INTRODUCTION. 13 



may be obtained for examination in any case ; its charac- 

 ters in sucb disorders as leucaemia and anthrax are diag- 

 nostic. Morbid products of various kinds, as discharges 

 from membranes and new growths, may disclose their 

 nature to the microscopical observer, Parasites, as ova, 

 immature forms, or adults, may by this instrument be 

 proved to be present in active disease reasonably attri- 

 butable to them. The spectroscope is now used by 

 pathologists and physiologists; its application to veteri- 

 nary surgery affords an untrodden path to reputation for 

 some future observer. 



In our examination of the patient we require next to 

 examine the special features of the case. The indications 

 derived from the observations above mentioned are usually 

 of a general rather than a special character, and at every 

 stage of the examination we must endeavour to determine 

 whether the conditions observed are due. to local or general 

 disorder ; the special features of the case have generally 

 somewhat of a diagnostic character, so much so that from 

 the messenger sent to request our services we may some- 

 times learn the sort of case which we are about to take in 

 hand. The popular names of disorders are not without 

 their use (thus farm labourers can understand the nature of 

 " dropping after calving '' to a certain extent), and though 

 not always correct, will enable the practitioner to select 

 such instruments and medicaments as are most likely to 

 be urgently required. 



Some means of determination of symptoms with a view 

 to diagnosis are special in their application. Thus, men- 

 suration, auscultation, and percussion will be considered 

 when treating of diseases of the thoracic viscera. 



These means, nevertheless, have somewhat a more ex- 

 tended application ; thus, auscultation has been recom- 

 mended for determination of the presence of a fcetus in 

 utero, and it is a most important means in diagnosis of deep- 

 seated fractures, while percussion assists in the distinction 

 of tympany from impaction. We must especially lay stress 

 upon the value of manual exploration, either by introduc- 

 tion of the lubricated hand into the rectum, vagina, or 



