INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 185 



Although the life of the horse may be saved, the consequences of inflam- 

 mation of the lungs may often materially lessen, or even destroy the useful- 

 ness of the animalf As in many external inflammations considerable thicken- 

 ing of the part long remains, so a deposit of the coagulable portion of the 

 blood may be left in the substance of the lungs, occupying the |)lace of 

 many of the air-cells, and preventing the contraction and closing of others. 

 This produces the peculiarity of breathing, almost incompatible with speed 

 or continuance, c?i\\ed thick wind ; and frequently precedes 6ro/tT/i ivind, 

 when, from the violent action of the lungs, and that action thus impeded by 

 the obstruction we have described, some of the air-cells become ruptured. 

 Too frequently, considerable irritability remains in the membrane lining 

 the air-cells, and in other portions of the air-passages, and a couglr is 

 established, which, from its continuance, and the difficulty of its removal, is 

 called chronic cough. We have already considered inflammation of the 

 lungs, as one of the causes o^ roaring: 



The treatment of inflammation of the lungs must evidently be of the 

 most decisive kind. We have to struggle with a disease intense in its cha- 

 racter, and we must attempt radically to cure, and not merely to palliate it. 

 We must look to the future usefulness of the horse, and not to the pos- 

 sibility of his being enabled to drag on an existence almost uncomfortable 

 to himself. Supposing the attack to have just commenced, the horse should 

 be bled, not only until the pulse begins to rise, but until it afterwards 

 begins to flutter or to stop, or the animal is evidently faint. The effect of 

 the bleeding, and not the quantity of the blood taken, should be regarded; 

 for the inflammation being subdued, the lost blood will soon be supplied 

 again. This is one of the cases in which it is absolutely necessary that 

 the surgeon, or the owner, should stand by with his finger on the pulse, 

 and mark the effect that is produced. If, six hours afterwards, the horse 

 continues to stand stiff, and heaves as quickly and as laboriously as before, 

 and the legs are as intensely cold, and the membrane of the nose as red, 

 the bleedino- should be repeated, until the same effect again follows. 

 In the majority of cases the inflammation will be now subdued. A third 

 bleeding may, however, sometimes be necessary, but must not be carried 

 to the same extent, for it is possible, by too great evacuation of blood, to 

 subdue not merely the disease, but the powers of nature. If, after this, 

 the legs become cold, and the heaving returns, and the membrane of the 

 nose reddens, and the horse persists in standing, bleedings to the extent 

 of two or three quarts will be advisable, to prevent the re-establishment of 

 the disease. In all these bleedings, let not the necessity of a broad shoul- 

 dered fleam or lancet, and a full stream of blood be forgotten. These are 

 circumstances of far more importance than is generally imagined. The 

 appearance of the blood will be some guide in our treatment of the case. 

 The thickness of the adhesive buffy, yellow-coloured coat, which in a few 

 hours will appear on it, will mark with some degree of accuracy the extent 

 of the inflammation ; but let it be remembered, that only which existed at 

 the time of the bleeding. Not regardless of the appearance of the blood, 

 but not putting too much faith in it, we must look to the horse to deter- 

 mine how far that inflammation may have been diminished, or a repetition 

 of the bleeding be necessary. 



When the bleeding has evidently taken effect, we must consider bv what 

 means we may further abate, or prevent the return of th^.. inflammation. 

 We should blister the whole of the brisket, and the sides, as high up as 

 the elbows. Blisters are far preferable to rowels. Tliey act on a more ex- 

 tensive surface ; they produce a great deal more inflammation ; and they 

 are speedier in their action. 



