214 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



has rather seemed to induce, than the neglect of the crea- 

 ture appeared to provoke the attack. It is, however, 

 easy to trace causes when we have a wish to explain a 

 particular effect ; but where the lungs have been inflamed 

 I have never, to my entire satisfaction, been able to ascer- 

 tain that the animal had been exposed to hardship, or 

 subjected to labor which it had not previously sustained, 

 and which, if the health had been good, it might not have 

 endured. 



Disease of the lungs is, in the early stage, very readily 

 subdued ; but, if allowed to establish itself, it is rarely 

 that medicine can eradicate it. The majority of persons 

 who profess to know anything about the diseases of dogs, 

 look upon the nose as an indication of the health. While 

 the appetite is good, or the nose is cold and moist, such 

 people are confident no fear need be entertained. Of the 

 uncertainty that attends the disposition to feed mention 

 has been already made ; but with regard to the condition 

 of a part, the persons who assume to teach us are likely 

 to be in such cases entirely deceived. I have known dogs 

 with violent inflammation of the lungs ; I have seen them 

 die from dropsy of the chest ; and their noses have been 

 wet and cold, even as though the animals had iced the 

 organs. From this mistaken notion, therefore, no doubt, 

 are to be traced the numerous instances of dogs brought for 

 treatment when no remedies can be of avail. They are 

 submitted to our notice only that we may be pained to 

 look upon their deaths ; and often have my endeavors 

 been thus limited to simple palliative measures, when an 



