40 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



feeders, show on the other hand, better developed abdomens, 

 the bowels being distended by the large quantities of food 

 they contain. The more voluminous the food, the greater the 

 circumference of the belly. [The abdominal circumference is 

 further increased in pregnancy and in diseases causing exu- 

 dates to accumulate in the abdominal cavity, ascites]. 



Animals with curvature of the spine, abnormal bending 

 of the leg bones or diffuse enlargements of joints suffer or 

 have suffered from constitutional bone diseases in youth 

 (rachitis). Calves with broad, beefy hind parts and wide 

 loins suffer from pelvic distortion, grow slowly and should 

 not be used for breeding ("Doppellender"). 



IV. Temperament. By temperament we mean the 

 mental attitude the animal assumes toward impressions per- 

 ceived through the medium of the organs of sense. An ani- 

 mal's knowledge of what is going on about it is obtained 

 through the instrumentality of the bodily senses of sight, 

 hearing, smell, and touch. We distinguish between a livclv 

 and a phlegmatic temperament, comparing the power of quick 

 perception with its opposite slow comprehension. Too much 

 tendency in either direction will affect the usefulness of an 

 animal. 



Animals of fiery disposition often show temper by being 

 stiibborii, vicious, balky,, or they are very nervous, anxious, 

 easily frightened, which reduces their economic value. Young 

 animals, especially horses, are often restless and like to play. 



Animals of a very phlegmatic temperament may be so 

 slow to move as to impair their usefulness. 



The sort of temperament possessed by an animal is shown 

 by its external appearance. The countenance, expression of 

 the eye, play of the ears, and quickness of movement form 

 sources from which the temperament and disposition may be 

 judged. The facial expression and eye give information as to 

 the mental condition. 



Blind horses are often scary ; they employ the sense of 



