100 NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



The success in the treatment of pneumonia depends largely 

 on the care. Properly ventilated, clean, comfortable quarters 

 and careful nursing are highly important. Large animals 

 should be given a roomy box stall. Cold does not aggravate 

 pneumonia, providing the animal's body is well protected with 

 blankets and the limbs bandaged. Wet, damp quarters and 

 draughts are injurious. Hogs should be given plenty of bedding 

 to burrow in. A light, easily digested diet should be fed. Very 

 little roughage should be fed. If the animal does not eat well, 

 it may be given eggs and milk. Weak pulse beats should be 

 treated by giving digitalis and strychnine. Counterirritation 

 to the chest wall is indicated. During convalescence, bitter 

 tonics may be given. Constipation should be treated by giving 

 the animal castor or linseed oil. 



Pleurisy. — Inflammation of the pleura is most common in 

 horses. It occurs in all farm animals and is frequently uni- 

 lateral. There are two forms of pleurisy, acute and chronic. 

 Pleuropneumonia is common when the cause is a specific germ. 

 This occurs in tuberculosis, pleuroj^neumonia of horses and 

 pneumococcus infection. 



The common causes are exposure to cold, chilling winds, 

 draughty, damp quarters, and drinking cold water when perspir- 

 ing. Injuries to the costal pleura by fractured ribs and punc- 

 tured wounds may cause it to become inflamed. 



The early symptoms of acute pleurisy are chills, rise in 

 body temperature, pain and abdominal breathing. The most 

 characteristic symptom is the ridge extending along the lower 

 extremities of the ribs (pleuritic ridge). The animal does not 

 stand still as in pneumonia, but changes its position occasionally, 

 its movements in many cases being accompanied by a grunt. 

 Pressure on the wall of the chest causes the animal to flinch 

 and show evidence of severe pain. Large animals rarely lie 

 down. The cough is short and painful. On placing the ear 

 against the wall of the chest and listening to the respirations, 



