PNEUMONIA. 353 



Generally, in these complaints, the horse refuses to lie down ; 

 the bowels are costive ; and the dung mixed with flakes of mucus, 

 the presence of which indicates irritation of the intestines, and, 

 therefore, the non-administration of aperients, which are irritants 

 to the bowels. The rate of breathing (ordinary rate when at rest, 

 12 or 13 per minute) is increased. 



" Respiration in the horse is more regular than in the other 

 animals, and an increase in rate of breathing, when the animal is 

 at rest, always indicates some derangement ; at the same time the 

 careful examiner, even in the case of the horse, pays more atten- 

 tion to the peculiarity of the respiratory action than to the fre- 

 quency of the act " {" The Field "). 



Pneumonia ilnfiammatioji of the LuJigs), 



This disease is usually defined as inflammation of the sub- 

 stance of the lungs. It is rarely, as before mentioned, seen in 

 an uncomplicated form. Pneumonia often follows congestion 

 of the lungs. In a regular attack, there are three stages, 

 namely, engorgement of blood, consolidation of the inflammatory 

 products in the lung tissue, and softening or breaking up of these 

 l^roducts. The accompanying fever may kill during the first stage ; 

 as it is then at its greatest intensity. The animal may die of 

 suffocation in the second stage, if a large amount of lung tissue 

 be involved. The attack may prove fatal in the third stage by 

 blood poisoning, owing to the absorption of diseased material 

 thrown out by the lungs. 



Dr. Andrew Smith (" Twentieth Century Practice of Medicine ") 

 brings forward strong proof that human pneumonia is not an 

 inflammation of the lung, but is simply a process of germ culture 

 in the air cells. 



SYMPTOMS. — Dulness and depression of spirits. High fever, 

 which is generally accompanied by shivering fits. Frequent pulse ; 

 often over 80 per minute. The breathing, which is of the chest 

 form, being chiefly performed by the ribs, soon becomes rapid 

 and " shallow," being sometimes over 50 per minute (normal rate, 

 at rest, about 12 or 13), but without marked pain, unless when 

 complicated by pleurisy. The nostrils are widely distended. Fried- 

 berger and Frohner state that the fever (as shown by an internal 

 temperature (p. 681) of from 105° to 106J° F.) lasts about six 

 days. The cough at first, if it be present, is full and strong, and 

 very unlike the suppressed, painful one of pleurisy. When con- 

 solidation of. the lung, however, takes place, the cough becomes 

 small, as if proceeding from a solid body. The mucous membranes 



23 



