GENERAL DISTURBANCE OF THE CIRCULATION. 341 



favourably for the purpose of feeling the pulse. It is im- 

 portant not to disturb sick animals, and often they are unable 

 to rise, so that the artery above the fetlock is of service to 

 the practitioner. 



In both horse and ox it is occasionally necessary for the 

 veterinary surgeon to feel the pulsation of the large abdomi- 

 nal aorta and the iliac arteries. This can only be accomplished 

 by passing the hand up the rectum, and in diseases of the 

 arteries of the hind-limbs remarkable deviations in calibre, 

 and irregularity in the blood's flow, are thus discovered. 



In all the smaller animals the artery of the thigh is the 

 most convenient to feel the pulse. On the inside of the 

 thigh there is not much hair, and if the extended fingers are 

 placed across the thigh-bone, which is easily felt, the artery 

 may be readily pressed against it, and the number and 

 character of the pulsations determined. 



Great pressure is not needed, and indeed is not favourable 

 in determining the state of the pulse. It is by well-regulated 

 bearing, especially where the artery is crossing a bone, that 

 useful indications are obtained. 



NUMBER OF PULSATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS IN THE 

 CHARACTER OF THE PULSE, ACCORDING TO SPECIES, AGE, 

 SEX, TEMPERAMENT, &c. 



There is some difference in the character of pulsations in 

 different animals. In the horse the pulse is full and distinct. 

 In the ass it is smaller, and with greater tendency to irregu- 

 larity. In the ox the artery rolls tensely under the finger, and 

 the pulsations are long, equal, and soft. In the sheep the 

 pulse is active, small, and wiry; in the pig, tense and hard; 

 in the dog and cat, firm and wiry. It must be understood 

 that, relatively to each other, animals differ as above stated 



