OBESITY. ADIPOSITAS UXIVERSALIS 319 



scribed one case where the animal developed cataract and abscesses in 

 different parts of the bod}', and other complications which are seen in 

 diabetes mellitus. 



Therapeutics. — The animal should be put on a strong easily digested 

 diet and be more or less restricted in the quantity of fluid that it drinks; 

 of course it is not only cruel but almost impossible to restrict the animal 

 as to the quantity of water that it drinks if it is thirsty, but the food 

 should be dry, and soup or other liciuid foods should not be given. 

 Medicinally the following drugs are recommended: bromide of soda, 

 preparations of iron, opium, boldo root, antipyrin, ergot, extract of 

 hydrastis, hydrastin and other vascular alteratives. Tannopin may 

 also be tried. The treatment of symptomatic polyuria consists in 

 attempting to remove the cause. 



Obesity. Adipositas Universalis. 



Etiology. — This disease is due to the absorption of large quantities 

 of carbohydrates, and also to a lack of proper exercise, and in some cases 

 as a consequence of improper oxidizing processes in the body. It may 

 also be hereditary in some cases. This disease is especially seen in lap- 

 dogs or pet animals, and is also noticed in bitches after ovariotomy, 

 and in dogs that have been castrated. 



Clinical Symptoms. — The common location of fatty deposits is in 

 the panniculus adiposus, around the region of the abdomen, and sur- 

 rounding the internal organs — for instance, in the mediastinum, the 

 pericardium, and the capsules of the kidneys. The circumference and 

 weight of the body increase very much, and round prominences form in 

 different parts of the body, especially the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. 

 The abdomen is round and distended. The animals are lazy, dull, 

 awkward, and tired on the slightest physical exertion. When this con- 

 dition becomes very marked, and there is a large deposit of fat in different 

 parts of the body, especially when it has accumulated in the thorax and 

 neighborhood of the heart, we have a lessened heart-action and more or 

 less difficulty in respiration, sometimes from the pressure of quantities 

 of fat on certain blood-vessels, decreasing their size and thus requiring 

 gi-eater effort of the heart 's action, until finally the heart becomes over- 

 taxed, and we have symptoms of heart-failure, bronchitis, chronic 

 catarrh of the stomach, and oedema. 



Therapeutic Treatment. — The most important factor in the treatment 

 of obesity is abundant and regular exercise in the open air and restricted 

 feeding^ the food must be albuminous, and fat and carbo-hydrates 

 avoided. Sugar in any form, candy, sweets, etc., must be prohibited. 

 Meals must be given at regular intervals, in a young dog three times 



