THE PULSE. 129 



intermittent. The reason of this variation is, that the heart is 

 temporarily exhausted, to recover from the effects of which it 

 must have repose ; and this repose is partly, a cessation of its 

 action. Complete rest of the organ is death. I have in 

 numerous instances of the kind found the pulse to intermit as 

 frequently as every third beat ; more commonly, however, about 

 every fifth or every seventh. Now, taking the average pulse of 

 the horse at 40 per minute, it amounts to 2400 beats per hour ; 

 and eight cessations per minute (1 in 5) is 480 per hour, a result 

 in the highest degree important in its consequences to the 

 animal economy. A similar state of the pulse may be observed 

 in the horse during the early stages of convalescence after an 

 acute or exhausting disease. The pulse at such times will be 

 intermittent for several days in succession, which peculiarity 

 w^ill disappear as the strength becomes restored. The principal 

 agents which assist the heart to return to its normal state are 

 time, warmth, and, above all, proper food, given in small 

 quantities, and at proper intervals. If medicine is needed, give 

 a gentle stimulant ; but even this, if resorted to at random, 

 may prove mischievous in its effects. Judicious hygienic 

 management is the great restorative to health. 



As the pulse not only varies considerably with regard to 

 different horses, but occasionally in the same animal from the 

 operation of causes sucli as above enumerated, I would recom- 

 mend every gentleman who may be fond of matters of this 

 nature, to make himself familiar with the pulse of every horse 

 comprising his stud. He could have a small book wherein to 

 note down such peculiarities as he might consider of interest 

 or importance. 



The Oegans of Eespieation. — The organs of respiration, 

 like the pulse, will repeatedly indicate the degree of sympatt/ 



I 



