SECTION V. 



DISEASES OF DOGS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The dog seems to have been destined by the Creator 

 to be the friend and assistant of man. Throughout 

 the dangers and difficulties which beset the human 

 being, particularly in an inartificial condition of 

 society, the dog has ever proved himself the vigorous 

 and faithful defender of his life and property, as well 

 as a powerful and essential auxiliary in subduing 

 other animals to his purpose, and of securing them 

 as his food. Without the assistance of the dog, man 

 would not even yet have obtained a beneficial 

 dominion over the various races of wild animals of 

 the earth, or been able to watch with sufficient care 

 those creatures destined for his support. 



Of all animals known to mankind, the dog is the 

 most diversified in form, size, proportions, properties, 

 and intellect, agreeing only in one striking and ad- 

 mirable peculiarity — his constant attachment and 

 fidelity to his master. Our domestic dog, with all 

 the varied and striking varieties of form, is, however, 

 but one species ; changed and modified by local cir- 

 cumstances, domestication, and breeding ; conse- 

 quently, it is improper to consider and call pointers, 

 terriers, mastiffs, and greyhounds species, as they are 



