368 DISEASES OF BREATHINO. 



breathing, " the inspiration being particularly prolonged, and 

 attended by a peculiar harsh sound, succeeded by a short expira- 

 tory movement" (Williams). This sound can be heard on apply- 

 ing the ear to the part. There is swelling of the throat under 

 the jaws, and tenderness on pressure at this point. There is a 

 strong, hoarse cough, the strength of which indicates that the 

 expulsion of air from the lungs is made with ease ; and the fact of 

 the horse shaking his head from pain, after coughing, shows that 

 its performance hurts him by reason of the air passing over the 

 inflamed membrane. The cough at first comes on in paroxysms, 

 which are readily induced by excitement, imtation, or movement. 

 Breathing hurried. Lining membrane of the nostrils and eyelids 

 red, and filled with blood. Nose poked out. Anxious and dis- 

 tressed expression of face. Eyes prominent. Considerable diffi- 

 culty in swallowing; food and water being often returned through 

 the nostrils. Discharge from the nose, and flow of tears from 

 the eyes. The larynx is always more or less painful to the touch. 

 In bad cases, cold sweats break out over the body. " The pulse, 

 which may at first be hard and full, soon becomes rapid and in- 

 distinct, fulness generally remaining; the visible mucous mem- 

 branes now assume a livid appearance from non-oxidation of blood ; 

 prostration of strength becomes extreme; the animal staggers, 

 finally falls, and dies after a few struggles " (Williams). 



Although in simple pharyngitis there is great difficulty in 

 swallowing, and thick saliva is continually discharged from the 

 mouth, the patient suffers but little from constitutional dis- 

 turbance. 



PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT.— In this disease, the vessels that lie 

 underneath the mucous membrane become distended with blood, which pours 

 out a portion of its watery fluid into the substance of the mucous membrane, 

 causing it to become soft and enlarged, and to discharge from its surface 

 quantities of phlegm (mucus). These three conditions — congestion of the 

 underlying blood-vessels, distension of the mucous membrane, and the 

 presence of phlegm — cause distress in breathing, and more or less danger of 

 suffocation by reason of the blocking up of the windpipe at this part. Hence, 

 the rational treatment is: (1) to relieve the congestion of the blood-vessels; 

 and (2) to facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. With the latter object in view, 

 we cause the animal to inhale steam, either plain, or from water in which 

 oil of turpentine or eucalyptus oil has been mixed. With the former, we 

 stimulate the skin underneath the throat, hand-rub the legs, and clothe 

 warmly, so as to draw the blood away from the inflamed part. We give 

 belladonna to relieve the congestion of the blood-vessels so as to check the 

 escape, into the tissues, of watery fluid from the blood. We prescribe nitre 

 in order to stimulate the kidneys to remove Avas;te matters from the system 

 along with the urine, and to maintain the fluidity of the blood, which nitre 

 and certain other salts seem to have the power of doing, so as to facilitate 

 the passage of the blood from the seat of inflammation. And, acting accord- 

 ing to similar principles, we supply the animal with green meat and laxative 

 food, not forgetting to support his vital powers after the virulence of the 

 attack haa somewhat abated. 



