As old age approaches the venous circulation becomes 

 more sluggish. 



The vital energy of the system is diminished. 

 Atrophy and degeneration advance. 



Wounds and injuries are hard to repair, and heal very 

 slowly. 



Aged horses are especially subject to : 



Passive congestions. 



Dropsies, in various parts of the body and legs. 



Catarrhal affections. 



Diseases of the urinary organs. 



Farcy and glanders. 



Acute indigestion, stomach staggers. 



Purpura, &c. 



GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE 



Are chiefly indicated by the pulse, temperature and respira- 

 tion. A thorough knowledge of each, both in health and 

 disease, is indispensable to a correct understanding of the 

 nature of disease. From the pulse we learn the force of the 

 heart's action, the force of the arterial impulse, the excita- 

 bility of the nervous system, the fullness of the blood vessels, 

 and the tone and physical condition of the arteries. The 

 pulse should be examined when the animal is at rest and as 

 tranquil as possible. It is increased in colthood and dimi- 

 nished in old age. 



The number of beats per minute in the aged horse range 

 from 36 to 40; in the ox tribe, 50 to 55 ; sheep, 75 to 80 ; 

 dog, 90 to 100; swan, 200; duck, 136; hen, 140, while in 

 man it ranges from 70 to 75. Not only the frequency, but 

 the character of the pulse is of great significance in deter- 

 mining disease ; for example, the pulse of fever is known by 

 moderate acceleration, with variable increase of force in the 

 beat. 



The most convenient place to take the pulse is the sub- 

 maxillary artery under the jaw. 



The pulse of inflammation is not only increased, but hard 

 or tense. 



The pulse of extreme debility is very small and rapid, or 

 thready. The other symptoms of fever are : 

 Increased heat of the whole body. 

 Dryness of the skin, mouth, &c. 



