350 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



Veterinarians recognize several different types of pneumonia. 

 When it is the result of a perforation from the outside it is spoken 

 of as "traumatic pneumonia;" when an entire lobe of one lung 

 is affected, "lobar pneumonia;" when both lungs are involved, 

 "double pneumonia;" when due to aspiration of foreign sub- 

 stances which cause death of the tissues, "gangrenous pneumonia." 



The course of pneumonia is rapid in all types except the gan- 

 grenous, which may run for several weeks. In most cases that are 

 destined to terminate favorably the temperature falls abruptly 

 between the seventh and eleventh days. 



Causes.' — There are many causes of pneumonia, though usually 

 the disease can be traced to exposure to cold drafts or winds, 

 more especially after the patient has sweated profusely and is 

 fatigued. Not infrequently it is due to direct irritation from 

 foreign substances such as smoke, dust, lung-worms, and aspira- 

 tion of medicines that have been administered through the 

 nostrils. In the ox it is frequently caused by the perforation 

 of nails or pieces of wire through the stomach wall and diaphragm 

 into the lungs. It may follow attacks of influenza, strangles, 

 and other infectious diseases. With our present knowledge it is 

 impossible to attribute pneumonia of farm animals to a specific 

 microorganism, although it seems probable that most cases, if 

 not directly due to the presence of microorganisms, are sooner or 

 later infected by them. 



Symptoms. — At the outset the symptoms are not marked, so 

 they are either overlooked by the attendant or not regarded as 

 indicative of serious trouble. Medical attention rarely is sought 

 before the animal develops difficulty in breathing, a fever of 

 104° to 105°F., a deep moist cough, and loss of appetite. By 

 this time the horse refuses to lie down and stands with the elbows 

 turned out, the nostrils dilated to permit easier breathing, and 

 the nose held so as to get the freshest air. Often a rusty-colored 

 nasal discharge will appear after a few days. The odor of the 

 expired air is very putrid in gangrenous pneumonia. 



Treatment. — When pneumonia develops it should be viewed as 

 a most serious disease requiring the best medical treatment ob- 

 tainable. Good nursing and attention to the hygiene and feed 

 of the patient are more important than medicines. It is essential 

 that absolute physical rest be provided, if the fight against death 

 is to be won. A plentiful supply of pure air, even if it is cold, is 



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