LAMENESS. 263 
and the swollen parts painted daily with the tincture of iodine, several coats of 
the same being put on at every sitting. This may be persisted in for a month 
or more, being stopped for a short time now and then if the skin becomes too 
much irritated. That it be kept slightly irritated, however, is desirable, drawing 
as it will then the inflammation from within the joint. 
In severe cases of stifle-joint lameness it will usually be necessary to main- 
tain as near absolute rest as possible for two or three months. If then the 
inflammation has not disappeared from the joint, the period of rest must be pro- 
longed until it is out. That having ended, walking exercise may be allowed ; 
but it must be gentle and nicely adjusted for several weeks, otherwise the joint 
may be again inflamed. 
The so-called kennel lameness is wrongly attributed to close confinement 
and deprivation of exercise, for its real cause is rheumatism. In all cases, on 
thorough investigation, the fact must be uncovered that either their quarters are 
not healthy, but, instead, are draughty or damp, or the victims are mismanaged 
after having been worked hard, and allowed to become chilled. 
No dogs are exempt from this affection, and, strangely, considering the preva- 
lent delusion as to its cause, sporting dogs are the most frequent sufferers; 
which is not surprising since often they are afield all day, and instead of being 
rubbed dry and carefully housed at night, are left to “ shift for themselves.” 
When kennel lameness is coming on the dog is disinclined to make exertion, 
and keeps much to his kennel and bench. He gets up with evident reluctance 
and some difficulty, and walks about stiffly for a time, when he seems to limber 
up abit. If lifted or an attempt to examine him be made, he shrinks or cries 
out. Ere long there is a decided change in demeanor, and the bright, active and 
willing dog usually becomes notably dull, sluggish, irritable, and sullen. A mor- 
bid appetite is another common manifestation in this trouble. The peculiarity 
of often emitting short and sharp half-howls and half-barks is also frequently 
observed. 
This “kennel lameness,” when detected early and rightly treated, very gen- 
erally speedily disappears. The first step demanded is to remove the patient from 
his usual quarters — which, by the way, may be faulty notwithstanding no defect 
can be discovered — and put him into others that are above suspicion. In his 
new place he should be accessible to sunlight much of the day, and kept warm 
and free from dampness and draughts. As for medicinal treatment and other 
essentials in the way of management, they are to be found, fully described, under 
the head of Rheumatism. 
Foot-soreness is quite a common cause of lameness, especially among sport- 
ing dogs, and it can properly be herein included with other forms. The trouble 
manifests a decided preference for old dogs, although the young are by no 
means exempt. 
Under ordinary conditions the thick and hard covering of the pad of a dog’s 
