62 DISEASES 



Deafness. — A very considerable number of dogs suffer from deafness. 

 In many the disease is congenital, but I do not know that it is hereditary; 

 and I am quite at a loss to explain why congenital deafness is so much 

 oftener seen in white dogs, or those with a preponderance of white, than 

 in those of any other color. Bulldogs, bull terriers and white English 

 terriers seem to be peculiarly liable to this defect. Deafness is also fre- 

 quently caused by accumulations of wax and this can be removed by syring- 

 ing the ear daily with 1 part of spirits of wine and 20 parts of warm water, 

 afterwards drying the ear thoroughly, by means of a piece of wool rolled 

 upon a probe or pointed piece of stick. Several fresh pieces of wool will be 

 necessary. Canker is also a fruitful cause of deafness. 



I know of no treatment for congenital deafness likely to be of any 

 use except when it is caused by a morbid growth capable of being removed. 

 Among other causes producing deafness, blows may be mentioned; also 

 lugging at the ear — a most brutal mode of punishment often resorted to 

 by keepers and those having the care of sporting field dogs — and the lodg- 

 ment of water in the ear cavity. In the latter case, pouring in a little pure 

 oil of sweet almonds may give relief; and in the other cases the treatment 

 recommended for internal canker may be beneficially followed with, in 

 addition, the application of a blister behind the ears. Whilst the dog is 

 under treatment, cooling, aperient medicine should be given, and a light 

 diet with green vegetables adopted. You will find that dogs born deaf, 

 like a deaf and dumb person, have their other senses quickened, and the 

 dog will be remarkably sharp at interpreting signs given by the master, 

 who should adopt a system of signs and keep to them. If you own a deaf 

 dog, you should have an enclosed yard for him so no danger of his getting 

 out on the street and hurt or killed by a passing wagon or street car — 

 and remember, if you have him out for a walk, that he is deaf, so that no 

 harm befalls him; you do the watching out in this case. Deafness does 

 not transmit — simply happens — so that a deaf bitch will be just as good 

 to use for breeding purposes. ■ 



Epilepsy. — Dogs are peculiarly liable to this trouble. The symptoms 

 are sudden loss of sensation, a violent convulsive action of the muscles, 

 both of the body and limbs, champing of the jaws and emission of froth 

 from the mouth, the tongue may get cut by the involuntary action of the 

 jaw and being tinged with blood adds to the fears of those ignorant of 

 the disease, and from this unfounded alarm the dog may be supposed to 

 be mad (?) and the poor fellow killed. See treatment under head of 

 Epileptic Fits. 



Eye, Diseases of the Dogs are subject to all eye troubles that hu- 

 mans are, and perhaps more so. Eye troubles I have had great success 

 in treating, and when I see them appear in a dog I am not at all worried. 

 They must be cared for at once, however. Accidents to the eye are not 

 uncommon, as from scratches by a cat, injuries from - a blow, or in fighting. 

 In such cases the first thing to do is to bathe it with warm water for 

 from fifteen to thirty minutes, this to reduce the swelling and inflamma- 

 tion which follows. If the injury is great, a veterinarian had best be called 



