30 DISEASE. 



structure ? And are there not diseases whose nature or 

 essence are not discernible ? The definition I shall adopt 

 'comes from Chomel. Disease is a "notable^' or palpable 

 alteration, occurring in the position, or structure or composi- 

 tion of vital parts, or in the performance of one or more of 

 their functions. This definition appears applicable to all 

 disorders, while it does not include alterations in the cir- 

 culating fluids. (Delafond.) 



The special definition of a disease consists in a succinct, 

 exposition of all such characters as distinguish it from other 

 and similar maladies. These characters are to be found in 

 the causes, symptoms, progress, duration, termination, and 

 sometimes in the treatment of the malady. (Delafond.) 



So far as practice is concerned, neither of these definitions 

 require further description; for the safest guide to the 

 recognition of disease is to be found in an acquaintance with 

 the opposite condition. 



Division. — In animals, disease presents itself to us in 

 two forms, — either as sickness or lameness : the former being 

 that state which is contrasted with the general or bodily 

 health ; the latter, that which is opposed to soundness. Dis- 

 ease, however, may exist without the pale of either of these 

 divisions : it may be confined to some one individual part, 

 and not be productive of either sickness or of lameness. 



Seat. — When a sick or lame horse is brought to us, our 

 first inquiry is directed to the discovery of the seat or situa- 

 tion of the ailment. This is an inquiry embracing two con- 

 siderations : first, we must ascertain the member diseased ; 

 and, secondly, in what essential part of that member the 

 disease resides. This proves an investigation too often em- 

 barrassing even to the surgeon, whose patient, gifted with 

 speech, can in language describe the nature of his pains : 

 how much more arduous, then, must the undertaking be in 

 the case of the speechless animal ! By signs alone can it 

 make known its complaints; and on our observations of 

 these, and on the correctness of the inferences we deduce 

 from them, must depend our insight into the seat of the 

 malady. 



