dogs: their management. 147 



now remains only to more particularly point out those 

 which indicate death and denote recovery. The third or 

 fourth week is the time when the dog mostly dies, if the 

 disorder terminates fatally ; and six weeks is the average 

 continuance of the attack. Rapid loss of flesh is always 

 a bad sign, and it is worse in proportion as the appetite is 

 good, because then nature has lost the power of appropri- 

 ation. The presence of vermin is likewise a circum- 

 stance which in some measure is deserving of notice. 

 If a dog becomes, during the existence of this disorder, 

 unusually infested with ' fleas, or more especially if lice 

 all at once cover its coat, — as these parasites ever abound 

 where the body is debilitated and the system unhealthy, 

 — they arc at such a period particularly ominous. The 

 coat cannot, while the disease prevails, be expected to 

 look sleek ; but when it becomes more than usually 

 harsh, and is decidedly foul, having a peculiar smell, 

 which is communicated to the hand when it is passed 

 over the body, the anticipations are not bright. The most 

 marked indication is, however, given by the tongue. 

 When this is only a little whiter than it was in health, 

 we may hope for recovery ; but if it becomes coated, 

 discolored, and red and dry at its tip and edges, the 

 worst may be foretold. The warning is the more de- 

 cided if the breath be hot and tainted, and the belly and 

 feet cold to the touch. While the dog can stand and 

 walk, however feebly, there is no reason to despair ; but 

 when it falls down, and lies upon its side, rarely is medi- 

 cine of much avail. Even then, however, it will some- 



