256 CONTRIBUTIONS TO VETERINARY MEDICINE. 
assume the form and arrangement described from the agitation to 
which the mass was subject during the respiratory movements. 
From being called in at so late a period, and also from the pecu¬ 
liarity of the physical signs, I at tirst believed the case to be one 
of extensive pneumonia, or that considerable portions of both lungs 
were far advanced towards a state of solidity. The character of 
the cough—the absence of tenderness when the sides of the chest 
were pressed upon—the gradual loss of the respiratory sound from 
the 13th to the 18th—and more especially the existence of a 
murmur on the 16th, closely resembling the cavernous rale (a 
sound to have been completely cavernous required only a little 
more hollowness), which on the day following was perfect, all 
tended to greatly strengthen such an opinion. The chief symptoms 
of acute inflammation of the pleura are, a cramped state of the 
abdominal muscles, but more particularly of the “ panniculus car- 
nosus” muscle—short, catching respirations—short, feeble, or super¬ 
ficial sounding cough—sudden disappearance of the respiratory 
murmur over the region affected, and more or less effusion into the 
cavity of the chest itself. In this case three, at least, of these 
symptoms were reversed; the cough was not feeble, nor super¬ 
ficial in its tone; the respiratory murmur did not suddenly dis¬ 
appear, while the cavernous rale (a sound which is regarded as 
pathognomonic of excavation in the lungs or dilatation of the 
bronchi) was in itself one of the strongest indications of the truth 
of such an opinion ; and even now I am unable to account for the 
sound, unless it arose from the peculiar manner in which the lungs 
were connected with the trellis-like deposit. The effusion in the 
chest I was not aware of until after death; indeed, its existence 
during life is frequently very difficult to positively decide upon. 
Succussion of the animal is of no avail with us, and percussion, 
probably, is little better. There is one sound, however, which if 
it can be detected may in all cases be relied upon with a certainty 
little less, I think, than demonstrative. The sound to which I 
allude exactly resembles that produced by a drop of water falling 
into a deep well: many others might be enumerated, which if taken 
and considered in the aggregate would render the matter more than 
probable ; but this one I consider as unerring, and, as I have just 
intimated, may be regarded as demonstrative of the fact. I have 
now traced this interesting case through most of its principal 
bearings, and I think satisfactorily shewn, that though the types 
of disease which it exhibited were numerous, yet, that all may 
fairly be considered as having their immediate origin from one 
common cause, viz., the presence of a morbid product within the 
system, caused, in the first instance, from the irregular development 
of strangles. Many cases of irregular strangles are recorded; but 
