96 THE DISEASES OP TBE DOG. 



the principal causes. These begin to " tell " on animals 

 as they grow old, but sometimes young animals become 

 very asthmatical as a result of hereditary tendency. 



Symptoms. — The earliest indications are those of indi- 

 gestion, foulness of the mouth, flatulency, piles, frequent 

 vomition, and a depraved appetite ; generally there is a 

 marked craving for flesh. Associated with these is a dry 

 paroxysmal cough which is brought on by excitement, as 

 when the animal is teased or made to take a short run. 

 This cough proves very distressing and increases in 

 severity ; indeed, in some cases the distress is extreme, 

 and the animal seems as if about to succumb to dyspnoea ; 

 marked shortness of breath follows every attempt to run, 

 and generally some palpitation of the heart, for this latter 

 organ in such cases is usually the seat of fatty degenera- 

 tion or of extensive deposits of fat. When the paroxysms 

 of coughing set in some frothy matter is expectorated and 

 relief follows. The lung-sounds are variable and confused, 

 the bowels generally constipated, and the general tone of 

 the muscular system is low. 



Treatment comprises (1) the adoption of measures to 

 shorten the paroxysms and afford relief j such as inhala- 

 tions of chloroform or amyl nitrite, small doses of prussic 

 acid (Touatt), balsamic gums (Blaine), antimonial wine or 

 ipecacuanha as expectorants, doses of narcotic agents as 

 tobacco smoke, opium, or ether. Occasionally a stimulant 

 to the walls of the chest affords immediate relief, or a hot 

 bath is useful in cases of emergency. (2) The palliation of 

 the want of tonicity in the system by strict attention to 

 regular exercise, care of the coat, a vegetable diet limited 

 in amount, and regulation of the digestive organs by occa- 

 sional doses of aperients. (3) The avoidance of such 

 causes as specially bring on spasms, as undue exertion and 

 exposure to cold. Iodide of potassium or chlorate of 

 potash in small doses long continued are said to be useful, 

 and occasionally the desired effect results from a course of 

 arsenic ; vegetable tonics are of advantage as improving 

 the digestion and the tone of the system in general. 



In concluding our observations on diseases of the respira- 



