NEAT CATTLE. 183 



PERSPIRATION. 



While in good health, a fluid is constantly passing 

 from the surface of the body. No small portion of the 

 food and drink taken by the animal passes oflf in this 

 way. Excepting from exercise or hot weather, this is 

 invisible, and is called insensible perspiration; but 

 from great exertion and heat, it increases, and rises in 

 visible vapor, and runs in drops. It is necessary to 

 health that considerable perspiration should thus escape. 

 When, from colds or other causes, the pores of the skin 

 are closed, and perspiration is checked, this produces 

 inflammation of the lungs, catarrh, rheumatism, or 

 other disorders ; and it is by turns the cause and conse» 

 quence of disease. As a remedy, guard against expo, 

 sure ; keep the skin clean and well rubbed, and promote 

 health in every respect. 



CURRYING AND FRICTION. 



On the utility of these operations, see page 90 ; also 

 the last two articles. In this respect, cattle, excepting 

 oxen, are generally neglected ; but cows and young cat- 

 tle, as well as oxen, would be far more comfortable and 

 healthy, and of course more productive to the owner, for 

 daily rubbing and currying, especially when confined to 

 the barn. These operations serve the same purpose to 

 animals as washing and bathing to the human sys- 

 tem. In both cases, they are indispensable to health 

 and comfort. 



THE PULSE. 



The natural pulse of the full-grown ox is fifty to fifty 

 five beats in a minute. But it is some quicker in milcn 

 cows, particularly towards the period of parturition. A 

 pulse much quicker than that here stated denotes fever 

 or inflammation, while one much slower denotes slug- 

 gishness or debility. Yet circumstances are to be con 

 sidered, as the pulse iS quick and bounding at the begin 



