THE PULSE. 1035 



tice by the addition of Goulard's extract, sugar of lead, or pow- 

 dered alum ; and into a detergent poultice by the addition of white 

 or blue vitriol. 



In obstinate cases of virulent grease, where there is much pain, 

 and a stinking, dark colored discharge, and especially when emol- 

 lients are found ineffectual, the detergent poultice has quickly 

 cured the disease, and in such cases even a solution of corrosive 

 sublimate has been used with the best effect. But emollients 

 should always be fairly tried, and some diuretic medicine given. 



THE PULSE. 



The arteries are the vessels which convey the blood from the 

 heart to the system. " The blood nowhere passes through an ar- 

 tery so rapidly as it is forced into it by the ventricles of the heart, 

 on account of the resistance offered by all the tubes against which 

 it is forced. The consequence is, that when it receives the wave 

 of blood, both the diameter and the length of t ie vessel is in- 

 creased, and this is followed by a recoil and recovery of its previ- 

 ous position, owing to the elasticity of the tube ; these operations 

 constitute the pulse, which is felt when the finger slightly com- 

 presses an artery." Bennett. Hence the pulsations of the artery 

 correspond with the beatings of the heart, and consequently indi- 

 cate the irritability of that organ, or the system generally. The 

 average pulse of tho horse is from thirty-two to forty- two beats 

 per minute. The smaller and more nervous the horse, the quicker 

 the pulse; while the larger and coarser bred, the slower. The 

 most convenient places to feel the pulse are at the arm, on the 

 inside where the artery (radial) passes over the head of the 

 bone, or on the under part of tho lower jaw. It can be felt 

 easiest and best at the lower jaw, a little behind, where the sub- 

 maxillary artery comes up and winds round to gain the cheek. 

 (See No. 13, in Fig. 882.) Pass the finger down the jaw up near 

 the neck on the inner edge, and a cord-like ridge will be felt, 

 which, upon gently and firmly pressing it with the end of the fin- 

 ger, will plainly be felt to throb and beat. (See Fig. 883.) 



'* Frequent reference is made to the state of the pulse in differ- 

 ent diseases, such as colic, pneumonia, laminitis, etc., etc. Hence 

 it should be studied carefully. For example, during the early 

 stage of colic, the pulse will be hardly affected, and the ears and 



