INTRODUCTION. 45 



What is meant by a slow pulse ? 



A slow or long pulse, as it is sometimes called, is the result of 

 a slow auricular systole. 



Define a large pulse. 



A large pulse is seen when the volume is greater than usual. 



What is a small pulse ? 



This is where the volume is less than usual. 



What is understood by a hard pulse ? 



This is where the artery resists compression ; the pulse feels 

 like a cord or quill. It is generally associated with an incompres- 

 sible pulse, and seen in inflammations of serous membranes. 



What is a soft pulse ? 



A soft pulse is where the artery can be compressed. It is gen- 

 erally seen in inflammation of mucous surfaces. 



What do you understand by an irregular pulse ? 



This is where the volume and duration are not uniform — that 

 is, it may be a combination of either a hard, soft, frequent, infre- 

 quent, large, small, strong, or weak pulse. 



Describe an intermittent pulse. 



It is where an occasional beat is omitted ; this omission may 

 be regular — that is, occurring after a certain number of beats ; 

 or, again, it may be irregular, occurring at various and irregular 

 intervals. 



RESPIKATION (INCLUDING COUGH). 



We must remember the natural relation between the respiration 

 and the pulse, which is not present in disease. In our clinical exam- 

 inations and observations we must take note of the number of res- 

 pirations per minute, and whether easy, calm, and full, or difficult, 

 painful, and catching. 



What are some of the varieties of respiration ? 



We have accelerated breathing, difficult or oppressed breathing 

 (also called dyspnoea), abdominal, thoracic, irregular, and stertorous 

 respiration. 



