142 Blood Diseases. 



disturbed, and pressure, or forced movement rouses his 

 anger by the intense pain which attends the least change 

 of position. 



Constitutional disturbance is severe in each of the 

 forms, the temperature being increased, the pulse rapid, 

 hard, and sharply defined, respiration accelerated, 

 tongue coated with mucus, breath foul, bowels con- 

 stipated, and the urine deficient, depositing a sediment 

 on cooling. The same tendency to move from one part 

 or go out to another as seen in the human subject, 

 characterises the disease in canine sufferers, and an 

 intensely inflamed joint may be apparently sound in a 

 few hours, the disease being transferred with all its 

 severity to another. The erratic nature of the disease is 

 particularly striking, and serves an important purpose in 

 correct diagnosis. 



Treatment. — The bowels should be moved in the 

 earliest stages, assisted by enemas. Give the fever bolus 

 No. I, page 131, or one of the draughts there pre- 

 scribed. In the early stages of extreme constitutional 

 disturbance one or two minims of Fleming's tincture of 

 aconite may replace the belladonna. It, however, re- 

 quires great care, and must not be continued too long. 

 In addition, and between the other remedies, 20 or 30 

 grains of the bicarbonate of potash or soda may be given 

 in half or one ounce of water. 



In the chronic form, the disease appears to be milder. 

 There is less pain and little disposition to move from one 

 part to another. Deformity of limb is common and is 

 associated with enlargement, which sufters aggravation in 

 changes of weather. In this instance a modification in 

 the essentials of treatment is called for, the most useful 

 remedies being salicylic acid and colchicum, or iodide 

 of potassium with the carbonate of soda, or potash. 

 Blisters, and setons to the affected joints are sometimes 

 serviceable. 



As damp and cold are undoubtedly active agents in 

 the development of the disease, prevention depends on 

 the adoption of warm, dry, and airy quarters ; and when 

 dogs are washed, to ensure they are carefully dried 



