DISEASES OF DOGS : THE EAR. 355 



to be confined, and well fed, the disease most fre- 

 quently returns as bad as ever. 



Experience teaches us, that dogs fed much on 

 flesh are more liable to this disease than others, 

 and that the most common exciting cause of it is 

 wet, which seems to act by slowly abstracting heat 

 from these parts, while they are in a state of ex- 

 citement, or increased action. This exposure to 

 wet, frequently occuring in water dogs, is apt to 

 produce canker in the ear by injuring the vessels of 

 these parts, by which they become relaxed, and 

 consequently distended with more blood, and the 

 functions of the nerves of the part are also in- 

 jured, and thus the blood is specifically acted upon 

 by the nerves. 



When setters, water spaniels, &:c. go into the 

 water, the inside of their ears retain a great deal 

 of moisture, and are a long time in drying. This 

 slow evaporation from the ears diminishes the tem- 

 perature of these parts very much, and it is by 

 the sudden transitions from heat to cold, that 

 the complaint is produced. 



This disease, though of long standing, may be 

 easily cured, if attention be paid to diet, exer- 

 cise and the use of proper remedies. We know 

 that dogs during the sporting season must have a 

 21 A 2! 



