cold and drinking ice cold water are common causes of variations in the
body temperatures of domestic animals.

Visible Mucous Membranes.--The visible mucous membranes, as they are
termed, are the lining membranes of the eyelids, nostrils and nasal
cavities, and mouth. In health they are usually a pale red, excepting when
the animal is exercised or excited, when they appear a brighter red and
somewhat vascular. In disease the following changes in color and appearance
may be noted: When inflamed, as in cold in the head, a deep red; in
impoverished or bloodless conditions of the body and in internal
haemorrhage, pale; in diseases of the liver, sometimes yellowish, or dark
red; in diseases of the digestive tract (buccal mucous membrane), coated;
if inflamed, dry at first, later excessively moist; and in certain germ
diseases a mottled red, or showing nodules, ulcers and scars.

Surface of the Body.--When a horse is in a good condition and well cared
for, the coat is short, fine, glossy and smooth and the skin pliable and
elastic. Healthy cattle have a smooth, glossy coat and the skin feels
mellow and elastic. The fleece of sheep should appear smooth and have
plenty of yolk, the skin pliable and light pink in color. When the coat
loses its lustre and gloss and the skin becomes hard, rigid, thickened and
dirty, it indicates a lack of nutrition and an unhealthy condition of the
body. In sheep, during sickness, the wool may become dry and brittle and
the skin pale and rigid. When affected with external parasites, the hair or
wool becomes dirty and rough, a part of the skin may be denuded of hair,
and it appears thickened, leathery and scabby, or shows pimples, vesicles
and sores.

During fever, the temperature of the surface of the body is very unequal.
In serious diseases or diseases that are about to terminate fatally, the