70 
EPIZOOTIC PLEURO-PNETJMONIA. 
pleural sac augments the sound in the opposite one. The healthy 
portion of lung admitting a larger portion of air in some measure 
compensates for the diseased parts, and the respiratory murmur in 
these parts will be considerably louder than in health. 
As the lung becomes solidified it ceases to expand, and the 
walls of the chest frequently become nearly motionless, with evi- 
dent bulging of the affected side. 
The impulse of the heart may be distinctly felt on the right 
side, when that lung is thus affected, which occurs in the majority 
of cases of pleuro-pneumonia in cattle. 
Treatment . — This should be conducted with strict reference 
first, to the stage of the disease ; secondly, to the states of vital 
action and power ; and thirdly, to the complications and peculiari- 
ties of each case. In the majority of cases it will be observed that 
the vital energies, in some of their manifestations, are diminished. 
This fact furnishes us with the most rational indications as to the 
removal of the morbid state which it occasions. 
Having first ascertained the pathological state of the lungs, we 
are to direct our attention to the removal of disease in them, as far 
as may be possible. With this intention the treatment should be 
prompt and decisive, in order to arrest the disease, and thereby 
prevent those changes that are usually productive of a fatal issue. 
The propriety of having recourse to bloodletting must depend 
upon the character of the pulse as much as upon the number of its 
vibrations and the stage of the disease. If the tone of the pulse 
is weak, and the general symptoms indicate that effusion into the 
parenchyma of the lungs has taken place to any great extent, 
blood-letting will not only be useless but destructive. It would 
now weaken the vital powers, increase the effusion, and quickly 
terminate the existence of the animal. The animal should first be 
placed in a cool clean house or shed, with a dry and ample bed as 
its floor. Portions of the root of black hellebore, clean, dry, and 
not more than twelve months old, should be inserted into the 
dewlap. This will generally induce considerable serous infiltra- 
tion into the cellular membrane, of which this part is principally 
composed. It will next be prudent to blister the sides severely 
and extensively. In order to insure the full effects of these 
measures the hair should be closely clipped, and sp. tereb. jj 
well rubbed into each side. 
The comparatively low degree of nervous sensibility in the skin 
of the ox renders it necessary to apply a more potent counter- 
irritant than that on the horse. The following formula will ge- 
nerally have the desired effect. R Cantharid. pulv. §iv, ol. lini. Oj ; 
macerate with a gentle heat fourteen days, occasionally shaking 
the bottle; then strain, and add ol. crotoni 31], ol. tereb. 5 *j- M. 
