BKONCHITLS. 355 



which are in close proximity to the inflamed pleurae. The nostrils 

 are dilated. There is usually a dry, short, painful cough present, 

 which is repressed by the animal, as much as possible, so as not 

 to shake the inflamed parts. Often, during expiration, the horse 

 gives a painful grunt, especially when he is made to move. The 

 pulse is generally hard and frequent, or it may be weak and 

 oppressed, and not much more frequent than usual. If the ear 

 be applied to the affected side, the dry crackling or friction sound 

 can be heard. 



The three characteristic signs by which pleurisy, in its acute 

 stage, may be recognised are : the peculiar friction sound heard 

 on applying the ear to the aftected side ; the short, dry, painful, 

 and suppressed cough ; and the abdominal breathing, made evident 

 by the existence of a groove on the lower part of the false ribs 

 and abdomen. This groove, as we may see in Fig. 142, is directed 

 slightly upwards in its backward course. 



In the second stage, the fever abates and the pain decreases. 

 If there has been a large eft'usion of serous fluid (causing hydro- 

 thorax or dropsy of the chest), the breathing becomes accelerated, 

 owing to the mechanical impediment offered by the fluid to the 

 expansion of the lungs; " the pulse small, quick, soft, often inter- 

 mittent; auscultation reveals absence of sound in the inferior 

 part of the chest, or a sound resembling that of drops of water 

 falling into a well " {Williams). Auscultation is the act of ob- 

 serving the sounds given by the chest, on applying the ear to the 

 side. Dulness of the lower joortion of a chest which contains serous 

 fluid, may be observed on tapping the part with the tips of the 

 fingers. 



Bronchitis 



is inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The lymph thrown out on 

 the surface of the air passages may become organised, and may, 

 consequently, cause obstruction to the air that is breathed, as may 

 be indicated by the animal " making a noise," or by his becoming 

 thick-winded. Infiltration may also take place into the substance 

 of the lungs, causing the implicated part to become solidified, and, 

 consequently, to lose its function. 



SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS.— The breathing is very 

 hurried but not painful, unless complicated by pleurisy. High tem- 

 perature, which, as a rule, does not last beyond the third day. 

 Frequent pulse. The lining membrane of the nostrils and eyelids 

 is of a dark red colour, which may have a puiple tinge from de- 

 ficient oxidisation of the blood. The animal is dull and listless. 



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