ABSCESS OF THE LUNG 47 



Symptoms. — ^The most characteristic symptom is fetid 

 expirium.i There is nasal discharge of a muddy reddish- 

 brown or greenish color. The discharge, which is more 

 copious after coughing, has a fetid odor. It contains bits 

 of dead lung tissue, fat crystals, pigment, and innumer- 

 able microorganisms. Under the microscope elastic fibers 

 are seen. The respirations are dyspneic especially in the 

 latter stages (toxemia). Fever is nearly always present. 

 It is usually about 104° to 105° F., and assumes an inter- 

 mittent type. In gangrene due to aspirated foreign matter, 

 the temperature may not be over 102° F. for several days. 

 The pulse is frequent, arhythmic, and thready. Chills are 

 frequent. The patient loses flesh rapidly, is weak, languid, 

 and stupid. The appetite is capricious; toward the end 

 there is diarrhea. Pregnant animals often abort. On 

 percussion the sound is flat over the ventral and middle 

 portions of the lung. Sometimes over caverns the " cracked- 

 pot" tone is emitted. On auscultation rales and tubular 

 breathing are most often noted. 



Diagnosis. — ^The finding of elastic fibers in the nasal dis- 

 charge is pathognomonic. The fetid breath and nasal 

 discharge are indicative. In putrid bronchitis there are 

 usually no general symptoms such as fever and the condition 

 of the patient is, as a rule, good. 



Prognosis. — ^Bad. Only when local foci are present is 

 encapsulation or the ejection of the dead mass by coughing 

 probable. 



Treatment. — Unsatisfactory. The inhalation or intra- 

 tracheal administration of antiseptics may be tried. Pneu- 

 motomy is employed in man. Give good food and care and 

 treat the heart, bowel (diarrhea) and fever as the indications 

 warrant. 



ABSCESS or THE LUNG. 



Definition.- — Collection of pus in cavities in the lung. 

 Etiology. — ^Embolic, metastatic abscesses following general 

 pyemic diseases (strangles, purulent metritis, bacillosis of 



' If the gangrenous mass does not communicate with a bronchus the 

 expirium may not be fetid. Diagnosis in these cases is very difficult or 

 impossible. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



