138 THE STETHOSCOPE. 
to them that the medical man, the veterinary surgeon, and the 
gentleman, can be combined. 
I beg to remain. Sir, yours, &c. 
Veritas. 
THE STETHOSCOPE. 
I To the Editor of the Veterinaridn. 
Sir ; 
IN the course of your extended practice, have you made use of 
the stethoscope in diseases of the chest ? 
Our patients cannot tell us what they feel; nor does the pulse, 
nor the heaving of the flanks, nor the injection of the Schneide¬ 
rian membrane, nor the heat of the breath, nor the coldness of 
the extremities, at all times indicate with sufficient accuracy the 
degree of inflammation, or the period when congestion begins to 
take place. 
It is of the utmost importance to the formation of a just prog¬ 
nosis, and the safety of the animal, that we should know whether 
there be inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lungs, 
and to what degree it exists ; whether the air-cells are becoming 
impervious, or a deposition of fluid is commencing between the 
pleurae. 
The stethoscope applied to the thorax of the horse will gii^e 
the murmur of the healthy lung during each act of inspiration 
and expiration. I am persuaded that I have, more than once, 
heard this noise becoming: more sonorous with the increased 
action of respiration, and again returning to the natural murmur 
when this inflammation had subsided, and absolutely cease 
when congestion had begun ; and cease in some spots, and 
strengthen in others, when congestion has partially taken place 
and the labour of other portions of the lung was increased to 
supply the deficiency; and likewise cease, but an obscure un- 
dulatory pulsation remaining, when effusion has commenced. 
I have likewise fancied, that I have obtained a clearer con¬ 
ception of the nature of broken and thick wind. 
I would rather however, at present, appeal to those who may 
have made more extensive use of this instrument than I have 
done ; and would request my brother veterinarians to try its 
power. I do not think that they would be disappointed. 
