DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 13 



lymphangitis, the pulse is of a full, bounding, wiry character. A wiry 

 and thready pulse is characteristic of inflammation of serous membrane, 

 punctures of the feet, inflammation of the joints, etc. The weak, small 

 pulse is indicative of debility, showing inflammation of an asthenic 

 type. It may occur in influenza and catarrh. The oppressed pulse is 

 characteristic of congestion and inflammation of the lungs ; you would 

 think the heart had great difhculty in propelling the blood forward. 

 The throbbing pulse is characteristic of inflammation in certain parts. 

 In laminitis there is, perhaps, the best example of the throbbing pulse, 

 beating quickly, with a peculiar throbbing sensation, especially in any 

 inflammatory action in the vascular structures of the feet, making the 

 circulation difficult. A slow pulse is characteristic of cerebral disease, 

 but if only twenty-eight or thirty, you may say at once it is cerebral 

 disease, but if it is accompanied by a comatose condition, then it is 

 indicative of this disease. The intermitting pulse is found where the 

 animal has suftered from some debilitating disease, as influenza, stran- 

 gles, catarrh, etc Although it must in some cases be looked upon with 

 suspicion, it is not generally very alarming, but if there is a change for 

 the worse, and this pulse, it is unfavorable. The fluttering and almost 

 imperceptible pulse, indicates great changes in the system, as in the 

 latter stages of enteritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, etc., especially in enter- 

 itis ; if a case where the pulse is 40, 50 or 60 per minute, and changes, 

 and runs up to 80 or luO, and becomes indistinct, it is indicative of 

 approaching dissolution. These are the varieties of pulse, and due to 

 the manner in which inflammation attacks the various parts. The 

 pulse varies from 25 to 125. You may meet with a case at 125 where it 

 may recover, but higher than this will no doubt prove fatal. 



General Treatment of Inflammation. — The aim should be to diminish 

 the inflammatory action, or if exudation has taken place, to further its 

 removal ; endeavour to find and remove the cause, for without removing 

 the exciting cause, treatment would be of but little value, as in case of a 

 nail in the foot, or from any irritant being lodged in the muscles of the 

 body, or in conjunctivitis and ophthalmia Keeping the animal quiet 

 and keeping the inflamed part in a state of rest, also materially assists 

 your treatment. Put the animal in a clean, well-ventilated box, attend 

 to the diet, give easily digested food, plenty of cold water, etc. These 

 are valuable adjuncts. Solicit the action of the bowels by injections or 

 laxatives, as the case demands. 



Medical Remedies may be either local or constitutional — constitutional 

 given internally, the local applied to the part affected. The constitu- 

 tional acts upon the whole system, and also upon the parts aft'ected. 

 Blood-letting was at one time regarded as the great sheet-anchor of 

 treating inflammation. Bleeding was performed for everything and for 

 nothing. They bled periodically, whether sick or well. The question 

 was once asked a person who was bleeding an apparentlj' healthy ani- 

 mal, "What did you bleed him for?"' " For a shilling, sir," was the 

 answer. But we meet with some cases where it is attended with benefit, 

 as in a vigorous animal, and should not be altogether discarded. But 

 you may bleed an animal almost to death, and still not relieve the in- 

 flammation Blood-letting may be local or general. The local is some- 

 times a benefit, as in a swollen eyelid in human practice. And to do 

 any good it should be drawn quickly and from a large vein — the fleam 

 being the safest way, and the jugular vein being that usually chosen. 

 The amount that should be taken is hard to say, but watch the effect, 

 and if the pulse alters in any way, then stop the flow. Cold applications 

 are useful, and are used extensively in local inflammatory action, and at 



