328 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



the results of Nature's intervention. As before remarked, 

 if there be depressed bone, it should be elevated by opera- 

 tion {trejphining). 



Aflfections of the Nerves. — The nerves are occasionally 

 the seat of painful tumors {neuromata^ etc.), giving rise, it 

 may be, to sudden or more or less continuous pain, nms- 

 cular twitchings, etc. 



Whenever an animal holds any part of its body more 

 or less rigidly, walks gingerly, or utters loud cries now 

 and then, the case calls for special examination. Recently 

 a dog fell under the author's observation with such symp- 

 toms. As the case seemed hopeless, he was chloroformed 

 to death, when a careful examination revealed a tumor 

 pressing on one of the nerves of the brachial plexus as it 

 issued from the spinal column. 



Neuralgia, or pain in a nerve, is to be suspected in a 

 dog that cries out apparently with pain when colic, menin- 

 gitis, etc., can be excluded, and especially if he has bad 

 teeth. 



The treatment must depend on the cause. If a de- 

 cayed tooth, it should be removed ; if from cold or some 

 constitutional defect, then attention to the digestive tract 

 and to the diet will be the first consideration, with relief 

 of pain. 



If periodic, a good dose of quinine (three to seven 

 grains), a couple of hours before the attack, is indicated. 



A dose of Dover's powder internally, with counter- 

 irritation over the part affected, or a hypodermic injection 

 of morphia in the same region, may be required. 



