Symptoms of Disease, 75 



as 104°, it is a certain indication that the horse will shortly 

 die ; while in such a disease as inflammation of the lungs 

 the mercury will register 108° or 109°, and the horse recover. 

 If in gastric or typhoid fever the heat has been 103°, and 

 falls to 100°, and then suddenly rises again to its previous 

 figure, the chances are terribly against the patient, no matter 

 what the other appearances may seem to say. These few ex- 

 amples will serve to show how valuable the instrument may 

 become in the hands of an intelligent person. 



THE SKIN AND HAIE. 



The skin in its general feeling and appearance is an im- 

 portant guide to the condition of an animal. A dry, scurfy 

 appearance is a symptom of indigestion, and liability to joint 

 affections. What is called " hide-bound '^ is a symptom of a 

 general state of poor nutrition, arising from indigestion, im- 

 proper food, worms, or a want of proper exercise. The 

 skin feels stretched and hard, as if too small for the body. 

 The condition known as "staring coat," when the hairs stand 

 out like bristles, is often the only symptom of a low state 

 of health. Whenever an animal is disposed to shiver, with 

 shedding of the coat, when exposed to moderate cold, or with- 

 out such exposure, it is on the edge of some disease. A per- 

 sistently staring coat, without other symptoms of disease, 

 often indicates the approach of an attack of farcy or glanders, 

 and when with this are repeated shivers or chills, we may 

 expect the strangles, weed, or other diseases with suppura- 

 tion. When in an attack of disease the skin becomes covered 

 with a cold sweat, the life of the animal is in great danger. 



THE POSTURE. 



The position of an animal, its mode of standing and lying 

 down, are all significant. Lying persistently on one side, or 



