CATARRH AND BRONCHITIS. 569 



If there be any hacking cough the neck may be fomented or rubbed frequently with a stimulating 

 liniment ; the dog's muzzle and brow may also be fomented. Repeat the Mindereru;? spirit the 

 second and third nights, and if there be much constipation repeat the oil ; but too much 

 opening medicine is weakening. Do not confine the dog to the house, but let him have 

 exercise and good wholesome food. 



Ladies' pets may be made to inhale steam, or the vapour of iodine, if there be much 

 running at the nose. If ozcena, or an offensive running, takes place, syringing will be 

 required with warm water and a little Condy's Fluid or chloride of zinc. 



The food ought for the first two or three days to be rather less in quantity and of a more 

 stimulating quality. 



This simple treatment, if persevered in, cannot fail to have the desired effect. 



2. Bronchitis. 



Bronchitis, or inflammation of the lining membrane of the bronchial tubes, may take place 

 from an extension downwards to the mucous membrane of the lungs of a common catarrh, or 

 it may come on as a distinct disease. 



Sometimes only the larger bronchi are involved, sometimes the smaller ; and often both. The 

 disease is very common in the human being, less so in the horse ; but, unfortunately, it is far from 

 rare either in the dog or cat. It is a dangerous disorder in both the latter animals ; and what 

 makes it all the more so is that it is generally either neglected entirely, or unskilfully treated. 



Four different kinds of bronchitis really are known, namely : I, the acute ; 2, the chronic ; 

 3, the symptomatic, when it is associated with some other disease ; and 4, the mechanical. It 

 will be sufficient, however, to give a short description of the two first-named only. 



Pathology. There is at first a congested and dry condition of the mucous membrane of 

 the bronchi, and consequent narrowing of their calibres, afterwards the moist stage sets in 

 with increased secretion of mucous and muco-purulent matter. 



Causes. The same causes that produce a catarrh will produce bronchitis, which in ordinary 

 parlance is simply a severe cold with cough. 



Symptoms. There is always more or less of fever, with fits of shivering and thirst, accom- 

 panied with dulness, a tired appearance, and loss of appetite. It will not be long before our 

 attention is called to the state of the lungs. The breath is short, that is, the breathing is 

 quickened, and the inspirations are evidently painful, and the breathing may be heard the 

 sound is called " the rhonchus," and is caused by the air passing through the dry or roughened 

 pipes when the first stage is past, and the secretion of mucus increased, this dry rhonchus is 

 succeeded by moister sounds. 



The most prominent symptom perhaps is the frequent cough. It is at first dry, ringing 

 and evidently painful ; in a few days, however, or sooner, it softens, as we might say, and there 

 is a discharge of frothy mucus with it, and, in the latter stages, of pus and ropy mucus. This 

 is often swallowed by the dog ; and when a good deal of it is ejected it gives the animal 

 great relief. Often the cough is most distressing, and there may be fits of shortness of breath. 

 As additional symptoms we have a hot, dry mouth, and very probably constipation and high- 

 coloured urine. Sometimes one of the bronchial tubes during the progress of the disease gets 

 completely plugged by a piece of lymph or phlegm. The portion of lung thus cut off from 

 all communication with the air gets collapsed, and finally condensed. 



Diagnosis. The peculiar character of the cough, the painful inspirations, the fever, and the 

 physical signs, must guide us in our diagnosis. 

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