DISEASES 61 



and divide into 24 pills. For dogs 25 to 50 pounds in weight give one 

 pill twice a day; Toy dogs, one-half pill. Twenty-four grains quinine 

 added to the prescription will be of value if the dog is weak or appetite 

 impaired." 



The following, from Field and Fancy, is also valuable advice: 



"Diabetes is characterized by an abnormal flow of urine, caused by 

 derangement of some of the assimilative organs; when long established 

 it produces great emaciation and weakness. The treatment consists in giv- 

 ing first a few doses of a mild purgative, such as the podophyllin pills. 

 To allay the thirst, which is always present in diabetes, give twice a 

 day 5 to 30 droys of phosphoric acid, largely diluted with water, and to 

 strengthen the system 2 gr. to 5 gr. of suphate of iron twice a day in 

 water. If the excessive flow of urine continues after this treatment, resort 

 must be had to opium, iodine, alum, oak-bark, or its preparations. The 

 following bolus may prove useful in such cases: 



Astringent Bolus for Diabetes. — Take gallic acid, 1 dr.; powdered alum, 

 1 dr.; powdered opium, 12 gr. ; gum sufficient to form a mass; divide 

 into twenty-four pills. Dose for a twenty pound dog, one twice a day. 

 Where the animal is weak and the appetite impaired, 1 gr. of quinine may 

 be added to each pill." 



Diptheria. — Some veterinarians hold that dogs are liable to this alarm- 

 ing and fatal disease. At the slightest suspicion of diphtheria, isolate the 

 patient, as it is contagious, and call in a veterinary surgeon at once. 



I have never had a case of diphtheria as yet in any of my dogs, but 

 should I have, would at once call in a good doctor or veterinarian. This 

 disease should be treated the same as if in a person. 



Dent, at my request, furnishes the following article on this disease: 



"There* has been considerable discussion over this disease, which is 

 so alarming in the human family. While some veterinarians hold that 

 this disease does not exist in dogs, others contend as religiously that it does. 



"There are cases on record where a dog has contracted the disease 

 from eating the food that had previously been placed before an affected 

 child, and it is reasonable to presume that the disease is communicable 

 from man to dog, and vice versa, when we consider the intimate terms under 

 which they exist. 



"The cause of this disease in the dog, as in man, is a specific germ 

 which attacks the throat, or nose, or both and extends from them down 

 into the wind pipe. 



"Symptoms. — Difficulty in swallowing, more or less difficulty in breath- 

 ing, chills, fever, marked debility and exhaustion. 



"Treatment. — The slightest suspicion of this disease calls for isolation, 

 increased attention to sanitation, careful disinfection, and the attenton of a 

 skillful veterinarian, who should use antitoxin exactly as used in human 

 practice. Feed easily digested food, and as the animal passes the critical 

 period and approaches convalescene, use a good tonic condition pill, any 

 of thoso advertised in this book." 



