THE PULSE. 2G5 



alFected bj almost all the complaints incidental to the animal 

 frame, no matter how distant that malady may be from it. 

 An injury of the foot will in a very short time cause the 

 heart to beat, or pulsate, Avith double its ordinary quick- 

 ness. Indeed it frequently happens that inflammation of 

 the heart will ensue through sympathy with some remote 

 diseased portion of the animal. AVhen such an affection 

 takes place, immediate and copious bleeding should in- 

 stantly be resorted to, otherwise the animal may die. This 

 is not a complaint of very frequent occurrence, but ex- 

 tremely dangerous ; and such is the strength and rapidity of 

 the heart's action, that its pulsations may be distinctly 

 seen at the animal's side, and even heard at some yards 

 distance. In this complaint the animal exhibits great 

 energy of expression of countenance, with a quick and 

 restless motion ^ 



THE PULSE. 



As the pulse is so intimately connected with the action of 

 tlie heart, we may with propriety treat of it in this place. 

 As in the human subject the pulse is a useful key to the 

 health of the system, it is likewise of the same value to 

 those practising the veterinary art. 



Although there are several parts in a horse where the 

 pulse may be felt, yet the most convenient is at the lower 

 jaw, a little behind the part where the submaxillary artery 

 and vein, and the parotid-duct, pass under the jaw. See 

 plate iii. fig. 1, r. At this spot the pulsations may be not 

 only distinctly counted, but also the character of the action 

 of the pulse accurately ascertained ; which is of nuich im- 

 portance, because its hardness and softness indicate certain 

 conditions of disease. Many persons place the hand on the 

 side to ascertain the state of the pulse ; but this will only 



