118 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 



larynx; and in the later stages of catarrh, where there is much mucus, 

 it is loose, moist, and rattling, and may be produced by slight pressure on 

 either side of the larynx, by cold, pressure, or after drinking; in any chronic 

 irritation of the larynx, any excitement, such as the pleasure of meeting a 

 person they know, will start a severe coughing spell. The respiration is 

 always dyspnoeic and accompanied by a stenotic bruit when from the results 

 of some diseased condition there is a contraction of the larynx. Ausculta- 

 tion of the larynx is performed by placing the ear directly on the larynx. 

 Normally the sound is a slightly wheezy respiration. Rubbing, creak- 

 ing, or rattling sounds indicate more or less liquid accumulations (mucus, 

 pus, or blood) ; wheezy, gasping, snoring sounds indicate severe swelling 

 of the mucous membrane or tough mucus (chronic catarrh) ; it may also 

 indicate the presence of tumors, membranous accumulations, and par- 

 alysis of the muscles of the larynx. 



A local external and internal examination of the larynx can be 

 made. Externally the larynx can be examined to see whether it is 

 swollen, as in acute laryngitis; for fracture or dislocation of the cartilages, 

 for cedematous, phlegmonous, or emphysematous swellings of the part 

 or its surroundings, and sensitiveness to pressure, always indicates some 

 irritation of the larynx. 



The internal examination of the larynx is very easy and simple except 

 in cases where the animal is very vicious; the method of keeping the mouth 

 open is fully described on page 12, and then by means of a spatula, or the 

 handle of a spoon, the tongue can be depressed or pulled out of the mouth 

 with a pair of blunt forceps; the examination should be made near a win- 

 dow or by means of a lamp or electric torch; the light can then be thrown 

 into the posterior portion of the throat. Vicious animals may be put 

 under ether or stupefied by morphine. When the mouth is opened and 

 the tongue depressed, we can easily see the entire pharynx and the upper 

 wall of the larynx and epiglottis, and in some cases a part of the windpipe, 

 and swellings, discolorations, hemorrhages, ulcerations, new formations, 

 foreign bodies, paralysis of the vocal chords can be readily diagnosed; a 

 good knowledge of anatomy and a quick eye is necessary, however. In 

 acute catarrh the mucous membrane of the larnyx is injected and red and 

 covered with slimy white or yellowish mucus. In chronic catarrh it is 

 not so red, but the mucous membrane has a number of bluish-red vessels 

 running through it and covered with tough, glassy, or purulent mucus; 

 the membranes are sometimes granular; we may also find at the entrance 

 of the oesophagus foreign bodies, tumors, or abscesses. The trachea is 

 examined externally by palpation to sec if there is any change or disloca- 

 tion of the rings, cedematous or phlegmonous swellings of the surrounding 

 structures and enlargement of the thvroid gland. 



