02 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



described by M. Ozanam as Icterus essential, character grave, 

 and which has also been designated as Icterus malignus. In 

 In a great number of cases the icteric tint is a symptom con- 

 nected almost always with some serious lesions . (such as 

 rupture of the liver, abscesses and cyst in the same, scirrhous 

 tumors, obstruction and ruptures of the gall-ducts, intestinal 

 invaginations). 



"The Icterus benign, so frequent in the human subject 

 that it is considered of very little consequence, is very rare in 

 the dog. On the other hand, the Icterus grave is nearly al- 

 ways fatal; but, notwithstanding, at the autopsy there are 

 rarely found anatomical lesions sufficient to account for the 

 death, or the gravity of the symptoms during life. Sex does 

 not appear to have any influence in the production of the 

 malady — male and female alike are subject to it, though the 

 number of males that came under treatment might be greater. 

 Neither has age any influence; the malady attacks both 

 young, adult, and old, without distinction. 



" Though it is often difficult to trace the cause of the 

 affection, I believe I am not far out in saying that the most 

 frequent causes of this malady ,are : (i) excessive action 

 brought on by fatigue, (2) long journeys, (3) prolonged sport, 

 (4) sudden chills, (5) external violence,' blows, etc., (6) abuse 

 of emetics and purgatives, (7) obstinate constipation. Thus 

 the malady prevails among setters and pointers a few days 

 after the opening of the shooting season ; in hounds after a 

 long run, and particularly in dogs which are not very fast, 

 and are forced to keep up with the pack composed mostly of 

 hounds of great speed ; in dogs which follow carriages for 

 ' long distances ; and in retrievers which, after being heated,, 

 go into the water to recover the game. 



" It also prevails among dogs which are left in' the charge 

 of keepers, and, as often happens, are subjected to strong 

 drastic purgatives, or to emetics, with a view to cure the dis- 

 temper ; also in those animals which receive blows and kicks, 

 too often in wanton thoughtlessness and cruelty, or accidental 



