SPECIAL CLINICAL EXAMINATION. 81 



A quick pulse (p. celer) is associated with mild cases 

 of cardiac hypertrophy, plainly marked in aortic insufficiency. 

 In the latter case it is due to the regurgitation of the blood, 

 which occurs at systole, into the hypertrophic left ventricle. 

 In both these instances the pulse is full and strong. Remarkably 

 in heart's weakness a p. celer is often present. However, here 

 the pulse is weak and the artery empty. The "sluggish" pulse 

 (p. tardus) is noted in very lymphatic horses and is character- 

 istic only of aortic stenosis, when it is at the same time 

 small. 



7. A peciuiar pu.>e is the dicrotic pulse where two 

 expansions can be felt in one beat of the artery. It is seen 

 in cases of lowered arterial tension combined with weak- 

 ened heart's action, and is, therefore, noted in long continued 

 fevers and in all forms of anemia. 



Fig. 25. 



Dicrotic Pulse — Horse. 

 Marey's Sphygmograph. 



II. Examination of the Peripheral Blood Vessels. 



Arteries. A strong pulse attending wasting disease 

 and emaciation calls for an examination of the small super- 

 ficial arteries. An abnormally strong pulsation in the peri- 

 pheral arteries of small caliber is visible in the horse in the 

 branchings of the external maxillary artery. 



It appears in hypertrophy of the left ventricle especially 

 when the aortal valves are defective. 



Veins. The state of distention of the veins is 

 of primary interest. The veins become prominent after any 

 acceleration of the heart's action in thin-skinned, fine- 

 haired horses ; the condition, which is physiological, being a 

 temporary one. A permanent distention of the veins is path- 



