ON ECK'S FISTULA 5 



dogs for some time, unless perhaps, as observed by Pawlow, they 

 become irritable. The temperature immediately after the operation 

 usually sinks a degree or so, to rise afterwards somewhat above the 

 normal, at which it stands for about 10 days. The body weight may, or 

 may not, gradually diminish. In about 10 days after the operation many 

 of the dogs begin to show symptoms which are considered peculiar to 

 the condition. At the outset these symptoms are variable in character. 

 Some animals become very restless and excitable and tear and worry 

 everything with which they come in contact, others become usually quiet 

 and sleep most of the time. These conditions may alternate in the same 

 dog. Sooner or later, more definite symptoms make their appearance ; 

 the animal (now lying down) becomes depressed and apathetic, and when 

 he attempts to walk is found to be paretic in the hind legs so that he 

 continually sits down. The gait is also distinctly ataxic, the legs being 

 lifted unnecessarily high and then dashed on the ground, and, frequently, 

 in awkward positions. If the limbs be placed in some unusual position 

 — e.g.y crossed over one another — the dog leaves them there for some 

 time. Pawlow considers this an important symptom and calls it 

 catalepsy. 



Supervening on these symptoms a gradual condition of hyper- 

 excitability is next noted. The dog is continually moving about, but 

 the movements are purposeless and in-coordinate. During this stage he 

 becomes blind and anaesthetic, but retains consciousness and hearing. For 

 example, one may push a needle into the pads of the paws and tramp on 

 the toes without the dog taking the slightest notice, whereas, if the door of 

 the room be opened, he will at once start up and try to make for it. That 

 he is blind is shown by the fact that he does not attempt to avoid 

 objects in his path but runs against them. Meanwhile, he is gradually 

 becoming unconscious, and may now show convulsive movements of 

 greater or less severity. The convulsive stage is followed by one of 

 coma, in which the animal may die. 



Many of the dogs recover from these symptoms, but, in such cases, 

 can usually be easily caused to manifest them again by rough handling 

 or excitement. In some cases the above symptoms are only partially 

 seen, the first thing noted being convulsions. In others, the stages 

 follow one another so quickly that they are indistinguishable as such. 



From the outset, Pawlow, and others, noted that certain of the dogs 



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