THE HORSE—THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 105 
cold, then a sudden, complete failure of appetite; pulse feeble, but steadily 
rising; mucous membrane of the nostrils very red; the cough grows feeble, 
hoarse, prolonged, or may be entirely stopped, usually attended with slob- 
bering, repeated attempts to swallow, and other signs of sore throat; nasal 
membrane, at first dry and red, becomes moistened with watery or thin, 
yellow secretion; perhaps a thick mucous discharge with pus from nostrils; 
temperature of some legs lower than that of the others; breathing difficult 
and rapid, being thirty or more; later, phlegm accu- 
mulates, causing continuous coughing; the dry, 
harsh sound is soon succeeded by a gurgling, caused 
by secretion of mucus, called the “mucus rale”; 
in some parts wheezing, 
In extreme cases the nasal discharge is entirely 
stopped; the lining membrane of the nostrils is very 
red, or purplish, dry and swollen; cough stops, or 
recurs constantly without giving relief; if the lungs 
are involved, there are loud bronchial breathing 
and diminished murmur in breathing, and if the 
latter wholly ceases a crackling sound is heard, 
attended by cold extremities and deep breathing; 
complete loathing of food; weaker, quicker, nearly 
imperceptible pulse; deeper breathing, followed by 
quicker, so that the horse cannot lie down, but 
stands with extended legs; in the absence of relief the animal dies from 
A STEAMING-BaG- 
suffocation in eight or ten days from the beginning of the disorder. If in- 
flammation declines, the nostrils give a free discharge; the pulse and 
breathing become slower; the horse lies down; and only a soft cough and 
weakness remain, which are soon cured. 
In moderate cases the nasal discharge is free; the cough distressing 
‘ but loose, with free discharge from the bronchial tubes; pulse fifty to 
seventy; breathing not much increased, but disturbed; loss of appetite not 
complete. Though not so dangerous as the extreme cases, this form may 
result in a change of structure, or destruction of the bronchial tubes, caus- 
ing thick wind. Acute bronchitis sometimes terminates in a chronic form, 
the discharge and cough continuing, without inflammation. In many cases 
it is complicated with inflammation of the lungs. 
TREATMENT.—Aconite should be given for the first symptoms of 
feverishness; hot, dry mouth and skin; quick, full pulse; short, dry cough; 
difficult breathing; great thirst; red nasal membrane and suspension of its 
normal secretion. Itis generally best to alternate aconite with bryonia. 
Give bryonia when the /arge air-passages are principally affected, the 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
