western or stable fever.

_The specific cause is not definitely known_. The _Streptococcus pyogenes
equi_ (Fig. 116) is very commonly present. This germ grows in the diseased
tissues. The disease is spread by direct or indirect contact, as when well
or susceptible animals are placed in the same stable with an animal
affected with the disease, or in stalls which have recently held diseased
animals.

_The period of incubation_ is from four to ten days following exposure.

_The symptoms_ are those commonly seen at the beginning of an attack of
simple pneumonia and pleurisy. They consist of chills, high fever, cough,
depression, difficult and labored breathing and loss of appetite. The
disease usually runs a course of from one to three weeks. The death-rate is
thirty per cent or more.

_The treatment_ is mainly preventive. Stables where horses having
pleuropneumonia have been kept should be cleaned and disinfected by
spraying the floors, stalls and walls with a four per cent water solution
of a cresol disinfectant. It is advisable to subject all newly-purchased
animals to a short quarantine period before allowing them to mix with the
other animals in the stable. Exposed animals may be given a protective
serum.

_The curative treatment_ is the same as recommended for the treatment of
simple pneumonia and pleurisy.


QUESTIONS