124 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



pains, but lie soon rises. In pneumonia the ))roathing is rapid and 

 difficult, but when the pneumonia is complicated with pleurisy the ribs 

 are k(^pt as still as possible and the l)reathin<r is abdominal; that is, the 

 abdominal muscles are now made to do as much of the work as they 

 can perform. If pleurisy is not present there is little pain. To the 

 ordinary observer the animal may not appear dangerousl}' ill, as he 

 does not show the seriousness of the ailment b}^ violence, as in colic, 

 but a careful observer will discover at a glance that the trouble is 

 something more serious than a cold. By percussion it will l)e show^i 

 that some portions of the chest are less resonant than in health, indi- 

 cating exclusion of air. If the air is wholly excluded the percussion 

 is quite dull, as that elicited by percussion over the thigh. 



By auscultation important information may be gained. When the 

 ear is placed against the chest of a health}^ horse the respiratory mur- 

 mur is heard more or less distinctl}^, according to the part of the chest 

 that is beneath the ear. In the very first stage of pneumonia this 

 murmur is louder and hoarser; and, also, tJiere is heard a fine crack- 

 ling sound something similar to that produced when salt is thrown in 

 a fire. After the affected part becomes solid there is an absence of 

 sound over that particular part. After absorption begins one may 

 again hear sounds that are of a more or less moist character and resem- 

 ble a bubbling or gurgling noise, which graduall}" change until the 

 natural sound is heard announcing return to health. 



When a fatal termination is approaching all the s3'mptoms become 

 intensified. The breathing becomes still more rapid and difficult; the 

 flanks heave; the animal stares wildl}^ about as if seeking aid to drive 

 off the feeling of suffocation; the body is bathed with sweat; the horse 

 staggers, but quickly recovers his balance; he may now, for the first 

 time during the attack, lie down; he does so, however, in the hope of 

 relief, which he fails to find, and with difficulty struggles to his feet; 

 he pants; the nostrils flap; he staggers and sways from side to side 

 and backwards and forwards, but still tries to retain the standing 

 position, even by propping himself against the stall. It is no use, as 

 after an exhausting fight for breath he goes down; the limbs stretch 

 out and become rigid. In fatal cases death usually occurs in from ten 

 to twenty daj^s after the beginning of the attack. On the other hand, 

 when the disease is terminating favorabl}'- the signs are obvious. The 

 fever abates and the animal gradually improves in appetite; he takes 

 more notice of things around him; his spirits improve; he has a gen- 

 eral appearance of returning health, and he lies dowm and rests. In 

 the majority of cases pneumonia, if properly treated, terminates in 

 recovery. 



Treatment -The comfort and surroundings of the patient must be 

 attended to, first. The quarters should be the best that can be pro- 

 vided. Pure rir is essential. Avoid placing the animal in a stall 



