INFLUENZA OR CATARRHAL FEVER IN HORSES. 279 



not observed ; to this succeeds increased lieat, with hurried 

 respiration. At the period, however, when the veterinary 

 surgeon is generally called in, the true nature of the symp- 

 toms few can venture to determine. There is, however, 

 one sign which will justify caution ; this is a yellowness of 

 the membrane of the eye ; and in a day or so a serous 

 defluxion from one or both nostrils ensues, which become 

 quickly heightened in colour ; the eyes themselves appear- 

 ing at the same time heavy and moist. The serous exuda- 

 tion from the nose, however, soon loses its thin character, 

 for cough comes on, and the discharge becomes purulent. 

 All mucous surfaces have a tendency to sympathise with 

 one another ; therefore in influenza, not only may the dis- 

 ease extend to the interior of the air cells of the lungs, but 

 it almost invariably affects the lining membranes of the 

 great digestive canal and generative organs. Sore throat 

 is a very frequent accompaniment to the complaint, which 

 shows itself by a difficulty in swallowing. The hay which 

 is taken is chewed, or ' quidded,' as it is termed ; then 

 falls out of the mouth. The disease extending itself makes 

 the cough more harsh, dry, and frequent. From the 

 tumefaction about the rima giottidis, the cough is often 

 almost incessant, as well as deep and sonorous ; it is fre- 

 quently so painful as to occasion much impatience and 

 violent stamping in the horse during the eftbrt. In its 

 progress throughout the extent of the nasal membrane it 

 often affects the frontal sinuses, in which case the head is 

 pendant, the eyelids are nearly closed, and even shght 

 appearances of coma present themselves. The general 

 affection makes it very common for the submaxillary glands 

 to become much tumefied, extremely tender, and on rare 

 occasions to suppurate. The same tendency likewise pro- 

 duces tumours in various parts of the head, which greatly 

 protract the disease. In some instances also pendulous 

 swellings appear on the chest, belly, or legs ; but which 

 often prove critical, and announce the termination of the 

 disease in dropsy of the chest. The pulse varies in dif- 

 ferent subjects and under different modifications of the 

 disorder : it is, however, quickened in all instances, and the 

 breathing is usually accelerated in the same proportion; 

 but it is only occasionally that the pulse is full or hard. 



