122 DISEASES OF DOGS. 



8. 

 ST. VITUS'S DAWCE.--S« Choeba, 



SALZVATIOH'.— Cases of aaliration as the result of the ad- 

 ministration of over doses of quack medicine, into the composition of 

 which mercury largely enters have occurred. Again mercurial salts 

 enter into the composition of many skin dressings, and the mercury 

 may become absorbed through the sldn. 



The symptoms of mercurial poisoning are increased salivation, 

 swollen and spongy gums, which bleed at the slightest touch, and 

 are surrounded with a bluish rim, loose teeth, extremely foetid 

 breath, intense thirst, furred tongue, loss of appetite, ulceration, and 

 sloughing of the gums. If the dose has been a large one, or 

 repeated doses have accumulated in the system, the stomach 

 and intestines become involved, causing obstinate vomiting and 

 dysentery, the animal rapidly loses flesh, eruptions take place on 

 the skin, the hair drops off, the t«eth fall out, and paralysis and 

 death follow. The symptoms must be treated as they occur, the 

 bowels and kidneys must be operated upon, and the patient's 

 strength kept up by stimulants and good food, which in serious cases 

 must be forctid upon the animal. 



SAI&COFTXC MANGE.— See Parasites, External. 



SCAItJiS.—iSee Burns. 



SCROFULA is not unknown in dogs, although fortunately it 

 is not very prevalent. The subjects are mostly young animals, and 

 the disease is due to in-and-in-breeding, and is hereditary. 



The symptoms are a general unhealthy and unthrifty condition, the 

 coat never looking sleek or shiny, but invariably dull, while it is 

 usually offensive smelling ; the lymphatic glands swell, the eyes have 

 a chronic, whitish discharge, and the appetite is irregular ; in fact the 

 dog's health is scarcely two days alike. As the animal matures, 

 the symptoms become chronic, and the abdomen pendnlous. It is 

 scarcely necessary to warn owners against breeding from animals so 

 affected. 



Although scrofula cannot be cured, to keep it ia check, strict 

 cleanliness should be observed, both as regards the dog itself and its 

 habitation. The animal should be groomed daUy, as this tends te 

 produce a healthier action of the skin, have plenty of exercise and 

 fresh air, and be frequently washed. Medicinally, 20 to 60 drops 



