Covering the lungs and reflected over the walls of the chest is a very fine, smooth, delicate, glistening membrane known as the pleura. This membrane is moistened by a fluid that, in connection with the smooth, polished surface of the membrane, permits of the easy, frictionless movements of the lungs during breathing. Sometimes as a result of wounds, bruises or injuries, more commonly as the result of colds and occasionally for no appreciable cause, this membrane becomes inflamed, and we have a most painful disease known as pleurisy. In this disease the lubricating fluid previously mentioned disappears. The glistening surface of the membrane becomes swollen and roughened, so that in breathing the part of the membrane covering the lungs and the part reflected over the walls of the chest rub together and make breathing a most painful process. This stage lasts about twenty-four hours, and then the lubricating fluid that disappears at the first sign of the disease begins to reappear in increased quantities and there is a general effusion into the chest cavity on the affected side. In some cases this effusion is so great as to almost or completely fill the space formerly occupied by the lungs, and they are compressed into a small mass and rendered entirely useless. In acute attacks of this disease that terminate in recovery there is, in a few days, a reabsorption of this fluid, and the pleura regains its normal condition. If the reabsorption of the fluid in the cavity is slow or delayed and extends over a period of two or three weeks the patient is left with what is known as chronic pleurisy.

Symptoms: In some cases there is a soreness of the chest for two or three days to which no attention has been paid; in other cases there is a severe chill, accompanied by shivering and intense pain in breathing, so that the animal does not completely fill the lungs, but takes short, quick, catchy breaths. There is a cough and all the symptoms of fever, such as restlessness, increased thirst, loss of appetite, watery eyes; anxious, worried expression; hot, dry nose and coated tongue. The veins of the eyeball and lips darken in color. The animal lies on the affected side so as to allow the opposite lung more opportunity to expand.

An examination of the chest will show a restrained movement of the lungs. The characteristic sounds- in the first stage, are a dry, grating, rasping sound caused by the inflamed and roughened surfaces of the pleurae rubbing against each other. After effusion of the liquid has taken place, we have the second stage of the disease. This is easily determined by percussion. Press two or three fingers of one hand flat and firmly against the chest wall and strike them with one or two fingers of the other hand. The blows should be quick, short and light. Strike only once on each spot, and move the hand quickly from one spot to another until the entire chest has been covered. If this be done to both the well and affected side, a rapid comparison can be made of the difference in sound. If the sound given forth is dead, flat and woodeny, it denotes an absence of air in that part of the chest and indicates that the chest cavity is filled with fluid and the lung compressed into a solid mass. On auscultation the respiratory sound is entirely suppressed or only faintly heard. An examination of the chest of normal dogs both by auscultation and percussion will familiarize the owner with the natural sounds so that he will have no difficulty in recognizing the departures and variations in disease.

The pulse in pleurisy is quite diagnostic of the disease, being quick, hard, wiry and much faster than normal. The temperature varies from 101 to 103.

Prognosis: Pleurisy, although a painful disease, is simple as compared to pneumonia or bronchitis. As a rule only one side is affected, and in the absence of pus, the disease generally terminates favorably.

Treatment: In diseases of the chest as in all other diseases, dirt and hygienic surroundings are of the utmost importance. The object in the first stage is to relieve the pain and suffering and if possible, to check the progress of the disease. This is best accomplished by giving a dose of Dover's powder, varying in size from five to thirty grains, depending upon the size of the dog. This will relieve the pain, quiet the patient and thus limit the constitutional disturbance. The chest jacket, described in the treatment of pneumonia, should then be applied, as it is a great protection.

If a dose or two of Dover's powder early in the disease, does not check its course, the following prescription may be used:

Morphine Sulphates .........................two grains.

Tr. Aconite Rad...........................twenty drops.

Aquae.......................................three oz.

Ft. Mist Sig.

Dose is one teaspoonful, every four hours, until the animal is quiet and inclined to sleep.

If the fluid within the chest cavity does not disappear within a week, there is danger of its becoming purulent. A veterinary surgeon or physician should be called in to tap the chest, low down and far back and draw part of the fluid with an asperating needle or a trochar and canula.

If the bowels do not move freely, they can be opened and kept so by the syrup of buckthorn in tablespoc-nful doses, repeated as often as may be necessary. If the animal is very weak, or the general strength seems to be impaired by the use of these laxatives, they should be dispensed with.

Keep up the animal's strength by feeding raw, lean beef, chopped fine, raw eggs, milk punch, mutton broths and anything he will eat of a nourishing nature. After the fever abates and the crisis has passed, the emulsion of cod liver oil in tablespoonful doses should be given three or four times a day. A good tonic pill is prepared as follows:

Sulphate of Quinine ......................... 12 grains.

Sulphate of Iron ............................ 12 grains.

Extract of Gentian .......................... 12 grains.

Powdered Ginger ........................... 12 grains.

Diastase ................................... 3 grains.

Pepsin .................................... 2 4 grains.

Make into twelve pills and give one night and morning.