262 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 



mucous membranes of the body were very pale and anaemic; the 

 liver was enlarged in both cases, and in one there was a greatly 

 enlarged thyroid gland, which was a sarcoma. The treatment 

 consisted of belladonna and iodide of potassium. 



The therapeutic treatment of diabetes in man consists of a meat- 

 diet, open-air exercise, suppression of all physical or nervous excite- 

 ment, small doses of opium, belladonna, valerian, and ergotin. 



Obesity. 



Etiology. This disease is due to the absorption of large quan- 

 tities of hydrate of carbon, and also to a lack of proper exercise, 

 and in some cases as a consequence of improper oxidizing processes 

 in the body. It may also be hereditary in some cases. This dis- 

 ease is especially seen in lap-dogs or pet animals, and is also noticed 

 in bitches after ovariotomy and in dogs that have been castrated. 



Clinical Symptoms. The common location of fatty deposits 

 is in the panniculus adiposus, around the region of the abdomen, 

 ;ind surrounding the internal organs — for instance, in the medias- 

 tinum, the pericardium, and the capsule of the kidneys. The 

 circumference and weight of the body increase very much, and 

 round prominences form in different parts of the body, especiallv 

 the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. The abdomen is round and 

 distended. The animals are lazy, dull, awkward, and tired on the 

 slightest physical exertion. When this condition becomes very 

 marked, and there is a large deposit of fat in different parts of 

 the body, especially when it has accumulated in the thorax and 

 neighborhood of the heart, we have a lessened heart-action and 

 more or less difficulty in respiration, sometimes from the pressure 

 of quantities of fat on certain bloodvessels, decreasing their size and 

 thus requiring greater effort of the heart's action, until finally the 

 heart becomes overtaxed, and we have symptoms of heart-failure, 

 bronchitis, chronic catarrh of the stomach, and oedema. 



Therapeutic Treatment. The following causes which pro- 

 duce fat in the body must be understood, so that we may be able 

 to properly treat the animal : 



1. The source of fatty deposits may be due to albuminous or 

 carbonaceous substances, or to fat itself. The nutritive fat, if not 

 taken up, is deposited in the fat-cells of the body. 



