352 DISEASES OF METABOLISM 



increased if necessary. Other alkaline agents, such as 

 Carlsbad salts and ammonium carbonate, may also be 

 administered. Tincture of opium in large doses (0.6 to 1.0) 

 once or twice daily is highly recommended as it tends to 

 reduce the amount of sugar. The treatment at best can only 

 bring about temporary relief, and no permanent results can 

 be hoped for. 



It is important that the patient be kept quiet and its 

 general strength maintained. 



OBESITY. 



Definition.— An excessive fat accumulation in the body 

 which may be general throughout the entire organism, or 

 confined to certain localized areas, such as under the skin. 

 The condition is very commonly observed in small animals, 

 particularly in dogs. Certain breeds, especially the smaller, 

 are most subject. Castrated animals, especially if castrated 

 after maturity, tend to become obese. 



Etiology.— One of the chief factors in the production of 

 obesity is the taking in of larger quantities of food elements 

 than are utilized in the body. Pet animals which are fed 

 highly nutritious foods (candies, cakes, etc.) and are not 

 given sufficient exercise become over-fat. It often happens 

 that an animal will accumulate fat rapidly when only the 

 normal amount of food is allowed. This occurs in most cases 

 from insufficient exercise, the elements taken in not being 

 utilized. The feeding of large quantities of carbohydrates, 

 or restricting the diet to substances containing a large 

 proportion of such elements will bring it about. The tem- 

 perament of animals no doubt ha,s also some influence. 

 Animals having a phlegmatic temperament tend to become 

 obese through insufficient activity and exercise. Castration 

 of animals changes their disposition, tends to make them 

 phlegmatic and lazy, and therefore fit subjects for the 

 development of this condition. Should animals be castrated 

 before maturity this tendency for obesity is not so noticeable. 



Anemia by reducing muscular energy may cause obesity, 

 providing no organic lesion is present and the proper amount 



