122 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



both sides of the chest, and may be repeated several times, and 

 diuretic and tonic medicine should be given at the same time. 



Although the majority of cases in which this operation has 

 been practised have ended fatally, yet there are several success- 

 ful cases on record, — sufficient to justify its adoption when there 

 is a reasonable presumption of the presence of water in the chest. 



This is denoted by the sudden cessation of the violence of the 

 symptoms at first, and an amendment of the appetite; but as the 

 water increases, the respiration becomes still more embarrassed, 

 and very frequently a spontaneous purging ensues. On applying 

 the ear to the chest the natural respiratory sound is lost ; and on 

 striking the chest it no longer sounds hollow, but dead. 



The symptoms of hydrothorax, however, are by no means 

 always the same — they principally depend on the cause. It 

 may succeed intense inflammation of the lungs and the pleura, 

 or sub-acute or chronic inflammation of these parts. The symp- 

 toms may either nearly subside as the water is secreted, and the 

 case present altogether a flattering appearance, or otherwise un- 

 favourable appearances, though modified, may still exist. — Ed.] 



[^Complicated Cases. — Although we have spoken of pneumonia 

 and pleurisy as two distinct diseases, and although the symptoms 

 of each are distinctly marked, yet it is still the fact that they are 

 very frequently combined together; and then the symptoms 

 may either denote the preponderance of the one disease over the 

 other, or otherwise they may be so nearly balanced as to render 

 the symptoms altogether obscure. 



The treatment of these complicated cases must be conducted 

 on the same principles as before detailed ; modified, however, by 

 the leading symptoms. 



It may, however, be observed, that these complicated cases are 

 more frequently fatal than simple affections either of the pleura 

 or the substance of the lungs. They rarely present the same 

 activity in the symptoms, but are usually more protracted in 

 their progress, and more deceitful in their character. — Ed.] 



CHAP. XXV. 



BRONCHITIS. — TRAGHITIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE BRON- 

 CHIAL PASSAGES AND WINDPIPE. 



[The membrane which lines the bronchial tubes, as the air pas- 

 saires of the lungrs are termed, as well as that which aflbrds an 

 internal covering for the larynx and trachea, is termed a mucous 

 membrane, and is very liable to inflammation. When thus in- 



