128 THE PULSE. 



the state of its works, so is the pulse of the organism. So 

 long as the pulse remains undisturbed, the observer need not 

 be alarmed as to the immediate state of the patient. 



The normal pulse varies from thirtv-six to forty-two beats 

 per minute. Horses, however, may be healthy with a pulse as 

 low as thirty-four per minute ; the average, I should say, is from 

 thirty-eight to forty. The number of pulsations shews the 

 number of times which the heart beats per minute ; consequently, 

 the state of the pulse is expressive of the state of the heart. 



One of the most convenient places to ascertain the number 

 of beats, and the general state of the pulse, is just within the 

 inferior curve of the lower jaw. Some little practice is necessary 

 to detect it at once. The observer must have the head of the 

 animal lield very quiet ; the jaws must also be still, when he 

 must feel with the first and second fingers of the right hand 

 for a small artery, or a cord-like structure, against which the 

 fingers must be lightly placed. Presently he will detect a 

 regular, gentle rise. This is the pulse : let him note well the 

 character of the beat ; the swell of the artery, as it fills with 

 blood ; and the number of its throbs per minute. The healthy 

 pulse will be found to vary considerably, even in the same 

 animal. A variety of causes operate in the production of these 

 peculiarities; such as severe and long continued labour, — 

 exercise, — sudden alarm of the animal, — and food of a highly 

 stimulating kind. The peculiarity of the beat will also be found 

 to vary in difierent horses, on account of difierence in temper a'nd 

 breed. The majority, however, will have a full, slow, and round 

 pulse ; in others, whose health is perhaps equally good, it will be 

 feeble and thread-like. The beat of the pulse at night, after 

 the animal has been severely worked during the day, will difier 

 from that of the morning. In the morning, it is generally 

 regular, slow, round, and full ; at night, feeble and round, but 



