Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

PLEURISY. 271
While disease of the substance of the lungs usually takes on the
form of bronchitis in cattle, these animals are nevertheless subject to
inflammation of the pleura, or covering membrane of the lung, and
the lining one of the chest. Of the exciting causes of pneumonia, the
most frequent and active, is the exposure to partial cold. The ox,
after hard work, and the cow, too soon after parturition, have nothing
but the cold, damp ground to lie upon. Even in his stable, the ox is
too much neglected ; sleeping on dung undergoing fermentation.
The evaporation and the diffusion of pestilential gas are in great
activity. Nothing can be more likely to cause inflammation 'of the
lining membrane of the chest.
Pleurisy may be produced by contusions on the side, and by wounds
penetrating the thoracic cavity : to these evils the ox, among his
horned brethren, is much exposed.
Post-mortem examination proves that, next to bronchitis, the most
frequent disease of the chest is pleurisy.
Among the symptoms by which we" may distinguish pleurisy from
every other inflammatory affection of the chest, is the greater frequency
of universal shivering, and particularly of shivering or trembling
of the shoulders. This is a very peculiar symptom, and should
be carefully studied. Even while the animal is otherwise quiet, the
shoulders and upper part of the chest are trembling violently,.
The cough of pleurisy is lower, shorter, and more painful than that
of most other chest affections. The breathing, seldom so laborious
as in some other cases, is shorter and broken off in the act of inspira-
tion, and lengthened in that of expiration. The sides are tender ; the
animal shrinks if they be but lightly touched ; and there are twitchings
of the skin, and a very curious succession of wavy lines running
over the affected side or sides.
The termination of pleurisy is by the effusion of fluid into the chest,
compressing the lungs on every side, gradually rendering respiration
difficult, and at length impossible, and destroying the beast by suffo-
cation.
There is little difference in the treatment of pneumonia and pleurisy.
In both, the inflammation must be subdued by bleeding, physic, seda-
tives, blisters, setons, and restricted diet. Half an ounce of the
common liquid turpentine may be used with advantage, instead of
the nitre, when the presence of pleurisy is clearly ascertained.
No advantage has been taken of an operation on the pleuritic ox by
which the fluid might be withdrawn from the chest. It may be
worth the attempt.
There are generally adhesions between the covering of the lung
and the lining of the sides ; and between the lung and the diaphragm,
which would always interfere materially with the act of respiration