618 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



accumulation of catarrhal products, epithelial and other cells, 

 within the pulmonary alveoli; cellular infiltration and thickening 

 of the walls of the alveoli and bronchi ; increase in the inter- 

 lobular connective tissue, with, in some instances, the occurrence 

 of fibrinous masses, intermixed with leucocytes in the alveoli, as 

 demonstrated by Zenker of Dresden, but without the occurrence 

 of tubercular tumours (grapes) in the serous membranes and 

 parenchyma of organs. 



In all cases of bronchitis the bronchial glands undergo some 

 change. In the earlier stages they are increased in size, contain 

 the products of the bronchitis conveyed by the lymph tract; 

 become more or less friable in consistence ; and in more 

 advanced bronchial inflammation distended with catarrhal ele- 

 ments ; botli glands and contents undergoing the caseous meta- 

 morphosis, the products of which may either liquefy or become 

 infiltrated with calcareous matter. 



TREATMENT. 



Venesection is to be avoided ; indeed bronchitis is character- 

 ised by depression and debility from its earliest stages. In the 

 very commencement of the disease the irritation is generally 

 modified by a moderate dose of opium. In the horse, ox, and 

 sheep remedies termed expectorants are quite iiseless, having no 

 effect. In the dog, however, they are said to act. They are 

 antimonial wine, ipecacuanha, hyoscyamus, &c. ; but I do not 

 think that tliey are of much service, and are not to be compared 

 to chloral hydrate in from two to four grain doses. The great 

 principle of treatment, however, in all animals after the very 

 earliest stage of the disease has passed off — when, and then only, 

 it may be possible to cut short the attack by a full dose of 

 opium — is to assist in promoting the natural course and termina- 

 tion of the inflammation. It has already been pointed out that 

 in the earlier stages the bronchi are dry, and that subsequently 

 they become moist ; and as the moist stage becomes, as it were, 

 matured, the irritation disappears. Such, then, is the natural 

 course, and the practitioner is to assist in promoting this by 

 causing the animal to inhale steam, medicated or simple, the 

 medicated steam being made by adding camphor, creosote, or 

 carbolic acid to the hot water. When the discharge is profuse, 



