ON PNEUMONIA. 269 
(1, either from their size or from dilapidations, and conse- 
ently did not subject the animal to severe and sudden chanoes 
temperature. Another argument that j ust occurs to me against 
; opinion that Pneumonia mostly originates from breathing a 
luted atmosphere is this, that it is in itself a malady free 
m any malignant character; whereas the diseases, gene- 
y speaking, that are generated by such agents, exhibit 
re or less malignancy in their nature: such are glanders and 
:y; mid, in the human subject, typhoid, gaol, and putrid 
These are arguments, gentlemen, you observe supported 
facts; and facts, you know, are stubborn things. 
High feeding comes next for our consideration, as an exciting 
se ol inflammation of the lungs; and there can be little doubt 
t it does materially tend to produce the disease, from its 
ig the pnncipal cause of redundancy of blood in the system * 
1 we wel1 know that, if a plethoric habit of body exists, its 
ets must sooner or later be felt; and in this instance it makes 
d the old saying, the weakest generally goes to the wall. 
3 lungs, from being more susceptible, suffer instead of any 
er part of the animal economy. 
shall now, gentlemen, without going into many particulars as 
he best mode of obviating this complaint, beg to remark, that 
mention is, in all cases, better than cure ; and our best course is 
veil satisfy ourselves as to the causes of evil, and then en- 
vour to the utmost in our power to avoid them. There is one 
3 , however, where it would be rather difficult to avoid the 
se, and that is, when it arises spontaneously, which I believe 
letimes takes place, or, at least, when no cause can be satis- 
oruy traced. 
he symptoms by which we may judge of the existence of 
.umonia aie increased and difficult respiration, occasioned by 
tumefied state of the lungs, this tumefaction produces com- 
;sion on the air-cells and pulmonary vessels, which retards the 
ulation of blood through the lungs, and prevents the free in¬ 
land egress of air; and it is to this circumstance we may 
mute that quick and laborious breathing so characteristic of 
disease. The pulse is generally oppressed and quick; the 
ressed state is caused by the left ventricle of the heart not 
ing a sufficient quantity of blood to contract on, from the 
3tions of the lungs being considerably lessened; and the 
uency of the pulse is probably caused from the great irrita- 
that exists in the heart, and which is, most likely, the effect 
ympathy. The ears and extremities are cold ; the horse 
om or never lies down; the reasoryjf which is, that, while 
n, he would lose the advantage o some of the muscles that 
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