CATARRH. 327 



slightest inflammation going on in them by swelling and heat, the 

 air-passages may be undergoing slow but sure destruction, without 

 giving out any sign that can be detected by any one but the prac- 

 tised veterinarian. In most of the diseases of the chest there is 

 disturbance of the breathing, even during a state of rest; but in 

 some of them, as in roaring, for instance, no such evidence is 

 afforded, and the disease can only be detected by an examination 

 during, or immediately after, a severe gallop. 



CATARKH, OR COLD. 



Catarrh may be considered under two points of view ; either 

 as an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities, 

 accompanied by slight general fever ; or as an ephemeral fever of 

 three or four days duration, complicated with this condition of the 

 nose. The latter is, perhaps, the more scientific definition, but 

 for common purposes it is more convenient to consider it as mainly 

 consisting in the most prominent symptom. There is invariably 

 some degree of feverishness, sometimes very considerable, at others 

 so slight as to be easily passed over. Usually the pulse is accele- 

 rated to about forty or fifty, the appetite is impaired, and there is 

 often sore throat, with more or less cough. On examining the 

 interior of the nostrils, they are more red than natural, at first dry 

 and swollen, then bedewed with a watery discharge which soon 

 becomes yellow, thick, and, in bad cases, purulent. The eyes are 

 generally involved, their conjunctival coat being injected with 

 blood, and often some slight weeping takes place, but there is 

 always an expression of sleepiness or dulness, partly owing to the 

 local condition of the organ, and partly to the general impairment 

 of the health. The disease is caused in most instances by a chill, 

 either in the stable or out, but sometimes, even in the mildest form, 

 it appears to be epidemic. The treatment will greatly depend upon 

 the severity of the seizure ; usually, a bran-mash containing from 

 six drachms to one ounce of powdered nitre in it, at night, for two 

 or three consecutive periods, will suffice, together with the abstrac- 

 tion of corn, and, if the bowels are confined, a mild dose of physic 

 should be given. In more severe cases, when there is cough and 

 considerable feverishness, a ball composed of the following ingre- 

 dients may be given every night : — 



Take of Nitrate of Potass 2 drachms. 



Tartarized Antimony 1 drachm. 



Powdered Digitalis I drachm. 



Camphor !■] drachm. 



Linseed meal and boiling water enough to make into a ball. 



If the throat is sore, an embrocation of equal parts of oil, tur- 

 pentine, tincture of cantharid.es, and hartshorn, may be rubbed in 

 nidit and morning. 



