Towards the termination of influenza rheumatic comp)lications 

 often appear ; in some instances pain and stiffness in 'the joints 

 appear early in the catarrhal form. Generally, however, rheu- 

 matism manifests itself towards the termination of the other 

 symptoms. The animal becomes at first restless and uneasy, 

 lifting its feet alternately from the ground; the joints emit a 



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