46 
SORE THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 
WE have incidentally, in treating of the several fevers and of common cold, 
alluded to sore throat or inflammation of the upper portion of the windpipe, 
or larynx, as this part is termed, and we have occasionally spoken of 
bronchitis. We have now to consider these inflammations separately, their 
varities, causes, symptoms, and treatment. 
There are two chief forms of laryngitis or sore throat in the horse, the 
acute catarrhal and the cedematous variety. The first is the simpler form, 
and is dependent upon the same causes as common catarrh or cold, of which, 
indeed, it is usually one of the earliest and most prominent symptoms, 
There is pain and difficulty in swallowing, and the throat shows signs of 
great tenderness when handled. Usually there is cough, at first hard and 
sonorous, but afterwards becoming less resonant. Between the branchés of 
the lower jaw there is swelling, and this may sometimes occur over the side 
of the face also. Discharge from the nose may or may not occur, although. 
it is a constant symptom when catarrh is also present. Symptoms of fever 
are more pronounced than they are in simple catarrh. The appetite is 
diminished or lost, the temperature rises, and the pulse is accelerated. In 
the second or cedematous form, the symptoms are more aggravated and 
dangerous. This disease may succeed what at first appeared as an ordinary 
case of the catarrhal form, or it may begin suddenly and run a very rapid 
course. It has also been met with as the result of inhalation of poisonous 
acrid vapours and hot air. In these cases sometimes the swelling and the 
effusion into the structures of the throat become very considerable, and the 
breathing very much disturbed. The pulse is quickened, the temperature 
rises, and the membrane lining the nose becomes of a purplish hue, owing 
to deficient aeration of the blood. The nose is protruded, the upper air 
passages being thus made to approach as near as possible a horizontal line. 
When the swelling of the inner laryngeal structures becomes very great, 
the respiration is suddenly difficult, and the inspiratory action is especially 
prolonged, and accompanied with a peculiar harsh sound, succeeded by a 
short expiration. The nostrils are then dilated to their full extent, the face 
has an anxious expression, and there is great distress. The extremities are 
cold, and sweats bedew the body; the animal stamps with his feet, and his 
distress still increases ; the visible membranes, such as that lining the nose 
become more livid, prostration ensues, and the horse, unless relieved, soon 
succumbs. A short time ago, the writer had under his charge, a valuable 
hunter with this severe form of sore throat, and the animal would have soon 
succumbed, had vigorous measures not been forthwith adopted. 
In severe cases of sore throat, the treatment should be as prompt as 
possible. The animal should be placed in a large airy loose box, and in no 
case confined ina small stuffy stable, as his chances of recovery will be 
greatly lessened unless he have a good supply of pure, fresh air. Inhalations 
of hot water vapour, medicated by the addition of carbolic acid, are of great 
value in all forms of acute sore throat, and often greatly relieve the difficulty 
