158 Veterinary Elements. 



ment shake the thermometer in a. downward direction. 

 The healthy horse will have a temperature of 100 

 Fahr., the cow 100 to 101, sheep 104, young animals 

 registering slightly higher. A daily variation of one 

 degree () is quite common and natural, more than that 

 is indicative of disease. The bulb of the thermometer 

 should have a little vaseline put on it before introduc- 

 ing it into the rectum, it should be introduced slowly 

 and if any obstruction is met with should be turned be- 

 tween the fingers and its direction slightly changed. If 

 after the introduction feces are passed the temperature 

 should again be taken after shaking down the mercury. 

 Thermometers are fragile, so should be watched when 

 in use. 



The breathing if hurried can be noticed by the move- 

 ments of the body, in some cases at the flanks and nos- 

 trils, if it is desired to count the respirations, the palm 

 (which must be odorless) of one hand can be held in 

 front of one nostril. 



Sounds within the chest are only capable of interpre- 

 tation by the expert. In the horse the breathing is nat- 

 urally regular and has a rate of 12 to 14 respirations per 

 minute, in cattle 15 per minute, the calf a little faster, 

 18 to 20 a minute. Sheep are easily excited and when 

 so or exerted respirations are quite fast, when at rest 

 they number 18 to 20. The breathing rates are reliable 

 guides in horses, fairly so in cattle, but are of little value 

 in sheep, towards the detection of disease. To examine 

 the eye membranes (the conjunctiva) stand at the near 

 side, place the left hand flat on the nose, and with the 

 right thumb and forefinger examine the eye, by pressing 



