The management and treatment of the horse in the stable, field, and ...

214^ The Management and Treatment of the Horse,
PLEURISY.
This disease, which unhappily is too common, is
entirely confined to inflammation of the pleura or mem-
brane which lines the chest—hence its name—and has
connection with the substance of the lungs. The pulse
is hard, but not oppressed, the extremities are cold,
although not so much so as in common inflammation,
nor is the membrane of the nostril very red. If pressure
on the side is applied the horse will express pain by a
sharp grunt. The unwillingness of the horse to lie down
will soon manifest itself in this as in violent inflam-
mation of the lungs. This disease, like inflammation of
the lungs, is generally caused by sudden transitions from
heat to cold. In this complaint bleeding is generally
adopted, followed by a course of sedative medicine, administered
in the form of a gentle purgative, which may
be given with more safety in this disease than in inflam-
mation of the lungs. If pleurisy is violent, it frequently
induces dropsy in the chest, which, having no means of
escape, lodges itself in the cavity of the chest. When
this is the case little good is to be expected from the
animal, and it is very seldom that a cure can be effected.
Sometimes the chest is punctured for it, which has the
effect of carrying off the fluid; but it too frequently
happens that it is an ineffectual remedy. Whenever it
is suspected that water is forming, puncturing should be
had recourse to, the opening to be made by an instrument
called the trochar. The cavity Avhere it is inserted is
the intercrostal membrane between the seventh and
eighth rib, and as close to the cartilage as possible.
Diuretic medicine in combination with tonics should be