342 
DISEASES OF THE 
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tend through the subdivisions of the bronchi and the air-cells; 
or, by an abundant secretion of mucus and a rapid decline of 
the vital energies, the above described fatal terminations unexpect¬ 
edly take place. In complication with pneumonitis or pleuritis it 
may escape observation, until it assumes the most important, dan¬ 
gerous, or really fatal lesion. 
Subacute Bronchitis presents the same signs as the sthenic form 
of the affection, differing only in degree, being milder, and of a 
more chronic character: the sputa is depectible, gelatinous, or al¬ 
buminous ; the cough remains dry longer than in the acute form, 
and the breathing, which is oppressed, is less urgent and distressing. 
In this variety of the disease, plastic exudation and albuminous 
concretions sometimes are formed in the lower part of the trachea 
and large bronchi, and shaped to the form of the tubes, or in mem¬ 
branous bands. 
Chronic Bronchitis .—The severe forms of catarrh frequently ter¬ 
minate in chronic inflammation of the bronchial membrane, as does 
the acute form of the disease; but the chronic state sometimes takes 
place as a primary affection. There is no particular difference in 
this form from the acute or subacute, except in the milder character 
of its symptoms and their longer duration—the line of demarcation 
between the active and chronic grades being indistinct. 
The principal means by which we are to be guided in ascertain¬ 
ing that the disease has taken on the chronic form, as consecutive 
to the acute, is the nasal discharge—or, as I prefer the term, expec¬ 
toration of sputa—continuing undiminished in quantity for some 
time, and its change from the viscid tenacious quality in the acute 
state to a yellowish-white or yellowish-green character, and more 
purulent and less glutinous nature. The chronic form of bronchitis 
presents various appearances and various grades of intensity, de¬ 
pending upon the changes that have taken place in the bronchial 
membrane. In its milder and primary form, as it occurs in winter, 
the spring, and changeable seasons, it consists principally of an ha¬ 
bitual cough, recurring in an aggravated degree at one or other ol 
the above-stated periods, accompanied by an expectoration of a 
greyish-blue coloured mucosity, which is discharged from the nos¬ 
trils after each paroxysm of coughing, or when the head is in a 
pendent position, or while drinking. This increased discharge may 
continue for several weeks, or even months, unattended by little or 
any febrile disturbance. 
Consecutive of catarrh or acute bronchitis, the cough is severe 
and the expectoration copious, with increased pulse and other fe¬ 
brile symptoms, loss of condition and strength, with derangement of 
the digestive organs and difficult respiration, particularly on the ex¬ 
ertion of the animal. Bronchitis in its chronic form is sometimes 
