CHAPTER II 

 DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE 



The importance of recognizing or diagnosing the seat and 

 nature of the morbid change occurring in an organ or group of 

 organs cannot be overestimated. Laymen do not comprehend 

 the difficulty or importance of correctly grouping the signs or 

 symptoms of disease in such a way as to enable them to recognize 

 the nature of the disease. In order to be able to understand the 

 meaning of the many symptoms or sigiis of disease, we must pos- 

 sess knowledge of the structure and physiological functions of 

 the different organs of the body. We must be familiar with the 

 animal when it is in good health in order to be able to recognize 

 any deviation from the normal due to disease, and we must learn 

 from personal observation the different symptoms that charac- 

 terize the different diseases. Stockmen should be able to tell 

 when any of the animals in their care are sick as soon as the 

 first symptom of disease manifests itself, by changes in the 

 general appearance and behavior. But in order to ascertain 

 the exact condition a general and systematic examination is 

 necessary. The examiner, whether he be a layman or a veteri- 

 narian, must observe the animal carefully, noting the behavior, 

 appearance, surroundings, and general and local symptoms. 



Before making a general exam'mation of the animal it is well, 

 if the examiner is not already acquainted with the history of the 

 case (care, feed and surroundings), to learn as much about this 

 from the attendant as is possible. Inquiry should be made as 

 to the feeding, the conditions under which the animal has been 

 kept, the length of time it has been sick, its actions, or any other 

 information that may be of assistance in forming the diagnosis 

 and outlining the treatment. 



The general symptoms inform us regarding the condition of 

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