1 May, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 349 
Slate-Coloured Appearance.—A. condition of blood due to the poison of 
glanders. , ea 
Pink —As in influenza or pink-eye. qi" G Chitayo 
Deep-Red Spots denote a depraved condition of the blood. iG Gap. * 
Pallidity.— Anemia and general debility. BOT ‘pelts, "UENS 
THE MOUTH. ppepcr ne 
The examination of an animal’s mouth may be occasion alg Obey at 
importance. Dry mouth and coated tongue inform us of digestive disturbance. 
Redness indicates an irritable and congested condition of the alimentary 
canal. 
A moist state of the mouth, from excessive secretion of saliva and accom- 
panied by the animal tetting the half-masticated food drop from his mouth 
(vulgarly known as “ quidding”) are diagnostic signs of disease of the teeth, or 
the presence of a foreign body, suth as a thorn or a pin. 
DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
DEFINITION OF DISEASE, we 
Before proceeding further with our subject, itis as well to give a definition 
of disease, and the best definition that can be given is “ that it is the deviation 
from the state of health, consisting generally in a change in the properties or 
structures of any tissue or organ inadequate to the performance of its healthy 
actions and functions.” 
CONTAGIOUS AND NON-CONTAGIOUS. 
Diseases may be broadly divided into :— 
Contagious, viz.:—Diseases which arise from the introduction into the 
animal system of germs by the agency of persons, animals, or substances, such 
as anthrax, glanders, and influenza. ; 
Non-Contagious, viz.:—Disease of spontaneous growth, such as consti- 
tutional disturbance in the lungs, liver, stomach, and other organs. 
CAUSE OF DISEASE, 
These diseases are generally due to the neglect of good sanitary precautions 
and bad stable management—for instance, improper ventilation, inferior food, 
oyer-feeding, want of exercise, neglect and privation, all tend to lower the 
animal system and produce ill-health. 
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF ILL-HEALTH IN THE HORSE. : 
The Pulse of the horse, as in other animals, is an important guide in 
determining the healthy state or otherwise of the patient. ‘When in a state of 
good health the pulse is firm and regular. The number of pulsations per 
minute in an adult healthy horse are 34 to 36. E 
To Lake the Pulse.—The most convenient place to take the horse’s pulse is 
from the sub-mascillary artery, at the angle of the jaw. The fore and middle 
fingers should be placed on the artery in a transverse direction. There being 
a pulse in the thumb, this finger should never be used in taking an animal’s 
ulse. 
y Respiration consists in the alternative enlargement and diminution of the 
cavity of the chest, whereby air is alternately inspired and.expired. Inspira- 
tion and expiration thus alternate, in healthy adult horses at perfect rest, 
number from 12 to 16 times per minute. The movements of the flanks | 
generally afford the first indication of quickened breathing. ‘The movements 
of the nostrils must also be noted. 
: Temperature.—The normal temperature of the horse is 99 degrees I*ahr- 
enheit. ‘To register this, a small clinical thermometer is inserted for a couple 
of minutes in the rectum, when it may be withdrawn and the index hand will 
indicate the exact temperature of the patient. Before inserting the thermo- 
meter it is as well to get the attendant to lift one of the animals fore limbs, 
which will prevent his kicking. 
