GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE. 43 



there is occasionally a diminution of all the secretions, but this 

 can only continue for a short time, as some particular organ, the 

 bowels, kidneys, or skin, is excited to increased action by the 

 presence of effete materials in the blood, and its secretion thus 

 increased, while those of the rest are diminished. General 

 increase of the secretions is scarcely possible, and much more 

 frequently the increase, like the diminution, is confined to one 

 or more secretory organs. Excessive and exhaustive secretions 

 are termed colliquative. 



Perversion of the secretory functions is characterised by an 

 alteration in the character of the secreted materials. The pro- 

 ducts of secretion are sometimes wholly changed in character 

 from those of the same organ in health, becoming excessively 

 irritant, and yielding evidence to chemical re-agents of the 

 presence of new constituents. In some instances, again, one 

 secretory organ will perform the function of another, as when 

 biliary matters are excreted by the kidneys when the liver 

 ceases to act. 



SYMPTOMS BELONGIXG TO THE CALORIFIC FUNCTIONS. 



The animal body is so constituted as to be able to bear great 

 extremes of heat and cold, and be yet in itself never greatly 

 above or below the mean standard of health — never greatly 

 above, and never much below, until vitality has ceased, or has 

 been so far reduced as to have surrendered the body to the 

 operation of surrounding influences. 



The mean temperature of the body in those internal parts 

 which are most easily accessible — as the mouth and rectum — 

 may be estimated at from 99° to 102° F. In thirty-four healthy 

 ■horses, all under the same conditions, the temperature was found 

 to be under 101° in ten; 102-2° in one; and 101*2° to 101-8° in 

 twenty-one. In young animals the temperature is commonly 

 about 102°, but in very old ones I have seen it as low as 96°. 

 The external parts of the body become lowered in temperature 

 the farther they are removed from the centre, and are liable to 

 much variation from the state of the surrounding atmosphere. 



The method of ascertaining the temperature of the body in the 

 lower animals is by introducing a properly registered thermometer 

 into the rectum. The practice of thus measuring the changes of 



