THE PULSE — BESPIEATIOTT. 129 



intermittent. The reason of this variation is, that the heart is 

 temporarily exhausted, to recover from the effects of which it 

 must have repose ; and this repose is partly a cessation of its 

 action. Complete rest of the organ is death. I have in 

 numerous instances of the kind found the pulse to intermit as 

 frequently as every third beat ; more commonly, however, about 

 every fifth or every seventh. Now, taking the average pulse of 

 the horse at 40 per minute, it amounts to 2400 beats per hour, 

 and eight cessations per minute (1 in 5, or 240 per hour) — a 

 result in the highest degree important in its consequences to 

 the animal economy. A similar state of the pulse may be ob- 

 served in the horse during the early stages of convalescence 

 after an acute or exhausting disease. The pulse at such times 

 will be intermittent for several days in succession, which pecu- 

 liarity wUl disappear as the strength becomes restored. The 

 principal agents which assist the heart to return to its normal 

 state are time, warmth, and, above all, proper food given in 

 small quantities, and at proper intervals. If medicine is needed, 

 give a gentle stimulant ; but even this, if resorted to at ran- 

 dom, may prove mischievous in its effects. Judicious hygienic 

 management is the great restorative to health. 



As the pulse not only varies considerably with regard to 

 different horses, but occasionally in the same animal from the 

 operation of causes such as above enumerated, I would recom- 

 mend every gentleman who may be fond of matters of this 

 nature to make himself familiar with the pulse of every horse 

 comprising his stud. He could have a small book wherein to 

 note down such peculiarties as he might consider of interest or 

 importance. 



The Obgans op Eespieatioit. — The respiratory organs, 

 like the pulse, will repeatedly indicate the degree of sympathy 



