2^6 IXFLAMMATIOX OF THE LAKYNX. 



slioukl never be given in oatarfli. It can scarcely be knowai wliat sym- 

 pathy may exist between the portion of membrane ab-eady affected, and 

 tlie mucous membranes generally. In severe thoracic affection, or in that 

 which may soon become so, a dose of physic would be little better than a 

 dose of poison. If, however, careful investigation renders it evident that 

 there is no affection of the lungs, and that the disease lias not proceeded 

 beyond the fauces, small doses of aloes may witli advantage be united with 

 other medicines in order to evacuate the intestinal canal, and reduce tbc 

 fa3cal discharge to a pultaceous form. 



If catarrh is accompanied by sore throat ; if the parotids should enlarge 

 and become tender — there are no tonsils, amygdala;, in the horse — or if 

 the submaxillary glands should be inflamed, and the animal should quid 

 his food and gTilp his water, this will be an additional reason for care^ 

 and also for warm clothing and a comfortable stable. A hot stable is not 

 meant by the term comfortable, in which the foul air is breathed over and 

 over again, but a temperature some degrees above that of the external air, 

 ind where that determination to the skin and increased action of the 

 exhalent vessels, which in these cases are so desirable, may take place. 

 Every stable, both for horses in sickness and in health, should have in it a 

 thermometer. 



Some stimulating liniment may be applied over the inflamed gland, 

 strong enough to jjroduce considerable irritation on the skin, but not to 

 blister, or to destroy the hair. An embrocation sufficiently powerful, 

 and yet that never destroys the hair, consists of equal parts of harts- 

 horn, oil of turpentine, and camphorated sj)irit, wdth a small quantity of 

 laudanum. 



INFLAMMATION OP THE LARYNX. 



Strictly speaking, this refers to inflammation confined to the larynx, but 

 either catarrh or bronchitis, or both, frequently accompany the complaint. 



Its approach is often insidious, scarcely to be distinguished fi-om catarrh 

 except by being attended with more soreness of throat, and less enlarge- 

 ment of the parotid glands. There are also more decided and violent 

 paroxysms of coughing than in common catarrh, attended by a gurgling 

 noise, which may be heard at a little distance from the horse, and which, 

 by auscultation, is decidedly referable to the larjaix. The breathing is 

 shorter and quicker, and evidently more painful than in catarrh ; the 

 membrane of the nose is redder ; it is of a deep modena colour ; and the 

 horse shrinks and exhibits gi*eat pain when the larynx is pressed ui^on. 

 The paroxysms of coughing become more frequent and violent, and the 

 animal appears at times almost suffocated. 



As the soreness of the throat proceeds, the head of the animal is pro- 

 jected, and the neck has a peculiar stiffness. There is also much difficulty 

 of swallowing. Considerable swelling of the larynx and the pharynx 

 ensues, and also of the parotid, sublingaial, and submaxillary glands. As 

 the inflammation increases, the cough becomes hoarse and feeble, and in 

 some cases altogether suspended. At the commencement there is usually 

 little or no nasal defluxion, but the secretion soon appears, either pure or 

 mixed with an unusual quantity of saliva. 



Auscultation is a very important aid in the discovery of the nature and 

 serious or trifling character of this disease. It cannot be too often re- 

 peated that it is one of the most valuable means which we possess of 

 detecting the seat, intensity and results, of the maladies of the respiratory 

 passages. No instrument is required ; the naked ear can be applied evenly 

 and flatly, and with a very slight pressure, on any part that it is of 

 importance to examine. The healthy sound, when the ear is applied to 



