GENERAL DISEASES. ' 193 



always succumb, and, on a necroscopical examination, it is not unusual 

 to find various pustules on the mucous membrane of the respiratory and 

 digestive organs. 



" Sanitary Measures. — The disease being contagious, though the virus 

 does not appear to be very volatile, it is necessary to isolate the sick, and 

 take due precautions that the contagion is not carried from them to 

 healthy animals. 



" Curative Measures.— Careful dieting, a dry and moderately warm 

 dwelling, cleanliness, and abundance of fresh air are the essentials in the 

 curative treatment. 



" An emetic in the early stage of the malady has been recommended as 

 likely to be useful. Afterward the treatment must be purely symptomatic." 



D<RO<PSY. 



Dropsy, a morbid serous transudation into any of the cavities, is 

 never a primary affection but only a symptom, a sequel of many chronic 

 diseases, particularly those of the liver. Dropsies are not to be con- 

 founded with effusions; the former is not the result of inflammation, and 

 the morbid condition on which it depends is situated elsewhei'e; the 

 serous membrane in which it occurs being free from disease. Liquid 

 effusions are exudations involving generally if not always inflammation. 



Dropsies receive different names according to their situations; when 

 located in serous cavities, they are designated by prefixing hydro to the 

 name of the membrane. Dropsy within the head is called hydrocephalus ; 

 hydrothorax, when within the chest; ascites, when within the abdominal 

 cavity. The latter is the most frequent form seen in dogs, and deserves 

 especial consideration; the others being of less practical importance. 



Symptoms.— The enlargement first directs attention to the abdomen, 

 which becomes equably large and fluctuating, not filling at one part more 

 than another; the accumulation of liquid taking place without pain or 

 tenderness. The fluid usually forms rapidly, and the distension soon occa- 

 sions disturbances of the internal organs by compression. The appetite 

 becomes impaired, vomitingis an occasional symptom, the urine is scanty, 

 respiration is embarrassed, the pulse more rapid and feeble; constipation 

 may alternate with diarrhoea, and pressure on the veins give rise to dropsy 

 of the lower limbs. In the progress of the affection emaciation becomes 

 marked, the lips, tongue, and gums pallid, the pulse thin and thready, the 

 breathing more hurried, threatening suffocation ; the animal can no longer 

 lie down ; death finally occurs from exhaustion or obstructed respiration. 

 Diagnosis. — The diagnosis of ascites can generally be made without 



