328 ANEMIA 



HEMOPHILIA. 



A constitutional defect in which there is a tendency for 

 uncontrollable hemorrhage from slight wounds. It may 

 occur after slight injuries, congestions, or apparently spon- 

 taneously. The coagulation of the blood is retarded or 

 absent. Hemophilia is very rare in animals. For further 

 information the reader is referred to other works. 



SCURVY. SCORBUTUS. 



Definition.— A disease characterized by marked debility 

 and weakness, spongy and ulcerative condition of the gums 

 with bleeding and a tendency to hemorrhage in the various 

 organs. 



Occurrence.— Scurvy is not very common in animals. A 

 few cases have been found in dogs. Ulcerative stomatitis is 

 often mistaken for true scorbutus. 



Etiology.— There are several factors which contribute to 

 the production of this disease, viz.: (a) The diet, when 

 restricted to certain foods for a comparatively long time, 

 will produce the disease by disturbing general metabolism, 

 ' the body being deprived of food elements necessary for its 

 normal maintenance, (b) Unsanitary conditions, such as 

 damp cellars, badly kept kennels, exposure to cold and 

 dampness are important predisposing causes, (c) One of 

 the most important causes in dogs is ptomain poisoning, 

 resulting from eating spoiled meats, fish, etc. (d) There is 

 some question as to the disease being produced by infection. 

 Infection is, of course, a possible cause. 



Pathology.— Small hemorrhages are found in the tissues 

 and organs of the body. These are most noticeable under 

 the skin, in the muscles, on mucous and serous membranes, 

 in the joints, liver, spleen and kidneys. Along the margin 

 of the gums will be found distinct ulcerative processes. 

 The gums are dark, almost black, or reddened, and show 

 separation from the teeth. Shreds of the membrane may be 

 removed easily with the forceps. The spleen is enlarged and 

 of a soft consistency. The lymph glands of the mesentery 



