116 



DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 



large tumors in the throat, the discharge from the nose may be mixed with 

 some of the contents of the stomach. These affections are extremely rare 

 in the dog compared with other animals. True cases of bleeding of the 

 nose are seen in hemorrhagic catarrh of that organ, in suppurating con- 

 ditions of the nasal cavities from the pentastome, and also in distemper. 

 Hemorrhage of the lungs is indicated when there are large masses of 

 frothy blood discharged from the nose and mouth. Wheezy respiration is 

 generally due to some contraction of the nasal cavities, for instance, as a 

 consequence of violent nasal catarrh, tumors, fractures of the nasal bones, 

 narrowing of the nasal passages, pressure from some of the neighboring 

 organs, or solid collections of matter. In some breeds of dogs, such as 

 pugs and bulldogs, the passage is so narrow that a slight contraction may 

 cause them to breathe through the mouth. A simple method of detecting 

 whether the nostril is entirely obstructed is to hold a lighted candle in 



Fig. 53. — Diagrammatic section of the pharynx: a, pharynx; b, palate; c, soft palate; d, epiglottic 

 wall; e, fnpnum; /, entrance to wsophagus; /;, entrance to the mouth i, entrance to the Eustachian tube; 

 k, entrance to the nasal passages; 1, epiglottis; 2, larynx; 3, cavity of the mouth; 4, epiglottis; 5, aryte- 

 noid cartilage; 6, palate; 7, vomer; 8, base of skull. 



front of the nostril suspected and see if the flame is blown. If the nostril 

 is clear the flame moves violently or may be blown out, but if the obstruc- 

 tion is complete or partial the flame moves slightly or not at all. The 

 nasal sound is like a snore when copious accumulations of mucus have 

 collected on the mucous membrane, as in distemper, or the later stages of 

 simple catarrh of the nose. In all the affections named, many animals 

 seem to have an intense itching, which they indicate by rubbing the nose 

 against solid objects, or wiping it with the paws. We must recollect, 

 however, that the same symptoms may be observed in an animal infected 

 W'ith intestinal worms. 



The naso-pharyngeal region can be examined by means of the laryn- 

 geal mirror; when the presence of foreign bodies or pathological process, 

 tumors, etc., is suspected, the mouth is held open by means of a speculum 

 and the mirror introduced into the mouth; this method of examination 

 should be made as quickly as possible as the instrument chokes the ani- 



