64 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



disease, but in health generally the action of the carotid 

 artery causes changes in the jugular which lead to appa- 

 rently pulsating movements. 



The normal temperature of the ox, as taken at the 

 rectum, is 38° 0.-38-5° C, according to Colin; 38*9° C. 

 (Siedamgrotsky) ; 39° C. (Zundel) ; oxen and cows 100*8° 

 F. during confinement, and 101*8° F. during work or at 

 liberty; calves and stirks, 100*9° F. to 101*9 F. (Armatage). 



Variations resulting from ordinary conditions of the 

 system are but slight, seldom amounting to more than 

 1° F. Any rise above this must be considered suspicious 

 as indicating the presence of fever. The reading will be 

 higher in a young animal and lower than the normal mean 

 in a very old animal. Ingestion of food, exercise, and 

 change of external temperature cause slight variation. 

 The thermal regulators of the body are very efficient during 

 health. When fever sets in, escape of heat is prevented and 

 its generation increased; in typhoid disorders and shortly 

 before death heat generation is interfered with, and the 

 temperature markedly falls. The rectum should always be 

 the seat of thermometric observations in the ox, and the 

 routine already recommended should be always carried out. 

 The temperature of the vagina is somewhat lower. 



Eespiration is performed in the adult ox about fifteen 

 times per minute. The acts are slightly more frequent in 

 the calf (18 — 20). They vary in number somewhat with 

 surrounding conditions, but any marked increase or 

 decrease in number must, if permanent, be attributed to 

 disease. The increase which results from exercise quickly 

 disappears when the animal is placed at rest. We have 

 already alluded to the remarkable difference in position 

 between the horse and ox suffering from pulmonary dis- 

 order ; while the former stands persistently, the latter 

 rests on the lower part of the chest and on the abdomen. 

 The position which an animal assumes during an acute 

 attack is often diagnostic or even pathognomonic. This 

 may be seen in tetanus, in hoven, and many other 

 diseases. 



The CouGHof the ox is shorter and less powerful than that 



