THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XIV, No. 166.] OCTOBER 1841. [New Series, No. 106. 
RESPIRATION, 
THE MECHANISM AND CHARACTERS OE, IN DISEASES OF THE CHEST. 
By Mr. R. Pritchard, V.S., Wolverhampton. 
[Continued from page 379.] 
IT remains for me to describe the characters of respiration in 
diseases of the chest, &c.; but previous to proceeding with these 
phenomena, I must give a brief definition of the terms used 
descriptive of the movements of the thorax, which present a very 
great variety of character, and without some explanation of them 
I may be but imperfectly understood. Respiration is constituted 
of a relative number of inspirations and expirations within a given 
period ; which, as I before stated, averaged in ordinary breathing 
from four to eight times in a minute. When the respiration ex- 
ceeds that number, it is frequent ; it is termed quick when the 
respiratory movement of inspiration is abrupt, short, and rapid : if 
quick breathing is coupled with frequent respiration, it is then said 
to be accelerated, and this form of respiration may exceed the 
pulsation of the arteries in number, and is termed panting. 
The movements of respiration are, in some instances, of less 
number than the ordinary standard ; it is then termed rare . Re- 
spiration is called slow when the respiratory movements are long 
and gradual. When the expansion of the chest is very limited, it 
is termed small or short ; large when the expansion of the chest 
is full, whether in quick or slow respiration. If the inspiration 
and expiration follow each other in due succession, then it is 
called regular ; when the intervals vary, it is said to be irregular. 
The respiration is equal when the inspirations and expirations 
are similar, whether it be large or small, quick or slow; and when 
either of the movements exceeds the other in force, time, or ex- 
tent, it is termed unequal. Besides this enumeration, respiration 
may be difficult or easy f complete or incomplete , and to these may 
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