156 NATURAL DEATH IN THE ANIMAL WORLD 



mainly by causing internal inflammation. Death is 

 then rapid and painful, and takes place before emacia- 

 tion of any kind is visible in the animal. Most 

 domesticated animals, even cage-birds, are liable to this 

 cause of death ; but we may assume that among wild 

 animals whose normal course of life does not expose 

 them to over-exertion or ' draughts ' it is less common. 

 Among aged domesticated animals, or those which are 

 obliged to make violent exertions, heart-disease often 

 causes sudden death. Master Magrath died from 

 this, so do the racing dogs of the Northumberland 

 miners. Aged horses sometimes drop down dead from 

 the same cause when being gently ridden. Most very 

 old horses which have been turned out to grass to end 

 their days in peace suffer in the end from forms of 

 indigestion, which cause them to become so thin that 

 their owners order them to be shot. A recent veterinary 

 work ascribes this and many other equine maladies to 

 decay or defects in the teeth due to age or accidents. 

 In the same way some old dogs become emaciated, even 

 when carefully fed. But, like human beings, all the 

 canine race, and most of the felidas and bears, seem liable 

 to forms of tumour, and unless relieved by surgery or 

 released by euthanasia, may meet their death after great 

 misery and suffering. Nor should it be forgotten that 

 virulent sore throat is often prevalent and fatal amongst 

 animals, especially cats. 



