Blood Diseases. 1 39 



insufficiently elaborated, may induce severe general 

 disorder ; still worse results may follow the not infrequent 

 decay or degeneration of such food elements, which are 

 retained in consequence of the attendant inability of the 

 system at the time to expel them. Suspension of function 

 more or less, is a constant sequel to over-repletion. The 

 system suffers frequently, but regains the power to throw 

 off the offender ; at length it fails to recoup itself, vital 

 stamina is impaired, and the next attack has removed 

 the conditions from the area of simple disorder. Vital 

 action is impaired by reason of structural decay or 

 permanent change, and the conditions are those of 

 disease, with the possibility that the changes are not only 

 of permanent duration, but functions essential to life are 

 seriously interfered with or destroyed, and the end, 

 sooner or later, is death. Such conditions are recognised 

 in one or other of the following forms. 



Plethora or fulness of blood, consists of an excess of 

 nutritious elements derived from the food, which, circu- 

 lating through the body, gives rise to rapid growth and 

 development known as "blooming condition." The 

 absence of needful exercise largely favours these states 

 and renders the consequences dangerous. Overfed, obese, 

 and inactive dogs are the usual subjects. 



Symptoms. — In addition to the conditions already 

 named, the animal exhibits a generally bloated appear- 

 ance ; the skin is hot, dry, and red. The mucous 

 membranes are also injected, or highly coloured. The 

 mouth is dry, or slimy, breath faint, or disagreeable, 

 bowels constipated, urine highly coloured, and probably 

 offensive. The creature is indolent, drowsy, tires on the 

 least exertion ; the artery is full, and the circulation 

 unusually accelerated, imparts a strong resistance to the 

 finger, and the general temperature is increased. 



Treatment. — Reduce the blood pabulum by purgatives 

 occasionally. Change the food, substituting a less 

 quantity, of less nutritious quality, and especially 

 institute regular exercise to stimulate the natural func- 

 tions of waste, decay, and expulsion of the effete 

 products. 



