ACUTE DYSPNCEA. 
213 
We will now resume the individual consideration of the 
cases. The dog was exposed to all the pampering and fond¬ 
ling that pet dogs usually receive. Nothing was denied him, 
and in short, the beast ruled his whole surroundings. He 
was accustomed to go daily either walking or riding; on the 
day of his first attack the weather was rainy and the owner 
was not well. Consequently when the animal manifested that 
it was time to go out, he was denied in an uncivil tone; the 
dog quietly sought his corner, and after about one hour re¬ 
ceived the first paroxysm. It is known that individual 
members of the species canis familiaris, especially lap dogs, 
have a strongly developed sensibility ; they rejoice and mourn 
with their master, and can, by being isolated from him, be cast 
into illness. With unkind treatment they show anger and 
disgust; these by friendlier and closer association, as a rule 
soon pass away and in a short time are totally eradicated from 
the memory of the dog. 
In my opinion of this case, the harsh words and disappoint¬ 
ment were the real promoters of the attack; both caused a 
psychical alteration which directly induced disturbance of the 
respiratory tract in the medulla; probably in the following 
manner: the dog became vexed, and this caused increased 
respiration and cardiac movements with accelerated blood 
circulation in the brain and cord; this, when united with the 
plethoric .state and age of the patient, gave rise to a cerebral 
congestion through which a misproportion in the blood gases 
was promoted and which disturbed the respiratory center. 
The second attack was due to his sojourn in the hospital and 
to the excitement of again seeing his owner. 
Since a metaphysical activity in equina caballus is com¬ 
pletely out of the question, it is necessary to seek another 
source of the irritation upon this center. As already men¬ 
tioned, this animal was a gluttonous feeder ; such masticate 
so rapidly that isochronous respiration is impossible. But 
these fast eaters do not fall sick of dyspnoea ; here however 
the subject was in the stage of convalescence, he was 
hyperassthetic. This latter fact, and the undecarbonized state 
of the blood, resulting from the irregularity in respiration, 
were sufficient to affect the respiratory center. 
