The Vet. Book 



the influence of drugs and disease acts in a similar 

 manner. The normal number of respirations in a 

 horse is, approximately, from 12 to 16 per 

 minute, but in disease, likewise after exercise, 

 this number may be multiplied four or five times. 

 The value of the respiratory movements as an aid 

 to the diagnosis of disease is not of very great 

 importance, but as a general statement it is fairly 

 accurate to say that diseases of the lungs are 

 characterised by accelerated breathing, but in 

 pleurisy the movements are slow and painful, 

 the inspiratory movements being performed with 

 difficulty, through the pain induced by this act. 

 In addition to what is called thoracic breathing, 

 there is in the complaint last alluded to the so-called 

 abdominal breathing, which implies the usage of 

 the auxiliary muscles of respiration. The mere 

 fact of an animal having accelerated breathing does 

 not necessarily imply defective respiratory power. 

 On the other hand it is significant, though for 

 a correct interpretation of such significance there 

 are many difficulties confronting the amateur. 



There is a diseased condition known as 

 emphysema of the lungs or broken wind, in which 

 the respiratory movements are pathognomonic, and 

 will be referred to under their respective headings. 



Mucous Membranes 



The visible mucous membranes, i.e., those lining 

 the eyelids, mouth and nose, and likewise the 



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