DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 75 



cases, the dryness of the pleura is relieved by an effusion of serum from 

 the overloaded vessels. The occurrence of the moist stage has not in 

 itself either a favorable or an unfavorable significance. It is merely the 

 course through which every inflammatory attack passes which does not 

 at once end in resolution. At this, the second or moist stage, the friction 

 sound, noted above as characteristic of the disease in its first stage, dis- 

 appears, and the cough becomes loose and moist, and the extremities for 

 a time become warm. The pulse becomes less frequent, smaller and 

 weaker, the breathing less labored, and the membrane of the nostril loses 

 its redness. 



In from about twenty- four to forty-eight hours after the occurrence 

 of the moist stage, we may look for a decided change either for better or 

 for worse. 



Subsidence of the attack will be indicated by the breathing becoming 

 less hurried, by the pulse becoming softer and more distinct, and the cough 

 less frequent, and by the extremities con inuing warm. As in most acute 

 diseases, recovery, when a favorable change once takes place, is tolerably 

 rapid. 



On the other hand, persistence of the attack is indicated by the ex- 

 tremities, which had, on the occurrence of the moist stage, become warm, 

 again becoming and continuing cold; by a deep, scarlet color of the mem- 

 brane of the nose; by a discharge of straw-colored serum from the nos- 

 trils; by a thready, wiry pulse, and by a rapid increase in the effusion of 

 serum, otherwise called water on the chest, or hydrothorax; or in exuda- 

 tion of lymph, causing in some cases extensive adhesion of the pleura of 

 the lungs to the pleura of the ribs, or very frequently in both. 



As in pneumonia, it is necessary to caution the inexperienced against 

 mistaking the earlier symptoms of either of these results for those of sub- 

 sidence of the attack. 



Treatment. — Stop all work at once; place the horse in a warm, light, 

 well-ventilated loose box, taking care that cold air does not blow upon 

 him; clothe the animal and bandage its legs sufficiently to keep it warm, 

 but not too hot. Do not attempb to cut short the fever; both it and tlie 

 attack must run their course, and the effort must be to alleviate them 

 and assist nature to a favorable issue. If the fever be slight, the disease 

 itself will run its course lightly, but if the fever be severe, the local in- 

 flammation will be likely to prove proportionately grave. 



