OENEBAL EXAMINATION. 21 



grotzky, Friedberger and Frohner), and occasionally in cases of 

 decayed meat poisoning (Miiller). 



The nasal and buccal discharges are treated fully under the head 

 of Examination of the Digestive and Respiratory Apparatus. 

 We will only consider here such discharges as are seen in very 

 sick animals and are due to acute febrile disturbances. In some 

 cases the pad of fat that fills the posterior part of the orbital 

 cavity is very rapidly absorbed and the eye has a sunken look ; 

 the fever may produce an irritation of the mucous glands surround- 

 ing the eye and cause the accumulation of a profuse mucous dis- 

 charge, varying in color from gray to grayish-yellow or yellow. 

 This accumulates about the corners of the eyelids, or may even 

 close and glue up the lids entirely. This is not a symptom of 

 true conjunctivitis, but some acute disorder involving the entire 

 system. 



The skin presents a number of conditions which are diagnostic. 

 Of course, there are a number of local diseases of the skin, ihe 

 symptoms of which must be kept separate from those of a general 

 febrile disturbance. The skin-changes in color are seen mainly 

 on the belly and the inner fascia of the thigh; a reddened or 

 slightly yellow color is to be classed under the same head as if 

 it had been present on the mucous membranes. That is, if the 

 skin is very red, it indicates a high temperature or the commence- 

 ment of some sympathetic skin eruption; or if it is yellow, it in- 

 dicates some disturbance of the liver or portal system. In cases 

 of distemper we often see a pustulous rash on the abdomen and 

 inner fascia of the thigh (the exanthema of distemper — dogpox); 

 this is a very prominent diagnostic symptom of the disease. The 

 skin of a very sick dog is dry and hard ; it is very hot in cases 

 of intense fever, and cold in animals that are very much debili- 

 tated, or after severe external or internal hemorrhage, or in col- 

 lapse from shock. In fat dogs the skin has a very unpleasant, 

 greasy feel to the touch. Profuse perspiration is rarely seen in 

 dogs except where they may have been badly frightened. 



The hair is also a useful guide in diagnosis. In sick, badly 

 fed, or neglected animals, or if they are infested with parasites, it 

 loses its gloss, becomes dry and brittle, breaking easily, and in 

 some cases falls out partially or entirely. Asa rule, in all dogs 

 that have undergone a severe illness the hair falls out to a large 



