122 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 



the stomach, and advanced pregnancy. While the respirations in the dog 

 are regular, yet they are disturbed more quickly by physical excitement 

 than in any other animal, and after any unusual exercise, the dog will open 

 the mouth. 



A pathological lessening of the number of the respirations, may be 

 seen in all serious affections of the brain and its membranes, in acute infec- 

 tious diseases, such as septicaemia and distemper and in cases of contrac- 

 tion of the air-passages. 



A slight increase in the I'espirations may follow any increase of tempera- 

 ture; they are also increased, when any pain is present, in circumscribed 

 pleuritis, in the commencement of peritonitis, in fractures of the ribs, and 

 in rheumatism of the intercostals. Laborious respiration (difficulty in 

 breathing, dyspnoea) is seen where there is any contraction of the phar- 

 ynx, larynx, or windpipe; for instance, from the swelling and inflammation 

 of the mucous membrane in those organs, foreign bodies, tumors, etc. 

 We see laborious breathing, with great increase of the number of respira- 

 tions, in any irritation of the bronchial tubes, where they become con- 

 tracted or filled with mucus, and in all diseases of the true lung-tissue, in 

 all exudates into the pleural cavity, or in diseases of the al)domen, 

 where there are collections of solids or fluids in the abdominal cavity that 

 press on the diaphragm in cramp or spasm of the muscles of respiration, 

 as in strychnia poisoning, tetanus, or eclampsia in nursing bitches, in 

 diseases of the heart where there is stagnation of the thoracic cir- 

 culation. In all cases of dyspnoea in the dog the animal rarely lies 

 down, but prefers to assume a sitting position with the front legs spread 

 wide apart. 



Cough. — The nature and form of cough are very important symptoms 

 in all diseases of the respiratory organs. Cough is produced by reflex 

 action from all parts of the mucous membranes of the pharynx, windpipe, 

 bronchi, and also by an inflamed pleura. The pulmonary tissue never 

 produces cough by reflex irritation. The so-called "stomach cough" is 

 only imaginary; no such thing can truly be said to exist. Cough is gener- 

 ally absent in diseases of the brain or in certain cases of extreme weak- 

 ness, and just before death from poisoning, as well as in cases where the 

 glottis and the muscles of respiration are acutely inflamed. Where the 

 sensitive ends of the vagus and particularly the supra-laryngeal nerves 

 become paralyzed it is impossible to produce coughing liy manipulation 

 of the throat. Dogs do not cough intentionally, and if it is very painful 

 they can suppress it. 



An animal may ])e made to cough by pressing the sides of the pharynx 

 between the fingers; if the throat is pressed hard an animal will cough and 

 make motions very similar to those of vomiting. 



Occasionally an animal is found that the most severe pressure of the 



