MIGRATION OF FOREIGN BODIES FROM THE RETICULUM. 849 



correspondingly sensitive. The owner, moreover, almost always informs 

 the practitioner that for several weeks his animal has coughed, shown 

 tympanites, diminished appetite, etc. 



Compression of the roots of the corresponding diaphragmatic nerve 

 at the base of the neck always produces coughing. 



These symptoms rarely accompany the development of simple pneu- 

 monia. Furthermore, the course of this accidental pneumonia is en- 

 tirely different. -Instead of developing regularly according to the above- 

 described cycle, pneumonia due to foreign bodies develops slowly, and 

 only becomes well defined after several weeks, whilst its tendency is to 

 grow more and more aggravated. The zone of dulness extends both in 

 a forward and upward direction. The souffle extends forwards. Auscul- 

 tation and j^alpation sometimes reveal the formation of an abscess or 

 local gangrene ; while there is slight oedema of the wall of the chest, as 

 well as a gurgling sound at the moment when the lung is displaced, 

 high fever, intensely coloured urine, and very marked leucocytosis, etc. 

 Death is inevitable, and when gangrene exists it sometimes occurs 

 suddenly. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on the information furnished with 

 regard to the course of the disease, the localisation of the hepatised zone, 

 and the progressive character of the affection. 



The diagnosis, nevertheless, is always a little doubtful, but may be 

 so far assured as to attain the position of a quasi-certainty. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is unequivocal. 



Treatment. No practical treatment, either to extract the foreign 

 body or to combat the special pneumonia which it has produced, can 

 be attempted. All the interlobular connective layers and the lobules 

 themselves are invaded by various micro-organisms carried by the foreign 

 body. Numerous fragments of tissue serve as centres of suppuration and 

 gangrene, and the only chance would lie in attempting resection of the 

 lung. Such intervention has no practical interest in veterinary surgery. 

 It is true that when the existence of an abscess is suspected, an aseptic 

 exploratory puncture may be made, and, in the event of the diagnosis 

 being so far confirmed, the abscess might be opened through an inter- 

 costal space. Under such circumstances, however deep the point of 

 penetration of the foreign body, the development of the resulting abscess 

 causes local pleurisy and adherence between the pleura and lung, so 

 that there is no immediate danger of producing purulent pleurisy and 

 pneumo-thorax. If small the foreign body might possibly be discharged 

 through the passage thus afforded. 



In practice the best plan is to recommend slaughter as soon as 

 the diagnosis becomes certain, provided that the meat can still be 

 utilised. 



