The pulse is disturbed only as colic progresses; in enteritis it is quick, hard, and wiry, before the disorder is fully established. The term "wiry" well represents the kind of pulse which accompanies enteritis. If a thin metallic cord were to strike the finger ends somewhat gently, and about seventy times in a minute, it would impart the same sensation as is communicated by the beat of the artery during inflammation of the bowels. Besides, pressure in colic seems to ease the anguish; in enteritis, the horse often cannot bear to have the abdomen touched. The last symptom, however, is not always present, neither is there one, save those characteristic of general inflammation, which is invariably to be observed. In abdominal disease, so many organs are influenced that everything becomes, in a vast degree, mystery and confusion. Notwithstanding this, pressure, in enteritis, never affords relief; sometimes, however, the hand placed upon the belly will elicit the most energetic response. The horse will kick with the hind leg, turn round the head, and violently snap the jaws together. Then he who applied so rude a test must stand out of the reach of the hind foot, at the same time watching the head. Thus all danger is readily avoided; because the ears, the eyes, and nostrils of the horse express its intentions before these are carried into effect. [Illustration: THE TEST OF PRESSURE TO THE ABDOMEN FOR ENTERITIS.] [Illustration: A CERTAIN TEST FOR ENTERITIS.] All the tests will, however, not warrant certainty. The heat and dryness of the mouth may proceed from bodily exhaustion; the pulse, though highly suspicious, may merely denote general disturbance rather than declare the particular locality of a disorder. The peculiarity of the breathing may only express temporary faintness; the resistance to pressure is common to many horses while in health, and the restrained method of the plunges may be consequent upon the absence of any incitive to greater energy; still, when all are put together, they imply a great deal. Faintness and exhaustion are not to be reconciled with a hard pulse; the heat of the mouth and the resistance to pressure, especially when united to the voluntary restraint imposed upon the motion, certainly warrant a strong inference, and sanction no belief that colic is the sufferer's complaint. Happily, however, there remains a mode of assuring the most hesitating individual. The coat must be pulled off, the shirt-sleeves rolled up, and the arm be well greased or thoroughly soaped. About this there must be no false delicacy: in human surgery and in veterinary practice many things have to be surmounted which do not read well when described in cold print. In this instance, the intention is to relieve a suffering life; the motive will elevate the act. The fingers of the right hand are to be compressed, while the left hand raises the tail; the position is on the left side, as near to the feet as may be possible.