170 HOW TO PHYSIC A HORSE. 



within the jaw-bone, will readily feel the artery, and, by 

 compressing it against the bone, will ascertain not only 

 the number of pulsations, but the manner in which the 

 blood passes, and the quantity. By feeling the heart, 

 through the side, as is the ordinary practice of horsemen, 

 nothing can be ascertained beyond the number of pulsa- 

 tions. 



We will here add that, in temperate climates, about 

 thirty-six in a minute is the ordinary beat of the pulse 

 in a common or farmer's horse, which will be increased to 

 forty, or even forty-two, in thorough-breds. It varies but" 

 little in horses of different sizes, but is slightly increased 

 in hot weather, and very materially so in hot climates. 

 The pulse of the thorough-bred horse is said to range ten 

 higher in New Orleans than in Ne\y York ; and we can 

 readily believe this to be the case, as we have observed 

 the same thing to occur when the horse is kept in a very 

 hot stable. Sudden alarm often quickens the pulse by ten 

 beats; wherefore particular care shoudd be had to, go 

 up to the patient as gently, and to handle him as tenderly 

 and caressingly, as possible, in order to avoid producing 

 this excitement, which will lead to a false diagnosis. 



Colic is usually produced by sudden cold, often the 

 result of drinking cold water when heated; sometimes 

 by exposure to cold wind, in a draft, when heated ; some- 

 times by overfeeding on green meat, or new corn. The 

 causes of inflammation in the bowels are somewhat similar, 

 though not identical. Horses used. to high feeding and 

 warm stabling, which, after sharp exercise and being for 

 some hours without food, are exposed to cold wind, or are 

 allowed to drink freely of cold water, or are drenched 

 with rain, or have their legs and belly washed with cold 

 water, are almost sure to be attacked with inflammation 

 of the bowels. An overfed or overfat horse, which is sub- 



