112 BUREAU OF A^^IMAL INDUSTRY. 



Injuries to the head, exertion, violent sneezing —causing- a rupture 

 of a small blood vessel — also induce it. The bleeding is almost inva- 

 riably from one nostril only, and is never very serious. The blood 

 escapes in drops (very seldom in a stream), and is not f rotlrv as when 

 the hemorrhage is from the lungs. (See Bleeding from the lungs, 

 p. 135.) In most cases bathing the head and washing out the nostril 

 with cold water are all that is necessary. If the cause is known, j-ou 

 will be guided according to circumstances. If the bleeding continues, 

 pour ice-cold water over the face, between the eyes and down over 

 the nasal chambers. A bag containing ice in small pieces applied to 

 the head is often efEcient. If in spite of these measures the hemor- 

 rhage continues, try plugging the nostrils with cotton, toAV, or oakum. 

 Tie a string around the plug before it is pushed up into the nostril, 

 so that it can be safel}^ withdrawn after four or five hours. If both 

 nostrils are bleeding, plug only one nostril at a time. If the hemor- 

 rhage is profuse and pcrsistxjnt, give a drench composed of 1 dram of 

 acetate of lead dissolved in 1 pint of water; or ergot, 1 ounce. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE TIIARYNX. 



As already stated, the pharynx is common to the functions of both 

 respiration and alimentation. Fromithis organ the air passes into the 

 larynx and thence onward to the lungs. In the posterior part of the 

 pharynx is the superior extremity of the gullet, the canal through 

 which the food and water pass to the stomach. Inflammation of the 

 pharynx is a complication of other diseases, namelj^, influenza, 

 strangles, etc., and is probablj- alwaj^s more or less complicated with 

 inflammation of the larynx. That it may exist as an independent 

 affection there is no reason to doubt, and it is discussed as such with 

 the diseases of the digestive tract. 



SORE THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 



The laiynx is situated in the space between the lower jawbones just 

 back of the root of the tongue. It may be considered as a box (some- 

 what depressed on each side), composed principally of cartilages and 

 small muscles, and lined on the inside wnth a continuation of the res- 

 piratory mucous membrane. Posteriori^' it opens into and is continu- 

 ous with the windpipe. It is the organ of the voice, the vocal cords 

 being situated within it; but in the horse this function is of little con- 

 sequence. It dilates and contracts to a certain extent, thus regulating 

 the volume of air passing through it. The mucous membrane lining 

 it internally is so highly sensitive that if the smallest particle of food 

 happens to drop into it from the pharynx violent coughing ensues 

 instantly and is continued until the source of irritation is ejected. 

 This is a provision of nature to prevent foreign substances gaining 

 access to the lungs. That projection called Adam's apple in the neck of 

 man is the prominent part of one of the cartilages forming the larnyx. 



