PLETHORA. 65 
iron promises well. Pills of various strengths can be obtained ; and those con- 
taining about one-eighth of a grain will be right for largest breeds, about one- 
fifteenth for medium size; one-thirtieth for fox-terriers and the like; one-fiftieth 
for toys. It should be given three times daily with the food. 
Faithful grooming, massage, and ample exercise in pure air, assist much in 
enriching the blood and restoring the health. 
PLETHORA. 
In general terms plethora is the opposite of anemia. That is, instead of too 
little blood or a deficiency of some of its normal constituents, there is too much 
blood or it is too rich in certain of its component parts, as red corpuscles or 
hemoglobin. 
A plethoric dog is round and plump but not necessarily fat. His blood-ves- 
sels are full, and the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose are continually 
of that deep red color which ordinarily appears only after long runs. His heart’s 
action is unusually powerful, and pulse full and strong ; while, as a rule, he has a 
dull, heavy, indolent, or sluggish manner, and is decidedly averse to making much 
exertion. Such a dog in early life is more liable than others to fall a victim to 
acute inflammatory diseases, and after middle age, to various chronic diseases, 
and especially cancer. 
Dogs that have strong digestion are apt to become plethoric if they eat too 
much, and the chances of that change are greater if hard work is not done. It 
is among the largest breeds that this trouble is most often found, because they 
are the least active ; and although they may exercise much, they rarely do so vio- 
lently, and the slow work, as walking, they get really favors their acquiring an 
-over-abundance of blood; whereas the medium size or small breeds walk but 
little and often run hard and fast, unless of course they are pampered house-pets. 
Thus in them the waste is greater, and even if food is taken in excess it is used 
‘up or carried out of the system, instead of being left to unduly augment blood 
and tissues. , 
Aside from its tendency to cause congestions and favor indolent habits, 
plethora has certain penalties, one of the most serious of which is the liability to 
skin eruptions, notably eczema. Indigestion and so-called biliousness are also 
likely in time to be associated. 
To remedy the trouble is easy. The daily amount of food allowed should be 
of reasonable quantity only ; and if the diet has consisted too largely of meat, 
which is generally the case, the proportion should be reduced somewhat, and 
vegetables, especially greens, substituted. In the beginning of the treatment a 
laxative may be required. 
