236 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



cally affected by 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 

 with double its ordinary quickness. This is not a 

 complaint of very frequent occurrence, but extremely 

 dangerous, and such is the strength and rapidity of 

 the heart's action, that its pulsations may be dis- 

 tinctly 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 the 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 sub- 

 maxillary artery and vein, and the parotid-duct, pass 

 under the jaw. (See Plate in, fig. i, 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 much importance, 

 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 give the number of its beats in a minute, 

 without its condition. 



In a healthy state, the pulsations in the heart of 

 a farmer's horse range from thirty-five to forty in a 



