20 DISEASES OF THE AIR-PASSAGES. 



that the disease among horses arises oftener from heat than 

 from cold : and yet from the circumstance of that heat act- 

 ing in combination with miasms generated in situations where 

 horses are congregated, it may be difficult, in many instances, 

 to discriminate between the effects of heat and this insalu- 

 brious condition of the atmosphere. In very foul situations, 

 we have not only cases of catarrh occurring, and those of 

 unusual severity, but we meet with cases of glanders and 

 farcy and ophthalmia as well: clearly evincing that at least 

 these latter diseases are attributable to the impurities of the 

 atmosphere, vvhich are at all times rendered more influential 

 by the accompaniments of heat and moisture. We cannot 

 demonstrate that inflammation is present in every case of 

 simple catarrh or defluxion ; but when it is, I see no reason 

 for viewing it otherwise than as common phlegmon : though 

 in cases of scarlatina, and some forms of influenza, the appear- 

 ances the membrane assumes, together with the products 

 from it, are such as to induce a different belief. The seat 

 of catarrh is the Schneiderian membrane, and in particular 

 that portion of it enveloping the septum nasi. From this it 

 mostly extends to the part covering the turbinated bones, in 

 which situation it is apt to occasion some degree of stoppage in 

 the nose, arising either from tumid condition of the substance 

 of the membrane, or from the accumulation of augmented se- 

 cretion. Should it extend, as it usually does, to the fauces and 

 larynx, the consequences will be sore throat. In the wind- 

 pipe and its branches — throughout which the same membrane 

 is continuous — it will give rise to bronchitis. The frontal 

 sinuses are likewise in the way of becoming affected, and 

 inflammation in them, no doubt, would occasion headache, 

 manifested by unusual dulness or heaviness : further than 

 which I am afraid we know but little about this form of 

 catarrhal disorder. 



The treatment of catarrh is in general a very simple 

 affair ; consisting rather in what the French physicians call 

 medecine ewpectante, than in any very active remedial measures. 



For a slight catarrh, take the horse out of his warm 

 (perhaps foul) stable, or from any cold or wet situation in 



