178 Veterinary Medicine. 



sumption of poisons, the absence of open air exercise, the com- 

 pulsory suspension of defecation in house dogs, and the presence 

 in the stomach of worms (spiroptera, strongylus), are among the 

 common causes of the affection. As in other animals, ill health, 

 debility, lack of general tone, and chronic diseases of important 

 organs (liver, kidney, heart, lungs) must be taken into account. 

 The plunging into cold water when heated and the licking of 

 septic water must also be named. 



Symptoms. Appetite is poor or irregular, the nose dry and 

 hot, the mouth foetid, the tongue reddened around the borders 

 and furred on its dorsum, the teeth coated with tartar, the animal 

 dull and prostrate, vomits frequently a glairy mucus mixed with 

 alimentary matters or yellow with bile, and there is constipation 

 alternating with diarrhoea. The epigastrium is tender to the 

 touch, the back arched the faeces glazed with mucus or streaked 

 with blood, and offensive in odor. Emaciation advances rapidly 

 and death may occur from marasmus. 



Treatment. Adopt the same general plan of treatment. Stop 

 all offensive and irritating food, give regular outdoor exercise, 

 free access to pure water, and every facility to attend to the calls 

 of nature. Give plain, easily digestible food in small amount. 

 In the worst cases pulped or scraped raw meat, in the less severe 

 mush, or well prepared soups with the fat skimmed off, and bread 

 added. Check the irritant fermentations in the stomach by salol, 

 bismuth, salicylate of naphthol. In case of constipation give 8 

 to 10 grs. calomel. Then assist digestion by pepsin (5 grs.) and 

 hydrochloric acid (10 drops) in water with each meal. If the 

 bitterness is not an objection 1 gr. nux vomica may also be 

 added. 



