150 Veterinary Elements. 



with a wrist movement shake the thermometer in a 

 downward direction. The healthy horse will have a tem- 

 perature of 100° Fahr., the cow 100° to 101°, sheep 104°, 

 young animals registering slightly higher. A daily vari- 

 ation of one degree (°) is quite common and natural, 

 more than that is indicative of disease. The bulb of the 

 thermometer should have a little vaseline put on it 

 before introducing it into the rectum, it should be intro- 

 duced slowly and if any obstruction is met with should 

 be turned between the fingers and its direction slightly 

 changed. If after the introduction feces are passed the 

 temperature should again be taken after shaking down 

 the mercury. Thermometers are fragile, so should be 

 watched when in use. 



The breathing if hurried can be noticed by the move- 

 ments of the body, in some cases at the flanks and nos- 

 trils, if it is desired to count the respirations, the palm 

 (which must be odorless) of one hand can be held in 

 front of one nostril. 



Sounds within the chest are only capable of interpre- 

 tation by the expert. In the horse the breathing is nat- 

 urally regular and has a rate of 12 to 14 respirations per 

 minute, in cattle 15 per minute, the calf a little faster, 

 18 to 20 a minute. Sheep are easily excited and when 

 so or exerted respirations are quite fast, when at rest 

 they number 18 to 20. The breathing rates are reliable 

 guides in horses, fairly so in cattle, but are of little value 

 in sheep, towards the detection of disease. To examine 

 the eye membranes (the conjunctiva) stand at the near 

 side, place the left hand flat on the nose, and with the 

 right thumb and forefinger examine the eye, by pressing 



