342 DISEASES OF DOGS: RHEUMATISM. 



CHAP. XIII. 



EHEUMATISM. 



This disease frequently attacks dogs, and espe- 

 cially such as are rather old, and accustomed to 

 the warm house ; these become tender, and more 

 apt to be affected by change of temperature ; hence 

 when they are suddenly exposed to cold, or cold 

 and wet, the perspiration frequently becomes ob- 

 structed, and rheumatism is often the consequence. 



Rheumatism generally seizes the back, and hind 

 parts, in which case the dog is scarcely able to move, 

 and if he attempts it gives him great pain, and he 

 then rather drags his legs along than moves them ; 

 for on the slightest motion of the affected parts, 

 the pain is aggravated. Sometimes the fore legs 

 are affected at the same time, and then the animal 

 loses almost entirely the power of his hmbs. 



Rheumatism not unfrequently attacks the neck 

 and fore legs ; when this happens the neck is stiff 

 and rather drawn to one side, and the dog limps 

 with his fore legs as he walks. 



When the pain attending rheumatism is gone, 



