DISEASE IN GENERAL 207 



the number of respirations is spoken of as dyspnea or labored 

 breathing. Nearly every form of lung or chest trouble is accom- 

 panied with accelerated respirations. 



The frequency of the respirations varies with the species, 

 within certain limits, as may be seen by the following table : 



Horse 8 to 16 per minute 



Ox 12 to 15 per minute 



Sheep 12 to 20 per minute 



Hog 10 to 15 per minute 



Normally the ratio of the pulse and respirations is about 1 : 4 or 

 1:5. In disease this ratio is decidedly altered. Audible sounds 

 are produced. during respiration if the passage of air to and from 

 the lungs is mechanically interfered with, as in paralysis of the 

 larynx (roaring), and when tumors form in the nose, throat, or 

 trachea. Horses with heaves exhibit a double-pumping action 

 of the flanks during expiration. Cattle suffering from bloat 

 have difficulty in breathing as a result of compression of the 

 lungs by the greatly distended paunch. 



The odor of the expired air should be noted in making the 

 general examination and during the progress of the disease. In 

 that form of pneumonia in which the lungs decay or become 

 gangrenous, the expired air has a putrid and very offensive odor 

 that permeates the atmosphere about the affected animal. 



The temperature is measured by inserting a clinical thermometer 

 full length in the rectum, where it should be left at least three 

 minutes for accurate registration. Every person who has the 

 care of stock should provide himself with one of these instruments, 

 as it is a most valuable guide for the early detection of disease. In 

 the old days the temperature of an animal was determined by 

 simply laying the hand upon the body of the patient. The 

 ears, nose, and legs are the first parts of the body to show tem- 

 perature variations. With the thermometer we have a much more 

 accurate method of determination. A maximum-registering ther- 

 mometer is used, and it must be carefully shaken down before 

 insertion. Fig. 60 is an illustration of a thermometer designed 

 especially for. the horse; the arrow points to the average normal 

 temperature. 



It is not possible to give an exact figure for the temperatures 

 of the different farm animals under normal conditions as it is 



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