Diseases of the Kespikatouy Ok(;axs 249 



When the inflammatory exudate breaks down, mucous rales are 

 heard. As a rule, the pleura or covering membrane of the lung, 

 and lining membrane of the chest, are also involved, the condition 

 then being known as pleuropneumonia. With pleurisy as a com- 

 plication, there is usually a straw-colored fluid thrown out into 

 the pleural sac, known as pleuritic fluid, and this fluid is found 

 on bo-th sides of the chest at the same level, whether only one or 

 both sides of the lungs are involved. 



The treatment will depend wpon the stage at which the disease 

 is first seen and the severity of the attack. In the stage of en- 

 gorgement, efl^orts should be directed toward aborting the disease 

 if possible ; but frequently, in spite of every eflort, the disease 

 cannot be stopped at this stage. It imperceptibly goes on to the 

 stage of inflammation which is the cause of the exudate ; this in 

 turn causes the consolidation of the lung tissue. This exudate 

 must be broken up and either discharged from the nose or coughed 

 up, what remains being reabsorbed. This reabsorption, however, 

 never takes place completely, and usually leaves traces of the 

 disease in the form of consolidated areas, new tissue formations 

 and adhesions. 



Pneumonia is a disease which requires very careful nursing. 

 The animal should be placed in the cleanest and airiest quarters 

 procurable, as it will be found that horses suffering from pneu- 

 monia, particularly in the early stages, usually stand with their 

 heads toward the air. The food should l)e light and easily di- 

 gestible; the water supply clean, fresh and frequently renewed. 

 The body should be covered with a blanket of texture suitable to 

 the season, in order to protect the surface o.f the body against 

 sudden draughts or chills. The legs wnll be found to be cold 

 below the knees and hocks, and should therefore be rubbed with 

 liniment about once a day and covered with woolen bandages 

 evenly applied, in order to equalize the circulation. The body 

 should be carefully groomed daily in order to keep up elimination 

 from the skin. 



Salines in the drinking water, in half- to one-ounce doses, 

 markedly stimulate the kidneys and favor elimination. While it 

 is not advisable to give an animal suffering from pneumonia 

 drastic cathartics, a half dose of cathartic medicine is frequently 

 indicated, and helps to remove toxic materials from the bowels. 



