116 The Diseases of Animals 
animal should be disturbed as little as possible. The 
appearance of the coat should be carefully noted. Is 
the hair erect, as is frequently the case during a chill? 
Note the condition of the skin as to its feeling to the 
hand, whether harsh, scurfy or “hidebound.” Such 
a condition usually indicates poor nutrition, either 
from lack of food or from some digestive trouble. 
The appetite should also be noticed, signs of the 
presence or absence of pain, dullness, or nervousness. 
In fact, the general expression of the face and the 
body is very important in diagnosing disease. If the 
animal is a female, the question of pregnancy, milk 
secretion or period of heat should always be taken 
into consideration. 
A careful examination should always be made of 
the food and water. By inquiry, one should determine 
the work, lack of exercise, duration of sickness, and 
all other facts bearing upon the history of the ease. 
An incidental remark, giving an apparently insignifi- 
eant fact, often furnishes the elue which will lead to 
the correct diagnosis of the disease and to the determin- 
ing of the cause. Animals having nervous diseases, 
especially those affecting the brain, should always’ be 
approached with great care, as they are often irrespon- 
sible and may do serious injury to those who treat 
‘them. This is notably true of dogs which show symp- 
toms of rabies (hydrophobia). In examining or caring 
for animals that may be suffering from a contagious 
disease, precautions should always be taken to prevent 
the infection of persons, or the spreading of the dis- 
ease to other animals by carelessness of the attendant. 
