106 



By 2k frequent pulse is meani an increased number of beats in a given 

 time. An infrequent imlse means the reverse. A quklc pulse refers to 

 the time occupied by the individual pulsation. The beat may strike 

 the finger either quicMy or sloicly. Hence the pulse may beat forty 

 quick pulsations or forty sloiv pulsations in a minute. 



The pulse is called intermUting when the beat now and then is omitted. 

 The omission of the beat may be at the end of a given number of pulsa- 

 tions, when it is termed regularly intermittent, or it may be irregularly 

 intermittent. 



A large pulse means that the volume is larger than usual, and a small 

 pulse means the opposite. When the artery is easily compressed and 

 conveys the feeling of emptiness it is called a, feeble pulse. When a feel- 

 ing of hardness and resistance is conveyed to the finger it is termed a 

 hard pulse. A double pulse is when the be-at seems to give two rapid 

 beats at once. Besides other peculiarities the pulse may include the 

 character of two or more of the foregoing classes. 



In fever the pulse is modified, both as regards frequency and other 

 deviations from the normal standard. When a horse is quietly stand- 

 ing at rest, if the pulse beats fifty-five or more in a minute, fever is 

 present. 



Temperature. — The temperature of the healthy horse ranges from 

 ab(mt 99^0 to 101 JO F. The average may be placed at about lOOo F. 

 The temperature is subject to slight alterations by certain influences. 

 A high surrounding temperature increases the animal temperature, and 

 cold the reverse. Exercise increases it. Mares have a higher tempera- 

 ture than males. Drinking cold water lowers the animal temperature. 

 It is higher in the young than in the old. The process of digestion in- 

 creases the temperature. 



The most accurate method of taking the temperature is by introduc- 

 ing a registered clinical thermometer into Che rectum. This instrument 

 can be purchased from any dealer in surgical instruments. Even the 

 best made may vary somewhat from being exact, but one sufiiciently 

 true for the purpose is easily obtained. It should be self-registering. 

 The thermometer should remain in the gut for about three or four 

 minutes. Before inserting it you should be sure the mercury is below 

 the minimum temperature. The end containing the mercury should be 

 pushed in gently, leaving only sufficient outside to take hold of when 

 you desire to withdraw it. 



In describing the symptoms of "cold in the head" the method of avi- 

 certaining an increase of temperature by placing the finger in the mouth 

 is referred to. The method requires considerable practice and a deli- 

 cacy of touch to become expert, but, when a thermometer is not at 

 hand, a little practice will enable a person of ordinary intelligence to 

 detect the existence or absence of fever. 



Respiration. — In health, standing still, the horse breathes from twelve 

 to fifteen times a minute j work or excitement increases the number of 

 respirations. 



