SECTION II. 
DISEASES OF THE BLOOD AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 
CHAPTER I. 
ANZGMIA. 
ANMIA, commonly termed poverty of the blood, is an abnormal condition 
characterized either by a diminution in the quantity of the blood or a deficiency 
in one or more of its constituents. 
It is often found in poorly arranged or badly managed kennels — particularly 
among the young, delicate, and highly bred — where the atmosphere is damp or 
vitiated by filth, sunlight cannot enter as it ought, or there are displayed careless 
and erratic methods, and especially poor judgment in feeding. 
An excess of starchy foods and insufficient meat, prolonged suckling of litters, 
too frequent whelpings, imperfect digestion, and lack of exercise, are a few of the 
many influences that are capable of producing anemia. To this list may be 
added short and severe or long-continued but slight hemorrhages, persistent 
diarrhoea, or attacks of other debilitating affections ; also parasites, both external 
and internal, the former slowly undermining the general health by their constant 
annoyance, and the latter abstracting no small part of the nutriment which should 
go to nourish their hosts. 
In dogs affected with anemia the mucous membranes of the mouth, gums, 
and lips have lost their bright red color and become pale ; the tongue is no longer 
moist, as in health. Its color also has changed and become pale or light pinkish. 
In severe cases the temperature of the body is below the normal; the action of 
the heart is feeble and irregular; consequently the pulse is small, unsteady, weak, 
and quite rapid. The respiration is more frequent, and even comparatively slight 
exertion causes distress and panting. There is loss of strength; and now and 
then it would seem as though but little power remained in the legs, because of a 
decided tendency to drag the feet instead of lift them fairly. The manner of the 
victim is languid, indifferent, and listless; his skin is dry, and has lost its smooth- 
ness and elasticity, while his coat is harsh and rough, his urine scanty, and bow- 
els are quite generally sluggish and inactive. There is, moreover, a lack of 
functional energy in all important organs of the body, also in vital processes, as 
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