Page 71 - My FlipBook
P. 71
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THE PULSE. 69
preciate the state of the coats of the artery, and should next note
the frequency, the rhythm, the tension, volume and force of the
pulse ; and, lastly, any peculiarities, if present. Moreover, the
pulse of one side of the body should always be compared with
the other.
It should also be remembered that forcible extension or flexion
of the forearm will sometimes arrest the radial pulse.
In noting the pulse of children and infants, it is well to count
the pulse, if possible, while they are asleep.
This can be conveniently done in the temporal artery.
In noting the pulse of the wrist, asleep or awake, there are
often involuntary movements of the arm and twitching of the
muscles, which render it difficult to keep the finger of the ob-
server on the pulse. This difficulty may be overcome in a great
degree by grasping the entire hand of the child, and then extend-
ing the index finger upon the pulse. It is also advisable not to
take the pulse of the patient until some little time has elapsed
after the appearance of the observer. In health, changes in the
frequency and rhythm of the pulse are often met with. The
normal pulse in an adult is about 75 beats per minute, while in
infants it ranges from 120 to 140 beats per minute; and the
very old have a much higher pulse-rate than those of middle age.
The following is a table of the variations in the frequency of
the pulse in health :
Infant asleep, at birth 140
Infancy 120
Child under 5 years of age 100
Youth 90
Male adults 72-80
Female adults 80-85
Old age 70
It is only in rare cases that great frequency of the pulse in
health is met with. Sex has some influence. Up to the 7th
year of age the frequency is about the same in both sexes, but
later the female is from 6 to 14 beats—average 9 — greater than
in the male.
THE PULSE. 69
preciate the state of the coats of the artery, and should next note
the frequency, the rhythm, the tension, volume and force of the
pulse ; and, lastly, any peculiarities, if present. Moreover, the
pulse of one side of the body should always be compared with
the other.
It should also be remembered that forcible extension or flexion
of the forearm will sometimes arrest the radial pulse.
In noting the pulse of children and infants, it is well to count
the pulse, if possible, while they are asleep.
This can be conveniently done in the temporal artery.
In noting the pulse of the wrist, asleep or awake, there are
often involuntary movements of the arm and twitching of the
muscles, which render it difficult to keep the finger of the ob-
server on the pulse. This difficulty may be overcome in a great
degree by grasping the entire hand of the child, and then extend-
ing the index finger upon the pulse. It is also advisable not to
take the pulse of the patient until some little time has elapsed
after the appearance of the observer. In health, changes in the
frequency and rhythm of the pulse are often met with. The
normal pulse in an adult is about 75 beats per minute, while in
infants it ranges from 120 to 140 beats per minute; and the
very old have a much higher pulse-rate than those of middle age.
The following is a table of the variations in the frequency of
the pulse in health :
Infant asleep, at birth 140
Infancy 120
Child under 5 years of age 100
Youth 90
Male adults 72-80
Female adults 80-85
Old age 70
It is only in rare cases that great frequency of the pulse in
health is met with. Sex has some influence. Up to the 7th
year of age the frequency is about the same in both sexes, but
later the female is from 6 to 14 beats—average 9 — greater than
in the male.
