DISEASES. 43 



grow long and tend to spread the toes open, when the latter should be compact. 

 Extreme care should be observed that only the dead white in light colored nail.} 

 is cut off, and when the nail is dark, judgment must be exercised. It is best to 

 clip little and often, and especially so if the nail has a tendency to grow in. 



In cases which have been neglected, the process of removal should be gradual, 

 a small portion being taken off ev^ry few days or so until the claws are of the 

 normal length. If the sole or flesh has been penetrated, it will most likely 

 fester, and should bo freely bathed in warm water, poulticed, and Carbolic Oint- 

 ment afterwards applied 1 . 



COLD IN THE HEAD. See CATARRH. 

 CLIPPING TOE NAILS. See OVERGROWN CLAWS. 



DIPHTHERIA. Some veterinarians hold that dogs are liable to this alarm- 

 ing and fatal disease. At the slightest suspicion of diphtheria, isolate the patient, 

 as it is contagious, and call in a veterinary surgeon at once. 



I have never had a case of diphtheria as yet in any of my dogs, but should 

 I have, would at once call in a good doctor or veterinarian. This disease should 

 be treated the same as if in a person. 



DENT, at my request, furnishes the following article on this disease: 



"There has been considerable discussion over this disease, which is so alarm- 

 ing in the human family. While some veterinarians hold that this disease does 

 not exist in dogs, others contend as religiously that it does. 



"There are cases on record where a dog has contracted the disease from 

 eating the food that had previously been placed before an affected child, and it 

 is reasonable to presume that the disease is communicable from man to dog, 

 and vice versa, when we consider the intimate terms under which they exist. 



"The cause of this disease in the dog, as -in man, is a specific germ which 

 attacks the throat, or nose, or both and extends from them down into the wind pipe. 



"SYMPTOMS. Difficulty in swallowing, more or less difficulty in breathing, 

 chills, fever, marked debility and exhaustion. 



"TREATMENT. The slightest suspicion of this disease calls for isolation, in- 

 creased attention to sanitation, careful disinfection, and the attention of a skillful 

 veterinarian, who should use antitoxin exactly as used in human practise. Feed 

 easily digested food, and as the animal passes the critical period and approaches 

 convalescence, use a good tonic condition pill, any of those advertised in this book. 



DEAFNESS. A very considerable number of dogs suffer from deafness. In 

 many the disease is congenital, but I do not know that it is hereditary; and 1 

 am quite at a loss to explain why congenital deafness is so much oftener seen 

 in white dogs, or those with a preponderance of white, than in those of any 

 other color. Bulldogs, bull terriers and white English terriers seem to be 

 peculiarly liable to this defect. Deafness is also frequently caused by accumula 

 tions of wax and this can be removed by syringing the ear daily with 1 part of 

 spirits of wine and*20 parts of warm water, afterwards drying the ear thoroughly, 

 by means of a piece of wool rolled upon a probe or pointed piece of stick. Sev- 

 eral fresh pieces of wool will be necessary. Canker is also a fruitful cause of 

 deafness. 



I know of no treatment for congenital deafness likely to be of any use except 

 when it is caused by a morbid growth capable of being removed. Among other 



