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 cannons 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, 80, 86, 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 conjunctive of 
the eyes and inside of the mouth, change color if the fever is an 
