DISEASES FROM SEPTIC INFECTION OF WOUNDS 373 



blisters, containing yellow hemorrhagic serum, and after the vesicles 

 burst there is more or less loss of tissue and the wound heals very slowly 

 leaving a very pronounced cicatrix. Freezing of the third degree is 

 accompanied by more of less gangrenous mortification of the frozen portion. 

 Chilblains (perniones) are seen occasionally in dogs that are kept 

 chained in yards and pointers that hunt in the snow or over frozen 

 ground. The treatment of frost bites of the first degree consists in 

 attempting to remove the venous stasis by means of friction or a liniment, 

 such as spirits of camphor or aconite or paint the affected portion with 

 tincture of iodine. The application of moist, warm compresses is also 

 beneficial. For freezing of the second degree, in which blisters have 

 been formed, apply drying powders already mentioned and if gangrene has 

 commenced, the wound must be treated with antiseptics. Where the 

 animal is completely frozen, as is indicated by the rigidity of the body, 

 avoid warming the animal too quickly. The animal must first be rubbed 

 with a cloth which has been dipped in cold water or given a bath in cold 

 water and gradually the heat of the water increased up to the bodily 

 temperature; at the same time the body is to be rubbed constantly. 

 Subcutaneous or intervenous injections may be administered, such as 

 ether or camphor. Artificial respiration may also be resorted to. 



Snake Bites. — In Europe there are three species of venomous snakes 

 which may bite dogs. They are the common viper (vipera berus), the 

 asp (vipera aspis radii) and the sand viper (vipera ammodytes). The first 

 serpent is found all over Europe, the asp in Switzerland, the sand viper 

 in Dalmatia. ■ In America we find the rattlesnake (crotalus) and the 

 copperhead (trigonocephalus contort rix) and moccasin (toxicophis 

 piscivorus) and puff adder. The poison of the snake lies in two glands 

 which lie at the base of the long teeth. Sporting dogs and shepherd dogs 

 are generally bitten on the legs and sometimes on the mouth. A short 

 time after the animal is bitten, we find about the bitten portion a bluish- 

 red tumefaction which is extremely painful and has a doughy-like feel to 

 the finger. The pulse is small and thready, the respirations frequent. 

 The animal attempts to vomit and finally may become totally paralyzed. 

 As a rule the animal makes a good recovery and it is only in rare instances 

 that it results fatall3^ The treatment consists in putting a tight ligature 

 immediately al)ove the affected portion and this must be left on until 

 the effects of the poison have passed off. Subcutaneous injections of spirits 

 or ammonia diluted with three parts of water. The following drugs are 

 also recommended to be applied directly to the wound: calcium chlorate, 

 chloral water, tincture of iodine, hydrate of potassium or nitrate of silver. 

 The thermocautery can also be used. It is to be understood that any 

 of the preparations to be of any service, must be used immediately after 

 the animal has been bitten. Karlinski recommends subcutaneous 



