APPENDIX 



CONCERNING DISEASES OF CATS 



PERHAPS it is owing to their delicate organization that 

 cats are pecuUarly liable to diseases of various kinds, 

 and certainly, owing to their uncommon independence 

 of character, it is exceedingly diflScult to " doctor " them. 

 Neither wiU they stay indoors for a cold or a fever, unless 

 they choose to do so, nor do anything else which common 

 sense ought to teach "sick folks." 



Pet cats, however, will usually submit to treatment from 

 those in whom they feel confidence, and will even take 

 disagreeable medicines if handled and spoken to with 

 gentleness. It is extremely difficult to tell, however, when 

 it is best to doctor a cat. In trifling ailments it is usually 

 better to leave them alone for a day or two : then, if they 

 do not recover, to decide what is the matter and try simple 

 remedies. For obvious reasons, homoeopathic remedies are 

 always safer for cats. 



Physicians say that the domestic cat is often a source of 

 disease. It breeds and disseminates skin troubles especially. 

 It carries about with it the contagion of diphtheria, and even 

 spreads the germs of consumption. A trouble akin to ring- 

 worm, which attacks the scalp and causes the hair to fall out, 

 is frequently conveyed by cats. Likewl:e it is with scarlet 

 fever. When there is sickness in the house, old clothes are 



