GENERAL PART OF EXAMINATION. 39 



_ II. Condition. The condition of the animal is recognized 

 principally by the rotundity and fullness of development of the body. 

 Cold blooded horses usually have well rounded forms because the 

 muscles are of large size and surrounded by well developed fat 

 deposits. The condition as to flesh is influenced by the quantity and 

 quality of the food and the use and purpose for which the animal 

 is intended and fed. Continued hard work reduces the fullness of 

 the body outline, causing the conformation to appear angular. 



When the digestive tract is affected with disease whether local 

 or general, the condition of the animal becomes reduced. A gradual 

 but continual loss of condition, notwithstanding that the appetite 

 and food are good, always points to chronic disease, but not neces- 

 sarily to disease of the digestive tract. When the digestive tract 

 becomes diseased the appetite is impaired. 



Depending upon the use and purpose of the animal we 

 distinguish the following kinds of condition: Prime, very 

 good, tolerably good, fair and bad. A gradual, progressive 

 general emaciation is called Cachexia. Rapid emaciation ap- 

 pears in purpura hemorrhagica and in severe infectious dis- 

 eases. Excessive corpulency (obesity) is common in bulls and 

 dogs. 



If the patient's condition as to flesh is of importance to 

 consider, it is well to note the things by which condition is de- 

 termined, such as the size of the muscles, thickness of the crest, 

 fat over the ribs, number of ribs visible, prominence of the 

 spines of the dorsal vertebrae, etc. The best way to deter- 

 mine whether the patient is gaining or losing in condition is 

 to weigh it, which should be done each morning, preferably 

 before feeding. 



Of importance in diagnosis is the difference between 

 thinness and emaciation. Thinness is physiological and is 

 peculiar to certain breeds of animals. The thin (lean) animal 

 may feel well, show good appetite, smooth, lustrous hair coat, 

 and render efficient service (large milk flow). Emaciation, 

 on the other hand, is a condition due to disease, starvation or 

 old age. If for any reason the digestive tract can not per- 

 form its functions emaciation results. Rapid emaciation 

 occurs in purpura hemorrhagica and in all severe infectious 

 diseases. Emaciated animals show a dull, erect hair coat, 



