40 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



change has taken place; but if the consequences are ephemeral, and 

 no recognizable lesion is apparent, it is not considered morbid. This 

 condition, however, may predispose to severe organic disturbance 

 and local inflammations which will cause disease, as an animal in this 

 condition is liable to take cold and develop lung fever or a severe 

 enteritis, if chilled or otherwise exposed. 



Fever in all animals is characterized by the same general phe- 

 nomena, but we find the intensity of the symptoms modified by the 

 species of animals affected, by the races which subdivide the species, 

 by the families which form groups of the races, and by certain condi- 

 tions in individuals themselves. For example, a pricked foot in a 

 Thoroughbred may cause intense fever, while the same injury in the 

 foot of a Clydesdale may scarcely cause a visible general symptom. 

 In the horse, fever produces the following symptoms : 



The normal body temperature, which varies from 99° to 100° F., 

 is elevated from 1° to 9°. A temperature of 102° or 103° F. is mod- 

 erate fever, 104° to 105° F. is high, and 106° F. and over is excessive. 

 The temperature is accurately measured by means of a clinical ther- 

 mometer inserted in the rectum. 



This elevation of temperature can readily be felt by the hand 

 placed in the mouth of the animal, or in the rectum, and in the cleft 

 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 nos- 

 trils. The ears and canhons are often as hot as the rest of the body, 

 but are sometimes cold, which denotes a debility in the circulation and 

 irregular distribution of the blood. The pulse, which in a healthy 

 horse is felt beating about 42 to 48 times in the minute, is increased 

 to 60, 70, 90, or even 100. The respirations are increased from 14 or 

 16 to 24, 30, 36, or even more. With the commencement of a fever 

 the horse usually has diminished appetite, 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 degree of eleva- 

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

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

 the course of the fever, and will even continue to eat oats or 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 should be kept standing before the patient, which may 

 be allowed to drink ad libitum. 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 out- 

 break of warm sweat is often a most favorable symptom. The mucous 

 membranes, which are most easily examined in the conjunctivae of 

 the eyes and inside of the mouth, change color if the fever is an 



