499 



respiration became almost normal and the tabular murmur had dis- 

 appeared. 1 have seen no fatal termination from this spasm of the 

 pneumo-gastric, but can readily believe that traumatisms resulting from 

 such attacks might prove fatal, or that the spasm might continue long 

 enough to produce asphyxia. The fatal complication is pleurisy. This 

 occurs when the horse has been kept at work after the development of 

 the disease while suffering from a high fever, and is probably in no way 

 specific, but the result of work on an animal with high temperature. 

 The additional symptoms are those of an ordinary pleurisy. 



Diagnosis. — The diagnosis is based upon the elevation of the tempera- 

 ture without corresponding acceleration of the pulse and of the respira- 

 tions ; upon the retention of appetite and spinal reflex, with the great 

 irritability of temper in the presence of a high temperature, and upon 

 the spasmodic cough and auscultatory sounds of bronchitis with but 

 trifling discharge. 



The diagnosis is made from cedematous pneumonia by the absence of 

 the yellow colorations, the absence of pneumonia, and the less continu- 

 ous high temperature ; from influenza by the absence of oedema, of the 

 ochre coloration, and of the typhoid symptoms ; from strangles by want 

 of enlargement of the lymphatics, absence of purulent discharge and ab- 

 scesses ; from variola by the nonappearance of pustules and enlarged 

 lymphatics; from simi)le bronchitis, as the latter is sporadic, and in it 

 great fever is accompanied by profuse discharge; from rheumatic pleu- 

 risy and pleurodynia, by the history in these of repeated attacks and 

 great temporary pain ; from surgical fever by the absence of cause. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis is usually favorable. This disease entails 

 only the loss of ten days to three weeks' use of the animal, and leaves 

 the subject with no complicating sequence. In some cases I have seen 

 the irritable disposition remain for a length of time, but in every case 

 it has finally disappeared. As I have suggested, violent spasms might 

 prove fatal. Pleurisy would render the prognosis serious, as the same 

 disease would when occurring from simple causes. 



Treatment. — The treatment of a stable should be at once prophylactic. 

 Tlie infected animals should be removed, and complete disinfection of 

 the stalls and area should be made. The individual treatment is sim- 

 ple. The hygienic measures of cleanliness, fresh air without drafts, 

 frequent rubbing and tempting food should be thorough. The diges- 

 tive tract is to be regulated by small doses of bicarbonate of soda, 

 sulphate of soda, gentian and tannic acid. The appetite is to be stimu- 

 lated by drinks of cold breakfast tea and cow's milk. Antispasmodics 

 are to be used when the cough is excessive. The best of these are 

 camphor, belladonna, stramonium, and steaming with turx)entiue. (Tur- 

 pentine 1 ounce, water half bucket.) External frictions of alcohol and 

 turpentine, with hot packs to the loins, will also afford relief. Quinine 

 and salicylic acid may be used during the elevation of temperature. 

 Professor Dieckerhofif recommends tracheal injections in ounce doses of 



