THE PULSE. 229 



diameter or bulk of the artery or heart is much 

 increased at each pulsation ; a strong full pulse 

 always occurs in a healthy horse. If the pulse 

 rises but very little under the fingers, it is said to 

 be a small pulse ; and if, at the same time, it is 

 accompanied with a degree of hardness, we call it 

 a small oppressed pulse; this sort of pulse is fre- 

 quently met with in horses that are high fed, and 

 not enough exercised, and arises from too great 

 quantity of blood in the system, which, when 

 diminished by bleeding, the pulse becomes fuller, 

 and the horse looks more lively. 



A small oppressed pulse is frequently also pre- 

 sent in sleeping staggers, inflammation of the 

 lungs, and in inflammatory colic, while, at the 

 same time, the pulse is not much quicker than 

 usual : but each of these diseases has other 

 symptoms peculiar to the part affected, and more 

 to be depended upon, as marking the particular 

 seat of the affection ; yet the pulse, in these cases, 

 is certainly an additional convincing sign of in- 

 flammation, or disease, being present ; and the pulse 

 becoming fuller after bleeding, is a proof of the 

 good effects of depletion. 



When the pulse strikes against the fingers with 

 much force, like a hard body, we call it a hai'd 



