CHAPTER III.—PART III.
DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION
Cold, Catarrh
The nose and air-passages are lined with a delicate membrane, whose office it is to secrete a thin mucous which lubricates the parts. Under the influence of a chill, suppressed perspiration, etc., this membrane becomes irritated, inflamed, and the discharge arrested, or it is thickened, increased, or variously modified.
The symptoms usually are, the sheep is not so lively as usual; he eats little or no food; he coughs and sneezes; a watery discharge flows from one or both nostrils, and also from the eyes, which are red and swelled.
In the more severe form, there is a chill, warm skin, quick pulse, frequent and somewhat difficult breathing, sore throat, pain in the throat when pinched, frequent cough, rough coat, bound bowels, red eyes, and red and dry nose; tears flow freely, and little or no food is eaten—all symptoms indicating a catarrhal fever. As the animal improves, the discharge from the nose becomes white or yellowish, and more profuse.
TREATMENT.—When the disease commences with a chill, or any considerable degree of fever is present, give fifteen drops of the A.A., and repeat it several times, at intervals of one or two hours. Then alternate the E.E., with the A.A., at intervals of two or three hours, until the disease is broken up.
Cough
This is usually a symptom of some primary disorder on the cure of which it will disappear. It may, however, be a passing irritation. A persistent cough is suggestive of serious ailment, and, without delay, give the E.E., and you may save the animal.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis, or inflammation of the lining membrane of the windpipe, is due to cold, changeable weather, etc. It is distinguished from bronchitis (see next section) by a characteristic _ring_ in the cough. The open mouth, with outstretched head, indicates difficulty of breathing and a sense of suffocation. This frequently ensues from thickening of the membrane and closure of the _rima glottidis_, or entrance to the windpipe. A.A., a dose two or three times per day, is the treatment.
Bronchitis, or Inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes
This disease is usually the result of exposure to cold and wet, or sudden changes of temperature; it is almost always preceded by a common cold, which has been neglected or overlooked.
SYMPTOMS.—Cough, which becomes by degrees more painful, frequent and husky; the countenance becomes anxious and distressed; the breathing is quick, heaving and obstructed, in consequence of tough, tenacious phlegm; unwillingness to move; the breath is hot; the cough is increased by moving about, occurs in fits, and is wheezing in character; no food is eaten; the animal wastes; skin becomes dry, and is bound to the ribs; the coat stares and looks unthrifty. The animal may die from extension of the disease to the substance of the lungs.
TREATMENT.—The earlier stages of this disease, or catarrh, should be treated at once, as directed under that head. Then a dose or two of the Remedy for that disease removes all danger.
Remove the animal to a warm but well ventilated stable, and feed on warm mashes and gruel.
Give first, at intervals of two hours, two or three doses of the A.A., twenty drops at a dose. This will allay the heat and fever to some extent. Then alternate, at intervals of three hours, the E.E., with the A.A., the same doses, and continue this treatment until restored, only that the medicine need not be given so frequently after improvement has progressed.
Pneumonia—Inflammation of the Lungs
This disease may be caused by exposure to cold and wet; too severe weather; sudden changes of weather; cold nights and mornings and hot middays, are apt to induce it.
SYMPTOMS.—Want of appetite; loss of the cud; dull, staring eyes; ears are hung down; the head is held up; the mouth open; breathing quick, labored and difficult, with heaving of the flanks; grating of the teeth; inside of the nose and white of the eyes much reddened; a discharge, at first thin and watery, afterwards mattery and offensive, flows from the nostrils; frequent painful cough, attended with rattling in the throat. These symptoms gradually become more and more severe, until the animal dies.
TREATMENT.—The A.A., will generally be found sufficient. Give a dose of five drops every two hours. Should the disease not yield in a day or two, the E.E., in doses of five drops, may be alternated with the A.A., every three hours.