84 INTEODUCnOK. 



Increased Secretion. — In health, serum is only supplied 

 hi sufficient quantity to keep the surfaces moist, the ab- 

 -orbent vessels preventing accumulations. In the cavities 

 of joints this secretion is often too large, causing enlarge- 

 ments, of which a very good example may be seen in swell- 

 ings of the the hock-joint, called bog spavin, and also in 

 thorough-pin. 



THE PULSE. 



The pulse of the horse and the ox is felt on the inner angU 

 of the lower jaw, as being the most convenient place. The 

 state of the pulse tells the condition of the heart, whether 

 the disease is of an exalted or depressed character, or 

 whether sickness is at all present. The pulse is more fre- 

 quent in young than in old animals. In the full-grown 

 and healthy horse it beats from thirty-two to thirty-eight 

 in the minute; in the ox or cow, thirty-five to forty- 

 two; in the sheep, seventy to seventy-five; and in the 

 dog, from ninety to ninety-eight. In inflammations and 

 fevers the frequency of the pulse is increased. In debility 

 and depression it is slower, but sometimss quicker than 

 natural. There are the quick pulse, the strong, the sharp, 

 the regular, the intermittent, and many other varieties, 

 both fanciful and real, which few persons can appreciate. 

 The pulse of inflammation and fever numbers from seventy- 

 five to eighty beats in the minute ; and in great debility, 

 as in the last stage of glanders, accompanied with tubercles 

 of the lungs, the pulse will number one hundred beats per 

 minute. 



BEEATHBSTG. 



A good sized, healthy horse, will take one inspiration to 

 ihree of the pulse beats. When the breathing is more 



