Diminution in the bulk of the excretions. 



Increase of respiration. 



Disturbance of the stomach and brain. 



It is well to bear in mind that the word "fever" is used 

 in a two-fold sense — first, as a morbid state of the system ; 

 and, second, as part of the designation of several complex 

 diseases, such as influenza, &c., where there is not only the 

 fever in the first sense, but also several organs involved. So 

 here are several complex diseases bearing the one name of 

 fever. 



The temperature, or usual heat of the body, is from 98° 

 to 99° by the medical thermometer, increasing a little during 

 exercise. This is the proper degree of heat while in a state 

 of health, and any increase above the standard is always a 

 certain indication of inflammatory action. This instrument 

 has only within the last few years been introduced into 

 veterinary practice, but it is a most valuable acquisition, for 

 by it we can tell in a moment any improvement or unfavor- 

 able symptoms in our patients with an accuracy and cer- 

 tainty that can be learned from no other single examination. 



The variations of heat in different diseases, as registered 

 by this instrument, range from 99° to any number up to 113°. 

 It is generally introduced into the rectum and held there for 

 three minutes. 



Each disease has its own degree of temperature at which 

 it is either favorable or fatal ; for example, in spinal menin- 

 gites 104° is always a certain indication that death is at 

 hand, while the same degree of heat is quite common in 

 other diseases without any cause for alarm. 107° to 110° 

 have been reached, and recovery taken place, in such 

 diseases as bronchitis, pneumonites and enterites. 



We have already said that the skin is hot and dry during 

 the presence of fever, consequently moisture is always a 

 favorable sign of returning health. But there are some 

 exceptions to this rule ; the cold and clammy perspiration 

 of extreme prostration are not to be mistaken for moisture. 

 Coldness of the skin, or inequality of temperature, are more 

 or less unfavorable. After an animal's temperature has fallen 

 a few degrees during some attack of fever, and suddenly 

 rises to its former state, this also is always a most unfavor- 

 able symptom. Emaciation is often an important sign, and 

 generally accompanies chronic diseases ; it occurs, however, 

 very rapidly in some few acute diseases, such as diarrhoea 

 and dysentery. Young animals in particular during their 



