SEMIOLOGY. 9 



of alleviation, and the most successful modes of the prevention 

 of disease in the horse, it will be for our advantage, at this par- 

 ticular stage, to recognise and examine those large and general 

 sources of information, those channels through which symptoms 

 of derangement are exhibited and from which signs of disease 

 are collected, and by which we are led better to understand the 

 causes or factors which may have induced this disease, and the 

 localities and textures specially the seats of morbid changes, 

 all of which are needed to qualify us for giving a place to an}^ 

 diseased process or condition in whatever system of nosology 

 we may choose to adopt, as also to form a 'pi'0[/nosis of the case 

 or to direct our treatment. 



Symptoms are valuable, but we must know how, or the 

 manner in which, these are to be gathered. We must have 

 some system or method in conducting the chnical examination 

 of our patients, so as to abstract from them the information 

 they are able to yield. 



No doubt the experienced practitioner can gain his loiow- 

 ledge of a case of disease in any or in many ways, and probabl}^ 

 by the observance of little method ; but for all who are only 

 commencing the acquisition of practical knowledge, and who 

 wish to advance, method is all but indispensable. 



The subjective examination in our patients must of course, 

 if admitted, be a much weaker foundation upon which to build 

 than the objective, Avhich ought in proportion, therefore, to be 

 more thoroughly and carefully carried out. And although it 

 may seem a little troublesome and tedious at first, ' case-taking ' 

 in the practice of veterinary medicine will amply repay, both 

 from the immediate benefit and information obtained, as well 

 as from pleasure aftbrded in after-life by reference to worlc 

 executed long antecedent. 



Many plans have been sketched upon which case-taldng has 

 been recommended, and possibly each has somethmg better 

 than the others ; for us, however, it is probable that a combina- 

 tion of regional and physiological examination is that which 

 best serves the purpose. 



Before, however, proceeding to carry out this in detail, and 

 make note of the facts as they occur, it is generally expedient 

 to carry out some preliminary examination. 



(1) Observation must be made of the breed, age, general 



