268 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



languid ness iu tlie circulation, very easily discerned under 

 pressure of the finger. It, however, sometimes happens that 

 small pulse may be accompanied by hardness and jerking ; 

 but still the remarkable smallness in the circulating fluid 

 will be perceptible. This condition is caused by the irrita- 

 bility of the heart causing a contraction of the ventricle 

 before it is properly filled with blood. Small pulse shows that 

 some dangerous condition of disease is to be apprehended, 

 as it invariablv accompanies inflammation of the bowels. 



A WEAK PULSE. 



This is caused by a feeble action of the heart, as the 

 stream of arterial blood is flowing slowly, and hence is 

 hardly to be felt. It indicates debility, and accompanies 

 complaints the reverse of fever. Stimulants are generally 

 necessary in this condition of pulse. 



OPPRESSED PULSE. 



When the arteries are fully distended with blood, and 

 the pressure upon them is greater than their calibre will 

 convey with ease, owing to some obstruction in their 

 interior, and the action of the heart is unable to press 

 forward the current, and in consequence the pulsation feels 

 irregular and unequal, the pulse is said to be oppressed. 

 In sudden inflammation of the lungs this condition is 

 common. They are gorged and overloaded with blood, 

 which cannot force its way through their minute vessels. 

 It has been invariably found that after copious bleeding, an 

 oppressed pulse has been much increased. This arises from 

 a portion of the blood being removed from the choked 

 vessels, which enables that which remains to flow on without 

 interruption. 



The pulse is subject to various modifications besides 



