429 
SMALL-POX IN THE DOG. 
Bi/ M. (J. Leblanc, M.V., Paris . 
[Continued from page 368.] 
The causes which produce the greatest variation in the periods 
of the eruption are, the age of the dog, and the temperature of 
the situation and of the season. The eruption runs through its 
different stages with much more rapidity in young dogs —in dogs 
from one to five months old — than in those of greater age. I have 
never seen it in dogs more than eighteen months old. An ele- 
vated temperature singularly favours the eruption, and also ren- 
ders it confluent, and of a serious character. A cold atmosphere 
is unfavourable to the eruption, and even prevents it altogether. 
Death is almost constantly the result of the exposure of dogs 
having small-pox to any considerable degree of cold. A mode- 
rate temperature is most favourable to the recovery of the animal. 
A frequent renewal or change of air, the temperature remaining 
nearly the same, is highly favourable to the patient ; conse- 
quently close boxes or kennels should be altogether avoided. I 
have often observed that the perspiration or breath of dogs 
labouring under variola emits a very unpleasant odour, whether 
it be that the perspirable and fecal matter is voided in large 
quantities, or there is an especial infectious odour. This smell 
is particularly observed at the commencement of the desiccation 
of the pustules, and when the animals are lying upon dry straw ; 
for the friction of the bed against the pustules destroys their 
pellicle, permits the purulent matter to escape, and the influence 
of this purulent matter is most pernicious. The fever is in- 
creased, and also the unpleasant smell from the mouth and that of 
the expired air, and of the feces, and the disposition which is 
rapidly developed in the lungs, to assume the character of pneu- 
monia. This last complication is a most serious one, and almost 
always terminates mortally. It has a peculiar character. It 
shews itself suddenly and with all its alarming symptoms. It 
is almost immediately accompanied by a purulent secretion from 
the bronchi, and the second day does not pass without the cha- 
racters of pneumonia being completely developed. The respira- 
tion is accompanied by a mucous rale, and which often becomes 
sibilant. The nasal cavities are filled with a purulent fluid. The 
dog, that coughs violently at the commencement of the disease, 
employs himself, probably on the following day, in ejecting, by a 
forcible expulsion from the nostrils, the purulent secretion which 
is so soon and so plentifully developed. When he is lying quiet, 
and even when he seems to be asleep, there is a loud stertorous 
guttural breathing. 
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