162 PEACTICE OF EQUINE MEDIOINE. 



between the two pleural cavities — a perforation of the mediastinal 

 pleura. 



Some say that this perforation is made after death. 



There are, no doubt, openings between the two pleural cavities, 

 and thus it is termed a bilateral disease, although, primarily, one 

 pleura only may be affected. As the effusion is thrown out it ac- 

 cumulates in both cavities, and thus the bilateral physical signs. 



What are the symptoms ? 



At times the symptoms are vague, and, while treating laryn- 

 gitis and the like, this disease may be developing and we may over- 

 look it. It very often is associated with or follows pneumonia. 



In other cases the symptoms are striking; it commences with 

 a chill, the animal becoming dull, the hair roughened, muscular 

 tremblings, coldness of the extremities and skin, followed by febrile 

 symptoms; the hair falls down, the body becomes warm, and the 

 mucous membrane injected. 



The pulse in pleurisy is small, quick, and hard — a so-called 

 wiry pulse, which is characteristic of inflammations of serous mem- 

 brane; later it becomes softer and weaker. 



The temperature, in the early stages, may rise to 104°, 105° 

 or 106° F., but after the effusion has taken place the temperature 

 falls and is often very low ; one day it may be 101° F., the next day 

 102° F., and then fall, varying one or two degrees, from about 

 103°, 108°, 101° F. 



The respirations become quickened and catching at first, and 

 are abdominal. 



After the exudation takes place the expiratory act becomes 

 double. 



There is the so-called pleuritic grunt, which is evinced on 

 moving the animal or turning him short. 



The animal moves as though he were of one piece, as motion 

 produces lancinating pain, shown by this grunt. 



After the exudation is thrown out, there is a peculiar sound 

 heard at the nostrils, which is called the metallic tinkling sound. 



A cough, may be present, which is short, dry, tearing, and sup- 

 pressed; one of the most annoying symptoms is the loss of appetite. 



As the effusion accumulates the respirations become more diffi- 

 cult, the double expiratory act more marked, the pulse becomes 

 rapid and weak, and the animal dies from exhaustion. 



