62 
THE PRESENT EPIDEMIC AMONG HORSES. 
pleurisy or pleuro-pneumonia. I say, “ probably,” because in 
some cases it has taken a catarrhal turn, with or without swell- 
ing of the legs. 
Soreness of Throat appears both as an early and a cha- 
racteristic symptom of the present distemper, and, now and then, 
constitutes all along the main or sole grievance, the disease not 
appearing to extend further than the larynx and fauces. When 
such is the case, however, the sore throat is of no ordinary de- 
scription, but mostly proves to be intense, to that degree, indeed, 
that the animal, though left with appetite to take and ability to 
chew his food, is unable to swallow it, and with difficulty is made 
to gulp down any medicine ; but, with stiffened neck, and head, 
in consequence, most characteristically protruded, stands always 
in the same place (in his box), unless made to move or turn about, 
and then does so in the most reluctant and awkward manner pos- 
sible. And now, there is evident inflammation in the membrane 
lining the nasal chambers, as far as we can inspect it, accom- 
panied by some sparing dingy or yellowish issue from the nos- 
trils, with, perhaps, some dyspnoea, arising from impediment in 
the throat, increase of pulse, &c. 
This is a case that requires a good deal of medical care and 
watching ; but it is not a case attended with danger, nor one that 
is likely to turn into a pleurisy or pneumony; but one that will, 
guarded by proper treatment, run its course favourably, and within 
the prescribed period — for, do what you will, it will run its course — 
terminate in the return of health, with the drawback of loss of 
condition and debility, as well as, in the end, it is not unlikely, 
with the discovery of roaring having been produced. 
The symptoms of the disease (instead of settling in the throat) 
having attacked the tissues within the thorax, are as follow : the 
horse stands (in his box) dull and listless, in one particular place — 
which it is curious to observe how he will maintain for the rest of 
his illness — not with his head protruded, as in the case of sore 
throat, but with it pendent and despondent, and commonly with 
his nostrils directed towards either the door or the window of his 
apartment, or any vent-hole in lieu thereof there may happen to 
be in it. Although it is a circumstance that may elude the ob- 
servation of others, the eye of the professional man will detect that 
his respiration is disturbed ; by him the flanks will be discovered 
to have an unnatural motion, to slowly and softly heave, and with 
more or less labour : even should he, however, entertain any 
doubt respecting their movement, that doubt is at once resolved by 
the evident working of the patient’s nostrils ; all which tends to 
prove — as I said before — that the attack in the thorax is not of 
the acute but rather of the sub-acute character. In some cases. 
