Acute Congestion of the Lungs. Pulmonary Hyper (Emia. 199 



feeding, and entirely out of condition often suffers in the same 

 way, in going perhaps for the veterinarian in case of urgent 

 colic in one of its fellows. Cruzel draws attention to similar con- 

 gestions from over-exertion in fat cattle, and Trasbot in wild 

 stags and hogs when beechnuts and acorns were abundant, in 

 pampered family horses and in plethoric farm animals generally. 

 Excessive heat (heat apoplexy) is invoked as a cause, and the 

 arrest of hsematosis and consequent stagnation in the pulmonary 

 capillaries are undoubtedly accessory causes, yet the majority of 

 cases, and the most typical and fatal, occur in the winter season 

 (the hunting season). On the other hand, chills from rains or 

 cold draughts, especiall}'^ when heated and exhausted, are com- 

 mon causes, and the disease often comes on more gradually, 

 attaining its acme after five or six hours. A horse perspiring 

 after a hard drive and left to face a cold blast unblanketed, or one 

 plunged by accident into ice cold water for ten- minutes (Trasbot) 

 are examples of this kind. These cases are ushered in by violent 

 rigors, whereas in those due to over-exertion this is much less 

 marked and is usually only suggested by the coldness of surface 

 and extremities. Another condition which contributes to pul- 

 monary congestion is a full stomach. The plentitude of the ab- 

 dominal organs leads to compression of the lungs and hampered 

 circulation, and when to this is added over-exertion and exhaus- 

 tion acute congestion is speedily induced. 



Acute congestions are noticed as an accompaniment of other 

 diseases, but these are mostly either the localization in the lung 

 of a specific morbid process (anthrax, influenza, distemper, 

 strangles), or it is due to auto-poisoning, as when the cutaneous 

 transpiration is suppressed by a coating of glue, or to embolism. 



Symptoms. In the horse which fails under severe exertion 

 there are the dilated nostrils, the labored breathing, the deep, 

 almost convulsive action of the flanks, the hanging on the reins, 

 the slacking of the pace, the unsteadiness of gait, and lastly the 

 fall. There may now be noticed the protruded bloodshot eyes, 

 the agonized expression of countenance, the extended head, the 

 pallor, and later the blueness of the nasal mucous membrane, the 

 short, panting breathing, accompanied by a roaring noise alike in 

 inspiration and expiration, and the small, weak, rapid pulse 

 often imperceptible at the jaw. If the animal has been stopped 



