116 The Care of Animals 



animal should be disturbed as little as possible. The 

 appearance of the coat should be carefully noted. Is 

 the hair erect, as is frequently the case during a chill ? 



Note the condition of the skin as to its feeling to the 

 hand, whether harsh, scurfy or "hidebound." Such 

 a condition usually' indicates poor nutrition, either 

 from lack of food or from some digestive trouble. 

 The appetite should also be noticed, signs of the 

 presence or absence of pain, dullness, or nervousness. 

 In fact, the general expression of the face and the 

 body is very important in diagnosing disease. If the 

 animal is a female, the question of pregnancy, milk 

 secretion or period of heat should always be taken 

 into consideration. 



A careful examination should always be made of 

 the food and water. By inquiry, one should determine 

 the work, lack of exercise, duration of sickness, and 

 all other facts bearing upon the histor^^ of the case. 

 An incidental remark, giving an apparently insignifi- 

 cant fact, often furnishes the clue which will lead to 

 the correct diagnosis of the disease and to the determin- 

 ing of the cause. Animals having nervous diseases, 

 especially those affecting the brain, should always be 

 approached with great care, as they are often irrespon- 

 sible and may do serious injury to those who treat 

 them. This is notably true of dogs which show symp- 

 toms of rabies (hydrophobia). In examining or caring 

 for animals that may be suffering from a contagious 

 disease, precautions should alwaj^s be taken to prevent 

 the infection of persons, or the spreading of the dis- 

 ease to other animals by carelessness of the attendant. 



