PNEUMONIA. 351 



Generally, in these complaints, the horse refuses to lie down ; 

 tlie bowels are costive ; and the dung mixed with flakes of mucus, 

 the presence of which indicates irritation of the intestines, and 

 therefore, the non-administration of aperients, which are irritants 

 to the bowels. The rate of breathing (ordinary rate when at rest, 

 12 or 13 per minute) is increased. 



Respiration in the horse is more regular than in the other 

 animals, and an increase in rate of breathing, when the animal is 

 at rest, always indicates some derangement ; at the same time the 

 careful examiner, even in the case of the horse, pays more attention 

 to the peculiarity of the respiratory action, as heaving of the 

 flanks and abdominal breathing, than to the frequency of the act.. 



Pneumonia {^Inflammation of the Lungs). 



This disease is usually defined as inflammation of the substance 

 of tlie lungs. It is rarely, as before mentioned, seen in an un- 

 complicated form. Pneumonia often follows congestion of the 

 lungs. In a regular attack, there are three stages, namely, en- 

 gorgement of blood, consolidation of the inflammatory products 

 in the lung tissue, and softening or breaking up of these products. 

 The accompanying fever may kill during the first stage ; as it is 

 then at its greatest intensity. The animal may die of suffocation 

 in the second stage, if a large amount of lung tissue be involved. 

 The attack may prove fatal in the third stage by blood poisoning, 

 owing to the absorption of diseased material thrown out by the 

 lungs. 



Inhere is strong proof that human pneumonia is not an in- 

 flammation of the lung, but is simply a process of germ culture in 

 the air cells. 



SYMPTOMS. — Dulness and depression of spirits. High fever, 

 generally accompanied by shivering fits. Frequent pulse ; often 

 over 80 per minute. The breathing, which is of the chest form, 

 being chiefly performed by the ribs, soon becomes rapid and 

 " shallow," being sometimes over 50 per minute (normal rate, at 

 rest, about 12 or 1.3), but without marked pain, unless when 

 complicated by pleurisy. The nostrils are widely distended. Fried- 

 berger and Frohner state that the fever (as shown by an internal 

 temperature (p. 691) of from 105° to 106|^° F.) lasts about six 

 (}ays. The cough at first, if it be present, is full and strong, and 

 very unlike the suppressed, painful one of pleurisy. When con- 

 solidation of the lung, however, takes place, the cough becomes 

 small, as if proceeding from a solid body. The mucous membranes 

 of the nostrils and eyelids are red, congested, and frequently tinged 



