12 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



on differences in anatomical structure and physiological func- 

 tion of the organs of different animals. The methods of ex- 

 amination are about the same for all species. One who has 

 thoroughly learned the fundamental principles underlying the 

 methods for the proper examination of a horse will have little 

 trouble in adapting them to other animals. However, import- 

 ant differences in this respect will receive due consideration. 



A further considerable difficulty in diagnostics, for the 

 veterinarian, is his inability to determine the subjective feel- 

 ing of a patient. Still, this is of less importance than the 

 layman usually supposes. On the other hand, to compensate 

 for this, we are in a position, in all cases, to make a complete 

 objective examination of the patient in any direction. In this 

 respect we have an advantage over the physician who is fre- 

 quently denied this privilege and is, besides, liable to be misled 

 by the imagination, whim, shame or vanity of the patient. 



A diagnosis consists in the determination of 



1. The symptoms of the disease. 



2. The diseased organ. 



3. The character of the disease — its 

 name. 



A Symptom is any observable deviation from the nor- 

 mal state or condition. Anatomy and physiology treat of the 

 normal conditions and functions ; Symptomatology treats of 

 morbid conditions and of perverted functions. 



The particular object of a clinical examination is the de- 

 termination of symptoms ; it must therefore include the exter- 

 nal appearance and general behavior of the animal as well as a 

 careful inspection of every accessible organ. To avoid mistakes 

 or overlooking important factors we must conduct this exami- 

 nation according to a definite plan. 



The best plan to follow is to take up the different func- 

 tional apparatus in their physiological order and complete the 

 examination of each in its turn. The beginner should memo- 

 rize the scheme and follow it faithfully. This is no difficult 



