AND HIS DISEASES. 137 



"pneumonia" — "INFLAMMATION OP THE LUNGS"^- 



Consists in inflammation of the parenchymatous structure or 

 substance of the lungs. 



Causes. — It is often a sequel of neglected or improperly- 

 treated catarrh, and frequently congestion of the lungs ter- 

 minates in pneumonia. A frequent cause is a sudden change 

 of temperature, also breathing vitiated air in over- crowded, 

 ill-ventilated stables. 



, Symptoms. — Pneumonia, like other chest diseases, is al- 

 most invariably ushered in by shivering and irregular heat of 

 the skin ; the mouth becomes hot and clammy, the breathing 

 is increased, and the breath is hot. The pulse is full and 

 oppressed, differing in its chara,cter from the pulse of pleurisy, 

 which is hard_ and wiry. The animal stands persistently, 

 and has his elbows turned outwards ; the standing posture 

 affords him the greatest amount of relief ; if he lies down he 

 is threatened with suflFocation ; the bowels are constipated. 

 If in a loose-box, he stands with his nose towards the door 

 or window instinctively to breathe the pure air. 



A healthy horse breathes at an average of ten times in the 

 minute, viz., ten inspirations and ten expirations, and the 

 time occupied by the inspiratory movement is longer than the 

 expiratory. In pneumonia the expiration is as long, if not 

 longer, than the inspiration, and these movements are very 

 much quickened, being an efi"ort of nature to compensate for 

 the impaired action of the lungs. When a cough is present, 

 it is freer and less painful than the cough of pleurisy. By 

 applying the ear to the sides of the chest, in the early stage 

 a crepitating sound is heard, which becomes altered as the 

 disease progresses. 



)( Treatment. — When occurring from exposure to cold it 

 can be treated satisfactorily, but when occurring in an 



