DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 12^ 



still later it is sometimes tinged with blood, and occasionall}^ it may 

 be of a brownish or rusty color. By auscultation, or placing the ear 

 to the sides of the chest, unnatural sounds can now be heard. The 

 air passing through the diseased tubes causes a wheezing sound when 

 the small tubes are affected, and a hoarse, cooing, or snoring sound 

 when the larger tubes are involved. After one or two days the dry 

 stage of the disease is succeeded by a moist state of the membrane. 

 The ear now detects a different sound, caused by the bursting of the 

 bubbles as the -air passes through the fluid, which is the exudate of 

 inflammation and the augmented mucous secretions of the membrane. 

 The mucus may be secreted in great abundance, which, by blocking 

 up the tubes, may cause a collapse of a large extent of breathing sur- 

 face. Usually the mucus is expectorated, that is, discharged through 

 the nose. The matter is coughed up, and when it reaches the larynx 

 much of it may be swallowed, and some is discharged from the nos- 

 trils. The hoi'se can not spit, like the human being, nor does the 

 matter coughed up gain access to the mouth. If in serious cases all 

 the sjniiptoms become aggravated, the breathing is labored, short, and 

 quick, it usually indicates that the inflammation has reached the breath- 

 ing cells and that catarrhal pneumonia is established. In this case the 

 ribs rise and fall much more than natural. This fact alone is enough 

 to exclude the idea that the animal may be affected with pleurisy, 

 because, in pleurisy, the ribs are as nearly flxed as in the power of the 

 animal to do so, and the breathing accomplished to a great extent by 

 aid of the abdominal muscles. The horse persists in standing through- 

 out the attack. He prefers to stand with head to a door or win- 

 dow to gain all the fresh air possible, but may occasionally wander 

 listlessly about the stall if not tied. The bowels most likely are con- 

 stipated; the dung is covered with slimy mucus. The urine is 

 decreased in quantity and darker in color than usual. The animal 

 shows more or less thirst; in some cases the mouth is full of saliva. 

 The discharge from the nose increases in quantity as the disease 

 advances and inflammation subsides. This is rather a good sjmiptom, 

 as it shows one stage has passed. The discharge then gradually 

 decreases, the cough becomes less rasping, but of more frequent 

 occurrence, until it gradually disappears with the return of health. 



Bronchitis, affecting the smaller tubes, is one of the most fatal 

 diseases, while that of the larger tubes is never very serious. It must 

 be stated, however, that it is an exceedingly difficult matter for a non- 

 expert to discriminate between the two forms, and, further, it may as 

 well be said here that the nonexpert will have difficulty in discrimi- 

 nating between bronchitis and pneumonia. 



Treatment. — The matter of first importance is to insure a pure 

 atmosphere to breathe, and next to make the patient's quarters as com- 

 fortable as possible. A well-ventilated box stall serves best for all 

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