610 
DISEASE OF THE PLEURITIC AND PERICARDIAC 
MEMBRANES, WITH ABSCESS OF THE LATTER. 
By John Jekyll, M.R.C.V.S . , Newland-street, Lincoln. 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Sir, — I n October 1846, I was called in great haste to attend a 
large fat wagon-horse, the property of a gentleman residing at 
South Carlton, near Lincoln. I was requested to attend as quickly 
as possible, and was informed that the animal had been at his 
usual work (ploughing upon light soil), and had appeared in good 
health and spirits up to the time he was so suddenly attacked. 
The attack was so sudden and violent, that it was with great diffi- 
culty he reached the stable. .When I first saw him he presented 
the following symptoms : — 
The inspirations were about one hundred in the minute. Every 
muscle which could possibly assist in the breathing process was 
in the most violent agitation : the head was for a short time held 
high up, the animal appearing anxious for more air. Then, sud- 
denly, a most distressing and almost suffocating cough came on, 
which caused the horse to lower his nose to the earth ; and when 
the head was thus pendant, a large quantity of thin white mucus 
literally flowed from both nostrils; after which the horse was 
slightly relieved for a few minutes, when the cough would again 
return. Auscultation of the chest yielded similar sounds to those 
emitted by the thorax of a horse directly after a long fast gallop, 
and also the mucous rale at the most dependent part of the chest. 
He stood with his legs wide apart, doubtless to increase the tho- 
racic cavity, and also to gain mechanical support, as he was evi- 
dently afraid of falling. The countenance evinced great anguish. 
The eye was very prominent, and the pupillary opening large — no 
pulsation at the jaw, and the vessels apparently almost empty. 
The pulse, as taken at the heart, was so quick, feeble, and irre- 
gular, that I could not count it. Pressure did not cause any 
apparent increase in the size of the jugular veins, this affording 
additional evidence of the fearful state of the circulation. 
Betwixt the intervals of cough, I, with great care, administered 
§ij of the spirit seth. nit. and Oss of brandy, diluted with tepid 
water. Soon after the stimulant was given, the heart’s action 
became more firm and regular, the pulse detectible at the jaw, 
and the jugular veins again filled. I now abstracted about eight 
quarts of blood, and gave a full dose of cathartic medicine. I gave 
