314 " THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



and if there be much emaciation, cod-liver oil, should be pre- 

 scribed for the latter. Salt-water baths are also beneficial. 



MARASMUS. 



This condition is frequently dependent on mesenteric 

 disease. The term marasmus is used to signify leanness or 

 emaciation. Dogs apparently healthy in themselves, i.e., so 

 far as feeding well, performing their duties, etc., are con- 

 cerned, nevertheless do not thrive, or, to use a common ex- 

 pression, they are " out of condition." Hence the frequent 

 inquiry addressed to the canine surgeon is, " Can you give 

 me something to get my dogs into condition ?" This leanness, 

 however, is not necessarily a result of disease; in many 

 animals it is a natural and hereditary condition. In others 

 it may result from neglect of hygiene. 



Symptoms. — Such animals have usually, large appetites, 

 and an unkind and unthrifty appearance. The bowels are 

 generally constipated, and attacks of colic are not unfre- 

 quent. 



When it proceeds from mesentric disease the abdomen is 

 pendulous and large, the coat is particularly harsh and dry, 

 the mucous membranes are pale, the eyes watery, and the nose 

 often dry and hot ; the appetite is not so extreme as the thirst, 

 the fasces are offensive, and the bowels are either relaxed or 

 costive, and the excretions coated with mucus. In the later 

 the pulse is weak and accelerated, and the animal exhibits 

 considerable indisposition for exertion ; the thirst increases 

 and the bowels are continually, relaxed. 



Treatment. — Fresh air, daily exercise, nourishing food, and 

 in the case of disease, cod-liver oil, and the preparations of 

 iron, are the measures chiefly indicated. 



