GENBRAI, DISBASES. I47 



but we find the intensity of the symptoms modified by the species of 

 animals affected, by the races which subdivide the species, by tlie fami- 

 lies which form groups of tlie races, and by certain conditions in indi- 

 viduals themselves. For example, a priclced foot in a thoroughbred 

 may cause intense fever, while the same injury in the foot of a Clydes- 

 dale may scarcely cause a visible general symptom. In the horse, fever 

 produces the following symptoms: 



The normal body temperature is elevated from one to nine degrees. 

 A temperature of 102° or 103° F. is moderate, 104° to 104° F. is high, 

 and io3° F. and over is excessive. 



This elevation of temperature can readily be felt b}^ the hand placed 

 in the mouth of the animal, or in the rectum, and in the folds between 

 the hind legs; it is usually appreciable at any point over the surface of 

 the body and in the expired air emitted from the nostrils. The ears 

 and cannons are often as hot as the rest of the body, but are sometimes 

 cold, which denotes a debility in the circulation. The pulse, which in 

 a healthy horse is felt beating about forty-two to forty-eight times in 

 the minute, is increased to sixty, seventy, ninety, or even one hundred. 

 The respirations are increased from fourteen or sixteen to twenty-four, 

 thirty, thirty-six, or even more. With the commencement of a fever 

 the horse usually has its appetite diminished, or it may have total loss 

 of appetite, if the fever is excessive. There is, however, a vast differ- 

 ence among horses in this regard. "With the same amount of elevation 

 of temperature one horse may lose its appetite entirely, while others, 

 usually of the more common sort, will eat at hay throughout the course 

 of the fever and will even continue to eat oats and other grains. Thirst 

 is usually increased, but the animal desires only a small quantity of 

 water at a time, and in most cases of fever a bucket of water with the 

 chill taken off should be kept standing before the patient, who may be 

 allowed it whenever the animal desires. The skin becomes dry and the 

 hairs stand on end. Sweating is almost unknown in the early stage of 

 fevers, but frequently occurs later in their course, when an outbreak of 

 warm sweat is often a most favorable symptom. The mucous membranes, 

 which are most easily examined in the conjunctiva of the eyes and inside 

 of the mouth, change color if the fever is an acute one; without altera- 

 tion of blood the mucous membranes become a rosy or deep red color at 

 the outset; if the fever is attended with distinct alteration of the blood, 

 as in influenza, and at the end of two or three days in severe cases of 

 pneumonia or other extensive inflammatory troubles, the mucous mem 



