294 RHEUMATISM. 



bined with a spasmodic affection, and which peculiarly affects 

 the neck, occasioning- swelling, stiffness, and extreme ten- 

 derness of the part. Sometimes also it affects, at the same 

 time, one or both fore legs; but even here the attack on such 

 distant parts appears to be more symptomatic than idiopa- 

 thic, for the bowels are always affected, and it happens inva- 

 riably, that, when they are relieved, the violence of the com- 

 plaint is always mitigated in the limbs or neck. 1 have not 

 found any one kind of dog to be naturally more prone to 

 rheumatic affections than another ; all seem alike subject to 

 them: but those become most so that live most artificially, 

 and such as are usually kept warm, but become accidentally 

 exposed to wet or cold. The spring produces more instances 

 of this disease than any other time of the year, probably from 

 the prevalence of easterly winds at that season *. 



The treatment of canine rheumatism should be as follows : 

 — In every instance the bowels must be particularly and 

 promptly attended to ; and in no way does this indication 

 seem better effected than by first placing the animal in warm 

 water, and keeping him there for a quarter of an hour, at 

 the same time rubbing him well over the affected parts. 

 When taken out, wipe him dry; wrap him well up in a 

 blanket, and place him within the warmth of a fire : first, 

 however, giving him the following : — 



Tincture of opium 20 drops 



Vitriolic sether 30 drops 



Castor oil 1 ounce. 



This quantity is proper for a middling sized dog, and may 

 be increased or diminished in strength at pleasure. Should 

 it not be found to operate as a laxative, a clyster should be 



* Dogs, particularly such as are closely domesticated, become pecu- 

 liarly open to atmospheric impressions. Any sudden change of weather, 

 especially from a dry to a moist state, may be seen in the depressed 

 countenance and listless manner of many of them. Many others can- 

 not be exposed to an easterly wind for a quarter of an hour even, with- 

 out be^coming affected with rheumatism. 



