DISEASES. 118 



cation, and that an animal cannot maintain good health if it is imperfectly per- 

 formed. Upon sound teeth greatly depends perfect mastication. Before assimi- 

 lation of the food can 'take place in the stomach it must be received into that 

 organ in a fit condition for the process, and this depends upon the condition of 

 the teeth. When the food is not properly chewed, it acts as an irritant to the 

 stomach and bowels, causing indigestion and diarrhea, which latter in puppies 

 often proves fatal. 



"Generally speaking, the teeth do not receive any attention until^they decay, 

 and cause pain or stomach trouble, Preventative measures are in my experience 

 seldom taken, though it is quite as necessary for a dog to have clean teeth as it 

 is for ourselves. 



"The teeth especially require attention in the case of dogs which are fed upon 

 an unsuitable diet, as they become furred, and finally accumulations of tartar 

 exist. To avoid this they should be gone over once a day with an ordinary tooth- 

 brush, dipped into weak Condy's Fluid. This will not only prevent decay, but 

 also keeps the breath sweet, a most important matter where the dog is one's con- 

 stant companion. Fetid breath, however, is not always due to the teeth, but to 

 indigestion as a result of their condition; at times, too, especially when the teeth 

 ar irregular, food accumulates between them; this should be removed with the 

 brush. That dog's are frequently the subject of toothache cannot be doubted, and 

 is clearly shown by the swelling of the cheek, and often by the formation of 

 abscesses. All decayed teeth that are past preserving should be extracted by a 

 competent person." 



TURNSIDE. The dog has no fit in this disease, but walks about apparently 

 without an object, generally in circles and always in one direction. Youatt 

 ascribes the disease to the presence of hytadids in the brain, but results of more 

 recent study of animal parasites are opposed to this view. Worms in the stom- 

 ach or intestines is more likely to be the cause. Give the dog a few doses of 

 Sure Shot, Glover's, Dent's or Clayton's Vermifuge. Also put the dog in a room 

 or small kennel yard where he can not injure himself by running against things, 

 as he might, due to his sight being impaired. 



"TUMORS. These are divided into groups of varying structure Fibrous, 

 Fatty, Calcareous, Melan,otic, Osseous and Lacteal. 



"Fibrous Tumors are usually situated in the jaw or limbs, they have a firm 

 attachment and are hard and insensible to the touch. Excision is necessary. In 

 the centre of these tumors a cyst, or cavity, containing serum or matter (pus), 

 often exists, and in consequence abscesses form upon their surface. 



"Fatty Tumors are commonly met with in the dog, and have no particular 

 position, but occur at any part of the body. They are smooth and shiny upon 

 their surface, unattached to the surrounding tissues, they seldom become in- 

 flamed, and are not tender when touched. The treatment is by excision. 



"Calcareous Tumors. These are common in bitches, and are usually situated 

 in the mammary glands. The treatment is by excision, external applications 

 being of no avail. 



"Melanotic Tumors are seldom seen in canine practice. There are a few cases 

 ,011 record, and with them excision has been successful. 



"Osseous Tumors are likewise rare in dogs, and when occurring, are invari- 

 ably associated with rickets; their situation is the limbs. 



"Lacteal Tumors have already been fully dealt with under that heading." 



This article was writen by DAL&IEL. 



