INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 1S7 



On the other hand, a sudden and considerable change from 

 cold to heat may be followed by inflammation of the lungs 



Whether it is the consequence of previous disease of the respi- 

 ratory passages, or that inflammation first appears in the cellu- 

 lar texture of the lungs, pneumonia is usually ushered in by a 

 shivering fit. The horse is cold all over ; this, however, soon 

 passes ofi", and we have general warmth, or heat of the skin 

 above the usual temperature, but accompanied by coldness of 

 the extremities — intense deathy coldness. This is a perfectly 

 characteristic symptom. It will never deceive. It is an early 

 symptom. It is found when there is little or no constitutional 

 disturbance ; when the pulse is scarcely affected, and the flanks 

 heave not at all, but the horse is merely supposed to be dull and 

 off" his feed. It is that by which the progress of the disease may 

 be unhesitatingly marked, when many scarcely suspect its exist- 

 ence. 



The pulse is not always at first much increased in rapidity, 

 and but rarely or never hard ; but it is obscure, oppressed. 



It is only, how^ever, in the early insidious stage that the flanks 

 are occasionally quiet. If "the compressibility of the lungs is 

 diminished by the thickening of the membrane, or the engorge- 

 ment of the vessels, or the filling of the cells, it will be hardei 

 work to force the air out ; there must be a stronger effort, and 

 that pressure which camiot be accwnplished by one effort is at- 

 tempted over and^over again. The respiration is quickened — 

 laborious ; the inspiration is lengthened ; the expiration is rapid ; 

 and when, after aU, the lungs cannot be compressed by the usual 

 means, every muscle that can be brought to bear upon the part 

 is called into action. Hence the horse will not lie down, for he 

 can use the muscles of the spine and the shoulder with most ad- 

 vantage as he stands ; hence, too, the very peculiar stiffness of 

 position — ^the disinclination to move. The horse with decided 

 pneumonia caii scarcely be induced to move at all ; he cannot 

 spare for a moment the assistance which he derives from cer- 

 tain muscles, and he will continue obstinately to stand until he 

 falls exhausted or dying. How eagerly does the veterinarian 

 ask when he goes into the stable — " Was he down last night ?" 

 And he concludes that much progress has not been made to- 

 wards amendment in the case when the answer is in the nega- 

 tive. When the patient, wearied out, lies down, it is only for 

 a moment ; for if the inflammation is not subdued, he cannot dis- 

 pense with the auxiliary muscles. He frequently, and with 

 doleful expression, looks at his sides — at one side or at both, 

 accordingly as one or both are involved. There is not, however, 

 the decidedly haggard countenance of bronchitis ; and in bron- 

 chitis the horse rarely or never gazes at his flanks. His is a 



