DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 123 



as general causes for diseases of the organs of respiration, but in 

 man}^ instances it is due to neglect. A common cold or sore throat 

 may be followed by pneumonia if neglected or improperly treated. 

 An animal may be debilitated b}' a cold, and when in this weakened 

 state may be compelled to undergo exertion beyond his strength; or 

 he ma}^ be kept in bad quarters, such as a badly ventilated stable, 

 where the foul gases are shut in and the pure air is shut out; or the 

 stable may be so open that parts of the body are exposed to drafts of 

 cold air. An animai is predisposed to pneumonia when debilitated b}'' 

 any constitutional disease, and especially during convalescence if 

 exposed to any of the exciting causes. Foreign bodies, such as food, 

 accidentall}^ getting in the lungs by way of the windpipe, as well as 

 the inhalation of irritating gases and smoke, ofttimes produce fatal 

 attacks of inflammation of the lung and bronchial tubes. Pneumonia 

 is frequent!}'' seen in connection with other diseases, such as influenza, 

 purpura hemorrhagica, strangles, glanders, etc. Pneumonia and 

 pleurisy arc most common during cold, damp weather, and especially 

 during the prevalence of the cold north and northeasterl}' winds. 

 Wounds puncturing the thoracic cavit}^ may cause pneumonia. 



Sijmj)toms.— Pneumonia, when a primary' disease, is ushered in b}' a 

 chill, more or less prolonged, which in many cases is seen neither by 

 the owner nor the attendant, but is overlooked. The breathing 

 becomes accelerated, and the animal hangs its head and has a ver}- dull 

 appearance. The mouth is hot and has a sticky feeling to the touch; 

 the heat conveyed to the finger in the mouth demonstrates a fever; if 

 the thermometer is placed in the rectum the temperature will be found 

 to have risen to 103° F. or higher. The pulse is frequent, beating 

 from fifty or sixty to eighty or more a minute. There is usuall}^ a 

 dr}" cough from the beginning, which, however, changes in character 

 as the disease advances; for instance, it may become moist, or if 

 pleurisy sets in, the cough will be peculiar to the latter affection; that 

 is, cut short in the endeavor to suppress it. In some cases the dis- 

 charge from the nostrils is tinged with blood, while in other cases it 

 has the appearance of muco-pus. The appetite is lost to a greater or 

 less extent, but the desire for water is increased, particularly during 

 the onset of the fever. The membrane within the nostrils is red and 

 at first drj", but sooner or later becomes moist. The legs are cold. 

 The bowels are more or less constipated, and what dung is passed is 

 usually covered with a slimy mucus. The urine is passed in smaller 

 quantities than usual and is of a darker color. 



The animal prefers to have the head where the freshest air cai r.'^, 

 obtained. When affected with pneumonia a horse r-., ^ ,. 



but persists in standing from the beginning of the ' q^. 

 if pneumonia is complicated with pleuris3^ '^' . -v, -: . • ^^. ..• • st-. 

 less and lie down for a few moments to q, , ii - -f^ .j. • .ntio 



