DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY APPARATUS 105 



3. The inhalation method (steam, medicinal solutions, powders, 

 gas) has for its purpose the local treatment of the diseased respi- 

 ratory mucous membrane. It has fallen into disuse because recent 

 experiments have shown that vapors, when inhaled with the usual 

 inhalation apparatus, do not reach the alveoli of the lungs but are 

 held back by the nasal septum, the posterior wall of the throat, 

 the epiglottis and the vocal cords. With the very complicated 

 respiratory apparatuses (Bulling's, Siegle^s, Wassmuth's and 

 Schenk's) used in human medicine, by which the medicament is 

 divided into a very fine spray, the vapor only reaches the alveoli 

 when it is aspirated through the mouth and does not arrive in that 

 part of the respiratory tract when inhaled through the nose. On 

 account of their complicated structure and cost, these apparatuses 

 are of no practical value in veterinary medicine. Inhalations of 

 oxygen (contagious pneumonia of horses) have not proven of 

 value in the treatment of animals. Chloroform and ether are 

 given by inhalation for their general effects. 



4. The hydropathic method and the method of cutaneous irri- 

 tation are very effective in different ways. The stimulant effect 

 upon the cutaneous respiration, the reflex stimulant action upon 

 the respiratory centre, the derivative effect upon pulmonary 

 inflammation and pleuritis, and the anodyne action (cough) and 

 antipyretic effect of the Priessnitz dressing and rubefacients or 

 vesicants (oil of mustard in alcohol applied to the chest walls) 

 are especially worthy of mention. 



5. The operative method includes phlebotomy (pulmonary 

 congestion), tracheotomy (inspiratory dyspnoea in consequence of 

 nasal, pharyngeal and laryngeal stenosis), thoracocentesis (hydro- 

 thorax, empyema) and extirpation and cauterization of neoplasms 

 in the nasal cavities and larnyx. 



6. The prophylactic method aims to prevent diseases of the 

 respiratory organs by increasing the resistance of the skin and 

 respiratory mucous membranes to the influence of cold, which in 

 many cases is the single cause of the disease (exercise and work, 

 accustoming to cold temperatures, pasturing). With horses, it is 

 especially important to avoid decreasing the resistance of the skin 



