348 ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 
ledge of the nature of the disorder in the alimentary canal, or 
in the system. When the fsecal evacuations consist of un¬ 
digested food, and particularly if coated with mucus, it is a 
certain sign of disturbance in the digestive organs. Hard, 
dark-coloured faeces, evacuated in small quantities, is also a 
sign of disordered digestion, arising from defective secretions. 
When the faeces are excessive in quantity or liquidity, they 
constitute diarrhoea; and the opposite condition, that of costive¬ 
ness, is also an important symptom in many diseases, indicating 
defective secretion of bile. 
The urinary organs likewise furnish symptoms of importance, 
not only of disease of the parts connected with it, but with dis¬ 
orders of other organs, being the chief emunctory through which 
effete or offending matters are discharged from the blood. The 
urine voided after the process of digestion is completed in a 
healthy horse has a pale amber colour, possessing a pungent 
odour; whilst that voided soon after drinking a quantity of 
water, is limpid and colourless. In cases of inflammation of 
the kidneys, the urine is sparingly discharged, high coloured, 
and having the elements of blood mixed with it. When the 
quantity of urine is small, it is usually high coloured, and this 
tint characterizes an inflammatory state of the system. In 
diabetes, the urine is nearly colourless and odourless, and dis¬ 
charged in immense quantities. In disordered action of the 
digestive organs the urine has frequently a turbid appearance, 
and sometimes sedimentary. 
The lining membrane of the septum of the nose , as it respects 
its colour, also affords an indication of importance, and being 
immediately continuous with the membrane of the respiratory 
organs, if inflammation be present there, the changes will be 
quickly perceived. A horse in health, and at rest, will exhibit 
a pale, pink-coloured membrane; an increasing blush of red 
indicates a slight degree of inflammatory action, and an intense 
deep red, indicates inflammation of an acute character. 
The state of respiration gives early notice of approaching 
disease. Quickness of breathing occurs almost simultaneously 
with quickness of circulation. The respiration in health, is 
shewn by the quiet, uniform, and scarcely perceptible motion 
of the flanks, at the rate of eight or ten breathings in a minute. 
There are few diseases in horses in which the respiratory 
organs remain undisturbed, and it forms a primary and leading 
symptom. 
The state of the pulse is the surest indication of any, as to 
the degree of inflammatory action on the system. The heart 
of a healthy agricultural horse, in a state of rest, beats about 
36 strokes a minute ; and when it rises to 45 or 50 times, 
