170 KENNEL DISEASES. 
In some cases the disease speedily involves the peritoneum, and the abdo- 
men is distended. Not, however, to a marked degree, as a rule, although in 
occasional instances the distention is quite as great as it was before the puppies 
were born. : 
With the peritoneum affected it would be natural to expect great tenderness, 
yet as a matter of fact it is but slight in this disease, nor do the victims appear 
to suffer considerable pain. But even to the inexperienced eye it is very evi- 
dent that they are hard hit and in a highly dangerous condition. 
Within a few hours after infection is intense their eyes seem to have sunken 
in their sockets and wear a hopeless expression. They are greatly prostrated ; 
require much urging to change their positions ; seem to have difficulty in breath- 
ing, the same being rapid; and in manner they are dull, listless, and indifferent 
to all going on about them. 
Generally on the second day after the disease is on in full force the extremi- 
ties become cold and are covered by a clammy sweat; the pulse barely flickers; 
there is collapse; and usually death takes place on that or the following day. 
The local signs of the malady are even more pronounced than these, and can 
scarcely be mistaken. Even at the time of whelping there is an odor that is 
suggestive of the trouble. This comes from the discharge, which speedily grows 
more offensive, until it is an intolerable stench. The discharge is also often so 
profuse that the patient and her bedding are almost flooded with it; and to add 
to the loathsome condition of things, vomiting and diarrhcea likely set in, the 
latter being characterized by dejections that are intensely foul smelling, and 
usually quite black, although they may be of yellowish color. 
These are the signs manifested in the most severe attacks, whether of putrid 
or septic infection, but, as said, there are decided variations in the invasions. 
For instance, septic infection occurs with great rapidity, and grave symptoms 
are speedily ushered in within a few hours after the first sign appears; seldom 
indeed being delayed beyond a day. Moreover, almost every attack of this form 
of the disease is of terrible intensity. But, on the other hand, putrid infection 
is generally slower, while the invasions are milder; and although it may even- 
tually produce all the appalling symptoms of which the other form is capable, 
such result is much less common. And in not a few cases the amount of poisons 
taken up by the blood is sufficient merely to produce for a few days lassitude 
and depression, with but slight fever. 
Assuming that the uterine cavity contains material undergoing putrefaction 
and being absorbed, or, in other words, that putrid infection is taking place, 
there is first chilly sensations or a distinct chill, followed by fever; but instead 
of the latter being high soon after it sets in, it generally increases gradually ; 
the pulse gains somewhat slowly in rapidity; and lassitude and other symptoms 
of the nature of those of intense infection are much less marked and compara- 
tively slow to acquire great severity. 
