THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE* 



General and Differential Diagnosis 



What is meant by (a) diagnosis, (b) prognosis, (c) termination? 



(a) Diagnosis is the recognition of a disease by its symptoms. 



(b) Prognosis is the art of foreseeing and predicting the course 

 and outcome of a disease. 



(c) Termination refers to the end of a disease, it may be by cure 

 " (complete recovery), incomplete recovery or death. 



What is the difference between an infectious and a contagious dis- 

 ease? Give examples of each. 



Some authorities use these terms synonymously. All contagious 

 diseases are infectious, that is, due to infection, but all infectious 

 diseases are not contagious, that is, spread by contact. Tetanus and 

 black-leg are infectious diseases but are not communicable through 

 contact (contagion), arising generally from wound infection; 

 whereas, foot and mouth disease, anthrax and tuberculosis are infec- 

 tious diseases which are spread by contact. 



Describe a hard pulse, a fast pulse, a compressible pulse, a dicrotic 

 pulse and state conditions in which each occur. 



A hard pulse is one in which the arterial wall is firmly distended 

 and does not yield readily to pressure. Seen in inflammation of 

 serous membranes (peritonitis, pleurisy), tetanus and acute brain 

 diseases. 



A fast pulse is an abnormal increase in the frequency of the 

 pulse. It is seen physiologically after exercise, excitement, high 

 atmospheric temperature ; pathologically in most all severe diseases. 



A compressible pulse is one which yields readily to moderate 

 pressure and does not lift the finger palpating it ; seen in diseases 

 associated with cardiac weakness. 



A dicrotic pulse is one in which two expansions can be felt in 

 one beat of the artery; seen in cases of lowered arterial tension, 

 associated with weakened heart action, as in long-continued fevers 

 and in all forms of anaemia. 

 Give the symptoms of internal hemorrhage. 



Sudden paleness of the visible mucous membranes, syncope, 

 rapid heart action, rapid weak pulse, convulsions and death. De- 

 pending upon the location, special symptoms may be shown. Gas- 



* Unless otherwise stated all questions relate to the horse. 



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