52 KENNEL DISEASES. 
During the first twenty-four hours the symptoms of acute pleurisy and those 
of pneumonia, in the majority of cases, bear some resemblance. But there is 
seldom high fever in the former, and the thermometer rarely shows a higher 
degree than 102°. Moreover, it usually falls to near the normal the second or 
third day of the attack; whereas in the latter, even in mild cases, the tempera- 
ture generally ranges from 104° to 105°, and continues high for nearly a week, 
or more. 
Acute pleurisy alone is likely to endanger life only where the amount of effu- 
sion is very great or the general health was poor at the time of the attack. 
As stated, a large effusion threatens suffocation, but such rarely forms unless 
the fluid becomes pus; while empyema is seldom encountered even by the most 
experienced. 
Acute pleurisy sometimes becomes chronic, but that result is not at all likely 
if the victim is fairly strong and under good hygienic conditions. 
Very evidently the effusion of fluid is conservative ; for did it not occur, the 
inflammation in the pleura would not only persist for a long time but be inten- 
sified by the surfaces rubbing together, and the pain and danger of life be corre- 
spondingly greater. And even were recovery to take place, — which is doubtful, — 
the opposing sides of the affected membrane would grow together, as it were, 
and the lung be considerably crippled ; while the affected side of the chest would 
be more or less retracted or sunken in. 
In some cases the inflamed pleural surfaces become somewhat adherent to 
each other, but seldom if ever, excepting here and there by occasional bands or 
attachments, which merely limit somewhat the lung’s expansion. 
Since this disease is so very uncommon, it is not advisable to dwell long on 
treatment. Ifa diagnosis is possible, to apply dry, hot flannels to the affected side, 
restrict the diet to liquids, and keep the patient in a comfortably warm, well-ven- 
tilated room, is about all that will be required in most cases. If an effusion of 
considerable quantity occurs, it will generally disappear under careful nursing ; 
or should it not do so, it will be necessary to tap the chest and evacuate the 
fluid — an operation which must be intrusted to skilled hands only. 
In every case in which it is impossible to determine whether the patient is 
affected with pleurisy or pneumonia, it should be assumed that he has the latter, 
and he be treated accordingly until the fact is evident that a mistake has been 
made. Observing this rule, if one is at fault no harm can result; while to 
delay the proper treatment in the severer malady, or apply to it the measures 
suitable for the milder, would be serious indeed, and the chances of the victim 
greatly lessened thereby. 
