. • PLEURISY. 271 



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PLEURISY. 



While disease of the substance of the lungs usually takes on the 

 form of bronchitis in cattle, these ajiimals are nevertheless subject to 

 inflammation of the pleura; or covering membrane of the lung, and 

 the lining one of the chest. ' Of the exciting causes of pneumonia, the 

 most frequent and active, i'S the exposure to partial cold. The ox, 

 after hard work, and the cow, too soon after parturition, have nothing 

 but the cold, damp ground to lie upon. Even in his stable, the ox is 

 too much neglected ; sleeping on dung midergoing fermentation. 

 The evaporation and the diffusion of pestilential gas are in great 

 activity. Nothing can be more likely to cause inflammation of the 

 lining membrane of the chest. ': 



Pleurisy may be produced fey conttisions on the side, and by wounds 

 penetrating the thoracic cavity : to these evils the ox, among his 

 horned brethren, is much exposed. . 



Post-mortem examination proves that, next to bronchitis, the most 

 frequent disease of the chest is pleurisy. 



Among the symptoms by which we may distinguish pleurisy from 

 every other inflammatoiy affection of the chest, is the greater fre- 

 quency of universal shivering, and particularly of shivering or trem- 

 bling of the shoulders. This is a very peculiar symptom, and should 

 be carefully studied. Even while the animal is otherwise quiet, the 

 shoulders and upper part of the chest are trembling violently. 



The cough of pleurisy is lower, shorter, and more painful than that 

 of most other chest affections. The^bi-eathing, seldom so laborious 

 as in some other cases, is shorter and broken off in the act of inspira- 

 tion, and lengthened in that of expiration. The sides are tender ; the 

 animal shrinks if they be but lightly touched ; and thert are twitch- 

 ings of the skin, and a very curious succession of wavy lines running 

 over the affected side or sides. 



The termination of pleurisy is by the' effusion of fluid into the chest, 

 compressing the lungs on every side, gradually rendering respiration 

 difficult, and at length impossible, and' destroying the beast by suffo- 

 cation. 



There is httle difference in the treatment of pneumonia and pleurisy. 

 In both, the inflammation must be subdued by bleeding, physic, seda- 

 tives, blisters, setons, and restricted tiiet. Half an ounce of the 

 common liquid turpentine may be used with advantage, instead of 

 the nitre, when the presence of pleurisy" is clearly ascertained. 



No advantage has been taken of an ort)eration on the pleuritic ox by 

 which the fluid might be withdrawn ..'from the ehest. It may be 

 worth the attempt. 



There are generally adhesions between the covermg of the lung 

 and the lining of the sides ; and betwe^ the lung and the diaphragm, 

 which would always interfere materially with the act of respiration 



