340 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



Chest-founder, or kehnel-latneness, is indicated by stiff- 

 ness and pain in tiie shoulders, the animal has difficulty in 

 extending its fore-legs, and when going downhill exhibits 

 much the same appearance as a horse with navicular dis- 

 ease, or laminitis. If the limbs are extended outwards, or 

 laterally, excruciating pain is caused. 



In both the latter forms considerable fever is present. 



Youatt observes : " This chest-founder is a singular com- 

 plaint, and often a pest in kennels that are built in low 

 situations, and where bad management prevails ; where the 

 huntsmen or whippers-in are too often in a hurry to get home 

 and turn their dogs into the kennel panting and hot ; where 

 the beds are not far enough from the floor, or the building 

 if it should be in a sufficiently elevated situation, has yet a 

 northern aspect, and is unsheltered from the blast, chest- 

 founder prevails ; and I have known half the pack affected 

 by it after a severe run, the scent breast-high, and the 

 morning unusually cold." 



Treatment. — If rheumatism is due to the presence of 

 lactic acid, alkaline agents would appear to be those 

 indicated in the treatment of the disease, and in the 

 majority of cases under my own care I have found their 

 use attended with marked benefit. The nitrate of potass, 

 10 to 15 grains, and bicarbonate of soda, 20 to 30 grains, 

 in proportion to the size of the dog, should be given in a 

 spoonful or two of water twice or three times a day. 



A fixed rule of treatment, however, cannot be laid down 

 for every case of rheumatism : some cases from time to time 

 occur which will not yield to alkalie? alone ; the addition of 

 colchicum, 2 to 5 grains, is in such instances frequently of 

 great service. Mercury — recommended by some authori- 

 ties — is, in my opinion, not a desirable agent, for not only 

 is its use attended with susceptibility to cold in the animal it 

 is administered to, and which in rheumatic affections should 

 especially be avoided, but, by its depressing and salivatory 

 effects, hinders the removal of a complaint which requires 



