CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 



Anaemia; Chlorosis. 



By anaemia we mean a lessening or thinning of the blood. 

 This is especially noticeable after great hemorrhages. At the same 

 time much greater importance must be placed on that condition of 

 the blood where it contains a very small quantity of albumin, and 

 where the number of red blood-corpuscles is very much decreased. 

 This is the most important form of anaemia. 



Etiology. The disease occurs frequently in young, delicate 

 animals of the improved or closely bred classes. It seems to be 

 hereditary in some of these animals, and may depend to a certain 

 extent on the defective development of the arterial system and an 

 abnormally small heart. Anaemia occurs most frequently from 

 the lessening in quantity of the vital fluids, such as the albuminous, 

 or after a large or long-continued slight hemorrhage; from pro- 

 longed suppuration in chronic, persistent diarrhoea; chronic inflam- 

 mation of the kidneys; and lastly a want of proper nutrition — for 

 instance, young animals in a poor condition should be fed on meat. 

 Very often impaired digestion prevents an absorption of certain 

 nutritive substances in chronic disease, in fever, etc. 



Clinical Symptoms. The symptoms of the disease consist in 

 a reduction of the coloring elements of the blood and a general 

 condition of debility, showing every indication of loss of blood. 

 The skin and visible mucous membranes are very pale in color. 



The animals are easily fatigued and have a draggy way of walk- 

 ing; the pulse is often small and generally rapid. The tempera- 

 ture in many cases is below normal, in other cases it may be normal 

 or even higher. The respiration is increased with the pulse, and 

 especially after very slight physical exercise. Keflex excitability 

 of the brain in ansemic subjects is increased to such an extent that 

 the animal will go into convulsions at the slightest provocation. 

 Impaired digestion is a frequent symptom and naturally assists in 

 complicating the disease. It is generally chronic, but proper 

 treatment will often produce very good results. 

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