THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 319 



named under laryngitis (par. 500), may either be acute or chronic, and 

 affect one or both lungs, while either the large or small branches of 

 the bronchial tubes may be attacked separately or in conjunction. 

 It is a very serious complaint, for if from the inflammatory process 

 some of the bronchial passages, particularly the larger branches, 

 become blocked up, the blood cannot get properly oxygenated, and 

 impure blood is therefore sent through the system, acts on the 

 nerve centres, and causes great debility very early on in the 

 complaint. Symptoms. — As a rule, the horse will not lie down in 

 chest affections. In acute attacks of bronchitis it will, in many 

 cases, at an early stage be found leaning against the stall for support. 

 Again, on account of the circulation of impure blood, oxidation of 

 the tissues cannot go on, and coldness of the extremities and of the 

 surface of the body is the result. In health there is a certain 

 amount of moisture always present in the mucous lining, but in the 

 early stages of this complaint, on applying the ear to the windpipe at 

 the lower part of the neck, a dry, crisp sound is heard in the 

 bronchial tubes. However, as the case advances this gives way to 

 a loose slobbery noise, while the cough, which is at first dry, hard, 

 and sore, becomes similarly changed to a soft and loosened one. 

 Great care must be taken at this later stage, as the inflammatory 

 mucous material, on being thrown off, makes its way up the wind- 

 pipe to be coughed up and discharged by the nose. The causes of 

 bronchitis are similar to those of ordinary colds, and are various, 

 such as chills, removing from cold to hot stables, or any sudden 

 changes of temperature, east winds, smoke, chemical fumes, parasites 

 or foreign bodies in the bronchial tubes, etc. In the cow, during the 

 early spring months, when east winds are prevalent, it is a very 

 common accompaniment to retention of the second cleansing, when 

 the flow of the debris from the womb has been checked. It may 

 also be caused by moving the animal too early after calving. 



511. Generally speaking, all derangements and diseases, more 

 especially of the respiratory organs, are ushered in by a shivering fit. 

 If this be noticed, the animal should be well clothed up, and a good 

 stimulant, such as J pint of whisky in as much water, or from 



