CHAPTER III. 

 LARYNX, TRACHEA AND BRONCHI, 



LARYNGITIS. 



Laryngeal diseases are common, but are usually only the local expres- 

 sion of some grave general infection, such as foot-and-mouth disease, 

 gangrenous coryza, or tuberculosis. Pathological conditions such as these 

 can be disregarded for the moment, as they will receive attention under 

 special heads. 



The two current forms of laryngeal disease are acute laryngitis and 

 stridulous laryngitis. 



ACUTE LARYNGITIS. 



Acute laryngitis, like simple coryza, of which it is often only an 

 accompaniment, is caused by chill, by irritant vapours, by smoke, etc., 

 or by external traumatic causes. 



The cough is dry and painful at first ; afterwards it is accompanied 

 by a discharge or by the swallowing of mucus or muco-purulent products. 

 The respiration sometimes appears accelerated and difficult, but roaring 

 or whistling and marked fever are rare. The slightest pressure over the 

 laryngeal region causes pain and attacks of coughing. The respiration 

 is normal while the animal is at rest, provided that the laryngitis remains 

 localised ; frequently, however, it is complicated with bronchitis. 



The appetite is somewhat diminished, but all these symptoms very 

 rapidly improve. 



The diagnosis is based on the frequency of the cough and the sensi- 

 tiveness of the throat region. 



The prognosis is favourable in cases of simple laryngitis. 



Treatment consists in the administration of steam inhalations, 

 warm drinks, the application of mustard plasters or blisters around 

 the laryngeal region, and the administration of expectorants, to facili- 

 tate mucous discharge. 



PSEUDO-MEMBRANOUS LARYNGITIS. 



Pseudo-membranous laryngitis, also termed by German authors 

 croupal or diphtheritic laryngitis, because it bears a certain resemblance 



