INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 309 



into, ejects a sero-sanguineous frothy fluid ; or it sometimes 

 pours out a purulent matter. In the fatal cases of hepati- 

 zation, lymph appears diffused through the cellular texture, 

 solidifies and glues up the bronchial ramifications, and gives 

 to the lungs the granulated aspect of the liver, with its 

 weight, consistence, and incapacity to float in water. 



The prognosis must be formed from the progress the 

 disease has made, and the intensity or mildness of its symp- 

 toms ; when some warmth can be restored to the extremi- 

 ties by friction ; when the nasal linings do not approach a 

 livid tint, and the horse can bear to be turned, or does not 

 obstinately maintain a standing posture, but on the contrary 

 shows an inclination to lie down ; if his blisters rise or his 

 rowels maturate, we are warranted in oftering hope to the 

 owner, and more particularly if the disease does not increase 

 in intensity by the fourth day. But if the breathing con- 

 tinues very laborious, if rattling in the throat comes on, 

 with partial cold sweats, and an intermitting or irregular 

 pulse, a fatal termination may be expected. It is always a 

 most unfavourable sign when the blisters and rowels remain 

 inert ; and we hardly remember to have seen a horse recover 

 where such has been the case : it bespeaks at once the 

 intensity of the inflammation, and the diminution of vital 

 power. 



The treatment of pneumonia must be prompt. The old 

 practice was to extract blood immediately upon entering 

 the stable. The first blood-letting was to the amount of 

 two gallons at least ; the second of one gallon, and two, or 

 even more, subsequent withdrawals of half or three quarters 

 of a gallon each ; thus, at all events, four gallons of blood, 

 or more, were taken away. A full-sized horse has but 

 eight gallons of blood in his body, and one moderately 

 fat has not that amount. Here, however, the veterinary 

 surgeon withdraws half the blood from the poor horse's 

 body, under the impression that the animal's disease an- 

 nounced it had too much of that fluid, to regulate the quan- 

 tity of which is the care of the whole system. After this, 

 he used to look upon the subsequent signs of excessive 

 debility as natural results. 



The antiquated notion about a horse having too much 

 blood is now in a great measure exploded ; many excellent 



