48 DISEASES OF THE LUNGS 



of fever are characteristic. Its chronicity (absence of fever) 

 and physical signs (auscultation and percussion) differentiate 

 emphysema from acute febrile diseases of the respiratory 

 system (pleuritis). 



Prognosis. — As far as the life of the patient is concerned 

 the prognosis is good, but from the standpoint of healing 

 there is no hope of a permanent cure. Diffuse bronchial 

 catarrh and weak heart are bad complications. 



Treatment. — No treatment, hygienic, dietetic or medicinal 

 will cure chronic pulmonary emphysema. By using the 

 patient only for light work, feeding good nutritious food 

 (clean oats, bran), allowing only small quantities of dustless 

 (moistened) hay, and watering frequently but in small 

 quantities at a time, the symptoms may be overcome so 

 long as the above dietetics are persisted in. 



Drugs. — There are several drugs such as belladonna, 

 datura stramonium, hyoscyamus, which contain atropin, 

 that will mask the symptoms (dyspnea) in a marked degree. 

 By using such drugs horse-traders often deceive prospective 

 buyers into believing the horse to have "good wind." How- 

 ever, the abatement of the symptoms is only temporary, 

 lasting usually but one day. The abnormal dilatation of 

 the pupil, dryness of the mucous membranes and rapid pulse, 

 which usually follow the use of a "dope," should put the 

 veterinarian on his guard. 



Arsenic is useful, usually given in the form of Fowler's 

 solution (Sss) three times daily in the drinking water. 

 Subcutaneous injections of atropin temporarily allay the 

 symptom. Treating the attending bronchial catarrh is 

 helpful (see this). In "heavy" horses avoid using arecalin, 

 eserin, or barium chlorid. 



ACUTE INTERSTITIAL PULMONARY EMPHYSEMA. 



Definition. — Rupture of the alveoli with the entrance of 

 air into the interstitial tissue of the lung, bubbles appearing 

 beneath the pleura. 



Occurrence. — Has been noted in horse and ox. 



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