46 



SORE THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 



We have incidentally, in treating of the several fevers and of common cold^ 

 alluded to sore throat or inflammation of the upper portion of the windpipe, 

 or larynx, as this part is termed, and we have occasionally spoken of 

 bronchitis. We have now to consider these inflammations separately, their 

 varities, causes, symptoms, and treatment. 



There are two chief forms of laryngitis or sore throat in the horse, the 

 acute catarrhal and the cedematous variety. The first is the simpler form^ 

 and is dependent upon the same causes as common catarrh or cold, of which^ 

 indeed, it is usually one of the earliest and most prominent symptoms. 

 There is pain and difficulty in swallowing, and the throat shows signs of 

 great tenderness when handled. Usually there is cough, at first hard and 

 sonorous, but afterwards becoming less resonant. Between the branches of 

 the lower jaw there is swelling, and this may sometimes occur over the side 

 of the face also. Discharge from the nose may or may not occur, although 

 it is a constant symptom when catarrh is also present. Symptoms of fever 

 are more pronounced than they are in simple catarrh. The appetite is- 

 diminished or lost, the temperature rises, and the pulse is accelerated. In 

 the second or oedematous form, the symptoms are more aggravated and 

 dangerous. This disease may succeed what at first appeared as an ordinary 

 case of the catarrhal form, or it may begin suddenly and run a ver)' rapid 

 course. It has also been met with as the result of inhalation of poisonous 

 acrid vapours and hot air. In these cases sometimes the swelling and the 

 effusion into the structures of the throat become very considerable, and the 

 breathing very much disturbed. The pulse is quickened, the temperature 

 rises, and the membrane lining the nose becomes of a purplish hue, owing 

 to deficient aeration of the blood. The nose is protruded, the upper air 

 passages being thus made to approach as near as possible a horizontal line. 

 When the swelling of the inner laryngeal structures becomes very great^ 

 the respiration is suddenly difficult, and the inspiratory action is especially 

 prolonged, and accompanied with a peculiar harsh sound, succeeded by a 

 short expiration. The nostrils are then dilated to their full extent, the face 

 has an anxious expression, and there is great distress. The extremities are 

 cold and sweats bedew the body ; the animal stamps with his feet, and his 

 distress still increases ; the visible membranes, such as that lining the nose 

 become more livid, prostration ensues, and the horse, unless relieved, soon 

 succumbs. A short time ago, the writer had under his charge, a valuable 

 hunter with this severe form of sore throat, and the animal would have soon 

 succumbed, had vigorous measures not been forthwith adopted. 



In severe cases of sore throat, the treatment should be as prompt as 

 possible. The animal should be placed in a large airy loose box, and in no 

 case confined in a small stuffy stable, as his chances of recovery will be 

 greatly lessened unless he have a good supply of pure, fresh air. Inhalations 

 of hot water vapour, medicated by the addition of carbolic acid, are of great 

 value in all forms of acute sore throat, and often greatly relie/e the difficulty 



