GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE. 33 



the pulse becomes weak, and is not in sucli instances to be 

 considered a proper indication of the cardiac contraction. The 

 contraction may be strong while the pulse is comparatively 

 feeble. As a rule, however, except in valvular incompetency or 

 muscular degeneration of the heart, there is a general correspon- 

 dence between the cardiac and arterial pulsations, which renders 

 the one a tolerably correct measure of the other. The quantity of 

 blood also has undoubtedly some influence on the character of the 

 pulse. When it is deficient, the pulse is likely to be smaller than 

 natural. This is not an absolute rule, for in animals which may 

 be considered to be in a plethoric condition the pulse is some- 

 times comparatively small. A modification of the quality of the 

 blood affects the pulse, and this is most especially exemplified in 

 cases of blood disease, such as hfemo-albumenuria and purpura 

 hsemorrhagica, where it is frequently found that the pulse is 

 " double," " fluttering," or " trembling." 



The varieties of the pulse which are described by authors as 

 being recognisable by the touch are — 



(1.) As regards the number of pulsations within a given time, 

 the pulse is said to be frequent or infrequent, — pulsus 

 frcquens, pulsus rarus. 

 (2.) As regards the time which seems to be occupied by each 

 beat, the pulse is said to be quick or slow, — pulsus celer, 

 pulsus tardus. 

 (3.) As regards the dilatability of the artery in length and 

 breadth, the pulse is said to be large or small, — pulsus 

 magnus, pulsus parvus. 

 (4.) As regards the compressibility of the artery, the pulse is 

 said to be hard or soft, — pulsus durus, pulsus mollis.'^ 



THE SYMPTOMS AFFORDED BY THE PULSE. 



The frequent pulse — pulsus frcquens. — Frequency of the pulse, 

 or its number in a given time, varies slightly within the limits 

 of health in animals of the same breed and similar conformation, 

 and more so in animals of different breeds and temperaments. 

 If the standard in the horse be set at forty beats per minute, 

 it is not at all inconsistent with health to find it differ ten 

 beats in two animals differing but slightly in breed and con- 

 figuration. Thus, one may have a pulse of thirty-five and 



^ Dr. BaiiDON Sanderson : Handbook of the Sphygmograph. 



D 



