OBESITY. 393 
For largest breeds, one tablespoonful; medium size, three teaspoonfuls ; 
fox terriers and the like, two teaspoonfuls; toys one teaspoonful. 
To overcome existing debility, iron tonics will be indicated. 
The diet should be principally milk at first; afterward generous and varied, 
‘and consist largely of meat and its juices. 
If the effusion is not disappearing under the use of drugs the operation of 
tapping should be performed in the course of two weeks. Professional assist- 
ance must be sought, and the physician should be advised to first place the 
dog in a standing position, and enter his trocar about the umbilical region, on 
or to one side of the linea alba. Also to insert an elastic catheter if his canula 
becomes plugged by any of the viscera falling on it. 
OBESITY. 
Obesity is essentially a disease of nutrition, characterized by the presence 
of an excessive amount of fat. The chief alteration is the increase in the fat 
deposit throughout the body. The blood is increased in specific gravity, also 
in some of its constituents. The heart shares in the existing trouble, and is 
overlaid and infiltrated with fat; consequently weakened. The arteries may 
show fatty changes; the veins are often affected vith varicosities; and as a 
result of cardiac weakness, sooner or later there is a low form of congestion 
of the lungs, and likely some dropsy of the same; while the liver may be en- 
larged by fatty infiltration, and the kidneys suffer from chronic irritation or 
actual inflammation. The stomach shares in the general decline, and there is 
frequently catarrh of its lining membrane; moreover, dilatation of that organ 
is common. Finally, various functions are seriously affected, notably the re- 
productive; and as a rule females that have been good breeders are barren 
after they become obese. 
The common causes of the disease are over-feeding of starchy foods, as 
breads, various meals, etc., and insufficient exercise. Therefore its most fre- 
quent victims are pampered house-pets and dogs kept much on the chain. 
Doubtless many other conditions predispose to the disease. For example, 
after ovariotomy and castration a decided tendency to lay on fat is exhibited. 
But the influence of such are mild, and in the absence of a diet too rich in the 
fat producers mentioned, and the indolent habit, the chances of acquiring 
obesity would be very small indeed. 
The remedy is easy. No very abrupt change should be made, but gradu- 
ally the quantity of food should be reduced, and meat substituted for the 
starches; and after a time the diet may properly be almost entirely of the 
former. Ample exercise is imperative, but good judgment must be exhibited 
