65 



given at improper times, or in the wrong stage of the disease ; 

 or, to say the least, the chances of their recovery were sadly 

 interfered with. We have said already that there are two 

 stages of disease (or pathological conditions) in pneumonia, 

 namely, the congestive, in which the serum of the blood has 

 not transuded into the lung-tissue proper; and the state of 

 exudation, in which it has infiltrated and solidified in the 

 air cells. The indications for remedies in both these cases 

 are quite different. How long does it take for congestion to 

 pass into transudation.? This is a vital point, and not easy 

 to answer. It depends a good deal on the state of the blood 

 and the degree of the inflammation. The time occupied in 

 this mischief may extend from a few hours to a couple of 

 days. As a general rule, veterinary surgeons do not see 

 their patients in this first stage, through the carelessness or 

 indifference of owners of horses ; they will allow their grooms 

 or coachmen to diagnose and tinker with the disease sooner 

 than lose a few dollars for their services. Thus the most 

 hopeful state of the patient is allowed to pass, and perhaps 

 the case aggravated by improper nostrums administered by 

 the stableman, or somebody else not much his superior in 

 knowledge of the business. That great man, the veterinary 

 surgeon, is supposed to be able to work miracles in these 

 cases, and if he does not he is good for nothing in the esti- 

 mation of the denizens of the stable. There are, however, 

 ,5ome odd cases in which we meet a patient in this first stage, 

 and it is well to know how to treat it successfully. This 

 may be done by powerful sedatives, such as aconite, or, more 

 powerful still, namely, blood-letting. This latter is indi- 

 cated — 



fWhen the animal is young and in good 



^ ,• I condition. 



Congestive ! ..., ^i j- • • . 



° -^ When the disease is just commencing. 



° I When the fever runs very high. 



(^ When the pulse is strong, firm or oppressed. 



Do not hesitate to take three or four quarts of blood from 

 the patient under these circumstances, no matter what the 



