GENERAL PART OF EXAMINATION. 33 



great importance. Not infrequently a diagnostic conclusion 

 in a clinical case is reached largely through the impression 

 the patient makes upon us by its habitus. 



Obvious physiological abnormalities are sometimes of 

 themselves an index to the character of the disease. How- 

 ever, one should guard against reaching hasty conclusions 

 from the first impressions of the patient, to the neglect of a 

 thorough examination. 



I. Attitude of the patient. Healthy horses as a rule 

 remain standing during the day, or if lying down they imme- 

 diately rise to their feet at the approach of a stranger. They 

 will frequently lie flat on the side with feet extended, pro- 

 vided the halter strap is long enough and the stall of suffi- 

 cient width. 



Healthy cattle (bovines) lie down often during the day, 

 especially just after feeding, and they are not so prone to rise 

 when approached. They seldom lie flat on the side, but in 

 sternal decubitus the limbs folded under them. 



Healthy sheep jump up when approached and usually run 

 away. 



The attitude of sick animals whether standing or lying 

 down is often of value in diagnosis. 



Standing attitudes assumed during disease. The head 

 is held stifHy and extended in pharyngitis, cerebro-spinal men- 

 ingitis, muscular rheumatism, malignant head catarrh of the 

 ox, and in acute encephalitis of sheep and goats. 



\^ery sick animals usually hold the head dozen, and as- 

 sume a relaxed, languid attitude, the ears drooping; horses, 

 rest their feet alternately. 



Cows suffering from severe vaginitis stand with arched"' 

 baek, tail held high, and legs spread apart. They do not. 

 "stand over" readily in the stable, and if driven stop repeat- 

 edly to urinate. 



A stiff, quiet attitude, avoiding moving as much as possi- 

 ble, is characteristic of very painful affections in the chest or 



