586 
his gait and manner noticed. Some dogs 
will almost speak to a person after their 
own fashion, that is, in sign language, and 
tell the whereabouts of their trouble. 
Before prescribing for a dog, it is always 
best to have the whole history of the case, 
from the very first noticeable deviation 
from the straight line of health. We have 
various signs and symptoms afforded us 
which, although the dog cannot express his 
feelings and sensations, generally guide us 
to a correct diagnosis of the case. 
1. First let us take the Coat and SKIN. 
A dry, staring coat is always a sign of ill- 
ness, present or to come. Shivering is 
important. It usually denotes a febrile 
condition of the body, and it is generally 
seen at the commencement of most acute 
disorders; and if it amounts to an actual 
rigor, we may be prepared for inflammation 
of some important organ. Shiverings take 
place, again, when the inflammation has 
run to suppuration. In continued fever 
these chills recur at intervals in the course 
of the illness. 
The skin of an animal in perfect health 
—say the inside of a dog’s thigh—ought to 
feel gently, genially warm and dry, with- 
out being hot. In the febrile condition it 
is hot and dry, with a more frequent pulse 
than usual. A cold, clammy skin, on the 
other hand, with a feeble pulse, would in- 
dicate great depression of the vital powers. 
Death-cold ears and legs are a sign of sink- 
ing. The ears, again, may be too hot, 
indicating fever. 
Elevation of temperature is more easily 
determined by the use of the clinical ther- 
mometer. Everyone who keeps a large 
kennel of dogs should possess one, and it 
ought to be used in health as well as 
disease, so that changes may be more easily 
marked. 
The Temperature.—Get the same ther- 
mometer that is used for human beings, 
and one that will take the temperature 
quickly. Learn to use it on the dog in 
health. Vets. or medical men may take 
it from mouth or rectum, but for fear of 
accidents the amateur should take it in 
the armpit only. In health the temperature 
here would be a little over 100. The bulb 
of the small instrument should be well 
covered with the skin, and it should be held 
THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG, 
so for fully two minutes before being read 
off. A higher temperature indicates fever, 
a lower vital depression. 
The colour of the skin is, of course, of 
great importance, often giving the first 
clue to liver mischief. The skin of a dog 
in health ought to be soft and pliant and 
thin; in diseases of the skin it often gets 
thickened, and frequently scurfy. 
2. The Mucous Memsranes.—Take that 
of the conjunctiva, for instance. The white 
of the eye of a dog should be like that of a 
well-boiled egg, with here and there, per- 
haps, a little capillary vessel making its 
appearance. In febrile disorders the eye is 
invariably injected. In jaundice it is a 
bright yellow. An injected eye without 
other symptoms, however, must not make 
one think one’s dog is ill; it is very often 
indeed injected in animals who sleep out 
of doors, and exercise will also redden the 
conjunctiva. 
The mucous membrane of the mouth 
ought to be of a pale pinkish hue. Very 
pale gums in a white dog indicate a con- 
dition of anzemia. 
3. Moutu and Toncue.—The tongue of 
a healthy dog should be of a beautiful pink 
colour, and soft and moist. A dry tongue, 
or a tongue covered with whitish saliva, is 
indicative of excitement of circulation. If 
the tongue is a darkish red, it shows that 
the mucous membrane of the digestive 
canal is out of order. A brown tongué 
indicates a greater amount of inflammation 
of the mucous membranes. 
Running of saliva at the mouth usually 
denotes some disturbance of the system. 
It is present in many inflammatory diseases 
of the chest and throat, especially if accom- 
panied by nausea and sickness. It may, 
however, only indicate some diseases of the 
teeth, and the mouth ought to be examined, 
for possibly a bit of bone or wood may 
be found to have penetrated the gum, or 
become wedged between the teeth. 
A foul mouth, with ulcerated gums and 
teeth covered with tartar, indicates indiges- 
tion from errors in feeding, and must be 
seen to. 
4. The Putse.—The pulse of the dog 
in health is a firm, tense pulse. It gives 
you the idea of bounding life and spirits, 
a pulse that will not be repressed. Now, 
