PULSE. 113 



sorted to, there is great reason to fear that the subsequent depression will 

 be excessive ; and prostration of the system and sinking and even death 

 are likely to supervene. 



In such cases it is of course needed to reduce, if possible, the over- 

 excited action of the heart ; but in lieu of depletives recourse may be had 

 to aconite or some such medicine, which may act directly on the heart 

 and lower its action without taking away any portion of the vital fluid. 



No doubt cases do occur, where the pulse is hard or oppressed, when 

 bleeding under certain conditions as to the strength and habit of the 

 patient and the stage and character of the attack will be of benefit ; but 

 relief by this means should never be sought except under the advice of a 

 thoroughly competent veterinary surgeon. The owner of a horse will 

 always act wisely and safely in resisting the entreaties of his groom to be 

 allowed to take " only a few quarts of blood." 



217. Temperature. 



The ordinary temperature of the blood has already been stated to be 

 about 99 Fahrenheit. In diseases of an inflammatory nature or when 

 fever is present the temperature of the blood becomes increased above 

 the normal standard, and is an important guide in determining the con- 

 dition of the patient. 



To ascertain the temperature of a horse a small clinical thermometer 

 is necessary. This is inserted in the rectum, and must be allowed to 

 remain for at least five minutes, when it may be withdrawn, and the 

 index hand will indicate the exact temperature of the patient. 



During the prevalence of influenza or other epizootic diseases, it will 

 well pay the owner to employ a veterinary surgeon to take the tempera- 

 ture of his horses every day, as a rise of two or three degrees will be 

 indicated some hours, perhaps two or three days previous to the manifes- 

 tation of any external symptoms. If the animal is at once taken out of 

 work, the disease will run a milder course. Work in the incipient stage 

 of these diseases often causes them to assume a fatal form. 



In influenza the thermometer has recorded 106 F. in cases that have 

 recovered. The normal temperature of the horse is 100 or one third 

 more or less. 



To obtain an accurate register of temperature it must be taken at the 

 same hours daily. It should not be taken immediately after watering 

 or feeding. Nor should the operator proceed to do so immediately on 

 entering the box, but allow the patient to become tranquil before insert- 

 ing the thermometer, if at least the animal has been disturbed by his 

 entrance. Moreover, all interference such as dressing, removal of clothes 

 or bandages should be avoided just before the test is applied. 



Clinical thermometers by the best makers can alone be relied on. 

 The cheap articles usually sold as clinical thermometers are perfectly 

 unreliable. 



