CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 



Anaemia and Chlorosis. 



By ansemia in the strict sense of the word, we mean a lessening or 

 thinning of the blood. This is especially noticeable after great hemor- 

 rhages. At the same time much greater importance must be placed on 

 that condition of the blood where the number of red corpuscles is very 

 much decreased. This diminution of the number of red blood corpuscles 

 is the most important form of anaemia. 



Etiology. — The disease occurs frequently in young, delicate animals 

 of the improved or closely bred classes, in animals that are weaned too 

 early, or when they are not properly nourished when puppies. It seems 

 to be hereditary in some of these animals — litters from feeble, delicate 

 bitches — and may depend to a certain extent on the defective development 

 of the arterial system and an abnormally small heart. Anaemia occurs 

 most frequently from the lessening in c^uantity of the vital fluids, such as 

 the albuminous, or after a large or long-continued slight hemorrhage; 

 from prolonged suppuration of the kidneys; and lastly a want of proper 

 nutrition — for instance, young animals in a poor condition should be fed 

 on meat. Very often impaired digestion prevents an absorption of 

 certain nutritive substances in chronic disease, in fever, intestinal worms, 

 dochmius, taeniae or ascarides, or parasites in the blood (filaria), piro- 

 plasma, and from certain poisons in the blood, etc. 



Clinical Symptoms. — The symptoms of the disease consist in a re- 

 duction of the coloring elements of the blood and a general condition 

 of debility, showing every indication of loss of blood. The skin and 

 visil:)le mucous membranes are very pale in color. 



The animals are easily fatigued and have a draggy w^ay of walking; 

 the pulse is often small and generally rapid. The temperature in many 

 cases is below normal; in other cases it may be normal or even higher. 

 Auscultation of the heart at times gives a soft, booming, systolic murmur. 

 The respiration is increased with the pulse, and especially after very 

 slight physical exercise. Reflex excitability of the brain in anaemic 

 subjects is increased to such an extent that the animal will go into con- 

 vulsions on the slightest provocation. Impaired digestion is a frequent 

 symptom and naturally assists in complicating the disease. It is gen- 

 erally chronic, but proper treatment will often produce very good 

 results. 



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