CIRCULATION. 69 



The unequal and irregular pulse is met in cases of fatty 

 degeneration, disease of the valves on the left side, cardiac 

 dilation, etc. 



Palpitation. The application of the hand over the chest, 

 behind the left elbow, will detect any violent and tumultu- 

 ous beating, irregularity in the force of successive beats, etc. 



It is certainly very important that the skillful feeder 

 should, by frequent practice, acquaint himself with the 

 pulse in health and disease. For by this he may be able to 

 apply the " ounce of prevention " which is " worth more 

 than a pound of cure." 



The best feeders cultivate assiduously the faculty of ob- 

 servation. Close observation for a few years, will cause 

 him to detect at once the condition of the animal by its 

 attitude and general appearance. 



KESPIRATION. To maintain life in animals, requires 

 not only nutritive matters to be absorbed into the circula- 

 tion from the digestive canal, but the oxygen of the air 

 must enter with these nutritive elements into the circula- 

 tion. The effect of the oxygen is to expel carbonic acid 

 gas and to give a bright red color to the blood. It comes 

 in contact with all the minute structures of the general 

 capillary system, exciting an activity in the tissues, and, as 

 is supposed, inducing a combustible action which evolves 

 the heat of the animal body. And this constitutes the 

 process of respiration. 



The apparatus by which this process of respiration is 

 carried on consists of the nasal cavities, larynx, trachea, 

 and lungs. 



THE NOSTRILS perform the important function of ad- 

 mitting the air to the nasal cavities on its way to the lungs. 

 Their easy dilation allows the admission of a greater or less 

 volume of air suited to the requirements of respiration. 

 And in solipeds the nostrils constitute the only entrance 



