B. The Special Part of the Examination. 



6. Circulatory Apparatus. 



An examination of the circulatory apparatus is of impor- 

 tance not only to diagnose those maladies which affect the 

 organs carrying the blood, but also from the fact that all 

 acute general or infectious diseases of a serious' character 

 influence more or less greatly the circulation. 



A methodical examination of the organs carrying the 

 blood includes : 



i. Taking the pulse. 



ii. Noting the condition of the peri- 

 pheral blood vessels. 



in. Examining the heart. 



I. Pulse. 



Method of Examination. The pulse is felt with the fingers, 

 which may be gently rested upon any of the superficial arteries 

 having bone or other hard tissue under them. In the horse and 

 ox the sub-maxillary artery is most commonly used, in the latter 

 animal the artery is easily felt on the lateral side of the jaw bone. 

 Other arteries which may be used to take the pulse are the radial, 

 plantar, temporal, transverse facial and coccygeal. In the dog, 

 sheep, goat and cat the femoral artery is most available. [In 

 dogs and cat^ the brachial artery can be felt on the medial sur- 

 face of the humerus, just in front of and above the elbow.] In 

 the hog and fowl the pulse can not be felt, hence the heart's beat 

 is used. 



To palpate the pulse place the first, second and third fingers 

 over the artery, pressing it slightly and rolling it somewhat under 

 the fingers. Before one can judge the pulse, several beats must 

 be felt, best counting them for a full minute. 



From a clinical standpoint the 1. Frequency,, 2. Rhythm, 



and 3. Quality, are of importance to consider in examining 



the pulse. 



