DISEASE IN GENERAL 205 



the head down and droop the ears; the fore legs are held apart in 

 chest troubles; horses suffering from azoturia or tetanus are often 

 unable to rise ; in acute founder the horse stands with the hind 

 legs well under the body and cannot be made to back; in diseases 

 of the nervous system the behavior may be markedly altered and 

 spasms and convulsions, or paralysis and unconsciousness occur. 



(2) Examination of the Skin. — The skin's condition is an indi- 

 cation of the state of health. When the hair-coat is smooth and 

 glossy and the skin pliable and elastic, the digestive organs are 

 functioning properly, and the animal is in good condition. When 

 the coat loses its luster and the skin becomes dry, scurry, and 

 "hidebound," it indicates disturbed nutrition and an unhealthy 

 condition of the body. The long, rough, heavy coat that an 

 animal grows when not given warmth and shelter during winter, 

 ^hould not be mistaken for an abnormal condition. It is a 

 provision of nature to afford protection against severe cold and 

 to prevent too rapid radiation of heat from the body. Alopecia, 

 or falling of the hair from over the entire body, may follow re- 

 covery from severe diseases. The condition of the skin as to 

 sweat secretion should be carefully noted. Profuse sweating 

 occurs as a result of weakness, pain, and certain diseases of the 

 muscles. 



(3) Examination of the Visible Mucous Membranes. — The 

 mucous membranes lining the eyelids and those at the natural 

 body openings, reveal the character of the circulating blood. 

 In health they are pink in color and moist in appearance. Pale- 

 ness indicates a congestion of blood in other parts or a deficiency 

 of the blood in general (anemia). Marked redness or injection 

 is present in all irritated conditions (inflammation). A very 

 dark red color indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood (cyanosis). 

 A yellowish discoloration occurs when the liver is deranged 

 (jaundice). Dryness indicates fever. 



(4) Examination of the Pulse, Respirations, and Temperature. 

 An examination of the pulse, respirations, and temperature aids 



greatly in determining the state of health. None but a trained 

 veterinarian can detect the minor variations from the normal. 

 If the changes are marked, any person with a little practice 

 should be able to recognize them. It should be remembered 

 that they all vary normally within certain limits with the age and 

 exercise which the animal has had. 



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