THE PULSE 
265 
affected by almost all the complaints incidental to the animal 
frame, no matter how distant that malady may be from it. 
An injury of the foot will in a very short time cause the 
heart to beat, or pulsate, with double its ordinary quick¬ 
ness. Indeed it frequently happens that inflammation of 
the heart will ensue through sympathy with some remote 
diseased portion of the animal. When such an affectior 
takes place, immediate and copious bleeding should in¬ 
stantly be resorted to, otherwise the animal may die. This 
is not a complaint of very frequent occurrence, but ex¬ 
tremely dangerous ; and such is the strength and rapidity of 
the heart's action, that its pulsations may be distinctly 
seen at the animal's side, and even heard at some yards 
distance. In this complaint the animal exhibits great 
energy of expression of countenance, with a quick and 
restless motion. 
THE PULSE. 
As the pulse is so intimately connected with the action of 
the heart, we may with propriety treat of it in this place. 
As in the human subject the pulse is a useful key to the 
health of the system, it is likewise of the same value to 
those practising the veterinary art. 
Although there are several parts in a horse where the 
pulse may be felt, yet the most convenient is at the lower 
jaw, a little behind the part where the submaxillary artery 
and vein, and the parotid-duct, pass under the jaw. See 
plate iii. fig. 1, r. At this spot the pulsations may be not 
only distinctly counted, but also the character of the action 
of the pulse accurately ascertained; which is of much im¬ 
portance, because its hardness and softness indicate certain 
conditions of disease. Many persons place the hand on the 
ide to ascertain the state of the pulse; but this will only 
