CHAPTER I. 



Diseases Common to the Respiratory 

 Organs 



ACUTE NASAL CATARRH 

 (Rhinitis, Acute Coryza). 



An acute catarrh of the air passages of the head. It may occur 

 as a primary affection or may be secondary to another disease. 



The common predisposing cause is cold. Catarrh is most fre- 

 quent during the changeable weather of the late fall and early 

 spring. The exciting cause is undoubtedly infection. 



Nearly all of the diseases of the respiratory tract are accom- 

 panied by catarrh, as are specific infectious diseases, such as 

 strangles, influenza, hog-cholera, glanders. 



SYMPTOMS 



The general condition of the patient is usually somewhat dis- 

 turbed ; it seems stupid, languid, and shows slight fever. The mu- 

 cous membrane of the nose is swollen and reddened and at first 

 drier than normal ; later an irritant, watery discharge appears, 

 which in a day or two becomes turbid and more profuse. In the 

 earlier stages the patient sneezes frequently and rubs its nose 

 against objects. The nasal discharge dries and forms crusts at the 

 openings of the nostrils. In exceptional cases small, round, super- 

 ficial erosions are noted on the mucous membrane, which usually 

 heal in a few days. In severe cases there is conjunctivitis present. 

 If the larynx is involved there is cough ; if the pharynx, difficulty 

 in swallowing. The submaxillary lymph glands in the horse are 

 slightly swollen. 



The course is usually rapid and the termination favorable. The 

 condition in ordinary cases disappears in seven to ten days. 



TREATMENT 



The acute catarrh seldom requires treatment. Protecting the 

 patient from draughts and dust is all that is necessary in the aver- 



