DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 225 



The pulse is usually rapid, and disturbance of the 

 pulse-respiration ratio is apt to occur. Instead of the 

 normal four to one, it may be two to one, or less. 



The temperature may reach 104 to 106 Fahr., with 

 other indications of fever. 



In pneumonia too much reliance must not be placed on 

 physical signs, as there may be very grave disease without 

 the former being at all well pronounced. 



But prostration, a weak, irregular, very slow or very 

 rapid cardiac action, or greatly disturbed pulse-respiration 

 ratio, are indications calling for a cautious prognosis and 

 the most watchful treatment, especially if with these there 

 be much dyspnoea or cyanosis (blueness of mucous mem- 

 branes, etc.), indicating that the blood is being very poorly 

 ventilated. 



Less frequently than in man does the dog cough up 

 the characteristic rusty sputum i. e., mucus, etc. with 

 blood enough to color it. When this is seen, the diagnosis 

 of pneumonia is clear. 



Diagnosis. The altered respiration, the position of 

 the animal, the dullness on percussion, etc., usually suffice 

 to establish the diagnosis in lobar pneumonia, by far the 

 commonest form as a primary disease. 



The patchy or lobular form is more difficult to make 

 out; but if there be limited areas of dullness, or more 

 diffuse but ill-defined dullness on percussion appearing 

 during an attack of bronchitis or other disease, this form 

 of pneumonia is to be suspected. 



Treatment. The greatest difference of opinion pre- 

 vails on this subject both as regards human and veterinary 

 practice, some even maintaining that when no treatment 



