PREVENTION AND FIRST AID TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 305 



and evening than it is during night and early morning. Immediately 

 after work, and especially in a hot sun, the temperature of healthy 

 animals may rise, but as a rule it is unaffected by climatic conditions, 

 and it is thus a most valuable guide. The thermometer should be 

 observed before introduction into the bowel to make sure that it is below 

 the normal temperature of the animal, wetted or oiled to make its 

 passage easy, kept in a sufficient time to register accurately (three 

 minutes is ample for the slowest thermometers) and cleaned in cold 

 water. Before putting it away shake the mercury down again below 

 the normal temperature. A rise of temperature often precedes any 

 visible symptoms in contagious diseases, and so is important in weeding 

 out "suspected" animals. 



Breathing. — The breathing may be most conveniently noted by the Breathing. 

 rise and fall of the flank, the movement of the nostrils, or on a cold 

 morning by the steamy expiration of the breath. It should be counted 

 when the animal is first approached, as excitement, fright or movement 

 cause an increase in the number of the respirations. Breathing is 

 usually noiseless, and any sounds made during it deserve attention 

 as they indicate that the lungs or throat are affected. The rise and fall of 

 the flank is steady and gradual, but in broken-winded animals there is a 

 double effort to expire the air from the chest. 



Pulse. — The pulse may be easiest felt beneath the lower jaw of the Pulse. 

 horse and mule ; inside the arm or at the back of the fetlock of the ox ; 

 by the heart beats of the camel. The animal should be at perfect rest 

 when it is taken, as exercise and excitement quicken it. In illness the 

 pulse is usually faster than normal, and its character varies considerably, 

 the two most important differences which it is necessary to note being 

 whether it is stronger or weaker than it should be. 



The colour of the lining of the eye., ?iose a?td mouth indicate the The colour 

 state of the blood, as in these situations the covering over the blood- 0/ the 

 vessels is so thin that the condition of the circulation may be judged by 'j"'"g of 

 observing them. Normally, they are of a salmon pink colour, and f^^e J^J^^^^^^', 

 from spots or discharges, but during illness they may become a darker mouth. 

 red (congested), paler (from loss of blood), or yellowish (bilious). 



The skill should be supple in all animals, free from scurf and rolling The skin, 

 easily on the structures beneath, and the hair of the coat should lie 

 evenly, feel smooth, and carry a gloss. In disease it may be "hide- 

 bound," or feel as if it were stuck firmly on the muscles below ; " scurfy," 

 from want of attention or sometimes from mange ; and the coat may be 

 " dull " in appearance, " harsh " to the feel, or " staring," that is, having 

 the hair on end instead of lying flat. 



(b 10948) U 



