154 THE FARMER S VETERINARIAN 



has just about been reached. In some diseases there 

 is a regular alternative between morning and even- 

 ing temperatures. In others, the course is con- 

 tinuous, w^ith slight variations, while in others the 

 course is intermittent. In this last named it varies 

 at different portions of the day, but reaches a 

 normal at a certain time each day. 



The pulse-rate usually bears a certain relation 

 to the height of the disease. Consequently the 

 pulse should be taken in connection with the fever 

 height indicated by the thermometer. A fast pulse 

 and a high fever in general is more serious than a 

 high fever with a pulse only slightly above the 

 normal number of beats. There are exceptions to this 

 however, as, for instance, in cerebro-spinal menin- 

 gitis. In the early stages of fever, the develop- 

 ment cannot at the moment always be decided. In 

 many cases little treatment, if any, will be neces- 

 sary. The caution should be observed, neverthe- 

 less, of ascertaining the cause of the disturbance, if 

 possible. In any case, simple cathartics can be 

 given, good air provided, nourishing feed supplied, 

 and time allowed for careful observation of the 

 system and of the actions and movements of the 

 animal. 



FISTULAE. — A chronic discharge from some 

 tubelike channel, with no tendency to heal. Fistulas 

 are most common in horses. They may be located on 

 the withers (fistulous withers), on the side of the 

 face (tooth fistulae), on the breast bone (sternal 

 fistulae), or on the lower jaw (salivary fistulse). 

 Fistulous withers are caused from some external in- 

 jury (the animal rolling on a rock, ill-fitting collars, 

 the saddle pressing on the withers, or from being 

 struck by a club). Tooth fistulae are caused by a 

 decayed tooth. The pus in trying to get out of the 



