s of animals
affected, by the races which subdivide the species, by the families
which form groups of the races, and by certain conditions in individuals
themselves. For example, a pricked foot in a Thoroughbred may cause
intense fever, while the same injury in the foot of a Clydesdale may
scarcely cause a visible general symptom. In the horse, fever produces
the following symptoms:

The normal body temperature, which varies from 99 deg. to 100 deg. F., is
elevated from 1 deg. to 9 deg.. A temperature of 102 deg. or 103 deg. F. is moderate
fever, 104 deg. to 105 deg. F. is high, and 106 deg. F. and over is excessive. The
temperature is accurately measured by means of a clinical thermometer
inserted in the rectum.

This elevation of temperature can readily be felt by the hand placed in
the mouth of the animal, or in the rectum, and in the cleft between the
hind legs. It is usually appreciable at any point over the surface of
the body and in the expired air emitted from the nostrils. The ears and
cannons are often as hot as the rest of the body, but are sometimes
cold, which denotes a debility in the circulation and irregular
distribution of the blood. The pulse, which in a healthy horse is felt
beating about 42 to 48 times in the minute, is increased to 60, 70, 90,
or even 100. The respirations are increased from 14 or 16 to 24, 30, 36,
or even more. With the commencement of a fever the horse usually has
diminished appetite, or it may have total loss of appetite if the fever
is excessive. There is, however, a vast difference among horses in this
regard. With the same degree of elevation of temperature one horse may
lose its appetite entirely, while another, usually of the more common
sort, will eat at hay throughout the course of the fever, and will even
continue to eat oats or other grains. Thirst is usually increased, but
the animal desires only a small quantity of water at a time, and in most
cases of fever a bucket of water should be kept standing before the
patient, which may be allowed to drink ad libitum. The skin becomes dry
and the hairs stand on end. Sweating is almost unknown in the early
stage of fevers, but frequently occurs later in their course, when an
outbreak of warm sweat is often a most favorable symptom. The mucous
membranes, which are most easily examined in the conjunctivae of the eyes
and inside of the mouth, change color if the fever is an acute one;
without alteration of blood the mucous membra