Acute Fibrinous Pneumonia. Pneumonitis in the Horse. 259 



Symptoms. The onset of pneumonia is not often seen by the 

 veterinarian, who is called in only after the cough, loss of appe- 

 tite, hurried breathing and rigor have revealed illness to the at- 

 tendants. Hence perhaps chill and rise of temperature have been 

 placed among the earliest symptoms. The symptoms are more 

 violent in the racer, trotter and other nervous animals. Trasbot 

 positively claims, that considerable pulmonary inflammation and 

 even exudation have taken place before there is any chill or rise 

 of temperature. This is especially the case in the heavy lym- 

 phatic races of draught horses, which often, according to this 

 author, perform their usual work for days after inflammatory 

 exudation has set in. A fair counterpart of this is found in lung 

 plague of cattle and it would indicate that both start from a local 

 infection, which gradually extends until the systemic derange- 

 ment is induced. As usually seen, and especially when it follows 

 exposure to severe cold, a staring coat or a shivering fit ushers 

 in the disease, the degree of the chill bearing some ratio to the 

 coldness of the air and to the future severity of the malady. This 

 may be accompanied by a small, dry cough, but without any other 

 marked sign of lung disease. With the access of the hot stage 

 the characteristic symptoms of lung disease are manifested, at first 

 resembling those of congestedlungs, but less severe than those given 

 under that head. There is a distinct increase of the body tem- 

 perature ; the visible mucous membranes are suffused with a blush ; 

 the expired air feels hot upon the hand ; the breathing, 30 to 40 

 per minute, is short and accompanied by much lifting of the 

 flanks — {labored') ; the cough is deep as if coming from the depth 

 of the chest, but not so hard nor so painful as in bronchitis ; the 

 legs are placed apart, the elbows turned out and the head pro- 

 truded to facilitate breathing ; the nose is turned to an open door 

 or window if any such is available ; the contraction of the muscles 

 of the face, the dilated nostrils and the retracted angle of the 

 mouth give an anxious expression to the countenance ; the eyes 

 are semi-closed ; the pulse full but soft — {oppressed) — , beats from 

 48 to 70 per minute ; the bowels are slightly costive, the urine 

 scanty and high colored ; the skin inelastic — hide-bound — harsh 

 and dry, though sweats may bedew it in parts ; the loins insensi- 

 ble to pinching ; and if there is any discharge from the nose it 

 consists only in a reddish — rusty — colored mucus. 



