3l8 KENNEL SECRETS. 



diarrhoea is, as a rule, less persistent, and may be present 

 for a day and then disappear, not to return again for several 

 days or perhaps a week or more. Usually, also, the mucus, 

 while possibly quite abundant, is colorless or only slightly 

 pinkish, and rarely is it of as deep red color as in the first 

 instance. 



This reddish color, by the way, is due to blood which 

 has been forced into the mucous and submucous tissues, 

 and its presence is evidence that the internal surface of 

 the intestines is inflamed. Moreover, the deeper the color 

 the more intense and extensive this inflammation. 



The appetite of a puppy harboring a considerable num- 

 ber of worms generally fails at first, then becomes capri- 

 cious, being now almost absent, and again well-nigh 

 insatiable. 



This calls to mind the absurd notion that the increased 

 desire for food in these cases is occasioned by the clamor 

 of the worms for better support. This is far from the 

 truth, for the change is partly due to a morbid craving 

 excited by the irritation which is caused by the fer- 

 menting contents of the stomach and intestines, diges- 

 tion always being slow where these pests abound, 

 and partly to the demand of the tissues generally 

 for more nutriment than is supplied by the imperfect 

 digestion and impeded absorption ; while the defects in 

 digestion and absorption are due to the mucous flux 

 already alluded to, which, covering the internal surface of 

 the intestinal canal, not only obstructs the flow of diges- 

 tive fluids but the absorption and passage of the food ele- 

 ments into circulation. 



Abdominal distention is always marked where there is 

 any considerable trouble caused by worms, and although 

 the victim may eat but a very moderate quantity he bloats 

 up with astonishing rapidity, the distention being due to 



