THE HORSE. 
83 
sometimes acute, but varying from time to time, and the blood present- 
ing a considerable quantity of buff, or fibrine. The tendencies of the 
disease are either the deposition of water in the chest, or else fibrous 
flakes, and sometimes both conjoined. 
Sometimes pneumonia and pleurisy are combined together, causing 
pleuropneumonia, and then the danger is increased at the same time, as 
the symptoms are rendered more obscure. 
Blood-letting is one of the first of our remedial measures for these 
diseases, but is called for in a more marked degree in pleurisy than in 
pneumonia. The pulse, however, in both cases must be our guide as to 
the quantity to be taken ; and, as stated in the text, a decided effect 
should be obtained. Repetition of bleeding, too, may be had recourse 
to with greater freedom, in pleurisy than in pneumonia. In the latter 
disease, we must take care that we do not shipwreck the vital powers 
by repeated and too copious bleeding, or mistake the effects produced 
by bleeding for the symptoms of the disease itself. It is only by the 
conjoint aids of science and experience that these nice discriminations 
can be made ; it is therefore the height of folly for the inexperienced 
owner to attempt to treat such cases himself. 
When pleurisy and pneumonia are combined, the symptoms, though 
extremely severe, are yet very obscure, and the chances of successful 
treatment are much diminished. The water in the chest spoken of in 
the text, is the termination of pleurisy, and becomes fatal in a majority 
of cases (particularly if, in addition to this serous fluid, flakes of lymph 
arc also thrown out.) In some cases where water in the chest has 
supervened early, and the inflammation has otherwise subsided, relief 
has been obtained by tapping. 
We have little to add with regard to the treatment of these inflam- 
matory diseases, except that we do not approve of many repeated bleed- 
ings. It is rarely the case that more than one bleeding is desirable, 
but this in general should be very copious. The best guide as to the 
propriety of bleeding is the strength of the pulse and not its frequency. 
If some hours after the first bleeding the pulse is still strong and full, 
as well as quick, then bleeding is most probably called for ao-ain, and 
more particularly if the blood has exhibited a thick buft'y coat If the 
first bleeding has exhibited no buff on the surface, then a repetition of 
bleeding is rarely demanded. Aloes should be always eschewed, and 
diuretics should not be continued after twelve drachms, or two ounces 
of nitre or resin have been taken. We have also found very good 
effects from the administration of small doses of calomel and opium, 
twice a day, two scruples of the former, and one of the latter, being 
sufficient for a dose ; and we have also found an ounce or two of the 
spirit of nitrous ether very serviceable in the early stage of the disease, 
particularly if the legs and ears are cold. 
Among the consequences of these severe affections of the lungs, are 
chronic cough, not always much diminishing the usefulness of the horse, 
but strangely aggravated at times by any fresh accession of catarrh, and 
too often degenerating into thick wind, which always materially inter- 
feres with the speed of the horse, and in a great proportion of cases 
terminates in broken wind. It is rare, indeed, that either of these dis- 
