The importance of recognizing or diagnosing the seat and nature of the
morbid change occurring in an organ or group of organs cannot be
overestimated. Laymen do not comprehend the difficulty or importance of
correctly grouping the signs or symptoms of disease in such a way as to
enable them to recognize the nature of the disease. In order to be able to
understand the meaning of the many symptoms or signs of disease, we must
possess knowledge of the structure and physiological functions of the
different organs of the body. We must be familiar with the animal when it
is in good health in order to be able to recognize any deviation from the
normal due to disease, and we must learn from personal observation the
different symptoms that characterize the different diseases. Stockmen
should be able to tell when any of the animals in their care are sick as
soon as the first symptom of disease manifests itself, by changes in the
general appearance and behavior. But in order to ascertain the exact
condition a general and systematic examination is necessary. The examiner,
whether he be a layman or a veterinarian, must observe the animal
carefully, noting the behavior, appearance, surroundings, and general and
local symptoms.

Before making a _general examination_ of the animal it is well, if the
examiner is not already acquainted with the history of the case (care, feed
and surroundings), to learn as much about this from the attendant as is
possible. Inquiry should be made as to the feeding, the conditions under
which the animal has been kept, the length of time it has been sick, its
actions, or any other information that may be of assistance in forming the
diagnosis and outlining the treatment.

The _general symptoms_ inform us regarding the condition of the different