1912] Blair: Diseases Among Primates. Ill 



pulled from different parts of the body. In very slight cases of emaci- 

 ation one must depend, to a certain extent, on the history of the case 

 as obtained from the keeper. A rapid emaciation occurs in diseases 

 of the digestive tract; in all acute or chronic feverish affections, and 

 in certain cases of poisoning. 



The visible mucous membranes are examined as to their color. 

 Abnormal paleness may be due to anaemia or internal hemorrhages, 

 or defective heart action. A blue (cyanotic) coloring is sometimes 

 observed where there is defective oxygenation of the blood; pressure 

 on the larynx or trachea; in pneumonia, and in certain heart affec- 

 tions, especially fatty degeneration of the cardiac muscle. 



A yellow color (icteric) generally denotes some disorder of the 

 liver, and occurs in certa n infectious diseases. The changes in color 

 of the skin are most readily detected where the hair is thin, as on 

 the belly and the inner surfaces of the thighs. A very red skin indi- 

 cates a high temperature or the commencement of some skin erup- 

 tion; if yellow, some disturbance of the liver or portal system is 

 to be suspected. 



The hair is also a useful guide in diagnosis. In sick, poorly fed 

 or neglected animals, or those infested with parasites, it loses its 

 gloss, becomes dry and brittle, and in some cases falls out partially 

 or entirely. 



Oedema or dropsy of the skin is an abnormal accumulation of 

 fluids in the skin and the subcutaneous cellular tissues. If the swell- 

 ing be pressed by the finger, the indentation remains visible for 

 some time; this may come from a number of diseased conditions. 

 The swellings are chiefly confined to the lower portions of the body, 

 as the extremities, abdomen and under the chest. It occurs as a 

 complication in diseases of the heart, especially where there is im- 

 perfect valvular action, and in acute kidney disorders, and pro- 

 longed acute affections. 



The temperature of the body is determined by what is techni- 

 cally known as the blood or clinical thermometer. The thermome- 

 ter is introduced into the rectum and allowed to remain from two 

 to four minutes, according to the sensitiveness of the instrument. 

 In most animals the temperature is highest at five o'clock in the 

 afternoon, and lowest at about the same hour in the morning. An in- 

 creased temperature of the body above the normal, not due to over- 

 heating or to great exertion, is defined as fever. 



