223 



Small pulse is one where the sensation conveyed to the linger is one of 

 lessened diameter of the artery ; it may be normal in frequency or 

 slightly increased. Generally due to eiihaustion from worlv or disease. 



Full or strong pulse is one which imparts a bounding sensation as if 

 from over distention of the artery at each heart beat. It is usually 

 increased in frequency. This character may be felt immediately suc- 

 ceeding fast work, or in very plethoric horses wben slightly excited. 

 Often it may indicate a general systemic disturbance or disease of the 

 lungs. 



WeaTc or feeble pulse is one which is hardly perceptible. This may 

 indicate organic disease of the heart, or denote general weakness from 

 loss of blood, prolonged sickness, starvation, etc. 



Quick or frequent pulse is one where the heart-beats are more rapid 

 than normal, without any special change in its character. It is found 

 in the early stage of nearly all inflammatory diseases. 



Hard or wiry pulse is one which is tense, incompressible, or vibrating, 

 and is always increased in frequency'. It usually denotes acute disease 

 of serous membranes, such as pleuritis, peritonitis, meningitis, etc. 



Irregular pulse is one in which several pulsations follow in quick suc- 

 cession and then a pause ensues. This may indicate disease of the 

 heart, or of the nervous system, sometimes observed in lingering, ex- 

 hausting diseases. 



Intermittent pulse is one where a beat is lost at regular intervals. 

 This is almost invariably an indication of disease of the heart. 



Venous pulse may be seen along the side of the ueck in the jugular 

 furrow, and has the appearance of blood regurgitating in the vein at 

 each beat of the heart. It usually denotes disease of the heart, or an 

 obstruction to the flow of blood within the chest, from the pressureof a 

 tumor, dropsy, etc. 



DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD-VESSELS. 



In considering diseases of the heart we meet with many difiQculties, 

 depending much upon the position which this organ occupies in the 

 animal. The shoulders cover so much of the anterior portion of the 

 chest, and often in very heavy muscled horses the chest walls are so 

 thick, that a satisfactory examination of the heart caunoi be made. 

 Diseases of the heart are not uncommon among horses; the heartand its 

 membranes are frequently involved in diseases of the respiratory organs, 

 diseases of the kidneys, rheumatism, influenza, etc. Some of the dis- 

 eases of this organ are never suspected by the ordinary observer 

 during life, and are so diflQcult to diagnose with any degree of certainty 

 that we will have to confine ourselves to a general outline, giving at- [ 

 tentionto such symptoms as may serve to lead to a knowledge of their 

 existence, with directions for treatment, care, etc. 



Nervous affections often produce prominent heart symptoms by caus- 

 ing functional disturbance of that organ, which, if removed, will leave 



