RELATIVE PREVALENCE OF DISEASE. 209 



So that, to meet the needs of actual practice, whether 

 as it falls to the breeder or the veterinarian, we shall dis- 

 cuss fully those conditions which are found in fact to be 

 the cause of three quarters of all canine misfortunes, and 

 only briefly, if at all, diseases of the rarest occurrence, and 

 others requiring but common sense, general medical knowl- 

 edge, and a knowledge of canine nature generally, to enable 

 any one to cope with the conditions. 



However, as it is more scientific and, in the end, better 

 in practice, we shall consider the derangements of each 

 main system of the body ; though the reader is again re- 

 minded that all the systems are inseparably connected, and 

 that every one is in sympathy with the other — a result 

 to be explained chiefly through the nervous system, the 

 blood, and the lymph which is derived from the blood 

 and is the real food of the tissues. 



In cities the veterinarian is verj- frequently consulted 

 in regard to toy dogs — pampered pets — whose physical 

 nature rebels against what their perverted instincts toler- 

 ate. Most of their ailments are traceable to the alimentary 

 tract ; and dieting, or positive abstinence from food for a 

 time, proves most serviceable for them. 



As before indicated, it will be assumed that we are 

 dealing with pure-bred dogs, for any treatment that will 

 be efficacious with them is still more likely to succeed with 

 mongrels, that are both less liable to disease and more 

 readily restored to health. 



DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 



Anatomical and Physiological, — The respiratory tract 

 is the area over which the gases that are concerned in the 



