NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION. 105 



Treatment. This consists of fomentations and hot applications over 

 the throat. Stimulating liniments, mustard, or other forms of counter 

 irritation, may be applied in severe cases. Hot inhalations should be 

 frequently resorted to, and often afford much relief to the suffering 

 animal. In this disease medicines should be given as far as possible in 

 the form of electuaries (soft solid), on account of the difficulty of degluti- 

 tion. Large drafts of medicines have a tendency to produce violent 

 spells of coughing, and in this way retard recovery. The subjoined 

 formula for an fleet unry will be found to answer the purpose in ordinary 

 cases: Chlorate of potassium, pulverized, 8 ounces; fluid extract of 

 belladonna, 2 ounces; powdered opium, 1 ounce; powdered licorice 

 root, 8 ounces; sirup, sufficient quantity, and mix. At frequent inter- 

 vals place a small tablespoonful of the mixture on the tongue or back 

 t -eth. Or the following may be used instead: 



Aloes, powdered opium, and gum camphor in equal parts. Mix. 

 Rub an ounce on the molar teeth every four or five hours. The bowels 

 should be kept open and the diet should be such as the patient can 

 easily swallow. Warm sloppy mashes, boiled oatmeal gruel, linseed 

 tea, and the like, are the most suitable substances. If suffocation be 

 threatened during the course of the disease tracheotomy should be per- 

 formed without delay. The details of the operation are fully described 

 in the chapter on Surgical Operations. (See p. 308.) 



When the disease assumes a chronic form strong counter irritation 

 is indieated. A cantharides blister may be .applied, or the following 

 ointment may be used: Biniodide of mercury, 1 part; lard, C parts. 

 .Mix. In some cases it will be found necessary to repeat the above 

 application. 



BRONCHITIS. 



Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bron- 

 chial tubes. When a primary disease it is generally the result of what 

 is commonly know as " catching cold." It may be secondary to or 

 complicated with many of the diseases of the respiratory system. It 

 also be caused by breathing irritating gases, or by the introduc- 

 tiin of foreign bodies into the bronchial tubes, which sometimes result 

 I'm m injudicious and careless drenching when the larynx is in a tem- 

 IHM ,,i ily relaxed state. It may be acute or chronic, and is divided ac- 

 cording to the seat of the inflammation into bronchitis proper, where 

 the large tubes are affected, or capillary bronchitis, where the smaller 

 tu lies are affected. 



^Hinptonm. Loss of appetite, elevation of temperature, generally 104 

 or 105 F. The inspiration is incomplete, short, and painful, and the 

 expiration is prolonged. The pulse is increased in frequency, and is 

 hard. A characteristic ami painful cough is present, but it is paroxys- 

 mal and incomplete. Auscultation and percussion greatly aid us in a 

 A normal sound is observed on percussion. On auseulta 



