GENERAL DISEASES. 197 



important medicinal remedy to depend upon, although iron and quinine 

 can be added to the treatment if their need is indicated. 



In large breeds there is a liability to deformity which might be easily 

 mistaken for rickets. It results from confinement and over-feeding, the 

 body becoming too large, and too heavy for the legs to sustain. In such 

 cases the quantity of food should be lessened, and by regulated exercise 

 the weaker parts strengthened. 



Scrofula. 



Scrofula is a constitutional and specific malady, involving the glandular 

 system ; a general debility, with a tendency to indolent inflammatory and 

 ulcerative diseases. Its occurrence is not uncommon among dogs. 



Causation. — Scrofula may be hereditary; if not it can be created by 

 influences capable of lowering the vital energies; by improper food or 

 suffering hunger; by general neglect, lack of exercise, cold, damp kennels, 

 and want of pure air and sunlight. 



The disease may appear after other diseases have for a time existed and 

 depressed the general health and impoverished the system. 



Symptoms. —When the scrofulous constitution exists, the functions are 

 but irregularly performed. Digestion is impaired; the appetite is capri- 

 cious; the mucous membranes pale and flabby; the bowels constipated; 

 the coat dry and staring, and the abdomen distended. 



In certain cases the disease may exist, remain hidden as it were, await- 

 ing some unusual cause to excite its development; puppies so affected 

 grow rapidly, and show in outward form but little evidence of the taint. 

 In other cases the growth is stunted, the joints large, legs bent, head ill- 

 shapen, and the animal is in general appearance an unsightly object. As 

 the symptoms of scrofula become prominent emaciation is usually rapid, 

 the muscles weak and flabby. 



Treatment. — The indications are first to correct abuses. The food 

 should be nutritious and abundant, consisting largely of meat. Free exer- 

 cise in the open air and sunlight, and dry, well ventilated kennels are 

 indispensable. Perfect cleanliness and frequent bathing are of great im- 

 portance. 



Among the medicinal remedies cod liver oil takes precedence. If the 

 appetite needs stimulating quinine is indicated. When the mucous mem- 

 branes by pallor show a poverty of the blood, iron should be given for a 

 long time. 



Animals which have ever exhibited the symptoms of a scrofulous taint, 

 should never bo used for breeding purposes. Failure to transmit the dis- 

 ease to their young is exceptional. 



