248 IIoKSE 1 xitrsTUY i.\ Xkw \'()i;k State 



r.NEL'MOMA 



Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs. Two foiTQS are 

 ordinarily recognized as occurring in horses, namely, catarrhal 

 or bronchial pneumonia, and fibrinous or croupous pneumonia. 

 The distinction between these two forms of inflammation de- 

 pends upon the character of the exudate. In the first form, the 

 exudate is of a catarrhal nature, and in the second fonn the 

 fibrin of the blood exudes through the injured blood vessels, co- 

 agulates and plugs the air cells and bronchioles, causing solidi- 

 fication of the lungs. It is for this reason that lungs removed 

 from an animal suffering from croupous pneumonia will not 

 float, the affected portion being of the consistency and general 

 appearance of liver. 



The early symptoms of pneumonia are those described luider 

 congestion of the lungs, this stage being known as engorgement. 

 Several distinct stages of the disease are recognized and described 

 as : red hepatization, at which time the lungs have the appearance 

 of liver ; gray hepatization, which is the later stage when resolu- 

 tion or breaking down of the exudate takes place and recovery is 

 about to ensue, and the last stage known as the period of resolu- 

 tion when the expectoration and reabsorption of the broken down 

 exudate is well established. 



Symptoms : During the period of congestion and engorgement, 

 the s\miptoms differ in no respect from those described under 

 congestion of the lungs, as this is really the first stage of pneu- 

 monia. During the stages known as red and gray hepatization, 

 there are symptoms of suffocation, difficult breathing, cough, ele- 

 vation of temperature, partial or complete loss of appetite and 

 evidence of great weakness and prostration. The animal usually 

 remains standing throughout the entire time. If he lies down at 

 all, it is always on the affected side, the purpose of this very evi- 

 dently being to afford more breathing space on the healthy side. 

 When both lungs are involved the condition is much more seri- 

 ous and results are frequently fatal. The lung usually fills up 

 from the bottom, the anterior or posterior lobes being first af- 

 fected. If the chest is tapped with the fingers a dull sound is 

 heard, with increased resonance over the healthy portion of the 

 lung. The respiratory murmur is very much diminished, or 

 altogether absent in the consolidated portion. 



