INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 
55 
flowing in another channel, which, although not so direct in its 
course, will not retard the necessary progress of the circulation. 
CHAPTER III. 
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 
Symptoms. —Of all the diseases incidental to the horse, 
that of inflammation of the lungs is the most prevalent, 
and certainly the most fatal. Sometimes this malady is 
sudden in its appearance, hut in the greater number of cases 
fever is a premonitory symptom. In its early stages it is 
not very rapid, but is indistinct and heavy in its action, 
feeling vibratory under the pressure of the finger. In other 
instances it is hardly to be perceived, so languid is its 
motion. This is followed by dilated nostrils, coldness in the 
extremities, and heaving in the flanks, which clearly indicate 
an oppression in the breathing; differing, however, from the 
laboured and hard action of the lungs in fever, and also the 
irregular breathing in broken-winded horses, which appears 
as if it required two expirations for every inspiration of air 
into the lungs. In inflammation the pulse is quick, hurried? 
and irregular, caused by the pain which is felt by the animal 
at each attempt to draw in the air, giving the appearance 
of something being imperfect in the respiratory organs. 
The animal thrusts out his head, the mucous membrane of 
the nose becomes very red, especially in the inside angles of 
the nostrils, where it continues; although at times it 
extends further up, from which position it may disappear, 
but still maintaining its chief seat in the lower portion of 
