568 Tun Boox OF THE DOG. 



Let us now consider the diseases to which the lungs are subject, beginning with the most 

 simple. 



I. Catarrh. 



Catarrh, sometimes called coryza, or, in common language, " a cold," is far from an unfre- 

 quent complaint in the dog. 



Causes. It is usually the result of neglect in some form or another. The kennel probably 

 is leaky, or the dog has been left out to shiver in the rain, or has been sent into the water 

 towards nightfall and allowed to go to kennel in his wet coat. Exposure to cold and wet 

 when the dog is tired, and the system consequently weak, will be very apt to produce it. 



Catarrh is very common among puppies ; and dogs that are much confined to the house> 

 and get but little exercise, are more liable to colds than rough out-of-door dogs. 



Now this catarrh may seem a very simple matter to many, and no doubt it is, and it 

 speedily yields to judicious treatment ; but the results of a neglected cold are sometimes disas- 

 trous in the extreme, and one never knows where a cold may end. 



Pathologically speaking, catarrh is a sub-acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of 

 the naso-pharangeal passages. If it extends downwards into the lungs, and attacks the lining 

 membrane of the air-passages it is called bronchitis. We know that the skin is one of the 

 great emunctories of the body ; if its secretions are suddenly checked by cold, deleterious 

 matters are retained in the blood, which nature seeks outlet for through the medium of the 

 mucous surfaces of the air-passages, upon which, therefore, an extra strain is put, and they 

 become inflamed. More or less fever is bound to be the result, and on this theory either 

 catarrh or bronchitis may be accounted for. 



Symptoms. In severe cases the dog or puppy exhibits unwonted lassitude, is more dull 

 and sleepy than usual, has slight shiverings, and may-be loss of appetite or a capricious appe- 

 tite. This is followed by running at the nose, and a slight discharge from the eyes, and if the 

 conjunctiva is examined it will be found either redder or darker than usual, showing that it is 

 injected. Sneezing is a frequent symptom, but unless the catarrh extends downwards there 

 will not be any cough. The discharge from the nostrils will indicate the extent of the dis- 

 order; and the dryness of the nose and heat of the mouth the amount of fever. 



Treatment. By the tyro a common cold is often called distemper, and "cured" by a 

 specific. 



A simple cold is easily got rid of, but there is no reason why it should be utterly 

 neglected, especially in valuable dogs, for this reason, that it is apt to recur and will each 

 time evince a greater doivmvard tendency. 



Give the animal a dose of castor-oil when he is first observed to be ailing, and let him 

 have a dry warm bed at night, and from two drachms to an ounce (according to the animal's 

 size) of Mindererus spirit. Let him have plenty of water to drink, in which you may dissolve a 

 teaspoonful of chlorate of potash and also a little nitre, or you can give a dose or two of nitre 

 made into a bolus with soap and sulphur. 



Next day give the following linctus thrice daily : 



9> Syrup Scillae ... -n^ v. ad T 



Tinct. Camph. Co. ... m x. ad 3 j- 

 Syr. Papaveris ... 3 ij. ad 5 jv. 



M. 



