NOXCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EESPIEATIOX OEGANS. 93 



ings, or exposure to cold stomis. It may also arise from inhaling 

 irritating gases. It may be the result of external violence. In an 

 acute attack of laryngitis there is an elevation of temperature, pain 

 on pressure over the region of the larynx, violent paroxysms of cough- 

 ing, difficult and noisy respiration. The nostrils are dilated, the nose 

 extended, and the animal has a frightened expression. There is 

 marked difficulty in swallowing. 



Treatment. — This consists of fomentations and hot applications 

 over the throat. Stimulating liniments, mustard mixed with cold 

 water and well rubbed in with a stiff brush, 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 so far as possible 

 in the form of electuaries {soft solid) on account of the difficulty of 

 deglutition. Large drafts of medicines have a tendency to produce 

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

 subjoined formula for an electuary will be found to answer the pur- 

 pose in ordinary cases : Chlorate of potassium, pulverized, 8 ounces ; 

 fluid extract of belladonna, 2 ounces; powdered opium. 1 ounce; pow- 

 dered licorice root, 8 ounces; sirup, sufficient quantity; mix. At 

 frequent intervals place a small tablespoonful of the mixture on the 

 tongue or back teeth. 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 ho\irs. 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 

 performed without delay. The details of the operation are fully 

 described under the head of " Surgical operations." (See. p. 302.) 



TSIien the disease assumes a chronic form strong counterirritation 

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

 ointment may be used: Biniodid of mercury 1 part, lard 6 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 

 bronchial tubes. When a primary disease it is generally the result 

 of what is commonly known as " catching cold." It may be sec- 

 ondary to or complicated with many of the diseases of the respiratory 

 system. It may also be caused by breathing irritating gases; or by 

 the introduction of foreign bodies into the bronchial tubes, which 

 sometimes results from injudicious and careless drenching when the 



