CEDEMA GIvOTTIDIS 



Diseases Complicated by this. Seat, Abundance. Duration, Sequels, 

 Symptoms, sudden dyspnoea, swelling of throat, pits on pressure, diflFeren- 

 tiatiou from croup. Treatment, cold, ice, astringents, scarification, trache- 

 otomy. 



This is usually a complication of acute laryngitis, but it may be 

 a manifestation of other forms of local disease — tuberculosis, 

 glanders, purpura hsemorrhagica, pseudo-membranous inflam- 

 mation, — or it may be a result of a more distant affection, like dis- 

 eae of the heart, lungs, or kidneys. As a complication of local 

 inflammation it con.sists in an excessive serous exudation into the 

 submucosa, around the base of the epiglottis and extending to the 

 whole larnyx and pharnyx. It may thicken the parts by half an 

 inch, causing complete closure of the glottis. In favorable cases 

 it may subside as rapidly as it rose, while in others it may result 

 in ulceration or abscess. The infiltration has usually a clear 

 watery aspect, but is sometimes a dull red. When incised an 

 abundance of serum escapes mixed in certain cases with pus. 



Symptoms. In the course of one of the above named affections 

 there conies on suddenly extreme dyspnoea, with stertorous 

 breathing, a suffocative cough, and intense anxiety. The stridor 

 is first with inspiration and later with expiration as well. The 

 eyes are bloodshot and protruding, the pulse small and rapid, the 

 movements uncertain, and the skin moist with sweat. There is 

 manifest swelling of the throat and manipulation leaves the im- 

 print of the finger. 



When symptomatic of some distant affection it is at once slower 

 in its result and more persistent. 



The local pasty swelling and the absence of any false mem- 

 brane suffice usually to distinguish it from croup which it so 

 closely resembles in the suddenness of its onset, and the violence 

 of its manifestations. 



The less urgent cases may be: treated by application of cold water 

 or ice to the throat, and the injection of solutions of chloride of 

 iron or alum into the fauces. Or the throat may be painted with 

 tincture of iodine and rubbed with the palm to favor distribution 

 and absorption of the exudate. In dogs the mouth may be open- 

 ed widely and the dropsical membrane pricked at intervals to 

 drain off the liquid. In the most acute cases the prompt adoption 

 of tracheotomy is the only means of saving life. 



147 



