DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 37 



Exciting Causes. — Cold ; inflammation of neighboring 

 textures ; injuries, as fracture of, or wounds penetrating be- 

 tween or external to, the ribs. 



Symptoms. — These generally commence with shivering and 

 febrile disturbance ; respiration quickened ; the inspiration is 

 remarkably short, being suddenly interrupted almost imme- 

 diately the breath is taken ; this is due to the pain caused by 

 the movement of the ribs in dilatation, or the inflation of the 

 lungs on and against the pleura ; the abdominal muscles are 

 in consequence called in to aid respiration, hence the bellows- 

 like heaving movement at the flank. There is a dry sup- 

 pressed cough, and the usual indications of fever ; nose hot 

 and dry, tongue white and slimy, eyes bright and watery, 

 conjunctival membrane injected, pulse hard, jerking, and 

 frequent. As these symptoms advance the animal becomes 

 exceedingly distressed, frequently sitting on his haunches 

 with the fore legs wide apart ; pressure over the ribs causes 

 acute pain ; "the cough is more frequent, the breathing shorter 

 and more difficult, and an anxious, haggard look pervades the 

 whole countenance. 



Terminations, — Resolution, adhesion, effusion, or the 

 chronic form. 



In the lower animals, recovery from acute pleurisy usually 

 terminates in adhesions, while effusion is generally the fore- 

 runner of death. When the latter (effusion) takes place, a 

 considerable and marked alteration is immediately manifested 

 in the symptoms — the breathing becomes more and more 

 labored, threatening suffocation ; on auscultation the natural 

 respiratory murmur is absent so far as the fluid reaches, whilst 

 above it is considerably increased ; percussion gives a dull dead 

 sound over the region of effusion ; as the fluid increases the 

 intercostal spaces become bulged, and towards the latter stage 

 the dependent parts of the animal are more or less cedematous. 

 The pulse is feeble and quick, and as the end approaches be- 

 comes imperceptible. Asphyxia closes the scene. 



Post-mortem Examination. — Effusion of serum, with pus. 



