Introduction to the Study of Disease 



external generative organs in the female, are fre- 

 quently referred to by veterinary surgeons for 

 the purpose of ascertaining the degree of vascular 

 disturbance existing within the body. 



In bloodless conditions of the body the mem- 

 branes are pale, whereas in inflammatory states 

 they are considerably heightened in colour, and the 

 minute vessels ramifying over the surface and 

 entering into their structure show marked injec- 

 tion, i.e, they appear to be distended. In a class 

 of diseases, chiefly of a specific nature, the mucous 

 membranes are studded with minute blood-spots 

 indicative of a vitiated condition of the blood. 

 All these membranes express outwardly, a similar 

 state of the mucous membranes within the body, 

 and in liver complaints the jaundiced colour of 

 these membranes shows that the liver is not per- 

 forming its functions properly. 



Age and Sex 

 Both of these exert an influence in the produc- 

 tion of disease, likewise in the ultimate issue. 

 Old animals are predisposed to become afflicted 

 with diseases of the eye ; of the bones and joints ; 

 of the teeth ; and diseases of senility. On the 

 other hand young animals alone suffer from such 

 complaints as joint-ill and inflammation of the 

 umbilical cord ; from acute scour, and (with 

 exceptions) such diseases as Strangles, Canine 

 Distemper, etc., etc. 



xxv ii 



