593 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



by making tlie animal inhale steam, and this is best done by 

 holding its head over a bucketful of hot water, and stirring the 

 water with a wisp of hay. A few doses of nitrate of potash are 

 beneficial in the early stages as a febrifuge and diuretic ; if the 

 supervening debility be extreme, tonics and good food are to be 

 prescribed. Some writers recommend that a purgative should 

 be given : this is a practice which cannot be too strongly con- 

 demned, as in all catarrhal affections there is a tendency to the 

 spread of the irritation, and a purgative may cause a fatal 

 inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs ; 

 but, provided that the effect of such treatment is not immediately 

 fatal, a simple disorder is rendered complicated and serious, 

 and, should the animal ultimately recover, the convalescence is 

 much more prolonged and difficult. Any undue constipation 

 of the bowels is best combated by laxative food, enemas of warm 

 water, and perhaps eight or ten ounces of linseed oil. If the 

 cough be troublesome the throat may be stimulated or lightly 

 blistered. For the results of catarrh, see Principles and Practice 

 of Veterinary Surgery, page 517, et scq. 



LARYNGITIS. 



Acute Laryngitis. — An inflammation of the litiing membrane 

 of the larynx, indicated by difficult breathing, discharge from 

 the nose, and febrile disturbance. 



Pathology and Symptoms. — Laryngitis is not an uncommon 

 nor yet an unimportant disorder, sometimes killing quickly, 

 and at all times a dangerous disease. The gravity of acute 

 laryngitis depends upon the nature, cliaracter, and extent of 

 the inflammation. In acute inflammation, embracing the epi- 

 glottis and rima glottidis, there is such a rapid and extensive 

 effusion into the submucous tissue, and formation of mucus 

 upon the free surface of the mucous membrane, as to cause 

 almost a total obliteration of the glottal opening, and the 

 death of the animal from suffocation. This rapid effusion 

 into the submucous tissue and swelling of the membranes 

 constitute what is termed " oedema glottidis," and it is to this 

 rapid effusion that the danger to life is due. The respirations 

 become suddenly difficult, the inspiration being particularly 

 prolonged, and attended with a peculiar harsh sound, succeeded 



