94 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



1. The Respiratory Movements. [Respirations]. 



The respirations should be examined in regard to fre- 

 quency, manner in which produced, and any special 

 sounds originating during the act of breathing. These 

 three factors help to determine whether dyspnea be 

 present or not. 



Frequency of respirations. To determine the number of res- 

 piratory movements per minute each rise or fall of the flanks 

 or ribs is counted. Observing the play of the nostrils is not as 

 certain a method, as these organs can be voluntarily moved by 

 the animal. In winter the breath can be seen appearing as steam 

 at each expiration. The respirations should be counted for at 

 least thirty seconds; in restless animals the veterinarian should 

 stand quietly near, count several times and take the average ob- 

 tained as the respiratory frequency. 



In birds (fowls) the respirations ma)' be counted while 

 the patient stands or sits quietly and unmolested, by noting 

 the movements of the flanks and abdomen. 



The smaller the animal the greater the number of res- 

 pirations. In one and the same animal the number of respira- 

 tions per minute will vary within physiological limits. 



Just after partaking of food, or when the abdomen is 

 very full, and especially after exercise, an acceleration of 

 respirations is a normal consequence. High atmospheric tem- 

 peratures, restlessness and anxiety, also make the breathin ■; 

 more hurried. In adult animals standing at perfect rest the 

 following number of respiratory movements per minute may 

 be taken as the average normal : 



Horse 8-16 



Ox 10-30 



Sheep and goat 12-20 



Swine 10-20 



Dogs 10-30 



Cats ,.20-30 



Goose 20-25 



Chicken 40-50 



Pigeon 60-70 



