DROPSY. 153 



distemper is a disease, more than any other, liable to a re- 

 currence : therefore do not discontinue the care or the me- 

 dical treatment for at least three weeks after the recovery 

 has appeared complete. And as a recurrence of the com- 

 plaint frequently appears by one of those fits which have 

 been described as so fatal, from their being so usually followed 

 up by others, with increased strength and frequency, so this 

 secondary attack should be carefully guarded against, by a 

 continuance of the medical treatment of the first, for a con- 

 siderable time after all the symptoms have disappeared ; and 

 until the health, strength, and acquisition of flesh, have be- 

 come complete. But in the event of a return of the disease, 

 should a fit be the first symptom of it, immediately give a 

 strong emetic, and proceed as directed before. Should the 

 recurrence be marked by returning dulness, and disinclination 

 to food, or, as is the case sometimes, by a return of the 

 looseness, so recourse should again be had to the former 

 treatment directed as proper for these states ; but principally 

 the tonic or strengthening plan is proper in these secondary 

 attacks, and which should again be continued even a more 

 considerable length of time after all symptoms have ceased 

 than before. 



Dropsy 



Is by no means uncommon in canine pathology. Dogs 

 are most subject to ascites, or dropsy of the belly. In the 

 next degree of frequency they have dropsy of the chest ; 

 less frequently they have encysted dropsy ; and, least of all, 

 are they subject to anasarca, or dropsy of the skin, unless 

 when accompanied by ascites. 



Ascites, or dropsy of the belly, as I have before remarked, 

 is not an uncommon disease, and a prodigious quantity of 

 water is sometimes accumulated within the abdomen. The 

 causes of the disease are various. Among the most common 

 are long-continued asthma, and a diseased liver. Mange, 



L 



