508 DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



liar fetid smell. We can little hope to save the life of the animal 

 in case this becomes marked. 



Before leaving this subject, let me apologize for its length. 

 But the disease has never before been properly written up, so far as 

 known to me, or its pathological characters noticed. I have made 

 this brief, too brief considering the subject. The popular writers 

 on diseases of canines are, unfortunately, all in the dark, which is 

 to be regretted. Mayhew, who is perhaps as much read by sports- 

 men as any author, gives no rationale of the disease, btit deals in 

 generalities, which show he was entirely at sea, and that he knew 

 nothing of its pathology ; or indeed of hardly any other disease he 

 attempts to treat of. The symptoms he gives, hov/ever, will be 

 noticed as almost identical with those of pleuro-pneumonia. 



Splenic Fever. — This is another disease which in its various 

 stages is either called distemper, or mistaken for inflammation of 

 the bowels. There is the same characteristic discharge from the 

 nose, and diarrhoea is often present. The mucous membranes of 

 the mouth are pallid, the flanks drawn in, the animal nervous, 

 and finally paralysis of the hind quarters supervenes. 



I can give nothing of value concerning the pathology of the 

 disease, except that the spleen and kidneys are enormously en- 

 larged, and the grey matter of the upper portions of the spinal 

 cord takes on ulceration and suppuration. I am indebted to two 

 medical gentlemen of the U. S. Army for the little knowledge I 

 possess on this subject, and that httle cannot well be given here. 

 The disease is called splenic fever, because that organ shows 

 greater changes than any other. From the symptoms as given me, 

 I should think this might be the true distemper. Thus far cases 

 have been noticed only.in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. 



- The indications would seem to be a tonic treatment. Opium 

 aggravates the disease, it inevitably proving fatal where this drug 

 is adtninistered. The pathology of these two diseases proves that 

 vaccination is useless as a preventive. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 

 Epilepsy; Convulsions. — Epilepsy, Co?ivulsions, or Fits may 

 arise from a variety of causes, the most common of which are 

 intestinal worms,rage habit, defective nutrition ; under which may 



