niSBASES OF THE RESFISATOHr ORGANS. 39 



;/lSTHMA. 



The term asthma should properly he limited to one morbid condition. 

 Veterinarians distinguish between the congestiTe and spasmodic forms. 

 The congestive and more comnxou affection observed among dogs, is due 

 to an inflamed state of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. In 

 a great majority of cases bronchitis exists, and the susceptibility to the 

 exciting causes is increased by Its presence. The disease is more common 

 in old age, and among obese, over fed, house dogs. The predisposing 

 causes are derangement of the circulatory system, such as heart and hmg 

 diseases, and chronic indigestion. 



Cautaiion. — The existing causes are many; cold from exposure, acute 

 bronchial inflammation, and certain inhalations are particularly liable 

 to bring on an attack. 



Symptomt .— Labored efforts of breathing prompted by a sense of suffo- 

 cation, croupy respirations not increased in rapidity, and at times less in 

 number than normal. Inspiration jerking, expiration accompanied with 

 a wheezing sound. Distress and greater difficulty in breathing on exertion. 

 Nostrils dilating, expression piteous and anxious. Cough in manjr instan- 

 ces exists prior to, or manifests Itself during an attack of asthma. A 

 dilatation of the air cells Is generally associated with thi»disease if severe 

 and of long standing. 



Siagnotit. — The diagnosis is not difficult; the disease has such disttnct- 

 ; ive differences, it need not be confounded with other affections in which 

 labored breathing is a prominent symptom. 



f^ognosis . — The signifloance of the disease depends upon the causes and 

 conditions which induce it. In itself, asthma is not an affection likely to 

 prove fatal, but it must necessarily shorten life. 



Treatment. — During an attack a prompt emetic of the sulphate of zinc 

 twenty grains, "or ipecac thirty grains, will afford relief. This should be 

 followed with a cathartic of ■syrup buckthorn and castor oil, of each one 

 half a tablespoonful. If the violence of the attack does not subside, the 

 animal should be shut into a closed room, and on a pan of coals, stramo- 

 nium leaves be burned, to an ounce of which, a drachm of nitrate of 

 potassa has been added. This measure will relax the spasm, and induce 

 expectoration. To relieve the co-existing bronchitis, should next be 

 . attempted, and the following given— 



K Potass. Chloratia 5ij 



Tinct. Belladonnas Si^s 



Tinot. CinchonsB Comp. g ij 

 Aquse gij 



Ft. Mist. Sig. Dose a dessertspoonful four times a day. 



