SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE. .- 13 
less susceptible of pain than mankind, and that many members of the former bear 
the use of the knife with a calm endurance that is simply marvellous. There are 
certain diseases also which are characterized by pain so intense and agonizing 
that man cannot possibly bear it, and must be kept constantly under the influence 
of the most powerful narcotics while it lasts; yet in some instances in which dogs 
are the victims of those diseases, and precisely the same morbid phenomena are 
occurring, they do not manifest any sign of severe pain. A notable illustration 
of this radical difference in constitution as to susceptibility of pain is peritonitis. 
In several cases also of intestinal stoppage and colic, so severe that death shortly 
resulted, the author has seen that peculiarity exhibited in marked degree. Al- 
though he remained constantly in the kennels of the sufferers until they died, the 
only evidence of pain that he could detect was a disposition to frequently get up, 
walk a few steps, and lie down again. 
A low degree of susceptibility to pain, is, however, by no means universal in 
the canine race. With members of the largest breeds it seems to be most pro- 
nounced and prevalent. Yet among such there are notable exceptions; and 
indeed some of them are so acutely sensitive that even a slight pain appears to 
drive them nearly frantic. This is evidently the rule, also, with pampered pets 
and the highly vitalized and delicately balanced classes, from which sporting 
dogs are drafted, and in which inbreeding is quite common. 
While on this peculiarity in the constitution of dogs, there suggests itself that 
very marked difference in the mental make-up of man which has a decided bear- 
ing on the subject under discussion. To the credit of mankind be it said that 
only a small proportion dislike dogs ; and fortunately they, individually and col- 
lectively, are actual nonentities, and duly recognized as such. Some others 
have merely a mild fancy for those most loyal of friends, and value them only 
as they are of use. There remains the by no means small class, made up of 
so-called “ dog-lovers,” who exhibit towards their humble comrades much of the 
right spirit of kindliness and devotion. Between dog and master of the latter 
class there exists a sympathy which, of course, varies more or less in intensity, 
in accordance with the moral constitution of the man, —as he is shallow and 
superficial, or capable of great depth of feeling. Let him be possessed of the 
most beneficent qualities of his dog, and the devotion be mutual, there will then 
exist between them such a strong sympathy that he must feel, intuitively almost, 
when his friend is not himself, even if he does not manifest any noticeable signs 
of trouble; while less fortunate masters, not capable of regard so intense, must 
very generally labor under serious disadvantage in like cases. 
Differences as regards severity and duration constitute a basis of the division 
of diseases into varieties. As a rule, the same disease may be “acute,’’ “sub- 
acute,” or “chronic.” In general an acute disease is of recent origin, it comes 
on suddenly, and is of sufficient intensity to practically disable the victim. A 
subacute variety of disease differs from this largely in intensity. It is of mild 
