EESPIBATION. 131 



resembles in character the preceding description ; but this, in 

 tetanus, arises more from inability of the patient to obtain a 

 sufficiency of air (owing to the rigid condition of the respira- 

 tory muscles) than from the existence of primary disease within 

 the muscles themselves. 



In sympathetic fever the respirations are quickened, but the 

 motions of the chest and muscles of the trunk do not present 

 an appearance of constraint ; the acts are rapid and free, and 

 flow iuto each other readily. 



In noting the peculiarities of the respiratory movements, 

 there should be an entire absence within the box of all external 

 excitement, otherwise accurate observation will be out of the 

 question. The observer should note the character of the 

 movements, whether they are quick and deep, or short, con- 

 strained, and superficial. Does the patient cough ? and if so, 

 is the cough short, dry, hard, and superficial ; or is it deep, 

 moist, loud, and rattling ? or what are its peculiarities ? or does 

 it possess any ? The observer may also apply his hands to the 

 sides of the chest, and ascertain by the act if the patient 

 shrinks from their contact ? and if so, if the shrinking be 

 attended with a low, painful grunt, or if it excites the animal 

 to cough, or produces a tremor within the muscles investing 

 the ribs and the sides of the abdomen. 



By noting the respiration when disturbed, the same may be 

 stated of such disturbance as of that which may exist within 

 any other class of organs, namely if it arises from primary 

 derangement. A close attention to all the attendant pheno- 

 mena will enable us to ascertain the state of the organs them- 

 selves ; while, on the other hand, if the disturbance arises from 

 sympathy we ascertain the nature of the susceptibility of our 

 patient, so that in either case we obtain a knowledge of facts 



