CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOGS. 515 



SMALL-POX. 



This disease, first seen in 1809, receiving its name at the Royal 

 Veterinary' School at Lyons, is propagated from dog to dog by 

 contagion. It is not difficult to cure. 



Symptoms. — There is an imnatural red color of the skin in the 

 region of the belly, groin, £ind inside the fore arm. These parts 

 are sprinkled with little red spots, irregularly rounded, which 

 gradually grow larger for sevei'al days, becoming veiy prominent 

 at their centers. About the fifth day the redness of the centers 

 begins to assume a grayish, color. On the summit is a white cir- 

 cular point, containing a quantity of nearly transparent fluid, 

 covered by a tiiin and transparent pellicle. This fluid gradually 

 changes to pus, ultimately of purulent character. The pustule 

 becomes flattened, and desiccation and desquamation takes place 

 about the tenth day. 



The near approach of the eruption is announced by an increase 

 of fever. After desiccation the skin remains covered with brown 

 spots, which by degrees disappear, sometimes leaving little spots 

 on which the hair does not grow. A moderate temperature is the 

 most favorable to recovery. Exposure to cold is generally fatal. 

 The dog suffering from small-pox has a very offensive breath, 

 and the faeces are also very fetid. In some instances pneumonia 

 occurs as a most serious complication. 



Tkeatment. — Give a dose of castor oil and follow with sal. 

 acetate of ammonia, drachms four; nitrous aether, drachms six; 

 water, q. s. four ounces. Give a teaspoonful every three or four 

 hours. This is generally all that is required. 



EABIES. 



This is one of the most important subjects in veterinary 

 pathology, and one in which every practitioner of human medi- 

 cine should be thoroughly interested. The disease has its origin 

 in the canine. The specific vims is conveyed in the saliva of the 

 affected dog through wounds to other animals and to man. Opin- 



