SCURVY SCORBUTUS 329 



are enlarged and congested. Changes in the blood may 

 leave it thin and pale in color. 



Symptoms. Anemia and emaciation are early symptoms 

 of the disease. The patient becomes very languid, and does 

 not care to exercise or move about. The appetite is sup- 

 pressed either partially or completely, and the thirst is 

 increased. Marked changes are observed on the visible 

 mucous membranes, those of the mouth showing the most 

 pronounced lesions. The mucous membrane around the 

 margin of the gums becomes discolored red, later dark 

 bluish-red, and even almost black. Hemorrhages are present 

 in many cases, or the least manipulation of the gums causes 

 bleeding. The membranes become swollen and very sensitive 

 to the touch. The patient when eating will often stop 

 abruptly and show marked pain from the food irritating the 

 involved membranes. Distinct ulcerative processes are 

 observed in the later stages, the gingival membrane becoming 

 separated from the teeth and often the teeth themselves 

 become loose and fall out. Hemorrhages are also found on 

 the conjunctiva! membranes, in the nasal passages, and under 

 the skin. 



Vomiting is a common symptom. The vomited stomach 

 contents are often mixed with blood indicating gastric 

 hemorrhage. Bowel discharges may also contain blood. 

 The disease is progressive and the symptoms increase in 

 intensity until the animal is exhausted or some complication, 

 such as septicemia, pneumonia, or extensive hemorrhage 

 develops. 



Diagnosis. A differential diagnosis is necessary in dogs in 

 order to distinguish scurvy from ulcerative stomatitis. The 

 main points of difference are: (a) The absence of general 

 symptoms and hemorrhages in ulcerative stomatitis, (b) 

 The localization of the condition in ulcerative stomatitis, 

 while in scurvy other parts of the body are affected. In 

 long-standing cases of ulcerative stomatitis the differentiation 

 may be somewhat difficult. 



Prognosis. This will depend a great deal upon the progress 

 the disease has made. If the cause can be removed in the 

 very early stages, the prognosis is more favorable than in 



