CATARRHAL FEVER. 189 



The divisions of the windpipe just before it enters the luno's, and the 

 numerous vessels into which it ini mediately afterwards branches out, are 

 called the bronchial tubes, and inflammation of the membrane that lines 

 them is termed 



BRONCHITIS. 



It is catarrh extending to the entrance of the lung's. It is characterised by 

 quicker and harder breathing- than catarrh usually presents, and by a 

 peculiar wheezing', which is relieved by the coug'hiiig up of mucus. 



It is to be treated by bleeding*, far less copious than in inflammation of 

 the lungs, or even in catarrh. The horse will bear to lose only a very small 

 quantity of blood when labouring under inflammation of the bronchial pas- 

 sag'es. The chest should be blistered, and digitalis given, and the other 

 treatment similar to that for inflamed lungs, with the exception of the 

 bleeding'. Tliick wind is a frequent consequence of neglected bronchitis. 



' CATARRHAL FEVER. 



This malady has various names among horsemen, as ejndemic catarrh., 

 influenza, distemper. By the latter name it is generally distinguished 

 in racing stables. It usually commences, like inflammation of the lungs 

 and fever, with a shivering' fit; to which rapidly succeed a hot mouth, 

 greater heat of the skin than is natural, heaving' of the flanks, and coug'h. 

 The eyes are red and heavy, and the membrane of the nose red, but con- 

 siderably paler than that of inflammation of the lungs, and even occa- 

 sionally bordering on a livid hue. From the very commencement of the 

 disease there is some discharge from the nose; at first of a mere watery 

 nature, but soon thickening, and containing flakes, some of which stick 

 to the membrane of the nose, and have been mistaken for ulcers. This 

 discharge, at no great distance of time, becomes mattery and offensive. 

 The glands likewise of the throat and under-jaw become enlarged, and the 

 membranes of the nostril and the throat are inflamed and tender, and there- 

 fore the food is " quidded," and there is difficulty even in swallowing water, 

 particularly if it be cold. The horse sips and slavers in the pail, and repeat- 

 edly coughs as he drinks. The cough is sometimes frequent and painful ; so 

 much so, that the horse repeatedly stamps with his feet, and shows signs of 

 impatience and suffering in the act of coughing. To these symptoms rapidly 

 succeeds very great weakness. The horse staggers, and sometimes almost 

 falls as he moves about his box ; or he supports himself by leaning his sides 

 or his quarters against the box. To the inexperienced observer this early 

 and excessive weakness will be very alarming, and he will give up the horse 

 as lost. The legs generally swell, and enlargements appear on the chest and 

 belly. These, however, are generally favourable. The pulse is quickened. 

 It rises to sixty or seventy, but the number of its beatings, and the cha- 

 racter of the pulse, wliich is seldom very hard, depend much on the degree 

 of fever whicli accompanies the disease. 



After a few da\s the cough becomes less frequent and painful; the glands 

 of the throat diminished ; the horse begins to eat a little green meat, and 

 is more cheerful. In some cases, however, the membrane of the nose 

 reddens, or streaks of red run through the lividness ; and the legs become 

 cold, and the countenance haggard, and inflammation of the lungs is at 

 hand. At other times the breath is offensive ; the discharge from the nose 

 bloody ; the evacuations loose, and slimy, and bloody ; and the animal is 



