DOGS I THEIR MANAGEMENT. 319 



volve the whole of the bag. It will, in most instances, 

 so far as the outward and more acute symptom is con- 

 cerned ; that is, the discharge will cease, the scab fall off, 

 and nothing be left for the eye to dwell upon. "With the 

 seeming cessation, however, other and more deep-seated 

 structures become involved. The disease leaves the 

 surface only, and its virulence fixes upon the internal 

 parts. The skin at the place thickens, becomes hard and 

 gristly. There is no pain ; but the sensation is diminish- 

 ed, which, to the surgeon, is a far worse sign than is a 

 little anguish. The thickening is sometimes stationary ; 

 and the animal dies without any further evil afflicting 

 him. There is, however, no security that it will remain 

 thus passive ; for occasionally it increases in size, in- 

 flames, gets hurt or rubbed, and ulcerates : in fact, can- 

 cer of the scrotum is established ; and as this mostly 

 comes on when the constitution is weakened, little relief 

 and no promise of cure can generally be afforded. 



These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves. 

 They get sensation as they inflame ; but in every instance 

 that has fallen under my notice, before ulceration has 

 taken place, they have been slightly wounded ; either 

 by the dog's dragging himself upon the earth, or other- 

 wise. The smallest injury, however, is sufficient to pro- 

 voke the action, which when once excited is not after- 

 wards to be subdued. The ulcer being established, en- 

 larges ; and the humanity of the owner does not allow 

 the lingering and disgusting disease to take its course, 

 but the poor dog is destroyed to spare its suffering. 



