ON ANGINA TONSILLARIS IN HORSES. 
166 
after the embrocation, the only effect that it produces is to cause 
the skin and hair to come off; but still no blister rises. 
As the disease increases, the difficulty of breathing becomes 
greater; and it often happens that there is considerable danger of 
suffocation. The patient becomes exceedingly restless — his looks 
are haggard, and expressive of deep suffering — he moves impa- 
tiently to and fro — he is continually altering the direction of his 
head, as if seeking to obtain a little ease — he can no longer drink 
— he endeavours to suppress the cough as much as possible, the 
nostrils and flanks move convulsively, and the breathing becomes 
sufficiently loud to be heard at a distance of from twenty to thirty 
paces. On account of the painful difficulty of breathing, the 
animal cannot, without great difficulty, pass his dung, and conse- 
quently it accumulates in the intestine, so much so as to press on 
the bladder, and prevent the passage of the urine. 
At length, when the disease reaches its height, which is gene- 
rally from the third to the fifth day, the enlarged glands may be 
easily felt, the whole of the throat is swollen, and every symptom 
is at its height. Suddenly the swelling bursts, and the purulent 
matter, which has been formed during the progress of the disease, 
is discharged through the nose and mouth. When this occurs, the 
rattling in the throat ceases — the breathing becomes comparatively 
easy — the flanks no longer heave — the animal coughs without much 
pain — the head is again held in its natural position — the throat un- 
bent — the eyes become bright and lively, and the ears warm. A 
considerable discharge of pus still continues, and gradually the 
swellings abate and every thing seems to return to its natural 
state ; and the animal may be said to be well, usually within about 
twelve or fourteen days after the first appearance of the complaint. 
Duration . — The duration of the disease depends upon circum- 
stances. Where the causes have only slightly taken effect, the 
swelling and inflammation do not reach so great a height, every 
symptom is milder, and the patient is never in any danger ; but 
where the attack is severe, the disease comes on rapidly and vio- 
lently, and, at its height, there is occasionally danger of suffocation. 
The animal becomes very much weakened and reduced, because 
he is unable to take any food and thus repair the exhausted powers; 
their recovery is, consequently, very much protracted. The dura- 
tion of the disease also depends, in a great measure, on the course 
of treatment which is pursued. When it is active, prompt, and 
judicious, the disease may be conquered in a few days; but a con- 
trary course will often prolong it for weeks. The diet, also, exer- 
cises considerable influence. If the animal should exhibit any dis- 
position to eat at the commencement of the disease, and hay or dry 
fodder is placed before it, nothing can prevent the attack from 
