AND HIS DISEASES. 139 



ing existed for a considerable time, blood-letting is contra- 

 indicated, st imulants must be given, as, 



J S^eet spirits of nitre, ... 1 ounce, 

 I Ale, 1 pint, 



to be given four or fives times a-day. 



PLEUEISY — " INFLAMMATION OF THE PLEURA." 



That portion of the j)leura covering the ribs (pleura 

 costalis) is stronger, thicker, and more vascular than the por- 

 tion which is reflected over the lungs, (pleura pulmonalis,) 

 hence we find in inflammation it is mainly implicated. It 

 is not an unfrequent occurrence, and is one of the most 

 serious diseases to which the chest of the horse is liable. 

 " In man it is different, an attack of pleurisy is but lightly 

 thought of." In the horse, when ending fatally, death 

 seldom takes place before the fourth or fifth day. Eecovery 

 may take place in two or three days, or it may be a fortnight 

 or three weeks before he is well. Pleurisy occurs as an in- 

 dependent disease, or it may be accompanied by inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs. 



Causes. — Are similar to other diseases of the cliest, as vari- 

 ations in the temperature, impure air, &c. It is also caused 

 by an animal drinking greedily of cold water when sweating 

 profusely ; and in some cases it is the result of injuries. 



Symptoms. — It is invariably preceded by a shivering at- 

 tack, speedily followed by inflammatory fever, and the animal 

 begins to blow. If you move him, and press upon the inter- 

 costal spaces, he evinces pain ; he will stand with his hind- 

 legs well under Tiim, placing himself in a position similar to 

 what he does when labouring under an attack of laminitis. 

 The pulse in the early stage may be but little affected, it be- 

 comes hard and wiry, and vibrating strong under the finger. 

 A well marked symptom of pleurisy is a prominent line, 



