598 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



The thyroid gland in a puppy enlarges very speedily. We have known it come on in a 

 single night. Sometimes it goes away again just as suddenly, and may come again and again- 

 We saw a case not long since which we have every reason to believe was induced mechanically. 

 The animal, a young Spaniel, was sent to a show, where he was put on the chain for the first 

 time in his life ; next evening he had well-marked goitre. 



The swelling is soft, and pliant and yielding ; it would almost give one the notion it was 

 blood. 



It may cause difficulty of breathing, congestion of the brain, coma, and death. In old dogs 

 the swelling is firmer. 



Treatment. A nourishing diet is necessary to begin with. The exhibition of cod-liver oil 

 does a deal of good in most cases. Tonics and alteratives are also required. It is a good plan 

 to change the tonic occasionally. The medicine likely to do most good is the iodide and bromide 

 of potassium from half a grain to five grains of each twice a day ; and you can give at the 

 same time iron and aloes, or the syrup of the iodide of iron, with a little glycerine. 



Locally. Shave the neck, and paint daily with tincture of iodine, or use the officinal ointment 

 of iodine, which you can get at any chemist's shop. It must be well rubbed in, to do any good, 

 every night and morning. 



The dog must never be chained, but have plenty of freedom and exercise, and a bucket bath 

 before his run of a morning. 



8. Diabetes Mellitus and Insipidus. 



This disease is classed by some practitioners among the disorders of the urinary organs ; we 

 prefer to treat it as a general or blood disease, considering the excessive urination as merely 

 symptomatic. 



Causes. It is not easy to determine the real causes of diabetes mellitus in the dog, though we 

 are half inclined to look upon it as a disease caused by nerve deterioration, which may be brought 

 about in many ways ; bad feeding and exposure to wet and damp in the kennel, or on the hill, 

 especially if combined with too much excitement and over-work. 



A very interesting account of a case of diabetus mellitus in a dog is given by Gamgee ; and 

 Williams tells us that in all the cases of this disease that have come under his notice, the animals 

 have been fed for a long time upon boiled liver. And certainly no style of diet could be chosen 

 for a dog more likely to produce disease of some sort than that of boiled liver daily. 



Diabetes mellitus is that form of diabetes in which sugar may be detected in the urine. We 

 believe this form of the disease is much more common among dogs than many of us are aware of. 



Symptoms. There is at first merely some slight illness combined with a little fever, but 

 almost the earliest symptom that will attract attention will be the excessive diuresis, combined 

 with inordinate thirst. The coat is harsh, and dry, and staring, the bowels constipated, the mouth 

 hot and dry, and probably foul. Soon emaciation comes on, and the poor animal wastes rapidly 

 away. Sometimes the appetite fails, but more often it is voracious, especially with regard to flesh 

 meat. The dog is usually treated for worms, and the case made worse. The disease is a very 

 fatal one, and if fairly set in can seldom be kept from running its course onwards to death. 

 Death may take place from other and secondary diseases. Tumours form in the lungs, the liver 

 becomes diseased, and the bowels seldom escape till the last. 



Treatment. We have found the treatment of diabetes exceedingly unsatisfactory. We 

 have found the most benefit accrue from treating canine patients in the same way as we 

 do human beings suffering similarly. We therefore do not hesitate to order the bran loaf if the 



