268 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
languidness in the circulation, very easily discerned under 
pressure of the finger. It, however, sometimes happens that 
small pulse may be accompanied by hardness and jerking; 
but still the remarkable smallness in the circulating fluid 
will be perceptible. This condition is caused by the irrita¬ 
bility of the heart causing a contraction of the ventricle 
before it is properly filled with blood. Small pulse shows that 
some dangerous condition of disease is to be apprehended, 
as it invariablv accompanies inflammation of the bowels. 
A WEAK PULSE. 
This is caused by a feeble action of the heart, as the 
stream of arterial blood is flowing slowly, and hence is 
hardly to be felt. It indicates debility, and accompanies 
complaints the reverse of fever. Stimulants are generally 
necessary in this condition of pulse. 
OPPRESSED PULSE. 
When the arteries are fully distended with blood, and 
the pressure upon them is greater than their calibre will 
convey with ease, owing to some obstruction in their 
interior, and the action of the heart is unable to press 
forward the current, and in consequence the pulsation feels 
irregular and unequal, the pulse is said to be oppressed. 
In sudden inflammation of the lungs this condition is 
common. They are gorged and overloaded with blood, 
which cannot force its way through their minute vessels. 
It has been invariably found that after copious bleeding, an 
oppressed pulse has been much increased. This arises from 
a portion of the blood being removed from the choked 
vessels, which enables that which remains to flow on without 
interruption. 
The pulse is subject to various modifications besides 
