DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD, ETC. 377 



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while the blood is poor and thin,- as well as deficient in quan- 

 tity. Such a pulse accompanies all diseases that tend to 

 prostrate the system, and at other times may indicate the 

 yery near approach of death. Depletion means murder here. 

 Stimulants, tonics, are what the patient needs, to arouse and 

 assist the flagging life-energies to proper action. 



Some persons bleed for every ailment, and others for none 

 at all. There must be discrimination in this as in every 

 thing else. When the horse is well, it is absolute folly and 

 cruelty to bleed. Let well enough alone. But when the 

 veins are turgid with blood, and the pulse, under the stim- 

 ulus of fever and inflammation, is hard, wiry, or oppressed, 

 the practioner who endeavors to cure the horse by means 

 of medication only will generally find himself a fool for his 

 pains. 



For the more convenient reference of the reader, we will 

 here recapitulate the various states of the pulse in disease, 

 with the general indications of each concerning bleeding : 



Quick throbbing pulse — ^inflammation : bleed freely. 



Hard pulse — feverish excitement: bleed freely. 



Full, corded pulse — chronic or long-standing disease : bleed 

 moderately two or three times, ten days apart. 



Small, wiry pulse — usually inflammation of the bowels: 

 bleed copiously. 



Oppressed pulse — usually inflammation of the lungs : bleed 

 freely. 



Weak pulse — debility : do not bleed at all. 



Several things are to be taken into account in making up 

 one's mind as to the frequency of the pulse, such as the 

 horse's temperament, blood, customary employment, etc. 

 Especially should the fact be inquired into whether the ani- 

 mal is overheated or much agitated by fear, as by these cir- 

 cumstances the pulse will be increased as much as from eight 

 to twelve beats per minute. Fear, indeed, will occasion 

 greater excitement, in this respect, than even exercise. In 

 judging of the pulse, then, the horse should be as nearly 

 tranquil as possible. It will be best to note its beats two or 



