134 LOCOMOTIOK. 



With few exceptions the signs they afford will refer more 

 to peculiar states of the great organs of life, and to the nervous 

 system especially, than to any disorder of a direct kind within 

 themselyes. In some of the most important diseases of the 

 nervous centres, the state of the limbs afford the chief indica- 

 tions by which we are enabled to judge of the nature of the 

 central disturbance. Parajysis and tetanus are familiar examples 

 of the truth of what is here stated. 



In regarding the locomotive organs, observe how the animal 

 stands and walks ; also, if the limbs are swollen, and the 

 character of the swelling; also their temperature, or if an 

 offensive discharge from any part be associated with the 

 swelling. Examine also the joints — are they swollen, or hot 

 and tender ? — symptoms which are common in rheumatism and 

 in Joint evU, a disease which frequently affects foals prior to 

 their being weaned. 



Pathogkomonic Symptoms. — In concluding my observa- 

 tions with respect to the examination of the patient, I will do 

 so with a few remarks, urging upon the observer the desirability 

 of carefully noting every peculiarity which strictly belongs to 

 the disease itself 



Every disease of importance presents symptoms of a two- 

 fold character. 1st, common or general symptoms ; and 2nd, 

 pathognomonic symptoms. The common or general class are 

 those, one or more of which are present in almost every malady ; 

 while the pathognomonic class are those which are peculiar to 

 the malady only. The importance of this to the observer wiU 

 be best elucidated by reference to the symptoms of a weU 

 marked case of disease. The following are the symptoms of a 

 case of spasm of the larynx, (I choose a disease of an extreme 

 character, because it will better illustrate the matter in hand) : — 



