58 DISEASES OF THE LUNGS 



contains an admixture of lung tissue elements. On percus- 

 sion, depending upon the character and extent of the lesions, 

 there may be flatness, tympany, or even a "cracked-pot" 

 tone emitted. The patient shows a septic fever and rapid, 

 weak pulse (80 to 120). Symptoms of pleuritis (empyema) 

 are not infrequent. In many cases the appetite remains 

 fairly good until the end and the temperature may be 

 little above normal. * 



Diagnosis. — The diagnosis depends upon the physical 

 signs of pneumonia with fetid expirium and the discolored 

 nasal discharge containing bits of dead lung tissue. A 

 microscopic examination will show elastic fibers from the 

 parenchyma of the lung. In all pneumonias following 

 unskilful drenching or where dysphagia exists foreign- 

 body pneumonia should be suspected. From the stand- 

 point of differential diagnosis, diseases of the teeth and 

 sinuses of the head causing fetid breath must be considered. 

 An examination of these parts and of the lungs should 

 suffice for differentiation. Fetid bronchitis, which is most 

 common in dogs, does not affect the general condition of 

 the patient and is rarely fatal. 



Course and Prognosis. — Once the disease is recognized the 

 course is usually about one week. The prognosis is bad, 

 especially in horses, the disease leading to sapremia and 

 death. Occasionally in cattle the gangrenous mass remains 

 local in the lung and becomes encapsuled by connective 

 tissue forming a sequester which protects the rest of the 

 organism. Such cases will heal. 



Treatment. — The treatment is unsatisfactory. Intra- 

 tracheal injections of antiseptics are of no value except 

 in the early stages. The treatment suggested for catarrhal 

 pneumonia is usually followed. 



Metastatic Pneumonia. — Definition. — A secondary pneu- 

 monia the result of embolism. 



Etiology. — Metastatic pneumonia is the result of a spread 

 of infection via embolism from a primary focus containing 

 pus bacteria, septic bacteria or necrosis bacilli which reach 

 the lung through the blood. The primary focus is usually 

 an abscess occurring in the course of strangles, purulent 



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