124 Veterinary Medicine. 



which, have had heavy draught work and repeated attacks of sore 

 throat, are frequent subjects of it, and as Fergusson has 

 pointed out it is most prevalent among horses whose throats have 

 been compressed by the inconsiderate use of the bearing rein. 

 Reynal has observed it often in horses that are sweated with diffi- 

 culty, and in those which remain long wet from the length and 

 thickness of their winter coats. It may affect the mucosa, sub- 

 mucosa, muscles or even nerves. 



Symptoms. When acute laryngitis passes into the chronic form 

 all the symptoms subside except a slight nasal discharge, the 

 cough, tenderness of the larnyx, and roaring. The cough is 

 dry, short, and hacking, rarely soft, and is heard mainly when 

 the animal feeds, when he leaves the hot stable for the cold air, 

 and after drinking cold water. During exercise it is equally ex- 

 cited, the cough becoming harder, and the horse extending his 

 head and neck as if to disengage some body from his throat. The 

 subject may in nearly all other respects maintain the appearance 

 of vigorous health. 



Course, etc. This disease is liable to prove obstinate and if of 

 old standing, often incurable. Unless checked, the continued con- 

 gestion and irritation of the larynx, the frequent, hacking cough, 

 and the consequent violent distention of the lungs bring about ex- 

 tensive and irreparable structural changes. Among these may 

 be mentioned ossification of the cartilages of the larnyx ; paraly- 

 sis of the left laryngeal nerve with wasting of the muscles to which 

 it is distributed, and roaring ; dilatation of the bronchial tubes, 

 and permanent distention and rupture of the air cells (emphy- 

 sema, broken wind, heaves). 



Treatment. Acute form,. Unless in the very mildest cases un- 

 accompanied by fever, repose is essential. If available, a roomy, 

 clean, dry, and airy loose box should be allowed, care being taken 

 to avoid draughts of cold air and to secure a soft equable temper- 

 ature neither too hot nor too cold. Blankets should be used and 

 even flannel bandages applied loosely to the legs if the weather is 

 cold, or if there is any tendency to chills and shivering. The 

 nostrils must be steamed as directed for coryza. A piece of sheep- 

 skin with the wool turned in may be tied around the throat and 

 up to the ears. In very acute cases a linseed meal poultice or 

 wet pack may be applied to the throat, while in the milder forms, 



