EESPIEATION. " 131 



respiratory act is also limited, and in many respects closely 

 resembles in character the preceding description ; but this, in 

 Tetanus, arises more from inability of the patient to obtain a 

 sufficiency of air (owing to the rigid condition of the respiratory 

 muscles) than from the existence of primary disease within the 

 muscles themselves. 



In Sympathetic Tever the respirations are quickened, but 

 the motions of the chest and muscles of the trunk do not 

 present an appearance of constraint : the acts are rapid and 

 free, and flow into each other readily. 



In noting the peculiarities of the respiratory movements, 

 there must be an entire absence within the box of all external 

 excitement, otherwise accurate observation will be out of the 

 question. The observer should note the character of the 

 movements, whether they are quick and deep, or short, con- 

 strained, and superficial. Does the patient cough ? and if so, 

 is the cough short, dry, hard, and superficial; or is it 'deep, 

 moist, loud, and rattling, or what are its peculiarities ? or does 

 it possess any ? The observer may also apply his hands to the 

 sides of the chest, and ascertain by the act if the patient 

 shrinks from their contact; and if so, if the shrinking be 

 attended with a low, painful grunt, or if it excites the animal 

 to cough, or produces a tremor within the muscles investing 

 the ribs and the sides of the abdomen. 



By noting the respiration when disturbed, the same may be 

 stated of such disturbance as of the disturbance which may 

 exist within any other class of organs : viz., if it arises from 

 primary derangement. A close attention to all the attendant 

 phenomena will enable us to ascertain the state of the organs 

 themselves ; while, on the other hand, if the disturbance arises 

 from sympathy, we ascertain the nature of the susceptibility of 

 our patient, so that in either case we obtain a knowledge of 



