DIAGNOSIS. 29 



aids to diagnosis, or how to find out what ails the animal, have 

 been confined to temperature, pulse and respiration; now we must 

 proceed to note other evidences of illness as they present them- 

 selves in the patient; in other words, we want to get at the S3'mp- 

 toms; not merely one or two of those most easily observed, but 

 the totality, the whole of them; this is most important, and calls 

 for the exercise of patience, time and keen observation. 



Assuming first that the temperature is high, say 104 or 105 de- 

 grees, and the pulse and respirations rapid, it is fair to conclude that 

 we have to contend with some disease in an acute form; next, we 

 must, if possible, determine whether the whole system is involved, 

 and if so, what class of disease we have to contend against, or 

 whether some particular organ or organs, say the kidneys, or the 

 liver, are implicated and the brunt of the disease settled therein; 

 to assist one to form a conclusion as to which, if either, of the 

 organs is invaded, we have in the case of the kidneys the condi- 

 tion of the urine to be noted, examined, and perhaps tested by 

 an analytical chemist if such an one is available, or if the liver is 

 the chief seat of disease, the yellow color of the mucous mem- 

 branes of the eyes, nose and mouth serve to point to this organ; 

 moreover, in confirmation of this suggestion as to the liver, it is 

 very frequently found that the faeces (or dung) are pale in color 

 and very fluid in consistence, excoriating the surface of the skin 

 wherever the faeces happen to touch; the urine, also, will be of a 

 deep orange color; in addition to these objective sj^mptoms there 

 is a very important subjective symptom to be noted; on the right . 

 or off side of the horse just behind the ribs is the seat of a promi- 

 nent portion of the liver, if you press this with the ends of your 

 fingers you will be able to learn whether there is anj^ pain or ten- 

 derness of the organ, as the horse will tell you by flinching, or in 

 an acute case by grunting; care, however, must be taken to dis- 

 criminate between animals that are naturally touchy and do not 

 care to be handled at all, otherwise you may be misled; should 

 it be clear on pressure that pain is e.Kperienced, it is fair to assume 

 that congestion of the liver is present. In further examining a 

 patient it is well to look at the lining membrane of the nose and 

 eyes and note the condition; whether it is dry or abnormallv 

 moist; whether the color is the healthy pink or whether on the 

 other hand it is blue and leaden or of a bright verraillion, either 



