117 



a uniform manner. While one portion is only congested another part 

 may be undergoing disintegration, while still another part may be 

 involved in the exudative stage. 



The usual termination of iineumonia is in resolution, that is, a res- 

 toration to health. This is gradually brought about by the exuded 

 material contained in the air-cells and lung tissues becoming degen- 

 erated into fatty and a mucus-like substance which are removed by 

 absorption. The blood vessels return to their natural state and the 

 blood circulates iu them as before. Much material, the result of the 

 inflammatory process, is also gotten rid of by expectoration, or rather 

 (in the horse) by discharge from the nostrils. In the cases that do 

 not terminate so happily the lung may become gangrenous (or mor- 

 tified), or an abscess may form, or the disease may be merged into 

 the chronic variety. 



Pneumonia may be directly induced by any of the influences named 

 as general causes for diseases of the organs of respiration, but in 

 many instances it is due to either willful neglect or ignorance. A 

 common cold or sore throat may run into a fatal case of pneumonia if 

 neglected or improperly treated. An animal may be debilitated by a 

 cold, and when iu this weakened state may be compelled to undergo 

 exertion beyond his strength ; or he may be kept in bad quarters, such 

 as a badly ventilated stable, where the foul gases are shut in and the 

 pure air is shut out; or the stable may be so open that i)art8 of the 

 body are exposed to draughts of cold air. Either of the foregoing 

 causes may induce congestion of the lungs in an animal predisposed to 

 it on account of having already a disease of the respiratory organs. 

 The congestion is soon followed by the other stages of inflammation, 

 and a case of pneumonia is established with a tendency to a fatal ter- 

 mination, as it is altogether likely the animal will be so much reduced 

 iu constitution as to be unable to fight off a collapse. An animal is 

 predisposed to pneumonia when debilitated by any constitutional dis- 

 ease, and especially during convalescence if exposed to any of the ex- 

 citing causes. Foreign bodies, such as food, accidentally getting in 

 the lungs by way of the windpipe, as well as the inhalation of irritating 

 gases and smoke, ofttimes produce fatal attacks of inflammation of the 

 lung and bronchial tubes. Pneumonia is frequently seen in connection 

 with other diseases, such as influenza, purpura hemorrhagica, strangles, 

 glanders, etc. An abnormal state of the blood predisposes to it. 

 Pneumonia and pleurisy are most common during cold, damp weather, 

 and especially during the prevalence of the cold north and northeast- 

 erly winds. Wounds puncturing the thoracic cavity may induce it. 



Symptoms. — Pneumonia, when a primary disease, is ushered in by a 

 chill, more or less prolonged, which in most cases is seen neither by the 

 owner nor the attendant, but is overlooked. The breathing becomes 

 accelerated, and the animal hangs its head and has a very dull appear- 

 ance. The mouth is hot and has a sticky feeling to the touch; the heat 

 conveyed to the finger iu the mouth demonstrates a fever; if the ther- 



