GENERAL DISEASES. 30I 



makes its appearance. This generally, in the first instance, 

 assumes a pustular form, and these pustules in the course of 

 a few days break, and leave by their exudation a crust or 

 scab. Either the whole or a portion of the body only may 

 be involved. I have seen a dog literally naked, with the 

 exception of the head, ears, and feet. 



This condition is not unfrequently mistaken by the would- 

 be " knowing ones " for mange, and treated as such.* 



There is, however, no analogy between the two. The dis- 

 temper eruption and loss of coat is simply owing to suspen- 

 sion of the secretions necessary to the growth and support of 

 the hair ; or if not actual suspension of these secretions, then 

 from such an exceedingly low state of vitality of the surface 

 of the body, that life and health in the appendages of certain 

 parts cannot be maintained. 



* I well remember a case in point which came under my own obser- 

 vation — the subject being a Skye terrier. The case, when first brought to 

 me, was one of di.stemper, associated with pneumonia (the animal being 

 thought consumptive) ; later on dysentery set in. .'-'everal times the ani- 

 mal was on the verge of death, and it was only by my persuasion that he 

 was allowed to continue under treatment. Ultimately he took a turn "for 

 the better, and almost simultaneously the eruption described broke out ; 

 the stench emitted after it made its appearance was simply abominable. 

 In a few days every vestige of hair, with the exception of that on the head, 

 ears, and lower part of the legs, came off. He continued in this state for 

 several weeks, the skin being perfectly clean and whole, but very glazed. 

 In every other respect he improved daily, and gained flesh. The owner 

 and another gentleman maintained that the dog had contracted mange ; 

 nor could I convince them to the contrary. In vain I argued the difference 

 of symptoms, and that as the system gained tone so would the patient re- 

 gain his coat. But no : the dog was removed, and placed out to nurse in 

 the hands of a dog-breaker — he. also being of opinion it was mange ; and 

 this worthy individual, according to his own account, brought away that 

 which the patient never in my possession possessed — a hatful of worms. 

 Some time afterwards I met the gentleman to whom the animal belonged, 

 and was asked if I recognized the dog he had with him. Certainly, as my 

 old patient, which he proved to be, I did not ; for he was clothed in an en- 

 tirely new coat, and of an entirely different color — dark, nearly black, 

 stubbly hair having taken the place of the original silver-grey — the result, 

 in all probability, of the dressing applied to the sensitive and weak skin. 

 In this instance the breaker claimed the cure which nature had wrought. 



