AFFECTIONS OF THE MOUTH. 247 



Indeed, nearly all the disorders of the digestive organs 

 are traceable to bad management, which is one of the rea- 

 sons why we have devoted so much attention to the care 

 of dogs. The disorders of this region and their conse- 

 quences in loss of " condition," and especially as regards 

 the skin, are among the most frequent and trying of the 

 minor ailments of dogs. These are evils with which all 

 kennels have to contend, while many diseases that must be 

 described in books are comparatively rare. 



The treatment of such troubles when they do arise is 

 so much a matter of careful dieting, that the principles of 

 feeding should be well understood. 



The general expression, especially of the eyes of dogs 

 suffering from any digestive disturbance, is very suggest- 

 ive to the experienced. Any redness, any catarrli of the 

 eyes when not directly traceable to cold, etc., may usually 

 be set down to digestive disorders. 



The character of the evacuations of the bowels is al- 

 ways of the utmost moment as an index to both causation 

 and condition ; sometimes quite diagnostic. 



All concentrated food tends to constipate, and, as a 

 rule, coarse food, as porridge, to relax, as does also a 

 vegetable diet. 



But with abundant exercise the bowels rarely become 

 constipated on any diet. 



AFFECTIONS OF THE MOUTH. 



We shall consider the salivary and mucous glands — 

 the tongue, the teeth, the gums, the pharynx, etc. 



Warts may be so numerous over any part of the mouth 

 as to require treatment. Cutting may be followed by too 



