114 Diseases of the Horse. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LTTNGS— LUNG FEVER— PNEUMONIA. 



Definition. — An inflammation of the substance of the lungs, 

 followed by a secretion of lymph, which fills them up and 

 solidifies them, leading to death by suffocation, suppuration, 

 or else to gradual absorption of the lymph and recovery 



Causes. — The general causes of this common, dangerous 

 and therefore important disease are much the same as for 

 colds, namely, exposure to sudden changes of temperature, 

 getting chilled or wet, and draughty stables. Any slight 

 cold or sore throat may rapidly run into pneumonia. It is 

 also brought on by irritating smoke and gases, poisons in the 

 blood, wounds of the throat or lungs, and various exhaust- 

 ing diseases. 



Symptoms. — The earlier symptoms are increased rapidity 

 of the pulse, reaching 70 or, 80 beats per minute; a tem- 

 perature rising to 103° or 104° and above; chilliness; a dry, 

 dull cough ; and coldness of the legs and ears. The breath- 

 ing is generally not very rapid at first, not more than 20 or 30 

 ■times a minute, and unless there is pleurisy, it is not painful. 

 Sometimes a rusty colored, or blood stained mucus discharge 

 from the nostrils takes place. The horse suffering from the 

 disease will stand on his feet to the last, but an ox will lie 

 down. After the first three or four days the breathing in- 

 creases in rapidity, the pulse becomes feeble or intermittent, 

 and the general weakness manifestly increases. 



But none of these symptoms is positive proof of the pres- 

 ence of the disease. When, however, in addition to them 

 we find dullness on percussion over those portions of the 

 chest which in health are resonant, we need have no longer 

 any doubt^ as this dullness proves the lungs are solidified 

 by the inflammation. In many instances, by applying 

 the ear behind the shoulder, we can hear, instead of the 

 natural soft murmur of healthy lungs (see page 73), a fine 



