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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9478-8.txt b/9478-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..552fcd7 --- /dev/null +++ b/9478-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,20319 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dog, by William Youatt + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Dog + A nineteenth-century dog-lovers' manual, + a combination of the essential and the esoteric. + +Author: William Youatt + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9478] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 4, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOG *** + + + + +Produced by Clytie Siddall, Joshua Hutchinson and Distributed Proofreaders + + + +[Illustration: THE SOUTHERN HOUND.] + +THE DOG, + + + +BY WILLIAM YOUATT. + + + +WITH ILLUSTRATIONS + + + + + +[Illustration: HEAD OF BLOODHOUND] + + + + + +EDITED, WITH ADDITIONS, + +BY E. J. LEWIS, M.D. + +Member of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia; of the +Philadelphia Medical Society; of the Parisian Medical Society, &c. &c. + + +1852. + +Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by + +LEA AND BLANCHARD, + +in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the +Eastern District of Pennsylvania. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + +THE SOUTHERN HOUND +HEAD OF BLOODHOUND +ANCIENT SCULPTURE OF GREYHOUNDS +THE THIBET DOG +THE DINGO, OR NEW HOLLAND DOG +THE HARE INDIAN DOG +THE DANISH, OR DALMATIAN DOG +THE GREYHOUND +THE GRECIAN GREYHOUND +BLENHEIMS AND COCKERS +THE WATER SPANIEL +THE POODLE +THE ALPINE SPANIEL, OR BERNARDINE DOG +THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG +THE ESQUIMAUX DOG +THE ENGLISH SHEEP DOG +THE SCOTCH SHEEP DOG +THE BEAGLE +THE HARRIER +THE FOX HOUND +PLAN OF GOODWOOD KENNEL +THE SETTER +THE POINTER +THE BULL-DOG +THE MASTIFF +THE SCOTCH TERRIER +SKELETON OF THE DOG +DOG'S HEAD CONFINED FOR AN OPERATION +DOG'S EYE PREPARED FOR AN OPERATION +TEETH OF THE DOG AT SEVEN DIFFERENT AGES + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +PREFACE OF THE EDITOR. + +The Editor, having been called upon by the American publishers of the +present volume to see it through the press, and add such matter as he +deemed likely to increase its value to the sportsman and the lover of +dogs in this country, the more readily consented to undertake the task, +as he had previously, during the intervals of leisure left by +professional avocations, paid much attention to the diseases, breeding, +rearing, and peculiarities of the canine race, with a view to the +preparation of a volume on the subject. + +His design, however, being in a great measure superseded by the enlarged +and valuable treatise of Mr. Youatt, whose name is a full guarantee as +to the value of whatever he may give to the world, he found that not +much remained to be added. Such points, however, as he thought might be +improved, and such matter as appeared necessary to adapt the volume more +especially to the wants of this country, he has introduced in the course +of its pages. These additions, amounting to about sixty pages, will be +found between brackets, with the initial of the Editor appended. He +trusts they will not detract from the interest of the volume, while he +hopes that its usefulness may be thereby somewhat increased. + +With this explanation of his connexion with the work, he leaves it in +the hope that it may prove of value to the sportsman from its immediate +relation to his stirring pursuits; to the general reader, from the large +amount of curious information collected in its pages, which is almost +inaccessible in any other form; and to the medical student, from the +light it sheds on the pathology and diseases of the dog, by which he +will be surprised to learn how many ills that animal shares in common +with the human race. + +The editor will be satisfied with his agency in the publication of this +volume, if it should be productive of a more extended love for this +brave, devoted, and sagacious animal, and be the means of improving his +lot of faithful servitude. It is with these views that the editor has +occasionally turned from more immediate engagements to investigate his +character, and seek the means of ameliorating his condition. + +PHILADELPHIA, October, 1846. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + +Chapter + +I. The Early History and Zoological Classification of the Dog + +II. The Varieties of the Dog.--First Division + +III. The Varieties of the Dog.--Second Division + +IV. The Varieties of the Dog.--Third Division + +V. The Good Qualities of the Dog; + the Sense of Smell; + Intelligence; + Moral Qualities; + Dog-carts; + Cropping; + Tailing; + Breaking-in; + Dog-pits; + Dog-stealing + +VI. Description of the Skeleton. + Diseases of the Nervous System: Fits; + Turnside; + Epilepsy; + Chorea; + Rheumatism and Palsy + +VII. Rabies + +VIII. The Eye and its Diseases + +IX. The Ear and its Diseases + +X. Anatomy of the Nose and Mouth; + and Diseases of the Nose and other parts of the Face. + The Sense of Smell; + the Tongue; + the Lips; + the Teeth; + the Larynx; + Bronchocele; + Phlegmonous Tumour + +XI. Anatomy and Diseases of the Chest: + the Diaphragm; + the Pericardium; + the Heart; + Pleurisy; + Pneumonia; + Spasmodic Cough + +XII. Anatomy of the Gullet, + Stomach, and Intestines: + Tetanus; + Enteritis; + Peritonitis; + Colic; + Calculus in the Intestines; + Intussusception; + Diarrhoea; + Dysentery; + Costiveness; + Dropsy; + the Liver; + Jaundice; + the Spleen and Pancreas; + Inflammation of the Kidney; + Calculus; + Inflammation of the Bladder; + Rupture of the Bladder; + Worms; + Fistula in the Anus + +XIII. Bleeding; + Torsion; + Castration; + Parturition; + and some Diseases Connected with the Organs of Generation + +XIV. The Distemper + +XV. Small-pox; + Mange; + Warts; + Cancer; + Fungus Hæmotodes; + Sore Feet + +XVI. Fractures + +XVII. Medicines used in the Treatment of the Diseases of the Dog + +Appendix. New Laws of Coursing + +Index. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +THE DOG. + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE EARLY HISTORY AND ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE DOG. + +The Dog, next to the human being, ranks highest in the scale of +intelligence, and was evidently designed to be the companion and the +friend of man. We exact the services of other animals, and, the task +being performed, we dismiss them to their accustomed food and rest; but +several of the varieties of the dog follow us to our home; they are +connected with many of our pleasures and wants, and guard our sleeping +hours. + +The first animal of the domestication of which we have any account, was +the sheep. "Abel was a keeper of sheep." [1] It is difficult to believe +that any long time would pass before the dog--who now, in every country +of the world, is the companion of the shepherd, and the director or +guardian of the sheep--would be enlisted in the service of man. + +From the earliest known history he was the protector of the habitation +of the human being. At the feet of the 'lares', those household deities +who were supposed to protect the abodes of men, the figure of a barking +dog was often placed. In every age, and almost in every part of the +globe, he has played a principal part in the labours, the dangers, and +the pleasures of the chase. + +In process of time, man began to surround himself with many servants +from among the lower animals, but among them all he had only one +friend--the dog; one animal only whose service was voluntary, and who +was susceptible of disinterested affection and gratitude. In every +country, and in every time, there has existed between man and the dog a +connection different from that which is observed between him and any +other animal. The ox and the sheep submit to our control, but their +affections are principally, if not solely, confined to themselves. They +submit to us, but they can rarely be said to love, or even to recognise +us, except as connected with the supply of their wants. + +The horse will share some of our pleasures. He enjoys the chase as much +as does his rider; and, when contending for victory on the course, he +feels the full influence of emulation. Remembering the pleasure he has +experienced with his master, or the daily supply of food from the hand +of the groom, he often exhibits evident tokens of recognition; but that +is founded on a selfish principle--he neighs that he may be fed, and his +affections are easily transferred. + +The dog is the only animal that is capable of disinterested affection. +He is the only one that regards the human being as his companion, and +follows him as his friend; the only one that seems to possess a natural +desire to be useful to him, or from a spontaneous impulse attaches +himself to man. We take the bridle from the mouth of the horse, and turn +him free into the pasture, and he testifies his joy in his partially +recovered liberty. We exact from the dog the service that is required of +him, and he still follows us. He solicits to be continued as our +companion and our friend. Many an expressive action tells us how much he +is pleased and thankful. He shares in our abundance, and he is content +with the scantiest and most humble fare. He loves us while living, and +has been known to pine away on the grave of his master. + +[It is stated that the favourite lap-dog of Mary, Queen of Scots, that +accompanied her to the scaffold, continued to caress the body after the +head was cut off, and refused to relinquish his post till forcibly +withdrawn, and afterwards died with grief in the course of a day or +two. + +The following account is also an authentic instance of the inconsolable +grief displayed by a small cur-dog at the death of his master:--A poor +tailor in the parish of St. Olave, having died, was attended to the +grave by his dog, who had expressed every token of sorrow from the +instant of his master's death, and seemed unwilling to quit the corpse +even for a moment. After the funeral had dispersed, the faithful animal +took his station upon the grave, and was with great difficulty driven by +the sexton from the church ground; on the following day he was again +observed lying on the grave of his master, and was a second time +expelled from the premises. Notwithstanding the harsh treatment received +on several succeeding days by the hands of the sexton, this little +creature would persist in occupying this position, and overcame every +difficulty to gain access to the spot where all he held most dear was +deposited. The minister of the parish, learning the circumstances of the +case, ordered the dog to be carried to his house, where he was confined +and fed for several days, in hopes of weaning him by kind treatment to +forget his sorrow occasioned by the loss of his master. But all his +benevolent efforts were of no utility, as the dog availed himself of the +first opportunity to escape, and immediately repaired to his chosen spot +over the grave. + +This worthy clergyman now allowed him to follow the bent of his own +inclinations; and, as a recompense for true friendship and unfeigned +sorrow, had a house built for him over this hallowed spot, and daily +supplied him with food and water for the space of two years, during +which time he never wandered from his post, but, as a faithful guardian, +kept his lonely watch day and night, till death at last put an end to +his sufferings, and laid him by the side of his long-expected +master.--L.] + +As an animal of draught the dog is highly useful in some countries. What +would become of the inhabitants of the northern regions, if the dog were +not harnessed to the sledge, and the Laplander, and the Greenlander, and +the Kamtschatkan drawn, and not unfrequently at the rate of nearly a +hundred miles a day, over the snowy wastes? In Newfoundland, the timber, +one of the most important articles of commerce, is drawn to the +water-side by the docile but ill-used dog; and we need only to cross the +British Channel in order to see how useful, and, generally speaking, how +happy a beast of draught the dog can be. + +[Large mongrel dogs are very extensively used on the Continent in +pulling small vehicles adapted to various purposes. In fact, most of the +carts and wagons that enter Paris, or are employed in the city, have one +of these animals attached to them by a short strap hanging from the +axle-tree. This arrangement answers the double purpose of keeping off +all intruders in the temporary absence of the master, and, by pushing +himself forward in his collar, materially assists the horse in +propelling a heavy load up-hill, or of carrying one speedily over a +plain surface. It is quite astonishing to see how well broken to this +work these dogs are, and at the same time to witness with what vigour +and perseverance they labour in pushing before them, in that way, +enormous weights.--L.] + +Though, in our country, and to its great disgrace, this employment of +the dog has been accompanied by such wanton and shameful cruelty, that +the Legislature--somewhat hastily confounding the abuse of a thing with +its legitimate purpose--forbade the appearance of the dog-cart in the +metropolitan districts, and were inclined to extend this prohibition +through the whole kingdom, it is much to be desired that a kindlier and +better feeling may gradually prevail, and that this animal, humanely +treated, may return to the discharge of the services of which nature has +rendered him capable, and which prove the greatest source of happiness +to him while discharging them to the best of his power. + +In another and very important particular,--as the preserver of human +life,--the history of the dog will be most interesting. The writer of +this work has seen a Newfoundland dog who, on five distinct occasions, +preserved the life of a human being; and it is said of the noble +quadruped whose remains constitute one of the most interesting specimens +in the museum of Berne, that forty persons were rescued by him from +impending destruction. + +When this friend and servant of man dies, he does not or may not cease +to be useful; for in many countries, and to a far greater extent than is +generally imagined, his skin is useful for gloves, or leggings, or mats, +or hammercloths; and, while even the Romans occasionally fattened him +for the table, and esteemed his flesh a dainty, many thousands of people +in Asia, Africa, and America, now breed him expressly for food. + +If the publication of the present work should throw some additional +light on the good qualities of this noble animal; if it should enable us +to derive more advantage from the services that he can render--to train +him more expeditiously and fully for the discharge of those services--to +protect him from the abuses to which he is exposed, and to mitigate or +remove some of the diseases which his connection with man has entailed +upon him; if any of these purposes be accomplished, we shall derive +considerable "useful knowledge" as well as pleasure from the perusal of +the present volume. + +Some controversy has arisen with regard to the origin of the dog. +Professor Thomas Bell, to whom we are indebted for a truly valuable +history of the British quadrupeds, traces him to the wolf. He says, and +it is perfectly true, that the osteology of the wolf does not differ +materially from that of the dog more than that of the different kinds of +dogs differs; that the cranium is similar, and they agree in nearly all +the other essential points; that the dog and wolf will readily breed +with each other, and that their progeny, thus obtained, will again +mingle with the dog. [The relative length of the intestines is a strong +distinctive mark both as to the habits and species of animals; those of +a purely carnivorous nature are much shorter than others who resort +entirely to an herbaceous diet, or combine the two modes of sustenance +according to circumstances. The dog and wolf have the intestines of the +same length. (See Sir Everard Home on Comparative Anatomy.)--L.] There +is one circumstance, however, which seems to mark a decided difference +between the two animals; the eye of the dog of every country and species +has a circular pupil, but the position or form of the pupil is oblique +in the wolf. Professor Bell gives an ingenious but not admissible reason +for this. He attributes the forward direction of the eyes in the dog to +the constant habit, "for many successive generations, of looking towards +their master, and obeying his voice:" but no habit of this kind could by +possibility produce any such effect. It should also be remembered that, +in every part of the globe in which the wolf is found this form of the +pupil, and a peculiar setting on of the curve of the tail, and a +singularity in the voice, cannot fail of being observed; to which may be +added, that the dog exists in every latitude and in every climate, while +the habitation of the wolf is confined to certain parts of the globe. + +There is also a marked difference in the temper and habits of the two. +The dog is, generally speaking, easily manageable, but nothing will, in +the majority of cases, render the wolf moderately tractable. There are, +however, exceptions to this. The author remembers a bitch wolf at the +Zoological Gardens that would always come to the front bars of her den +to be caressed as soon as any one that she knew approached. She had +puppies while there, and she brought her little ones in her mouth to be +noticed by the spectators; so eager, indeed, was she that they should +share with her in the notice of her friends, that she killed them all in +succession against the bars of her den as she brought them forcibly +forward to be fondled. + +M.F. Cuvier gives an account of a young wolf who followed his master +everywhere, and showed a degree of affection and submission scarcely +inferior to the domesticated dog. His master being unavoidably absent, +he was sent to the menagerie, where he pined for his loss, and would +scarcely take any food for a considerable time. At length, however, he +attached himself to his keepers, and appeared to have forgotten his +former associate. At the expiration of eighteen months his master +returned, and, the moment his voice was heard, the wolf recognised him, +and lavished on his old friend the most affectionate caresses. A second +separation followed, which lasted three years, and again the +long-remembered voice was recognised, and replied to with impatient +cries; after which, rushing on his master, he licked his face with every +mark of joy, menacing his keepers, towards whom he had just before been +exhibiting fondness. A third separation occurred, and he became gloomy +and melancholy. He suffered the caresses of none but his keepers, and +towards them he often manifested the original ferocity of his species. + +These stories, however, go only a little way to prove that the dog and +the wolf have one common origin. [There are some naturalists that even +go so far as to state that the different varieties of dogs are sprung +from, or compounded of, various animals, as the hyaena, jackal, wolf, +and fox. The philosophic John Hunter commenced a series of experiments +upon this interesting subject, and was forced to acknowledge that "the +dog may be the wolf tamed, and the jackal may probably be the dog +returned to his wild state." + +The ancient Cynegetical writers were not only acquainted with the cross +between the wolf and dog, but also boasted the possession of breeds of +animals, supposed to have been derived from a connection with the lion +and tiger. The Hyrcanian dog, although savage and powerful beast, was +rendered much more formidable in battle, or in conflict with other +animals, by his fabled cross with the tiger. In corroboration of this +singular, but not less fabulous belief, Pliny states that the +inhabitants of India take pleasure in having dog bitches lined by the +wild tigers, and to facilitate this union, they are in the habit of +tieing them when in heat out in the woods, so that the male tigers may +visit them. (See L. 8, c. xl.) + +There is, however, but little doubt that the wolf and dog are varieties +of the same family, as they can he bred together, and their offspring +continuing the cross thus formed, will produce a race quite distinct +from the original. French writers do not hesitate at all upon this +point, but even assert that it is very difficult to take a she-wolf with +male dogs during the period of oestrum, parceque la veulent saillir et +covrir comme une chienne. + +Baudrillart, in the "dictionaire des chasses," further remarks that the +mongrels produced by this connection are very viciously disposed and +inclined to bite. + +The period of utero-gestation, and the particular mode of copulation in +the wolf, is the same as that of the canine family, which two +circumstances are certainly very strong presumptive evidences of the +similarity of the species. The dogs used by our northern Indians +resemble very much, in their general appearance, the wolves of that +region, and do not seem very far removed from that race of animals, +notwithstanding they have been in a state of captivity, or +domestication, beyond the traditionary chronicles of this rude people. + +Another strong circumstance in favour of the common origin of these two +quadrupeds, is the existence in our own country of the Canis Latrans, or +prairie wolf, who whines and barks in a manner so similar to the smaller +varieties of dogs, that it is almost impossible to distinguish his notes +from those of the terrier. + +Major Long remarks that "this animal which does not seem to be known to +naturalists, unless it should prove to be the Mexicanus, is most +probably the original of the domestic dog, so common in the villages of +the Indians of this region, some of the varieties of which still remain +much of the habit and manners of this species." (Vol. i, page 174.) + +If further proof be necessary to establish the identity of the dog and +wolf, the circumstances related by Captain Parry in his first voyage of +discovery, ought to be sufficient to convince every mind that the wolf, +even in its wild state, will seek to form an alliance or connection with +one of our domestic dogs. + + "About this time it had been remarked that a white setter dog, + belonging to Mr. Beverly, had left the Griper for several nights past + at the same time, and had regularly returned after some hours absence. + As the daylight increased we had frequent opportunities of seeing him + in company with a she-wolf, with whom he kept up an almost daily + intercourse for several weeks, till at length he returned no more to + the ships; having either lost his way by rambling to too great a + distance, or what is more likely, perhaps, been destroyed by the male + wolves. Some time after a large dog of mine, which was also getting + into the habit of occasionally remaining absent for some time, + returned on board a good deal lacerated and covered with blood, + having, no doubt, maintained a severe encounter with a male wolf, whom + we traced to a considerable distance by the tracks on the snow. An old + dog, of the Newfoundland breed, that we had on board the Hecla, was + also in the habit of remaining out with the wolves for a day or two + together, and we frequently watched them keeping company on the most + friendly terms." + (Page 136, 1st voyage.) + +[In volume 1st, page 111, of the Menageries, it is stated that Mr. +Wombwell exhibited in October, 1828, two animals from a cross between +the wolf and the domestic dog, which had been bred in that country. They +were confined in the same den with a female setter, and were likely +again to multiply the species. Mr. Daniel remarks that Mr. Brook, famous +for his menagerie, turned a wolf to a Pomeranian bitch at heat; the +congress was immediate, and, as usual between the dog and bitch, ten +puppies were the produce. These animals strongly resembled their sire +both in appearance and disposition, and one of them being let loose at a +deer, instantly caught at the animal's throat and killed it. (See +Daniel's Rural Sports, vol. i, page 14.)--L.] + +It may appear singular that in both the Old Testament and the New the +dog was spoken of almost with abhorrence. He ranked among the unclean +beasts. The traffic in him and the price of him were considered as an +abomination, and were forbidden to be offered in the sanctuary in the +discharge of any vow. [2] + +One grand object in the institution of the Jewish ritual was to preserve +the Israelites from the idolatry which at that time prevailed among +every other people. Dogs were held in considerable veneration by the +Egyptians, from whose tyranny the Israelites had just escaped. Figures +of them appeared on the friezes of most of the temples, [3] and they +were regarded as emblems of the Divine Being. Herodotus, speaking of the +sanctity in which some animals were held by the Egyptians, says that the +people of every family in which a dog died, shaved themselves--their +expression of mourning--and he adds, that "this was a custom existing in +his own time." [4] + +The cause of this attachment to and veneration for the dog is, however, +explained in a far more probable and pleasing way than many of the +fables of ancient mythology. The prosperity of Lower Egypt, and almost +the very subsistence of its inhabitants, depended on the annual +overflowing of the Nile; and they looked for it with the utmost anxiety. +Its approach was announced by the appearance of a certain star--SIRIUS. +As soon as that star was seen above the horizon, they hastened to remove +their flocks to the higher ground, and abandoned the lower pastures to +the fertilizing influence of the stream. They hailed it as their guard +and protector; and, associating with its apparent watchfulness the +well-known fidelity of the dog, they called it the "dog-star," and they +worshipped it. It was in far later periods and in other countries that +the appearance of the dog-star was regarded as the signal of +insufferable heat or prevalent disease. + +One of the Egyptian deities--Anubis--is described as having the form and +body of a man, but with a dog's head. These were types of sagacity and +fidelity. + + ["Who knows not that infatuate Egypt finds + Gods to adore in brutes of basest kinds? + This at the crocodile's resentment quakes, + While that adores the ibis, gorged with snakes! + And where the radiant beam of morning rings + On shattered Memnon's still harmonious strings; + And Thebes to ruin all her gates resigns, + Of huge baboon the golden image shines! + To _mongrel curs_ infatuate cities bow, + And cats and fishes share the frequent vow!" + + Juvenal, 'Sat. xv'.--Badham's Trans.--L.] + +In Ethiopia, not only was great veneration paid to the dog, but the +inhabitants used to elect a dog as their king. He was kept in great +state, and surrounded by a numerous train of officers and guards. When +he fawned upon them, he was supposed to be pleased with their +proceedings: when he growled, he disapproved of the manner in which +their government was conducted. These indications of his will were +implicitly obeyed, or rather, perhaps, dictated. + +[Among the many strange and wonderful things mentioned by Pliny as being +discovered in Africa, is a people called Ptoembati or Ptremphanae, whose +principal city is Aruspi, where they elect a dog for their king and obey +him most religiously, being governed entirely by the different motions +of his body, which they interpret according to certain signs. (See +Pliny, lib. vi, c. xxx.)--L.] + +Even a thousand years after this period the dog was highly esteemed in +Egypt for its sagacity and other excellent qualities; for, when +Pythagoras, after his return from Egypt, founded a new sect in Greece, +and at Croton, in southern Italy, he taught, with the Egyptian +philosophers, that, at the death of the body, the soul entered into that +of different animals. He used, after the decease of any of his favourite +disciples, to cause a dog to be held to the mouth of the dying man, in +order to receive his departing spirit; saying, that there was no animal +that could perpetuate his virtues better than that quadruped. + +It was in order to present the Israelites from errors and follies like +these, and to prevent the possibility of this species of idolatry being +established, that the dog was afterward regarded with utter abhorrence +among the Jews. [5] This feeling prevailed during the continuance of the +Israelites in Palestine. Even in the New Testament the Apostle warns +those to whom he wrote to "beware of dogs and evil-workers;" [6] and it +is said in The Revelations that "without are dogs and sorcerers," &c. +[7] Dogs were, however, employed even by the Jews. Job says, "Now they +that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have +disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock." [8] Dogs were employed +either to guide the sheep or to protect them from wild beasts; and some +prowled about the streets at night, contending with each other for the +offal that was thrown away. + +To a certain degree this dislike of the dog continues to the present +day; for, with few exceptions, the dog is seldom the chosen companion of +the Jew, or even the inmate of his house. Nor was it originally confined +to Palestine. Wherever a knowledge of the Jewish religion spread, or any +of its traditions were believed, there arose an abhorrence of the dog. +The Mohammedans have always regarded him as an unclean animal, that +should never be cherished in any human habitation--belonging to no +particular owner, but protecting the street [9] and the district rather +than the house of a master. + +The Hindoos regard him likewise as unclean, and submit to various +purifications if they accidentally come in contact with him, believing +that every dog was animated by a wicked and malignant spirit, condemned +to do penance in that form for crimes committed in a previous state of +existence. If by chance a dog passed between a teacher and his pupil +during the period of instruction, it was supposed that the best lesson +would be completely poisoned, and it was deemed prudent to suspend the +tuition for at least a day and a night. Even in Egypt, dogs are now as +much avoided as they were venerated. In every Mohammedan and Hindoo +country, the most scurrilous epithet bestowed on a European or a +Christian is--"a dog!" [10] + +This accounts for the singular fact that in the whole of the Jewish +history there is not a single allusion to hunting with dogs. Mention is +made of nets and snares, but the dog seems to have been never used in +the pursuit of game. + +In the early periods of the history of other countries this seems to +have been the case even where the dog was esteemed and valued, and had +become the companion, the friend, and the defender of man and his home. +So late as the second century of the Christian era, the fair hunting of +the present day needed the eloquent defence of Arrian, who says that +"there is as much difference between a fair trial of speed in a good +run, and ensnaring a poor animal without an effort, as between the +secret piratical assaults of robbers at sea, and the victorious naval +engagements of the Athenians at Artemisium and at Salamis." [11] The +first hint of the employment of the dog in the pursuit of other animals +is given by Oppian in his Cynegeticus, who attributes it to Pollux, +about 200 years after the promulgation of the Levitical law. + +Of the precise species of dog that prevailed or was cultivated in Greece +at this early period, little can with certainty be affirmed. One +beautiful piece of sculpture has been preserved, and is now in the +possession of Lord Feversham at Duncombe Hall. It is said to represent +the favourite dog of Alcibiades, and to have been the production of +Myson, one of the most skillful artists of ancient times. It differs but +little from the Newfoundland dog of the present day. He is represented +as sitting on his haunches, and earnestly looking at his master. Any one +would vouch for the sagacity and fidelity of that animal. + +The British Museum contains a group of greyhound puppies of more recent +date, from the ruins of the villa of Antoninus, near Rome. One is +fondling the other; and the attitude of both, and the characteristic +puppy-clumsiness of their limbs, which indicate, nevertheless, the +beautiful proportions that will soon be developed, are an admirable +specimen of ancient art. + +[Illustration of ancient sculpture of greyhounds] + +The Greeks, in the earlier periods of their history, depended too much +on their nets; and it was not until later times that they pursued their +prey with dogs, and then not with dogs that ran by sight, or succeeded +by their swiftness of foot, but by beagles very little superior to those +of modern days [12]. Of the stronger and more ferocious dogs there is, +however, occasional mention. The bull-dog of modern date does not excel +the one (possibly of nearly the same race) that was presented to +Alexander the Great, and that boldly seized a ferocious lion, or another +that would not quit his hold, although one leg and then another was cut +off. + +It would be difficult and foreign to the object of this work fully to +trace the early history of the dog. Both in Greece and in Rome he was +highly estimated. Alexander built a city in honour of a dog; and the +Emperor Hadrian decreed the most solemn rites of sepulture to another on +account of his sagacity and fidelity. + +The translator of Arrian imagines that the use of the 'pugnaces' +(fighting) and the 'sagaces' (intelligent)--the more ferocious dogs, and +those who artfully circumvented and caught their prey--was known in the +earlier periods of Greek and Roman history, but that the 'celeres', the +dogs of speed, the greyhounds of every kind, were peculiar to the +British islands, or to the western and northern continents of Europe, +the interior and the produce of which were in those days unknown to the +Greeks and Romans. By most authors who have inquired into the origin of +these varieties of the dog, the 'sagaces' have been generally assigned +to Greece--the 'pugnaces' to Asia--and the 'celeres' to the Celtic +nations. + +[The vertragi, 'canes celeres', or dogs that hunted by sight alone, were +not known to the ancients previous to the time of the younger Xenophon, +who then describes them as novelties just introduced into Greece: + + "But the swift-footed Celtic hounds are called in the Celtic tongue + [Greek: ouéztragoi]; not deriving their name from any particular + nation, like the Cretan, Carian, or Spartan dogs, but, as some of the + Cretans are named [Greek: diaponoi] from working hard, [Greek: itamai] + from their keenness, and mongrels from their being compounded of both, + so these Celts are named from their swiftness. In figure, the most + high-bred are a prodigy of beauty; their eyes, their hair, their + colour, and bodily shape throughout. Such brilliancy of gloss is there + about the spottiness of the parti-coloured, and in those of uniform + colour, such glistening over the sameness of tint, as to afford a most + delightful spectacle to an amateur of coursing." + +It is probable these dogs were carried, about this time, into the +southern parts of Europe by the various tribes of Celts who over-ran the +continent, and also occupied Ireland, Britain, and the other western +islands, and ultimately took possession of Gaul.--L.] + +Of the aboriginal country of the latter there can be little doubt; but +the accounts that are given of the English mastiff at the invasion of +Britain by the Romans, and the early history of the English hound, which +was once peculiar to this country, and at the present day degenerates in +every other, would go far to prove that these breeds also are indigenous +to our island. + +Oppian thus describes the hunting dog as he finds him in +Britain: + + "There is, besides, an excellent kind of scenting dogs, though small, + yet worthy of estimation. They are fed by the fierce nation of painted + Britons, who call them 'agasoei'. In size they resemble worthless + greedy house-dogs that gape under tables. They are crooked, lean, + coarse-haired, and heavy-eyed, but armed with powerful claws and + deadly teeth. The 'agasoeus' is of good nose and most excellent in + following scent [13]." + +Among the savage dogs of ancient times were the Hyrcanian, said, on +account of their extreme ferocity, to have been crossed with the tiger +[14],--the Locrian, chiefly employed in hunting the boar,--the +Pannonian, used in war as well as in the chase, and by whom the first +charge on the enemy was always made,--and the Molossian, of Epirus, +likewise trained to war as well as to the honours of the amphitheatre +and the dangers of the chase. This last breed had one redeeming +quality--an inviolable attachment to their owners. This attachment was +reciprocal; for it is said that the Molossi used to weep over their +faithful quadruped companions slain in war. + +[Of all the dogs of the ancients, those bred on the continent of Epirus +were the most esteemed, and more particularly those from a southern +district called Molossia, from which they received their name. + +These animals are described as being of enormous size, great courage and +powerful make, and were considered worthy not only to encounter the +wolf, bear, and boar, but often overcame the panther, tiger, and lion, +both in the chase and amphitheatre. They also, being trained to war, +proved themselves most useful auxiliaries to this martial people. + +The learned translator of Arrian states that + + "the fabled origin of this breed is consistent with its high repute; + for, on the authority of Nicander, we are told by Julius Pollux, that + the Epirote was descended from the brazen dog which Vulcan wrought for + Jupiter, and animated with all the functions of canine life." + +These were not the only dogs fashioned by the skilful hands of the +Olympic artist, as we find Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians, possessing +golden dogs also wrought at the celestial forge. + +Pliny states that a dog of enormous magnitude was sent as a present by +the king of Albania to Alexander the Great when on his march to India; +and "that this monarch being delighted at the sight of so huge and fair +a dog, let loose unto him first bears, then wild boars, and lastly +fallow deer, all of which animals he took no notice of, but remained +perfectly unconcerned. This great warrior being a man of high spirit and +wonderful courage, was greatly displeased at the apparent cowardice and +want of energy in so powerful an animal, and ordered him to be slain. +This news was speedily carried to the king of Albania, who thereupon +sent unto him a second dog, stating that he should not make trial of his +courage with such insignificant animals, but rather with a lion or +elephant, and if he destroyed this one also, he need not expect to +obtain any other of this breed, as these two were all he possessed. + + Tanta: suis petiere ultra fera semina sylvis, + Dat Venus accessus, et blando foedere jungit. + Tunc et mansuetis tuto ferus erat adulter + In stabulis, ultroque gravis succedere tigrim + Ausa canis, majore tulit de sanguine foetum. + + 'Gratii Falisci Cyneget.,' liv. 1. v. 160. + +Alexander being much surprised, made immediate preparations for a trial, +and soon saw the lion prostrate, with his back broken, and his body torn +in pieces by the noble dog. Then he ordered an elephant to be produced; +and in no fight did he take more pleasure than in this. For the dog, +with his long, rough, shaggy hair, that covered his whole body, rushed +with open mouth, barking terribly, and thundering, as it were, upon the +elephant. Soon after he leaps and flies upon him, advancing and +retreating, now on one side, now on the other, maintaining an ingenious +combat; at one time assailing him with all vigour, at another shunning +him. So actively did he continue this artificial warfare, causing the +huge beast to turn around so frequently on every side to avoid his +attacks, that he ultimately came down with a crash that "made the earth +tremble with his fall". Book viii. chap. 40. + +The Molossian dogs were at a later period much esteemed by the Romans as +watch dogs, not only of their dwellings, but also to guard their flocks +against the incursions of wild animals. Horace, in the following lines, +passes a just tribute to the worth of this animal, when referring to his +watchfulness, and the ardour with which he pursues those wild animals, +even 'per altas nives,' that threaten the flocks entrusted to his care. + + "Quid immerentes, hospites vexas canis, + Ignarus adversum lupos? + Quin huc inanes, si potes, vertis minas, + Et me remorsurum petis? + Nam, qualis aut Molossus, aut fulvus Lacon, + Amica vis pastoribus, + Agam per altas aure sublatâ nives, + Quaecunpue praecedet fera." + + 'Epode' vi.--L.] + +Ælian relates that one of them, and his owner, so much distinguished +themselves at the battle of Marathon, that the effigy of the dog was +placed on the same tablet with that of his master. + +Soon after Britain was discovered, the 'pugnaces' of Epirus were pitted +against those of our island, and, according to the testimony of Gratius, +completely beaten. A variety of this class, but as large and as +ferocious, was employed to guard the sheep and cattle, or to watch at +the door of the house, or to follow the owner on any excursion of +business or of pleasure. Gratius says of these dogs, that they have no +pretensions to the deceitful commendation of form; but, at the time of +need, when courage is required of them, most excellent mastiffs are not +to be preferred to them. + +The account of the British 'pugnaces' of former times, and also of the +'sagaces' and 'celeres', will be best given when treating of their +present state and comparative value. In describing the different breeds +of dogs, some anecdotes will be related of their sagacity and fidelity; +a few previous remarks, however, may be admissible. + +A young man lost his life by falling from one of the precipices of the +Helvellyn mountains. Three months afterwards his remains were discovered +at the bottom of a ravine, and his faithful dog, almost a skeleton, +still guarding them. Sir Walter Scott beautifully describes the scene: + + Dark-green was the spot, 'mid the brown mountain heather, + Where the pilgrim of nature lay stretched in decay; + Like the corpse of an outcast, abandoned to weather, + Till the mountain winds wasted the tenantless clay; + Nor yet quite deserted, though lonely extended, + For, faithful in death, his mute favourite attended, + The much loved remains of her master defended, + And chased the hill-fox and the raven away. + How long didst thou think that his silence was slumber? + When the wind waved his garments, how oft didst thou start? + How many long days and long weeks didst thou number + Ere he faded before thee, the friend of thy heart? + +Burchell, in his Travels in Africa, places the connexion between man and +the dog, and the good qualities of this animal, in an interesting point +of view. A pack of dogs of various descriptions formed a necessary part +of his caravan, occasionally to provide him with food, but oftener to +defend him from wild beasts or robbers. + + "While almost every other quadruped fears man as his most formidable + enemy," says this interesting traveller, "there is one who regards him + as his companion, and follows him as his friend. We must not mistake + the nature of the case. It is not because we train him to our use, and + have made choice of him in preference to other animals, but because + this particular species of animal feels a natural desire to be useful + to man, and, from spontaneous impulse, attaches himself to him. Were + it not so, we should see in various countries an equal familiarity + with other quadrupeds, according to their habits, and the taste or + caprices of different nations; but, everywhere, it is the dog only + that takes delight in associating with us, and in sharing our abode. + It is he who knows us personally, watches over us, and warns us of + danger. It is impossible for the naturalist not to feel a conviction + that this friendship between creatures so different from each other + must be the result of the laws of nature; nor can the humane and + feeling mind avoid the belief that kindness to those animals, from + which he derives continued and essential assistance, is part of the + moral duty of man. + + "Often in the silence of the night, when all my people have been fast + asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these faithful + animals watching by their side, and have learned to esteem them for + their social inclination towards mankind. When, wandering over + pathless deserts, oppressed with vexation and distress at the conduct + of my own men, I have turned to these as my only friends, and felt how + much inferior to them was man when actuated only by selfish views." + +Of the stanchness and incorruptible fidelity of the dog, and his +disregard of personal inconvenience and want, when employed in our +service, it is impossible to entertain a doubt. We have sometimes +thought that the attachment of the dog to its master was increased, or, +at least, the exhibition of it, by the penury of the owner. At all +events one fact is plain enough, that, while poverty drives away from us +many a companion of our happier hours, it was never known to diminish +the love of our quadruped friend. + +The early history of the dog has been described, and the abomination in +which he was held by the Israelites. At no great distance of time, +however, we find him, almost in the neighbourhood of Palestine, in one +of the islands of the Ionian Sea, the companion and the friend of +princes, and deserving their regard. The reader will forgive a somewhat +abbreviated account of the last meeting of Ulysses and his dog. + +Twenty years had passed since Argus, the favourite dog of Ulysses, had +been parted from his master. The monarch at length wended his way +homewards, and, disguised as a beggar, for his life would have been +sacrificed had he been known, stood at the entrance of his palace-door. +There he met with an old dependant, who had formerly served him with +fidelity and who was yet faithful to his memory; but age and hardship +and care, and the disguise which he now wore, had so altered the +wanderer that the good Eumaeus had not the most distant suspicion with +whom he was conversing; but: + + Near to the gates, conferring as they drew, + Argus the dog his ancient master knew, + And, not unconscious of the voice and tread + Lifts to the sound his ears, and rears his head. + He knew the lord, he knew, and strove to meet; + In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet; + Yet, all he could, his tail, his ears, his eyes + Salute his master, and confess his joys. [15] + +[Lord Byron, who had much experience and acquaintance with the canine +family, was rather sceptical as regards the memory of this animal, +having been, on one occasion, entirely forgotten by a favourite dog from +whom he was separated some considerable time, and in fact was most +savagely assailed by him, when on his return he attempted to caress him +as he was wont to do in former times. + +This unkind reception at Newstead Abbey, on the part of his pampered +pet, may have given rise to the poet's feelings as embodied in the +following misanthropic lines:-- + + "And now I'm in the world alone, + Upon the wide, wide sea: + But why should I for others groan, + When none will sigh for me? + Perchance my dog will whine in vain, + Till fed by stranger hands; + But long ere I come back again, + He'd tear me where he stands."--L.] + +In Daniel's Rural Sports, the account of a nobleman and his dog is +given. The nobleman had been absent two years on foreign service. On his +return this faithful creature was the first to recognise him, as he came +through the court-yard, and he flew to welcome his old master and +friend. He sprung upon him; his agitation and his joy knew not any +bounds; and at length, in the fulness of his transport, he fell at his +master's feet and expired. + +[An interesting circumstance, strongly exhibiting canine fidelity and +attachment in a large mastiff, came under the Editor's own eye during +his childhood, and which, from its striking character, deserves to be +recorded on the page of history as another testimony to the high moral +worth of these useful animals. + +A gentleman of Baltimore, with his family, lived during a portion of the +year a short distance in the country, and was in the habit of returning +to the city late in the fall to pass the winter. On his estate there was +a fine young mastiff, who though extremely cross to strangers, exhibited +at all times a great degree of tenderness and affection for the younger +branches of the family;--more particularly for the younger son, his most +constant companion, and who would often steal secretly away to share his +daily meal with this affectionate participator in his childish sports: +or, when fatigued with romping together, would retire to the well-kept +kennel, and recruit his limbs in a refreshing sleep, while reclining +upon the body of the faithful dog. If the little truant should now be +missed by those having him in charge, the most natural question to ask +was, "Where is Rolla?" knowing full well that wherever this honest brute +was, there might his young master be found also. On such occasions, +however, this trusty guardian would refuse all solicitations to abandon +his post, and express great dissatisfaction at any attempt to arouse or +carry off his young charge, whom he continued to watch over till he +awoke, refreshed from his slumber and eager again to resume their +frolics. + +The period of returning to the city at last arrived, and the dog +exhibited marked signs of uneasiness, while the bustling preparations +for this end were going on, as if conscious of the separation that was +about to take place between his young master and himself, as also the +other children, who had been his constant companions for so many joyful +months. + +Everything being completed, the childish group bid an affectionate adieu +to the downcast Rolla, whom they left standing on the hill-top, watching +the carriage as it disappeared in the wood. A few days after their +departure, and when this poor animal was forgotten in the new scenes +around them, a communication was received from the overseer of the farm, +in which he stated that the favourite dog appeared much grieved since +the family had left for the city, and was fearful that he might die if +he continued in the same condition. Little attention, however, was given +to these remarks, all imagining that the dog's melancholy was only the +result of temporary distress, owing to his secluded life, so different +from that which he had led when surrounded by the various members of a +large family. Little did any one suppose that this poor neglected brute +was suffering the acutest pangs of mental distress, even sufficient to +produce death. + +Two weeks had now elapsed since the separation from Rolla, when another +message came from the overseer, stating that the dog would surely die +with grief, if not removed to the city, as he had refused all sustenance +for several days, and did nothing but wander about from place to place, +formerly frequented by the children, howling and moaning in the most +piteous manner. + +Orders were now given, much to the children's delight, for the +conveyance of the favourite to the city; but, alas! this arrangement +came too late, as the poor creature sank from exhaustion, while in the +wagon on his way to join those beloved companions whose short absence +had broken his heart and grieved him even unto death.--L.] + +We will not further pursue this part of our subject at present. We shall +have other opportunities of speaking of the disinterested and devoted +affection which this noble animal is capable of displaying when he +occupies his proper situation, and discharges those offices for which +nature designed him. It may, however, be added that this power of +tracing back the dog to the very earliest periods of history, and the +fact that he then seemed to be as sagacious, as faithful, and as +valuable as at the present day, strongly favour the opinion that he +descended from no inferior and comparatively worthless animal,--that he +was not the progeny of the wolf, the jackal, or the fox, but he was +originally created, somewhat as we now find him, the associate and the +friend of man. + +If, within the first thousand years after the Deluge, we observe that +divine honours were paid to him, we can scarcely be brought to believe +his wolfish genealogy. The must savage animals are capable of affection +for those to whom they have been accustomed, and by whom they have been +well treated, and therefore we give full credit to several accounts of +this sort related of the wolf, the lion, and even the cat and the +reptile: but in no other animal--in no other, even in the genus +'Canis'--do we find the qualities of the domestic dog, or the slightest +approach to them. + + "To his master he flies with alacrity," says the eloquent Buffon, "and + submissively lays at his feet all his courage, strength, and talent. A + glance of the eye is sufficient; for he understands the smallest + indications of his will. He has all the ardour of friendship, and + fidelity and constancy in his affections, which man can have. Neither + interest nor desire of revenge can corrupt him, and he has no fear but + that of displeasing. He is all zeal and obedience. He speedily forgets + ill-usage, or only recollects it to make returning attachment the + stronger. He licks the hand which causes him pain, and subdues his + anger by submission. The training of the dog seems to have been the + first art invented by man, and the fruit of that art was the conquest + and peaceable possession of the earth." + + "Man," says Burns, "is the God of the dog; he knows no other; and see + how he worships him. With what reverence he crouches at his feet--with + what reverence he looks up to him--with what delight he fawns upon + him, and with what cheerful alacrity he obeys him!" + +If any of the lower animals bear about them the impress of the Divine +hand, it is found in the dog: many others are plainly and decidedly more +or less connected with the welfare of the human being; but this +connexion and its effects are limited to a few points, or often to one +alone. The dog, different, yet the same, in every region, seems to be +formed expressly to administer to our comforts and to our pleasure. He +displays a versatility, and yet a perfect unity of power and character, +which mark him as our destined servant, and, still more, as our +companion and friend. Other animals may be brought to a certain degree +of familiarity, and may display much affection and gratitude. There was +scarcely an animal in the menagerie of the Zoological Society that did +not acknowledge the superintendent as his friend; but it was only a +casual intercourse, and might be dissolved by a word or look. At the +hour of feeding, the brute principle reigned supreme, and the companion +of other hours would be sacrificed if he dared to interfere; but the +connexion between man and the dog, no lapse of time, no change of +circumstances, no infliction of evil can dissolve. We must, therefore, +look far beyond the wolf for the prototype of the dog. + +Cuvier eloquently states that the dog exhibits the most complete and the +most useful conquest that man has made. Each individual is entirely +devoted to his master, adopts his manners, distinguishes and defends his +property, and remains attached to him even unto death; and all this +springing not from mere necessity, or from constrain, but simply from +gratitude and true friendship. The swiftness, the strength, and the +highly developed power of smelling of the dog, have made him a powerful +ally of man against the other animals; and, perhaps, these qualities in +the dog were necessary to the establishment of society. It is the only +animal that has followed the human being all over the earth. + +There is occasionally a friendship existing between dogs resembling that +which is found in the human being. The author pledges himself as to the +accuracy of the following little anecdote. Two dogs, the property of a +gentleman at Shrewsbury, had been companions for many years, until one +of them died of old age. The survivor immediately began to manifest an +extraordinary degree of restless anxiety, searching for his old +associate in all his former haunts, and refusing every kind of food. He +gradually wasted away, and, at the expiration of the tenth day, he died, +the victim of an attachment that would have done honour to man. + +The Dog, belongs to the division of animals termed VERTEBRATED, (see +'The Horse', 2d edition, page 106), because it has a cranium or skull, +and a spine or range of VERTEBRAE proceeding from it. It ranks under the +'class' MAMMALIA, because it has teats, by which the female suckles her +young; the 'tribe' UNGUICULATA, because its extremities are armed with +nails; the 'order' DIGITIGRADES, because it walks principally on its +toes. The 'genus' CANIS has two tubercular teeth behind the large +carnivorous tooth in upper jaw; and the 'sub-genus familiaris', the DOG, +has the pupils of the eye circular, while those of the wolf are oblique, +and those of the fox upright and long. + +There has been some dispute whether the various species of dogs are of +different origin, or sprung from one common source. When we consider the +change that climate and breeding effect in the same species of dog, and +contrast the rough Irish or Highland greyhound with the smoother one of +the southern parts of Britain, or the more delicate one of Greece, or +the diminutive but beautifully formed one of Italy, or the hairless one +of Africa or Brazil--or the small Blenheim spaniel with the magnificent +Newfoundland; if also we observe many of them varied by accident, and +that accidental variety diligently cultivated into a new species, +altogether different in form or use, we shall find no difficulty in +believing that they might be derived from one common origin. + +One of the most striking proofs of the influence of climate on the form +and character of this animal, occurs in the bull-dog. When transported +to India he becomes, in a few years, greatly altered in form, loses all +his former courage and ferocity, and becomes a perfect coward. + +It is probable that all dogs sprang from one common source, but climate, +food, and cross-breeding caused variations of form, which suggested +particular uses; and these being either designedly or accidentally +perpetuated, the various breeds of dogs thus arose, and they have become +numerous in proportion to the progress of civilization. Among the ruder, +or savage tribes, they possess but one form; but the ingenuity of man +has devised many inventions to increase his comforts: he has varied and +multiplied the characters and kinds of domestic animals for the same +purpose, and hence the various breeds of horses, and cattle, and dogs. + +The parent stock it is now impossible to trace; but the wild dog, +wherever found on the continent of Asia, or Northern Europe, has nearly +the same character, and bears no inconsiderable resemblance to the +British fox-dog, while many of those from the Southern Ocean can +scarcely be distinguished from the English lurcher. There is, however, +no more difficulty in this respect with regard to the dog, than any +other of our domesticated animals. Climate, or chance, produced a change +in certain individuals, and the sagacity of man, or, perhaps, mere +chance, founded on these accidental varieties numerous breeds possessed +of certain distinct characteristic properties. The degeneracy of the +dog, also, in different countries, cannot for a moment be disputed. + +The most natural arrangement of all the varieties of the dog is +according to the development of the frontal sinus and the cerebral +cavity, or, in other words, the power of scent, and the degree of +intelligence. This classification originated with M.F. Cuvier, and has +been adopted by most naturalists. He reckoned three divisions of the dog: + +I. Those having the head more or less elongated, and the parietal bones + of the skull widest at the base, and gradually approaching towards + each other as they ascend, the condyls of the lower jaw being on the + same line with the upper molar teeth. The _Greyhound_ and all its + varieties belong to this class. + +II. The head moderately elongated, and the parietals diverging from each + other for a certain space as they rise upon the side of the head, + enlarging the cerebral cavity and the frontal sinus. To this class + belong our most valuable dogs,--the _Spaniel_, _Setter_, _Pointer_, + _Hound_, and the _Sheep-dog_. + +III. The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, and + the cranium elevated, and diminished in capacity. To this class + belong some of the _Terriers_, and a great many dogs that might + very well be spared. + +This division of the different species of the dog is adopted here as +being the most simple, intelligible, and satisfactory. + + + +[Footnote 1: Gen. iv. 2.] + + +[Footnote 2: Deut. xxiii. 18.] + + +[Footnote 3: In some of Belzoni's beautiful sketches of the frieze-work +of the old Egyptian temples, the dog appears, with his long ears and +broad muzzle, not unlike the old Talbot hound.] + + +[Footnote 4: Herodotus, lib. ii. c. 66.] + + +[Footnote 5: No dog was suffered to come within the precincts of the +Temple at Jerusalem. [Greek: Ex_o kunes] was a prevalent expression +among the Jews. Byrant's 'Mythology', vol. ii. p. 42.] + + +[Footnote 6: Phil. iii. 2.] + + +[Footnote 7: Rev. xxii. 15.] + + +[Footnote 8: Job xxx. 1. See also Isaiah lvi, 10, 11.] + + +[Footnote 9: Psalm lix. 6.] + + +[Footnote 10: Carpenter's 'Scripture Natural History', p.109. It is a +remarkable fact that from this faithful animal, the companion of man, +and the guardian of his person and property, should originate as many +terms of reproach as "dog," "cur," "hound," "puppy," "dog-cheap," "a +dog's trick," "dog sick," "dog-weary," "to lead the life of a dog," "to +use like a dog." All this probably originated in the East, where the dog +was held in abhorrence as the common scavenger of the streets.] + + +[Footnote 11: Arrian's 'Cynegeticus', cap 26.] + + +[Footnote 12: ''New Sporting Magazine, vol. xiv. p. 97.] + + +[Footnote 13: Oppian's 'Cynegeticus', lib. i. v. 468-480.] + + +[Footnote 14: + + ["At contrà faciles, magnique Lycaones armis. + Sed non Hyrcanæ satis est vehementia genti."]] + + +[Footnote 15: Pope's 'Odyssey', xvii.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG. + +FIRST DIVISION. + + The head more or less elongated, the parietal bones widest at the base + and gradually approaching to each other as they ascend, and the + condyls of the lover jaw being on the same line with the upper molar + teeth. + + +To this division belong the greater number of the + +WILD DOGS. + +The wild dog, as existing in considerable numbers or communities, seems +to be nearly extirpated in the southern parts of Europe; but there are +several cases on record, of dogs having assumed native independence. A +black greyhound bitch, belonging to a gentleman in Scarisbrick, in +Lancashire, though she had apparently been well broken in, and always +well used, ran away from the habitation of her master, and betook +herself to the woods. She killed a great number of hares and made free +with the sheep, and became an intolerable nuisance to the neighbourhood. +She was occasionally seen, and the depredations that were committed were +brought home to her. Many were the attempts made to entrap or destroy +her, but in vain: for more than six months she eluded the vigilance of +her pursuers. At length she was observed to creep into a hole in an old +barn. She was caught as she came out, and the barn being searched three +whelps were found, which, very foolishly, were destroyed. + +The bitch evinced the utmost ferocity, and, although well secured, +attempted to seize every one who approached her. She was, however, +dragged home and treated with kindness. By degrees her ferocity abated. +In the course of two months, she became perfectly reconciled to her +original abode, and, a twelve-month afterwards (1822), she ran +successfully several courses. There was still a degree of wildness in +her appearance; but, although at perfect liberty, she seemed to be +altogether reconciled to a domestic life. + +In 1784 a dog was left by a smuggling vessel on the coast of +Northumberland. He soon began to worry the sheep for his subsistence, +and did so much mischief that he caused very considerable alarm. He was +frequently pursued by hounds and greyhounds; but when the dogs came up +he lay upon his back as if supplicating for mercy, and in that position +they would never hurt him. He therefore lay quietly until the hunters +approached, when he made off without being followed by the hounds until +they were again excited to the pursuit. He one day led them 30 miles in +this way. It was more than three months before he was caught and was +then shot [1]. + +A dog with every character of the wild one has occasionally been seen in +some of the forests of Germany, and among the Pyrenean mountains; but he +has rarely been found gregarious there. In the country on the eastern +side of the Gulf of Venice wild dogs are more frequent. They increase in +the Austrian and Turkish dominions, and are found on almost every part +of the coast of the Black Sea, but even there they rarely gather in +flocks: they do not howl in concert, as the wolf; nor are they the +precursors of other and larger beasts, like the jackal. Most of these +dogs have the muzzle and head elongated, the ears erect, triangular, and +small, the body and neck large and muscular, and the tail short, but +with a brush of crisped hair. In many parts of Arabia the wild dog--or +'dakhun'--is occasionally found. In Persia, they are most decidedly +congregated together, and still more so in almost every part of India +[2]. + +Mr. Hodgson has favoured the Zoological Society with an account of + + +THE WILD DOG OF NEPAL, + +the 'búánsú', and, finding it more or less prevailing through the whole +of Northern India, and even southward of the coast of Coromandel, he +thought that he had discovered the primitive race of the dog. This is a +point that can never be decided. + + "These dogs hunt their prey by night, as well as by day, in packs of + from six to ten individuals, maintaining the chase more by the scent + than by the eye, and generally succeeding by dint of strength and + perseverance. While hunting, they bark like the hound, yet the bark is + peculiar, and equally unlike that of the cultivated breeds of dogs, + and the cries of the jackal and the fox." + +Bishop Heber gives the following account of them. + + "They are larger and stronger than a fox, which in the circumstances + of form and fur they much resemble. They hunt, however, in packs, give + tongue like dogs, and possess an exquisite scent. They make of course + tremendous havoc among the game in these hills; but that mischief they + are said amply to repay by destroying wild beasts, and even tigers." + [3] + +Wild dogs are susceptible of certain social combinations. In Egypt, +Constantinople, and throughout the whole of the East, there are in every +village troops of wandering dogs who belong to no particular person. +Each troop has its own quarter of the place; and if any wander into a +quarter which does not belong to him, its inhabitants unite together and +chase him out. At the Cape of Good Hope there are many dogs +half-starved. On going from home the natives induce two or more of these +animals to accompany them, warn them of the approach of any ferocious +animal, and if any of the jackals approach the walls during the night, +they utter the most piercing cries, and at this signal every dog sallies +out, and, uniting together, put the jackals to speedy flight. [4] + +The wild Nepal dogs caught when at an adult age make no approach towards +domestification; but a young one, which Mr. Hodgson obtained when it was +not more than a month old, became sensible to caresses, and manifested +as much intelligence as any sporting dog of the same age. [5] + +Captain T. Williamson gives an interesting account of the ferocious +character of some of these wild dogs. + + "They have considerable resemblance to the jackal in form. They are + remarkably savage, and frequently will approach none but their + 'doonahs' or keepers, not allowing their own masters to come near + them. Some of them are very fleet; but they are not to be depended + upon in coursing; for they are apt suddenly to give up the chase when + it is a severe one, and, indeed, they will too often prefer a sheep or + a goat to a hare. In hog-hunting they are more valuable. It seems to + suit their temper, and they appear to enjoy the snapping and the + snarling, incident to that species of sports." + +He says that many persons affect to treat the idea of degeneration in +quadrupeds with ridicule; but all who have been any considerable time +resident in India must be satisfied that dogs of European breed become, +after every successive generation, more and more similar to the pariah, +or indigenous dog of that country. The hounds are the most rapid in +their decline, and, except in the form of their ears, they are very much +like many of the village curs. Greyhounds and pointers also rapidly +decline, although with occasional exceptions. Spaniels and terriers +deteriorate less, and spaniels of eight or nine generations, and without +a cross from Europe, are not only as good as, but far more beautiful +than, their ancestors. The climate is too severe for mastiffs, and they +do not possess sufficient stamina; but, crossed by the East Indian +greyhound, they are invaluable in hunting the hog [6]. + +Colonel Sykes, at one of the meetings of the Zoological Society, +produced a specimen of + + +THE WILD DOG OF DAKHUN + +or Deccan, a part of India far to the south of Nepâl, and gave the +following description of this supposed primitive dog: + + "Its head is compressed and elongated, but its muzzle not very sharp. + The eyes are oblique, the pupils round, and the 'irides' light-brown. + The expression of the countenance is that of a coarse ill-natured + Persian greyhound, without any resemblance to the jackal, the fox, or + the wolf. The ears are long, erect, and somewhat rounded at the top. + The limbs remarkably large and strong in relation to the bulk of the + animal. The size is intermediate between the wolf and the jackal. The + neck long, the body elongated, and the entire dog of a red-brown + colour. None of the domesticated dogs of Dakhun are common in Europe, + but those of Dakhun and Nepâl are very similar in all their + characters. There is also a dog in Dakhun with hair so short as to + make him appear naked. It is called the 'polugar' dog." + + +THE WILD DOG OF THE MAHRATTAS + +possesses a similar conformation; and the fact is, that the East Indian +wild dog is essentially the same in every part of that immense extent of +country. There is no more reason, however, for concluding that it was +the primitive dog, than for conferring on the Indian cattle the same +honour among the ruminants. The truth of the matter is that we have no +guide what was the original breed in any country. The lapse of 4000 +years would effect strange alterations in the breeds. The common name +of this dog, in the track lying between South Bahar and the Mahratta +frontier towards Maghore, is + + +DHOLE, + +the 'Chryseus Scylex' of Hamilton Smith. + +Captain Williamson, in his Oriental Field Sports, gives the following +account of the Dholes: + + "They are to be found chiefly, or only, in the country from Midnapore + to Chamu, and even there are not often to be met with. They are of the + size of a small greyhound. Their countenance is enlivened by unusually + brilliant eyes. Their body, which is slender and deep-chested, is + thinly covered by a coat of hair of a reddish-brown or bay colour. The + tail is dark towards its extremity. The limbs are light, compact, and + strong, and equally calculated for speed and power. They resemble many + of the common pariah dogs in form, but the singularity of their colour + and marks at once demonstrates an evident distinction. + + "These dogs are said to be perfectly harmless if unmolested. They do + not willingly approach persons; but, if they chance to meet any in + their course, they do not show any particular anxiety to escape. They + view the human race rather objects of curiosity, than either of + apprehension or enmity. The natives who reside near the Ranochitty and + Katcunsandy passes, in which vicinity the 'dholes' may frequently be + seen, describe them as confining their attacks entirely to wild + animals, and assert that they will not prey on sheep, goats, &c.; but + others, in the country extending southward from Jelinah and + Mechungunge, maintain that cattle are frequently lost by their + depredations. I am inclined to believe that the 'dhole' is not + particularly ceremonious, but will, when opportunity offers, and a + meal is wanting, obtain it at the expense of the neighbouring village. + + "The peasants likewise state that the 'dhole' is eager in proportion + to the size and powers of the animal he hunts, preferring the elk to + every other kind of deer, and particularly seeking the royal tiger. It + is probable that the 'dhole' is the principal check on the + multiplication of the tiger; and, although incapable individually, or + perhaps in small numbers, to effect the destruction of so large and + ferocious an animal, may, from their custom of hunting in packs, + easily overcome any smaller beast found in the wilds of India. + + "They run mute, except that they sometimes utter a whimpering kind of + note, similar to that sometimes expressed by dogs when approaching + their prey. This may be expressive of their own gratification, or + anxiety, or may serve as a guide to other 'dholes' to join in the + chase. The speed of the 'dhole' is so strongly marked in his form as + to render it probable no animal in the catalogue of game could escape + him for any distance. Many of the 'dholes' are destroyed in these + contests; for the tiger, the elk, and the boar, and even many of the + smaller classes of game are capable of making a most obstinate + defence. Hence the breed of the 'dholes' is much circumscribed." + + +THE THIBET DOG. + +Mr. Bennett, in his scientific and amusing description of the Zoological +Gardens, gave the best account we have of this noble dog, and our +portrait is a most faithful likeness of him. He is bred in the +table-land of the Himalaya mountains bordering on Thibet. The Bhoteas, +by whom many of them are carefully reared, come down to the low +countries at certain seasons of the year to sell their borax and musk. +The women remain at home, and they and the flocks are most sedulously +guarded by these dogs. They are the defenders of almost every +considerable mansion in Thibet. In an account of an embassy to the court +of the Teshoo Llama in Thibet, the author says, that he had to pass by a +row of wooden cages containing a number of large dogs, fierce, strong, +and noisy. They were natives of Thibet, and, whether savage by nature or +soured by confinement, they were so impetuously furious that it was +unsafe even to approach their dens. Every writer who describes these +dogs, speaks of their noble size, and their ferocity, and antipathy to +strangers. + +It is said, however, that the Thibet dog rapidly degenerates when +removed from its native country, and certainly the specimens which have +reached the Zoological Gardens exhibited nothing of ferocity. The one +that was in that menagerie had a noble and commanding appearance; but he +never attempted to do any injury. + +The colour of the Thibet dog is of a deep black, slightly clouded on the +sides, his feet alone and a spot over each eye being of a full tawny or +bright brown hue. He has the broad short truncated muzzle of the +mastiff, and the lips are still more deeply pendulous. There is also a +singular general looseness of the skin on every part of him. + + +THE PARIAH. + +There are several varieties of this dog. There is a wild breed very +numerous in the jungles and in some of the lower ranges of the Himalaya +mountains. They usually hunt in packs, and it is not often that their +prey escapes them. They generally are very thin, and of a reddish-brown +colour, with sharp-pointed ears, deep chest, and tucked-up flanks. Many +persons hunt with these dogs singly, and they are very useful. They +bring the hog to bay, or indicate the course that he has taken, or +distract his attention when the sportsman is at hand. + +There is also in every inhabited part of the country the poor desolate +pariah,--unowned by any one,--daring to enter into no house, but +wandering about, and picking up a living in any way that he can. He is, +however, of a superior race to the wild dog, and belongs to the second +class of the dog, although mentioned here in order that we may +altogether quit the dog of India. They are neglected by the Hindoos; but +the Mohammedans of India, and other strangers, consider it an act of +charity to throw out occasionally a morsel of food to them. They are +most of them mongrels; but the benevolent Bishop Heber does them no more +than justice when he says that he + + "was forcibly struck at finding the same dog-like and amiable + qualities in these neglected animals as in their more fortunate + brethren in Europe." + +Colonel Sykes says of these outcasts that among the pariahs is +frequently found the turnspit-dog. There is also a small petted variety +of the pariah, usually of a white colour, and with long silky hair. This +animal is taught to carry flambeaux and lanterns. + +According to Captain Williamson, in some of the ditches of the Carnatic +forts, alligators are purposely kept, and all the pariah dogs found in +the forts are thrown into the ditches as provision for these monsters. +Some persons who have kept tigers in cages have adopted the same means +of supply for their royal captives, putting the poor pariah through an +aperture made for the purpose in the cage; and they justify themselves +by asserting that they thus get rid of a troublesome breed of curs, most +of which are unappropriated, and which being numerous are very +troublesome to passengers, often wantonly biting them, and raising a +yelling noise at night, that sets all attempts to rest at defiance. + +It did not always happen that the tiger killed the pariah put into his +cage. + + "I knew an instance," says Captain Williamson, "of one that was + destined for the tiger's daily meal, standing on the defensive in a + manner that completely astonished both the tiger and the spectator. He + crept into a corner, and whenever the tiger approached seized him by + the lip or the neck, making him roar most piteously. The tiger, + however, impelled by hunger,--for all supply of food was purposely + withheld,--would renew the attack. The result was ever the same. At + length the tiger began to treat the dog with more deference, and not + only allowed him to partake of the mess of rice and milk furnished + daily for his subsistence, but even refrained from any attempt lo + disturb him. The two animals at length became reconciled to each + other, and a strong attachment was formed between them. The dog was + then allowed ingress and egress through the aperture; and, considering + the cage as his own, he left it and returned to it just as he thought + proper. When the tiger died he moaned the loss of his companion for a + considerable period." + +A wild variety exists in Sumatra. It is described by Cuvier as + + "possessing the countenance of a fox, the eyes oblique, the ears + rounded and hairy, the muzzle of a foxy-brown colour, the tail bushy + and pendulous, very lively, running with the head lifted high, and the + ears straight." + +This animal can scarcely be rendered tractable, and even when he is +apparently tamed can rarely be depended upon. + +As we proceed through the Indian Archipelago, towards Australasia, we +skirt the coast of Java. Every Javanese of rank has large packs of dogs +with which he hunts the muntjak, the deer of that country. The dogs are +led in strings by the attendants until they scent the prey: they are +then unloosed, while the sportsmen follow, but not at the speed which +would distinguish the British sportsman. The animal is generally found +at bay. The male muntjak usually exhibits considerable courage, and +probably several of the dogs have been wounded by his tusks. As soon as +they come up every gun is discharged, and the animal almost immediately +drops. At other times the mounted sportsmen attack them with a spear or +sword. Generally, the muntjak does not go off like the stag in any +direct track, but takes a circular course, and soon returns to the spot +whence it was started. It perhaps makes several of these circles, and at +length entangles itself in a thicket, where it is secured. + +These dogs are the indigenous breed of the island, the body lank, the +ears erect, ferocious in their disposition, and with very little +attachment to their masters. Such is the account given of them by Dr. +Horsfield. + + +THE DINGO, AUSTRALASIAN, OR NEW HOLLAND DOG. + +The newly discovered southern continent was, and some of it still +continues to be, overrun by the native wild dogs. Dampier describes +them, at the close of the last century, as + + "beasts like the hungry wolves, lean like so many skeletons, and being + nothing but skin and bone." + +It was not until the publication of Governor Phillip's voyage to Botany +Bay, that any accurate description or figure of this dog could be +obtained. He approaches in appearance to the largest kind of shepherd's +dog. The head is elongated, the forehead flat, and the ears short and +erect, or with a slight direction forwards. The body is thickly covered +with hair of two kinds--the one woolly and gray, the other silky and of +a deep yellow or fawn colour. The limbs are muscular, and, were it not +for the suspicious yet ferocious glare of the eye, he might pass for a +handsome dog. The Australasian dog, according to M. Desmarest, resembles +in form and in the proportion of his limbs the common shepherd's dog. He +is very active and courageous, covered in some parts with thick hair +woolly and gray, in other parts becoming of a yellowish-red colour, and +under the belly having a whitish hue. When he is running, the head is +lifted more than usual in dogs, and the tail is carried horizontally. He +seldom barks. Mr. Bennett observes that + + "dogs in a state of nature never bark. They simply whine, howl, or + growl. The explosive noise of the bark is only found among those that + are domesticated." + +Sonini speaks of the shepherds' dogs in the wilds of Egypt as not having +this faculty; and Columbus found the dogs which he had previously +carried to America, almost to have lost their propensity to bark. + +He does, however, occasionally bark, and has the same kind of snarling +voice which the larger dogs generally have. The Australasian dogs that +have been brought to Europe have usually been of a savage and +untractable disposition. + +There are several of the Australasian dogs in the gardens of the +Zoological Society of London. One of them has been an inmate of that +establishment nine years, others more than five years; but not an +individual has acquired the bark of the other dogs by which they are +surrounded. When a stranger makes his appearance, or when the hour of +feeding arrives, the howl of the Australasian is the first sound that is +heard, and it is louder than all the rest. + +If some of them have thrown off a portion of their native ferocity, +others retain it undiminished. A bitch and two of her whelps, nearly +half grown--a male and female--had inhabited the same cage from the time +that the young ones were born. Some cause of quarrel occurred on a +certain night, and the two bitches fell upon the dog and perfectly +destroyed him. There was not a limb left whole. A stronger instance of +the innate ferocity of this breed could scarcely be given. Even in their +native country all attempts perfectly to domesticate them have failed; +for they never lose an opportunity to devour the poultry or attack the +sheep. Every domesticated dog coming within their reach was immediately +destroyed. One that was brought to England broke his chain--scoured the +surrounding country--and, before dawn, had destroyed several sheep; and +another attacked, and would have destroyed, an ass, if he had not been +prevented. + +Mr. Oxley, Surveyor-General of New South Wales, however, gives an +interesting account of the mutual attachment between two of the native +and wild New Holland dingos. + + "About a week ago we killed a native dog, and threw his body on a + small bush. On returning past the same spot to-day, we found the body + removed three or four yards from the bush, and the female in a + dying-state lying close beside it: she had apparently been there from + the day the dog was killed. Being now so weakened and emaciated as to + be unable to move on our approach, it was deemed a mercy to despatch + her." + +When Van Diemen Land began to be colonized by Europeans, the losses +sustained by the settlers by the ravages of the wild dogs were almost +incredible. The districts infested by these animals were principally +those appropriated to sheep, and there was scarcely a flock that did not +suffer. It was in vain to double the number of shepherds, to watch by +night and by day, or to have fires at every quarter of the fold; for +these animals would accomplish their object by stratagem or by force. +One colony lost no fewer than 1200 sheep and lambs in three months; +another colony lost 700. + +The ravagers were either the native wild dogs of the island, or those +that had escaped from their owners. They seemed to have apportioned the +country into different districts, each troop having its allotted range. +At length the evil became so great that a general meeting of the +colonists was convened. The concluding sentences of the speech of +Lieutenant Hill forcibly express the extent of the evil. + + "The country is free from bush-rangers: we are no longer surrounded + and threatened by the natives. We have only one enemy left in the + field; but that enemy strikes at the very root of our welfare, and + through him the stream of our prosperity is tainted at its very + source." + +The colonists were then few, but they cordially united in the endeavour +to extirpate this formidable enemy; and, although the wild dog is still +found in the interior of the island, he is comparatively seldom seen, +and his ravages have nearly ceased. + + +THE CANIS AUSTRALIS--KARÁRAHÉ, NEW ZEALAND DOG. + +A tradition exists in New Zealand of this dog having been given to the +natives two or three centuries ago by a number of divinities who made +their descent on these shores, probably Juan Fernandez and his +companions. The sagacious animal has, however, dwindled down to the +lowest rank of his family, but ill usage has not altogether destroyed +his worth. In New Zealand he is the safeguard of every village. Should +the slightest alarm exist, he is the first to ascertain the cause of it, +and many families have saved themselves by flight, or have taken arms in +self-defence against the incursions of predatory bands. The New +Zealanders are therefore kind in their treatment of the dog, except that +they occasionally destroy him for his hide. + +The name formerly given to the New Zealand dog was 'pero', which in +some measure substantiates the supposition of Juan Fernandez having +visited the country--'perro', in the Spanish language, being the +name of a dog. + +We will now turn to the northern parts of America. The races of wild +dogs are there considerably limited, both in number and the districts +which they occupy. + +In the elevated sandy country north of the source of the Missouri, +inhabited by the "Stone" and the "Black Foot" Indians, is a doubtful +species of dogs--wolves they used to be called--who hunt in large packs +and are exceedingly swift; whose bark is similar to that of the domestic +dog, but who burrow in the ground, and eagerly run to their holes, when +the gun of the hunter is heard. + +[Our author evidently, in the above remarks, confounds the Louisiana +marmot, Arctomys Ludovicianus or Prairie dog, with the Canis Latrans of +Say, as he certainly would not make us believe that such harmless +animals as the marmot should associate themselves in packs to hunt the +deer or other quadrupeds; neither would he tell us that so different an +animal as the Canis Latrans could burrow in the ground and retreat to +their holes when surprised by the hunter. The Louisiana Marmot, +improperly called Prairie dog, is about sixteen inches long, and lives +in extended villages or excavations surmounted by mounds. These +communities often comprise several thousand inhabitants, whose sole food +consists in the scanty herbage surrounding the settlement, as they +seldom extend their excursions beyond a half-mile from their burrows for +fear of the wolves, and many other enemies. + +The Canis Latrans, on the other hand, is quite a large and savage +animal, and frequently unites in bands to run down deer or buffalo +calves, but as for living under ground in burrows, it is quite out of +reason to suppose such a thing possible with this quadruped, who +secretes himself in the depths of the forest, and appears on the open +plain only when in pursuit of game.--L.] The habit of selecting large, +open, sandy plains, and burrowing there, extends to the greater part of +the American wild dogs. + +[We have been credibly informed by several gentlemen, familiar with the +country of Mexico, that there is a diminutive species of dog running +wild, and burrowing in the ground as rabbits, in the neighbourhood of +Santa Fe and Chihuahua. A gentleman who has seen these animals, states +that there is no doubt as to their identity, having met with them in a +state of domestication, when they exhibited all the actions and manners +of a French lap dog, such as come from Cuba or other West India Islands. + +They are of every variety of hue, and resort to their burrows whenever +disturbed in their natural haunts. What they subsist on it is difficult +to say, as they are too harmless and insignificant to attack any other +animal beyond a mouse or a snail. They are represented as being very +difficult to tame, but when domesticated show no disposition to return +to their former mode of life. The lady of the Mexican Minister, when in +this city, had one of these dogs as a boudoir pet; it was lively and +barked quite fiercely. We have not been able to ascertain whether they +bark in their natural state. The breed of dog cultivated in China for +food alone, are fed entirely upon rice meal and other farinaceous +articles, having no relish whatever for flesh or other strong +aliment.--L.] + +In some parts of North America whole troops of horses are guarded and +kept together by dogs. If any of the troop attempt to steal away, the +dog will immediately fly after the horse, head him, and bring him back +to his companions. + +[To show the necessity of having dogs for this purpose, as well as to +guard the flocks of sheep, we need only mention that it is no uncommon +thing for a Mexican to own several thousand horses, besides an immense +number of cattle. + +Mr. Kendall, in his Santa Fé expedition, states that the proprietress of +one hacienda, a widow, and comparatively poor when the wonderful wealth +of her ancestors is considered, now owns fifty thousand horses and +mules, beside herds of cattle and sheep, and that the pasture ground +extended for fifty miles on either side of the road. + +One of the former owners of this immense estate, a short time previous +to the revolution, sent as a present to a Spanish colonel, just arrived +with his regiment of dragoons, a thousand white horses, nearly all of +the same age, and every one raised on this prolific hacienda.--L.] + +The wild dogs abound in many parts of South America. In some of the +forests on the banks of the Oronoko they multiply to an annoying degree. +The Cayotte of Mexico, described by some as a wolf, and bearing no +slight resemblance to that animal, belongs to the South American wild +dogs, as do also the Aguara dogs of every kind. These wanderers of the +woods are, however, diminished in numbers in every part of that +continent, and are replaced by other kinds, many of which have been +imported from Europe and domesticated. + +[There is no country in the world more cursed with worthless curs than +that of Mexico and the other southern republics; the cities and villages +actually swarm with these animals, and produce no little vexation to +travellers, who speak of their eternal yelping and barking in the most +indignant terms. + +Mr. Kendall, on entering San Antonio, says, + + "From every house some half dozen Mexican curs would jump forth and + greet us with a chorus of yelps and barks, and before we had fairly + entered the town the canine hue and cry was general. Those who have + for the first time entered a Mexican town or city must have been + struck with the unusual number of dogs, and annoyed by their incessant + barking; but the stranger soon learns that they spend all their + courage in barks--they seldom bite."--L.] + +Many of the Indian tribes have succeeded in reclaiming the dog of the +woods, and have made him a useful although not a perfectly attached +servant. + +The dogs of the Falkland Islands, and the Indian North American dogs +generally, are brown or gray-coloured varieties of the wild dog; but as +they are nearly exterminated, will occupy little space. It has already +been stated that in Egypt and in Nubia we have the first records of the +dog. Many superstitious notions were connected with him, and divine +honours were paid to him. Those times are passed away, and he is +regarded with aversion by the Moslem of the present day. He is an +outcast. He obtains a scanty living by the offal which he gathers in the +towns, or he is become a perfect wild dog, and scours the country for +his prey. His modern name is the 'deab'. He is of considerable size, +with a round muzzle, large head, small erect ears, and long and hairy +tail, spotted with black, white, and yellow, and having a fierce wolfish +aspect. These dogs are not, however, numerous; but the mischief which +they do is often great, whether in pairs they burrow in the earth, or +associate with others and hunt in troops. [7] + +In Nubia is a smaller dog of the same kind, which never burrows. It +lives on small animals and birds, and rarely enters any of the towns. A +similar dog, according to Colonel Hamilton Smith, inhabits the +neighbourhood of the Cape, and particularly the Karroo or Wilderness. It +is smaller than either of the others, and lives among bushes or under +prominent rocks. Others, although not identified with the jackal, yet +associating with him, inhabit the Uplands of Gambia and Senegal. + +On the Gold Coast, the dog is used and prized as an article of food. He +is fattened and driven to market as the European drives his sheep and +hogs. The dog is even more valued than the sheep for human subsistence, +and is deemed the greatest luxury that can be placed even on the royal +table. + +In Loango, or Lower Guinea, is a town from which the African wild dogs +derive their name--the 'dingo'. They hunt in large packs. They +fearlessly attack even the elephant, and generally destroy him. In the +neighbourhood of the Cape, the country is nearly cleared of wild beasts; +but in Cape Town there are a great number of lean and miserable dogs, +who howl about the streets at night, quitting their dens and +lurking-places, in quest of offal. No great while ago, the wolves and +hyaenas used to descend and dispute the spoil with the dogs, while the +town resounded with their hideous howlings all the night long. + +This will be a proper place to refer to the numerous accounts that are +given both in ancient and modern times of the immolation of dogs, and of +their being used for food. They were sacrificed at certain periods by +the Greeks and Romans to almost all their deities, and particularly to +Mars, Pluto, and Pan, to Minerva, Proserpine, and Lucina, and also to +the moon, because the dog by his barking disturbed all charms and +spells, and frightened away all spectres and apparitions. The Greeks +immolated many dogs in honour of Hecate, because by their baying the +phantoms of the lower world were disturbed. A great number of dogs were +also destroyed in Samothrace in honour of the same goddess. Dogs were +periodically sacrificed in February, and also in April and in May; also +to the goddess Rubigo, who presided over the corn, and the Bona Dea, +whose mysterious rites were performed on Mount Aventine. The dog +Cerberus was supposed to be watching at the feet of Pluto, and a dog and +a youth were periodically sacrificed to that deity. The night when the +Capitol had nearly been destroyed was annually celebrated by the cruel +scourging of a dog in the principal public places, even to the death of +the animal. + +[As on a certain occasion, the dogs who had the Capitol in custody, did +not bark and give warning when the Gauls attempted to scale the wails, +there is a custom annually observed at Rome, to transfix certain dogs to +forks, and thus crucified, hang them on an elder tree as examples of +justice. (Book 29, chap. IV. Pliny.)-L.] + +Many of the Greek and Roman epicures were strangely fond of the flesh of +the dog, and those who ought to have known much better encouraged the +use of this food. Galen speaks of it in the strongest terms of praise. +Hippocrates says that the meat of old dogs is of a warm and dry quality, +giving strength to the eater. Ananias, the poet, speaks of dog's flesh +served up with that of the hare and fox. Virgil recommends that the +fatted dog should be served up with whey or butter; and Dioscorides, the +physician, says that they should be fed on the whey that remains after +the making of cheese. + +[Independent of the many useful and interesting qualities that +necessarily endeared this animal to the ancients, he had yet stronger +claims upon them, in the prophylactic properties of different portions +of his body. Pliny, Hippocrates, Aristotle and others, speak of various +preparations made of his flesh, for the cure of many distempers. The +first-mentioned writer observes, that the ashes of burnt dogs, made into +a liniment, with oil, will make an excellent application to the +eye-brows, to turn them black. We doubt not that an analogous compound, +if proved to be really efficacious, might he introduced to the notice of +the belles of our own time, or meet with extensive sale for dyeing the +pagoties and mustachios of the modern dandy. This quaint philosopher +also recommends the same substance as a healing salve, for malignant +wounds, and the internal use of the same article as a preventive or cure +of hydrophobia and other distempers. (Book 28, chap, XI. and X.)--L.] + +Before Christianity was established among the Danes, on every ninth year +at the winter solstice, a monstrous sacrifice of 99 dogs was effected. +In Sweden the sacrifice was still worse. On each of 9 successive days, +99 dogs were destroyed. This sacrifice of the dog, however, gave way to +one as numerous and as horrible. On every 9th year, 99 human victims +were immolated, and the sons of the reigning tyrant among the rest, in +order that the life of the monarch might be prolonged. [8] + +On the other hand, the dog was frequently the executioner; and, from an +early period, whether in the course of war or the mock administration of +justice, thousands of poor wretches were torn to pieces by animals +trained to that horrible purpose. + +Many of the Indians of North America, and almost of the present day, are +fond of the flesh of the dog. + +Captain Carver, in his Travels in North America in 1766, 1767, and 1768, +describes the admission of an Indian into one of the horrible societies +of that country. + + "The dishes being brought near to me," says he, "I perceived that they + consisted of dog's flesh, and I was informed that at all their grand + feasts they never made use of any other food. The new candidate + provides fat dogs for the festival, if they can be procured at any + price. They ate the flesh; but the head and the tongue were left + sticking on a pole with the front towards the east. When any noxious + disease appeared among them, a dog was killed, the intestines were + wound between two poles, and every man was compelled to pass between + them." + +The Nandowepia Indians also eat dog's flesh as an article of luxury, and +not from any want or scarcity of other animal food; for they have the +bear, buffalo, elk, deer, beaver, and racoon. + +Professor Keating, in his interesting work on the expedition to Peter's +River, states that he and a party of American officers were regaled in a +large pavilion on buffalo meat, and 'tepsia', a vegetable boiled in +buffalo grease, and the flesh of three dogs kept for the occasion, and +without any salt. They partook of the flesh of the dogs with a mixture +of curiosity and reluctance, and found it to be remarkably fat, sweet, +and palatable, divested of any strong taste, and resembling the finest +Welsh mutton, but of a darker colour. So strongly rooted, however, are +the prejudices of education, that few of them could be induced to eat +much of it. + +The feast being over, great care was taken to replace the bones in their +proper places in the dish, after which they were carefully washed and +buried, as a token of respect to the animals generally, and because +there was the belief among them that at some future time they would +return again to life. Well-fattened puppies are frequently sold; and an +invitation to a feast of dog's meat is the greatest distinction that can +be offered to a stranger by any of the Indian nations east of the Rocky +Mountains. + +[Notwithstanding the Indians occasionally eat their dogs either through +necessity or when they wish to pay a marked tribute of respect to their +gods, or prepare a feast of friendship with strangers, they value them +very highly, and do not by any means consider their flesh superior to +that of the buffaloes or other animals of the chase. Mr. Catlin remarks, +that "the dog, amongst all Indian tribes, is more esteemed and more +valued than amongst any part of the civilized world: the Indian, who has +more time to devote to his company, and whose untutored mind more nearly +assimilates to that of his faithful domestic, keeps him closer company +and draws him nearer his heart: they hunt together and are equal sharers +in the chase--their bed is one; and on the rocks and on their coats of +arms they carve his image as the symbol of fidelity." (Vol. I., p. 230.) + +On visiting the Sioux, they prepared for this gentleman as a token of +regard a dog feast, previous to partaking of which they addressed him in +a manner that plainly exhibits the veneration in which they held these +faithful animals, at the same time forcibly demonstrating the peculiar +circumstances under which they alone are willing to destroy them: + +"My father, I hope you will have pity upon us; we are very poor. We +offer you to-day not the best we have got; for we have a plenty of good +buffalo hump and marrow; but we give you our hearts in this feast, we +have killed our faithful dogs to feed you, and the Great Spirit will +seal our friendship. I have no more to say." (Vol. I., p. 229.)--L.] + +As a counterpart to much of this, the ancient Hyrcanians may be +mentioned, who lived near the Caspian Sea, and who deemed it one of the +strongest expressions of respect to leave the corpse of their deceased +friends to be torn and devoured by dogs. Every man was provided with a +certain number of these animals, as a living tomb for himself at some +future period, and these dogs were remarkable for their fierceness. + +[Not only the Hyrcanians but most of the people dwelling on or near the +Caspian sea, preserved this race or a similarly formidable one, more +particularly to devour their dead; it being considered more propitiatory +to the Gods, and more flattering to the spirits of the deceased, to make +this disposition of the corpse, than consigning it to the gloomy grave +or funeral pile. + +This custom is noticed by Theodoret as being pursued by the inhabitants +of those parts, and was not abolished till after their adherence to +Christianity.--L.] + + +DOMESTICATED DOGS OF THE FIRST DIVISION + +Some of the readers of this work may possibly recollect three beautiful +dogs of this species in the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, +which afforded a perfect illustration of the elongated head of the dogs +belonging to Cuvier's first section. Mr. Bennett, the Secretary of the +Society, gave an interesting account of them in 1835, derived from the +observation of Sir John Franklin and Dr. Richardson. + +The elongation and sharpness of the muzzle, and the small capacity of +the skull, first attract attention. The dog was doubtless fitted for its +situation, where its duty is to hunt by sight after the moose or +rein-deer, but would have been comparatively worthless if he was to be +guided by the scent. Its erect ears, widened at the base and pointed at +the top, gave it an appearance of vivacity and spirit. Its depth of +chest, and tucked-up flank, and muscular quarters, marked it as a dog of +speed, while its light frame, and the length of the toes, and wideness +of web between them, seem to depict the kind of surface over which it +was to bound. It is not designed to seize and to hold any animal of +considerable bulk; it bounds over the snow without sinking, if the +slightest crust is formed upon it, and eagerly overtakes and keeps at +bay the moose or the rein-deer until the hunters arrive. This animal +furnishes a beautiful illustration of adaptation for a particular +purpose. + +The hair of these dogs is white, with patches of grayish-black and +brown. They are known only in the neighbourhood of the Mackenzie River +and of the Great Bear Lake in North America They appear to be +good-tempered and easily manageable, and soon become familiar even with +strangers. They are most valuable to the Indians, who live almost +entirely on the produce of the chase. In their native country they never +bark, but utter a whine and howl resembling that of the Esquimaux dog; +yet one of the three, who was born a few days after its parents arrived +at the gardens, while it whined and howled occasionally with its +parents, at other times uttered the perfect bark of its companions of +various breeds around it. + +[It is the general belief among the Indians and others who are familiar +with this dog, that his origin is connected, in some way, with the +Arctic Fox, Canis Lagopus, as he so much resembles this animal in his +general appearance and habits. + +This fox when taken is easily tamed, a few days of captivity being often +sufficient to render him quite docile, and ample opportunities have thus +been afforded for studying his peculiarities. + +Although the cross between the wolf and dog may be considered +established beyond controversy, the testimony is not so very conclusive +as regards the fox. The most authentic instances on record are perhaps +those mentioned by Mr. Daniel, who states that Mr. Tattersall had a +terrier bitch, who bred by a fox, and the produce again had whelps by +dogs, also that the woodman of Mongewell manor had a bitch, the +offspring of a tame dog-fox, by a shepherd's cur, and she again had +puppies by a dog; he does not state, however, that he knew these facts +personally; but concludes from these two instances, that the fox species +may be fairly added to the other supposed original stocks of dogs. +(Daniel's Rural Sports, vol. 1. p. 15.) + +Mr. Collinson also states, that it is certain that the Siberian dog not +only copulates with the wolf, but with the fox also. Notwithstanding +this assertion, he is not able to cite a single instance, but on the +other hand is forced to acknowledge, that he never met with any person +who had seen the coupling of these two animals. The peasants of that +country have a small dog, which, from their foxy appearance, they term +fox-dogs. Our Indian dogs, also, resemble somewhat the wolves and foxes, +the original inhabitants of this continent, while the canine family +throughout the east is strongly marked with the jackal, the wild +aborigines of that portion of the world. + +These dogs, when fighting, do not shake their antagonists, like the +perfectly domesticated dog; their teeth are extremely sharp, and when +snarling, the skin is drawn from the mouth; their bite is more severe, +and they show but little disposition to attack the wolves, although +quite eager in the pursuit of all other game. The Indians had no dogs +previous to the coming of the whites, but depended in a great measure, +when hunting, upon the presence of the wolves, who, by their howlings, +indicated the position of the herds of buffalo or deer, knowing full +well that after the general carnage, they would come in for a full share +of the garbage of these animals. + +Harlan, in his Fauna Americana, says, + + "we have very little doubt that the various species of domestic dogs + are mere varieties of prolific hybrids, produced by the union of the + wolf with the fox or jackal. A prolific hybrid of this kind once + produced, the progeny would more readily unite with the congeners of + either parent, and with each other, and in this manner give rise to + the innumerable varieties which at the present day are found scattered + over the face of the earth." (Page 77.) + +It is somewhat strange, that no naturalist has, as yet, succeeded in +causing a union between the fox and dog, if the thing be possible. We +ourselves are cognizant of an instance, where every effort was made to +produce an offspring from such a connexion, but to no purpose, although +the terrier bitch was thrice in heat while confined with the fox, and +lived on the most amicable terms with him. We agree with Doct. Godman, +that if a litter has ever been generated by these two animals, they were +hybrids, as nothing to the contrary of an authentic character has been +brought forward, whereas it is well known that the fox always exhibits a +great antipathy and instinctive repugnance to such an union. It is also +reasonable to suppose that if prolific hybrids had at any time been +produced, the breed, from its singular character, would have been +propagated by the fortunate possessor, either from curiosity or utility. +The intestines of the fox are shorter than those of the dog or wolf--L.] + + +THE ALBANIAN DOG + +can be traced to a very remote period of history. Some of the old +authors speak of it as the dog which in the times of ancient mythology +Diana presented to Procris. Pliny describes in enthusiastic terms the +combat of one of them with a lion, and afterwards with an elephant. A +dog very much resembling the ancient stories is yet found in Albania, +and most of the districts of Greece. He is almost as large as a mastiff, +with long and silky hair, the legs being shorter and stronger than those +of the greyhound. He is gentle and tractable with those whom he knows, +and when there is no point of duty at stake; but no bribe can seduce him +from his post when any trust is committed to him. + +[This dog, it is very probable, was highly impregnated with molossian +blood, and like that animal, was trained both for war and the chase. It +is rather doubtful, whether the dogs presented to Alexander the Great by +the king of Albania, were those of his own country or some that he had +obtained from other parts. We are inclined to believe that they were +imported dogs, for Pliny distinctly states, that these two were all that +the generous monarch possessed, and if destroyed could not be replaced. +From this circumstance it is natural to suppose that, if these dogs had +been native Albanians, the king would have been able to supply any +reasonable quantity of them, and, therefore, not necessitated to send +this message to Alexander. On the other hand, if these dogs had been of +the pure molossian type, such as were raised in Epirus, it is probable +that their huge dimensions would not have surprised this monarch so +much, as it is reasonable to believe that Alexander would certainly have +seen, if not heard, of dogs so remarkable, belonging to a kingdom in +immediate contiguity with his own. We are, therefore, forced to look to +some other source, from whence came these proud dogs, who alone deigned +to contend with the lion and elephant, and must yield to Strabo, who +states that these animals were of the Indian breed.--L. 15.] + + +THE GREAT DANISH DOG, CALLED ALSO THE DALMATIAN OR SPOTTED DOG. + +The difference between these two breeds consists principally in the +size, the Dalmatian being much smaller than the Danish. The body is +generally white, marked with numerous small round black or reddish-brown +spots. The Dalmatian is said to be used in his native country for the +chase, to be easily broken, and stanch to his work. He has never been +thus employed in England, but is chiefly distinguished by his fondness +for horses, and as being the frequent attendant on the carriages of the +wealthy. To that its office seems to be confined; for it rarely develops +sufficient sense or sagacity to be useful in any of the ordinary offices +of the dog. + +[This dog is, perhaps, the tallest of the canine species in existence; +the smaller Dane, or "le braque de Bengal," of the French writers, is +perhaps a cross of this animal with the pointer or hound, or the +original dog degenerated by removal from his native soil. Although these +dogs generally display little or no intelligence, and are, in fact, +denounced by many writers as being incapable of acquiring sufficient +knowledge to make them in any way serviceable for hunting, still we are +led to believe that these latent qualities might be developed in this +breed as well as any other of his particular physical construction. + +We had a little Dane in our possession, whom we instructed, with little +trouble, in a variety of tricks; although at first surly and stupid, he +soon exhibited great aptness and pleasure in repeating the various +lessons which we taught him. If he had been younger we might have given +him an opportunity of displaying himself in the field, as we are +confident, from his tractable disposition, that he might have been +tutored, with perseverance, even sufficiently well to stand upon game. +The dogs of Epirus were supposed to have been spotted like the +Dalmatian, if not of the same breed. These dogs may also be the "spotted +hounds" given by Pan to Diana. + +Let the little Dane's intellectual abilities be what they may, long +habit and association have so intimately connected him with the stable +and its occupants that he seems no longer fit for any other purpose than +that of following in the wake of the carriages of the wealthy. This he +does with peculiar fondness and singular ingenuity; for, although +constantly by the side or at the heels of the horses, or under the +tongue of the vehicle, his sure retreat when attacked by other dogs, who +seem to have an antipathy for these pampered and fancy attendants on the +affluent, he seldom or never is trod upon, or otherwise injured. + +The little Dane is often a good ratter; and a gentleman of this city +informs me that his dogs not only exhibit an attachment to horses in +general, but that one of them has a particular partiality for an old +carriage-horse, with whom he has been intimately associated for many +years, and always greets his return to the stable with every +demonstration of delight, by jumping up and kissing him, &c.--L.] + + +THE FRENCH MATIN. + +('Canis laniarius'). There is considerable difficulty in describing this +variety. The French consider it as the progenitor of all the breeds of +dogs that resemble and yet cannot be perfectly classed with the +greyhound. It should rather be considered as a species in which are +included a variety of dogs,--the Albanian, the Danish, the Irish +greyhound, and almost the pure British greyhound. The head is elongated +and the forehead flat, the ears pendulous towards the tips, and the +colour of a yellowish fawn. This is the usual sheep-dog in France, in +which country he is also employed as a house-dog. He discharges his duty +most faithfully; and, notwithstanding his flat forehead, shows himself +to possess a very high degree of intelligence. + +[The French matin we have seen of every variety of colour, being mostly +patched with brown, yellow, grey, black, or white. He is employed both +in France and Germany in hunting the boar and wolf; which savage animals +he fearlessly attacks with courage equal to any dog they possess.--L.] + + +THE GREYHOUND. + +We find no mention of this dog in the early Grecian records. The +'pugnaces' and the 'sagaces' are mentioned; but the 'celeres'--the +swift-footed--are not spoken of as a peculiar breed. The Celtic nations, +the inhabitants of the northern continent of Europe and the Western +Islands, were then scarcely known, and the swift-footed dogs were +peculiar to those tribes. They were not, however, introduced into the +more southern parts of Europe until after the dissolution of the Roman +commonwealth. + +The dog is, however, mentioned by Ovid; and his description of coursing +the hare is so accurate that we cannot refrain from inserting it. We +select a translation of it from Golding. + + "I gat me to the knap + Of this same hill, and there behelde of this strange course the hap, + In which the beaste seemes one while caught, and ere a man would thinke + Doth quickly give the grewnd [9] the slip, and from his biting shrinke; + And, like a wilie fox, he runs not forth directly out, + Nor makes a winlas over all the champion fields about, + But, doubling and indenting, still avoydes his enemie's lips, + An turning short, as swift about as spinning-wheele he wips, + To disappoint the snatch. The grewnd, pursuing at an inch, + Doth cote [10] him, never loosing. Continually he snatches + In vaine, but nothing in his mouth, save only hair, he catches." + +There is another sketch by the same poet: + + "As when th' impatient greyhound, slipped from far, + Bounds o'er the glade to course the fearful hare, + She in her speed does all her safety lay, + And he with double speed pursues the prey; + O'erruns her at the sitting turn, but licks + His chaps in vain, yet blows upon the flix; + She seeks the shelter, which the neighbouring covert gives, + And, gaining it, she doubts if yet she lives." [11] + +The English, Scotch, and Irish greyhounds were all of Celtic derivation, +And their cultivation and character correspond with the civilization of +the different Celtic tribes. The dogs that were exported from Britain to +Rome were probably of this kind. Mr. Blaine gives an account of the +progress of these dogs, which seems to be evidently founded on truth. + + "Scotland, a northern locality, has long been celebrated for its + greyhounds, which are known to be large and wiry-coated. They are + probably types of the early Celtic greyhounds, which, yielding to the + influences of a colder climate than that they came from, became coated + with a thick and wiry hair. In Ireland, as being milder in its + climate, the frame expanded in bulk, and the coat, although not + altogether, was yet less crisped and wiry. In both localities, there + being at that time boars, wolves, and even bears, powerful dogs were + required. In England these wild beasts were more early exterminated, + and consequently the same kind of dog was not retained, but, on the + contrary, was by culture made finer in coat, and of greater beauty in + form." + +[The canis leporarius, or greyhound of the present day, is quite an +inferior animal in point of size, when compared with his forefathers, +who alone were occupied in the chase of the boar, wolf, bear, deer, and +other animals both powerful and savage. + +As these wild animals gradually disappeared under the hand of +civilization, these hardy dogs were less wanted; and thus, by slow +degrees, have degenerated into the less powerful, but more beautiful and +symmetrical proportions that we now see. This change, however, has +better adapted him for speed, and the coursing of such quadrupeds as +depend upon nimbleness and activity of motion, to secure their escape. + +Owing, in some measure, to the climate, but more particularly to the +inactive life that they lead in this country, so much at variance with +that of England, we can lay claim to but few dogs that would be +considered above mediocrity among British sportsmen. We have seen +several of these dogs which, living in a state of idle luxury, have +degenerated considerably even in the third generation; and we cannot now +recall but one dog, in the possession of a young lady in Philadelphia, +that would at all come up to the English standard of perfection; and +this one is a descendant from a fine imported stock in the second +generation. The ancient Greeks were much devoted to coursing, but +previous to the time of Arrian, their hounds were not a sufficient +match, in point of speed, for the hare, and it was seldom that their +sports were attended with success in the actual capture of this fleet +animal by the dogs alone. If taken at all, it was generally by running +them down in a long chase, or driving them into nets, toils, and other +similar contrivances, as forcibly described in the following lines of +the ancient poet, when extolling the pleasures of a country life. + + "Aut trudit acres hinc et hinc multâ cane + Apros in obstante plagas, + Aut amite levi rara leiidit retia, + Turdis edacibus dolos; + Pavidumve leporem, et advenam laqueo gruem, + Jucunda captat præmia." + + (Horace, 'Epode ii.', v. 31.) + +Even after the introduction of the Celtic hound, who, as before stated, +was far inferior as regards speed to the present race, it was no easy +matter to take the hare, it being necessary to carry several couples of +dogs into the field, and let them slip at certain intervals in the +chase, so that the fresh dogs might, in this way, overtake the little +animal, already frightened and fatigued by previous exertion. + +In reference to this mode of coursing, the younger Xenophon particularly +enjoins that to prevent confusion in the field, naturally arising from +the hunters letting their dogs loose at improper intervals, from +eagerness to see them run, + + "that a steward should be appointed over the sport, should match the + dogs, and give orders to the field:--if the hare start on this side, + you and you are to slip, and nobody else; but if on that side, you and + you: and let strict attention be paid to the orders given." + (Arrian, chap. xx.) + +Alciphron, in his familiar epistles descriptive of the domestic manners +of the Greeks, gives a lively description of a course not very different +from those of the present day, as will be seen in the following extract: + + "In trying whether the young dogs were fit for the chase, I started a + hare from a little bush; my sons loosed the dogs from the slips. They + frightened her confoundedly, and were very near taking the game. The + hare, in her flight, climbed a steep place, and found a retreat in + some burrow. One of the more spirited of the dogs, pressing close upon + her, gasping, and expecting to take her in his gripe, went down with + her into the hole. In endeavouring to pull out the hare, he broke one + of his fore-legs. I lifted up my good dog, with his lame leg, and + found the hare half devoured: thus, when I hoped to get something, I + encountered a serious loss." + (Letter ix.) + +We will close our remarks upon this subject by introducing a few +descriptive lines, selected from one of the very rare English authors +who have attempted a versification of this exciting sport. + + "Yet if for silvan sport thy bosom glow, + Let thy fleet greyhound urge his flying foe. + With what delight the rapid course I view! + How does my eye the circling race pursue! + He snaps deceitful air with empty jaws; + The suttle hare darts swift beneath his paws; + She flys, he stretches, now with nimble bound + Eager he presses on, but overshoots his ground: + Then tears with goary mouth the screaming prey." + + ('Gay's Poems', vol i.--'Rural Sports', v. 290),--L.] + +Mr. Richardson, in his History of the Greyhound, gives a different +derivation of the name of this dog. He says that the 'greyhound' was of +Grecian origin--'cannis Græcus',--that 'Græcus' was not unfrequently +written 'Græius', and thence was derived the term 'greyhound'. This +derivation, however, is somewhat too far-fetched. + +Mention occurs of the greyhound in a very early period of the British +history. He was an inmate of the Anglo-Saxon kennels in the time of +Elfric, king of Mercia. There are paintings of him that can be +satisfactorily traced to the ninth century. In the time of Canute he was +reckoned first in degree of rank among the canine species, and no one +under the degree of a gentleman, 'liberalis', or more properly, perhaps +a 'freeholder', was allowed by the forest laws to keep them. Even he +could not keep them within two miles of a royal forest, unless two of +the toes were cut off and for every mile that an uncut dog was found +within this distance a fine of a shilling was levied on the owner. The +nobleman was rarely seen abroad without his hawk upon his fist, and his +greyhound at his side. + +Henry II was passionately fond of them. John spared no expense to +procure good horses and swift hounds, and appears frequently to have +received greyhounds in lieu of money on the issue or removal of grants. +For the renewal of a grant in the year 1203 he received five hundred +marks, ten horses, and ten leashes of greyhounds, and for another, in +1210, one swift running horse and six greyhounds. + +The Isle of Dogs, now devoted to purposes of commerce, received its name +from its having been, at this period, the receptacle of the greyhounds +and spaniels of this monarch. It was selected on account of its +contiguity to Waltham and the other royal forests where coursing was a +frequent amusement. For the same purpose he often took up his abode at +Greenwich. [12] + +Blount's Ancient Tenures abound with instances of the high repute in +which this dog has ever been held in Great Britain. The holders of land +in the manor of Setene in Kent were compelled, as the condition of their +tenure to Edward I and II, to lend their greyhounds, when this king went +into Gascony, "so long as a pair of shoes of 4d price would last." +Edward III was partial to greyhounds; for when he was engaged in war +with France he took with him sixty couples of them, besides other large +hunting dogs. + +Charles I was as fond of the greyhound as his son Charles II was of the +spaniel. Sir Philip Warwick thus writes of that unfortunate monarch; + + "Methinks, because it shows his dislike of a common court vice, it is + not unworthy the relating of him, that one evening, his dog scratching + at his door, he commanded me to let in Gipsy; whereupon I took, the + boldness to say, Sir, I perceive you love a greyhound better than you + do a spaniel. Yes, says he, for they equally love their masters, and + yet do not flatter them so much." + +On most of the old tombs in the sculpture of which the dog is +introduced, the greyhound is represented lying at the feet of his +master; and an old Welsh proverb says that a gentleman may be known by +his hawk, his horse, and his greyhound. + +The following poetical record of the fidelity, prowess, and ill-fate of +Gêlert, the favourite greyhound of Llewellyn Prince of Wales, and +son-in-law to King John, will he read with interest: + + The spearman heard the bugle sound + And cheerly smiled the morn, + And many a brach and many a hound + Obeyed Llewellyn's horn. + + And still as blew a lowder blast, + And gave a louder cheer, + "Come, Gêlert! why art thou the last + Llewellyn's horn to hear?" + + "Oh, where does faithful Gêlert roam? + The flower of all his race! + So true, so brave; a lamb at home, + A lion in the chase?" + + 'Twas only at Lewellyn's board + The faithful Gêlert fed, + He watched, he served, he cheered his lord, + And sentinel'd his bed. + + In sooth he was a peerless hound, + The gift of royal John; + But now no Gêlert could be found, + And all the chase rode on. + + And now as over rocks and dells + The gallant chidings rise, + All Snowdon's craggy chaos yells + With many mingled cries. + + That day llewellyn little loved + The chase of hart or hare; + And scan and small the booty proved, + For Gêlert was not there. + + Unpleased Llewellyn homeward hied, + When near the portal seat + His truant Gêlert he espied, + Bounding his lord to greet. + + But when he gained the castle-door, + Aghast the chieftan stood; + The hound was smeared with gouts of gore-- + His lips and fangs ran blood. + + Llewellyn gazed with wild surprise: + Unused such looks to meet, + His favourite check'd his joyful guise + And crouched and licked his feet. + + Onward in haste Llewellyn pass'd, + And on went Gélert too; + And still where'er his eyes he cast, + Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view. + + O'erturned his infant's bed he found, + The blood-stained covert rent; + And all around the walls and ground, + With recent blood besprent. + + He called his child--no voice replied-- + He searched with terror wild: + Blood! blood! he found on every side, + But nowhere found the child. + + 'Hellhound! by thee my child's devoured!' + The frantic father cried; + And to the hilt his vengeful sword + He plunged in Gélert's side. + + His suppliant, as to earth he fell, + No pity could impart; + But still his Gélert's dying yell + Passed heavy o'er his heart. + + Aroused by Gélert's dying yell, + Some slumberer wakened nigh: + What words the parent's joy can tell + To hear his infant cry! + + Concealed beneath a mangled heap + His hurried search had missed, + All glowing from his rosy sleep, + His cherub boy he kissed. + + Nor scratch had he, nor harm, nor dread, + But the same couch beneath, + Lay a great wolf, all torn and dead, + Tremendous still in death. + + Ah, what was then Llewellyn's pain! + For now the truth was clear: + The gallant hound the wolf had slain, + To save Llewellyn's heir. + + Vain, vain was all Llewellyn's wo: + "Best of thy kind, adieu! + The frantic deed which laid thee low, + This heart shall ever rue." + + And now a gallant tomb they raise, + With costly sculpture decked; + And marbles, storied with his praise, + Poor Gélert's bones protect. + + Here never could the spearman pass, + Or forester, unmoved; + Here oft the tear-besprinkled grass + Llewellyn's sorrow proved. + + And here he hung his horn and spear; + And oft, as evening fell, + In fancy's piercing sounds would hear + Poor Gêlert's dying yell! + +It will be evident, however, from the story of the noble hound whose +history is just related, that the greyhounds of the time were very +different from those which are used at the present day. There are no +Gêlerts now to combat successfully with the wolf, if these ferocious +animals were yet to be met with in our forests. The greyhound of this +early period must have resembled the Irish wolf-dog of the present day, +a larger, stronger, fiercer dog than we are accustomed to see. + +The owner of Gêlert lived in the time of John, in the early part of the +thirteenth century; but, at the latter part of the fifteenth century, +the following singular description is given of the greyhound of that +period. It is extracted from a very curious work entitled "The Treatise +perteynynge to Hawkynge, Huntynge, &c., emprynted at Westmestre, by +Wynkyn de Werde, 1496." + + A greyhounde should be headed lyke a snake, + And neckyd lyke a drake, + Fotyd lyke a cat + Tayled lyke a ratte, + Syded like a teme + And chyned like a bream. + The fyrste yere he must lerne to fede, + The seconde yere to feld him lede. + The thyrde yere he is felow lyke. + The fourth yere there is non syke. + The fifth yere he is good ynough. + The syxth yere he shall hold the plough, + The seventh yere he will avaylle + Grete bytches for assayle. + But when he is come to the ninth yere + Have him then to the tannere; + For the best hounde that ever bytch had + At the ninth yere is full bad. + +As to the destiny of the poor animal in his ninth year, we differ from +the author; but it cannot be denied that few dogs retain their speed +beyond the eighth or ninth year. + +There can scarcely be a better description of the greyhound of the +present day; but it would not do for the antagonist of the wolf. The +breed had probably begun to degenerate, and that process would seem to +have slowly progressed. Towards the close of the last century, Lord +Orford, a nobleman enthusiastically devoted to coursing, imagined, and +rightly, that the greyhound of his day was deficient in courage and +perseverance. He bethought himself how this could best be rectified, and +he adopted a plan which brought upon him much ridicule at the time, but +ultimately redounded to his credit. He selected a bull-dog, one of the +smooth rat-tailed species, and he crossed one of his greyhound bitches +with him. He kept the female whelps and crossed them with some of his +fleetest dogs, and the consequence was, that, after the sixth or seventh +generation, there was not a vestige left of the form of the bulldog; but +his courage and his indomitable perseverance remained, and, having once +started after his game, he did not relinquish chase until he fell +exhausted or perhaps died. This cross is now almost universally adopted. +It is one of the secrets in the breeding of the greyhound. + +Of the stanchness of the well-bred greyhound, the following is a +satisfactory example. A hare was started before a brace of greyhounds, +and ran by them for several miles. When they were found, both the dogs +and the hare lay dead within a few yards of each other. A labouring man +had seen them turn her several times; but it did not appear that either +of them had caught her, for there was no wound upon her. + +A favourite bitch of this breed was Czarina, bred by Lord Orford, and +purchased at his decease by Colonel Thornton: she won every match for +which she started, and they were no fewer than forty-seven. Lord Orford +had matched her for a stake of considerable magnitude; but, before the +appointed day arrived, he became seriously ill and was confined to his +chamber. On the morning of the course he eluded the watchfulness of his +attendant, saddled his favourite piebald pony, and, at the moment of +starting, appeared on the course. No one had power to restrain him, and +all entreaties were in vain. He peremptorily insisted on the dogs being +started, and he would ride after them. His favourite bitch displayed her +superiority at every stroke; she won the stakes: but at the moment of +highest exultation he fell from his pony, and, pitching on his head, +almost immediately expired. With all his eccentricities, he was a kind, +benevolent, and honourable man. + +In the thirteenth year of her age, and in defiance of the strange verses +just now quoted, Czarina began to breed, and two of her progeny, Claret +and young Czarina, challenged the whole kingdom and won their matches. +Major, and Snowball, without a white spot about him, inherited all the +excellence of their dam. The former was rather the fleeter of the two, +but the stanchness of Snowball nothing could exceed. A Scotch greyhound, +who had beaten every opponent in his own country, was at this time +brought to England, and challenged every dog in the kingdom. The +challenge was accepted by Snowball, who beat him in a two-mile course. +Snowball won the Mailton cup on four successive years, was never beaten, +and some of his blood is now to be traced in almost every good dog in +every part of the kingdom, at least in all those that are accustomed to +hunt in an open country. The last match run by Snowball was against Mr. +Plumber's celebrated greyhound Speed; and, so severely contested was it, +that Speed died soon afterwards. A son of the old dog, called Young +Snowball, who almost equalled his father, was sold for one hundred +guineas. + +The speed of the greyhound has been said to be equal to that of the +fleetest horse. A singular circumstance, which occurred at Doncaster, +proved that it was not much inferior. A mare cantering over the +Doncaster course, her competitor having been withdrawn, was joined by a +greyhound bitch when she had proceeded about a mile. She seemed +determined to race with the mare, which the jockey humoured, and +gradually increased his pace, until at the distance they put themselves +at their full speed. The mare beat her antagonist only by a head. The +race-horse is, perhaps, generally superior to the greyhound on level +ground, but the greyhound would have the advantage in a hilly country. + +Lord Rivers succeeded to Major Topham and Colonel Thornton, the owners +of Major and Snowball, as the leading man on the course. His kennels at +Strathfieldsaye were the pride of the neighbouring country. At first he +bore away almost every prize, but breeding too much in and in, and for +speed more than for stoutness, the reputation of his kennel considerably +declined before his death. + +In 1797 a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a +chalk-pit at Offham, in Sussex. The hare and both the dogs were found +dead at the bottom of the pit. + +On another occasion a hare was chased by a brace of greyhounds: she was +killed at the distance of seven miles from the place at which they +started. Both of the dogs were so exhausted, that every possible +assistance being given, they were with difficulty recovered. + +The English greyhound hunts by sight alone; not because he is altogether +devoid of scent, but because he has been taught to depend upon his +speed, and that degree of speed which is utterly incompatible with the +searching out of the scent. It is like a pack of hounds, running breast +high, with the game in view. They are then running by sight, and not by +scent, almost doubling their usual pace, and sometimes, from an +unexpected turning of the fox or hare, thrown out for a little while. +The hound soon recovers the track by his exquisite sense of smell. The +English greyhound is never taught to scent his game, but, on the +contrary, is called off the moment he has lost sight of the hare, the +re-starting of which is left to the spaniel. + +The English greyhound is distinguished by its peculiarly long and +attenuated head and face, terminating in a singular sharpness of the +nose, and length of the muzzle or month. There are two results from +this: the length of the mouth gives a longer grasp and secures the prey, +but, as the nasal cavities and the cavity of the skull are +proportionately diminished, there is not so much room for the expansion +of the membrane of the nose, there is less power of scent, and less +space for the development of the brain. + +There is little want of extraordinary acute hearing, and the ears of the +greyhound are small compared with his bulk. Markham recommends the ears +to be close, sharp, and drooping, neither protruding by their bulk, nor +tiring by their weight. + +The power of the eye is but of little consequence, for the game is +rarely distant from the dog, and therefore, easily seen. + +The neck is an important portion of the frame. It should be long, in +order to correspond with the length of the legs, and thus enable the dog +to seize and lift the game, as he rapidly pursues his course, without +throwing any undue or dangerous weight on the fore extremities. In the +act of seizing the hare the short-necked dog may lose the centre of +gravity and fall. + +The chest is a very important part of the greyhound, as well as of every +other animal of speed. It must be capacious: this capacity must be +obtained by depth rather than by width, in order that the shoulders may +not be thrown so far apart as to impede progression. + +The form and situation of the shoulders are of material consequence; for +on them depends the extent of the action which the animal is capable of +exerting. The shoulders should be broad and deep, and obliquely placed. +They are so in the horse, and the action of the dog depends entirely on +this conformation. + +The fore legs should be set on square at the shoulder: bulging out at +the elbow not only gives a clumsy appearance, but makes the dog slow. +The legs should have plenty of bone, and be straight, and well set on +the feet, and the toes neither turned out nor in. The fore arm, or that +portion of the leg which is between the elbow and the knee, should be +long, straight and muscular. These are circumstances that cannot be +dispensed with. The length of the fore arm, and the low placing of the +pastern, are of essential importance. + +With regard to the form of the back and sides of the greyhound, Mr. +Thacker says, with much truth, that + + "It is the strength of the back which is brought into requisition, in + particular, in running over hilly ground. Here may be said to rest the + distinction between long and short backs, supposing both to be good + and strong. The more lengthy the back, and proportionately strong, the + more the greyhound is calculated to beat the shorter-backed dog on the + flat; but on hilly ground one with a shorter back will have the + advantage." [13] + +The ribs should also be well arched. We would perhaps avoid him with +sides too decidedly outswelling, but still more would we avoid the +direct flat-sided dog. + +Without really good haunches and muscular thighs, it has been well +remarked that the odds are against any dog, be his other points whatever +they may. It is by the propulsatory efforts of the muscles of the loins +and thighs that the race is won. The thighs should be large, and +muscularly indented; the hocks broad, and, like the knee, low placed. +These are very important points; for, as Mr. Blaine has properly +remarked, "on the extent of the angles formed between these several +portions of the hinder limbs, depends the extent of the space passed +over at each bound." + +The colour of the greyhound varies exceedingly. Some are perfectly black +and glossy. In strength and endurance, the brindled dog, or the brown or +fawn-coloured one, is the best. The white greyhound, although a +beautiful animal and swift, is not, perhaps, quite so much to be +depended on. + +The greyhound is said to be deficient in attachment to his master and in +general intelligence. There is some truth in the imputation; but, in +fact, the greyhound has, far less than even the hound, the opportunity +of forming individual attachments, and no other exercise of the mind is +required of him than to follow the game which starts up before him, and +to catch it if he can. If, however, he is closely watched he will be +found to have all the intellect that his situation requires. [14] + +As to the individual attachment which the greyhound may form, he has not +always or often the opportunity to acquire or to exhibit it. The keeper +exercises over him a tyrannical power, and the owner seldom notices him +in the manner which excites affection, or scarcely recognition; but, as +a plea for the seeming want of fondness, which, compared with other +breeds, he exhibits, it will be sufficient to quote the testimony of the +younger Xenophon, who had made the greyhound his companion and his +friend. + + "I have myself bred up," says he, "a swift, hard-working, courageous, + sound-footed dog. He is most gentle and kindly affectioned, and never + before had I any such a dog for myself, or my friend, or my + fellow-sportsman. When he is not actually engaged in coursing, he is + never away from me. On his return he runs before me, often looking + back to see whether I had turned out of the road, and as soon as he + again catches sight of me, showing symptoms of joy, and once more + trotting away before me. If a short time only has passed since he has + seen me or my friend, he jumps up repeatedly by way of salutation, and + barks with joy as a greeting to us. He has also many different tones + of speech, and such as I never heard from any other dog. Now really I + do not think that I ought to be ashamed to chronicle the name of this + dog, or to let posterity know that Xenophon the Athenian had a + greyhound, called Hormé, possessed of the greatest speed, and + intelligence, and fidelity, and excellent in every point." + +[The Greek sportsmen held their dogs in peculiar estimation; they were +not only their attendants in the field, but their constant companions in +their houses, were fed from their tables, and even shared their beds. It +is with some degree of pleasure that the patrons of this noble animal +will witness, in the following remarks, the tender solicitude with which +this people watched over their dogs. + + "There is nothing like a soft and warm bed for greyhounds, but it is + best for them to sleep with men, as they become thereby affectionately + attached, pleased with the contact of the human body, and as fond of + their bed-fellow as of their feeder. If any ailing affect the dog the + man will perceive it, and will relieve him in the night, when thirsty, + or urged by any call of nature. He will also know how the dog has + rested. For if he has passed a sleepless night, or groaned frequently + in his sleep, or thrown up any of his food, it will not be safe to + take him out coursing. All these things the dog's bed-fellow will be + acquainted with." + (Arrian, chap. ix. Trans.) + +It was also not an unusual circumstance for the most polished Greeks, +when sending notes of invitation to their friends, requesting their +presence in celebration of some festive occasion, to extend the same +civilities to their favourite dogs, by desiring them to be brought +along, as will be seen by the following paragraph selected from a letter +of this kind addressed by one friend to another. + + "I am about to celebrate the birth-day of my son, and I invite you, my + Pithacion, to the feast. But come not alone; bring with you your wife, + children, and your brother. If you will bring also your bitch, who is + a good guard, and by the loudness of her voice drives away the enemies + of your flocks, she will not, I warrant, disdain to be partaker of our + feast, &c." + (Letter xviii., Alciphron's Epistles.)--L.] + +The greyhound has within the last fifty years assumed a somewhat +different character from that which he once possessed. He is +distinguished by a beautiful symmetry of form, of which he once could +not boast, and he has even superior speed to that which he formerly +exhibited. He is no longer used to struggle with the deer, but he +contends with his fellow over a shorter and speedier course. + +The rules for breeding and breaking-in of greyhounds are very simple. +The utmost attention should be paid to the qualities of the parents; for +it is as certain in these dogs as in the horse that all depends upon the +breeding. The bitch should be healthy and of good size; the dog +muscular, stanch, and speedy, and somewhat larger than the bitch. Both +should have arrived at their full vigour, and with none of their powers +beginning to fail. Those as much as possible should be selected whose +peculiar appearance bids fair to increase the good qualities and +diminish the bad ones on either side. The best blood and the best form +should be diligently sought. Breeding from young dogs on either side +should, generally speaking, be avoided. With regard to older dogs, +whether male or female, there may be less care. Many greyhounds, both +male and female, eight, nine, and ten years of age, have been the +progenitors of dogs possessing every stanch and good quality. + +On no consideration, however, should the bitch be put to the dog before +she is two years old. Little can be done to regulate the period of +oestrum; but the most valuable breed will be almost invariably that +which is produced during the spring, because at that time there will +often be opportunity for that systematic exercise on which the growth +and powers of the dog so materially depend. A litter of puppies in the +beginning or even the middle of winter will often be scarcely worth the +trouble or expense of rearing. + +The age of the greyhound is now taken from the first day in the year; +but the conditions of entry are fixed at different periods. It seems, +however, to be agreed that no dog or bitch can qualify for a puppy cup +after two years of ago. + +One principle to be ever kept in mind is a warm and comfortable +situation, and a plentiful supply of nourishment for the mother and for +the puppies from the moment of their birth. The dog that is stinted in +his early growth will never do its owner credit. The bitch should be +abundantly supplied with milk, and the young ones with milk and bread, +and oatmeal, and small portions of flesh as soon as they are disposed to +eat it; great care, however, being taken that they are not over-gorged. +Regular and proper feeding, with occasional exercise, will constitute +the best preparation for the actual training. If a foster-mother be +required for the puppies, it should, if possible, be a greyhound; for it +is not at all impossible that the bad qualities of the nurse may to a +greater or less degree be communicated to the whelps. Bringing up by +hand is far preferable to the introduction of any foster-mother. A glass +or Indian-rubber bottle may be used for a little while, if not until the +weaning. Milk at first, and afterwards milk and sop alternately, may be +used. + +There is a difference of opinion whether the whelp should be kept in the +kennel and subjected to its regular discipline, or placed at walk in +some farm-house. In consequence of the liberty he will enjoy at the +latter, his growth will probably be more rapid; but, running with the +farmers' dogs, and probably coursing many hares, he will acquire, to a +certain degree, a habit of wildness. It is useless to deny this; but, on +the other hand, nothing will contribute so much to the development of +every power as a state of almost unlimited freedom when the dogs are +young. The wildness that will be exhibited can soon be afterwards +restrained so far as is necessary, and the dog who has been permitted to +exert his powers when young will manifest his superiority in more +advanced age, and in nothing more than his dexterity at the turn. + +When the training actually commences, it should be preceded by a couple +of doses of physic, with an interval of five or six days, and, probably, +a moderate bleeding between them; for, if the dog begins to work +overloaded with flesh and fat, he will suffer so severely from it that +possibly he will never afterwards prove a game dog. In the course of his +training he should be allowed every advantage and experience every +encouragement. His courses should be twice or thrice a-week, according +to their severity, and as often as it can be effected be should be +rewarded with some mark of kindness. + +In the 'Sportsman' for April, 1840, is an interesting account of the +chase of the hare. It is said that, in general, a good greyhound will +reach a hare if she runs straight. He pursues her eagerly, and the +moment he is about to strike at her she turns short, and the dog, unable +to stop himself, is thrown from ten to twenty yards from her. These +jerking turns soon begin to tell upon a dog, and an old well-practised +hare will seldom fail to make her escape. When, however, pursued by a +couple of dogs, the hare has a more difficult game to play, as it +frequently happens that when she is turned by the leading dog she has +great difficulty in avoiding the stroke of the second. + +It is highly interesting to witness the game of an old hare. She has +generally some brake or thicket in view, under the cover of which she +means to escape from her pursuers. On moving from her seat she makes +directly for the hiding-place, but, unable to reach it, has recourse to +turning, and, 'wrenched' by one or the other of her pursuers, she seems +every moment almost in the jaws of one of them, and yet in a most +dexterous manner she accomplishes her object. A greyhound, when he +perceives a hare about to enter a thicket, is sure to strike at her if +within any reasonable distance. The hare shortens her stride as she +approaches the thicket, and at the critical moment she makes so sudden, +dexterous, and effectual a spring, that the dogs are flung to a +considerable distance, and she has reached the cover and escaped. + +The isle of Cyprus has for many years been celebrated for its breed of +the greyhound. On grand days, or when the governor is present, the sport +is conducted in a curious manner. When the hare is ready to become the +prey of its enemies, the governor rushes forwards, and, throwing before +the greyhounds a stick which he carries, they all instantaneously stop. +The hare now runs a little distance; but one of the swiftest greyhounds +is then let loose. He pursues the hare, and, having come up with it, +carries it back, and, springing on the neck of the governor's horse, +places it before him. The governor delivers it to one of his officers, +who sends it to the park, where he maintains many prisoners of the same +kind; for he will not destroy the animal that has contributed to his +amusement. [15] + +The following, according to Mr. Blaine, an ardent courser in his youth, +is the best mode of feeding greyhounds at regular work: + + "The dogs had a full flesh meal every afternoon or evening, as more + nutriment is derived from night-feeding than by day, and when sleeping + than when waking. In the morning they were let out, and either + followed the keeper about the paddock, or the groom in his horse + exercise, and then had a trifling meat of mixed food, as a quieting + portion, until the evening full meal. Such was our practice on the + days when no coursing was contemplated, and, with the exception of + lowering the quantity and quality of the evening meal, the same plan + was pursued throughout the year. On the day previous to coursing, if + we intended anything like an exhibition of our dogs before company + engaged to meet us on the marshes, we gave a plentiful meal early the + previous day, some exercise also in the afternoon, and a light supper + at night, of meal with either broth or milk, with a man on horseback + going a gentle trot of six or seven miles an hour." [16] + +Mr. Thacker orders the greyhounds out on the fore part of every day; +but, instead of being loose and at liberty, they would be much better +two and two; then, when he meets with a proper field to loose them in, +to give them a good gallop. This will be a greater novelty than if they +had been loose on the road, and they will gallop with more eagerness. +Four days in a week will be enough for this exercise. On one day there +should he a gallop of one or two miles, or even a course for each brace +of dogs. + +The young dog has usually an older and more experienced one to start +with him. That which is of most importance is, that his leader should be +a thoroughly stout and high-mettled dog. If he shrinks or shies at any +impediment, however formidable, the young one will be sure to imitate +him, and to become an uncertain dog, if not a rank coward. Early in +November is the time when these initiatory trials are to be made. It is +of consequence that the young one should witness a death as soon as +possible. Some imagine that two old dogs should accompany the young one +at its first commencement. After the death of the leveret, the young dog +must be coaxed and fondled, but never suffered to taste the blood. + +In kennels in which the training is regularly conducted, the dog should +be brushed all over twice every day. Few things contribute so much to +health as general cleanliness, and friction applied to the skin. Warmth +is as necessary for greyhounds as for horses, and should not be +forgotten in cold weather. Body-clothing is a custom of considerable +antiquity, and should not be abandoned. The breeder of greyhounds for +the purpose of coursing must reckon upon incurring considerable expense; +but, if he loves the sport, ho will be amply remunerated by the speed +and stoutness of his dogs. + +A question has arisen whether, on the morning of the coursing, any +stimulant should be given to the dog. The author of this work would +unhesitatingly approve of this practice. He has had abundant experience +of the good effect of it; but the stimulus must be that which, while it +produces the desired effect, leaves no exhaustion behind. [17] + + +THE SCOTCH GREYHOUND + +has the same sharpness of muzzle, length of head, lightness of ear, and +depth of chest, as the English dog; but the general frame is stronger +and more muscular, the hind quarters more prominent, there is evident +increase of size and roughness of coat, and there is also some +diminution of speed. If it were not for these points, these dogs might +occasionally be taken for each other. In coursing the hare, no +north-country dog will stand against the lighter southern, although the +southern would be unequal to the labour often required from the +Highlander. + +The Scotch greyhound is said--perhaps wrongly--to be oftenest used by +those who look more to the quantity of game than to the fairness and +openness of the sport, and in some parts of the country this dog is not +permitted to be entered for a sweepstakes, because, instead of depending +on his speed alone, as does the English greyhound, he has recourse to +occasional artifices in order to intercept the hare. In sporting +language he runs sly, and, therefore, is sometimes excluded. + + +THE HIGHLAND GREYHOUND, OR DEER-HOUND + +is a larger, stronger, and fiercer dog, and may be readily distinguished +from the Lowland Scotch greyhound by its pendulous, and, generally, +darker ears, and by the length of hair which almost covers his face. +Many accounts have been given of the perfection of its scent, and it is +said to have followed a wounded deer during two successive days. He is +usually two inches taller than the Scotch greyhound. The head is carried +particularly high, and gives to the animal a noble appearance. His limbs +are exceedingly muscular, his back beautifully arched. The tail is long +and curved, but assumes the form of an almost straight line when he is +much excited. The only fault which these dogs have is their occasional +ill-temper, or even ferocity; but this does not extend to the owner and +his family. + +It appears singular that the English greyhound exhibits so little power +of scent; but this is simply because he has never been taught to use it, +or has been cruelly corrected when he has attempted to exercise it. + +Holinshed relates the mischief that followed the stealing of one of +these dogs: + + "Divers of the young Pictesh nobilitye repaired unto Craithlint, King + of the Scots, for to hunt and make merie with him; but, when they + should depart homewards, perceiving that the Scotish dogs did far + excel theirs, both in fairnesse, swiftnesse, and hardinesse, and also + in long standing up and holding out, they got diverse both dogs and + bitches of the best kind for breed, to be given them by the Scotish + Lords: and yet not so contented, they stole one belonging to the King + from his keeper, being more esteemed of him than all the others which + he had about him. The maister of the leash, being informed hereof + pursued after them that had stolen the dog, thinking, indeed, to have + taken him from them: but they not being to part with him fell at + altercation, and at the end chanced to strike the maister of the leash + through with their horse spears, so that he did die presently. + Whereupon noise and crie being raised in the country by his servantes, + divers of the Scots, as they were going home from hunting, returned, + and falling upon the Picts to revenge the death of their fellow, there + ensued a shrewed bickering betwixt them; so that of the Scots there + died three score gentlemen, besides a great number of the commons, not + one of them understanding what the matter meant. Of the Picts there + were about 100 slaine." + +Mr. H.D. Richardson describes a cross between the greyhound and British +bloodhound: + + "It is a tall muscular raw-boned dog, the ears far larger, and more + pendulous, than those of the greyhound or deer-hound. The colour is + generally black, or black and tan; his muzzle and the tips of the ears + usually dark. He is exceedingly swift and fierce; can pull down a stag + single-handed; runs chiefly by sight, but will also occasionally take + up the scent. In point of scent, however, he is inferior to the true + deer-hound. This dog cannot take a turn readily, but often fails at + the double." [18] + + +THE IRISH GREYHOUND. + +This dog differs from the Scotch, in having shorter and finer hair, of a +pale fawn colour, and pendent ears. It is, compared with the Scotch dog, +gentle and harmless, perhaps indolent, until roused. It is a larger dog +than the Scottish dog, some of them being full four feet in length, and +proportionately muscular. On this account, and also on account of their +determined spirit when roused, they were carefully preserved by some +Irish gentlemen. They were formerly used in hunting the wolf when that +animal infested the forests of Ireland. Mr. Bell says that the last +person who kept the pure breed was Lord Altamont, who in 1780 "had eight +of them." [19] + + +THE GASEHOUND, + +the 'agasaeus' of former times, was probably allied to, or connected +with, the Irish greyhound. It hunted entirely by sight, and, if its prey +was lost for a time, it could recover it by a singular distinguishing +faculty. Should the deer rejoin the herd, the dog would unerringly +select him again from all his companions: + + "Seest thou the gasehound how with glance severe + From the close herd he marks the destined deer?" [20] + +There is no dog possessed of this quality at present known in Europe; +but the translator of Arrian thinks that it might be produced between +the Irish greyhound and the bloodhound. + + +THE IRISH WOLF-DOG + +This animal is nearly extinct, or only to be met with at the mansions of +one or two persons by whom he is kept more for show than use, the wild +animals which he seemed powerful enough to conquer having long +disappeared from the kingdom. The beauty of his appearance and the +antiquity of his race are his only claims, as he disdains the chase of +stag, fox, or hare, although he is ever ready to protect the person and +the property of his master. His size is various, some having attained +the height of four feet, and Dr. Goldsmith stales that he saw one as +large as a yearling calf. He is shaped like a greyhound, but stouter; +and the only dog which the writer from whom this account is taken ever +saw approaching to his graceful figure, combining beauty with strength, +is the large Spanish wolf-dog: concerning which he adds, that, showing +one of these Spanish dogs to some friends, he leaped through a window +into a cow-house, where a valuable calf was lying, and seizing the +terrified animal, killed it in an instant; some sheep having in the same +way disappeared, he was given away. The same writer says that his +grandfather had an Irish wolf-dog which saved his mother's life from a +wolf as she was paying a visit attended by this faithful follower. He +rushed on his foe just when he was about to make his spring, and after a +fierce struggle laid him dead at his mistress's feet. His name was Bran. +[21] + + +THE RUSSIAN GREYHOUND + +is principally distinguished by its dark-brown or iron-grey colour--its +short semi-erect ears--its thin lanky body--long but muscular legs--soft +thick hair, and the hair of its tail forming a spiral twist, or fan, +(thence called the fan-tailed dog,) and as he runs having a very +pleasing appearance. He hunts by scent as well as by sight, and, +therefore, small packs of this kind are sometimes kept, against which +the wolf, or even the bear, would stand little chance. He is principally +used for the chase of the deer or the wolf, but occasionally follows the +hare. The deer is the principal object of pursuit, and for this he is +far better adapted than to contend with the ferocious wolf. His +principal faults are want of activity and dexterity. He is met with in +most parts of Russia, where his breed is carefully preserved by the +nobility, with whom coursing is a favourite diversion. + +Some dogs of this breed were not long ago introduced into Ireland. + + +THE GRECIAN GREYHOUND + +The author is glad that he is enabled to present his readers with the +portrait of one now in the menagerie of the Zoological Society of +London. It is the dog whose image is occasionally sculptured on the +friezes of some of the ancient Grecian temples, and was doubtless a +faithful portrait of one of the dogs which Xenophon the Athenian valued, +and was the companion of the heroes of Greece in her ancient glory. + +The principal difference between the Grecian and the English greyhound +is, that the former is not so large, the muzzle is not so pointed, and +the limbs are not so finely framed. + + +THE TURKISH GREYHOUND + +is a small-sized hairless dog, or with only a few hairs on his tail. He +is never used in the field, and bred only as a spoiled pet, yet not +always spoiled, for anecdotes are related of his inviolable attachment +to his owner. One of them belonged to a Turkish Pacha who was destroyed +by the bowstring. He would not forsake the corpse, but laid himself down +by the body of his murdered master, and presently expired. + + +THE PERSIAN GREYHOUND + +is a beautiful animal. He is more delicately framed than the English +breed; the ears are also more pendulous, and feathered almost as much as +those of a King Charles's spaniel. Notwithstanding, however, his +apparent slenderness and delicacy, he yields not in courage, and +scarcely in strength, to the British dog. There are few kennels in which +he is found in which he is not the master. + +In his native country, he is not only used for hunting the hare, but the +antelope, the wild ass, and even the boar. The antelope is speedier than +the greyhound: therefore the hawk is given to him as an ally. The +antelope is no sooner started than the hawk is cast off, who, fluttering +before the head of the deer, and sometimes darting his talons into his +head, disconcerts him, and enables the greyhound speedily to overtake +and master him. The chase, however, in which the Persians chiefly +delight, and for which these greyhounds are mostly valued, is that of +the 'ghoo-khan', or wild ass. This animal inhabits the mountainous +districts of Persia. He is swift, ferocious, and of great endurance, +which, together with the nature of the ground, renders this sport +exceedingly dangerous. The hunter scarcely gives the animal a fair +chance, for relays of greyhounds are placed at various distances in the +surrounding country; so that, when those by which the animal is first +started are tired, there are others to continue the chase. Such, +however, is the speed and endurance of the ghoo-khan, that it is seldom +fairly run down by the greyhounds, its death being usually achieved by +the rifle of some horseman. The Persians evince great skill and courage +in this dangerous sport, galloping at full speed, rifle in hand, up and +down the most precipitous hills, and across ravines and mountain +streams, that might well daunt the boldest rider. [22] + +The Persian greyhound, carried to Hindoostan, is not always to be +depended upon; but, it is said, is apt to console itself by hunting its +own master, or any one else, when the game proves too fleet or escapes +into the cover. + + +THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND + +possesses all the symmetry of the English or Persian one, on a small +scale. So far as beauty can recommend it, and, generally speaking, good +nature, it is deservedly a favourite in the drawingroom; but, like the +large greyhound, it is inferior in intelligence. It has no strong +individual attachment, but changes it with singular facility. It is not, +however, seen to advantage in its petted and degraded state, but has +occasionally proved a not unsuccessful courser of the rabbit and the +hare, and exhibited no small share of speed and perseverance. In a +country, however, the greater part of which is infested with wolves, it +cannot be of much service, but exposed to unnecessary danger. It is bred +along the coasts of Italy, principally for the purpose of sale to +foreigners. + +In order to acquire more perfect beauty of form, and more activity also, +the English greyhound has received one cross from the Italian, and with +decided advantage. The speed and the beauty have been evidently +increased, and the courage and stoutness have not been diminished. + +It has been said that Frederick the Great of Prussia was very fond of a +small Italian greyhound, and used to carry it about with him under his +cloak. During the seven years' war, he was pursued by a party of +Austrian dragoons, and compelled to take shelter, with his favourite, +under the dry arch of a bridge. Had the little animal, that was +naturally ill-tempered and noisy, once barked, the monarch would have +been taken prisoner, and the fate of the campaign and of Prussia +decided; but it lay perfectly still, and clung close to its master, as +if conscious of their mutual danger. When it died, it was buried in the +gardens of the palace at Berlin, and a suitable inscription placed over +its grave. + + + +[Footnote 1: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. vi. p. 99.] + + +[Footnote 2: The superstition of the Arabians and Turks with regard to +dogs is somewhat singular: neither have they much affection for these +animals, or suffer them to be in or near the camp, except to guard it in +the night. They have, however, some charity for the females that have +whelps. As for other dogs, they feed them well, and give them good +words, but never touch them nor go near them, because dogs are regarded +as unclean animals. They particularly drive them away in wet weather; +for, if one drop of water from a dog should fall on their raiment, their +devotion would be interrupted and useless. They who are fond of hunting +make their religion subservient to their pleasure, and say that +greyhounds and setters are excepted from the general rule, because when +not running these dogs are tied up where nothing unclean can reach them, +and they are never suffered to eat any thing unclean. Their opinion is +the same with regard to small dogs, which are kept with great care, and +no one willingly injures a dog, or, if he should injure purposely, or +destroy one of them, the law would punish him. Chevalier Darvieux's +'Travels in Arabia Deserta', 1718, p. 155.] + + +[Footnote 3: 'Heber's Narrative', p. 500.] + + +[Footnote 4: 'Histoire du Chien', par Elzear Blaze, p. 54.] + + +[Footnote 5: 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society', Part I. 833.] + + +[Footnote 6: Williamson's 'Oriental Field Sports'] + + +[Footnote 7: Poiret, in his 'Travels in Barbary' asserts that + + "the dog loses in the East a great part of those good qualities that + make him the friend of man. He is no longer a faithful domesticated + animal, faithfully attached to his master, and ever ready to defend + him even at the expense of his own life. He is cruel and + blood-thirsty, his look is savage, and his appearance revolting; + carrion, filth, anything is good enough for him if he can but appease + his hunger. They seldom bite one another, but they unite against a + stranger who approaches the Arab tents, and would tear him to pieces + if he did not seek his safety in flight." + Vol. i. p. 353. + +Denon, when in the city of Alexandria, in Egypt, says, + + "I have no longer recognised the dog, that friend of man, the attached + and faithful companion--the lively and honest courtier. He is here a + gloomy egotist, and cut off from all human intercourse without being + the less a slave. He does not know him whose house he protects, and + devours his corpse without repugnance." + Travels in Lower Egypt, p. 32.] + + +[Footnote 8: 'Histoire du Chien', p. 200. The Voyage of Dumont +d'Urville, vol. ii. p.474.] + + +[Footnote 9: Greyhound.] + + +[Footnote 10: Overcast, or overrun.] + + +[Footnote 11: Ovid, 'Metamorph.', lib. i. v. 353.] + + +[Footnote 12: A singular story is told of Richard II, and one of these +dogs. It is given in the language of Froissart. + + "A grayhounde called Mithe, who always wayted upon the kynge, and + would knowe no man els. For when so ever the kynge did ryde, he that + kept the grayhounde dyd lette him lose, and he wolde streyght runne to + the kynge and faune uppon hym, and leape with his fore fete uppon the + kynge's shoulders. And, as the kynge and the Erle of Derby talked + togyder in the courte, the grayhounde who was wonte to leape uppon the + kynge, left the kynge and came to the Erle of Derby, Duke of + Lancastre; and made to him the same friendly continuance and chere as + he was wonte to do to the kynge. The duke, who knewe not the + grayhounde, demanded of the kynge what the grayhounde wolde do? + 'Cousin,' qoud the kynge, 'it is a greate goode token to you, and an + evyl signe to me.' 'How knowe you that?' quod the duke. 'I knowe it + well,' quod the kynge. 'The grayhounde acknowledgeth you here this + daye as Kynge of England, as ye shall be, and I shal be deposed; the + grayhounde hath this knowledge naturally: therefore take hyme to you, + he wyll followe you and forsake me.' The duke understood well those + words, and cheryshed the grayhounde, who would never after followe + kynge Richarde, but followed the duke of Lancastre."] + + +[Footnote 13: 'Thacker on Sporting'.] + + +[Footnote 14: The writer of this work had a brace of greyhounds as +arrant thieves as ever lived. They would now and then steal into the +cooking-room belonging to the kennel, lift the lid from the boiler, and, +if any portion of the joint or piece of meat projected above the water, +suddenly seize it, and before there was time for them to feel much of +its heat, contrive to whirl it on the floor, and eat it at their leisure +as it got cold. In order to prevent this, the top of the boiler was +secured by an iron rod passing under its handle of the boiler on each +side; but not many days passed ere they discovered that they could gnaw +the cords asunder, and displace the rod, and fish out the meat as +before. Small chains were then substituted for the cords, and the meat +was cooked in safety for nearly a week, when they found that, by rearing +themselves on their hind legs, and applying their united strength +towards the top of the boiler they could lift it out of its bed and roll +it along the floor, and so get at the broth, although the meat was out +of their reach. The man who looked after them expressed himself heartily +glad when they were gone; for, he said, he was often afraid to go into +the kennel, and was sure they were devils, and not dogs.] + + +[Footnote 15: Scott's 'Sportsman's Repository', p. 97.] + + +[Footnote 16: Blaine's 'Encyclopedia of Sporting'.] + + +[Footnote 17: For a set of laws for Coursing Matches. see Appendix.] + + +[Footnote 18: 'Sportsman', vol. xi. p. 314] + + +[Footnote 19: Bell's 'British Quadrupeds', p. 241.] + + +[Footnote 20: Tickell's 'Miscellanies'] + + +[Footnote 21: 'Sporting Mag.' 1837, p. 156.] + + +[Footnote 22: 'New Sports. Mag.' xiii. 124.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG. + + +SECOND DIVISION. + + + The head moderately elongated, the parietals not approaching from + their insertion, but rather diverging, so as to enlarge the cerebral + cavities and the frontal sinuses; consequently giving to these dogs + greater power of scent and intelligence. They constitute the most + pleasing and valuable division of the Dog. + + +The Spaniel is evidently the parent of the Newfoundland dog and the +setter; while the retriever, the poodle, the Bernardine, the Esquimaux, +the Siberian, and the Greenland dogs, the shepherd and drover's dog, and +every variety distinguished for intelligence and fidelity, have more or +less of his blood in them. + + +THE SPANIEL + +is probably of Spanish origin, and thence his name. The ears are large +and pendent, the tail elevated, the fur of a different length in +different parts of the body, but longest about the ears, under the neck, +behind the thighs and on the tail, varying in colour, but most commonly +white with brown or black patches. + +There are many varieties of the spaniel. The smallest of the 'land' +spaniels is + + +THE COCKER. + +It is chiefly used in flushing woodcocks and pheasants in thickets and +copses into which the setter, and even the springer, can scarcely enter. + + "But, if the shady woods my cares employ, + In quest of feathered game my spaniels beat, + Puzzling the entangled copse, and from the brake + Push forth the whirring pheasant." + +The cocker is here very useful, although he is occasionally an +exceedingly impatient animal. He is apt to whimper and babble as soon as +he comes upon the scent of game, and often raises the bird before the +sportsman is within reach: but when he is sufficiently broken in not to +give tongue until the game rises, he is exceedingly valuable. There can +scarcely be a prettier object than this little creature, full of +activity, and bustling in every direction, with his tail erect; and, the +moment he scents the bird, expressing his delight by the quivering of +every limb, and the low eager whimpering which the best breaking cannot +always subdue. + +Presently the bird springs, and then he shrieks out his ecstasy, +startling even the sportsman with his sharp, shrill, and strangely +expressive bark. + +The most serious objection to the use of the cocker is the difficulty of +teaching him to distinguish his game, and confine himself within bounds; +for he will too often flush everything that comes within his reach. It +is often the practice to attach bells to his collar, that the sportsman +may know where he is; but there is an inconvenience connected with this, +that the noise of the bells will often disturb and spring the game +before the dog comes fairly upon it. + +Patience and perseverance, with a due mixture of kindness and +correction, will, however, accomplish a great deal in the tuition of the +well-bred spaniel. He may at first hunt about after every bird that +presents itself, or chase the interdicted game; but, if he is +immediately called in and rated, or perhaps corrected, but not too +severely, he will learn his proper lesson, and will recognise the game, +to which alone his attention must be directed. The grand secret in +breaking in these dogs is mildness, mingled with perseverance, the +lessons being enforced, and practically illustrated by the example of an +old and steady dog. + +These spaniels will sometimes vie with almost every other species of dog +in intelligence, and will not yield to one of them in fidelity. A +gentleman in Sussex had an old cocker, that was his constant companion, +both in the house and the field. If the morning was rainy, the dog was +perfectly quiet; if it was fine, he became restless, and, at the usual +time for his master to go out, he would take him by the flap of his +coat, and gently pull at it. If the door was opened, he ran immediately +to the keeper's lodge, which was at a considerable distance from the +house. This was a signal for the other dogs to be brought up, and then +he trotted back to announce their approach. + +[This beautiful and interesting dog, so called from his peculiar +suitableness for woodcock shooting, is but little known among us except +as a boudoir companion for our ladies. He is, nevertheless, extensively +used in England by sportsmen for finding and flushing this bird, as also +the pheasant; and no doubt, if introduced into our country, would prove +equally, if not more serviceable, in putting up game concealed in the +thickets and marshy hollows of our uncleared grounds. Having extremely +fine scenting powers, they are also employed in greyhound coursing, to +give warning of the proximity of a hare, which they seldom fail to +accomplish. + +This active little animal hunts with great spirit, and soon becomes +attached to the sport; in fact the only difficulty to be overcome in +breaking him, is the effort it requires to make him suppress his natural +ardour and withhold his exclamations of delight till the bird is +actually on the wing. The tutelage of the cocker intended for the field +should commence as early as possible, and is not, as many suppose, +attended with great difficulty. His first lessons should be confined to +the art of bringing and carrying, which he soon, in common with all the +other members of the spaniel tribe, learns. The next thing to be +inculcated is implicit obedience to our wishes; then, at the age of four +months or so, he may be carried to the field, where his natural fondness +for hunting will soon be developed by his chasing every bird within his +reach. When this impulse is fully exhibited, and the dog expresses +gratification in the amusement, he should be then instructed to give +chase, or not, at his master's pleasure. When this desirable end has +been accomplished, he may be introduced to the particular kinds of game +which it is proposed to hunt him on, and by slow degrees teach him to +confine his attentions to those varieties alone. It is absolutely +necessary that the dog be forced to hunt as near to the sportsman as +possible, otherwise the game will be flushed at such a distance that it +will be impossible to get at it. The cocker spaniel is much smaller than +the springer; his ears are long, pendulous, and silky; his body round +and compact; his legs short and tufted; his coat variable; his nose +black; tail bushy and feathered, and, when hunting, is kept in constant +motion. + +Some are black and white, others liver colour and yellow; the latter +variety we have most usually seen in this country, and some of them have +been represented to us as well-broken and serviceable dogs.--L.] + + +THE KING CHARLES'S SPANIEL, + +so called from the fondness of Charles II for it--who usually had some +of them following him, wherever he went--belongs likewise to the +cockers. Its form and character are well preserved in one of the +paintings of the unfortunate parent of that monarch and his family. The +ears deeply fringed and sweeping the ground, the rounder form of the +forehead, the larger and moister eye, the longer and silken coat, and +the clearness of the tan, and white and black colour, sufficiently +distinguish this variety. His beauty and diminutive size have consigned +him to the drawing-room or parlour. + +Charles the First had a breed of spaniels, very small, with the hair +black and curly. The spaniel of the second Charles was of the black and +tan breed. + +The King Charles's breed of the present day is materially altered for +the worse. The muzzle is almost as short, and the forehead as ugly and +prominent, as the veriest bull-dog. The eye is increased to double its +former size, and has an expression of stupidity with which the character +of the dog too accurately corresponds. Still there is the long ear, and +the silky coat, and the beautiful colour of the hair, and for these the +dealers do not scruple to ask twenty, thirty, and even fifty guineas. + +[This breed of dog was cultivated with such jealous care by the late +Duke of Norfolk, that no solicitation or entreaty could induce this +nobleman to part with one of these favourites, except under certain +peculiar stipulations and injunctions, as detailed in the following +interview of Mr. Blain with the late Duchess of York. "On one occasion, +when we were accompanying Her Royal Highness to her menagerie, with +almost a kennel of canine favourites behind her, after drawing our +attention to a jet black pug pup she had just received from Germany, she +remarked that she was going to show me what she considered a present of +much greater rarity, which was a true King Charles's breed sent to her +by the Duke of Norfolk. 'But,' she observed, 'would you believe he could +be so ungallant as to write word that he must have a positive promise +not from myself, but from the Duke of York, that I should not breed from +it in the direct line?'" Notwithstanding these selfish restrictions on +the part of this noble patron of the spaniel, this breed of dog has +become quite common in England, and not a few have found their way to +this country.--L.] + + +THE SPRINGER + +This dog is slower and steadier in its range than the cocker; but it is +a much safer dog for the shooter, and can better stand a hard day's +work. The largest and best breed of springers is said to be in Sussex, +and is much esteemed in the Wealds of that county. + +From a cross with the terrier a black and tan variety was procured, +which was cultivated by the late Duke of Norfolk, and thence called the +Norfolk Spaniel. It is larger than the common springer, and stancher, +and stouter. It often forms a strong individual attachment, and is +unhappy and pines away when separated from its master. It is more +ill-tempered than the common springer, and, if not well broken in, is +often exceedingly obstinate. + +[Mr. Skinner informs us that this breed, in its greatest purity, may be +found in the Carrollton family, as also in the possession of Mr. +Keyworth of Washington city.--L.] + + +THE BLACK AND TAN SPANIEL, + +the cross of the terrier being nearly or quite got rid of, is often a +beautiful animal, and is much valued, although it is frequently +considered a somewhat stupid animal. The cocker and the springer are +sometimes used as finders in coursing. + + +THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL, + +a breed cultivated by one of the Dukes of Marlborough, belongs to this +division. From its beauty, and occasional gaiety, it is oftener an +inhabitant of the drawing-room than the field; but it occasionally +breaks out, and shows what nature designed it for. Some of these +carpeted pets acquit themselves nobly in the covert. There they ought +oftener to be; for they have not much individuality of attachment to +recommend them, and, like other spoiled animals, both quadruped and +biped, misbehave. The breed has degenerated of late, and is not always +to be had pure, even in the neighbourhood of Blenheim. This spaniel may +he distinguished by the length and silkiness of the coat, the deep +fringe about the ear, the arch and deep-feathering of the tail, the full +and moist eye, and the blackness of the palate. + + + +THE WATER-SPANIEL. + +Of this breed there are two varieties, a larger and smaller, both useful +according to the degree of range or the work required; the smaller, +however, being ordinarily preferable. Whatever be his general size, +strength and compactness of form are requisite. His head is long, his +face smooth, and his limbs, more developed than those of the springer, +should be muscular, his carcase round, and his hair long and closely +curled. Good breaking is more necessary here than even with the +land-spaniel, and, fortunately, it is more easily accomplished; for, the +water-spaniel, although a stouter, is a more docile animal than the land +one. + +Docility and affection are stamped on his countenance, and he rivals +every other breed in his attachment to his master. His work is double; +first to find, when ordered so to do, and to back behind the sportsman +when the game will be more advantageously trodden up. In both he must be +taught to be perfectly obedient to the voice, that he may be kept within +range, and not unnecessarily disturb the birds. A more important part of +his duty, however, is to find and bring the game that has dropped. To +teach him to find is easy enough, for a young water-spaniel will as +readily take to the water as a pointer puppy will stop; but to bring his +game without tearing is a more difficult lesson, and the most difficult +of all is to make him suspend the pursuit of the wounded game while the +sportsman re-loads. + +The water-spaniel was originally from Spain; but the pure breed has been +lost, and the present dog is probably descended from the large water-dog +and the English setter. + +The water and land spaniels differ materially from each other. The +water-spaniel, although when at his work being all that his master can +desire, is, when unemployed, comparatively a slow and inactive dog; but +under this sobriety of demeanor is concealed a strength and fidelity of +attachment to which the more lively land-spaniel cannot always lay just +claim. The writer of this work once saved a young water-spaniel from the +persecution of a crowd of people who had driven it into a passage, and +were pelting it with stones. The animal had the character of being, +contrary to what his species usually are, exceedingly savage; and he +suffered himself to be taken up by me and carried from his foes with a +kind of sullenness; but when, being out of the reach of danger, he was +put down, he gazed on his deliverer, and then crouched at his feet. + +From that moment he attached himself to his new master with an intensity +of affection scarcely conceivable--never expressed by any boisterous +caresses, but by endeavouring to be in some manner in contact with him; +resting his head upon his foot; lying upon some portion of his apparel, +his eye intently fixed upon him; endeavouring to understand every +expression of his countenance. He would follow one gentleman, and one +only, to the river-side, and behave gallantly and nobly there; but the +moment he was dismissed he would scamper home, gaze upon his master, and +lay himself down at his feet. In one of these excursions he was shot. He +crawled home, reached his master's feet, and expired in the act of +licking his hand. + +Perhaps the author may be permitted to relate one story more of the +water-spaniel: he pledges himself for its perfect truth. The owner of +the dog is telling this tale. + + "I was once on the sea-coast, when a small, badly-formed, and leaky + fishing-boat was cast on shore, on a fearful reef of rocks. Three men + and a boy of ten years old constituted the crew. The men swam on + shore, but they were so bruised against the rocks, that they could not + render any assistance to the poor boy, and no person could be found to + venture out in any way. I heard the noise and went to the spot with my + dog. I spoke to him, and in he went, more like a seal than a dog, and + after several fruitless attempts to mount the wreck he succeeded, and + laid hold of the boy, who clung to the ropes, screaming in the most + fearful way at being thus dragged into the water. The waves dashed + frightfully on the rocks. In the anxiety and responsibility of the + moment I thought that the dog had missed him, and I stripped off my + clothes, resolved to render what assistance I could. I was just in the + act of springing from the shore, having selected the moment when the + receding waves gave me the best chance of rendering any assistance, + when I saw old 'Bagsman,' for that was the name of my dog, with the + struggling boy in his mouth, and the head uppermost. I rushed to the + place where he must land, and the waves bore the boy and the dog into + my arms. + + "Some time after that I was shooting wild-fowl. I and my dog had been + working hard, and I left him behind me while I went to a neighbouring + town to purchase gunpowder. A man, in a drunken frolic, had pushed off + in a boat with a girl in it; the tide going out carried the boat + quickly away, and the man becoming frightened, and unable to swim, + jumped overboard. Bagsman, who was on the spot, hearing the splash, + jumped in, swam out to the man, caught hold of him, and brought him + twenty yards towards the shore, when the drunken fellow clasped the + dog tight round the body, and they both went down together. The girl + was saved by a boat going to her assistance. The body of the man was + recovered about an hour afterwards, with that of the dog clasped tight + in his arms, thus dragging him to the bottom. 'Poor Bagsman! thy worth + deserves to be thus chronicled.'" + + +THE POODLE. + +The particular cross from which this dog descended is unknown, but the +variety produced has been carefully preserved. It is, probably, of +continental origin, and is known by its thick curly hair concealing +almost every part of the face, and giving it the appearance of a short, +thick, unintelligent head. When, however, that hair is removed, there is +still the large head; but there is also the cerebral cavity more +capacious than in any other dog, and the frontal sinuses fully +developed, and exhibiting every indication of the intellectual class to +which it belongs. + +It was originally a water-dog, as its long and curly hair, and its +propensities in its domesticated state, prove; but, from its peculiar +sagacity, it is capable of being trained to almost any useful purpose, +and its strong individual attachment renders it more the companion of +man than a mere sporting dog: indeed, its qualities as a sporting dog +are seldom recognised by its owner. + +These dogs have far more courage than the water-spaniel, all the +sagacity of the Newfoundland, more general talent, if the expression may +be used, and more individual attachment than either of them, and without +the fawning of the one, or the submissiveness of the other. The poodle +seems conscious of his worth, and there is often a quiet dignity +accompanying his demonstrations of friendship. + +This dog, however, possesses a very peculiar kind of intelligence. It +will almost perform the common offices of a servant: it will ring the +bell and open the door. Mr. Wilkie, of Ladythorn in Northumberland, had +a poodle which he had instructed to go through all the apparent agonies +of dying. He would fall on one side, stretch himself out, and move his +hind legs as if he were in great pain; he would next simulate the +convulsive throbs of departing life, and then stretch out his limbs and +thus seem as if he had expired. In this situation he would remain +motionless, until he had his master's command to rise. + +The portrait of Sancho, a poodle, that was with difficulty forced from +the grave of his master, after the battle of Salamanca, is familiar to +many of our readers. Enticed from his post he could not be, nor was he +at length taken away until weakened by grief and starvation. He by +degrees attached himself to his new master, the Marquis of Worcester, +but not with the natural ardour of a poodle. He was attentive to every +command, and could perform many little domestic offices. Sometimes he +would exhibit considerable buoyancy of spirit; but there oftener seemed +to be about him the recollection of older and closer friendship. + +Another poodle occupies an interesting place in the history of the +Peninsular war. He too belonged to a French officer, who was killed at +the battle of Castella. The French were compelled to retreat before they +could bury their dead, and the soldiers wished to carry with them their +regimental favourite; but he would not be forced from the corpse of his +master. Some soldiers afterwards traversing the field of battle, one of +them discovered the cross of the Legion of Honour on the breast of the +fallen officer, and stooped to take it away, when the dog flew savagely +at him, and would not quit his hold, until the bayonet of another +soldier laid him lifeless. + +A veterinary surgeon, who, before any other animal than the horse was +acknowledged to be the legitimate object of medical care, did not +disdain to attend to the diseases of the dog, used to say that there +were two breeds which he never wished to see in his infirmary, namely, +the poodle and the Norfolk spaniel; for, although not always difficult +to manage, he could never attach them to him, but they annoyed him by +their pitiful and imploring gaze during the day, and their mournful +howling at night. + +Custom has determined that the natural coat of this animal shall be +taken from him. It may be a relief to the poodle for a part of his coat +to be stripped off in hot weather, and the curly hair which is left on +his chest, contrasted with his smooth and well-rounded loins and +quarters, may make it look pretty enough; but it should he remembered +that he was not designed by nature to be thus exposed to the cold of +winter, and that there are no dogs so liable to rheumatism, and that +rheumatism degenerating into palsy, as the well-trimmed poodle. + + +THE BARBET + +is a small poodle, the production of some unknown and disadvantageous +cross with the true poodle. It has all the sagacity of the poodle, and +will perform even more than his tricks. It is always in action; always +fidgety; generally incapable of much affection, but inheriting much +self-love and occasional ill temper; unmanageable by any one but its +owner; eaten up with red mange; and frequently a nuisance to its master +and a torment to every one else. + +We must not, however, do it injustice; it is very intelligent, and truly +attached to its owner. + +The barbet possesses more sagacity than most other dogs, but it is +sagacity of a particular kind, and frequently connected with various +amusing tricks. Mr. Jesse, in his Gleanings in Natural History, gives a +singular illustration of this. A friend of his had a barbet that was not +always under proper command. In order to keep him in better order, he +purchased a small whip, with which he corrected him once or twice during +a walk. On his return the whip was put on a table in the hall, but on +the next morning it was missing. It was soon afterwards found concealed +in an out-building, and again made use of in correcting the dog. Once +more it would have been lost, but, on watching the dog, who was +suspected of having stolen it, he was seen to take it from the hall +table in order to hide it once more. + + +THE MALTESE DOG + +can be traced back to an early period. Strabo says that + + "there is a town in Sicily called Melita, whence are exported many + beautiful dogs called 'Canes Melitæi'. They were the peculiar + favourites of the women; but now (A.D. 25) there is less account made + of these animals, which are not bigger than common ferrets or weasels, + yet they are not small in understanding nor unstable in their love." + +They are also found in Malta and in other islands of the Mediterranean, +and they maintain the same character of being devotedly affectionate to +their owners, while, it is added,--and they are not loved the less for +that,--they are ill-tempered to strangers. + + +THE LION DOG + +is a diminutive likeness of the noble animal whose name it bears. Its +head, neck, shoulders, and fore-legs down to the very feet, are covered +with long, wavy, silky hairs. On the other parts of the dog it is so +short as scarcely to be grasped, except that on the tail there is a +small bush of hair. The origin of this breed is not known; it is, +perhaps, an intermediate one between the Maltese and the Turkish dog. + + +THE TURKISH DOG, + +as it is improperly called, is a native of hot climates. The supposition +of Buffon is not an improbable one, that, being taken from some +temperate country to one considerable hotter, the European dog probably +acquired some cutaneous disease. This is no uncommon occurrence in +Guinea, the East Indies, and South America. Some of these animals +afterwards found their way into Europe, and, from their singularity, +care was taken to multiply the breed. Aldrovandus states that the first +two of them made their appearance in Europe in his time, but the breed +was not continued, on account, as it was supposed, of the climate being +too cold for them. + +The few that are occasionally seen in England bear about them every mark +of a degenerated race. They have no activity, and they show little +intelligence or affection. One singular circumstance appertains to all +that the author of this work has had the opportunity of seeing,--their +teeth become very early diseased, and drop from the gums. That eminent +zoologist, Mr. Yarrell, examining, with the author of this work, one +that had died, certainly not more than five years old, found that it had +neither incisors nor canine teeth, and that the molars were reduced to +one on each side, the large tubercular tooth being the only one that was +remaining. At the scientific meeting of the Zoological Society, the same +gentleman stated, that he had examined the mouths of two individuals of +the same variety, then alive at the gardens, in both of which the teeth +were remarkably deficient. In neither of them were there any false +molars, and the incisors in both were deficient in number. Before the +age of four years the tongue is usually disgustingly hanging from the +mouths of these animals. + + +THE ALPINE SPANIEL, OR BERNARDINE DOG, + +is a breed almost peculiar to the Alps, and to the district between +Switzerland and Savoy. The passes over these mountains are exceedingly +dangerous from their steepness and narrowness. A precipice of many +hundred feet is often found on one side, and perpendicular rocks on the +other, while the path is glazed with frozen snow or ice. In many places +the path is overhung with huge masses of frozen snow, which occasionally +loosen and fall, when the dreadful storms peculiar to these regions +suddenly come on, and form an insurmountable barrier, or sweep away or +bury the unfortunate traveller. Should he escape these dangers, the path +is now become trackless, and he wanders amid the dreary solitudes until +night overtakes him; and then, when he pauses from fatigue or +uncertainty with regard to the path he should pursue, his limbs are +speedily benumbed. Fatal slumbers, which he cannot shake off, steal upon +him, and he crouches under some ledge and sleeps, to wake no more. The +snow drifts on. It is almost continually falling, and he is soon +concealed from all human help. + +On the top of Mount St. Bernard, and near one of the most dangerous of +these passes, is a convent, in which is preserved a breed of large dogs +trained to search for the benighted and frozen wanderer. Every night, +and particularly when the wind blows tempestuously, some of these dogs +are sent out. They traverse every path about the mountains, and their +scent is so exquisite that they can discover the traveller, although he +may lie many feet deep in the snow. Having found him, they set to work +and endeavour to scrape away the snow, uttering a deep bark that +reverberates from rock to rock, and tells those who are watching in the +convent that some poor wretch is in peril. Generally, a little flask of +spirits is tied round the neck of the animal, by drinking which the +benighted traveller may recruit his strength, until more effectual +rescue arrive. The monks hasten in the direction of the sound, and often +succeed in rekindling the vital spark before it is quite extinguished. +Very many travellers have been thus rescued from death by these +benevolent men and their intelligent and interesting quadruped servants. + +One of these Bernardine dogs, named Barry, had a medal tied round his +neck as a badge of honourable distinction, for he had saved the lives of +forty persons. He at length died nobly in his vocation. A Piedmontese +courier arrived at St. Bernard on a very stormy day, labouring to make +his way to the little village of St. Pierre, in the valley beneath the +mountain, where his wife and children lived. It was in vain that the +monks attempted to check his resolution to reach his family. They at +last gave him two guides, each of whom was accompanied by a dog, one of +which was the remarkable creature whose service had been so valuable. +Descending from the convent, they were overwhelmed by two avalanches or +heaps of falling snow, and the same destruction awaited the family of +the poor courier, who were travelling up the mountain in the hope of +obtaining some news of the husband and father. + +A beautiful engraving has been made of this noble dog. It represents him +as saving a child which he had found in the Glacier of Balsore, and +cherished, and warmed, and induced to climb on his shoulders, and thus +preserved from, otherwise, certain destruction. + + +THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. + +The Newfoundland is a spaniel of large size. He is a native of the +island of which he bears the name; but his history is disgraceful to the +owners of so valuable an animal. The employment of the lower classes of +the inhabitants of St. John, in Newfoundland, is divided between the +cutting of wood, and the drawing of it and other merchandise in the +winter, and fishing in the summer. + +The carts used in the winter work are drawn by these dogs, who are +almost invariably urged and goaded on beyond their strength, fed only +with putrid salt-fish, and an inadequate quantity even of that. A great +many of them are worn out and die before the winter is over; and, when +the summer approaches, and the fishing season commences, many of them +are quite abandoned, and, uniting with their companions, prowl about +preying on the neighbouring flocks, or absolutely starving. + +Mr. Macgregor, however, states that + + "in almost every other part of British America they are valuable and + useful. They are remarkably docile and obedient to their masters, + serviceable in all the fishing countries, and yoked in pairs to draw + the winter's fuel home. They are faithful, good-natured, and ever + friendly to man. They will defend their master and their master's + property, and suffer no person to injure either the one or the other; + and, however extreme may be the danger, they will not leave them for a + minute. They seem only to want the faculty of speech, in order to make + their good wishes and feelings understood, and they are capable of + being trained for all the purposes for which every other variety of + the canine species is used".[1] + +That which most recommends the Newfoundland dog is his fearlessness of +water, and particularly as connected with the preservation of human +life. The writer of the present work knows one of these animals that has +preserved from drowning four human beings. + +[This breed of dog, though much esteemed both in England and other +portions of the world, as well for his majestic appearance as for many +useful and winning traits of character, has but few sportsmen as patrons +with us. He is not only used in England as a water-dog for the pursuit +of wild fowl, but has been trained by many sportsmen to hunt on +partridges, woodcocks, and pheasants, and is represented by Captain +Hawker and others as surpassing all others of the canine race, in +finding wounded game of every description. + +Mr. Blain remarks that, + + "as a retriever, the Newfoundland dog is easily brought to do almost + anything that is required of him, and he is so tractable, likewise, + that, with the least possible trouble, he may be safely taken among + pointers to the field, with whose province he will not interfere, but + will be overjoyed to be allowed to look up the wounded game, which he + will do with a perseverance that no speed and no distance can slacken, + nor any hedge-row baulk. In cover he is very useful; some, indeed, + shoot woodcocks to a Newfoundland, and he never shines more than when + he is returning with a woodcock, pheasant, or hare, in his mouth, + which he yields up, or even puts into your hand unmutilated." + +Notwithstanding the high commendations of these gentlemen, we cannot +look upon the Newfoundland in any other light than that of a dog, whose +powers of sagacity are destined for display in the water. + +In contending with this element, either in the preservation of human +life, or in search of wounded fowl, he has no equal, and volumes might +be filled with accounts of his various daring achievements in this +particular branch, not only in England, but on the rivers of our own +country. Mr. Blain mentions two varieties of these dogs as being common +in England, the Labrador and St. John. The former is very large, +rough-haired, and carries his tail very high; the latter is smaller, +more docile, and sagacious in the extreme, and withal much more +manageable. We were not aware of these varieties, and more particularly +as regards the difference in docility and sagacity, but are convinced, +from subsequent observations, that such is the case even in our own +country, for we have often noticed a great dissimilarity in the size and +appearance of these dogs and attributed it to the effects of the climate +and cross breeding with inferior animals. We are indebted to Mr. Skinner +for bringing before the public a faithful and minute account of two of +these animals imported into this country by Mr. Law, of Baltimore, and +may be pardoned for giving again publicity to this gentleman's letter in +relation to these two sagacious brutes. + + + BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, January 7th, 1845. + + "MY DEAR SIR:--In the fall of 1807 I was on board of the ship Canton, + belonging to my uncle, the late Hugh Thompson, of Baltimore, when we + fell in, at sea, near the termination of a very heavy equinoctial + gale, with an English brig in a sinking condition, and took off the + crew. The brig was loaded with codfish, and was bound to Poole, in + England, from Newfoundland. I boarded her, in command of a boat from + the Canton, which was sent to take off the English crew, the brig's + own boats having been all swept away, and her crew in a state of + intoxication. I found on board of her two Newfoundland pups, male and + female, which I saved, and, subsequently, on our landing the English + crew at Norfolk, our own destination being Baltimore, I purchased + these two pups of the English captain for a guinea a-piece. Being + bound again to sea, I gave the dog-pup, which was called Sailor, to + Mr. John Mercer, of West River; and the slut-pup, which was called + Canton, to Doctor James Stewart, of Sparrow's Point. The history which + the English captain gave me of these pups was, that the owner of his + brig was extensively engaged in the Newfoundland trade, and had + directed his correspondent to select and send him a pair of pups of + the most approved Newfoundland breed, but of different families, and + that the pair I purchased of him were selected under this order. The + dog was of a dingy red colour, and the slut black. They were not + large; their hair was short, but very thick coated; they had dew + claws. Both attained great reputation as water-dogs. They were most + sagacious in everything, particularly so in all duties connected with + duck-shooting. Governor Lloyd exchanged a Mexican ram for the dog at + the time of the merino fever, when such rams were selling for many + hundred dollars, and took him over to his estate on the eastern shore + of Maryland, where his progeny were well known for many years after, + and may still he known there, and on the western shore, as the Sailor + breed. The slut remained at Sparrow's Point till her death, and her + progeny were, and are still, well known through Patapsco Neck, on the + Gunpowder, and up the bay, amongst the duck-shooters, as unsurpassed + for their purposes. I have heard both Doctor Stewart and Mr. Mercer + relate most extraordinary instances of the sagacity and performances + of both dog and slut, and would refer you to their friends for such + particulars as I am unable, at this distance of time, to recollect + with sufficient accuracy to repeat. + + Yours, in haste, + + GEORGE LAW." + +These dogs are represented as being of fine carriage, broad-chested, +compact figure, and in every respect built for strength and activity. + +Their patience and endurance were very great when pursuing wounded ducks +through the floating ice, and when fatigued from extraordinary exertions +were known to rest themselves upon broken portions of ice till +sufficiently recovered again to commence the chase. We have seen some of +the descendants of these sagacious animals on the Chesapeake, engaged, +not only in bringing the ducks from the water when shot, but also toling +them into shore within range of the murderous batteries concealed behind +the blind. + +This may not be an inappropriate place to speak of this wonderful mode +of decoying ducks, termed toling, so extensively practised upon the +Chesapeake bay and its tributaries, where the canvass-back and red-heads +resort in such numerous quantities every fall. A species of mongrel +water-dog, or often any common cur, is taught to run backwards and +forwards after stones, sticks, or other missiles thrown from one side to +the other. In his activity and industry in this simple branch of +education, within the comprehension of any dog, consists the almost +incredible art of toling the canvass-back. + +With a dog of this character, the shooting party, consisting of several +persons all prepared with heavy double-barrelled duck-guns, ensconce +themselves at break of day behind some one of the numerous blinds +temporarily erected along the shore contiguous to the feeding-grounds of +these ducks. Everything being arranged, and the morning mists cleared +off, the ducks will be seen securely feeding on the shallows not less +than several hundreds of yards from the shore. The dog is now put in +motion by throwing stones from one side of the blind to the other. This +will soon be perceived by the ducks, who, stimulated by an extreme +degree of curiosity, and feeling anxious to inform themselves as to this +sudden and singular phenomenon, raise their heads high in the water and +commence swimming for the shore. The dog being kept in motion, the ducks +will not arrest their progress until within a few feet of the water's +edge, and oftentimes will stand on the shore staring, as it were, in +mute and silly astonishment at the playful motions of the dog. + +If well trained the dog takes no notice whatever of the duck, but +continues his fascination until the quick report of the battery +announces to him that his services are now wanted in another quarter, +and he immediately rushes into the water to arrest the flight of the +maimed and wounded, who, struggling on every side, dye the water with +their rich blood. + +The discovery of this mode of decoying ducks was quite an accident, +being attributed to a circumstance noticed by a sportsman, who, +concealed behind a blind patiently awaiting the near approach of the +canvass-back, observed that they suddenly lifted up their heads and +moved towards the shore. Wondering at this singular and unusual +procedure on the part of this wray bird, he naturally looked round to +discover the cause, and observed a young fox sporting upon the river +bank, and the ducks, all eagerness to gaze upon him, were steering their +course directly for the shore. + +These ducks will not only be decoyed by the dog, but will often come in +by waving a fancy coloured handkerchief attached to the ramrod. We have +seen a dog fail to attract their attention till bound around the loins +with a white handkerchief, and then succeed perfectly well. The toling +season continues about three weeks from the first appearance of the +ducks, often a much shorter time, as these birds become more cautious, +and are no longer deceived in this way. + +The canvass-back toles better than any other duck; in fact, it is +asserted by many sportsmen, that this particular variety alone can be +decoyed in this mode. There are always numbers of other ducks feeding +with the canvass-back, particularly the red-heads and black-necks, who +partake of the top of the grass that the canvas-back discards after +eating off the root, which is a kind of celery. These ducks, though they +come in with the canvass-back when toled, do not seem to take any notice +whatever of the dog, but continue to swim along, carelessly feeding, as +if entrusting themselves entirely to the guidance of the other ducks. + +As far as we have been able to judge, we are inclined to this opinion +also, and do not recollect ever having succeeded in toling any other +species of duck, unaccompanied by the canvass-back, although we have +made the effort many times. These ducks are a very singular bird, and +although very cunning under ordinary circumstances, seem perfectly +bewildered upon this subject, as we were one of a party several years +since, who actually succeeded in decoying the same batch of ducks three +successive times in the course of an hour, and slaying at each fire a +large number, as we counted out over forty at the conclusion of the +sport. + +Although the toling of ducks is so simple in its process, there are few +dogs that have sufficient industry and perseverance to arrive at any +degree of perfection in the art. The dog, if not possessed of some +sagacity and considerable training, is very apt to tire and stop running +when the ducks have got near to the shore, but too far to be reached by +the guns, which spoils all, as the birds are very apt to swim or fly off +if the motion of the animal is arrested for a few moments.--L.] + +A native of Germany was travelling one evening on foot through Holland, +accompanied by a large dog. Walking on a high bank which formed one side +of a dyke, his foot slipped, and he was precipitated into the water; +and, being unable to swim, soon became senseless. When he recovered his +recollection, he found himself in a cottage on the contrary side of the +dyke, surrounded by peasants, who had been using the means for the +recovery of drowned persons. The account given by one of them was, that, +returning home from his labour, he observed at a considerable distance a +large dog in the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing +along something that he seemed to have great difficulty in supporting, +but which he at length succeeded in getting into a small creek on the +opposite side. When the animal had pulled what he had hitherto supported +as far out of the water as he was able, the peasant discovered that it +was the body of a man, whose face and hands the dog was industriously +licking. The peasant hastened to a bridge across the dyke, and, having +obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house, +where proper means soon restored the drowned man to life. Two very +considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, appeared, one on his +shoulder and the other on his poll; hence it was presumed that the +faithful beast had first seized his master by the shoulder, and swam +with him in this manner for some time, but that his sagacity had +prompted him to quit this hold, and to shift it to the nape of the neck, +by which he had been enabled to support the head out of water; and in +this way he had conveyed him nearly a quarter of a mile before he had +brought him to the creek, where the banks were low and accessible. + +Dr. Beattie relates an instance of a gentleman attempting to cross the +river Dee, then frozen over, near Aberdeen. The ice gave way about the +middle of the river; but, having a gun in his hand, he supported himself +by placing it across the opening. His dog then ran to a neighbouring +village, where, with the most significant gestures, he pulled a man by +the coat, and prevailed on him to follow him. They arrived at the spot +just in time to save the drowning man's life. + +Of the noble disposition of the Newfoundland dog, Dr. Abel, in one of +his lectures on Phrenology, relates a singular instance. + + "When this dog left his master's house, he was often assailed by a + number of little noisy dogs in the street. He usually passed them with + apparent unconcern, as if they were beneath his notice; but one little + cur was particularly troublesome, and at length carried his impudence + so far as to bite the Newfoundland dog in the leg. This was a degree + of wanton insult beyond what he could patiently endure; and he + instantly turned round, ran after the offender, and seized him by the + skin of the back. In this way he carried him in his mouth to the quay, + and, holding him some time over the water, at length dropped him into + it. He did not, however, seem to design that the culprit should be + punished capitally. He waited a little while, until the poor animal, + who was unused to that element, was not only well ducked, but nearly + sinking, and then plunged in, and brought him safe to land." + + "It would be difficult," says Dr. Hancock, in his Essay on Instinct, + "to conceive any punishment more aptly contrived or more completely in + character. Indeed, if it were fully analyzed, an ample commentary + might be written in order to show what a variety of comparisons and + motives and generous feelings entered into the composition of this + act." + +No one ever drew more legitimate consequence from certain existing +premises. + +One other story should not be omitted of this noble breed of water-dogs. +A vessel was driven on the beach of Lydd, in Kent. The surf was rolling +furiously. Eight poor fellows were crying for help, but not a boat could +be got off to their assistance. At length a gentleman came on the beach +accompanied by his Newfoundland dog: he directed the attention of the +animal to the vessel, and put a short stick into his mouth. The +intelligent and courageous fellow at once understood his meaning, sprung +into the sea, and fought his way through the waves. He could not, +however, get close enough to the vessel to deliver that with which he +was charged; but the crew understood what was meant, and they made fast +a rope to another piece of wood, and threw it towards him. The noble +beast dropped his own piece of wood and immediately seized that which +had been cast to him, and then, with a degree of strength and +determination scarcely credible,--for he was again and again lost under +the waves,--he dragged it through the surge and delivered it to his +master. A line of communication was thus formed, and every man on board +was rescued. + +There is, however, a more remarkable fact recorded in the Penny +Magazine. + + "During a heavy gale a ship had struck on a rock near the land. The + only chance of escape for the shipwrecked was to get a rope ashore; + for it was impossible for any boat to live in the sea as it was then + running. There were two Newfoundland dogs and a bull-dog on board. One + of the Newfoundland dogs was thrown overboard, with a rope thrown + round him, and perished in the waves. The second shared a similar + fate: but the bull-dog fought his way through that terrible sea, and, + arriving safe onshore, rope and all, became the saviour of the crew." + +Some of the true Newfoundland dogs have been brought to Europe and have +been used as retrievers. They are principally valuable for the fearless +manner in which they will penetrate the thickest cover. They are +comparatively small, but muscular, strong, and generally black. A larger +variety has been bred, and is now perfectly established. He is seldom +used as a sporting dog, or for draught, but is admired on account of his +stature and beauty, and the different colours with which he is often +marked. Perhaps he is not quite so good-natured and manageable as the +smaller variety, and yet it is not often that much fault can be found +with him on this account. + +A noble animal of this kind was presented to the Zoological Society by +His Royal Highness Prince Albert. He is a great ornament to the gardens; +but he had been somewhat unmanageable, and had done some mischief before +he was sent thither. + +A portion of Lord Byron's beautiful epitaph on the death of his +Newfoundland dog will properly close our account of this animal: + + "The poor dog! In life the firmest friend, + The first to welcome, foremost to defend; + Whose honest heart is still his master's own; + Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone." + +[Notwithstanding the many excellent qualities so conspicuous in this +noble breed of dog, he is said to possess one most ungenerous trait of +character, "a peculiar antipathy to sheep," and if not early trained to +endure their presence, will take every opportunity to destroy these +innocent animals.] + + +THE ESQUIMAUX DOG + +is a beast of burden and of draught, usefully employed by the +inhabitants of the extreme parts of North America and the neighbouring +islands. When the Esquimaux Indian goes in pursuit of the seal, the +rein-deer, or the bear, his dogs carry the materials of his temporary +hut, and the few necessaries of his simple life; or, yoked to the +sledge, often draw him and his family full sixty miles a-day over the +frozen plains of these inhospitable regions. At other times they assist +in the chase, and run down and destroy the bear and the rein-deer on +land, and the seal on the coast. + +These dogs are very early trained to the work which they are destined to +follow, and even at the tender age of four or five months are harnessed +together or in company with older animals, and are compelled, either by +persuasion or brutal chastisement, to draw heavy weights, and thus soon +become accustomed to the trammels of the rude gearing, and familiar with +the service that they afterwards perform with so much sagacity and +alacrity. + +Capt. Lyon states that they are very similar in appearance to the +shepherd dog of England, but more muscular and broad chested, owing to +severe work; ears pointed, of a savage appearance; the finer dogs are +equal to the Newfoundland breed in point of height and general symmetry. + +It is also somewhat curious to be informed that these dogs have no +particular season of oestrum, but bear young indiscriminately at all +times of the year, cold or warm, having very little or no effect upon +their reproductive powers, being often seen in heat during the month of +December when the thermometer was forty degrees below zero. + +Their journeys are often without any certain object; but, if the dogs +scent the deer or the bear, they gallop away in that direction until +their prey is within reach of the driver, or they are enabled to assist +in destroying their foe. Captain Parry, in his Journal of a 'Second +Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage', gives an amusing +account of these expeditions. + + "A number of dogs, varying from six to twelve, are attached to each + sledge by means of a single trace, but with no reins. An old and tried + dog is placed as the leader, who, in their simple journeys, and when + the chase is the object, steadily obeys the voice of the driver + sitting in front of the sledge, with a whip long enough to reach the + leader. This whip, however, is used as seldom as possible; for these + dogs, although tractable, are ferocious, and will endure little + correction. When the whip is applied with severity on one, he falls + upon and worries his neighbour, and he, in his turn, attacks a third, + and there is a scene of universal confusion, or the dogs double from + side to side to avoid the whip, and the traces become entangled, and + the safety of the sledge endangered. The carriage must then be + stopped, each dog put into his proper place, and the traces + re-adjusted. This frequently happens several times in the course of + the day. The driver therefore depends principally on the docility of + the leader, who, with admirable precision, quickens or slackens his + pace, and starts off or stops, or turns to the right or left, at the + summons of his master. When they are journeying homeward, or + travelling to some spot to which the leader has been accustomed to go, + he is generally suffered to pursue his own course; for, although every + trace of the road is lost in the drifting snow, he scents it out, and + follows it with undeviating accuracy. Even the leader, however, is not + always under the control of his master. If the journey lies homeward, + he will go his own pace, and that is usually at the top of his speed; + or, if any game starts, or he scents it at a distance, no command of + his driver will restrain him. Neither the dog nor his master is half + civilized or subdued." + +Each of these dogs will draw a weight of 120 lb. over the snow, at the +rate of seven or eight miles an hour. + +[It is extraordinary to consider the powers and wonderful speed of these +animals, almost equalling that of many horses. + +Captain Lyon informs us that three dogs drew a sledge weighing 100 lbs. +and himself, one mile in six minutes; his leader dog, which is generally +more powerful than the others, drew 196 lb. the same distance in eight +minutes; seven dogs ran one mile in four minutes and thirty seconds, +with a heavy sledge full of men attached to them; ten dogs ran one mile +in five minutes; nine dogs drew 1611 lb. the same distance in nine +minutes.--'Lyon's Journal', p. 243.--L.] + +In summer, many of these dogs are used as beasts of burden, and each +carries from thirty to fifty pounds. They are then much better kept than +in the winter; for they have the remains of the whale and sea-calf, +which their masters disdain to eat. The majority, however, are sent +adrift in the summer, and they live on the produce of the chase or of +their constant thievery. The exactness with which, the summer being +past, each returns to his master, is an admirable proof of sagacity, and +frequently of attachment. + +In some parts of Siberia, on the borders of the Oby, there are +established relays of dogs, like the post-horses in other countries. +Four of these are attached to a very light vehicle; but, when much haste +is required, or any very heavy goods are to be conveyed, more than +treble or quadruple that number are harnessed to the vehicle. M. de +Lesseps [2] gives an almost incredible account of this. He is speaking +of the voracity of these poor beasts, in the midst of the snowy desert, +with little or no food. + + "We had unharnessed our dogs, in order to bring them closer together, + in the ordinary way; but, the moment they were brought up to the pole, + they seized their harness, constructed of the thickest and toughest + leather, and tore it to pieces, and devoured it. It was in vain that + we attempted every means of restraint. A great number of them escaped + into the wilds around, others wandered here and there, and seized + everything that came within their reach, and which their teeth could + destroy. Almost every minute some one of them fell exhausted, and + immediately became the prey of the others. Every one that could get + within reach struggled for his share. Every limb was disputed, and + torn away by a troop of rivals, who attacked all within their reach. + As soon as one fell by exhaustion or accident, he was seized by a + dozen others, and destroyed in the space of a few minutes. In order to + defend ourselves from this crowd of famished beasts, we were compelled + to have recourse to our bludgeons and our swords. To this horrible + scene of mutual destruction succeeded, on the following day, the sad + appearance of those that surrounded the sledge, to which we had + retreated for safety and for warmth. They were thin, and starved, and + miserable; they could scarcely move; their plaintive and continual + howlings seemed to claim our succour; but there was no possibility of + relieving them in the slightest degree, except that some of them crept + to the opening in our carriage through which the smoke escapes; and + the more they felt the warmth closer they crept, and then, through + mere feebleness, losing their equilibrium, they rolled into the fire + before our eyes." + +These dogs are not so high as the common pointer, but much larger and +stouter, although their thick hair, three or four inches long in the +winter, gives them an appearance of more stoutness than they possess. +Under this hair is a coating of fine close soft wool, which begins to +grow in the early part of winter, and drops off in the spring. Their +muzzles are sharp and generally black, and their ears erect. + +The Greenland, and Siberian, and Kamtschatdale are varieties of the +Esquimaux or Arctic dogs, but enlarged in form, and better subdued. The +docility of some of these is equal to that of any European breed. + +A person of the name of Chabert, who was afterwards better known by the +title of "Fire King," had a beautiful Siberian dog, who would draw him +in a light carriage 20 miles a day. He asked £200 for him, and sold him +for a considerable portion of that sum; for he was a most beautiful +animal of his kind, and as docile as he was beautiful. Between the sale +and the delivery, the dog fell and broke his leg. Chabert, to whom the +price agreed on was of immense consequence, was in despair. He took the +dog at night to a veterinary surgeon. He formally introduced them to +each other. He talked to the dog, pointed to his leg, limped around the +room, then requested the surgeon to apply some bandages around the leg, +and he seemed to walk sound and well. He patted the dog on the head, who +was looking alternately at him and the surgeon, desired the surgeon to +pat him, and to offer him his hand to lick, and then, holding up his +finger to the dog, and gently shaking his head, quitted the room and the +house. The dog immediately laid himself down, and submitted to a +reduction of the fracture, and the bandaging of the limb, without a +motion, except once or twice licking the hand of the operator. He was +quite submissive, and in a manner motionless, day after day, until, at +the expiration of a month, the limb was sound. Not a trace of the +fracture was to be detected, and the purchaser, who is now living, knew +nothing about it. + +The employment of the Esquimaux dogs is nearly the same as those from +Newfoundland, and most valuable they are to the traveller who has to +find his way over the wild and trackless regions of the north. The +manner, however, in which they are generally treated seems ill +calculated to cause any strong or lasting attachment. During their +period of labour, they, like their brethren in Newfoundland, are fed +sparingly on putrid fish, and in summer they are turned loose to shift +for themselves until the return of the severe season renders it +necessary to their masters' interest that they should again be sought +for, and once more reduced to their state of toil and slavery. + +They have been known for several successive days to travel more than 60 +miles. They seldom miss their road, although they may be driven over one +untrodden snowy plain, where they are occasionally unable to reach any +place of shelter. When, however, night comes, they partake with their +master of the scanty fare which the sledge will afford, and, crowding +round, keep him warm and defend him from danger. If any of them fall +victims to the hardships to which they are exposed, their master or +their companions frequently feed on their remains, and their skins are +converted into warm and comfortable dresses. + + +THE LAPLAND DOG. + +Captain Clarke thus describes the Lapland dog: + + "We had a valuable companion in a dog belonging to one of the boatmen. + It was of the true Lapland breed, and in all respects similar to a + wolf, excepting the tail, which was bushy and curled like those of the + Pomeranian race. This dog, swimming after the boat, if his master + merely waved his hand, would cross the lake as often as he pleased, + carrying half his body and the whole of his head and tail out of the + water. Wherever he landed, he scoured all the long grass by the side + of the lake in search of wild-fowl, and came back to us, bringing + wild-ducks in his mouth to the boat, and then, having delivered his + prey to his master, he would instantly set off again in search of + more." [3] + +But we pass on to another and more valuable species of the dog: + + +THE SHEEP-DOG. + +The origin of the sheep-dog is somewhat various; but the predominant +breed is that of the intelligent and docile spaniel. Although it is now +found in every civilized country in which the sheep is cultivated, ii is +not coeval with the domestication of that animal. When the pastures were +in a manner open to the first occupant, and every shepherd had a common +property in them, it was not so necessary to restrain the wandering of +the sheep, and the voice of the shepherd was usually sufficient to +collect and to guide them. He preceded the flock, and they "followed him +whithersoever he went." In process of time, however, man availed himself +of the sagacity of the dog to diminish his own labour and fatigue, and +this useful servitor became the guide and defender of the flock. + +The sheep-dog possesses much of the same form and character in every +country. The muzzle is sharp, the ears are short and erect, and the +animal is covered, particularly about the neck, with thick and shaggy +hair. He has usually two dew claws on each of the hind legs; not, +however, as in the one claw of other dogs, having a jointed attachment +to the limb, but merely connected by the skin and some slight cellular +substance. These excrescences should be cut off when the dog is young. +The tail is slightly turned upwards and long, and almost as bushy as +that of a fox, even in that variety whose coat is almost smooth. He is +of a black colour or black prevails, mixed with gray or brown. + +Professor Grognier gives the following account of this dog as he is +found in France: + + "The shepherd's dog, the least removed from the natural type of the + dog, is of a middle size; his ears short and straight; the hair long, + principally on the tail, and of a dark colour; the tail is carried + horizontally or a little elevated. He is very indifferent to caresses. + possessed of much intelligence and activity to discharge the duties + for which he was designed. In one or other of its varieties it is + found in every part of France. Sometimes there is but a single breed, + in others there are several varieties. It lives and maintains its + proper characteristics, while other races often degenerate. Everywhere + it preserves its proper distinguishing type. It is the servant of man, + while other breeds vary with a thousand circumstances. It has one + appropriate mission, and that it discharges in the most admirable way: + there is evidently a kind and wise design in this." + +This account of the French sheep-dog, or of the sheep-dog everywhere, is +as true as it is beautiful. One age succeeds to another, we pass from +one climate to another, and everything varies and changes, but the +shepherd's dog is what he ever was--the guardian of our flocks. There +are, however, two or more species of this dog; the one which Professor +Grognier has described, and which guards and guides the sheep in the +open and level country, where wolves seldom intrude; another crossed +with the mastiff, or little removed from that dog, used in the woody and +mountainous countries, their guard more than their guide. [4] In Great +Britain, where he has principally to guide and not to guard the flock, +he is comparatively a small dog. He is so in the northern and open parts +of the country, where activity is principally wanted; but, in the more +enclosed districts, and where strength is often needed to turn an +obstinate sheep, he is crossed with some larger dog, as the rough +terrier, or sometimes the pointer, or now and then the bull-dog: in +fact, almost any variety that has strength and stoutness may be +employed. Thus we obtain the larger sheep-dog and the drover's dog. The +sagacity, forbearance, and kindness of the sheep-dog are generally +retained, but from these crosses there is occasionally a degree of +ferocity from which the sheep often suffer. + +In other countries, where the flock is exposed to the attack of the +wolf, the sheep-dog is larger than the British drover's dog, and not far +inferior in size to the mastiff. The strength and ferocity which qualify +him to combat with the wolf, would occasionally be injurious or fatal to +those who somewhat obstinately opposed his direction; therefore, in +Denmark and in Spain, the dog is rarely employed to drive the flock. It +is the office of the shepherd, to know every individual under his +charge, to, as in olden times, "call them all by their names," and have +always some docile and tamed wether who will take the lead, almost as +subservient to his voice as is the dog himself, and whom the flock will +immediately follow. + +In whatever country the dog is used, partly or principally to protect +the flock from the ravages of the wolf, he is as gentle as a lamb, +except when opposed to his natural enemy; and it is only in England that +the guardian of the sheep occasionally injures and worries them, and +that many can be found bearing the mark of the tooth. This may he +somewhat excusable (although it is often carried to a barbarous extent) +in the drover's dog; but it will admit of no apology in the shepherd's +dog. It is the result of the idleness of the boy, or the mingled +brutality and idleness of the shepherd, who is attempting to make the +dog do his own work and that of his master too. We have admired the +Prussian sheep-dog in the discharge of his duty, and have seen him pick +out the marked sheep, or stop and turn the flock, as cleverly as any +Highland colley, but he never bit them. He is a shorter, stronger, and +more compact dog than ours. He pushes against them and forces them +along. If they rebel against this mild treatment, the shepherd is at +hand to enforce obedience; and the flock is as easily and perfectly +managed as any English or Highland one, and a great deal more so than +the majority that we have seen. + +Mr. Trimmer, in his work on the Merinos, speaking of the Spanish flocks, +says: + + "There is no driving of the flock; that is a practice entirely + unknown; but the shepherd, when he wishes to remove his sheep, calls + to him a tame wether accustomed to feed from his hands. The favourite, + however distant, obeys his call, and the rest follow. One or more of + the dogs, with large collars armed with spikes, in order to protect + them from the wolves, precede the flock, others skirt it on each side, + and some bring up the rear. If a sheep be ill or lame, or lag behind + unobserved by the shepherds, they stay with it and defend it until + some one return in search of it. With us, dogs are too often used for + other and worse purposes. In open, unenclosed districts, they are + indispensable; but in others I wish them, I confess, either managed, + or encouraged less. If a sheep commits a fault in the sight of an + intemperate shepherd, or accidentally offends him, it is 'dogged' + into obedience: the signal is given, the dog obeys the mandate, and + the poor sheep flies round the field to escape from the fangs of him + who should be his protector, until it becomes half dead with fright + and exhaustion, while the trembling flock crowd together dreading the + same fate, and the churl exults in this cowardly victory over a weak + and defenceless animal." [5] + +If the farmer will seriously calculate the number of ewes that have +yeaned before their time, and of the lambs that he has lost, and the +accidents that have occurred from the sheep pressing upon one another in +order to escape from the dog, and if he will also take into account the +continual disturbance of the sheep while grazing, by the approach of the +dog, and the consequent interference with the cropping and the digestion +of the food, he will attach more importance to the good temper of the +dog and of the shepherd than he has been accustomed to do. There would +be no injustice, or rather a great deal of propriety, in inflicting a +fine for every tooth-mark that could be detected. When the sheep, +instead of collecting round the dog, and placing themselves under his +protection on any sudden alarm, uniformly fly from him with terror, the +farmer may he assured there is something radically wrong in the +management of the flock. + +Instinct and education combine to fit this dog for our service. The +pointer will act without any great degree of instruction, and the setter +will crouch; and most certainly the sheep-dog, and especially if he has +the example of an older and expert one, will, almost without the +teaching of the master, become everything that can be wished, obedient +to every order, even to the slightest motion of the hand. There is a +natural predisposition for the office he has to discharge, which it +requires little trouble or skill to develop and perfect. + +It is no unpleasing employment to study the degree in which the several +breeds of dogs are not only highly intelligent, but fitted by nature for +the particular duty they have to perform. The pointer, the setter, the +hound, the greyhound, the terrier, the spaniel, and even the bull-dog, +were made, and almost perfected, by nature chiefly for one office alone, +although they maybe useful in many other ways. This is well illustrated +in the sheep-dog. If he be but with his master, he lies content, +indifferent to every surrounding object, seemingly half asleep and half +awake, rarely mingling with his kind, rarely courting, and generally +shrinking from, the notice of a stranger; but the moment duty calls, his +sleepy, listless eye, becomes brightened; he eagerly gazes on his +master, inquires and comprehends all he is to do, and, springing up, +gives himself to the discharge of his duty with a sagacity, and +fidelity, and devotion, too rarely equalled even by man himself. + +Mr. James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, living in his early days among the +sheep and their quadruped attendants, and an accurate observer of +nature, as well an exquisite poet, gives some anecdotes of the colley, +(the Highland term for sheep-dog), with which the reader will not be +displeased. + + "My dog Sirrah," says he, in a letter to the Editor of 'Blackwood's + Edinburgh Magazine', "was, beyond all comparison, the best dog I ever + saw. He had a somewhat surly and unsocial temper, disdaining all + flattery, and refusing to be caressed, but his attention to my + commands and interest will never again be equalled by any of the + canine race. When I first saw him, a drover was leading him with a + rope. He was both lean and hungry, and far from being a beautiful + animal; for he was almost black, and had a grim face, striped with + dark brown. I thought I perceived a sort of sullen intelligence in his + countenance, notwithstanding his dejected and forlorn appearance, and + I bought him. He was scarcely a year old, and knew so little of + herding that he had never turned a sheep in his life; but, as soon as + he discovered that it was his duty to do so, and that it obliged me, I + can never forget with what anxiety and eagerness he learned his + different evolutions; and when I once made him understand a direction, + he never forgot or mistook it." + + On one night, a large flock of lambs that were under the Ettrick + Shepherd's care, frightened by something, scampered away in three + different directions across the hills, in spite of all that he could + do to keep them together. "Sirrah," said the shepherd, "they're a' + awa!" + + It was too dark for the dog and his master to see each other at any + considerable distance, but Sirrah understood him, and set off after + the fugitives. The night passed on, and Hogg and his assistant + traversed every neighbouring hill in anxious but fruitless search for + the lambs; but he could hear nothing of them nor of the dog, and he + was returning to his master with the doleful intelligence that he had + lost all his lambs. "On our way home, however," says he, "we + discovered a lot of lambs at the bottom of a deep ravine called the + Flesh Cleuch, and the indefatigable Sirrah standing in front of them, + looking round for some relief, but still true to his charge. We + concluded that it was one of the divisions which Sirrah had been + unable to manage, until he came to that commanding situation. But what + was our astonishment when we discovered that not one lamb of the flock + was missing! How he had got all the divisions collected in the dark, + is beyond my comprehension. The charge was left entirely to himself + from midnight until the rising sun; and, if all the shepherds in the + forest had been there to have assisted him, they could not have + effected it with greater promptitude. All that I can say is, that I + never felt so grateful to any creature under the sun us I did to my + honest Sirrah that morning." + +A shepherd, in one of his excursions over the Grampian Hills to collect +his scattered flock, took with him (as is a frequent practice, to +initiate them in their future business) one of his children about four +years old. After traversing his pastures for a while, attended by his +dog, he was compelled to ascend a summit at some distance. As the ascent +was too great for the child, he left him at the bottom, with strict +injunctions not to move from the place. Scarcely, however, had he gained +the height, when one of the Scotch mists, of frequent occurrence, +suddenly came on, and almost changed the day to night. He returned to +seek his child, but was unable to find him, and concluded a long and +fruitless search by coming distracted to his cottage. His poor dog also +was missing in the general confusion. On the next morning by daylight he +renewed his search, but again he came back without his child. He found, +however, that during his absence his dog had been home, and, on +receiving his allowance of food, instantly departed. For four successive +days the shepherd continued his search with the same bad fortune, the +dog as readily coming for his meal and departing. Struck by this +singular circumstance, he determined to follow the dog, who departed as +usual with his piece of cake. The animal led the way to a cataract at +some distance from the spot where the child had been left. It was a +rugged and almost perpendicular descent which the dog took, and he +disappeared in a cave, the mouth of which was almost on a level with the +torrent. The shepherd with difficulty followed; but, on entering the +cavern, what were his emotions when he beheld the infant eating the cake +which the dog had just brought to him, while the faithful animal stood +by, eyeing his young charge with the utmost complacency! From the +situation in which the child was found, it appeared that he had wandered +to the brink of the precipice, and then either fallen or scrambled down, +the torrent preventing his re-ascent. The dog by means of his scent had +traced him to the spot, and afterwards prevented him from starving by +giving up a part, or, perhaps, the whole of his own daily allowance. He +appears never to have quitted the child night or day, except for food, +as he was seen running at full speed to and from the cottage. [6] + +Mr. Hogg says, and very truly, that a single shepherd and his dog will +accomplish more in gathering a flock of sheep from a Highland farm than +twenty shepherds could do without dogs; in fact, that without this +docile animal, the pastoral life would be a mere blank. It would require +more hands to manage a flock of sheep, gather them from the hills, force +them into houses and folds, and drive them to markets, than the profits +of the whole flock would be capable of maintaining. Well may the +shepherd feel an interest in his dog; he it is indeed that earns the +family bread, of which he is himself content with the smallest morsel: +always grateful, and always ready to exert his utmost abilities in his +master's interests. Neither hunger, fatigue, nor the worst treatment +will drive him from his side, and he will follow him through every +hardship without murmur or repining. If one of them is obliged to change +masters, it is sometimes long before he will acknowledge the new owner, +or condescend to work for him with the willingness that he did for his +former lord; but, if he once acknowledges him, he continues attached to +him until death. [7] + +We will add another story of the colley, and proceed. It illustrates the +memory of the dog. A shepherd was employed in bringing up some mountain +sheep from Westmoreland, and took with him a young sheep-dog who had +never made the journey before. From his assistant being ignorant of the +ground, he experienced great difficulty in having the flock stopped at +the various roads and lanes he passed in their way to the neighbourhood +of London. + +In the next year the same shepherd, accompanied by the same dog, brought +up another flock for the gentlemen who had had the former one. On being +questioned how he had got on, he said much better than the year before, +as his dog now knew the road, and had kept the sheep from going up any +of the lanes or turnings that had given the shepherd so much trouble on +his former journey. The distance could not have been less than 400 +miles. [8] + +Buffon gives an eloquent and faithful account of the sheep-dog: + + "This animal, faithful to man, will always preserve a portion of his + empire and a degree of superiority over other beings. He reigns at the + head of his flock, and makes himself better understood than the voice + of the shepherd. Safety, order, and discipline are the fruits of his + vigilance and activity. They are a people submitted to his management, + whom he conducts and protects, and against whom he never employs force + but for the preservation of good order." + + "If we consider that this animal, notwithstanding his ugliness and his + wild and melancholy look, is superior in instinct to all others; that + he has a decided character in which education has comparatively little + share; that he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the + service of others; that, guided by natural powers alone, he applies + himself to the care of our flocks, a duty which he executes with + singular assiduity, vigilance, and fidelity; that he conducts them + with an admirable intelligence which is a part and portion of himself; + that his sagacity astonishes at the same time that it gives repose to + his master, while it requires great time and trouble to instruct other + dogs for the purposes to which they are destined: if we reflect on + these facts we shall be confirmed in the opinion that the shepherd's + dog is the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole + species." [9] + +[After reading the above history of this truly valuable dog, it is +almost superfluous for us to attempt to add anything more on this head; +however, we must pause for a few moments, to call the attention of our +agriculturists and others engaged in raising sheep, to the immense +advantages to be derived from the introduction of this sagacious animal +throughout our own country. + +The increased vigour that is now given for the cultivation of sheep, to +supply the necessary demands of the numerous woollen factories springing +up in every quarter, renders the services of this faithful creature +absolutely indispensable, not only as a guardian of the flocks, but as a +mere expedient of economy. + +Many portions of our country, now lying idle, particularly the +mountainous ranges, are peculiarly adapted for the grazing of sheep, and +we are destined not only to supply the world with cotton, but may hope +ere long to add to our national wealth the other equally valuable staple +commodity, that of wool. + +In the care of sheep, each dog not only supplies the place of two or +three men, but, as is seen in the foregoing pages, renders such +assistance as cannot be obtained from any other source. + +The shepherds of Mexico lead a life not unlike the patriarchs of old, +shifting about from day to day, watching their immense flocks, attended +only by a few dogs, who have the entire control of the sheep, keeping +them from straying away, and not only defending them from the +blood-thirsty wolf, but even attacking, if necessary, the skulking +savage. + +These dogs of Mexico are represented as being much larger than the +English variety, and no doubt are the descendants of the Spanish +shepherd dog, so highly prized in protecting the Merino flocks from the +wolves that infest the mountainous parts of Spain, most frequented by +the herds during the summer season. + +These dogs are the same breed as those engaged by the philanthropic +monks of St. Bernard in hunting up the benumbed traveller when sinking +from exhaustion, or already overwhelmed by the sudden rushing of an +avalanche into some one of the mountain passes. + +The original Spanish shepherd dog is a very powerful animal, and even +those of Mexico, when armed with spiked collars, are a sufficient match +for the largest wolves. Mr. Kendall mentions having met on the grand +prairie with a flock of sheep numbering seventeen thousand, which +immense herd was guarded by a very few men, assisted by a large number +of noble dogs, which appeared gifted with the faculty of keeping them +together. + + "There was no running about, no barking or biting in their system of + tactics; on the contrary, they were continually walking up and down, + like faithful sentinels, on the outer side of the flock, and should + any sheep chance to stray from his fellows, the dog on duty at that + particular post would walk gently up, take him carefully by the ear, + and lead him back to the fold. Not the least fear did the sheep + manifest at the approach of these dogs, and there was no occasion for + it." + Vol. I. p. 268. + +This account coincides with the remarks of Mr. Trinner upon this dog in +old Spain; and Mr. Skinner very justly remarks, that the Mexican +sheep-dog has not his equal in any part of the world, except, perhaps, +in his native country, and that the Scotch or English dog sinks into +insignificance when compared with him. + +A flock of a thousand sheep in Spain requires the attendance of two men +and an equal number of dogs, who never for a moment quit their charge, +watching them without intermission day and night. The great inferiority +of the English dogs, may be attributed, perhaps, to their want of care +in training and bringing up, which is considered the most essential, and +actually the foundation of all their future usefulness with the +Mexicans. The pups when first born, are taken from the bitch, and put to +a sucking ewe, already deprived of her own lamb. For several days the +ewe is confined with the pups in the shepherd's hut, and either from +force, or an instinctive desire to be relieved of the contents of the +udder, she soon allows the little strangers to suck, and in the course +of a few days more, becomes quite reconciled to the change, and exhibits +a great degree of affection for her foster children, who, knowing no +other parentage, becomes thus early engrafted into the general +community, and returns their early kindness by every mark of affection +and fidelity hereafter; never being willing for a moment to quit their +society, but remains with them night and day, expressing a peculiar +attachment to this particular flock, and seeming able to distinguish +each member of it from all other intruders. + +In the third volume of the 'American Agriculturist' will be found an +interesting article connected with this subject, and from which we might +extract much useful information, if our limits would allow of its +insertion in the present volume. + +Mr. Skinner states, that in 1832 he had two of these dogs, a male and +female, both trained, but unfortunately lost the latter before obtaining +any pups from her; he also remarks, that they can be imported via Havana +and Santander, at an expense of not less than $70 or $80. We see no +reason why the same dogs might not be obtained at a much less cost by +the Santa Fé traders, who, no doubt, would be glad to bring them into +the country as companions de voyages, provided there was any demand for +them.--L.] + + +THE DROVER'S DOG + +bears considerable resemblance to the sheep-dog, and has usually the +same prevailing black or brown colour. He possesses all the docility of +the sheep-dog, with more courage, and sometimes a degree of ferocity, +exercised without just cause upon his charge, while he is in his turn +cruelly used by a brutal master. + +There is a valuable cross between the colley and the drover's dog in +Westmoreland, and a larger and stronger breed is cultivated in +Lincolnshire; indeed it is necessary there, where oxen as well as sheep +are usually consigned to the dog's care. A good drover's dog is worth a +considerable sum; but the breed is too frequently and injudiciously +crossed at the fancy of the owner. Some drovers' dogs are as much like +setters, lurchers, and hounds, as they are to the original breed. + +Stories are told of the docility and sagacity of the drover's dog even +more surprising than any that are related of the sheep-dog. The Ettrick +Shepherd says, that a Mr. Steel, butcher in Peebles, had such implicit +dependence on the attention of his dog to his orders, that whenever he +put a lot of sheep before her, he took a pride in leaving them entirely +to her, and either remained to take a glass with the farmer of whom he +had made the purchase, or travelled another road to look after bargains +or business. At one time, however, he chanced to commit a drove to her +charge, at a place called Willenslee, without attending to her +condition, which he certainly ought to have done. This farm is about +five miles from Peebles, over wild hills, and there is no regularly +defined path to it. Whether Mr. Steel chose another road is uncertain; +but, on coming home late in the evening, he was surprised to hear that +his faithful animal had not made her appearance with her flock. He and +his son instantly prepared to set out by different paths in search of +her; but, on going into the street, there was she with the flock, and +not one of the sheep missing; she, however, was carrying a young pup in +her mouth. She had been taken in travail on those hills; and how the +poor beast had contrived to manage the sheep in her state of suffering +is beyond human calculation, for her road lay through sheep-pastures the +whole way. Her master's heart smote him when he saw what she had +suffered and effected; but she was nothing daunted; and, having +deposited her young one in a place of safety, she again set out at full +speed to the hills, and brought another and another little one, until +she had removed her whole litter one by one; the last, however, was +dead. + +Mr. Blaine relates as extraordinary an instance of intelligence, but not +mingled, like the former, with natural affection. A butcher and +cattle-dealer, who resided about nine miles from Alston, in Cumberland, +bought a dog of a drover. The butcher was accustomed to purchase sheep +and kine in the vicinity, which, when fattened, he drove to Alston +market and sold. In these excursions he was frequently astonished at the +peculiar sagacity of his dog, and at the more than common readiness and +dexterity with which he managed the cattle; until at length he troubled +himself very little about the matter, but, riding carelessly along, used +to amuse himself with observing how adroitly the dog acquitted himself +of his charge. At length, so convinced was he of his sagacity, as well +as fidelity, that he laid a wager that he would intrust the dog with a +number of sheep and oxen, and let him drive them alone and unattended to +Alston market. It was stipulated that no one should be within sight or +hearing who had the least control over the dog, nor was any spectator to +interfere. This extraordinary animal, however, proceeded with his +business in the most steady and dexterous manner; and, although he had +frequently to drive his charge through other herds that were grazing, he +did not lose one; but, conducting them to the very yard to which he was +used to drive them when with his master, he significantly delivered them +up to the person appointed to receive them by barking at his door. When +the path which he travelled lay through grounds in which others were +grazing, he would run forward, stop his own drove, and then, chasing the +others away, collect his scattered charge, and proceed. + + +THE ITALIAN OR POMERANIAN WOLF-DOG. + +The wolf-dog is no longer a native of Great Britain, because his +services are not required there, but he is useful in various parts of +the Continent, in the protection of the sheep from the attacks of the +wolf. A pair of these dogs was brought to the Zoological Society of +London in 1833, and there long remained, an ornament to the Gardens. +They appeared to possess a considerable degree of strength, but to be +too gentle to contend with so powerful and ferocious an animal as the +wolf. They were mostly covered with white or gray, or occasionally black +hair, short on the head, ears and feet, but long and silky on the body +and tail. The forehead is elevated, and the muzzle lengthened and +clothed with short hair. The attachment of this dog to his master and +the flock is very great, and he has not lost a particle of his sagacity, +but, where wolves are common, is still used as a sheep-dog. + + +THE CUR + +is the sheep-dog crossed with the terrier. He has long and somewhat +deservedly obtained a very bad name, as a bully and a coward; and +certainly his habit of barking at everything that passes, and flying at +the heels of the horse, renders him often a very dangerous nuisance: he +is, however, in a manner necessary to the cottager; he is a faithful +defender of his humble dwelling; no bribe can seduce him from his duty; +and he is likewise a useful and an effectual guard over the clothes and +scanty provisions of the labourer, who may be working in some distant +part of the field. All day long he will lie upon his master's clothes +seemingly asleep, but giving immediate warning of the approach of a +supposed marauder. He has a propensity, when at home, to fly at every +horse and every strange dog; and of young game of every kind there is +not a more ruthless destroyer than the village cur. + +Mr. Hogg draws the following curious parallel between the sheep-dog and +the cur: + + "An exceedingly good sheep-dog attends to nothing but the particular + branch of business to which he is bred. His whole capacity is exerted + and exhausted in it; and he is of little avail in miscellaneous + matters; whereas a very indifferent cur bred about the house, and + accustomed to assist in everything will often put the more noble breed + to disgrace in these little services. If some one calls out that the + cows are in the corn or the hens in the garden, the house colley needs + no other hint, but runs and turns them out. The shepherd's dog knows + not what is astir, and, if he is called out in a hurry for such work, + all that he will do is to run to the hill, or rear himself on his + haunches to see that no sheep are running away. A well-bred sheep-dog, + if coming hungry from the hills, and getting into a milk-house, would + likely think of nothing else than filling his belly with the cream. + Not so his initiated brother: he is bred at home to far higher + principles of honour. I have known such lie night and day among from + ten to twenty pails full of milk, and never once break the cream of + one of them with the tip of his tongue, nor would he suffer cat, rat, + or any other creature to touch it. While, therefore, the cur is a + nuisance, he is very useful in his way, and we would further plead for + him, that he possesses a great deal of the sagacity and all the + fidelity of the choicest breed of dogs." + +The dog who, according to the well-known and authentic story, watched +the remains of his master for two years in the churchyard of St. +Olave's, in Southwark, was a cur. + +The following story is strictly authentic: + + "Not long ago a young man, an acquaintance of the coachman, was + walking, as he had often done, in Lord Fife's stables at Banff. Taking + an opportunity, when the servants were not regarding him, he put a + bridle into his pocket. A Highland cur that was generally about the + stables saw him, and immediately began to bark at him, and when he got + to the stable-door would not let him pass, but bit him by the leg in + order to prevent him. As the servants had never seen the dog act thus + before, and the same young man had been often with them, they could + not imagine what could be the reason of the dog's conduct. However, + when they saw the end of a valuable bridle peeping out of the young + man's pocket, they were able to account for it, and, on his giving it + up, the dog left the stable-door, where he had stood, and allowed him + to pass." [10] + + +THE LURCHER. + +This dog was originally a cross between the greyhound and the shepherd's +dog, retaining all the speed and fondness for the chase belonging to the +one, and the superior intelligence and readiness for any kind of work +which the latter possessed. This breed has been crossed again with the +spaniel, combining the disposition to quest for game which distinguishes +the spaniel with the muteness and swiftness of the greyhound. Sometimes +the greyhound is crossed with the hound. Whatever be the cross, the +greyhound must predominate; but his form, although still to be traced, +has lost all its beauty. + +The lurcher is a dog seldom found in the possession of the honourable +sportsman. The farmer may breed him for his general usefulness, for +driving his cattle, and guarding his premises, and occasionally coursing +the hare; but other dogs will answer the former purposes much better, +while the latter qualification may render him suspected by his landlord, +and sometimes be productive of serious injury. In a rabbit-warren this +dog is peculiarly destructive. His scent enables him to follow them +silently and swiftly. He darts unexpectedly upon them, and, being +trained to bring his prey to his master, one of these dogs will often in +one night supply the poacher with rabbits and other game worth more +money than he could earn by two days' hard labour. + +Mr. H. Faull, of Helstone, in Cornwall, lost no fewer than fifteen fine +sheep, and some of them store sheep, killed by lurchers in January, +1824. [11] + +We now proceed to the different species of dog belonging to the second +division of Cuvier, which are classed under the name of Hound; and, +first we take + + +THE BEAGLE. + +The origin of this diminutive hound is somewhat obscure. There is +evidently much of the harrier and of the old southern, connected with a +considerable decrease of size and speed, the possession of an +exceedingly musical voice, and very great power of scent. Beagles are +rarely more than ten or twelve inches in height, and were generally so +nearly of the same size and power of speed, that it was commonly said +they might be covered with a sheet. This close running is, however, +considered as a mark of excellence in hounds of every kind. + +There are many pleasurable recollections of the period when "the good +old English gentleman" used to keep his pack of beagles or little +harriers, slow but sure, occasionally carried to the field in a pair of +panniers on a horse's back; often an object of ridicule at an early +period of the chase, but rarely failing to accomplish their object ere +the day closed, "the puzzling pack unravelling wile by wile, maze within +maze." It was often the work of two or three hours to accomplish this; +but is was seldom, in spite of her speed, her shifts, and her doublings, +that the hare did not fall a victim to her pursuers. + +The slowness of their pace gradually caused them to be almost totally +discontinued, until very lately, and especially in the royal park at +Windsor, they have been again introduced. Generally speaking, they have +all the strength and endurance which is necessary to ensure their +killing their game, and are much fleeter than their diminutive size +would indicate. Formerly, considerable fancy and even judgment used to +be exercised in the breeding of these dogs. They were curiously +distinguished by the names of "deep-flewed," or "shallow-flewed," in +proportion as they had the depending upper lip of the southern, or the +sharper muzzle and more contracted lip of the northern dogs. The +shallow-flewed were the swiftest, and the deep-flewed the stoutest and +the surest, and their music the most pleasant. The wire-haired beagle +was considered as the stouter and better dog. + +The form of the head in beagles has been much misunderstood. They have, +or should have, large heads, decidedly round, and thick rather than +long; there will then be room for the expansion of the nasal membrane, +that of smell, and for the reverberation of the sound, so peculiarly +pleasant in this dog. + +The beagle runs very low to the ground, and therefore has a stronger +impression of the scent than taller dogs. This is especially the case +when the scent is more than usually low. + +Among the advocates for beagles, several years ago, was Colonel Hardy. +He used to send his dogs in panniers, and they had a little barn for +their kennel. The door was one night broken open, and every hound, +panniers and all, stolen. The thief was never discovered, not even +suspected. + +The use of beagles was soon afterwards nearly abandoned by the +introduction of the harrier, and by his yielding in his turn to the +fox-hound; but the beagles of Colonel Thornton and Colonel Molyneux will +not be soon forgotten. [12] + +There is, however, a practice which fair sportsmen will never resort +to--the use of a beagle to start a hare in order to be run down by a +brace of greyhounds, or perhaps by a lurcher. The hare is not fairly +matched in this way of proceeding. + + +THE HARRIER + +occupies an intermediate station between the beagle and the fox-hound. +It is the fox-hound bred down to a diminished size, and suited to the +animal he is to pursue. He retains, or did for a while retain, the long +body, deep chest, large bones, somewhat heavy head, sweeping ears, and +mellow voice, which the sportsman of old so enthusiastically described, +with the certainty of killing, and the pleasing prolongation of the +chase. With this the farmer used to be content: it did not require +expensive cattle, was not attended with much hazard of neck, and did not +take him far from home. + +Almost every country squire used in former days to keep his little pack +of harriers or beagles. He was mounted on his stout cob-horse, that +served him alike for the road and the chase; and his huntsman probably +had a still smaller and rougher beast, or sometimes ran afoot. He could +then follow the sport, almost without going off his own land, and the +farmer's boys, knowing the country and the usual doublings of the hare, +could see the greater part of the chase, and were almost able to keep up +with the hounds, so that they were rarely absent at the death: indeed, +they saw and enjoyed far more of it than the fox-hunter or the +stag-hunter now does, mounted on his fleetest horse. + +The harrier was not more than 18 or 19 inches high. He was crossed with +the fox-hound if he was getting too diminutive, or with the beagle if he +was becoming too tall. + +The principal objects the sportsman endeavoured to accomplish were to +preserve stoutness, scent, and musical voice, with speed to follow the +hare sufficiently close, yet not enough to run her down too quickly, or +without some of those perplexities, and faults, and uncertainties which +give the principal zest to the chase. + +The character and speed of the hound much depend on the nature of the +country. The smaller harrier will best suit a deeply enclosed country; +but where there is little cover, and less doubling greater size and +fleetness are requisite. The harrier, nevertheless, let him be as tall +and as speedy as he may, should never he used for the fox; but every dog +should be strictly confined to his own game. + +Mr. Beckford, in his 'Thoughts upon Hunting', gives an account, +unrivalled, of the chase of the hare and fox. Many sporting writers have +endeavoured to tread in his steps; but they have failed in giving that +graphic account of the pleasures of the field which Mr. Beckford's essay +contains. + +He says that the sportsman should never have more than 20 couple in the +field, because it would he exceedingly difficult to get a greater number +to run together, and a pack of harriers cannot be complete if they do +not. A hound that runs too fast for the rest, or that lags behind them, +should be immediately discarded. His hounds were between the large +slow-hunting harrier and the fox-beagle. He endeavoured to get as much +bone and strength in as little compass as possible. He acknowledges that +this was a difficult undertaking; but he had, at last, the pleasure to +see them handsome, small, yet bony, running well together, and fast +enough, with all the alacrity that could be desired, and hunting the +coldest scent. + +He anticipates the present improvement of the chase when he lays it down +as a rule never to be departed from, that hounds of every kind should be +kept to their own game. They should have one scent, and one style of +hunting. Harriers will run a fox in so different a style from the +pursuit of a hare, that they will not readily, and often will not at +all, return to their proper work. The difference in the scent, and the +eagerness of pursuit, and the noise that accompanies fox-hunting, all +contribute to spoil a harrier. + +Mr. Beckford pleasingly expresses a sportsman's consideration for the +poor animal which he is hunting to death. + + "A hare," he says, "is a timorous little animal that we cannot help + feeling some compassion for at the time that we are pursuing her + destruction. We should give scope to all her little tricks, nor kill + her foully nor overmatched. Instinct instructs her to make a good + defence when not unfairly treated, and I will venture to say that, as + far as her own safety is concerned, she has more cunning than the fox, + and makes shifts to save her life far beyond all his artifice." [13] + + +THE FOX HOUND + +is of a middle size, between the harrier and the stag-hound; it is the +old English hound, sufficiently crossed with the greyhound to give him +lightness and speed without impairing his scent; and he has now been +bred to a degree of speed sufficient to satisfy the man who holds his +neck at the least possible price, and with which few, except +thorough-bred horses, and not all of them, can live to the end of the +chase. The fox-hound is lighter, or as it is now called, more highly +bred, or he retains a greater portion of his original size and +heaviness, according to the nature of the country and the fancy of the +master of the pack: therefore it is difficult to give an accurate +description of the best variety of this dog; but there are guiding +points which can never be forgotten without serious injury. + +He derives from the greyhound a head somewhat smaller and longer in +proportion to his size than either the stag-hound or the harrier. But +considerable caution is requisite here. The beauty of the head and face, +although usually accompanied by speed, must never be sacrificed to +stoutness and power of scent. The object of the sportsman is to +amalgamate them, or rather to possess them all in the greatest possible +degree. This will generally be brought to a great degree of perfection +if the sportsman regards the general excellence of the dog rather than +the perfection of any particular point. The ears should not, +comparatively speaking, be so large as those of the stag-hound or the +harrier; but the neck should be longer and lighter, the chest deep and +capacious, the fore legs straight as arrows, and the hind ones well bent +at the hock. + +Some extraordinary accounts have been given of the speed of the +fox-hound. A match that was run over the Beacon Course at Newmarket is +the best illustration of his fleetness. The distance is 4 miles 1 +furlong and 132 yards. The winning dog performed it in 8 minutes and a +few seconds; but of the sixty horses that started with the hounds, only +twelve were able to run in with them. Flying Childers had run the same +course in 7 minutes and 30 seconds. + + "The size, or, as we should rather say, the height of a fox-hound, is + a point on which there has been much difference of opinion. Mr. + Chule's pack was three inches below the standard of Mr. Villebois', + and four inches below that of Mr. Warde's. The advocates of the former + assert, that they get better across a deep and strongly fenced + country, while the admirers of the latter insist on their being better + climbers of hills and more active in cover. As to uniformity in size, + it is by no means essential to the well-doing of hounds in the field, + and has been disregarded by some of our best sportsmen: Mr. Meynell + never drafted a good hound on account of his being over or under + sized. The proper standard of height in fox-hounds is from 21 to 22 + inches for bitches, and from 23 to 24 for dog-hounds. Mr. Warde's + bitches, the best of the kind that our country contained, were rather + more than 23 inches. A few of his dogs were 25 inches high. The amount + of hounds annually bred will depend upon the strength of the kennel. + From sixty to eighty couples is the complement for a four days a-week + pack, which will require the breeding of a hundred couples of puppies + every year, allowing for accidents and distemper." [14] + +Nimrod very properly observes, that + + "Mr. Beckford has omitted a point much thought of by the modern + sportsmen, namely, 'the back-ribs', which should also be deep, as in a + strong-bodied horse, of which we say, when so formed, that he has a + good 'spur place;' a point highly esteemed in him. Nor is he + sufficiently descriptive of the hinder legs of the hound; for there is + a length of thigh discernible in first-rate hounds which, like the + well-let-down hock of the horse, gives them much superiority of speed, + and is also a great security against their laming themselves in + leaping fences, which they are more apt to do when they become blown + and consequently weak. The fore legs, 'straight as arrows,' is an + admirable illustration of perfection in those parts by Beckford; for, + as in a bow or bandy legged man, nothing is so disfiguring to a hound + as having his elbows projecting, and which is likewise a great check + to speed." [15] + +Mr. Daniel gives a curious account of the prejudices of sportsmen on the +subject of colour. The white dogs were curious hunters, and had a +capital scent; the black, with some white spots, were obedient, good +hunters, and with good constitutions; the gray-coloured had no very +acute scent, but were obstinate, and indefatigable in their quest; the +yellow dogs were impatient and obstinate, and taught with difficulty. +[16] + +The dog exhibits no criteria of age after the first two years. That +period having elapsed, the whiteness and evenness of the teeth soon pass +away, and the 'old' dog can scarcely be mistaken. Nimrod scarcely speaks +too positively when he says that an old hound cannot be mistaken, if +only looked in the face. At all events, few are found in a kennel after +the eighth year, and very few after the ninth. + +Mr. Beckford advises the sportsman carefully to consider the size, +shape, colour, constitution, and natural disposition of the dog from +which he breeds, and also the fineness of the nose, the evident strength +of the limb, and the good temper and devotion to his master which he +displays. The faults or imperfections in one breed may be rectified in +another; and, if this is properly attended to, there is no reason why +improvements may not continually be made. + +The separation of the sexes in the kennel and in the field is one of the +latest innovations in the hunting world, and generally considered to be +a good one. The eye is pleased to see a pack of hounds, nearly or quite +of a size. The character of the animal is more uniformly displayed when +confined to one sex. In consequence of the separation of the two, the +dogs are less inclined to quarrel; and the bitches are more at their +ease than when undergoing the importunate solicitations of the male. As +to their performances in the field, opinions vary, and each sex has its +advocates. The bitch, with a good fox before her, is decidedly more +off-hand at her work; but she is less patient, and sometimes overruns +the scent. Sir Bellingharn Graham has been frequently heard to say, that +if his kennels would have afforded it, he would never have taken a +dog-hound into the field. That in the canine race the female has more of +elegance and symmetry of form, consequently more of speed, than the +male, is evident to a common observer; but there is nothing to lead to +the conclusion that, in the natural endowments of the senses, any +superiority exists. [17] + +The bitch should not be allowed to engage in any long and severe chase +after she has been lined. She should be kept as quiet as may be +practicable, and well but not too abundantly fed; each having a kennel +or place of retreat for herself. She should be carefully watched, and +especially when the ninth week approaches. The huntsman and the keeper +without any apparent or unnecessary intrusion, should be on the alert. + +The time of pupping having arrived, as little noise or disturbance +should be made as possible; but a keeper should be always at hand in +case of abortion or difficult parturition. Should there be a probability +of either of these occurring, he should not be in a hurry; for, as much +should be left to nature as can, without evident danger, be done, and +the keeper should rarely intrude unless his assistance is indispensable. + +The pupping being accomplished, the mother should be carefully attended +to. She should be liberally fed, and particularly should have her share +of animal food, and an increased quantity of milk. + +The bitch should not have whelps until she has hunted two seasons; for, +before that time it will be scarcely possible to ascertain her +excellences or defects. If there are any considerable faults, she should +be immediately rejected. + +When the time approaches for her to produce her puppies, she should be +allowed a certain degree of liberty, and should choose her couch and run +about a little more than usual; but, when the young ones are born, the +less they are handled the better. The constitution and appearance of the +mother will indicate how many should be kept. If two litters are born at +or about the same time, or within two or three days of each other, we +may interchange one or two of the whelps of each of them, and perhaps +increase the value of both. + +When the whelps are able to crawl to a certain distance, it will be time +to mark them, according to their respective litters, some on the ear and +others on the lip. The dew-claws should be removed, and, usually, a +small tip from the tail. Their names also should be recorded. + +The whelps will begin to lap very soon after they can look about them, +and should remain with the mother until they are fully able to take care +of themselves. They may then be prepared to go to quarters. + +Two or three doses of physic should be given to the mother, with +intervals of four or five days between each: this will prepare her to +return to the kennel. + +There is often considerable difficulty in disposing of the whelps until +they get old and stout enough to be brought into the kennel. They are +mostly sent to some of the neighbouring cottages, in order to be taken +care of; but they are often neglected and half starved there. In +consequence of this, distemper soon appears, and many of them are lost. + +Whelps 'walked', or taken care of at butchers' houses, soon grow to a +considerable size; but they are apt to be heavy-shouldered and throaty, +and perhaps otherwise deformed. There is some doubt whether it might not +be better for the sportsman to take the management of them himself, and +to have a kennel built purposely for them. It may, perhaps, be feared +that the distemper will get among them: they would, however, be well +fed, and far more comfortable than they now are; and, as to the +distemper, it is a disease that they must have some time or other. + +From twenty to thirty couples are quite as many as can be easily +managed; and the principal consideration is, whether they are steady, +and as nearly as possible equal of speed. When the packs are very large, +the hounds are seldom sufficiently hunted to be good. Few persons choose +to hunt every day, or, if they did, it is not likely that the weather +would permit them. The sportsman would, therefore, be compelled to take +an inconvenient number into the field, and too many must be left behind. +In the first place, too many hounds in the field would frequently spoil +the sport; and, on the other hand, the hounds that remained would get +out of wind, or become riotous, or both. Hounds, to be useful and good, +should be constantly hunted; but a great fault in many packs is their +having too many old dogs among them. + +Young hounds, when first taken to the kennel, should be kept separate +from the rest of the pack, otherwise there will be frequent and +dangerous quarrels. When these do occur, the feeder hears, and +sometimes, but not so frequently as he ought, endeavours to discover the +cause of the disturbance, and visits the culprits with deserved +punishment; too often, however, he does not give himself time for this, +but rushes among them, and flogs every hound that he can get at, guilty +or not guilty. This is a shameful method of procedure. It is the cause +of much undeserved punishment: it spoils the temper of the dog, and +makes him careless and indifferent as long as he lives. + +Mr. Beckford very properly remarks, that + + "Young hounds are, and must be awkward at first, and should be taken + out, a few at a time, with couples not too loose. They are thus + accustomed to the usual occurrences of the road, and this is most + easily accomplished when a young and an old dog are coupled together." + +A sheep-field is the next object, and the young hound, properly watched, +soon becomes reconciled, and goes quietly along with the companion of +the preceding day. A few days afterwards the dogs are uncoupled in the +field, and perhaps, at first, are not a little disposed to attack the +sheep; but the cry of "Ware sheep!" in a stern tone of voice, arrests +them, and often, without the aid of the whip; it being taken as a +principle that this instrument should be used as seldom as possible. If, +indeed, the dog is self-willed, the whip must be had recourse to, and +perhaps with some severity; for, if he is once suffered to taste the +blood of the sheep, it may be difficult to restrain him afterwards. A +nobleman was told that it was possible to break his dogs of the habit of +attacking his sheep, by introducing a large and fearless ram among them; +one was accordingly procured and turned into the kennel. The men with +their whips and voices, and the ram with his horns, soon threw the whole +kennel into confusion. The hounds and the ram were left together. +Meeting a friend soon afterwards, "Come," said he, "to the kennel, and +see what rare sport the ram is making among the hounds." His friend +asked whether he was not afraid that some of them might be spoiled. +"No," said he; "they deserve it, and let them suffer." They proceeded to +the kennel; all was quiet. The kennel-door was thrown open, and the +remains of the ram were found scattered about: the hounds, having filled +their bellies, had retired to rest. + +The time of entering young hounds must vary in different countries. In a +corn country, it should not be until the wheat is carried; in grass +countries, somewhat sooner; and, in woodlands, as soon as we please. +Frequent hallooing may be of use with young hounds; it makes them more +eager; but, generally speaking, there is a time when it may be of use, a +time when it does harm, and a time when it is perfectly indifferent. + +The following remarks of Mr. Beckford are worthy of their author: + + "Hounds at their first entering cannot be encouraged too much. When + they begin to know what is right, it will be soon enough to chastise + them for doing wrong, and, in such case, one rather severe beating + will save a great deal of trouble. The voice should be used as well as + the whip; and the smack of the whip will often be of as much avail as + the lash to him who has felt it." + +Flogging hounds in the kennel, the frequent practice of too many +huntsmen, should be held in utter abhorrence, and, if carried to a +considerable excess, is a disgrace to humanity. Generally speaking, none +but the sportsman can form an adequate conception of the perfect +obedience of the hound both in the kennel and the field. At +feeding-time, each dog, although hungry enough, will go through the gate +in the precise order in which he is called by the feeder; and, in a +well-broken pack, to chop at, or to follow a hare, or to give tongue on +a false scent, or even to break cover alone, although the fox is in +view, are faults that are rarely witnessed. + +Let not this obedience, however, be purchased by the infliction of a +degree of cruelty that disgraces both the master and the menial. A young +fox-hound may, possibly, mistake the scent of a hare for that of a fox, +and give tongue. In too many hunts he will be unmercifully flogged for +this, and some have almost died under the lash. Mercy is a word totally +unknown to a great proportion of whippers-in, and even to many who call +themselves gentlemen. There can be no occasion or excuse for barbarity: +a little trouble, and moderate punishment, and the example of his +fellows, will gradually teach the wildest hound his duty. + +That the huntsman, and not the hound, may occasionally be in fault, the +following anecdote will furnish sufficient proof. In drawing a strong +cover, a young bitch gave tongue very freely, while none of the other +hounds challenged. The whipper-in railed to no purpose; the huntsman +insisted that she was wrong, and the whip was applied with great +severity. In doing this, the lash accidentally struck one of her eyes +out of its socket. + +Notwithstanding the dreadful pain that must have ensued, she again took +up the scent, and proved herself right; for the fox had stolen away, and +she had broken cover after him, unheeded and alone. After much delay and +cold hunting, the pack hit off the same scent. + +At some distance a farmer informed the sportsmen, that they were a long +way behind the fox, for he had seen a single hound, very bloody about +the head, running breast-high, so that there was but little chance of +their getting up with her. The pack, from her coming to a check, did at +last overtake her. + +The same bitch once more hit off the scent, and the fox was killed, +after a long and severe run. The eye of the poor animal, that had hung +pendent through the chase, was then taken off with a pair of scissors. + + +THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON. + +During the beginning of autumn, the hounds should be daily exercised +when the weather will permit. They should often be called over in the +kennel to habituate them to their names, and walked out among the sheep +and deer, in order that they may he accustomed perfectly to disregard +them. + +A few stout hounds being added to the young ones, some young foxes may +occasionally be turned out. If they hunt improper game, they must be +sternly checked. Implicit obedience is required until they have been +sufficiently taught as to the game which they are to pursue. No +obstinate deviation from it must ever be pardoned. The hounds should be, +as much as possible, taken out into the country which they are +afterwards to hunt, and some young foxes are probably turned out for +them to pursue. At length they are suffered to hunt their game in +thorough earnest, and to taste of its blood. + +After this they are sent to more distant covers, and more old hounds are +added, and so they continue until they are taken into the pack, which +usually happens in September. The young hounds continue to be added, two +or three couple at a time, until all have hunted. They are then divided +into two packs, to be taken out alternate days. Properly speaking, the +sport cannot be said to begin until October, but the two preceding +months are important and busy ones. [18] + + "It would appear, then," says Nimrod, "that the breeding of a pack of + fox-hounds, bordering on perfection, is a task of no ordinary + difficulty. The best proof of it is to be found in the few sportsmen + that have succeeded in it. Not only is every good quality obtained if + possible, but every imperfection or fault is avoided. The highest + virtue in a fox-hound is his being true to the line his game has gone, + and a stout runner at the end of the chase. He must also be a patient + hunter when there is a cold scent and the pack is at fault." + +While there is no country in the world that can produce a breed of +horses to equal the English thorough-bred in his present improved state, +there are no dogs like the English fox-hound for speed, scent, and +continuance. It would seem as if there were something in the climate +favourable and necessary to the perfection of the hound. Packs of them +have been sent to other countries, neighbouring and remote; but they +have usually become more or less valueless. + +As regards the employment of the voice and the horn when out with +hounds, too much caution cannot be used. A hound should never be cheered +unless we are perfectly convinced that he is right, nor rated unless we +are sure that he is wrong. When we are not sure of what is going on we +should sit still and be silent. A few moments will possibly put us in +possession of all that we wish to know. [19] + +The horn should only be used on particular occasions, and a huntsman +should speak by his horn as much as by his voice. Particular notes +should mean certain things, and the hounds and the field should +understand the language. We have heard some persons blowing the horn all +the day long, and the hounds have become so careless as to render it of +no use. When a hound first speaks in cover to a fox, you may, if you +think it necessary, use 'one single' and prolonged note to get the pack +together. The same note will do at any time to call up a lost or +loitering hound; but, when the fox breaks cover, then let your horn be +marked in its notes: let it sound as if you said through it, "Gone away! +gone away! gone away! away! away! away!" dwelling with full emphasis on +the last syllable. Every hound will fly from the cover the moment he +hears this, and the sportsmen and the field will know that the fox is +away. + +It is the perfection of the horse, and the perfection of the hound, and +the disregard of trifling expense, that has given to Englishmen a +partiality for field-sports, unequalled in any other country. Mr. Ware's +pack of fox-hounds cost 2000 guineas, and the late Lord Middleton gave +the same to Mr. Osbaldeston for ten couples of his hounds. + + +HUNTING-KENNELS. + +It is time, however, to speak of the kennel, whether we regard the +sporting architecture of Mr.G. Tattersall, or the scientific inquiries +of Mr. Vyner, or a sketch of the noble buildings at Goodwood. + +The lodging-rooms should be ceiled, but not plastered, with ventilators +above and a large airy window on either side. The floors should be laid +with flags or paved with bricks. Cement may be used instead of mortar, +and the kennels will then be found wholesome and dry. The doorways of +the lodging-houses will generally be four feet and a half wide, in the +clear. The posts are rounded, to prevent the hounds from being injured +when they rush out. The benches may be made of cast-iron or wood; those +composed of iron being most durable, but the hounds are more frequently +lamed in getting to them. The wooden benches must be bound with iron, or +the hounds will gnaw or destroy them. A question has arisen, whether the +benches should be placed round the kennel, or be in the centre of it, +allowing a free passage by the side. There is least danger of the latter +being affected by the damp. The walls should be wainscoted to the height +of three feet at least. This will tend very considerably to their +comfort. + +The floors of all the courts should be arranged in nearly the same way; +the partition walls being closed at the bottom, but with some iron work +above. The doorways should also be so contrived, that the huntsman may +be able to enter whenever he pleases. The boiling-house should be at as +great a distance from the hunting-kennel as can be managed, continuing +to give warmth to the infirmary for distempered puppies, and at the same +time being out of the way of the other courts. + +Mr. Vyner gives an interesting account of the young hounds' kennel: + + "This building," he says, "should be as far from the other + lodging-rooms as the arrangements of the structure will allow. There + is also an additional court, or grass-yard, an indispensable requisite + in the puppies' kennel. The size must be regulated according to the + waste land at the end of the building; but the longer it is, the + better. At the farther end of the grass-court is a hospital for such + young hounds as are distempered, so contrived as to be remote from the + other kennels, and, at the same time, within an easy distance of the + boiling-house, whence it is apparently approached by an outside door, + through which the feeder can constantly pass to attend to the sick + hounds without disturbing the healthy lots. Although this lodging room + is warmed by the chimney of the boiling-house, it must be well + ventilated by two windows, to which shutters must be attached; + ventilation and good air being quite as necessary to the cure of + distemper as warmth." + + +KENNEL LAMENESS. + +We now proceed to a most important and ill-understood subject--the +nature and treatment of 'kennel lameness'. It is a subject that nearly +concerns the sportsman, and on which there are several and the most +contrary opinions. + +This is a kind of lameness connected with, or attributable to, the +kennel. According to the early opinion of Mr. Asheton Smith, who is a +good authority, it was referable to some peculiarity in the breed or +management of the hounds; but, agreeably to a later opinion, it is +dependent on situation and subsoil, and may be aggravated or increased +by circumstances over which we have no control. Some kennels are in low +and damp situations, yet the hounds are free from all complaint: and +others, with the stanchest dogs and under the best management, are +continually sinking under kennel lameness. + +Mr. R. T. Vyner was one of the first who scientifically treated on this +point, and taught us that 'clay is not by any means an objectionable +soil to build a kennel upon', although so many pseudo-sportsmen are +frightened by the very name of it. + +He enters at once into his subject. + + "I am thoroughly convinced," says he, "from my own experience, and, I + may add, my own suffering, that the disease of kennel lameness arises + only from one cause, and that is an injudicious and unfortunate + selection of the spot for building. The kennel is generally built on a + sand-bed, or on a sandstone rock, while the healthiest grounds in + England are on a stiff clay, and they are the healthiest because they + are the least porous. Although this may be contrary to the opinion and + prejudice of the majority of sportsmen, it is a fact that cannot be + contradicted. + + "Through a light and friable soil, such as sand and sandstone, a + vapour, more or less dense, is continually exhaling and causing a + perpetual damp, which produces that fearful rheumatism which goes by + the name of kennel lameness, while the kennels that are built on a + clay soil, a soil of an impervious nature, are invariably healthy. + + "I could," he adds, "enumerate twenty kennels to prove the effect--the + invariable effect--of the existence of the disease on the one part, + and of the healthiness of the situation on the other. I turn + particularly to her Majesty's kennel at Ascot, the arches of which + were laid under the very foundation strain, and yet little at no + amendment has ever taken place in the healthiness and comfort of the + dogs. It is necessary to select a sound and healthy situation when + about to erect a kennel, and that sound and healthy situation can be + met with alone on a strong impervious clay soil. We must have no fluid + oozing through the walls or the floor of the kennel, and producing + damp and unhealthy vapours, such as we find in the sandbed." + +With regard to this there can be no error. + +Nimrod, in his excellent treatise on 'Kennel Lameness', asks, whether it +does not appear that this disease is on the increase. He asks, + + "How is it that neither Beckford nor Somerville says one word that + clearly applies to the disease; and no one, however learned he might + be in canine pathology, has been able clearly to define the disease, + much less to discover a remedy for it?" + +All that Mr. Blaine says on the matter amounts only to this: + + "The healthiness of the situation on which any kennel is to be built, + is an important consideration. It is essential that it should be both + dry and airy, and it should also be warm. A damp kennel produces + rheumatism in dogs, which shows itself sometimes by weakness in the + loins, but more frequently by lameness in the shoulders, known under + the name of kennel lameness." + +Mr. Blaine illustrates this by reference to his own experience. + + "There is no disease, with the exception of distemper and mange, to + which dogs are so liable as to a rheumatic affection of some part of + the body. It presents almost as many varieties in the dog as it does + in man; and it has some peculiarities observable in the dog only. + Rheumatism never exists in a dog without affecting the bowels. There + will be inflammation or painful torpor through the whole of the + intestinal canal. It is only in some peculiar districts that this + occurs; it pervades certain kennels only; and but until lately there + has been little or almost no explanation of the cause of the evil." + [20] + +Nimrod took a most important view of the matter, and to him the sporting +world is much indebted. + + "How is it," he asks, "that, in our younger days, we never heard of + kennel lameness, or, indeed, of hounds being lame at all, unless from + accident, or becoming shaken and infirm from not having been composed + of that iron-bound material which the labours of a greyhound or a + hound require? How is it, that, in our younger days, masters of hounds + began the season with 50 or 60 couples, and, bating the casualties, + left off at the end of it equally strong in their kennels, and able, + perhaps, to make a valuable draft; whereas we now hear of one-half of + the dogs in certain localities being disabled by disease, and some + masters of hounds compelled to be stopped in their work until their + kennels are replenished." + +Washing hounds when they come home after work must be injurious to them, +although it has almost become the fashion of modern times. If they are +not washed at all, and we believe it to be unnecessary, yet the kennels +in which lameness has appeared should be strictly avoided. It should be +on the day following and not in the evening of a hunting-day that +washing should take place. + +Mr. Hodgson told Nimrod, that the Quorn Pack never had a case of kennel +lameness until his late huntsman took to washing his hounds after +hunting, and then he often had four or five couples ill from this cause. +He deprecated even their access to water in the evening after hunting, +and we believe that he was quite right in so doing. + +The tongue of the dog, with the aid of clean straw, is his best and +safest instrument in cleansing his person; and, if he can be brought to +his kennel with tolerably clean feet, as Mr. Foljambe enables him to be +brought, he will never be long before he is comfortable in his bed, +after his belly is filled. + +There is another mode, as a preventive of kennel lameness, which we have +the best authority for saying deserves particular attention, and that +is, the frequently turning hounds off their benches during the day, even +if it were to the extent of every two hours throughout the entire day. +We do not mean to deny the existence of a disease, which, being produced +in the kennel, is properly termed kennel lameness. Some kennels are, no +doubt, more unhealthy and prone to engender rheumatic affections than +others; but, by proper management, and avoiding as much as possible all +exciting causes, their effects may, at least, be very much lessened, if +not entirely obviated. + + +LORD FITZHARDINGE'S MANAGEMENT. + +Lord Fitzhardinge's opinion of the situation of the kennel and the +management of the hounds, as given in the 'New Sporting Magazine', is +somewhat different from that which has been just given. The following is +the substance of it: [21] + +He states that the kennel should be built on a dry and warm situation. +Of this there can be no doubt: the comfort and almost the existence of +the dog depend upon it. To this he adds that it must not be placed on a +gravelly or porous soil, over which vapours more or less dense are +frequently or continually travelling, and thus causing a destructive +exhalation over the whole of the building. There must be no fluid oozing +through the walls or the floor of the kennel, and producing damp and +unhealthy vapours. When we have not a deep supersoil of clay, one or two +layers of bricks or of stone may line the floor, and then, not even the +most subtile vapour can penetrate through the floor. A clean bed of +straw should be allowed every second day, or oftener when the weather is +wet. The lodging-houses should be ceiled, and there should be shutters +to the windows. A thatched roof is preferable to tiles, being warmer in +winter and cooler in summer. + +Stoves in the kennels are not necessary: probably they are best avoided; +for, if dogs are accustomed to any considerable degree of artificial +heat, they are more easily chilled by a long exposure to cold. Their +teeth and the setting-up of their backs will confirm this. + +Hounds, when they feel cold, naturally seek each other for warmth, and +they may be seen lying upon the straw and licking each other; and that +is by far the most wholesome way of procuring comfort and warmth. + +On returning from hunting, their feet should be washed with some warm +fluid, and especially the eyes should be examined, and their food got +ready for them as soon as possible. The feeding in the morning should be +an hour, or an hour and a half, before they start for the field. + +It is truly observed by the noble writer to whom we have referred, that +there is no part of an establishment of this kind that merits more +attention than the boiling and feeding house. The hounds cannot perform +their work well unless judiciously fed. Each hound requires particular +and constitutional care. No more than five of them should be let in to +feed together, and often not more than one or two. The feeder should +have each hound under his immediate observation, or they may get too +much or too little of the food. + +Some hounds cannot run if they carry much flesh; others are all the +better for having plenty about them. The boilers should be of iron, two +in number,--one for meal and the smaller one for flesh. The large boiler +should render it necessary to be used not more than once in four days or +a week. The food should be stirred for two hours, then transferred to +flat coolers, until sufficiently gelatinous to be cut with a kind of +spade. By the admixture of some portion of soups it may be brought to +any thickness requisite. The flesh to be mixed with it should be cut +very small, that the greedy hounds may not be able to obtain more than +their share. Four bushels and a half of genuine old oatmeal should be +boiled with a hundred gallons of water. The flesh should he boiled every +second or third day. Too great a proportion of soup would render the +mixture of a heating nature. + +Mr. Delmé Radcliffe very truly observes that the feeding of hounds, as +regards their condition, is one of the most essential proofs of a +huntsman's skill in the management of the kennel. To preserve that even +state of condition throughout the pack which is so desirable, he must be +well acquainted with the appetite of every hound; for some will feed +with a voracity scarcely credible, and others will require every kind of +enticement to induce them to feed. + +Mr. Meynell found that the use of dry unboiled oatmeal succeeded better +than any other thing he had tried with delicate hounds. When once +induced to take it, they would eat it greedily, and it seemed to be far +more heartening than most kinds of aliment. Other hounds of delicate +constitution might be tempted with a little additional flesh, and with +the thickest and best of the trough, but they required to be watched, +and often to be coaxed to eat. + +The dog possesses the power of struggling against want of food for an +almost incredible period. One of these animals, six years old, was +missing three-and-twenty days; at length some children wandering in a +distant wood thought that they frequently heard the baying of a dog. The +master was told of it, and at the bottom of an old quarry, sixty feet +deep, and the mouth of which he had almost closed by his vain attempts +to escape, the voice of the poor fellow was recognised. With much +difficulty he was extricated, and found in a state of emaciation; his +body cold as ice and his thirst inextinguishable, and he scarcely able +to move. They gave him at intervals small portions of bread soaked in +milk and water. Two days afterwards he was able to follow his master a +short distance. + +This occurrence is mentioned by M. Pinguin as a proof that neither +hunger nor thirst could produce rabies. Messrs. Majendie and F. Cousins +have carried their observations to the extent of forty days--a +disgraceful period. [22] + + +MANAGEMENT OF THE PACK. + +Sixty-five couple of hounds in full work will consume the carcases of +three horses in one week, or five in a fortnight. The annual consumption +of meal will be somewhat more than two tons per month. + +In feeding, the light eaters should be let in first, and a little extra +flesh distributed on the surface of the food, in order to coax those +that are most shy. Some hounds cannot be kept to their work unless fed +two or three times a day; while others must not be allowed more than six +or seven laps, or they would get too much. + +In summer an extra cow or two will be of advantage in the dairy; for the +milk, after it has been skimmed, may be used instead of flesh. There +must always be a little flesh in hand for the sick, for bitches with +their whelps, and for the entry of young hounds.[23] About Christmas is +the time to arrange the breeding establishment. The number of puppies +produced is usually from five to eight or nine; but, in one strange +case, eighteen of them made their appearance. The constitution and other +appearances in the dam, will decide the number to be preserved. When the +whelps are sufficiently grown to run about, they should be placed in a +warm situation, with plenty of fresh grass, and a sufficient quantity of +clean, but not too stimulating, food. They should then be marked +according to their respective letters, that they may be always +recognised. When the time comes, the ears of the dog should be rounded; +the size of the ear and of the head guiding the rounding-iron. + +This being passed, the master of the pack takes care that his treatment +shall be joyous and playful; encouragement is always with him the word. +The dog should be taught the nature of the fault before he is corrected: +no animal is more grateful for kindness than a hound; the peculiarities +of his temper will soon be learned, and when he begins to love his +master, he will mind, from his natural and acquired affection, a word or +a frown from him more than the blows of all the whips that were ever put +into the hands of the keepers. + +The distemper having passed, and the young hounds being in good health, +they should be walked out every day, and taught to follow the horse, +with a keeper who is selected as a kind and quiet person, and will bear +their occasionally entangling themselves in their couples. They are then +taken to the public roads, and there exercised, and checked from riot, +but with as little severity as possible; a frequent and free use of the +whip never being allowed. No animals take their character from their +master so much as the hounds do from theirs. If he is wild, or noisy, or +nervous, so will his hounds be; if he is steady and quick, the pack will +be the same. The whip should never be applied but for some immediate and +decided fault. A rate given at an improper time does more harm than +good: it disgusts the honest hound, it shies and prevents from hunting +the timid one, and it is treated with contempt by those of another +character who may at some future time deserve it. It formerly was the +custom, and still is too much so, when a hound 'has hung on a hare', to +catch him when he comes up, and flog him. The consequence of this is, +that he takes good care the next time he indulges in a fault not to come +out of cover at all. + +We will conclude this part of our subject by a short account of the +splendid kennel at Goodwood, for which we are indebted to Lord W. +Lennox, with the kind permission of the Duke of Richmond. It is +described as one of the most complete establishments of the kind in +England. The original establishment of this building, although a little +faulty, possesses considerable interest from its errors being corrected +by the third Duke of Richmond, a man who is acknowledged to have been +one of the most popular public characters of the day, and who in more +private life extended his patronage to all that was truly honourable. It +was to the Duke's support of native talent that we may trace the origin +of the present Royal Academy. In 1758, the Duke of Richmond displayed, +at his residence in Whitehall, a large collection of original plaster +casts, taken from the finest statues and busts of the ancient sculptors. +Every artist was freely admitted to this exhibition and, for the further +encouragement of talent, he bestowed two medals annually on such as had +exhibited the best models. + +We have thus digressed in order to give a slight sketch of the nobleman +by whom this kennel was built, and we do not think that we can do better +than lay before our readers the original account of it. + +Early in life the Duke built what was not then common, a tennis-court, +and what was more uncommon, a dog-kennel, which cost him above £6000. +The Duke was his own architect, assisted by, and under the guidance of, +Mr. Wyatt; he dug his own flints, burnt his own lime, and conducted the +wood-work in his own shops. The result of his labours was the noble +building of which a plan is here given. + +The dog-kennel is a grand object when viewed from Goodwood. The front is +handsome, the ground well raised about it, and the general effect good; +the open court in the centre adds materially to the noble appearance of +the building. + +The entrance to the kennel is delineated in the centre with a flight of +stairs leading above. The huntsman's rooms, four in number first present +themselves, and are marked in the plan before us by the letter C; each +of them is fifteen feet four inches, by fourteen feet six inches. + +At each end of the side towards the court is one of the feeding-rooms, +twenty-nine feet by fourteen feet four inches, and nobly constructed +rooms they are; they are designated by the letters B. At the back of the +feeding-rooms, are one set of the lodging-rooms, from thirty-five feet +six inches, to fourteen feet four inches, and marked by the letters A, +and at either extremity is another lodging-room, thirty-two feet six +inches in length, and fourteen feet six inches in width: this is also +marked by the letter A. + +Coming into the court we find the store-room twenty-four feet by +fourteen and a half, marked by the letter D, and the stable, of the same +dimensions, by the letter E. + +At the top of the buildings are openings for the admission of cold air, +and stoves to warm the air when too cold. There are plentiful supplies +of water from tanks holding 10,000 gallons; so that there is no +inconvenience from the smell, and the whole can at any time be drained, +and not be rendered altogether useless. + +Round the whole building is a pavement five feet wide; airy yards and +places for breeding, &c., making part of each wing. For the huntsman and +whipper-in there are sleeping-rooms, and a neat parlour or kitchen. + +Soon after the kennel was erected, it would contain two packs +of hounds. + + +THE STAG-HOUND. + +The largest of the English hounds that has been lately used, is devoted, +as his name implies, to the chase of the deer. He is taller than the +fox-hound, and with far more delicate scent, but he is not so speedy. He +answers better than any other to the description given of the old +English hound, so much valued when the country, less enclosed, and the +forests, numerous and extensive, were the harbours of the wild deer. The +deer-hound and the harrier were for many centuries the only +hunting-dogs. The fox-hound has been much more recently bred. + +The most tyrannic and cruel laws were enforced for the preservation of +this species of game, and the life of the deer, except when sacrificed +in the chase, and by those who were privileged to join in it, was +guarded with even more strictness than the life of the human being. +When, however, the country became more generally cultivated, and the +stag was confined to enclosed parks, and was seldom sought in his lair, +but brought into the field, and turned out before the dogs, so much +interest was taken from the affair, that this species of hunting grew +out of fashion, and was confined to the neighbourhood of the scattered +forests that remained, and enjoyed only by royalty and a few noblemen, +of whose establishment a kennel of deer-hounds had, from time +immemorial, formed a part. + +Since the death of George III, who was much attached to this sport, +stag-hunting has rapidly declined, and the principal pleasure seems now +to consist in the concourse of people brought together to an appointed +place and hour, to witness the turning out of the deer. There is still +maintained a royal establishment for the continuance of this noble +sport, but, unless better supported than it has of late years been, it +will gradually decline. + +The stag-hounds are now a part of the regular Crown establishment. The +royal kennel is situated upon Ascot Heath, about six miles from Windsor. +At the distance of a mile from the kennel is Swinley Lodge, the official +residence of the Master of the Stag-hounds. + +The stag-hound is a beautiful animal. He is distinguished from the +fox-hound by the apparent broadness and shortness of his head, his +longer cheek, his straighter hock, his wider thigh and deeper chest, and +better feathered and more beautifully arched tail. His appearance +indicates strength and stoutness, in which indeed he is unequalled, and +he has sufficient speed to render it difficult for the best horses long +to keep pace with him; while, as is necessary, when the distance between +the footmarks of the deer is considered, his scent is most exquisite. He +is far seldomer at fault than any other hound except the blood-hound, +and rarely fails of running down his game. + +Of the stoutness of this dog, the following anecdotes will be a +sufficient illustration. A deer, in the spring of 1822, was turned out +before the Earl of Derby's hounds in Hayes Common. The chase was +continued nearly four hours without a check, when, being almost run +down, the animal took refuge in some outhouses near Speldhurst in Kent, +more than forty miles across the country, and having actually run more +than fifty miles. Nearly twenty horses died in the field, or in +consequence of the severity of the chase. + +A stag was turned out at Wingfield Park, in Northumberland. The whole +pack, with the exception of two hounds, was, after a long run, thrown +out. The stag returned to his accustomed haunt, and, as his last effort, +leaped the wall of the park, and lay down and died. One of the hounds, +unable to clear the wall, fell and expired, and the other was found dead +at a little distance. They had run about forty miles. + + "When the stag first hears the cry of the hounds, he runs with the + swiftness of the wind, and continues to run as long as any sound of + his pursuers can be distinguished. That having ceased, he pauses and + looks carefully around him; but before he can determine what course to + pursue, the cry of the pack again forces itself upon his attention. + Once more he darts away, and after a while again pauses. His strength + perhaps begins to fail, and he has recourse to stratagem in order to + escape. He practises the doubling and the crossing of the fox or the + hare. This being useless, he attempts to escape by plunging into some + lake or river that happens to lie in his way, and when, at last, every + attempt to escape proves abortive, he boldly faces his pursuers, and + attacks the first dog or man who approaches him." [24] + + +SOUTHERN HOUND. + +There used to be in the south of Devon a pack or cry of the genuine old +English or southern hounds. There is some reason to believe that this +was the original stock of the island, or of this part of the island, and +that this hound was used by the ancient Britons in the chase of the +larger kinds of game with which the country formerly abounded. Its +distinguishing characters are its size and general heavy appearance; its +great length of body, deep chest, and ears remarkably large and +pendulous. The tones of its voice were peculiarly deep. It answered the +description of Shakspeare: + + "So flewed, so sanded; and their heads are hung + With ears that sweep away the morning dew; + Crook-knee'd, and dew-lapp'd, like Thessalian bulls; + Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bells, + Each under each." + +It was the slowness of the breed which occasioned its disuse. Several of +them, however, remained not long ago at a village called Aveton Gifford, +in Devonshire, in the neighbourhood of which some of the most opulent of +the farmers used to keep two or three dogs each. When fox-hunting had +assumed somewhat of its modern form, the chase was followed by a slow +heavy hound, whose excellent olfactory organs enabled him to carry on +the scent a considerable time after the fox-hound passed, and also over +grassy fallows, and hard roads, and other places, where the modern +high-bred fox-hound would not be able to recognise it. Hence the chase +continued for double the duration which it does at present, and hence +may be seen the reason why the old English hunter, so celebrated in +former days and so great a favourite among sportsmen of the old school, +was enabled to perform those feats which were exultingly bruited in his +praise. The fact is, that the hounds and the horse were well matched. If +the latter possessed not the speed of the Meltonian hunter, the hounds +were equally slow and stanch. + + +THE BLOOD-HOUND. + +This dog does not materially differ in appearance from the old +deer-hound of a larger size, trained to hunt the human being instead of +the quadruped. If once put on the track of a supposed robber, he would +unerringly follow him to his retreat, although at the distance of many a +mile. Such a breed was necessary when neither the private individual nor +the government had other means to detect the offender. Generally +speaking, however, the blood-hound of former days would not injure the +culprit that did not attempt to escape, but would lie down quietly and +give notice by a loud and peculiar howl what kind of prey he had found. +Some, however, of a savage disposition, or trained to unnatural +ferocity, would tear to pieces the hunted wretch, if timely rescue did +not arrive. + +Hounds of every kind, both great and small, may be broken in to follow +any particular scent, and especially when they are feelingly convinced +that they are not to hunt any other. This is the case with the +blood-hound. He is destined to one particular object of pursuit, and a +total stranger with regard to every other. + +In the border country between England and Scotland, and until the union +of the two kingdoms, these dogs were absolutely necessary for the +preservation of property, and the detection of robbery and murder. A tax +was levied on the inhabitants for the maintenance of a certain number of +blood-hounds. When, however, the civic government had sufficient power +to detect and punish crime, this dangerous breed of hounds fell into +disuse and was systematically discouraged. It, nevertheless, at the +present day, is often bred by the rangers in large forests or parks to +track the deer-stealer, but oftener to find the wounded deer. + +The blood-hound is taller and better formed than the deer-hound. It has +large and deep ears, the forehead broad and the muzzle narrow. The +expression of the countenance is mild and pleasing, when the dog is not +excited; but, when he is following the robber, his ferocity becomes +truly alarming. + +The Thrapstone Association lately trained a blood-hound for the +detection of sheepstealers. In order to prove the utility of this dog, a +person whom he had not seen was ordered to run as far and as fast as his +strength would permit. An hour afterwards the hound was brought out. He +was placed on the spot whence the man had started. He almost immediately +detected the scent and broke away, and, after a chase of an hour and a +half, found him concealed in a tree, fifteen miles distant. + +Mr. John Lawrence says, that a servant, discharged by a sporting country +gentleman, broke into his stables by night, and cut off the ears and +tail of a favourite hunter. As soon as it was discovered, a blood-hound +was brought into the stable, who at once detected the scent of the +miscreant, and traced it more than twenty miles. He then stopped at a +door, whence no power could move him. Being at length admitted, he ran +to the top of the house, and, bursting open the door of a garret, found +the object that he sought in bed, and would have torn him to pieces, had +not the huntsman, who had followed him on a fleet horse, rushed up after +him. + +Somerville thus describes the use to which he was generally put, in +pursuit of the robber: + + "Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail + Flourished in air, low bending, plies around + His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffs + Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, + Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart + Beats quick. His snuffing nose, his active tail, + Attest his joy. Then, with deep opening mouth, + That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims + Th' audacious felon. Foot by foot he marks + His winding way. Over the watery ford, + Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills, + Unerring he pursues, till at the cot + Arrived, and seizing by his guilty throat + The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey." + + +THE SETTER + +is evidently the large spaniel improved to his peculiar size and beauty, +and taught another way of marking his game, viz., by 'setting' or +crouching. If the form of the dog were not sufficiently satisfactory on +this point, we might have recourse to history for information on it. Mr. +Daniel, in his 'Rural Sports', has preserved a document, dated in the +year 1685, in which a yeoman binds himself for the sum of ten shillings, +fully and effectually to teach a spaniel to 'sit' partridges and +pheasants. + +[As this old document may prove interesting to the curious, we take the +liberty of inserting it, knowing full well, that Mr. Daniel's work is +quite rare in this country, and copies of it are not easily obtained +even in England. + + Ribbesford, Oct. 7, 1685, + + "I, John Harris, of Willdon, in the parish of Hastlebury, in the + county of Worcester, yeoman, for and in consideration of ten shillings + of lawful English money this day received of Henry Herbert of + Ribbesford, in the said county, Esqr., and of thirty shillings more of + like money by him promised to be hereafter pay'd me, do hereby + covenant and promise to and with the said Henry Herbert, his exôrs and + admôrs, that I will, from the day of the date hereof, untill the first + day of March next, well and sufficiently mayntayne and keepe a Spanile + Bitch named Quand, this day delivered into my custody by the said + Henry Herbert, and will, before the first day of March next, fully and + effectually traine up and teach the said Bitch to sitt Partridges, + Pheasants, and other game, as well and exactly as the best sitting + Doggers usually sett the same. And the said bitch, so trayned and + taught, shall and will delivere to the said Henry Herbert, or whom he + shall appoint to receive her, att his house in Ribbesford aforesaid, + on the first day of March next. And if at anytime after the said Bitch + shall, for want of use or practice, or orwise, forgett to sett Game as + aforesaid, I will, at my costes and charges, maynetayne her for a + month, or longer, as often as need shall require, to trayne up and + teach her to sett Game as aforesaid, and shall and will, fully and + effectually, teach her to sett Game as well and exactly as is above + mentyon'd. + + Witness my hand and seal the day and year first above written, + + John Harris, his X mark. + + Sealed and delivered in presence of + + H. Payne, his X mark." + + L.] + +The first person, however, who systematically broke-in setting dogs is +supposed to have been Dudley Duke of Northumberland in 1335. + +A singular dog-cause was tried in Westminster, in July, 1822. At a +previous trial it was determined that the mere possession of a dog, +generally used for destroying game, was sufficient proof of its being +actually so used. Mr. Justice Best, however, determined that a man might +be a breeder of such dogs without using them as game-dogs; and Mr. +Justice Bailey thought that if a game-dog was kept in a yard, chained up +by day, and let loose at night, and, being so trained as to guard the +preimises, he was to be considered as a yard-dog, and not as a game-dog. + +The setter is used for the same purpose as the pointer, and there is +great difference of opinion with regard to their relative value as +sporting-dogs. Setters are not so numerous; and they are dearer, and +with great difficulty obtained pure. It was long the fashion to cross +and mix them with the pointer, by which no benefit was obtained, but the +beauty of the dog materially impaired; many Irish sportsmen, however, +were exceedingly careful to preserve the breed pure. Nothing of the +pointer can be traced in them, and they are useful and beautiful dogs, +altogether different in appearance from either the English or Scotch +setter. The Irish sportsmen are, perhaps, a little too much prejudiced +with regard to particular colours. Their dogs ate either very red, or +red and white, or lemon-coloured, or white, patched with deep chestnut; +and it was necessary for them to have a black nose, and a black roof to +the mouth. This peculiar dye is supposed to be as necessary to a good +and genuine Irish setter as is the palate of a Blenheim spaniel to the +purity of his breed. A true Irish setter will obtain a higher price than +either an English or Scotch one. Fifty guineas constituted no unusual +price for a brace of them, and even two hundred guineas have been given. +It is nevertheless, doubtful whether they do in reality so much exceed +the other breeds, and whether, although stout and hard-working dogs, and +with excellent scent, they are not somewhat too headstrong and unruly. + +The setter is more active than the pointer. He has greater spirit and +strength. He will better stand continued hard work. He will generally +take the water when necessary, and, retaining the character of the +breed, is more companionable and attached. He loves his master for +himself, and not, like the pointer, merely for the pleasure he shares +with him. His somewhat inferior scent, however, makes him a little too +apt to run into his game, and he occasionally has a will of his own. He +requires good breaking, and plenty of work; but that breaking must be of +a peculiar character: it must not partake of the severity which too +often accompanies, and unnecessarily so, the tuition of the pointer. He +has more animal spirit than the pointer, but he has not so much patient +courage; and the chastisement, sometimes unnecessary and cruel, but +leaving the pointer perfect in his work, and eager for it too, would +make the setter disgusted with it, and leave him a mere 'blinker'. It is +difficult, however, always to decide the claim of superiority between +these dogs. He that has a good one of either breed may be content, but +the lineage of that dog must be pure. The setter, with much of the +pointer in him, loses something in activity and endurance; and the +pointer, crossed with the setter, may have a degree of wildness and +obstinacy, not a little annoying to his owner. The setter may be +preferable when the ground is hard and rough; for he does not soon +become foot-sore. He may even answer the purpose of a springer for +pheasants and woodcocks, and may be valuable in recovering a wounded +bird. His scent may frequently be superior to that of the pointer, and +sufficiently accurate to distinguish, better than the pointer, when the +game is sprung; but the steadiness and obedience of the pointer will +generally give him the preference, especially in a fair and tolerably +smooth country. At the beginning of a season, and until the weather is +hot, the pointer will have a decided advantage. + +[We beg leave to finish this history of the setter by referring to our +essay on this dog, published in vol. xv, No. 47, of the "New York Spirit +of the Times", or as lately transferred to the pages of an interesting +and valuable sporting work, about being published by our esteemed +friend, Wm. A. Porter, and from which we now abstract our remarks upon + + +THE MERITS OF THE SETTER COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE POINTER. + +It cannot for a moment be doubted that the setter has superior +advantages to the pointer, for hunting over our uncleared country, +although the pointer has many qualities that recommend him to the +sportsman, that the setter does not possess. In the first place, the +extreme hardiness and swiftness of foot, natural to the setter, enables +him to get over much more ground than the pointer, in the same space of +time. Their feet also, being more hard and firm, are not so liable to +become sore from contact with our frozen ground. The ball pads being +well protected by the spaniel toe-tufts, are less likely to be wounded +by the thorns and burs with which our woods are crowded during the +winter season. His natural enthusiasm for hunting, coupled with his +superior physical powers, enables him to stand much more work than the +pointer, and oftentimes he appears quite fresh upon a long continued +hunt, when the other will be found drooping and inattentive. + +The long, thick fur of the setter, enables him to wend his way through +briary thickets without injury to himself, when a similar attempt on the +part of a pointer, would result in his ears, tail, and body being +lacerated and streaming with blood. + +On the other hand, the pointer is superior to the setter in retaining +his acquired powers for hunting, and not being naturally enthusiastic in +pursuit of game, he is more easily broken and kept in proper subjection. + +The setter frequently requires a partial rebreaking at the commencement +of each season, in his younger days, owing to the natural eagerness with +which he resumes the sport. The necessity of this, however, diminishes +with age, as the character and habits of the dog become more settled, +and then we may take them into the field, with a perfect assurance of +their behaving quite as well on the first hunt of the season, as the +stanchest pointer would. + +The extreme caution, and mechanical powers of the pointer in the field, +is a barrier to his flushing the birds, as is often witnessed in the +precipitate running of the setter, who winds the game and frequently +overruns it in his great anxiety to come up with it. But this occasional +fault on the part of the setter, may be counterbalanced by the larger +quantity of game that he usually finds in a day's hunt, owing to his +enthusiasm and swiftness of foot. Setters require much more water while +hunting than the pointer, owing to their thick covering of fur, +encouraging a greater amount of insensible perspiration to fly off than +the thin and short dress of the pointer. Consequently they are better +calculated to hunt in the coldest seasons than early in our falls, which +are frequently quite dry and warm. + +A striking instance of this fact came under our own immediate +observation this fall, when shooting in a range of country thinly +settled and uncommonly dry. The day being warm and the birds scarce, the +dogs suffered greatly from thirst, in so much that a very fine setter of +uncommon bottom, was forced to give up entirely, completely prostrated, +foaming at the mouth in the most alarming manner, breathing heavily, and +vomiting from time to time a thick frothy mucus. + +His prostration of both muscular and nervous powers was so great, that +he could neither smell nor take the slightest notice of a bird, although +placed at his nose. He could barely manage to drag one leg after the +other, stopping to rest every few moments, and we were fearful that we +should be obliged to shoulder and carry him to a farm-house, a +considerable distance off. However, he succeeded, with much difficulty, +in reaching the well, where he greedily drank several pints of water +administered to him with caution. + +He recovered almost immediately, gave me a look of thanks, and was off +to the fields in a few moments, where he soon found a fine covey of +birds. + +The pointer, his associate in the day's work, and a much less hardy dog, +stood the hunt remarkably well, and seemed to suffer little or no +inconvenience from the want of water. The setter has natural claims upon +the sportsman and man generally, in his affectionate disposition and +attachment to his master, and the many winning manners he exhibits +towards those by whom he is caressed. + +The pointer displays but little fondness for those by whom he is +surrounded, and hunts equally as well for a stranger as his master.--L.] + +Of the difference between the old English setter and the setters of the +present day, we confess that we are ignorant, except that the first was +the pure spaniel improved, and the latter the spaniel crossed too +frequently with the pointer. + +It must be acknowledged, that of companionableness, and disinterested +attachment and gratitude, the pointer knows comparatively little. If he +is a docile and obedient servant in the field, it is all we want. The +setter is unquestionably his superior in every amiable quality. Mr. +Blaine says, that a large setter, ill with the distemper, had been +nursed by a lady more than three weeks. At length he became so ill as to +be placed in a bed, where he remained a couple of days in a dying state. +After a short absence, the lady, re-entering the room, observed him to +fix his eyes attentively on her, and make an effort to crawl across the +bed towards her. This he accomplished, evidently for the sole purpose of +licking her hand, after which he immediately expired. + +[Daniel Lambert celebrated for his enormous magnitude, weighing seven +hundred and thirty-nine pounds, had a very superior breed of sellers, +which were publicly sold, at the following prices; after his death, +which forcibly illustrates the immense value placed on this dog in +England; whereas, many American sportsmen considers it a great hardship +to be obliged to give thirty or forty dollars for a well-bred setter in +this country. + + Guineas + +Peg, a black Setter Bitch..........................41 +Punch, a Setter Dog..................................26 +Brush, do ..........................................17 +Bob, do............................................30 +Bell, do........................................... 32 +Bounce, do............................................22 +Sam, do............................................26 +Charlotte, a Pointer Bitch...............................22 +Lucy, do............................................12 + ------ + 218 --L.] + + +The pointer is evidently descended from the hound. + +[We beg leave to make the following extracts from our essay on this +subject, published in No. 1, vol. xvi, of the "Spirit of the Times": + +The origin of the pointer, like that of the setter, is involved in much +obscurity; he is of mixed blood, and no doubt largely indebted to both +hound and spaniel for his distinct existence. + +Many sportsmen are under the erroneous idea that the pointer is +contemporary with, if not older than, the Setter. Such, however, is not +the case; and we are led to believe that the Pointer is of quite modern +origin; at all events, the production of a much later date than the +spaniel. + +Strut, in his "Sports and Pastimes", chap. 1, sects. xv. and xvi., +mentions a MS. in the Cotton Library, originally written by William +Twici, or Twety, Grand Huntsman to Edward II, who ascended the throne in +1307. + +This manuscript contains the earliest treatise on hunting that the +English possess, and enumerates the various kinds of game and different +species of dogs then in existence, as also the modes of taking the +former and using the latter. + +After describing, in the usual minute manner, the specific employment of +each dog, he finishes by stating: + + "The spaniel was for use in hawking, hys crafte is for the perdrich or + partridge, and the quail; and when taught to couch, he is very + serviceable to the fowler, who takes these birds with nets." + +No mention is made in this treatise of the pointer, and we naturally +infer that he did not exist, or he would have been noticed in connexion +with the spaniel, who, it appears, even at this early period, was taught +to 'couch' on and point out game to those employed in netting it. + +In the early portion of the sixteenth century, we have another +enumeration of dogs, 'then' in use, in a book entitled--"A Jewel for +Gentrie;" which, besides the dogs already descanted upon by Twici, we +find added to the list, + + "bastards and mongrels, lemors, kenets, terrours, butchers' hounds, + dung-hill dogs, trindel-tailed dogs, prychercard curs, and ladies' + puppies." + (Chap. 1st., Sec. XVI.--Strut.) + +The pointer being the offspring of the fox-hound and spaniel, is +consequently sprung from the two ancient races known as 'Sagaces' and +'Pugnaces' or 'Bellicosi'. He certainly evinces a larger share of the +'Bellicosi' blood than the setter, being ever ready for fight when +assailed, while the latter generally exhibits a conciliatory disposition +under the most trying circumstances.--L.] + +It is the fox-hound searching for game by the scent, but more perfectly +under the control of the sportsman, repressing his cry of joy when he +finds his game, and his momentary pause, and gathering himself up in +order to spring upon it artificially, converted into a steady and +deliberate point. There still remains a strong resemblance, in +countenance and in form, between the pointer and the fox-hound, except +that the muzzle is shorter, and the ears smaller, and partly pendulous. + +Seventy or eighty years ago, the breed of pointers was nearly white, or +varied with liver-coloured spots; some, however, belonging to the Duke +of Kingston, were perfectly black. This peculiarity of colour was +supposed to be connected with exquisite perfection of scent. That is not +the case with the present black pointers, who are not superior to any +others. + +Mr. Daniel relates an anecdote of one of his pointers. He had a dog that +would always go round close to the hedges of a field before he would +quarter his ground. He seemed to have observed that he most frequently +found his game in the course of this circuit. [25] + +Mr. Johnson gives the following characteristic sketches of the different +breeds of pointer: + + +THE SPANISH POINTER, + +originally a native of Spain, was once considered to be a valuable dog. +He stood higher on his legs, but was too large and heavy in his limbs, +and had widely spread, ugly feet, exposing him to frequent lameness. His +muzzle and head were large, corresponding with the acuteness of his +smell. His ears were large and pendent, and his body ill-formed. He was +naturally an ill-tempered dog, growling at the hand that would caress +him, even although it were his master's. He stood steadily to his birds; +but it was difficult to break him of chasing the hare. He was deficient +in speed. His redeeming quality was his excellent scent, unequalled in +any other kind of dog. + +[To convince our readers of the value of this particular breed, we may +mention the very singular sale of Colonel Thornton's dog Dash, who was +purchased by Sir Richard Symons for one hundred and sixty pounds worth +of champagne and burgundy, a hogshead of of claret, and an elegant gun +and another pointer, with a stipulation that if any accident befell the +dog, he was to be returned to his former owner for fifty guineas. Dash +unfortunately broke his leg, and in accordance with the agreement of +sale was returned to the Colonel, who considered him a fortunate +acquisition as a stallion to breed from. (See Blain or Daniel).--L.] + + +THE PORTUGESE POINTER, + +although with a slighter form than the Spanish one, is defective in the +feet, often crooked in the legs, and of a quarrelsome disposition. He +soon tires, and is much inclined to chase the hare. The tail is larger +than that of the spaniel, and fully fringed. + + +THE FRENCH POINTER + +is distinguished by a furrow between his nostrils, which materially +interferes with the acuteness of smell. He is better formed and more +active than either the Spanish or Portugese dog, and capable of longer +continued exertion; but he is apt to be quarrelsome, and is too fond of +chasing the hare. + +[We will close this account of the Pointer by transferring from the +pages of the "Spirit of the Times" our remarks upon this particular +breed. + +The French variety, as described by English authors, is much smaller +than either of the above breeds; and although possessed of great beauty, +acute scent, and other qualifications that would render him valuable in +their eyes, still is considered much inferior, not being able to cope +with their dogs in hunting, owing to a want of physical power of +endurance. + +Youatt states, that he is distinguished by a furrow in his nose, which +materially interferes with his acuteness of smell. + +These accounts do not agree with the French writers, to whom, it is very +true, the English should not look for any particular information +respecting hunting or shooting. Nevertheless, all must admit that they +are quite as capable of describing their particular breeds of animals as +other nations; and, in fact, we might go farther, and say that they are +much more competent to the task than English writers, judging from their +extensive knowledge in comparative anatomy, and their long array of +celebrated writers on natural history--the Cuviers, Buffon, &c. + +'Baudrillart', in his 'Dictionnaire des Chases', describes the French +Pointer as having endurance and great industry, and of their being used +oftentimes solely for 'la grande chasse'. In the atlas of plates +accompanying this interesting work, will be found two distinct and +extremely correct drawings of the English Pointer, and also an engraving +of the French variety, which latter, certainly, is represented as being +equally, if not more muscular and and hardy, than the English. + +As for the furrow in the nose, as mentioned by Youatt, no reference is +made to it in connection with this species, and in the engraving the +nose is square. But in describing another variety, known in France as +coming from Spain, 'Baudrillart' states, that they are vulgarly called +"à deux nez, parceque ce chien a les narines separées par une gouttiere." + +As for Mr. Youatt's declaration in reference to the furrow in the nose +"materially interfering with the acuteness of smell," I cannot +understand how, or on what principle of reasoning, this slight deviation +from nature should affect the properties of the olfactory apparatus. +That these furrow-nosed dogs are inferior to the English in scenting +powers, as stated by Mr. Youatt, we do not question; but that their +deficiency depends upon this furrow, remains to be proved. + +This furrow in the nose is merely a deformity, and like many others in +various breeds of animals, was solely the result of accident in the +first place; and as we often see, even in the human species, the +deformities and infirmities of our ancestors entailed upon their +progeny, so has this 'cut in the nose' been so extensively inherited by +succeeding generations, that it has now become a distinctive mark of a +whole class of dogs. + +The French Pointer, as known in this country, is a beautiful, +well-shaped, compact, square-nosed dog; not so long or high as the +English, but extremely well built, full-chested, large head, pendent +ears, projecting eyes, large feet, and thickish tail. His colour, seldom +white, but generally intermingled with small spots of brown or chocolate +over the body, and more particularly over the head and ears. Such a dog +is in the possession of the writer, who knows nothing of his ancestry; +but is convinced from those he saw in France, that they must have been +imported from that country. + +The English Pointer will now claim more particularly our attention. It +is quite useless to go into a general description of an animal of whom +we have already said much, and with whom we are all familiar; but we +will endeavour to mention the most striking points of the species, which +marks can be referred to as guides in the purchase of a dog. + +It is a difficult matter to put on paper, in a manner satisfactory +either to the reader or writer, the peculiarities of any animal, whereby +he may be judged pure or mixed. However, there are, generally, some few +points in each species, that can be selected as proofs of their +genuineness and ability to perform certain actions peculiar to the race. + +But, after all, more reliance must be placed upon the good faith of the +seller, or the previous knowledge of the strain from which the purchaser +selects--and what is better than either, from actual observation in the +field; all of which precautions may, nevertheless, prove abortive, and +our dog be worthless. + +As regards the size of the English Pointer, we may say, that he averages +in length about 3 feet from the tip of the muzzle to the base of the +tail, and from 22 to 26 inches high. His head not bulky nor too narrow, +the frontal sinuses largely developed. + +The muzzle long and rather tapering, the nostrils large and well open, +the ear slightly erect, not over long, and the tip triangular; if too +pendent, large and rounded at the tip, there is too much of the hound +present. The eyes lively, but not too prominent; the neck rather long +and not over thick, the chest broad, the limbs large and muscular; the +paws strong, hard and wide. The body and loins thin, rather than bulky, +the hind quarters broad, and the limbs in the same proportion with the +fore members; the tail long and tapering.--L.] + + +THE RUSSIAN POINTER + +is a rough, ill-tempered animal, with too much tendency to stupidity, +and often annoyed by vermin. He runs awkwardly, with his nose near the +ground, and frequently springs his game. He also has the cloven or +divided nose. + + +THE EARLY TRAINING OF THE DOG. + +The education of these dogs should commence at an early period, whether +conducted by the breeder or the sportsman; and the first lesson--that on +which the value of the animal, and the pleasure of its owner, will much +depend--is a habit of subjection on the part of the dog, and kindness on +the part of the master. This is a 'sine quâ non'. The dog must recognise +in his owner a friend and a benefactor. This will soon establish in the +mind of the quadruped a feeling of gratitude, and a desire to please. +All this is natural to the dog, if he is encouraged by the master, and +then the process of breaking-in may commence in good earnest. + +No long time probably passes ere the dog commits some little fault. He +is careless, or obstinate, or cross. The owner puts on a serious +countenance, he holds up his finger, or shakes his head, or produces the +whip, and threatens to use it. Perhaps the infliction of a blow, that +breaks no bones, occasionally follows. In the majority of cases nothing +more is required. The dog succumbs; he asks to be forgiven; or, if he +has been self-willed, he may be speedily corrected without any serious +punishment. + +A writer, under the signature of "Soho," in The New Sporting Magazine +for 1833, gives an interesting account of the schooling of the pointer +or setter, thus commenced. A short abstract from it may not be +unacceptable: + + "The first lesson inculcated is that of passive obedience, and this + enforced by the infliction of severity as little as the case will + admit. We will suppose the dog to be a setter. He is taken into the + garden or into a field, and a strong cord, about eighteen or twenty + yards long, is tied to his collar. The sportsman calls the dog to him, + looks earnestly at him, gently presses him to the ground, and several + times, with a loud, but not an angry voice, says, 'Down!' or 'Down + charge!' The dog knows not the meaning of this, and struggles to get + up; but, as often as he struggles, the cry of 'Down charge!' is + repeated, and the pressure is continued or increased. + + "This is repeated a longer or shorter time, until the dog, finding + that no harm is meant, quietly submits. He is then permitted to rise; + he is patted and caressed, and some food is given to him. The command + to rise is also introduced by the terms 'Hie up!' A little afterwards + the same process is repeated, and he struggles less, or perhaps ceases + altogether to struggle. + + "The person whose circumstances permit him occasionally to shoot over + his little demesne, may very readily educate his dog without having + recourse to keepers or professional breakers, among whom he would + often be subject to imposition. Generally speaking, no dog is half so + well broken as the one whose owner has taken the trouble of training + him. The first and grand thing is to obtain the attachment of the dog, + by frequently feeding and caressing him, and giving him little hours + of liberty under his own inspection; but, every now and then, + inculcating a lesson of obedience, teaching him that every gambol must + be under the control of his master; frequently checking him in the + midst of his riot with the order of 'Down charge!' patting him when he + is instantly obedient; and rating, or castigating him, but not too + severely, when there is any reluctance to obey. 'Passive obedience + is the first principle, and from which no deviation should be + allowed.' [26] + + "Much kindness and gentleness are certainly requisite when breaking-in + the puppy, whether it be a pointer or a setter. There is heedlessness + in the young dog which is not readily got rid of until age has given + him experience. He must not, however, be too severely corrected, or he + may be spoiled for life. If considerable correction is sometimes + necessary, it should be followed, at a little distance of time, by + some kind usage. The memory of the suffering will remain; but the + feeling of attachment to the master will also remain, or rather be + increased. The temper of a young dog must be almost as carefully + studied as that of a human being. Timidity may be encouraged, and + eagerness may be restrained, but affection must be the tie that binds + him to his master, and renders him subservient to his will. + + "The next portion of the lesson is more difficult to learn. He is no + longer held by his master, but suffered to run over the field, + seemingly at his pleasure, when, suddenly, comes the warning 'Down!' + He perhaps pays no attention to it, but gambols along until seized by + his master, forced on the ground, and the order of 'Down!' somewhat + sternly uttered. + + "After a while he is suffered again to get up. He soon forgets what + has occurred, and gallops away with as much glee as ever. Again the + 'Down!' is heard, and again little or no attention is paid to it. His + master once more lays hold of him and forces him on the ground, and + perhaps inflicts a slight blow or two, and this process continues + until the dog finds that he must obey the command of 'Down charge!' + + "The owner will now probably walk from him a little way backward with + his hand lifted up. If the dog makes the slightest motion, he must be + sharply spoken to, and the order peremptorily enforced. + + "He must then be taught to 'back,' that is, to come behind his master + when called. When he seems to understand all this, he is called by his + master in a kindly tone, and patted and caressed. It is almost + incredible how soon he will afterwards understand what he is ordered + to do, and perform it. + + "It will be seen by this that no one should attempt to break-in a dog + who is not possessed of patience and perseverance. The sportsman must + not expect to see a great deal of improvement from the early lessons. + The dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few + hours before; but perseverance and kindness will effect much: the + first lessons over, the dog, beginning to perceive a little what is + meant, will cheerfully and joyfully do his duty. + + "When there is much difficulty in teaching the dog his lesson, the + fault lies as often with the master as with him; or they are, + generally speaking, both in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by + means of frequent correction. The less the sportsman has to do with + them the better. Others will not endure the least correction, but + become either ferocious or sulky. They should be disposed of as soon + as possible. The majority of dogs are exceedingly sagacious. They + possess strong reasoning powers; they understand, by intuition, almost + every want and wish of their master, and they deserve the kindest and + best usage. + + "The scholar being thus prepared, should be taken into the field, + either alone, or, what is considerably better, with a well-trained, + steady dog. When the old dog makes a point, the master calls out, + 'Down!' or 'Soho!' and holds up his hand, and approaches steadily to + the birds; and, if the young one runs in or prepares to do so, as + probably he will at first, he again raises his hand and calls out, + 'Soho!' If the youngster pays no attention to this, the whip must be + used, and in a short time he will be steady enough at the first + intimation of game. + + "If he springs any birds without taking notice of them, he should be + dragged to the spot from which they rose, and, 'Soho!' being cried, + one or two sharp strokes with the whip should be inflicted. If he is + too eager, he should be warned to 'take heed.' If he 'rakes' or runs + with his nose near the ground, he should be admonished to 'hold up', + and, if he still persists, the 'muzzle-peg' may be resorted to. Some + persons fire over the dog for running at hares: but this is wrong; + for, besides the danger of wounding or even killing the animal, he + will for some time afterwards he frightened at the sound, or even at + the very sight of a gun. The best plan to accustom dogs to the gun, is + occasionally to fire one off when they are being fed. + + "Some persons let their dog fetch the dead birds. This is very wrong. + Except the sportsman has a double-barrelled gun, the dog should not be + suffered to move until the piece is again charged. The young one, + until he is thoroughly broken of it, is too apt to run in whether the + bird is killed or not, and which may create much mischief by + disturbing the game. + + "Although excessive punishment should not be administered, yet no + fault, however small, should pass without reproof: on the other hand, + he should be rewarded, but not too lavishly, for every instance of + good conduct. + + "When the dog is grown tolerably steady, and taught to come at the + call, he should also learn to range and quarter his ground. Let some + clear morning, and some place where the sportsman is likely to meet + with game, be selected. Station him where the wind will blow in his + face; wave your hand and cry, 'Heigh on, good dog!' Then let him go + off to the right, about seventy or eighty yards. After this, call him + in by another wave of the hand, and let him go the same distance to + the left. Walk straight forward with your eye always upon him; then, + let him continue to cross from right to left, calling him in at the + limit of each range. + + "This is at first a somewhat difficult lesson, and requires careful + teaching. The same ground is never to be twice passed over. The + sportsman watches every motion, and the dog is never trusted out of + sight, or allowed to break fence. When this lesson is tolerably + learned, and on some good scenting morning early in the season, he may + take the field, and perhaps find. Probably he will be too eager, and + spring his game. Make him 'down' immediately, and take him to the + place where the birds rose. Chide him with 'Steady!' 'How dare you!' + Use no whip; but scold him well, and be assured that he will be more + cautious. If possible, kill on the next chance. The moment the bird is + down, he will probably rush in and seize it. He must be met with the + same rebuff, 'Down charge!' If he does not obey, he deserves to have, + and will have, a stroke with the whip. The gun being again charged, + the bird is sought for, and the dog is suffered to see it and play + with it for a minute before it is put into the bag. + + "He will now become thoroughly fond of the sport, and his fondness + will increase with each bird that is killed. At every time, however, + whether he kills or misses, the sportsman should make the dog 'Down + charge.' and never allow him to rise until he has loaded. + + "If a hare should be wounded, there will, occasionally, be + considerable difficulty in preventing him from chasing her. The best + broken and steadiest dog cannot always be restrained from running + hares. He must be checked with 'Ware chase,' and, if he does not + attend, the sportsman must wait patiently. He will by-and-by come + slinking along with his tail between his legs, conscious of his fault. + It is one, however, that admits of no pardon. He must be secured, and, + while the field echoes with the cry of 'Ware chase,' he must be + punished to a certain but not too great extent. The castigation must + be repeated as often as he offends; or, if there is much difficulty in + breaking him of the habit, he must be got rid of." + +The breaking-in or subjugation of pointers and setters is a very +important, and occasionally a difficult affair; the pleasure of the +sportsman, however, depends on it. The owner of any considerable +property will naturally look to his keeper to furnish him with dogs on +which he may depend, and he ought not to be disappointed; for those +which belong to other persons, or are brought at the beginning of the +season, whatever account the breaker or the keeper of them may give, +will too often be found deficient. + + +THE OTTER HOUND + +used to be of a mingled breed, between the southern hound and the rough +terrier, and in size between the harrier and the fox-hound. The head +should be large and broad, the shoulders and quarters thick, and the +hair strong, wiry, and rough. They used to be kept in small packs, for +the express purpose of hunting the otter. + +Two hundred and fifty years ago, otter-hunting was a favourite amusement +in several parts of Great Britain. Many of our streams then abounded +with this destructive animal; but, since the population are more +numerous, and many contrivances are adopted to ensnare and destroy +otters, few are now to be found. + + +THE TURNSPIT + +This dog was once a valuable auxiliary in the kitchen, by turning the +spit before jacks were invented. It had a peculiar length of body, with +short crooked legs, the tail curled, its ears long and pendent, and the +head large in proportion to the body. It is still used in the kitchen on +various parts of the Continent. There are some curious stories of the +artfulness with which he often attempted to avoid the task imposed upon +him. + +There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit. + + + +[Footnote 1: 'Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America', +by J. Macgregor] + + +[Footnote 2: 'Journal Historique du Voyage de M. de Lesseps', Paris, +1790. 2 vols.--tome 1.] + + +[Footnote 3: Clarke's 'Scandinavia', vol. i. p. 432.] + + +[Footnote 4: The migratory sheep, in some parts of the south of France +almost as numerous as in Spain, are attended by a GOAT, as a +guide; and the intelligence and apparent pride which he displays are +remarkable.] + + +[Footnote 5: 'Trimmer on the Merinos', p. 50. See also the Society's +work on Sheep.] + + +[Footnote 6: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. viii. p. 83.] + + +[Footnote 7: + + "The Ettrick Shepherd has probably spoken somewhat too + enthusiastically of his dog; but accounts of the sagacity and almost + superhuman fidelity of this dog crowd so rapidly upon us that we are + compelled to admire and to love him." + +'Hogg's Shepherd's Calendar', vol. ii. p. 308.] + + +[Footnote 8: 'Jesse's Gleanings', vol. i. p. 93]. + + +[Footnote 9: 'Buffon's Natural History', vol. v. p. 314.] + + +[Footnote 10: 'Travels in Scotland', by the Rev. J. Hall, vol. ii. p. +395.] + + +[Footnote 11: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. v. p. 137.] + + +[Footnote 12: Mr Beckford at one time determined to try how he should +like the use of beagles, and, having heard of a small pack of them, he +sent his coachman, the person he could best spare, to fetch them. It was +a long journey, and, although he had some assistance, yet not being used +to hounds, he had some trouble in getting them along, especially as they +had not been out of the kennel for several weeks before. They were +consequently so riotous that they ran after everything they saw, sheep, +cur dogs, birds of all sorts, as well as hares and deer. However, he +lost but one hound; and, when Mr. Beckford asked him what he thought of +them, he said that they could not fail of being good hounds, for they +would hunt everything.] + + +[Footnote 13: 'Beckford on Hunting', p. 150.] + + +[Footnote 14: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 340.] + + +[Footnote 15: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p, 332.] + + +[Footnote 16: 'Daniel's Foxhound', p. 205.] + + +[Footnote 17: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 355.] + + +[Footnote 18: 'Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting', p. 95.] + + +[Footnote 19: Mr. Beckford gives the following excellent account of what +a huntsman should be: + + "A huntsman should be attached to the sport, and indefatigable, young, + strong, active, bold, and enterprising in the pursuit of it. He should + be sensible, good-tempered, sober, exact, and cleanly--a good groom + and an excellent horseman. His voice should be strong and clear, with + an eye so quick as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent + when all are running, and an ear so excellent as to distinguish the + leading hounds when he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient, + and without conceit. Such are the qualities which constitute + perfection in a huntsman. He should not, however, be too fond of + displaying them until called forth by necessity; it being a peculiar + and distinguishing trait in his character to let his hounds alone + while they thus hunt, and have genius to assist them when they + cannot." + +'Beckford on Hunting', Letter ix.] + + +[Footnote 20: 'Blaine on the Diseases of the Dog', p. 140.] + + +[Footnote 21: See 'Hints to Young Masters of Fox-Hounds'--'New Sport. +Mag.', vol. viii. p. 174-290.] + + +[Footnote 22: 'Traité de la Folie dex Animaux', tom. ii. 39.] + + +[Footnote 23: Mr. D. Radcliffe.] + + +[Footnote 24: The late Lord Oxford reduced four stags to so perfect a +degree of submission that, in his short excursions, he used to drive +them in a phaeton made for the purpose. He was one day exercising his +singular and beautiful steeds in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, when +their ears were saluted with the unwelcome cry of a pack of hounds, +which, crossing the road in their rear, had caught the scent, and +leaving their original object of pursuit, were now in rapid chase of the +frightened stags. In vain his grooms exerted themselves to the utmost, +the terrified animals bounded away with the swiftness of lightning, and +entered Newmarket at full speed. They made immediately for the Ram Inn, +to which his lordship was in the habit of driving, and, having +fortunately entered the yard without any accident, the stable-keepers +huddled his lordship, the phaeton, and the deer into a large barn, just +in time to save them from the hounds, who came into the yard in full cry +a few seconds afterwards. + +('Annals of Sporting', vol. iii. 1833.)] + + +[Footnote 25: The author of the 'Field Book' says that he saw an +extremely small pointer, whose length, from the tip of the nose to the +point of the tail, was only two feet and half an inch, the length of the +head being six inches, and round the chest one foot and three inches. He +was an exquisite miniature of the English pointer, being in all respects +similar to him, except in his size. His colour was white, with dark +liver-coloured patches on each side of the head, extending half down the +neck. The ears, with some patches on the back, were also of the same +colour, and numerous small dark-brown spots appeared over his whole body +and legs. + +This beautiful little animal had an exquisite sense of smell. Some of +the same breed, and being the property of the Earl of Lauderdale, were +broken-in and made excellent pointers, although, from their minute size, +it could not be expected that they would be able to do much work. When +intent upon any object, the dog assumed the same attitude as other +pointers, holding up one of his feet. + +('The Field Book', p. 399.)] + + +[Footnote 26: Another writer in the same volume gives also an +interesting account of the management of the setter.] + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG. + +THIRD DIVISION. + + + 'The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, and + the cranium elevated and diminished in capacity.' + + +At the head of this inferior or brutal division of dogs stands + + +THE BULL-DOG. + +The round, thick head, turned-up nose, and thick and pendulous lips of +this dog are familiar to all, while his ferocity makes him in the +highest degree dangerous. In general he makes a silent although +ferocious attack, and the persisting powers of his teeth and jaws enable +him to keep his hold against any but the greatest efforts, so that the +utmost mischief is likely to ensue as well to the innocent visitor of +his domicile as the ferocious intruder. The bull-dog is scarcely capable +of any education, and is fitted for nothing but ferocity and combat. + +The name of this dog is derived from his being too often employed, until +a few years ago, in baiting the bull. It was practised by the low and +dissolute in many parts of the country. Dogs were bred and trained for +the purpose; and, while many of them were injured or destroyed, the head +of the bull was lacerated in the most barbarous manner. Nothing can +exceed the fury with which the bull-dog rushed on his foe, and the +obstinacy with which he maintained his hold. He fastened upon the lip, +the muzzle, or the eye, and there he hung in spite of every effort of +the bull to free himself from his antagonist. + +Bull-dogs are not so numerous as they were a few years ago; and every +kind-hearted person will rejoice to hear that bull-baiting is now put +down by legal authority in every part of the kingdom. + + +THE BULL TERRIER. + +This dog is a cross between the bull-dog and the terrier, and is +generally superior, both in appearance and value, to either of its +progenitors. A second cross considerably lessens the underhanging of the +lower jaw, and a third entirely removes it, retaining the spirit and +determination of the animal. It forms a steadier friendship than either +of them, and the principal objection to it is its love of wanton +mischief, and the dangerous irascibility which it occasionally exhibits. + +Sir Walter Scott, a warm friend of dogs, and whose veracity cannot be +impeached, gives an interesting account of a favourite one belonging to +him. + + "The cleverest dog I ever had was what is called a bull-dog terrier. I + taught him to understand a great many words, insomuch that I am + positive the communication between the canine species and ourselves + might be greatly enlarged. Camp, the name of my dog, once bit the + baker when bringing bread to the family. I beat him, and explained the + enormity of the offence; after which, to the last moment of his life, + he never heard the least allusion to the story without creeping into + the darkest corner of the room. Towards the end of his life when he + was unable to attend me while I was on horseback, he generally watched + for my return, and, when the servant used to tell him, his master was + coming down the hill, or through the moor, although he did not use any + gesture to explain his meaning, Camp was never known to mistake him, + but either went out at the front to go up the hill, or at the back to + get down to the moor-side." + + +THE MASTIFF + +The head considerably resembles that of the bull-dog, but with the ears +dependent. The upper lip falls over the lower jaw. The end of the tail +is turned up, and frequently the fifth toe of the hind feet is more or +less developed. The nostrils are separated one from another by a deep +furrow. He has a grave and somewhat sullen countenance, and his +deep-toned bark is often heard during the night. The mastiff is taller +than the bull-dog, but not so deep in the chest, and his head is large +compared with his general form. + +It is probable that the mastiff is an original breed peculiar to the +British islands. + +He seems to be fully aware of the impression which his large size makes +on every stranger; and, in the night especially, he watches the abode of +his master with the completest vigilance; in fact, nothing would tempt +him to betray the confidence which is reposed in him. + +Captain Brown states that, + + "notwithstanding his commanding appearance and the strictness with + which he guards the property of his master, he is possessed of the + greatest mildness of conduct, and is as grateful for any favours + bestowed upon him as is the most diminutive of the canine tribe. There + is a remarkable and peculiar warmth in his attachments. He is aware of + all the duties required of him, and he punctually discharges them. In + the course of the night he several times examines every thing with + which he is intrusted with the most scrupulous care, and, by repeated + barkings, warns the household or the depredator that he is at the post + of duty." [1] + +The mastiff from Cuba requires some mention, and will call up some of +the most painful recollections in the history of the human race. He was +not a native of Cuba, but imported into the country. + +The Spaniards had possessed themselves of several of the South American +islands. They found them peopled with Indians, and those of a sensual, +brutish, and barbarous class--continually making war with their +neighbours, indulging in an irreconcilable hatred of the Spaniards, and +determined to expel and destroy them. In self-defence, they were driven +to some means of averting the destruction with which they were +threatened. They procured some of these mastiffs, by whose assistance +they penetrated into every part of the country, and destroyed the +greater portion of the former inhabitants. + +Las Casas, a Catholic priest, and whose life was employed in +endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings of the original inhabitants, +says that + + "it was resolved to march against the Indians, who had fled to the + mountains, and they were chased like wild beasts, with the assistance + of bloodhounds, who had been trained to a thirst for human blood, so + that before I had left the island it had become almost entirely a + desert." + + +THE ICELAND DOG. + +The head is rounder than that of the northern dogs; the ears partly +erect and partly pendent; and the fur soft and long, especially behind +the fore legs and on the tail. It much resembles the Turkish dog removed +to a colder climate. + +This dog is exceedingly useful to the Icelanders while travelling over +the snowy deserts of the north. By a kind of intuition he rarely fails +in choosing the shortest and the safest course. He also is more aware +than his master of the approach of the snow storms; and is a most +valuable ally against the attack of the Polar bear, who, drifted on +masses of ice from the neighbouring continent, often commits +depredations among the cattle, and even attacks human beings. When the +dog is first aware of the neighbourhood of the bear, he sets up a +fearful howl, and men and dogs hasten to hunt down and destroy the +depredator. + +The travelling in Iceland is sometimes exceedingly dangerous at the +beginning of the winter. A thin layer of snow covers and conceals some +of the chasms with which that region abounds. Should the traveller fall +into one of them, the dog proves a most useful animal; for he runs +immediately across the snowy waste, and, by his howling, induces the +traveller's friends to hasten to his rescue. + + +THE TERRIER + +The forehead is convex; the eye prominent; the muzzle pointed; the tail +thin and arched; the fur short; the ears of moderate size, half erect, +and usually of a deep-black colour, with a yellow spot over the eyes. It +is an exceedingly useful animal; but not so indispensable an +accompaniment to a pack of fox-hounds as it used to be accounted. Foxes +are not so often unearthed as they formerly were, yet many a day's sport +would be lost without the terrier. Some sportsmen used to have two +terriers accompanying in the pack, one being smaller than the other. +This was a very proper provision; a large terrier might be incapable of +penetrating into the earth, and a small one might permit the escape of +the prey. Many terriers have lost their lives by scratching up the earth +behind them, and thus depriving themselves of all means of retreat. + +The coat of the terrier may be either smooth or rough; the smooth-haired +ones are more delicate in appearance, and are somewhat more exposed to +injury or accident; but in courage, sagacity, and strength, there is +very little difference if the dogs are equally well bred. The rough +terrier possibly obtained his shaggy coat from the cur, and the smooth +terrier may derive his from the hound. + +The terrier is seldom of much service until he is twelve months old; and +then, incited by natural propensity, or the example of the older ones, +or urged on by the huntsman, he begins to discharge his supposed duty. + +An old terrier is brought to the mouth of the earth in which a vixen +fox--a fox with her young ones--has taken up her abode, and is sent in +to worry and drive her out. Some young terriers are brought to the mouth +of the hover, to listen to the process that is going forward within, and +to be excited to the utmost extent of which they are capable. The vixen +is at length driven out, and caught at the mouth of the hole; and the +young ones are suffered to rush in, and worry or destroy their first +prey. They want no after-tuition to prepare them for the discharge of +their duty. + +This may be pardoned. It is the most ready way of training the young dog +to his future business; but it is hoped that no reader of this work will +be guilty of the atrocities that are often practised. An old fox, or +badger, is caught, his under jaw is sawn off, and the lower teeth are +forcibly extracted, or broken. A hole is then dug in the earth, or a +barrel is placed large and deep enough to permit a terrier, or perhaps +two of them, to enter. Into this cavity the fox or badger is thrust, and +a terrier rushes after him, and drags him out again. The question to be +ascertained is, how many times in a given period the dog will draw this +poor tortured animal out of the barrel--an exhibition of cruelly which +no one should be able to lay to the charge of any human being. It is a +principle not to be departed from, that wanton and useless barbarity +should never be permitted. The government, to a certain extent, has +interfered, and a noble society has been established to limit, or, if +possible, to prevent the infliction of useless pain. + +The terrier is, however, a valuable dog, in the house and the farm. The +stoat, the pole-cat, and the weazel, commit great depredations in the +fields, the barn, and granary; and to a certain extent, the terrier is +employed in chasing them; but it is not often that he has a fair chance +to attack them. He is more frequently used in combating the rat. + +The mischief effected by rats is almost incredible. It has been said +that, in some cases, in the article of corn, these animals consume a +quantity of food equal in value to the rent of the farm. Here the dog is +usefully employed, and in his very element, especially if there is a +cross of the bull-dog about him. + +There are some extraordinary accounts of the dexterity, as well as +courage, of the terrier in destroying rats. The feats of a dog called +"Billy" will he long remembered. He was matched to destroy one hundred +large rats in eight and a half minutes. The rats were brought into the +ring in bags, and, as soon as the number was complete, he was put over +the railing. In six minutes and thirty-five seconds they were all +destroyed. In another match he destroyed the same number in six minutes +and thirteen seconds. At length, when he was getting old, and had but +two teeth and one eye left, a wager was laid of thirty sovereigns, by +the owner of a Berkshire bitch, that she would kill fifty rats in less +time than Billy. The old dog killed his fifty in five minutes and six +seconds. The pit was then cleared, and the bitch let in. When she had +killed thirty rats, she was completely exhausted, fell into a fit, and +lay barking and yelping, utterly incapable of completing her task. + +The speed of the terrier is very great. One has been known to run six +miles in thirty-two minutes. He needs to be a fleet dog if, with his +comparatively little bulk, he can keep up with the foxhound. + +A small breed of 'wry-legged' terriers was once in repute, and, to a +certain degree, is retained for the purpose of hunting rabbits. It +probably originated in some rickety specimens, remarkable for the slow +development of their frame, except in the head, the belly, and the +joints, which enlarge at the expense of the other parts. + + +THE SCOTCH TERRIER + +There is reason to believe that this dog is far older than the English +terrier. There are three varieties: first the common Scotch terrier, +twelve or thirteen inches high; his body muscular and compact-- +considerable breadth across the loins--the legs shorter and stouter than +those of the English terriers. The head large in proportion to the size +of the body--the muzzle small and pointed--strong marks of intelligence +in the countenance--warm attachment to his master, and the evident +devotion of every power to the fulfilment of his wishes. The hair is +long and tough, and extending over the whole of the frame. In colour, +they are black or fawn: the white, yellow, or pied are always deficient +in purity of blood. + +Another species has nearly the same conformation, but is covered with +longer, more curly, and stouter hair; the legs being apparently, but not +actually, shorter. This kind of dog prevails in the greater part of the +Western Islands of Scotland, and some of them, where the hair has +obtained its full development, are much admired. + +Her Majesty had one from Islay, a faithful and affectionate creature, +yet with all the spirit and determination that belongs to his breed. The +writer of this account had occasion to operate on this poor fellow, who +had been bitten under somewhat suspicious circumstances. He submitted +without a cry or a struggle, and seemed to be perfectly aware that we +should not put him to pain without having some good purpose in view. + +A third species of terrier is of a considerably larger bulk, and three +or four inches taller than either of the others. Its hair is shorter +than that of the other breeds, and is hard and wiry. + + + +THE SHOCK-DOG + +is traced by Buffon, but somewhat erroneously, to a mixture of the small +Danish dog and the pug. The head is round, the eyes large, but somewhat +concealed by its long and curly hair, the tail curved and bent forward. +The muzzle resembles that of the pug. It is of small size, and is used +in this country and on the Continent as a lap-dog. It is very properly +described by the author of "The Field Book" as a useless little animal, +seeming to possess no other quality than that of a faithful attachment +to his mistress. + + +THE ARTOIS DOG + +with his short, flat muzzle, is a produce of the shock-dog and the pug. +He has nothing peculiar to recommend him. + + +THE ANDALUSIAN, OR ALICANT DOG, + + +has the short muzzle of the pug with the long hair of the spaniel. + +THE EGYPTIAN AND BARBARY DOG, + +according to Cuvier, has a very thick and round head, the ears erect at +the base, large and movable, and carried horizontally, the skin nearly +naked, and black or dark flesh-colour, with large patches of brown. A +sub-variety has a kind of mane behind the head, formed of long stiff +hairs. + +Buffon imagines that the shepherd's dog--transported to different +climates, and acquiring different habits--was the ancestor of the +various species with which almost every country abounds; but whence they +originally came it is impossible to say. They vary in their size, their +colour, their attitude, their usual exterior, and their strangely +different interior construction. Transported into various climates, they +are necessarily submitted to the influence of heat and cold, and of food +more or less abundant and more or less suitable to their natural +organization; but the reason or the derivation of these differences of +structure it is not always easy to explain. + + + +[Footnote 1: Brown's 'Biographical Sketches', p. 425.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE GOOD QUALITIES OF THE DOG; THE SENSE OF SMELL; INTELLIGENCE; MORAL +QUALITIES; DOG-CARTS; CROPPING; TAILING; BREAKING-IN; DOG-PITS; +DOG-STEALING. + + +In our history of the different breeds of the dog we have seen enough to +induce us to admire and love him. His courage, his fidelity, and the +degree in which he often devotes every power that he possesses to our +service, are circumstances that we can never forget nor overlook. His +very foibles occasionally attach him to us. We may select a pointer for +the pureness of his blood and the perfection of his education. He +transgresses in the field. We call him to us; we scold him well; +perchance, we chastise him. He lies motionless and dumb at our feet. The +punishment being over, he gets up, and, by some significant gesture, +acknowledges his consciousness of deserving what he has suffered. The +writer operated on a pointer bitch for an enlarged cancerous tumour, +accompanied by much inflammation and pain in the surrounding parts. A +word or two of kindness and of caution were all that were necessary, +although, in order to prevent accidents, she had been bound securely. +The flesh quivered as the knife pursued its course--a moan or two +escaped her, but yet she did not struggle; and her first act, after all +was over, was to lick the operator's hand. + +From the combination of various causes, the history of no animal is more +interesting than that of the dog. First, his intimate association with +man, not only as a valuable protector, but as a constant and faithful +companion throughout all the vicissitudes of life. Secondly, from his +natural endowments, not consisting in the exquisite delicacy of one +individual sense--not merely combining memory with reflection--but +possessing qualities of the mind that stagger us in the contemplation of +them, and which we can alone account for in the gradation existing in +that wonderful system which, by different links of one vast chain, +extends from the first to the last of all things, until it forms a +perfect whole on the wonderful confines of the spiritual and material +world. + +We here quote the beautiful account of Sir Walter Scott and his dogs, as +described by Henry Hallam: + + "But looking towards the grassy mound + Where calm the Douglass chieftains lie, + Who, living, quiet never found, + I straightway learnt a lesson high; + + For there an old man sat serene, + And well I knew that thoughtful mien + Of him whose early lyre had thrown + O'er mouldering walls the magic of its tone. + + It was a comfort, too, to see + Those dogs that from him ne'er would rove, + And always eyed him reverently, + With glances of depending love. + They know not of the eminence + Which marks him to my reasoning sense, + They know but that he is a man, + And still to them is kind, and glads them all he can + + And hence their quiet looks confiding; + Hence grateful instincts seated deep + By whose strong bond, were ill betiding, + They'd lose their own, his life to keep. + What joy to watch in lower creature + Such dawning of a moral nature, + And how (the rule all things obey) + They look to a higher mind to be their law and stay!" + +The subject of the intellectual and moral qualities of the inferior +animals is one highly interesting and somewhat misunderstood--urged +perhaps to a ridiculous extent by some persons, yet altogether neglected +by others who have no feeling for any but themselves. + +Anatomists have compared the relative bulk of the brain in different +animals, and the result is not a little interesting. In man the weight +of the brain amounts on the average to 1-30th part of the body. In the +Newfoundland dog it does not amount to 1-60th part, or to 1-100th part +in the poodle and barbet, and not to more than 1-300th part in the +ferocious and stupid bull-dog. + +When the brain is cut, it is found to be composed of two substances, +essentially different in construction and function--the cortical and the +medullary. The first is small in quantity, and principally concerned in +the food and reproduction of the animal, and the cineritious in a great +measure the register of the mind. Brute strength seems to be the +character of the former, and superior intelligence of the latter. There +is, comparing bulk with bulk, less of the medullary substance in the +horse than in the ox--and in the dog than in the horse--and they are +characterized as the sluggish ox, the intelligent horse, and the +intellectual and companionable dog. + +From the medullary substance proceed certain cords or prolongations, +termed 'nerves', by which the animal is enabled to receive impressions +from surrounding objects and to connect himself with them, and also to +possess many pleasurable or painful sensations. One of them is spread +over the membrane of the nose, and gives the sense of smell; another +expands on the back of the eye, and the faculty of sight is gained; a +third goes to the internal structure of the ear and the animal is +conscious of sound. Other nerves, proceeding to different parts, give +the faculty of motion, while an equally important one bestows the power +of feeling. One division, springing from a prolongation of the brain, +and yet within the skull, wanders to different parts of the frame, for +important purposes connected with respiration or breathing. The act of +breathing is essential to life, and were it to cease, the animal would +die. + +There are other nerves--the sympathetic--so called from their union and +sympathy with all the others, and identified with life itself. They +proceed from a small ganglion or enlargement in the upper part of the +neck, or from a collection of minute ganglia within the abdomen. They go +to the heart, and it beats; and to the stomach, and it digests. They +form a net-work round each vessel, and the frame is nourished and built +up. They are destitute of sensation, and they are perfectly beyond the +control of the will. + +We have been accustomed, and properly, to regard the nervous system, or +that portion of it which is connected with animal life--that which +renders us conscious of surrounding objects and susceptible of pleasure +and of pain--as the source of intellectual power and moral feeling. It +is so with ourselves. All our knowledge is derived from our perception +of things around as. A certain impression is made on the outward fibres +of a sensitive nerve. That impression, in some mysterious way, is +conveyed to the brain; and there it is received--registered--stored--and +compared; there its connections are traced and its consequences +appreciated; and thence a variety of interesting impressions are +conveyed, and due use is made of them. + + +THE SENSE OF SMELL + +Our subject--the intellectual and moral feelings of brutes, and the +mechanism on which they depend--may be divided into two parts, the +portion that receives and conveys, and that which stores up and compares +and uses the impression. + +The portion that receives and conveys is far more developed in the brute +than in the human being. Whatever sense we take, we clearly perceive the +triumph of animal power. + +The olfactory nerve in the horse, the dog, the ox, and the swine, is the +largest of all the cerebral nerves, and has much greater comparative +bulk in the quadruped than in the human being. The sense of smell, +bearing proportion to the nerve on which it depends, is yet more acute. +In man it is connected with pleasure--in the inferior animals with life. +The relative size of the nerve bears an invariable proportion to the +necessity of an acute sense of smell in the various animals--large in +the horse compared with the olfactory nerve in the human being--larger +in the ox, who is often sent into the fields to shift for +himself--larger still in the swine, whose food is buried under the soil, +or deeply immersed in the filth or refuse,--and still larger in the dog, +the acuteness of whose scent is so connected with our pleasure. + +[The disposition to hunt by scent is not peculiar to the setter or +pointer, but in fact is common to all animals; developing itself in +different proportions according to their various physical constructions +and modes of life. The method of finding and pointing at game, now +peculiar to these dogs, and engendered in their progeny through +successive generations, is not the result of any special instinct, that +usually governs the actions of the brute creation--but rather the effect +of individual education and force of habit upon their several ancestors. +This habit of life, engrafted through progressive generations into these +breeds, has become a second nature, and so entirely the property of the +species, that all its members, with but little care on the part of man, +will perform these same actions in the same way, and will ever continue +to exhibit these propensities for hunting, provided opportunities be +offered for indulging them. Nevertheless, as these peculiar +predilections for "'setting or pointing'," as before said, are the +effect of education and habit, the artificial impulse would very soon be +entirely obliterated, if not encouraged in the young dogs of each +generation. This circumstance alone, proves to us the importance of +getting dogs from a well-known good strain, whose ancestors have been +remarkable for their exploits in the field. This necessary precaution +will insure a favourable issue to our troubles, and lessen materially +our labours. In fact young puppies have been frequently known to exhibit +this propensity the first time they have been taken to the field. Some +of these dogs have come under the notice of the writer, who at a few +months old exhibited all the peculiarities of their race; in fact were +"self-broke." These dogs were the progeny of a well-known imported +stock, in the possession of a gentleman who selected them in England. + +Although other dogs, and other animals even, have been with great +difficulty and perseverance taught to find and point game, still these +two breeds seem especially adapted by nature, both in their physical and +intellectual construction, for the performance of this particular duty +to man. + +The sense of smell is differently developed in different animals; the +olfactory nerve of the dog is larger than any other in the cerebrum, +which peculiarity will at once account for their wonderful powers of +scent. + +'Swine', also, have these nerves largely developed; and necessarily so, +as both in a state of nature or half-civilization, the greater portion +of their food is buried under the earth or mingled with the filth and +mire of their sties, and would pass unheeded, if not for the acuteness +of their nasal organs. + +In Daniels' "Rural Sports," will be found an interesting account of a +sow having been taught to find and point game of various kinds, and +often having been known to stand on partridges at a distance of forty +yards, which is more than can reasonably be expected of every first-rate +dog. She was not only broke to find and stand game, but hunted with the +dogs, and backed successfully when on a point. This extraordinary animal +evinced great aptness for learning, and afterwards great enthusiasm in +the sport; showing symptoms of pleasure at the sight of a gun, or when +called upon to accompany a party to the field. Her hunting was not +confined to any particular game, but stood equally well on partridges, +pheasants, snipes, rabbits, &c. (See Blaine, part vii, chap, iii, page +792.) + +Most of animals instinctively employ the organ of scent to seek out +food, or avert personal danger, in preference to that of sight; but some +depend more upon the latter than the former, either from instinct or the +force of education. + +For instance, the greyhound, though equally gifted with the sense of +smell, as that of sight, has been taught to depend upon the one organ to +the entire exclusion of the other, which is quite the reverse of the +setter and pointer; but the wonderful speed of these dogs renders it +quite unnecessary that he should employ the olfactory nerves, as no +animal, however swift, can hope to escape from him in a fair race, when +once near enough to be seen; though there are some that may elude his +grasp by a "'ruse de guerre'" when too hardly pressed. ('Extracted from +our essay in No. 1, vol. xvi, of the "Spirit of the Times.'")--L.] + + +INTELLIGENCE + +We find little mention of insanity in the domesticated animals in any of +our modern authors, whether treating on agriculture, horsemanship, or +veterinary medicine, and yet there are some singular and very +interesting cases of aberration of intellect. The inferior animals are, +to a certain extent, endowed with the same faculties as ourselves. They +are even susceptible of the same moral qualities. Hatred, love, fear, +hope, joy, distress, courage, timidity, jealousy, and many varied +passions influence and agitate them, as they do the human being. The dog +is an illustration of this---the most susceptible to every +impression--approaching the nearest to man in his instincts, and in many +actions that surprise the philosopher, who justly appreciates it. + +What eagerness to bite is often displayed by the dog when labouring +under enteritis, and especially by him who has imbibed the poison of +rabies! How singular is the less dangerous malady which induces the +horse and the dog to press unconsciously forward under the influence of +vertigo!--the eagerness with which, when labouring under phrenitis, he +strikes at everything with his foot, or rushes upon it to seize it with +his teeth! A kind of nostalgia is often recognised in that depression +which nothing can dissipate, and the invincible aversion to food, by +means of which many animals perish, who are prevented from returning to +the place where they once lived, and the localities to which they had +been accustomed. + +These are circumstances proving that the dog is endowed with +intelligence and with affections like ours; and, if they do not equal +ours, they are of the same character. + +With regard to the foundation of intellectual power, viz.: attention, +memory, association, and imagination, the difference between man and +animals is in degree, and not in kind. Thus stands the account,--with +the quadruped as well as the biped,--the impression is made on the mind; +attention fixes it there; memory recurs to it; imagination combines it, +rightly or erroneously, with many other impressions; judgment determines +the value of it, and the conclusions that are to be drawn from it, if +not with logical precision, yet with sufficient accuracy for every +practical purpose. + +A bitch, naturally ill-tempered, and that would not suffer a stranger to +touch her, had scirrhous enlargement on one of her teats. As she lay in +the lap of her mistress, an attempt was repeatedly made to examine the +tumour, in spite of many desperate attempts on her part to bite. All at +once, however, something seemed to strike her mind. She whined, wagged +her tail, and sprung from the lap of her mistress to the ground. It was +to crouch at the feet of the surgeon, and to lay herself down and expose +the tumour to his inspection. She submitted to a somewhat painful +examination of it, and to a far more serious operation afterwards. Some +years passed away, and whenever she saw the operator, she testified her +joy and her gratitude in the most expressive and endearing manner. + +A short time since, the following scene took place in a street adjoining +Hanover-square. It was an exhibition of a highly interesting character, +and worthy to be placed upon record. The editor of the Lancet having +heard that a French gentleman (M. Léonard), who had for some time been +engaged in instructing two dogs in various performances that required +the exercise, not merely of the natural instincts of the animal and the +power of imitation, but of a higher intellect, and a degree of +reflection and judgment far greater than is commonly developed in the +dog; was residing in London, obtained an introduction, and was +obligingly favoured by M. Leonard with permission to hold a +'conversazione' with his extraordinary pupils. He thus describes the +interview: + +Two fine dogs, of the Spanish breed, were introduced by M. Leonard, with +the customary French politesse, the largest by the name of M. Philax, +the other as M. Brac (or spot); the former had been in training three, +the latter two, years. They were in vigorous health, and, having bowed +very gracefully, seated themselves on the hearth-rug side by side. M. +Léonard then gave a lively description of the means he had employed to +develop the cerebral system in these animals--how, from having been fond +of the chase, and ambitious of possessing the best-trained dogs, he had +employed the usual course of training--how the conviction had been +impressed on his mind, that by gentle usage, and steady perseverance in +inducing the animal to repeat again and again what was required, not +only would the dog be capable of performing that specific act, but that +part of the brain which was brought into activity by the mental effort +would become more largely developed, and hence a permanent increase of +mental power be obtained. + +This reasoning is in accordance with the known laws of the physiology of +the nervous system, and is fraught with the most important results. We +may refer the reader interested in the subject to the masterly little +work of Dr. Verity, "Changes produced in the Nervous System by +Civilization." + +After this introduction, M. Léonard spoke to his dogs in French, in his +usual tone, and ordered one of them to walk, the other to lie down, to +run, to gallop, halt, crouch, &c., which they performed as promptly and +correctly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go +through the usual exercises of the 'manége', which they performed as +well as the best-trained ponies at Astley's. + +He next placed six cards of different colours on the floor, and, sitting +with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card, and +the other the white, &c., varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in +such a manner that it was impossible the dogs could have executed his +commands if they had not had a perfect knowledge of the words. For +instance, M. Léonard said, "Philax, take the red card and give it to +Brac; and, Brac, take the white card and give it to Philax;" the dags +instantly did this, and exchanged cards with each other. He then said, +"Philax, put your card on the green, and Brac, put yours on the blue;" +and this was instantly performed. Pieces of bread and meat were placed +on the floor, with figured cards, and a variety of directions were given +to the dogs, so as to put their intelligence and obedience to a severe +test. They brought the meat, bread, or cards, as commanded, but did not +attempt to eat or to touch unless ordered. Philax was then ordered to +bring a piece of meat and give it to Brac, and then Brac was told to +give it back to Philax, who was to return it to its place. Philax was +next told he might bring a piece of bread and eat it; but, before he had +time to swallow it, his master forbade him, and directed him to show +that he had not disobeyed, and the dog instantly protruded the crust +between his lips. + +While many of these feats were being performed, M. Léonard snapped a +whip violently, to prove that the animals were so completely under +discipline, that they would not heed any interruption. + +After many other performances, M. Léonard invited a gentleman to play a +game of dominos with one of them. The younger and slighter dog then +seated himself on a chair at the table, and the writer and M. Léonard +seated themselves opposite. Six dominos were placed on their edges in +the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before the writer. +The dog having a double number, took one up in his mouth, and put it in +the middle of the table; the writer placed a corresponding piece on one +side; the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until all +the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were then given to each, and +the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog looked +surprised, stared very earnestly at the writer, growled, and finally +barked angrily. Finding that no notice was taken of his remonstrances, +he pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, and took up a suitable +one from his own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then +played correctly; the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest +intimation could have been given by M. Léonard to the dog. This mode of +play must have been entirely the result of his own observation and +judgment. It should be added that the performances were strictly +private. The owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune, +and the instruction of his dogs had been taken up merely as a curious +and amusing investigation. [1] + +Another strange attainment of the dog is the learning to speak. The +French Academicians mention one of these animals that could call in an +intelligible manner for tea, coffee, chocolate, &c. The account is given +by the celebrated Leibnitz, who communicated it to the Royal Academy of +France. This dog was of a middling size, and was the property of a +peasant in Saxony. + +A little boy, a peasant's son, imagined that he perceived in the dog's +voice an indistinct resemblance to certain words, and therefore took it +into his head to teach him to speak. For this purpose he spared neither +time nor pains with his pupil, who was about three years old when his +learned education commenced, and in process of time he was able to +articulate no fewer than thirty distinct words. He was, however, +somewhat of a truant, and did not very willingly exert his talent, and +was rather pressed than otherwise into the service of literature. It was +necessary that the words should be pronounced to him each time, and then +he repeated them after his preceptor. Leibnitz attests that he heard the +animal talk in this way, and the French Academicians add, that unless +they had received the testimony of so celebrated a person they would +scarcely have dared to report the circumstance. It took place in Misnia, +in Saxony. + + +THE MORAL QUALITIES OF THE DOG. + +We pass on to another division of our subject, 'the moral qualities of +the dog', strongly developed and beautifully displayed, and often +putting the biped to shame. + +It is truly said of the dog that he possesses + + "Many a good + And useful quality, and virtue too, + Attachment never to be weaned or changed + By any change of fortune; proof alike + Against unkindness, absence, and neglect; + Fidelity, that neither bribe nor threat + Can move or warp; and gratitude, for small + And trivial favours, lasting as the life, + And glistening even in the dying eye." + +It may here be noticed that, among the inferior animals with large +nerves and more medullary substance, there are acuter senses; but man, +excelling them in the general bulk of his brain, and more particularly +in the cortical portion of it, has far superior powers of mind. These +are circumstances that deserve the deepest consideration. In their wild +state the brutes have no concern--no idea beyond their food and their +reproduction. In their domesticated state, they are doomed to be the +servants of man. Their power of mind is sufficient to qualify them for +this service: but were proportionate intellectual capacity added to +this--were they made conscious of their strength, and of the objects +that could be effected by it--they would burst their bonds, and man +would in his turn be the victim and the slave. + +There is an important faculty, termed 'attention'. It is that which +distinguishes the promising pupil from him of whom no good hope could be +formed, and the scientific man from the superficial and ignorant one. +The power of keeping the mind steadily bent upon one purpose, is the +great secret of individual and moral improvement. We see the habit of +attention carried in the dog to a very considerable extent. The terrier +eagerly watching for vermin--the sporting dog standing staunch to his +point, however he may be annoyed by the blunders of his companion or the +unskilfulness of his master--the foxhound, insensible to a thousand +scents, and deaf to every other sound, while he anxiously and +perseveringly searches out the track of his prey--these are striking +illustrations of the power of attention. + +Then, the impression having been received, and the mind having been +employed in its examination, it is treasured up in the storehouse of the +mind for future use. + +This is the faculty of memory; and a most important one it is. Of the +'memory' of the 'dog', and the recollection of kindness received, there +are a thousand stories, from the return of Ulysses to the present day, +and we have seen enough of that faithful animal to believe most of them. +An officer was abroad with his regiment, during the American war. He had +a fine Newfoundland dog, his constant companion, whom he left with his +family. After the lapse of several years he returned. His dog met him at +the door, leaped upon his neck, licked his face, and died. + +Of the accuracy and retentiveness of memory in the dog, as respects the +instruction he has received from his master, we have abundant proof in +the pointer and the hound, and it may perhaps be with some of them, as +with men, that the lesson must sometimes be repeated, and even impressed +on the memory in a way not altogether pleasant. + +[We know an imported Irish setter, formerly in possession of a gentleman +of this city, who on many occasions, while hunting, displayed an +extraordinary instinct, even sufficiently remarkable to make us believe +that he possessed not only the most acute powers of observation, but +that he also enjoyed the faculty of "inductive reasoning," independent +of any mechanical training, many of his performances being entirely +voluntary, and the result of causes dependent upon accidental +circumstances alone: for instance, when lost from observation, he would +noiselessly withdraw from his point, hunt up his master, and induce him, +by peculiar signs, to follow him to the spot where he had previously +observed the birds. + +In his old days, "Smoke" was much opposed to hunting with an indifferent +shot, and would leave the field perfectly disgusted, after a succession +of bad shooting; seeming to argue that he no longer sought after game +for amusement, but that he expected his efforts to be repaid by the +death of the birds. + +This dog was of a morose and dignified disposition, surly with +strangers, and inclined to quarrel with any one who carried a stick or +whip in their hands; never forgetting an injury, and growling whenever +any person who had offended him made their appearance. He was also +particularly irritable and tenacious of his rights when hunting, +shunning all puppies or heedless dogs, and exhibiting a very irascible +disposition if superseded in a point by another dog; and on one occasion +attacked a young pointer in the field, who, in opposition to all his +growling and show of irony, would persist in crawling before him, when +on a point.--L] + + +DOG-CARTS. + +These were, and still are, in the country, connected with many an act of +atrocious cruelty. We do not object to the dog as a beast of draught. He +is so in the northern regions, and he is as happy as any other animal in +those cold and inhospitable countries. He is so in Holland, and he is as +comfortable there as any other beast that wears the collar. He is not so +in Newfoundland: there he is shamefully treated. It is to the abuse of +the thing, the poor and half-starved condition of the animal, the +scandalous weight that he is made to draw, and the infamous usage to +which he is exposed, that we object. We would put him precisely on the +same footing with the horse, and then we should be able, perhaps, to +afford him, not all the protection we could wish, but nearly as much as +we have obtained for the horse. We would have every cart licensed, not +for the sake of adding to the revenue, but of getting at the owner; and +therefore the taxing need not be any great sum. We would have the cart +licensed for the carrying of goods only; or a separate license taken out +if it carried or drew a human being. + +It is here that the cruelty principally exists. Before the dog-carts +were put down in the metropolis, we then saw a man and a woman in one of +these carts, drawn by a single dog, and going at full trot. Every +passenger execrated them, and the trot was increased to a gallop, in +order more speedily to escape the just reproaches that proceeded from +every mouth. We would have the name and address of the owner, and the +number of the cart, painted on some conspicuous part of the vehicle, and +in letters and figures as large as on the common carts. Every passenger +who witnessed any flagrant act of cruelty would then be enabled to take +the number of the cart, and summon the owner; and the police should have +the same power of interference which they have with regard to other +vehicles. + +After a plan like this had been working a little while, the nuisance +would be materially abated; and, indeed, the consciousness of the ease +with which the offender might be summoned, would go far to get rid of it. + + +CROPPING. + +This is an infliction of too much torture for the gratification of a +nonsensical fancy; and, after all, in the opinion of many, and of those, +too, who are fondest of dogs, the animal looks far better in his natural +state than when we have exercised all our cruel art upon him. Besides, +the effects of this absurd amputation do not cease with the healing of +the ear. The intense inflammation that we have set up, materially +injures the internal structure of this organ. Deafness is occasionally +produced by it in some dogs, and constantly in others. The frequent +deafness of the pug is solely attributable to the outrageous as well as +absurd rounding of his ears. The almost invariable deafness of the white +wire-haired terrier is to be traced to this cause. + +[Among the many tastes and fancies that the Americans have inherited +from their ancestors, the English, may be enumerated the absurd practice +of fashioning the ears of different breeds of dogs to a certain standard +of beauty. Mr. Blain very justly remarks that it must be a false taste +which has taught us to prefer a curtailed organ to a perfect one, +without gaining any convenience by the operation. The dogs upon which +this species of barbecuing are more particularly practised in this +country, are the bull-dogs and terriers. + +We imagine that many of our readers will be surprised when they learn +that this operation, although so simple in itself, and performed by +every reckless stable-boy, is attended with great suffering to the +puppy, and not unfrequently with total deafness. Severe inflammation, +extending to the interior of the ear, often follows this operation, more +especially when awkwardly performed, as is frequently the case, by the +aid of the miserable instruments within the reach of our hostlers; to +say nothing of the savage fashion of using the teeth for this purpose, +as is often done by ignorant fellows, who even take credit to themselves +for the clever style in which they perform this outlandish operation. +Mr. Blain states, that it is a barbarous custom to twist the ears off, +by swinging the dog around; and we are satisfied that every sensible +person will respond to this humane sentiment. We have never had the +misfortune to see this latter method put into practice, and trust that +such an operation is unknown among us, although, from the manner in +which this gentleman condemns it, we are led to suppose that this mode +is not uncommon in the old country. + +As custom has sanctioned the cropping of dogs, in spite of all that can +be said upon the subject, it should be done in such a manner as to cause +the least possible pain to the animal. The fourth or fifth week is the +proper age for this operation; if done sooner, the flap is apt to sprout +and become deformed: if later, the cartilage has grown more thick and +sensitive. The imaginary beauty of a terrier crop consists in the foxy +appearance of the ears, which is easily produced by the clean cut of a +sharp, strong pair of scissors. The first cut should commence at the +posterior base of the ear, near to the head, and be carried to the +extremity of the flap, taking off about the eighth of an inch or more in +width. The second cut should extend from the base of the ear in front, +somewhat obliquely, to intersect the other cut within a few lines of the +point of the flap. These two cuts will shape the ear in such a style as +to please the most fastidious eye, and will require no further trimming. +The pieces taken from the first ear will answer as guides in cutting the +other. The mother should not be allowed to lick the ears of the puppies, +as is generally done, under the supposition that she assists in the +healing process, when, in fact, she irritates them, and occasions +increased inflammation. If the wounds are tardy at healing, or become +mangy, they may be bathed gently with a weak solution of alum. + +We regret to find that Mr. Skinner, so well known to the sporting world +as the able extoller and defender of the rights of our canine friends, +should recommend the cropping of terriers. We are convinced that he +would change his feelings upon this subject, if he placed any confidence +in the opinions of Blain, Youatt, Scott, or Daniel, all of whom condemn +the practice as barbarous, and as often occasioning great suffering, and +even total deafness, throughout the progeny of successive generations, +as witnessed in the white wire-haired terrier and pug above mentioned. + +Wo have had the good fortune to persuade some of our friends to desist +from thus mutilating their terrier pups, all of whom, consequently, grew +up with beautiful full ears and long tails, which were much admired; and +to the eyes of many, the dogs seemed more sprightly and knowing with +their long flaps, than when deprived of those natural appendages.--L.] + + +TAILING. + +Then 'the tail' of the dog does not suit the fancy of the owner. It must +be shortened in some of these animals, and taken off altogether in +others. If the sharp, strong scissors, with a ligature, were used, the +operation, although still indefensible, would not be a very cruel one, +for the tail may be removed almost in a moment, and the wound soon +heals; but for the beastly gnawing off of the part, and the drawing out +of the tendons and nerves--these are the acts of a cannibal; and he who +orders or perpetrates a barbarity so nearly approaching to cannibalism, +deserves to be scouted from all society. + +[As a matter of necessity, we cannot sanction the too frequent and cruel +practice of cutting or otherwise barbecuing different portions of the +bodies of our domestic animals, and more particularly the often absurd +fancy or cropping and sterning dogs. Nevertheless, we must admit the +propriety of, and, in fact, recommend, the taking off a small portion of +the pointer's tail, not to increase his beauty, but to save him some +after suffering. A long tail is frequently lacerated in close thickets, +and thus rendered sore and mangy: this is prevented by the operation, as +it becomes better protected by the body, as also more thickly covered by +the feather which generally forms over it. + +When the pups are a month or six weeks old, this operation can be +performed with little pain to the animal, by means of sharp scissors or +a knife; but never allow any one to bite the tail off, as is often done +by some dirty and unfeeling stable-men. Although a long tail is +inconvenient, a too short one is more unsightly; care should therefore +be taken not to remove too much. The quantity should be regulated by the +size of the breed: for a medium breed, an inch is sufficient to be cut +off at this age. Some sportsmen in England, Mr. Blain also informs us, +draw out the lower tendons of the tail, which present themselves after +amputation, with a pair of forceps, with a view of causing the tail to +be carried higher, which adds to the style and appearance of the dog, +when in the field. This practice, we agree with Mr. Youatt, is +cannibal-like, and very painful; and, to say the least of it, of very +doubtful propriety, as it is but seldom we find a good breed of dog +carrying, while hunting, a slovenly tail. + +If there should be any appearance of hemorrhage after this operation, a +small piece of tape or twine may be tied around the tail, which will +immediately arrest the bleeding. This ligature should not remain on +longer than a few hours, as the parts included in it will be apt to +slough and make a mangy ulcer, difficult to heal.--L.] + + +DEW-CLAWS + +Next comes the depriving the dog of his 'dew-claws'--the supplementary +toes a little above the foot. They are supposed to interfere with +hunting by becoming entangled with the grass or underwood. This rarely +happens. The truth of the matter is, they are simply illustrations of +the uniformity of structure which prevails in all animals, so far as is +consistent with their destiny. The 'dew-claws' only make up the number +of toes in other animals. If they are attached, as they are in some +dogs, simply by a portion of skin, they may be removed without any very +great pain, yet the man of good feeling would not meddle with them. He +would not unnecessarily inflict any pain that he can avoid; and here, in +several of the breeds, the toe is united by an actual joint; and if they +are dissected because they are a little in the way, it is a barbarous +operation, and nothing can justify it. + +[Notwithstanding our author's condemnation of this practice, there are +many sportsmen who think it very necessary to remove this supernumerary +toe, fearing that it may interfere with the dog while hunting, as above +stated. + +Mr. Blain, both a practical sportsman and scientific gentleman, to whose +opinions we must at all times show a due regard, considers the removal +of these false appendages very necessary, stating that they often become +troublesome, not only in the field, but that they frequently turn in and +wound the flesh with their nails. + +We have never seen any particular inconvenience arising from the +presence of these dew-claws, and are not in the habit of taking them +off; but, as the operation is a trifling one, and attended with little +or no pain, we are disposed to recommend its general adoption, as it +improves the appearance of the legs; and their presence may sometimes +prove inconvenient to the animal, as stated by Mr. Blain. These claws +most commonly have a ligamentous attachment only to the leg, which may +be divided, a few days after birth, by a pair of sharp scissors or a +knife; and if a bony union exists, it is generally of such a trifling +nature that it can be severed in the same way.--L.] + +The cruelties that are perpetrated on puppies during the course of their +education or 'breaking-in', are sometimes infamous. Young dogs, like +young people, must be to a certain degree coerced; but these animals +receive from nature so great an aptitude for learning, and practising +that which we require of them, and their own pleasure is so much +connected with what they learn, that there is no occasion for one-tenth +part of the correction that is occasionally inflicted; and the frequent +consequence of the cruelty to which they are subjected, is cowardice or +ferocity during life. + +Not many years ago, as the author was going over one of the commons in +the neighbourhood of the metropolis, now enclosed, he heard the loud +sounds of the lash and the screams of a dog. He hurried on, and found +two men, one holding a greyhound while another was unmercifully flogging +him. He had inflicted many lashes, and was continuing the correction. +The author indignantly interfered, and the dog was liberated, but with a +great deal of abuse from the men; and a gentleman galloping up, and who +was the owner of the dog, and a Middlesex magistrate to boot, seemed +disposed to support his people in no very measured terms On being +addressed, however, by name, and recognising the speaker, and his +attention being directed to the 'whaled' and even bloody state of +the dog, he offered the best excuse that he could. + +We met again some months afterwards. "That hiding," said he, "that +offended you so much did Carlo good, for he has not been touched since." +"No," was the reply; "you were a little ashamed of your fellows, and +have altered your system, and find that your dogs do not want this +unmerciful negro-whipping." + +Stories are told of the 'kennel-hare'--a hare kept on purpose, and which +is sometimes shown to the fox or stag-hounds. The moment that any of +them open, they are tied up to the whipping-post, and flogged, while the +keepers at every stroke call out "Ware hare!" A sheep has also been +shown to them, or still is, after which another unmerciful flogging is +administered, amidst cries of "Ware sheep!" If this is not sufficient, +some of the wool is dipped in train oil, and put into the dog's mouth, +which is sewed up for many hours in order to cure him of sheep-biting. +There was an almost similar punishment for killing poultry; and there +was the 'puzzle' and the 'check-collar', cruelly employed, for killing +other dogs. + +There is a great deal of truth, and there may occasionally be some +exaggeration, in these accounts; but the sportsman who is indebted for +the pleasures of the field to the intelligence and exertions of his +horses and his dogs, is bound, by every principle that can influence an +honourable mind, to defend them from all wanton and useless cruelty. +There is a dog, and a faithful and valuable one, that powerfully demands +the assistance of the humane--the yard or watch-dog. He is not only for +the most part deprived of his liberty, but too often neglected and made +unnecessarily to suffer. How seldom do we see him in the enjoyment of a +good bed of straw, or, rather, how frequently is everything about his +kennel in a most filthy and disgusting state! The following hint not +only relates to him, but to every dog that is tied up out of doors. +"Their cribs or their kennels, as they are called, should be constructed +so as to turn, in order to prevent their inmates from being exposed to +the cutting blasts of winter. Where they have no other refuge, all +animals seek shelter from the weather by turning their backs to the +wind; but, as the dog thus confined cannot do so, his kennel should be +capable of turning, or at least should be placed so as not to face the +weather more than is necessary. The premises would be in quite as great +security, for the dog depends as much upon his ear and sense of smell as +upon his eye, and would equally detect a stranger's presence if he were +deprived of sight." + +In the Zoological Gardens, an old blind dog used to be placed at the +door of the dissecting-house. Few had any business there, and every one +of them he, after a while, used to recognise and welcome full ton yards +off, by wagging his tail; at the same distance, he would begin to growl +at a stranger unless accompanied by a friend. From the author's long +habit of noticing him, he used to recognise his step before it would +seem possible for its sound to be heard. He followed him with his +sightless eyes in whatever direction he moved, and was not satisfied +until he had patted and fondled him. + + +DOG-PITS. + +Of the demoniacal use of the dog in the 'fighting-pits', and the +atrocities that were committed there, I will not now speak. These places +were frequented by few others than the lowest of the low. Cruelties were +there inflicted that seemed to be a libel on human nature; and such was +the baneful influence of the scene, that it appeared to be scarcely +possible for any one to enter these pits without experiencing a greater +or less degree of moral degradation. + +The public dog-pits have now been put down; but the system of +dog-fighting, with most of its attendant atrocities, still continues. +There are many more low public-houses than there used to be pits, that +have roomy places behind, and out of sight, where there are regular +meetings for this purpose. Those among the neighbours who cannot fail of +being annoyed and disgusted by the frequent uproar, might give a clue to +these dens of infamy; and the depriving of a few of the landlords of +their license would go a great way towards the effectual suppression of +the practice. + +Would it be thought possible that certain of our young aristocracy keep +fighting-dogs at the repositories of various dealers in the outskirts of +the metropolis; and that these animals remain there, as it were, at +livery, the owners coming at their pleasure, and making and devising +what matches they think proper? + +However disgraceful it may be, it is actually the fact. Here is a field +for "the suppression of cruelty!" + + +DOG-STEALING. + +The practice of stealing dogs is both directly and indirectly connected +with a great deal of cruelty. There are more than twenty miscreants who +are well known to subsist by picking up dogs in the street. There are +generally two of them together with aprons rolled round their waists. +The dog is caught up at the corner of one of the streets, concealed in a +moment in the apron, and the thieves are far away before the owner +suspects the loss. These dogs, that have been used to every kind of +luxury, are crowded into dark and filthy cellars, where they become +infected by various diseases. The young ones have distemper, and the old +ones mange, and all become filled with vermin. There they remain until a +sufficient reward is offered for their recovery, or they are sent far +into the country, or shipped for France or some other foreign market. +Little or nothing is done by punishing the inferior rogues in this +traffic. The blow must be struck at those of a superior class. I will +not assert that every dog-dealer is in league with, and profits by, the +lower thieves; but it is true of a great many of them, and it is the +principal and most lucrative part of their trade. They are likewise +intimately connected with the dog-fights, and encourage them, for the +sake of their trade as dealers. An attempt should be made to bring the +matter home to these scoundrels. [2] + +[Dog-stealing, we are more particularly informed by Col. Hawker, is +reduced to a perfect system in London, and carried on by a set of +fellows who, by their cunning and peculiar knack, are enabled to avoid +all detection in their nefarious traffic, and thus, by extortion of +rewards or sales of stolen dogs, reap a rich harvest for the whole +fraternity from the well-stored pockets of the numerous dog-fanciers of +the English capital. + +The villains engaged in this business are known among themselves under +the too often abused sobriquet of "the Fancy," and assuming the garb of +different mechanics, prowl about the streets, oftentimes with the proper +tools in their hands, carelessly watching the movements of every dog +that passes by, ready to grab him up the first fitting opportunity. The +dog is then concealed till a suitable reward is offered for him, when, +through the intervention of a third person, a trusty agent of the +society, he is delivered over to his rightful owner, the actual rogue +never appearing in the whole transaction. + +If no reward, or an insufficient one, is offered for the recovery of the +dog, he is either sent off to the country, or, perhaps, cautiously +exposed for sale in some distant quarter of the city, or perhaps killed +for his skin alone. + +These gentry, however, prefer returning dogs to their owners for a +moderate compensation, as they thus know at what rate the animal is +valued, and cherish the hope of soon being able to steal him again, and +thus obtaining another reward. + +There have been instances of a lady paying, in successive rewards, a sum +not less than fifteen guineas for a miserable little lap-dog not worth +as many shillings. + +If anything is said about the law, or threats of prosecution held out in +the notice offering a reward for a "lost or stolen dog," the death of +the kidnapped animal is inevitable, as the "Fancy" prefer sacrificing an +occasional prize rather than run the risk of detection by some +enthusiastic or stubborn dog owner. These fellows, as well as thieves +generally, are said to have a method of quieting the fiercest watch-dogs +by throwing them a narcotic ball, which they call "puddening the +animal." + +The following account, extracted from Hawker's work, will give the +American reader a 'perfect' insight into the maneuvering of these +sharpers. + + "In the month of May, 1830, Mr. Lang lost a favourite setter. He + posted handbills offering two guineas reward; on hearing of which a + man came and told him the reward was not enough, but that if he would + make it four guineas he could find his dog, and the amount must be + deposited in the hands of a landlord who would procure him a + ticket-card. He should then be met to his appointment in some private + field, where he would receive his dog on condition that no questions + should be asked. Mr. Lang sent his shopman, about half-past ten at + night, to White Conduit Fields to meet the parties, who, on receiving + the ticket, delivered up the dog. But there was great hesitation in + transacting this affair, in consequence of the dog having on a lock to + a steel chain collar with Mr. Lang's name, and which, therefore, + induced them to proceed with extreme caution, through fear, as they + supposed, of detection for felony. The whole amount paid for + recovering this setter was £4 17s., £2 10s. of which went to the men + who had him. The rest was divided among others of the "Fancy". The + same person who gave Mr. Lang the information, said that if ever he + lost a dog, and applied to him, he could undertake to get him back + again within thirty-six hours, provided he would make it worth his + while to do so; because all dogs taken by the "Fancy" are brought to + their office and regularly booked by the secretary." + ('Hawker on Shooting', p. 592.)--L.] + + + +[Footnote 1: Plutarch relates that, at the theatre of Marcellus, a dog +was exhibited before the emperor Vespasian, so well instructed as to +exercise in every kind of dance. He afterwards feigned illness in a most +singular manner, so as to strike the spectators with astonishment. He +first exhibited various symptoms of pain; he then fell down as if dead, +and, afterwards seeming to revive, as if waking from a profound sleep, +and then sported about and showed various demonstrations of joy.] + + +[Footnote 2: Mr. Bishop, of Bond-street, has assured the public, that he +is able to prove that money has recently been extorted from the owners +of dogs by dog-stealers and their confederates, to the amount of more +than a thousand pounds. Surely this calls for the decided interposition +of the legislature. A strange case of atrocity and cruelty was related +by a gentleman to Mr. Bishop. + + "A young dog of mine," says he, "was lost in London, and, being aware + that if a noise was made about it, a great price would be asked for + it, I gave out that I wanted to purchase one: I was shown my own dog. + I seized it; but there were several scoundrels present who professed + to belong to it, and threatened to kill the dog if I did not pay for + it. I proceeded to describe it as my own, stating that it had 'bad + back or double teeth'. Judge of my surprise when, after great + difficulty, and the dog crying greatly, its mouth was opened, and all + the back teeth had been taken out! I paid two pounds for it before + they would let me take it away; but, in consequence of the injuries it + had received, it died a few days afterward."] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +INTRODUCTION TO CANINE PATHOLOGY. + +BY THE EDITOR. + + +PREDISPOSITION TO, AND CAUSES OF, DISEASES IN DOGS.--THE +CLAIMS OF DOGS UPON US. + + + "Unnumbered accidents and various ills + Attend thy pack, hang hovering o'er their heads, + And point the way that leads to death's dark cave. + Short is their span, few at the date arrive + Of ancient Argus, in old Homer's song + So highly honour'd." + + +The dog from early youth, in fact oftentimes at the very period of +birth, is exposed to many dangerous and troublesome affections, the +result of causes not less complex and multifarious than those that exert +an influence over the human organization. Many diseases are the +consequence of their domesticity and the hereditary defects of their +progenitors, others are dependent upon accidental circumstances, bad +treatment, and improper nourishment. Not a few, however, of their most +mortal maladies are the production of contagion, infection, and other +like causes, all exercising a general tendency to disease difficult to +define and impossible to avoid. + +Although every species of dog is more or less subject to certain +diseases peculiar to their race, those breeds of most value and more +particularly subservient to the will of man are liable to a greater +number of ills and casualties than other dogs, for the reason that they +are more frequently exposed to unnatural fatigue, extremes of heat and +cold, as also to the various dangers dependent upon the chase of wild +animals. Those diseases resulting from specific causes, either natural +to the race or artificially produced by the animal itself in a state of +morbid derangement, are most frequent and fatal, as witnessed in +distemper, rabies, mange, &c. The intimate connexion existing between +the diseases of our canine friends and those of the human race, as also +the strong similarity in the action of many drugs over the two systems, +render the study of one branch almost synonymous with that of the other. + +A little attention, therefore, on the part of the physician will render +him quite familiar with and competent to relieve the many sufferings of +these our most faithful and grateful of companions, and at the same time +create an interest in a study that cannot fail to be productive of +pleasure as well as information. + +This subject, though claiming the attention of many skilful and +intelligent persons in England and other countries, has scarce been +thought of among us, and the mere mention of an infirmary or hospital +for the accommodation of invalid dogs, would involuntarily create a +smile of incredulity or contempt upon the face of most of our +countrymen. Notwithstanding this display of ignorance and positive want +of humane feeling for animal suffering, or a just appreciation of canine +worth, we must beg leave to inform these unbelievers that such +institutions are quite numerous in many large cities of the old world; +and they must also learn that these institutions are conducted by +gentlemen of science upon a system not less regular and useful in this +particular branch, than similar establishments appropriated for the +relief of suffering humanity. + +To these hospitals hundreds of valuable sick dogs are annually sent, +where they receive every attention, and are often snatched from the very +jaws of death, or prevented, when attacked by rabies or other frightful +affections, from doing mischief or propagating infection. Medicines the +most potent are administered to these interesting patients with the +utmost care, either as assuagers of temporary pain, or as remedial +agents in the cure of disease. Operations the most complex are performed +with the greatest skill, and every attention is bestowed upon these +invalids in their different wards, and no trouble is considered too +great to save the life and secure the services of a valuable and +faithful dog. + +As we have no such establishments in this country, and but a few persons +upon whom we can rely for assistance in case of need, it behooves every +lover of the dog to make himself familiar with, and the mode of treating +the most prominent affections of these companions of our sports, and at +the same time acquire a knowledge of the operations of certain medicines +upon the system in a state of health or disease, so that our trusty +followers may not be left to the tender mercies and physicking +propensities of ignorant stablemen, or the officious intermeddling of +the "pill-directing horse doctor." + +The necessity of resorting to the assistance of either one or the other +of these worthies is equally unfortunate, as the former will most +generally kill the patient by slow degrees in forcibly and largely +administering the two modern specifics for all canine affections, viz.: +"soap pills and flowers of sulphur." While the latter, more bold but not +less ignorant than the former, and his practice is perhaps the +preferable of the two evils, will murder the dog out-right by the free +exhibition of calomel, nux vomica and other deleterious substances, of +the operation of which he has but little knowledge or conception. This +latter system, as before said, is the most preferable, as its adoption +secures for our favourite a speedy termination of his sufferings, and +also relieves our own minds from a state of suspense that illustrates +too forcibly the remark, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." + + +REMEDIAL MEANS FOR THE CURE OF DISEASES. + +There are but few remedies useful for the cure of diseases in the human +race that might not he employed by a skilful practitioner in overcoming +the same or different ailments in the dog. There are, however, several +drugs that cannot be used in the same proportions for the one as for the +other, without danger of producing fatal consequences, as instanced in +calomel, a medicine so often abused by those who pretend to a knowledge +of its administration in the maladies of dogs. + +This article, though given with impunity to mankind in doses varying +from five grains to twenty grains, as also oftentimes administered to +horses in quantities three or four times as great, without any +appreciable effect, will not unfrequently, in minute doses of three +grains to four grains, produce the most violent symptoms in the +strongest dogs. We have seen severe vomiting and purging occasioned by +these small doses, and we once salivated a large mastiff by the +administration of two blue pills. It is thus that both the regular +physician, and even the veterinary surgeon, unacquainted with this +remarkable peculiarity, will make fatal mistakes; and how much oftener +must such blunders take place when we intrust our canine friends to the +care of stable-boys, or a "routine horse-doctor!" + +Nux vomica, another medicine much used, and most important in the +treatment of all nervous affections, is particularly noxious to dogs +even in small quantities; a dose sufficient for a human subject under +some circumstances, would almost inevitably destroy the animal under the +same or analogous conditions. + +A drachm of the powdered nux vomica is sufficient to destroy the largest +and most powerful dog, while a few grains will sometimes produce death +in a few minutes if administered to smaller animals. + +We prescribed forty grains in a roll of butter for a worthless cur a +short time since, which, as expected, produced great anxiety, difficulty +of respiration, severe vomiting, tremors, spasmodic twitchings of the +muscles, convulsions, and ultimate death in the course of half an hour. +This powerful drug acts by causing a spasmodic stricture of the muscles +engaged in respiration, as no signs of inflammation are observable in +the stomach and other organs after death. + +Spirits of turpentine, another remedy both simple and innocent in its +operations upon the human economy, and so frequently prescribed for the +expulsion of worms from the bowels, is a dangerous medicine for a dog, +and will often in very small quantities prove fatal. + +Aloes, a medicine more extensively used in canine pathology than any +other in the materia medica, is also very peculiar in its operations +upon these animals, they being able to bear immense doses of it, in fact +quite sufficient to produce death if given to a hearty man. + +Thus we might continue to enumerate other drugs which we have +ascertained, from practical observation as well as the experiments of +other, to exercise a peculiar action on the vital functions of the whole +canine race, quite at variance with that common to both man and the +other domestic animals. + +In combating with the diseases of animals, the veterinary surgeon has +more to contend with than the regular physician, and, in fact, should +possess a knowledge and habit of observation even superior to the +former; although the responsibility of his calling, in a moral sense, is +much inferior to that of the other, as the importance of animal +existence, under no circumstances, can be placed in comparison with that +of human life: still acuteness of observation alone can direct him to +the main cause of suffering in the brute creation, as the animal, though +groaning under the most severe pains, cannot by any word of explanation +point out to us the seat, the probable cause, or peculiar +characteristics of such pain. We see that our dog is ill, he refuses his +food, retires gloomily to his house, looks sullen, breathes heavy, is no +longer delighted at our call. We cannot question him as to his feelings, +or ask him to point out the particular region of his sufferings; we +watch his motions, study his actions, and rely for our diagnosis upon +general symptoms deduced from close observation. + +Besides these external ocular evidences of morbid action, we have, as in +the human subject, guides to direct us in forming a just opinion as to +the nature of a dog's indisposition. + +The state of the circulation is the first thing that should command our +particular attention. + +The pulse of dogs in health varies from one hundred to one hundred and +twenty strokes per minute, according to the size and peculiar +temperament of the animal, being more frequent in the small breeds. + +The standard of the setter, pointer, hound, &c., may be stated at one +hundred and five. + +The action of the heart may be felt by placing the hand immediately over +that organ, or applying the fingers to several points in the body and +limbs where the large arteries are somewhat superficial, as on the +inside of the fore-knee and the thigh of the hind-leg. + +If the pulse in a state of rest exceeds the average standard in +frequency, regularity, and softness, and a general feeling of uneasiness +be present, together with reddened eyes, warm nose, and coated tongue, +we know at once that there is an unnatural derangement of the vital +functions, and that fever in some form is present. The next question to +determine is, upon what does this fever depend? whether it be +idiopathic, arising from morbific causes difficult to define, or whether +it be sympathetic, with some organic affection yet to be discovered. + +The appearance of the tongue in canine diseases will often materially +assist us in forming a correct diagnosis; this organ in simple fever +loses its rose-colour and becomes pale and coated, the gums and fæces +also participate in this change. + +If, however, the tongue be much furred, with a bright inflammatory +appearance around the edges, with high arterial excitement, and disgust +of food, with general anxiety and craving for water in small but +frequent quantities, inflammation of the stomach or bowels may be +suspected. If, on the other hand, the tongue remains brown and streaked, +with less action of the pulse, variable appetite and diminution of pain, +derangement of the liver may be apprehended. + +If, in connection with some or all of the above symptoms, the breathing +be laboured and painful, with a disposition to remain in the erect or +sitting position, with great anxiety and general distress, we must look +to the pulmonic viscera as the seat of the disease. + +Thus, by examining each and every individual symptom of disease, the +intelligent sportsman will soon be able to arrive at the proximate cause +of all this unnatural state of things, and then he will be competent to +administer such remedies as may seem most likely to afford relief. +Without these precautions, however, he would often be groping in the +dark, and, consequently, not unfrequently, apply those remedies more +calculated to aggravate than cure the malady. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +DESCRIPTION OF THE SKELETON. + +DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM:--FITS; TURNSIDE, OR GIDDINESS, EPILEPSY; +CHOREA; RHEUMATISM AND PALSY. + +[As with all the illustrations in this text, the canine skeleton and +legend to the diagram are displayed fully in the html version.] + + +DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. + +FITS + +24th Feb. 1814.--A pug was accustomed to howl frequently when his young +master played on the flute. If the higher notes were sounded, he would +leap on his master's lap, look in his face, and howl vehemently. To-day +the young man purposely blew the shrillest sound that he could. The dog, +after howling three or four times, began to run round the room, and over +the tables and chairs, barking incessantly. This he continued more than +an hour. + +When I saw him all consciousness of surrounding objects was gone. He was +still running feebly, but barking might and main. + +I dashed a basin of cold water in his face, and he dropped as if he had +been shot. He lay motionless nearly a minute, and then began to struggle +and to bark; another cup of water was dashed in his face, and he lay +quite motionless during two minutes or more. In the mean time I had got +a grain each of calomel and tartar emetic, which I put on his tongue, +and washed it down with a little water. He began to recover, and again +began to yelp, although much softer; but, in about a quarter of an hour, +sickness commenced, and he ceased his noise. He vomited three or four +times, and lay frightened and quiet. A physic-ball was given him in the +evening, and on the following morning. + +On the next day the young man put open the door, and sat himself down, +and began to prepare the flute; the dog was out in a moment, and did not +return during a couple of hours. On the following day he made his escape +again, and so the matter went on; but before the expiration of the week, +his master might play the flute if he pleased. + + +TURNSIDE, OR GIDDINESS. + +This is a singular disease prevalent among cattle, but only occasionally +seen in the dog. He becomes listless, dull, off his food, and scarcely +recognises any surrounding object. He has no fit, but he wanders about +the room fur several hours at a time, generally or almost invariably in +the same direction, and with his head on one side. At first he carefully +avoids the objects that are in his way; but by degrees his mental +faculties become impaired; his sense of vision is confused or lost, and +he blunders against everything: in fact, if uninterrupted, he would +continue his strange perambulation incessantly, until he was fairly worn +out and died in convulsions. + +I used to consider the complaint to be uniformly fatal. I have resorted +to every remedial measure that the case could suggest. I have bled, and +physicked and setoned, and blistered, and used the moxa; but all without +avail, for not in a single case did I save my patient. + +No opportunity of 'post-mortem' examination was lost. In some cases I +have found spicula projecting from the inner plate of the skull, and +pressing upon or even penetrating the dura mater. I know not why the dog +should be more subject to these irregularities of cranial surface than +any of our other patients; but decidedly he is so, and where they have +pressed upon the brain, there has been injection of the membranes, and +sometimes effusion between them. + +In some cases I have found effusion without this external pressure, and, +in some cases, but comparatively few, there has not been any perceptible +lesion. Hydatids have been found in the different passages leading to +the cranium, but they have not penetrated. + +I used to recommend that the dog should be destroyed; but I met with two +or three favourable cases, and, after that, I determined to try every +measure that could possibly be serviceable. I bled, and physicked, and +inserted setons, and tried to prevent the utter exhaustion of the +animal. When he was unable longer to perform his circumvolutions, and +found that he was foiled, he laid himself down, and by degrees resumed +his former habits. He was sadly impatient and noisy; but in a few cases +he was cured. + +[We have seen but two or three cases of this disease in dogs, are led to +believe that it is quite uncommon with our domestic animals. One case in +a valuable setter came on suddenly, and without any apparent cause +(except perhaps over-feeding), and terminated fatally in the course of a +few days.--L.] + + +EPILEPSY + +in the dog assumes a most fatal character. It is an accompaniment, or a +consequence, of almost every other disease. When the puppy is undergoing +the process of dentition, the irritation produced by the pressure of the +tooth, as it penetrates the gum, leads on to epilepsy. When he is going +through the stages of distemper, with a very little bad treatment, or in +spite of the best, fits occur. The degree of intestinal irritation which +is caused by worms, is marked by an attack of epilepsy. If the usual +exercise be neglected for a few days, and the dog is taken out, and +suffered to range as he likes, the accumulation of excitability is +expended in a fit. + +The dog is, without doubt, the most intellectual animal. He is the +companion and the friend of man: he exhibits, and is debased by some of +his vices; but, to a greater degree than many will allow, he exhibits +all the intelligence and the virtues of the biped. In proportion to his +bulk, the weight of his brain far exceeds that of any other +quadruped--the very smallest animals alone being excepted, in whom there +must be a certain accumulation of medullary matter in order to give +origin to the nerves of every system, as numerous in the minutest as in +him of greatest bulk. + +As it has been said of the human being that great power and exertion of +the mental faculties are sometimes connected with a tendency to +epilepsy, and, as violent emotions of joy or of grief have been known to +be followed by it, I can readily account for its occurrence in the young +dog, when frightened at the chiding of his master, or by the dread of a +punishment which he was conscious that he had deserved. Then, too, I can +understand that, when breaking loose from long confinement, he ranges in +all the exuberance of joy; and especially when he flushes almost his +first covey, and the game falls dead before him, his mental powers are +quite overcome, and he falls into an epileptic fit. + +The treatment of epilepsy in the dog is simple, yet often misunderstood. +It is connected with distemper in its early stage. It is the produce of +inflammation of the mucous passages generally, which an emetic and a +purgative will probably, by their direct medicinal effect, relieve, and +free the digestive passages from some source of irritation, and by their +mechanical action unburthen the respiratory ones. + +When it is symptomatic of a weak state of the constitution, or connected +with the after stages of distemper, the emeto-purgative must be +succeeded by an anodyne, or, at least, by that which will strengthen, +but not irritate the patient. + +A seton is an admirable auxiliary in epilepsy connected with distemper; +it is a counter-irritant and a derivative, and its effects are a +salutary discharge, under the influence of which inflammation elsewhere +will gradually abate. + +I should, however, be cautious of bleeding in distemper fits. I should +be fearful of it even in an early stage, because I well know that the +acute form of that general mucous inflammation soon passes over, and is +succeeded by a debility, from the depression of which I cannot always +rouse my patient. When the fits proceed from dentition, I lance the +jaws, and give an emetic, and follow it up with cooling purgative +medicine. When they are caused by irregular and excessive exercise, I +open the bowels and make my exercise more regular and equable. When they +arise from excitation, I expose my patient more cautiously to the +influence of those things which make so much impression on his little +but susceptible mind. + +If the fit has resisted other means, bleeding should be resorted to. A +fit in other animals is generally connected with dangerous determination +of blood to the head, and bleeding is imperative. A fit in the dog may +be the consequence of sudden surprise and irritation. If I had the means +I should see whether I could not break the charm; whether I could not +get rid of the disturbance, by suddenly affecting the nervous system, +and the system generally, in another way. I would seize him by the nape +of the neck, and, with all my force, dash a little cold water in his +face. The shock of this has often dispersed the epileptic agency, as it +were by magic. I would give an emeto-purgative; a grain or a grain and a +half of calomel and the same quantity of tartar emetic: I would soothe +and coax the poor animal. Then,--and if I saw it at the beginning, I +would do it early,--if the fit was more dependent upon, or was beginning +to be connected with, determination of blood to the head, and not on any +temporary cause of excitation or irritation, I would bleed freely from +the jugular. + +The following singular case of epilepsy is narrated by M.W. Leblanc: + +A dog of small size, three years old, was very subject to those +epileptic fits that are so frequent among dogs. After a considerable +period, the fits would cease, and the animal recover the appearance of +perfect health; but the more he advanced in age the more frequent were +the fits, which is contrary to that which usually happens. + +The last fit was a very strong one, and was followed by peculiar +symptoms. The animal became dispirited. The eyes lost their usual lively +appearance, and the eyelids were often closed. The dog was very drowsy, +and, during sleep, there were observed, from time to time, spasmodic +movements, principally of the head and chest. 'He always lay down on the +left side'. When he walked, he had a marked propensity to turn to the +left. + +M. Leblanc employed purgatives, a seton to the back part of the neck, +and the application of the cautery to the left side of the forehead; but +nothing would stop the progress of the disease, and he died in the +course of two months after the last fit. The nearer he approached his +end the smaller were the circles that he took; and, in the latter part +of his existence, he did little more than turn as if he were on a pivot, +and, when the time arrived that he could walk no more, he used to lay +himself down on the right side. + +On the 'post-mortem' examination, a remarkable thickness of the meninges +was found on almost the whole of the left lobe of the brain. The dura +mater, the two leaves of the arachnoid membrane, and the pia mater did +not constitute more than one membrane of the usual thickness, and +presented a somewhat yellow colouring. The cerebral substance of the +left lobe appeared to be a little firmer than that of the right lobe. +The fissures of the cerebral devolutions were much less deep than those +of the other side The red vessels which ran in the fissures were of +smaller size, and in some places could scarcely be discovered. + +[Confinement, over-feeding, blows on the head or spine, drying up of old +ulcers, repelling of cutaneous affections, or, in fact, anything that is +liable to derange the general health of the animal, will produce +epileptic fits. + +We formerly had a beagle hound of very active temperament, which we were +necessarily obliged to keep much confined while in the city; and to +restrain her from running too wildly when taken into the streets, we +were in the habit of coupling her with a greyhound of much milder +disposition. Not being willing to submit lamely to this unpleasant check +upon her liberty, she was ever making fruitless attempts to escape, +either by thrusting herself forwards, or obstinately pulling backwards. +These efforts resulted on several occasions in fits, produced by +congestion of the brain, owing to the pressure of the collar on the +neck, thereby interrupting the circulation, and inducing an influx of +blood to those parts. We were ultimately obliged to abandon this method +of restraint, which nearly proved fatal to our much-admired beagle: she +being suddenly seized with one of these fits on a hot summer's day in +one of our principal thoroughfares, the crowd of ignorant bystanders +concluded it to be a case of rabies, and nothing but my taking her up in +my arms, and carrying her from the scene of action, saved her from +falling a victim to their ignorance. + +If the disease appears dependent upon plethora the result of confinement +and gross living, the animal must be reduced by bleeding and purging, +low diet, and exercise. If, however, the malady proceeds from weakness, +as is sometimes the case in bitches while suckling a large litter, it +will be necessary to relieve her of some of the pups, and supply her +with the most nutritious diet, as also administer tonic balls; the +following will answer. + +[Symbol: Rx]: Extract of Gentian, Quassia, ââ (each) grs. V, made into +two pills, and one or two given morning and evening; + +or, + +[Symbol: Rx]: Powdered Columbo. Carbonate of Iron, ââ, grs. V, made +into two pills, and one given morning and evening, or more frequently if +desirable. + + +A seton placed in the poll will often prevent these attacks, +particularly when depending upon slight cerebral irritation, +accompanying distemper and mange. Blisters and frictions to the spine +are also serviceable.--L.] + + +CHOREA. + +This is an irregular reception or distribution of nervous power--a +convulsive involuntary twitching of some muscle or set of muscles. It is +an occasional consequence of distemper that has been unusually severe or +imperfectly treated, and sometimes it is seen even after that disease +has existed in its mildest form. + +[This nervous affection, more commonly known as St. Vitus' dance, is not +a rare disease, and we doubt not that examples of it have been seen by +most of our readers, more particularly in young dogs affected with +distemper. + +This malady is characterized by sudden involuntary twitchings of the +different muscles of the body, the disease being sometimes confined to +one limb, sometimes to two, and frequently pervades the whole system, +giving the dog a distressing and painful appearance. These involuntary +motions, it is very true, are generally restricted during sleep, +although in old chronic cases of long standing they often continue in +full activity without any remission whatever. The disease is not +attended with fever, and all the functions generally remain for a +considerable time unimpaired.--L.] + +It first appears in one leg or shoulder, and is long, or perhaps +entirely, confined to that limb. There is a singular spasmodic jerking +action of the limb. It looks like a series of pulsations, and averages +from forty to sixty in a minute. Oftener, perhaps, than otherwise, both +legs are similarly affected. When the animal is lying down, the legs are +convulsed in the way that I have described, and when he stands there is +a pulsating depressing or sinking of the head and neck. In some cases, +the muscles of the neck are the principal seat of the disease, or some +muscle of the face; the temporal muscle beating like an artery; the +masseter opening and closing the mouth, the muscles of the eyelid, and, +in a few cases, those of the eye itself being affected. These convulsive +movements generally, yet not uniformly, cease during sleep, but that +sleep is often very much disturbed. If the case is neglected, and the +dog is in a debilitated state, this spasmodic action steals over the +whole frame, and he lies extended with every limb in constant and +spasmodic action. + +In the majority of cases, such an expenditure of nervous and muscular +power slowly destroys the strength of the animal, and he dies a mere +skeleton; or the disease assumes the character of epilepsy, or it quiets +down into true palsy. + +In the most favourable cases, no curative means having been used, the +dog regains his flesh and general strength; but the chorea continues, +the spasmodic action, however, being much lessened. At other times, it +seems to have disappeared; but it is ready to return when the animal is +excited or attacked by other disease. In a variety of instances, there +is the irritable temper which accompanies chorea in the human being, and +most certainly when the disease has been extensive and confirmed. + +Chorea, neglected or improperly treated, or too frequently pursuing its +natural course, degenerates into paralysis agitans. There is a tremulous +or violent motion of almost every limb. The spasms are not relaxed, but +are even increased during sleep, and when the animal awakes, he rises +with agitation and alarm. There is not a limb under the perfect control +of the will; there is not a moment's respite; the constitution soon +sinks, and the animal dies. No person should be induced to undertake the +cure of such a case: the owner should be persuaded to permit a speedy +termination to a life which no skill can render comfortable. + +Chorea is oftenest observed in young dogs, and especially after +distemper; and it seems to depend on a certain degree of primary or +sympathetic inflammatory affection of the brain. + +Chorea is often very plainly a consequence of debility: either the +distribution of nervous power is irregular, or the muscles have lost +their power of being readily acted upon, or have acquired a state of +morbid irritability. The latter is the most frequent state. Their action +is irregular and spasmodic, and it resembles the struggles of expiring +nature far more than the great and uniform action of health. It is not +the chorea that used to be described, in which there was an irresistible +impulse to excessive action, and which was best combated by complete +muscular exhaustion; but the foundation of this disease is palpable +debility. + +[Rickets, bad feeding, cold and damp housing, worms in the alimentary +canal, mange, and other chronic affections, are all forerunners of this +malady.--L.] + +In the treatment of chorea there must be no bleeding, no excessive +purgation, but aperients or alteratives, merely sufficient to keep the +fæces in a pultaceous state, so as to carry off any source of irritation +to the intestinal canal, and particularly some species of worms, too +frequent sources of irritation there. To these should be added +nutritious food, gentle exercise, tonic medicines, and general comforts. +Counter-irritants may be applied--such as blisters over the head, and +setons, extending from poll to poll--the application of turpentine, or +the tincture of cantharides; but all of these will frequently be of no +effect, and occasionally a rapid and fearful increase of irritability +will ensue: antispasmodics are in this case of no use, and narcotics are +altogether powerless. As for tonics, iron and gentian have been +serviceable to a certain extent, but they have never cured the +complaint. The nitrate of silver will be the sheet-anchor of the +practitioner, and if early used will seldom deceive him. It should be +combined with ginger, and given morning and night, in doses varying from +one-sixth to one-third of a grain, according to the size of the dog. + +The condition and strength of the dog, and the season of the year, will +be our best guides. If the patient has not lost much flesh, and is not +losing it at the time that we have to do with him, and has few symptoms +of general debility, and spring or summer are approaching we may with +tolerable confidence predict a cure; but, if he has been rapidly losing +ground, and is doing so still, and staggers about and falls, there is no +medicine that will restore him. + +5th October, 1840.--A pointer, eighteen months old, had had the +distemper, but not severely, and was apparently recovering when he +suddenly lost all voluntary power over his limbs. He was unable to get +up, and his legs were in constant, rapid, and violent motion. This +continued three days, during which he had refused all food, when, the +dog being in the country, my advice was asked. I ordered a strong emetic +to be given to him, and after that a dose of Epsom salts, the insertion +of a seton, and, in addition to this, our usual tonic was to be given +twice every day. His food to consist chiefly of good strong soup, which +was to be forced upon him in a sufficient quantity. + +In two days he was able to get up and stagger about, although frequently +falling. His appetite returned. He continued to improve, and most +rapidly gained strength and especially flesh. A very peculiar, +high-lifting, clambering, and uncertain motion of the legs remained, +with an apparent defect of sight, for he ran against almost everything. + +In six weeks the seton was removed, and the dog remained in the same +state until the 7th of December. The uncertain clambering motion was now +increasing, and likewise the defect of sight. He ran against almost +every person and every thing. The cornea was transparent, the iris +contracted, there was no opacity of the lens, or pink tint of the +retina, but a peculiar glassy appearance, as unconscious of everything +around it. An emetic was given, and, after that, an ounce of sulphate of +magnesia. + +8th. He was dreadfully ill after taking the salts; perhaps they were not +genuine. For two days he panted sadly, refused his food, and vomited +that which was forced upon him. His muzzle was hot; he could scarcely +stand; he lost flesh very rapidly. An emetic was given immediately, and +a distemper-ball daily. + +16th. He soon began rapidly to recover, until he was in nearly the same +state as before, except that the sight was apparently more deficient. +The sulphate of magnesia was given every fourth day, and another seton +inserted. + +21st. He continued the medicine, and evidently improved, the sight +returning, and the spasms being considerably less. The distemper-ball +was continued. + +4th January, 1841.--The spasms were better; but the vision did not +improve. In the afternoon he fell into a momentary fit. He almost +immediately rose again, and proceeded as if nothing had happened. An +ounce of Epson salts was given, and then the tonic balls as before. + +22d. The spasms were lessened, the clambering gait nearly ceased, but +the vision was not improved. The seton was removed, and only an +additional dose of salts given. + +27th. The spasms suddenly and very considerably increased. The left side +appeared now to be particularly affected. The left leg before and behind +were most spasmed, the right scarcely at all so. The vision of the left +eye was quite gone. The dog had been taken to Mr. Alexander's, the +oculist, who attributed the affection of the eye and the general +spasmodic disease to some pressure on the brain, and recommended the +trial of copious and repeated bleeding. + +28th. The dog was dull; the spasms appeared to have somewhat increased +and decidedly to affect the left side. Fever-balls were ordered to be +given. + +29th. Considerable change took place. At three o'clock this morning I +was disturbed by a noise in the hospital. The poor fellow was in a +violent fit. Water was dashed in his face, and a strong emetic given; +but it was not until seven o'clock that the fit had ceased; he lay until +eleven o'clock, when the involuntary spasms were almost suspended. When +he was placed on his feet, he immediately fell; he then gradually +revived and staggered about. His master brought a physician to see him, +who adopted Mr. Alexander's idea and urged bleeding. Ten ounces of blood +were immediately taken; the dog refused to eat. + +1st February.--The strength of the animal was not impaired, but the +spasms were more violent, and he lay or wandered about stupid and almost +unconscious. I subtracted eight ounces more of blood. + +2d. The spasms were fully as violent, and no amendment in the vision. +Eight ounces more of blood were subtracted without benefit. A fever-ball +was ordered to be given. + +3d. No amendment; but the bleeding having been carried to its full +extent, I again resorted to the tonic balls, which were given morning +and night. The dog was well fed and the seton replaced. + +5th. A very considerable amendment is evident. + +9th. The spasms rapidly subsided and almost disappeared. Vision was not +perfectly restored; but the dog evidently saw with his left eye. He was +taken away, and tonic balls sent with him and ordered to be continued. + +6th March.--The dog had improved in strength and no spasmodic affection +remained; he likewise evidently saw with his left eye. The tonic-balls +had been discontinued for a week, and his master hoped that all would +turn out well, when suddenly, while at home, he was seized with a fit +that lasted ten minutes. A strong emetic was given, which brought up a +vast quantity of undigested food. A strong purging-ball was given to him +in the evening. + +13th. The dog had lain slightly spasmed for two or three days, when they +all at once ceased, and the animal appeared as well as before. Suddenly +he was taken with another fit, and again a vast quantity of food was +vomited. These spasms remained two days, but on the 21st the fit +returned with the same discharge of food. Courses of purgatives were +then determined on. A strong dose of sulphate of magnesia was given +every third day. After four doses had been given, it was impossible to +force any more upon him. The syrup of buckthorn was tried, but the +fourth dose of that it was impossible to give. The dog was then sent +into the country; no fit occurred, but there were occasional spasms. + +23d September.--He was brought back to town, and I saw him. During the +last month he had had many fits. His owner at length consented that the +actual cautery should be applied to his head. The searing-iron for +doctoring was used, and applied red-hot to the centre of the head. It +was exceedingly difficult so to confine the dog as to make the +application effectual, without destroying the skin. + +Under the influence of the sudden violent pain, he wandered about for +more than two hours, and then the spasms returned with greater force +than usual. He refused all food. + +We determined to try the cautery to its full extent. We chained him up +in the morning, and penetrated through the skin with the budding-iron. +The spasms were dreadfully violent, and he was scarcely able to walk or +to stand. This gradually subsided, and then he began to run round and +round, and that increased to an extraordinary velocity: he would then +lie for a while with every limb in action. The owner then yielded to all +our wishes, and he was destroyed with prussic acid. No morbid appearance +presented itself in the brain; but, on the inner plate of the right +parietal bone, near the sagittal suture, were two projections, one-sixth +of an inch in length, and armed with numerous minute spicula. There was +no peculiar inflammation or vascularity of any other part of the brain. + +[We once cured a case quite accidentally, by throwing a pup into a cold +stream of water, and making him swim ashore; we do not recommend the +plan, although we should be willing to try it again with one of our own +dogs. The animal should be forced to swim till nearly exhausted, and +wrapped up in blankets on coming out of the water. The intense alarm +created in the pup, together with the violent struggle and coldness of +the water, all act as revulsives to the disease, which, if purely +nervous, may be overcome by these powerful agents. + +If the dog be weak, and the stomach deranged, the following tonic balls +will answer a good purpose: + + +[Symbol: Rx]: Carbonate of Iron. + +Ground Ginger, ââ, grs. X, made into two pills, one given morning and +evening, or more frequently according to the age or size of the +animal.--L.] + + +RHEUMATISM AND PALSY. + +I do not know any animal so subject to 'rheumatism' as the dog, nor any +one in which, if it is early and properly treated, it is so manageable. + +[We agree with our author, that the canine family are exceedingly liable +to inflammation of the fibrous and muscular structures of the body, and +there is no disease from which they suffer more, both in their youth and +old age, than rheumatism. No particular species of dogs are more subject +to its attacks than others, all being alike victims to its ravages. Mr. +Blaine remarks, that the bowels always sympathize with other parts of +the body suffering under this disease, and that inflammation will always +be found existing in the abdominal viscera, if rheumatism be present, +and the lower bowels will be attended with a painful torpor, which he +designates as rheumatic colic. We ourselves noticed, that old setters +particularly, when suffering from this disease, are frequently attacked +with an acute diarrhoea, or suffer from obstinate constipation attended +by griping pains, but did not know that this state of things was so +uniform an accompaniment to the other affection. There are two varieties +of rheumatism, the 'acute' and 'chronic', both of which are attended +with either general fever or local inflammation. The attacks usually +come on rather suddenly, the joints swell, the pulse becomes full and +tense, the parts tender, and the eyes blood-shot, the stomach deranged, +and the bowels costive. Severe lancinating pain runs through the +articulation, and along the course of the larger muscles, the tongue is +coated, the muzzle hot and dry, and the poor animal howls with agony. +The breathing becomes laboured, all food is rejected, and if you attempt +to move the sufferer he sends forth piteous cries of distress. 'The +causes' of this serious affection are very numerous; among the most +usual and active agents may be enumerated, exposure to atmospherical +vicissitudes, remaining wet and idle after coming from the water, damp +kennels, suppressed perspiration, metastasis of eruptive diseases, +luxurious living, laziness and over-feeding. These and many other causes +are all busy in the production of this disease. Duck dogs on the +Chesapeake, we have noticed as often suffering from this affection, +owing no doubt to the great exposure they are obliged to endure; but few +of them arrive at old age without being martyrs to the chronic form. +'Chronic rheumatism', generally the result of the other form of disease, +is most usually met with in old dogs: it is attended with little fever, +although the local inflammation and swelling is sometimes considerable. +The pain is often stationary in one shoulder or loin, at other times +shifts about suddenly to other portions of the body. The muscles are +tender and the joints stiff, the animal seems lame till he becomes +healed, and limber when all appearance of the disease vanishes. In old +cases the limbs become so much enlarged, and the joints so swollen, that +the dog is rendered perfectly useless, and consequently increases his +sufferings by idleness. 'This form of the disease is known as gout.' + +Treatment of 'acute rheumatism'--bleeding largely is very important in +this affection, and if followed up with two or three purges of aloes, +gamboge, colocynth and calomel will arrest the progress of this disease. + +Rx. Extract of Colocynth 3 [Symbol: scruple] i. + Calomel grs. x. + Powdered Gamboge grs. ii. + Socet. Aloes grs. x. + +Made into four pills, two to be given at night, and the other the +following morning. If these medicines should not be handy, give a large +purging ball of aloes, to be followed by a full dose of salts. When the +inflammatory action is not sufficiently high to demand depletion, warm +bathing, friction and keeping the dog wrapped up in blankets before a +fire will generally afford relief. If the pain appear very severe, it +will be necessary to repeat the baths at short intervals: great +attention must be paid to the state of the bowels: if a diarrhoea +supervenes, it must not he checked too suddenly, by the use of +astringent medicines, but rather corrected by small doses of oil and +magnesia. If constipation attended with colic be the character of the +affection, small quantities of oil and turpentine in connexion with warm +enemata will be the proper remedies. If paralysis should occur, it will +be found very difficult to overcome, but must be treated, after the +reduction of inflammation, upon principles laid down under the head of +this latter affection. Blisters to the spine, setons, electricity, +acupuncturation, &c. + +'Treatment of chronic rheumatism'--warm baths are useful, and warm +housing absolutely necessary, attention to diet, and an occasional purge +of blue mass and aloes, together with electricity, acupuncture, +rubefacient applications to the spine, &c.--L.] + +A warm bath--perchance a bleeding--a dose or two of the castor-oil +mixture, and an embrocation composed of spirit of turpentine, hartshorn, +camphorated spirit, and laudanum, will usually remove it in two or three +days, unless it is complicated with muscular sprains, or other lesions, +such as the 'chest-founder' of kennels. + +This chest-founder is a singular complaint, and often a pest in kennels +that are built in low situations, and where bad management prevails. +Where the huntsman or whippers-in are too often in a hurry to get home, +and turn their dogs into the kennel panting and hot; where the beds are +not far enough from the floor, or the building, if it should be in a +sufficiently elevated situation, has yet a northern aspect and is +unsheltered from the blast, chest-founder prevails; and I have known +half the pack affected by it after a severe run, the scent breast-high, +and the morning unusually cold. It even occasionally passes on into +palsy. + +The veterinary surgeon will be sometimes consulted respecting this +provoking muscular affection. His advice will comprise--dryness, +attention to the bowels, attention to the exercise-ground, and perhaps, +occasionally, setons--not where the huntsman generally places them, on +the withers above, but on the brisket below, and defended from the teeth +of the dog by a roller of a very simple construction, passing round the +chest between the fore legs and over the front of the shoulders on +either side. + +The pointer, somewhat too heavy before, and hardly worked, becomes what +is called chest-foundered. From his very make it is evident that, in +long-continued and considerable exertion, the subscapular muscles will +be liable to sprain and inflammation. There will be inflammation of the +fasciæ, induration, loss of power, loss of nervous influence and palsy. +Cattle, driven far and fast to the market, suffer from the same causes. + +[By palsy, we mean a partial or complete loss of the powers of motion or +sensation in some portion of the muscular system: this affection is very +common to the canine race, and very few of them reach an advanced age +without having at some time in their life experienced an attack of this +malady. + +The loins and hind legs suffer oftener than other parts, in fact we do +not recollect ever meeting with paralysis of the fore limbs alone. +Although the limbs become perfectly powerless, and are only dragged +after the animal by the combined efforts of the fore legs and back, it +is seldom that they lose their sensibility.--L.] + +Palsy is frequent, as in the dog. However easy it may be to subdue a +rheumatic affection, in its early stage, by prompt attention, yet if it +is neglected, it very soon simulates, or becomes essentially connected +with, or converted into, palsy. + +No animal presents a more striking illustration of the connexion between +intestinal irritation and palsy than the dog. He rarely or never has +enteritis, even in its mildest form, without some loss of power over the +hinder extremities. This may at first arise from the participation of +the lumbar muscles with the intestinal irritation; but, if the disease +of the bowels continues long, it will be evident enough that it is not +pain alone that produces the constrained and incomplete action of the +muscles of the hind extremities, but that there is an actual loss of +nervous power. A dog is often brought to the veterinary surgeon, with no +apparent disease about him except a staggering walk from weakness of the +hind limbs. He eats well and is cheerful, and his muzzle is moist and +cool; but his belly is tucked up, and there are two longitudinal cords, +running parallel to each other, which will scarcely yield to pressure. +The surgeon orders the castor-oil mixture twice or thrice daily, until +the bowels are well acted upon, and, as soon as that is accomplished, +the dog is as strong and as well as ever. Perhaps his hind limbs are +dragged behind him; a warm bath is ordered, he is dosed well with the +castor-oil mixture, and, if it is a recent case, the animal is well in a +few days. In more confirmed palsy, the charge, or plaster on the loins, +is added to the action of the aperient on the bowels. The process may be +somewhat slow, but it is seldom that the dog does not ultimately and +perfectly recover. + +It is easy to explain this connexion, although we should have scarcely +supposed that it would have been so intimate, had not frequent +experience forced it on our observation. The rectum passes through the +pelvis. Whatever may be said of that intestine, considering its vertical +position in the human being, it is always charged with fæces in the +quadruped. It therefore shares more in the effect, whatever that may be, +which is produced by the retention of fæces in the intestinal canal, and +it shares also in the inflammatory affection of other parts of the +canal. Almost in contact with this viscus, or at least passing through +the pelvis, are the crural nerves from the lumbar vertebræ, the +obtusator running round the rim of the pelvis, the glutal nerve +occupying its back, and the sciatic hastening to escape from it. It is +not difficult to imagine that these, to a certain degree, will +sympathize with the healthy and also the morbid state of the rectum; and +that, when it is inert, or asleep, or diseased, they also may be +powerless too. Here is something like fact to establish a very important +theory, and which should be deeply considered by the sportsman and the +surgeon. + +[Loss of the contractile power of the sphincters of the bladder and +rectum, sometimes attends this disease, and involuntary evacuations are +constantly taking place, or costiveness and retention are the +consequences.--L.] + +Mr. Dupuy has given a valuable account of the knowledge we possess of +the diseases of the spinal marrow in our domestic quadrupeds. + +He has proved: + +1. That in our domestic animals the spinal marrow is scarcely ever +affected through the whole of its course. + +2. That the dorsal and lumbar regions are the parts oftenest affected. + +3. That inflammation of the spinal marrow of these regions always +produces palsy, more or less complete, of the abdominal members. + +4. That, in some cases, this inflammation is limited to the inferior or +superior parts of the spinal marrow, and that there is loss only of +feeling or of motion. + +5. That sometimes animals die of palsy without any organic lesion. + +[Blows on the head, producing effusion on the brain, poisoning by lead, +inflammation of the spinal marrow, affections of the nerves, caries of +the spine, costiveness and affections of the bowels, are all productive +of palsy. If the disease proceeds from rheumatism, or other inflammatory +affections, independent of any organic lesion, the disease, if taken +early, is not difficult to overcome in the young subject. Warm baths, +bleeding, purging, and stimulating applications to the parts and along +the spine, will answer. Castor oil and turpentine is a good purge: where +the malady depends upon costiveness, purges of aloes should be +administered in connexion with warm enemata, stimulating frictions along +the spine, and hot baths. Croton oil dropped on the tongue will also be +of great benefit: if there should be effusion or compression from +fracture of the bones of the cranium, nothing but trephining will be of +any service, as we can hardly hope for the absorption of the matter, and +the removal of the spicula of bone can alone afford relief to the +patient. Paralysis arising from poisoning should be treated as described +under the head of mineral poisons. Chronic cases of paralysis arising +from want of tone of the nerves and spinal marrow, repeated blistering, +introduction of the seton along the spine, electricity, &c., have all +been tried with some success. + +Strychnia, from its peculiar effects upon the animal economy, and its +almost exclusive direction to the nerves of motion, makes it a medicine +particularly applicable to the treatment of this disease. It may be +given in all stages of the malady, but is most serviceable after the +reduction of inflammatory action, and when we are convinced that the +disease depends upon want of tone in the motor muscles. + +Great care should be had in its administration, as it is a powerful +poison in too large doses, to a large dog; commence with a quarter of a +grain in pill, three times daily, and gradually increase to a half grain +or more if the animal seems to bear it well. But it should be +discontinued immediately on the appearance of any constitutional +symptoms, such as spasmodic twitchings of the eyelids or muzzle.--L.] + + +PALSY--MANGE + +11th February, 1835.--A Persian bitch, at the Zoological Gardens, who +was well yesterday, now staggers as she walks, and has nearly lost the +use of her hind legs. Gave a good dose of the castor-oil mixture. + +18th. She is materially worse and drags her hind legs after her. I would +fain put on a charge, but the keeper does not like that her beautiful +coat should be spoiled, and wishes to try what gentle exercise will do. +She certainly, after she has been coaxed a great deal, will get on her +legs and stagger on fifty yards or more. Gave the castor-oil mixture +daily. + +19th. She is a little stronger, and walks a little better. Continue the +mixture. Embrocate well with the rheumatic mixture--sp. tereb., sp. +camph., liq. ammon., et tinct. opii--and give gentle exercise. + +2d March.--She does improve, although slowly; the charge is therefore +postponed. Continue treatment. + +30th. She is considerably better. Continue the mixture, and use the +embrocation every second day. + +10th April--She has mange in the bend of her arm, and on her chest. Use +the sulphur ointment and alterative balls, and omit the embrocation and +mixture. In less than a week she nearly recovered from her lameness, and +ran about almost as well as ever. + +30th. She runs about very fairly, but the mange has assumed that +character of scurvy which I do not know how to grapple with. Continue +the alterative balls, and the ointment. + +18th May.--The mange has disappeared, but the palsy is returning; she +staggers slightly, and droops behind. Give the castor-oil mixture and +use the embrocation. + +14th June.--Mange quite gone, but palsy continues to a very considerable +degree. I want to use the plaster; but the keeper pleads for a little +delay. Continue the treatment. + +1st July.--I have at length determined to have recourse to the charge. A +piece of thick sheep's leather was fitted lo her loins and haunches. +18th. She appears to be improving, but it is very slowly. + +31st. Very little change. The plaster keeps on well: she has no power +over her hind limbs; but she eats and drinks as well as ever. + +23d August.--No change. Give her half a grain of strychnia, morning and +night. + +26th That singular secretion of milk, to which the bitch is subject nine +weeks after oestrum, is now appearing. Her mammæ are enlarged, and I +can squeeze a considerable quantity of milk out of the teats. Give an +aloetic pill, and continue the strychnia. + +31st. The secretion of milk continues. There is slight enlargement and +some heat of the mammæ; but she feeds as well as ever. Increase the +dose of strychnia to three-quarters of a grain. + +On the following day she was found dead. In making the usual +longitudinal incision through the integuments of the abdomen a +considerable quantity of milky fluid, mingled with blood, followed the +knife. There was very slight enlargement of the teats, but intense +inflammation of the whole of the mammary substance. The omentum, and +particularly the portion opposite to the external disease, was also +inflamed. Besides this there was not a vestige of disease. + +This is an interesting case and deserves record. I fear that justice was +not done to the animal at the commencement of the paralytic affection. +In nineteen cases out of twenty in the dog, the constant but mild +stimulus of a charge over the lumbar and sacral regions removes the +deeper-seated inflammation of the spinal cord or its membranes, when the +palsy is confined to the hind extremities, and has not been sufficiently +long established to produce serious change of structure. The charge +should have been applied at first. The almost total disappearance of the +palsy during the cutaneous disease, which was attended with more than +usual inflammation of the integument, is an instructive illustration of +the power of counter-irritation, and of what might possibly have been +effected in the first case; for much time was lost before the +application of the charge, and when at length it was applied, it and the +strychnia were powerless. + +I consider the following case as exceedingly valuable, at least with +reference to the power of strychnia in removing palsy:-- + +19th August, 1836.--A fine Alpine dog was suddenly attacked with a +strange nervous affection. He was continually staggering about and +falling. His head was forcibly bent backward and a little on one side, +almost to his shoulder. A pound of blood was abstracted, a seton +inserted from ear to ear, and eight grains of calomel administered. + +21st. He has perfectly lost the use of every limb. He has also +amaurosis. perfect blindness, which had not appeared the day before. He +hears perfectly, and he eats, and with appetite, when the food is put +into his mouth. Gave him two large spoonfuls of the castor-oil mixture +daily; this consists of three parts of castor-oil, two of syrup of +buck-thorn, and one of syrup of white poppies. + +23d. A little better; can lift his head and throw it upon his side, and +will still eat when fed. Continue the mixture, and give half a grain of +strychnia daily. + +24th. Little change. + +27th. No change, except that he is rapidly losing flesh. Continue the +treatment. + +31th. The strychnia increased to three-fourths of a grain morning and +night. The castor-oil mixture continued in its full quantity. He was +fed well, but there was a sunken, vacant expression of countenance. + +2d September.--He can move his head a little, and has some slight motion +in his limbs. + +4th. He can almost get up. He recognises me for the first time. His +appetite, which was never much impaired, has returned: this is to be +attributed to strychnia, or the seton, or the daily aperient mixture. +They have all, perhaps, been serviceable, but I attribute most to the +strychnia; for I have rarely, indeed, seen any dog recover from such an +attack. Continue the treatment. + +6th. Fast recovering. Medicine as before. + +14th. Improving, but not so fast as before. Still continue the +treatment. + +28th. Going on slowly, but satisfactorily. Remove the seton, but +continue the other treatment. + +13th October.--Quite well. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +RABIES. + +We are now arrived at one of the most important subjects in veterinary +pathology. In other cases the comfort and the existence of our quadruped +patients are alone or chiefly involved, but here the lives of our +employers, and our own too, are at stake, and may be easily, and too +often are, compromised. Here also, however other portions of the chain +may be overlooked or denied, we have the link which most of all connects +the veterinary surgeon with the practitioner of human medicine; or, +rather, here is the circumscribed but valued spot where the veterinary +surgeon has the vantage-ground. + +In describing the nature, and cause and treatment of rabies, it will be +most natural to take the animal in which it oftenest appears, by which +it is most frequently propagated; the time at which the danger +commences, and the usual period before the death of the patient. + +Some years ago a dog, naturally ferocious, bit a child at Lisson Grove. +The child, to all appearance previously well, died on the third day, and +an inquest was to be held on the body in the evening. The Coroner +ordered the dog to be sent to me for examination The animal was, +contrary to his usual habit, perfectly tractable. This will appear to be +of some importance hereafter. I examined him carefully. No suspicious +circumstance could be found about him. There was no appearance of +rabies. In the mean time the inquest took place, and the corpse of the +child was carefully examined. One medical gentleman thought that there +were some suspicious appearances about the stomach, and another believed +that there was congestion of the brain. + +The owner of the dog begged that the animal might not be taken from him, +but might accompany him home. He took him home and destroyed him that no +experiments might be made. + +With great difficulty we procured the carcass, and from some +inflammatory appearances about the tongue and the stomach, and the +presence of a small portion of indigestible matter in the stomach, we +were unanimously of opinion that the dog was rabid. + +I do not mean to say that the child died hydrophobous, or that its death +was accelerated by the nascent disease existing in the dog. There was +probably some nervous affection that hastened the death of the infant, +and the dog bit the child at the very period when the malady first began +to develop itself. On the following day there were morbid lesions enough +to prove beyond doubt that he was rabid. + +This case is introduced because I used afterwards to accompany every +examination of supposed or doubtful rabies with greater caution than I +probably had previously used. + +It is occasionally very difficult to detect the existence of rabies in +its nascent state. In the year 1813, a child attempted to rob a dog of +its morning food, and the animal resisting the theft, the child was +slightly scratched by its teeth. No one dreamed of danger. Eight days +afterwards symptoms of rabies appeared in the dog, the malady ran its +course, and the animal died. A few days afterwards the child +sickened--undoubted characteristics of rabies were observed--they ran +their course and the infant was lost. + +There are other cases--fortunately not numerous--in the records of human +surgery, resembling this. A person has been bitten by a dog, he has paid +little or no attention to it, and no application of the caustic has been +made. Some weeks, or even months, have passed, he has nearly or quite +forgotten the affair, when he becomes languid and feverish, and full of +fearful apprehensions, and this appearing perhaps during several days, +or more than a week. The empoisonment has then ceased to be a local +affair, the virus has entered into the circulation, and its impression +is made on the constitution generally. Fortunately the disposition to +bite rarely develops itself until the full establishment of the disease, +otherwise we might sometimes inquire whether it were not our duty to +exterminate the whole race of dogs. + +The following case deserves to be recorded. On the 21st of October, +1813, a dog was brought to me for examination. He had vomited a +considerable quantity of coagulated blood. I happened to be particularly +busy at the moment, and not observing anything peculiar in his +countenance or manner, I ordered some astringent sedative medicine, and +said that I would see him again in the afternoon. + +In the course of the afternoon he was again brought. The vomiting had +quite ceased. His mouth seemed to be swollen, and, on examining him, I +found that some of his incisor teeth, both in the upper and lower jaw, +had been torn out. This somewhat alarmed me; and, on inquiring of the +servant, I was told that he suspected that they had had thieves about +the house on the preceding night, for the dog had torn away the side of +his kennel in attempting to get at them. I scolded him for not having +told me of this in the morning; and then, talking of various things, in +order to prolong the time and to be able closely to watch my patient, I +saw, or thought I saw, but in a very slight degree, that the animal was +tracing the fancied path of some imaginary object. I was then truly +alarmed, and more especially since I had discovered that in the giving +of the physic in the morning the man's hand had been scratched; a youth +had suffered the dog to lick his sore finger, and the animal had also +been observed to lick the sore ear of an infant. He was a remarkably +affectionate dog, and was accustomed to this abominable and inexcusable +nonsense. + +I insisted on detaining the dog, and gave the man a letter to the +surgeon, telling him all my fears. He promptly acted on the hint, and +before evening, the proper means were taken with regard to all three. + +I watched this dog day after day. He would not eat, but he drank a great +deal more water than I liked. The surgeon was evidently beginning to +doubt whether I was not wrong, but he could not dispute the occasional +wandering of the eye, and the frequent spume upon the water. On the 26th +of October, however, the sixth day after his arrival, we both of us +heard the rabid howl burst from him: he did not, however, die until the +30th. I mention this as another instance of the great difficulty there +is to determine the real nature of the case in an early stage of the +disease. + +M. Perquin relates an interesting case. A lady had a greyhound, nine +years old, that was accustomed to lie upon her bed at night, and cover +himself with the bed-clothes. She remarked, one morning, that he had +torn the covering of his bed, and, although he ate but little, drank +oftener, and in larger quantity, than he was accustomed to do. She led +him to a veterinary surgeon, who assured her that there was nothing +serious the matter. On the following day, he bit her fore-finger near +the nail, as she was giving him something to eat. She led him again to +the veterinary surgeon, who assured her that she needed not to be under +the least alarm, and as for the little wound on her finger, it was of no +consequence. On the following day, the 27th of December, the dog died. +He had not ceased to drink most abundantly to the very last. + +On the 4th of February, as the lady was dining with her husband, she +found some difficulty in deglutition. She wished to take some wine, but +was unable to swallow it. + +On the 5th, she consulted a surgeon. He wished her to swallow a little +soup in his presence. She attempted to do it, but could not accomplish +her object after many an effort. She then fell into a state of violent +agitation, with constriction of the pharynx, and the discharge of a +viscid fluid from the mouth. + +On the 7th, she died, four days after the first attack of the disease, +and in a state of excessive loss of flesh. + +There can be no doubt that both the dog and his mistress died rabid, the +former having communicated the disease to the latter; but there is no +satisfactory account of the manner in which the dog became diseased. [1] + +Joseph Delmaire, of Looberghe, twenty-nine years old, was, on the 6th of +October, 1836, bitten in the hand by a dog that he met with in the +forest, and that was evidently rabid. On the following morning, he went +to a medical man of some repute in the country, who washed the wound, +and scarified it, and terminated the operation by tracing a bloody cross +on the forehead of the patient. + +He returned home, but he was far from being satisfied. The image of the +dog that had attacked him was always before him, and his sleep was +troubled with the most frightful dreams. So passed four-and-twenty days, +when Delmaire, rising from his bed, felt the most dreadful trepidation; +he panted violently; it seemed as if an enormous weight oppressed his +chest, and from time to time there was profound sighing and sobbing. He +complained every moment that he was smothered. He attempted to drink, +but it was with great difficulty that a few drops of barley-water were +swallowed. His mouth was dry, his throat burning, his thirst excessive, +and all that he attempted to swallow was rejected with horror. + +At nine o'clock at night he was largely bled. His respiration was more +free, but the dread of every fluid remained. After an hour's repose, he +started and felt the most fearful pain in every limb--his whole body was +agitated with violent convulsions. The former place of bleeding was +reopened, and a great quantity of blood escaped. The pulse became small +and accelerated. The countenance was dreadful--the eyes were starting +from their sockets--he continually sprung from his seat and uttered the +most fearful howling. A quantity of foam filled his mouth, and compelled +a continued expectoration. In his violent fits, the strength of six men +was not sufficient to keep him on his bed. In the midst of a sudden +recess of fury he would disengage himself from all that were attempting +to hold him, and dash himself on the floor; there, freed from all +control, he rolled about, beat himself, and tore everything that he +could reach. In the short intervals that separated these crises, he +regained possession of his reasoning powers: he begged his old father to +pardon him, he talked to him and to those around with the most intense +affection, and it was only when he felt that a new attack was at hand, +that he prayed them to leave him. At length his mental excitation began +to subside; his strength was worn out, and he suffered himself to be +placed on his bed. The horrible convulsions from time to time returned, +but the dread of liquors had ceased. He demanded something to drink. +They gave him a little white wine, but he was unable to swallow it; it +was returned through his nostrils. The poor fellow then endeavoured to +sleep; but it was soon perceived that he had ceased to live. + +The early symptoms of rabies in the dog are occasionally very obscure. +In the greater number of cases, these are sullenness, fidgetiness, and +continual shifting of posture. Where I have had opportunity, I have +generally found these circumstances in regular succession. For several +consecutive hours perhaps he retreats to his basket or his bed. He shows +no disposition to bite, and he answers the call upon him laggardly. He +is curled up and his face is buried between his paws and his breast. At +length he begins to be fidgety. He searches out new resting-places; but +he very soon changes them for others. He takes again to his own bed; but +he is continually shifting his posture. He begins to gaze strangely +about him as he lies on his bed. His countenance is clouded and +suspicious. He comes to one and another of the family and he fixes on +them a steadfast gaze as if he would read their very thoughts. "I feel +strangely ill," he seems to say: "have you anything to do with it? or +you? or you?" Has not a dog mind enough for this? If we have observed a +rabid dog at the commencement of the disease, we have seen this to the +very life. + +There is a species of dog--the small French poodle--the essence of whose +character and constitution is fidgetiness or perpetual motion. + +If this dog has been bitten, and rabies is about to establish itself, he +is the most irritative restless being that can be conceived of; starting +convulsively at the slightest sound; disposing of his bed in every +direction, seeking out one retreat after another in order to rest his +wearied frame, but quiet only for a moment in any one, and the motion of +his limbs frequently stimulating chorea and even epilepsy. + +A peculiar delirium is an early symptom, and one that will never +deceive. A young man had been bitten by one of his dogs; I was requested +to meet a medical gentleman on the subject: I was a little behind my +time; as I entered the room I found the dog eagerly devouring a pan of +sopped bread. "There is no madness here," said the gentleman. He had +scarcely spoken, when in a moment the dog quitted the sop, and, with a +furious bark sprung against the wall as if he would seize some imaginary +object that he fancied was there. "Did you see that?" was my reply. +"What do you think of it?" "I see nothing in it," was his retort: "the +dog heard some noise on the other side of the wall." At my serious +urging, however, he consented to excise the part. I procured a poor +worthless cur, and got him bitten by this dog, and carried the disease +from this dog to the third victim: they all became rabid one after the +other, and there my experiment ended. The serious matter under +consideration, perhaps, justified me in going so far as I did. + +This kind of delirium is of frequent occurrence in the human patient. +The account given by Dr. Bardsley of one of his patients is very +appropriate to on profit purpose: + + "I observed that he frequently fixed his eyes with horror and affright + on some ideal object, and then, with a sudden and violent emotion, + buried his head beneath the bed-clothes. The next time I saw him + repeat this action, I was induced to inquire into the cause of his + terror. He asked whether I had not heard howlings and scratchings. On + being answered in the negative, he suddenly threw himself on his + knees, extending his arms in a defensive posture, and forcibly threw + back his head and body. The muscles of the face were agitated by + various spasmodic contractions; his eye-balls glazed, and seemed ready + to start from their sockets; and, at the moment, when crying out in an + agonizing tone, 'Do you not see that black dog?' his countenance and + attitude exhibited the most dreadful picture of complicated horror, + distress, and rage that words can describe or imagination paint." + +I have again and again seen the rabid dog start up after a momentary +quietude, with unmingled ferocity depicted on his countenance, and +plunge with a savage howl to the end of his chain. At other times he +would stop and watch the nails in the partition of the stable in which +he was confined, and fancying them to move he would dart at them, and +occasionally sadly bruise and injure himself from being no longer able +to measure the distance of the object. In one of his sudden fits of +violence a rabid dog strangled the Cardinal Crescence, the Legate of the +Pope, at the Council of Trent in 1532. + +M. Magendie has often injected into the veins of an hydrophobous dog as +much as five grains of opium without producing any effect; while a +single grain given to the healthy dog would suffice to send him almost +to sleep. + +One of Mr. Babington's patients thought that there was a cloud of flies +about him. "Why do you not kill those flies!" he would cry; and then he +would strike at them with his hand, and shrink under the bed-clothes, in +the most dreadful fear. + +There is also in the human being a peculiarity in this delirium which +seems to distinguish it from every other kind of mental aberration. + + "The patient," in Mr. Lawrence's language, "is pursued by a thousand + phantoms that intrude themselves upon his mind; he holds conversation + with imaginary persons; he fancies himself surrounded with + difficulties, and in the greatest distress. These thoughts seem to + pass through his mind with wonderful rapidity, and to keep him in a + state of the greatest distress, unless he is quickly spoken to or + addressed by his name, and, then, in a moment the charm is broken; + every phantom of imagination disappears, and at once he begins to talk + as calmly and as connectedly as in perfect health." + +So it is with the dog, whether he is watching the motes that are +floating in the air, or the insects that are annoying him on the walls, +or the foes that he fancies are threatening him on every side--one word +recalls him in a moment. Dispersed by the magic influence of his +master's voice, every object of terror disappears, and he crawls towards +him with the same peculiar expression of attachment that used to +characterize him. + +Then comes a moment's pause--a moment of actual vacuity--the eye slowly +closes, the head droops, and he seems as if his fore feet were giving +way, and he would fall: but he springs up again, every object of terror +once more surrounds him--he gazes wildly around--he snaps--he barks, and +he rushes to the extent of his chain, prepared to meet his imaginary +foe. + +The expression of the countenance of the dog undergoes a considerable +change, principally dependent on the previous disposition of the animal. +If he was naturally of an affectionate disposition, there will be an +anxious, inquiring countenance, eloquent, beyond the power of resisting +its influence. It is made up of strange suppositions as to the nature of +the depression of mind under which he labours, mingled with some passing +doubts, and they are but passing, as to the concern which the master has +in the affair; but, most of all, there is an affectionate and confiding +appeal for relief. At the same time we observe some strange fancy, +evidently passing through his mind, unalloyed, however, by the slightest +portion of ferocity. + +In the countenance of the naturally savage brute, or him that has been +trained to be savage, there is indeed a fearful change; sometimes the +conjunctiva is highly injected; at other times it is scarcely affected, +hut the eyes have an unusually bright and dazzling appearance. They are +like two balls of fire, and there is a peculiar transparency of the +hyaloid membrane, or injection of that of the retina. + +A very early symptom of rabies in the dog, is an extreme degree of +restlessness. Frequently, he is almost invariably wandering about, +shifting from corner to corner, or continually rising up and lying down, +changing his posture in every possible way, disposing of his bed with +his paws, shaking it with his mouth, bringing it to a heap, on which he +carefully lays his chest, or rather the pit of his stomach, and then +rising up and bundling every portion of it out of the kennel. If he is +put into a closed basket, he will not be still for an instant, but turn +round and round without ceasing. If he is at liberty, he will seem to +imagine that something is lost, and he will eagerly search round the +room, and particularly every corner of it, with strange violence and +indecision. + +In a very great portion of cases of hydrophobia in the human being, +there is, as a precursory symptom, uneasiness, pain, or itching of the +bitten part. A red line may also be traced up the limb, in the direction +of the lymphatics. In a few cases the wound opens afresh. + +The poison is now beginning fatally to act on the tissue, on which it +had previously lain harmless. When the conversation has turned on this +subject, long after the bitten part has been excised, pain has darted +along the limb. I have been bitten much oftener than I liked, by dogs +decidedly rabid, but, proper means being taken, I have escaped; and yet +often, when I have been over-fatigued, or a little out of temper, some +of the old sores have itched and throbbed, and actually become red and +swollen. + +The dog appears to suffer a great deal of pain in the ear in common +canker. He will be almost incessantly scratching it, crying piteously +while thus employed. The ear is, oftener than any other part, bitten by +the rabid dog, and, when a wound in the ear, inflicted by a rabid dog, +begins to become painful, the agony appears to be of the intensest kind. +The dog rubs his ear against every projecting body, he scratches it +might and main, and tumbles over and over while he is thus employed. + +The young practitioner should be on his guard there. Is this dreadful +itching a thing of yesterday, or, has the dog been subject to canker, +increasing for a considerable period. Canker both internal and external +is a disease of slow growth, and must have been long neglected before it +will torment the patient in the manner that I have described. The +question as to the length of time that an animal has thus suffered will +usually be a sufficient guide. + +The mode in which he expresses his torture will serve as another +direction. He will often scratch violently enough when he has canker, +but he will not roll over and over like a football except he is rabid. +If there is very considerable inflammation of the lining membrane of the +ear, and engorgement and ulceration of it, this is the effect of canker; +but if there is only a slight redness of the membrane, or no redness at +all, and yet the dog is incessantly and violently scratching himself, it +is too likely that rabies is at hand. + +In the early stage of rabies, the attachment of the dog towards his +owner seems to be rapidly increased, and the expression of that feeling. +He is employed, almost without ceasing, licking the hands, or face, or +any part he can get at. Females, and men too, are occasionally apt to +permit the dog, when in health, to indulge this filthy and very +dangerous habit with regard to them. The virus, generated under the +influence of rabies, is occasionally deposited on a wounded or abraded +surface, and in process of time produces a similar disease in the person +that has been so inoculated by it. Therefore it is that the surgeon so +anxiously inquires of the person that has been bitten, and of all those +to whom the dog has had access, "Has he been accustomed to lick you? +have you any sore places about you that can by possibility have been +licked by him?" If there are, the person is in fully as much danger as +if he had been bitten, and it is quite as necessary to destroy the part +with which the virus may have come in contact. A lady once lost her life +by suffering her dog to lick a pimple on her chin. + +There is a beautiful species of dog, often the inhabitant of the +gentleman's stable--the Dalmatian or coach dog. He has, perhaps, less +affection for the human species than any other dog, except the greyhound +and the bull-dog; he has less sagacity than most others, and certainly +less courage. He is attached to the stable; he is the friend of the +horse; they live under the same roof; they share the same bed; and, when +the horse is summoned to his work, the dog accompanies every step. They +are certainly beautiful dogs, and it is pleasing to see the thousand +expressions of friendship between them and the horse; but, in their +continual excursions through the streets, they are exposed to some +danger, and particularly to that of being bitten by rabid dogs. It is a +fearful business when this takes place. The coachman probably did not +see the affray; no suspicion has been excited. The horse rubs his muzzle +to the dog, and the dog licks the face of the horse, and in a great +number of cases the disease is communicated from the one to the other. +The dog in process of time dies, the horse does not long survive, and, +frequently too, the coachman shares their fate. I have known at least +twenty horses destroyed in this way. + +A depraved appetite is a frequent attendant on rabies in the dog. He +refuses his usual food; he frequently turns from it with an evident +expression of disgust; at other times, he seizes it with greater or less +avidity, and then drops it, sometimes from disgust, at other times +because he is unable to complete the mastication of it. This palsy of +the organs of mastication, and dropping of the food, after it has been +partly chewed, is a symptom on which implicit confidence may be placed. + +Some dogs vomit once or twice in the early period of the disease: when +this happens, they never return to the natural food of the dog, but are +eager for everything that is filthy and horrible. The natural appetite +generally fails entirely, and to it succeeds a strangely depraved one. +The dog usually occupies himself with gathering every little bit of +thread, and it is curious to observe with what eagerness and method he +sets to work, and how completely he effects his object. He then attacks +every kind of dirt and filth, horse-dung, his own dung, and human +excrement. Some breeds of spaniels are very filthy feeders without its +being connected with disease, but the rabid dog eagerly selects the +excrement of the horse, and his own. Some considerable care, however, +must be exercised here. At the period of dentition, and likewise at the +commencement of the sexual affection, the stomach of the dog, and +particularly that of the bitch, sympathises with, or shares in, the +irritability of the gums, and of the constitution generally, and there +is a considerably perverted appetite. The dog also feels the same +propensity that influences the child, that of taking hard substances +into the mouth, and seemingly trying to masticate them. Their pressure +on the gums facilitates the passage of the new teeth. A young dog will, +therefore, be observed gathering up hard substances, and, if he should +chance to die, a not inconsiderable collection of them is sometimes +found in the stomach. They are, however, of a peculiar character; they +consist of small pieces of bone, slick, and coal. + +The contents of the stomach of the rabid dog, are often, or generally, +of a most filthy description. Some hair or straw is usually found, but +the greater part is composed of horse-dung, or of his own dung, and it +may be received as a certainly, that if he is found deliberately +devouring it, he is rabid. + +Some very important conclusions may be drawn from the appearance and +character of the urine. The dog, and at particular times when he is more +than usually salacious, may, and does diligently search the urining +places; he may even, at those periods, be seen to lick the spot which +another has just wetted; but, if a peculiar eagerness accompanies this +strange employment, if, in the parlour, which is rarely disgraced by +this evacuation, every corner is perseveringly examined, and licked with +unwearied and unceasing industry, that dog cannot be too carefully +watched, there is great danger about him; he may, without any other +symptom, be pronounced to be decidedly rabid. I never knew a single +mistake about this. + +Much has been said of the profuse discharge of saliva from the mouth of +the rabid dog. It is an undoubted fact that, in this disease, all the +glands concerned in the secretion of saliva, become increased in bulk +and vascularity. The sublingual glands wear an evident character of +inflammation; but it never equals the increased discharge that +accompanies epilepsy, or nausea. The frothy spume at the corners of the +mouth, is not for a moment to be compared with that which is evident +enough in both of these affections. It is a symptom of short duration, +and seldom lasts longer than twelve hours. The stories that are told of +the mad dog covered with froth, are altogether fabulous. The dog +recovering from, or attacked by a fit, may be seen in this state; but +not the rabid dog. Fits are often mistaken for rabies, and hence the +delusion. + +The increased secretion of saliva soon passes away. It lessens in +quantity; it becomes thicker, viscid, adhesive, and glutinous. It clings +to the corners of the mouth, and probably more annoyingly so to the +membrane of the fauces. The human being is sadly distressed by it, he +forces it out with the greatest violence, or utters the falsely supposed +bark of a dog, in his attempts to force it from his mouth. This symptom +occurs in the human being, when the disease is fully established, or at +a late period of it. The dog furiously attempts to detach it with his +paws. + +It is an early symptom in the dog, and it can scarcely be mistaken in +him. When he is fighting with his paws at the corners of his mouth, let +no one suppose that a bone is sticking between the poor fellow's teeth; +nor should any useless and dangerous effort be made to relieve him. If +all this uneasiness arose from a bone in the mouth, the mouth would +continue permanently open instead of closing when the animal for a +moment discontinues his efforts. If after a while he loses his balance +and tumbles over, there can be no longer any mistake. It is the saliva +becoming more and more glutinous, irritating the fauces and threatening +suffocation. + +To this naturally and rapidly succeeds an insatiable thirst. The dog +that still has full power over the muscles of his jaws continues lo lap. +He knows not when to cease, while the poor fellow labouring under the +dumb madness, presently to be described, and whose jaw and tongue are +paralysed, plunges his muzzle into the water-dish to his very eyes, in +order that he may get one drop of water into the back part of his mouth +to moisten and to cool his dry and parched fauces. Hence, instead of +this disease being always characterised by the dread of water in the +dog, it is marked by a thirst often perfectly unquenchable. Twenty years +ago, this assertion would have been peremptorily denied. Even at the +present day we occasionally meet with those who ought to know better, +and who will not believe that the dog which fairly, or perhaps eagerly, +drinks, can be rabid. + +January 22d, 1815.--A Newfoundland dog belonging to a gentleman in +Piccadilly was supposed to have swallowed a penny-piece on the 20th. On +the evening of that day he was dull, refused his food, and would not +follow his master. + +21st. He became restless and pouting, and continually shifting his +position. He would not eat nor would he drink water, but followed his +mistress into her bed-room, which he had never done before, and eagerly +lapped the urine from her chamber-pot. He was afterwards seen lapping +his own urine. His restlessness and panting increased, He would neither +eat nor drink, and made two or three attempts to vomit. + +22d. He was brought to me this evening. His eyes were wild, the +conjunctiva considerably inflamed, and he panted quickly and violently. +There was a considerable flow of saliva from the corners of his mouth. +He was extremely restless and did not remain in one position half a +minute. There was an occasional convulsive nodding motion of the head. +The eyes were wandering, and evidently following some imaginary object; +but he was quickly recalled from his delirium by my voice or that of his +master. In a few moments, however, he was wandering again. He had +previously been under my care, and immediately recognised me and offered +me his paw. His bark was changed and had a slight mixture of the howl, +and there was a husky choking noise in the throat. + +I immediately declared that he was rabid, and with some reluctance on +the part of his master, he was left with me. + +23d, 8 A. M. The breathing was less quick and laborious. The spasm of +the head was no longer visible. The flow of saliva had stopped and there +was less delirium. The jaw began to be dependent: the rattling, choking +noise in his throat louder. He carried straw about in his mouth. He +picked up some pieces of old leather that lay within his reach and +carefully concealed them under his bed. Two minutes afterwards he would +take them out again, and look at them, and once more hide them. He +frequently voided his urine in small quantities, but no longer lapped +it. A little dog was lowered into the den, but he took no notice of it. + +10 P. M. Every symptom of fever returned with increased violence. He +panted very much, and did not remain in the same posture two seconds. He +was continually running to the end of his chain and attempting to bite. +He was eagerly and wildly watching some imaginary object. His voice was +hoarser--more of the howl mixing with it. The lips were distorted, and +the tongue very black. He was evidently getting weaker. After two or +three attempts to escape, he would sit down for a second, and then rise +and plunge to the end of his chain. He drank frequently, yet but little +at a time, and that without difficulty or spasm. + +12 P. M. The thirst strangely increased. He had drunk or spilled full +three quarts of water. There was a peculiar eagerness in his manner. He +plunged his nose to the very bottom of his pan, and then snapped at the +bubbles which he raised. No spasm followed the drinking. He took two or +three pieces from my hand, but immediately dropped them from want of +power to hold them. Yet he was able for a moment suddenly to close his +jaws. When not drinking he was barking with a harsh sound, and +frequently started suddenly, watching, and catching at some imaginary +object. + +24th, A. M. He was more furious, yet weaker. The thirst was insatiable. +He was otherwise diligently employed in shattering and tearing +everything within his reach. He died about three o'clock. + +It is impossible to say what was the origin of this disease in him. It +is not connected with any degree or variation of temperature, or any +particular state of the atmosphere. It is certainly more frequent in the +summer or the beginning of autumn than in the winter or spring, because +it is a highly nervous and febrile disease, and the degree of fever, and +irritability, and ferocity, and consequent mischief are augmented by +increase of temperature. In the great majority of cases, the inoculation +can be distinctly proved. In very few can the possibility be denied. The +injury is inflicted in an instant. There is no contest, and before the +injured party can prepare to retaliate, the rabid dog is far away. + +It can easily be believed that when a favourite dog has, but for a +moment, lagged behind, he may be bitten without the owner's knowledge or +suspicion. A spaniel belonging to a lady became rabid. The dog was her +companion in her grounds at her country residence, and it was rarely out +of her sight except for a few minutes in the morning, when the servant +took it out. She was not conscious of its having been bitten, and the +servant stoutly denied it. The animal died. A few weeks afterwards the +footman was taken ill. He was hydrophobous. In one of his intervals of +comparative quietude he confessed that, one morning, his charge had been +attacked and rolled over by another dog; that there was no appearance of +its having been bitten, but that it had been made sadly dirty, and he +had washed it before he suffered it again to go into the drawing-room. +The dog that attacked it must have been rabid, and some of his saliva +must have remained about the coat of the spaniel, by which the servant +was fatally inoculated. + +Another case of this fearful disease must not be passed over. A dog that +had been docile and attached to his master and mistress, was missing one +morning, and came home in the evening almost covered with dirt. He slunk +to his basket, and would pay no attention to any one. His owners thought +it rather strange, and I was sent for in the morning. He was lying on +the lap of his mistress, but was frequently shifting his posture, and +every now and then he started, as if he heard some strange sound. I +immediately told them what was the matter, and besought them to place +him in another and secure room. He had been licking both their hands. I +was compelled to tell them at once what was the nature of the case, and +besought them to send at once for their surgeon. They were perfectly +angry at my nonsense, as they called it, and I took my leave, but went +immediately to their medical man, and told him what was the real state +of the case. He called, as it were accidentally, a little while +afterwards, and I was not far behind him. The surgeon did his duty, and +they escaped. + +In May, 1820, I attended on a bitch at Pimlico. She had snapped at the +owner, bitten the man-servant and several dogs, was eagerly watching +imaginary objects, and had the peculiar rabid howl. I offered her water. +She started back with a strange expression of horror, and fell into +violent convulsions that lasted about a minute. This was repeated a +little while afterwards, and with the same result. She was destroyed. + +The horrible spasms of the human being at the sight of, or the attempt +to swallow, fluids occur sufficiently often to prove the identity of the +disease in the biped and the quadruped; but not in one in fifty cases is +there, in the dog, the slightest reluctance to liquids, or difficulty in +swallowing them. + +In almost every case in which the dog utters any sound during the +disease, there is a manifest change of voice. In the dog labouring under +ferocious madness, it is perfectly characteristic. There is no other +sound that it resembles. The animal is generally standing, or +occasionally sitting, when the singular sound is heard. The muzzle is +always elevated. The commencement is that of a perfect bark, ending +abruptly and very singularly, in a howl, a fifth, sixth, or eighth +higher than at the commencement. Dogs are often enough heard howling, +but in this case it is the perfect bark, and the perfect howl rapidly +succeeding to the bark. + +Every sound uttered by the rabid dog is more or less changed. The +huntsman, who knows the voice of every dog in his pack, occasionally +hears a strange challenge. He immediately finds out that dog, and puts +him, as quickly as possible, under confinement. Two or three days may +pass over, and there is not another suspicious circumstance about the +animal; still he keeps him under quarantine, for long experience has +taught him to listen to that warning. At length the disease is manifest +in its most fearful form. + +There is another partial change of voice, to which the ear of the +practitioner will, by degrees, become habituated, and which will +indicate a change in the state of the animal quite as dangerous as the +dismal howl; I mean when there is a hoarse inward bark, with a slight +but characteristic elevation of the tone. In other cases, after two or +three distinct barks, will come the peculiar one mingled with the howl. +Both of them will terminate fatally, and in both of them the rabid howl +cannot possibly be mistaken. + +There is a singular brightness in the eye of the rabid dog, but it does +not last more than two or three days. It then becomes dull and wasted; a +cloudiness steals over the conjunctiva, which changes to a yellow tinge, +and then to a dark green, indicative of ulceration deeply seated within +the eye. In eight and forty hours from the first clouding of the eye, it +becomes one disorganised mass. + +There is in the rabid dog a strange embarrassment of general +sensibility--a seemingly total loss of feeling. + +Absence of pain in the bitten part is an almost invariable accompaniment +of rabies. I have known a dog set to work, and gnaw and tear the flesh +completely away from his legs and feet. At other times the penis is +perfectly demolished from the very base. Ellis in his "Shepherd's Sure +Guide," asserts, that, however severely a mad dog is beaten, a cry is +never forced from him. I am certain of the truth of this, for I have +again and again failed in extracting that cry. Ellis tells that at the +kennel at Goddesden, some of the grooms heated a poker red hot, and +holding it near the mad hound's mouth, he most greedily seized it, and +kept it until the mouth was most dreadfully burned. + +In the great majority of cases of furious madness, and in almost every +case of dumb madness, there is evident affection of the lumbar portion +of the spinal cord. There is a staggering gait, not indicative of +general weakness, but referable to the hind quarters alone, and +indicating an affection of the lumbar motor nerve. In a few cases it +approaches more to a general paralytic affection. + +In the very earliest period of rabies, the person accustomed to dogs +will detect the existence of the disease. + +The animal follows the flight, as has been already stated, of various +imaginary objects. I have often watched the changing countenance of the +rabid dog when he has been lost to every surrounding object. I have seen +the brightening countenance and the wagging tail as some pleasing vision +has passed before him; but, oftener has the countenance indicated the +mingled dislike and fear with which the intruder was regarded. As soon +as the phantom came within the proper distance he darted on it with true +rabid violence. + +A spaniel, seemingly at play, snapped, in the morning, at the feet of +several persons. In the evening he bit his master, his master's friend, +and another dog. The old habits of obedience and affection then +returned. His master, most strangely, did not suspect the truth, and +brought the animal to me to be examined. The animal was, as I had often +seen him, perfectly docile and eager to be caressed. At my suggestion, +or rather entreaty, he was left with me. On the following morning the +disease was plain enough, and on the following day he died. A +post-mortem examination took place, and proved that he was unequivocally +rabid. + +A lady would nurse her dog, after I had declared it to be rabid, and +when he was dangerous to every one but herself, and even to her from the +saliva which he plentifully scattered about. At length he darted at +every one that entered the room, until a footman keeping the animal at +bay with the poker, the husband of the lady dragged her from the room. +The noise that the dog made was then terrific, and he almost gnawed his +way through the door. At midnight his violence nearly ceased, and the +door was partially opened. He was staggering and falling about, with +every limb violently agitated. At the entreaty of the lady, a servant +ventured in to make a kind of bed for him. The dog suddenly darted at +him, and dropped and died. + +A terrier, ten years old, had been ill, and refused all food for three +days. On the fourth day he bit a cat of which he had been unusually +fond, and he likewise bit three dogs. I was requested to see him. I +found him loose in the kitchen, and at first refused to go in, but, +after observing him for a minute or two, I thought that I might venture. +He had a peculiarly wild and eager look, and turned sharply round at the +least noise. He often watched the flight of some imaginary object, and +pursued with the utmost fury every fly that he saw. He searchingly +sniffed about the room, and examined my legs with an eagerness that made +me absolutely tremble. His quarrel with the cat had been made up, and +when he was not otherwise employed he was eagerly licking her and her +kittens. In the excess or derangement of his fondness, he fairly rolled +them from one end of the kitchen to another. With difficulty I induced +his master to permit me to destroy him. + +It is not every dog, that in the most aggravated state of the disease +shows a disposition to bite. The finest Newfoundland dog that I ever saw +became rabid. He had been bitten by a cur, and was supposed to have been +thoroughly examined in the country. No wound, however, was found: the +circumstance was almost forgotten, and he came up to the metropolis with +his master. He became dull, disinclined to play, and refused all food. +He was continually watching imaginary objects, but he did not snap at +them. There was no howl, nor any disposition to bite. He offered himself +to be caressed, and he was not satisfied except he was shaken by the +paw. On the second day I saw him. He watched every passing object with +peculiar anxiety, and followed with deep attention the motions of a +horse, his old acquaintance; but he made no effort to escape, nor +evinced any disposition to do mischief. I went to him, and patted and +coaxed him, and he told me as plainly as looks and actions, and a +somewhat deepened whine could express it, how much he was gratified. I +saw him on the third day. He was evidently dying. He could not crawl +even to the door of his temporary kennel; but he pushed forward his paw +a little way, and, as I shook it, I felt the tetanic muscular action +which accompanies the departure of life. + +On the other hand there are rabid dogs whose ferocity knows no bounds. +If they are threatened with a stick, they fly at, and seize it, and +furiously shake it. They are incessantly employed in darting to the end +of their chain, and attempting to crush it with their teeth, and tearing +to pieces their kennel, or the wood work that is within their reach. +They are regardless of pain. The canine teeth, the incisor teeth are +torn away; yet, unwearied and insensible to suffering, they continue +their efforts to escape. A dog was chained near a kitchen fire. He was +incessant in his endeavours to escape, and, when he found that he could +not effect it, he seized, in his impotent rage, the burning coals as +they fell, and crushed them with his teeth. + +If by chance a dog in this state effects his escape, he wanders over the +country bent on destruction. He attacks both the quadruped and the +biped. He seeks the village street, or the more crowded one of the town, +and he suffers no dog to escape him. The horse is his frequent prey, and +the human being is not always safe from his attack. A rabid dog running +down Park-lane, in 1825, bit no fewer than five horses, and fully as +many dogs. He was seen to steal treacherously upon some of his victims, +and inflict the fatal wound. Sometimes he seeks the more distant +pasturage. He gets among the sheep, and more than forty have been +fatally inoculated in one night. A rabid dog attacked a herd of cows, +and five-and-twenty of them fell victims. In July, 1813, a mad dog broke +into the menagerie of the Duchess of York, at Oatlands, and although the +palisades that divided the different compartments of the menagerie were +full six feet in height, and difficult, or apparently almost impossible +to climb, he was found asleep in one of them, and it was clearly +ascertained that he had bitten at least ten of the dogs. + +At length the rabid dog becomes completely exhausted, and slowly reels +along the road with his tail depressed, seemingly half unconscious of +surrounding objects. His open mouth, and protruding and blackened +tongue, and rolling gait sufficiently characterise him. He creeps into +some sheltered place and then he sleeps twelve hours or more. It is +dangerous to disturb his slumbers, for his desire to do mischief +immediately returns, and the slightest touch, or attempt to caress him, +is repaid by a fatal wound. This should be a caution never to meddle +with a sleeping dog in a way-side house, and, indeed, never to disturb +him anywhere. + +In an early period of the disease in some dogs, and in others when the +strength of the animal is nearly worn away, a peculiar paralysis of the +muscles of the tongue and jaws is seen. The mouth is partially open, and +the tongue protruding. In some cases the dog is able to close his mouth +by a sudden and violent effort, and is as ferocious and as dangerous as +one the muscles of whose face are unaffected. At other times the palsy +is complete, and the animal is unable to close his mouth or retract his +tongue. These latter cases, however, are rare. + +A dog must not be immediately condemned because he has this open mouth +and fixed jaw. Bones constitute a frequent and a considerable portion of +the food of dogs. In the eagerness with which these bones are crushed, +spicula or large pieces of them become wedged between the molar teeth, +and form an inseparable obstacle to the closing of the teeth. The tongue +partially protrudes. There is a constant discharge of saliva from the +mouth, far greater than when the true paralysis exists. The dog is +continually fighting at the corners of his mouth, and the countenance is +expressive of intense anxiety, although not of the same irritable +character as in rabies. + +I was once requested to meet a medical gentleman in consultation +respecting a supposed case of rabies. There was protrusion and +discoloration of the tongue, and fighting at the corners of the mouth, +and intense anxiety of countenance. He had been in this state for +four-and-twenty hours. This was a case in which I should possibly have +been deceived had it been the first dog that I had seen with dumb +madness. After having tested a little the ferocity or manageableness of +the animal, I passed my hand along the outside of the jaws, and felt a +bone wedged between two of the grinders. The forceps soon set all right +with him. + +It is time to inquire more strictly into the post-mortem appearances of +rabies in the dog. + +In dumb madness the unfailing accompaniment is, to a greater or less +degree, paralysis of the muscles of the lower jaw, and the tongue is +discoloured and swollen, and hanging from the mouth; more blood than +usual also is deposited in the anterior and inferior portion of it. Its +colour varies from a dark red to a dingy purple, or almost black. In +ferocious madness it is usually torn and bruised, or it is discoloured +by the dirt and filth with which it has been brought into contact, and, +not unfrequently, its anterior portion is coated with some disgusting +matter. The papillae, or small projections on the back of the tongue, +are elongated and widened, and their mucous covering evidently reddened. +The orifices of the glands of the tongue are frequently enlarged, +particularly as they run their course along the froenum of the tongue. + +The fauces, situated at the posterior part of the mouth, generally +exhibit traces of inflammation. They appear in the majority of cases of +ferocious madness, and they are never deficient after dumb madness. They +are usually most intense either towards the palatine arch or the larynx. +Sometimes an inflammatory character is diffused through its whole +extent, but occasionally it is more or less intense towards one or both +of the terminations of the fauces, while the intermediate portion +retains nearly its healthy hue. + +There is one circumstance of not unfrequent occurrence, which will at +once decide the case--the presence of indigestible matter, probably +small in quantity, in the back part of the mouth. This speaks volumes as +to the depraved appetite of the patient, and the loss of power in the +muscles of the pharynx. + +Little will depend on the tonsils of the throat. They occasionally +enlarge to more than double their usual size; but this is more in quiet +than in ferocious madness. The insatiable thirst of the rabid dog is +perhaps connected with this condition of them. + +The epiglottis should be very carefully observed. It is more or less +injected in every case of rabies. Numerous vessels increase in size and +multiply round its edge, and there is considerable injection and +thickening. + +Inflammation of the edges of the glottis, and particularly of the +membrane which covers its margin, is often seen, and accounts for the +harsh guttural breathing which frequently accompanies dumb madness. The +inflammatory blush of the larynx, though often existing in a very slight +degree, deserves considerable attention. + +The appearances in the trachea are very uncertain. There is occasionally +the greatest intensity of inflammation through the whole of it; at other +times there is not the slightest appearance of it. There is the same +uncertainty with regard to the bronchial tubes and the lungs; but there +is no characteristic symptom or lesion in the lungs. + +Great stress has been laid on the appearance of the heart; but, +generally speaking, in nine cases out of ten, the heart of the rabid dog +will exhibit no other symptoms of disease than an increased yet variable +deepness of colour in the lining membrane of the ventricles. No +dependence can be placed on any of the appearances of the oesophagus; +and, when they are at the worst, the inflammation occupies only a +portion of that tube. + +With regard to the interior of the stomach, if the dog has been dead +only a few hours the true inflammatory blush will remain. If +four-and-twenty hours have elapsed, the bright red colour will have +changed to a darker red, or a violet or a brownish hue. In a few hours +after this, a process of corrosion will generally commence, and the +mucous membrane will be softened and rendered thinner, and, to a certain +extent, eaten through. The examiner, however, must not attribute that to +disease which is the natural process of the cession of life. + +Much attention should be paid to the appearance of the stomach and its +contents. If it contains a strange mingled mass of hair, and hay, and +straw, and horse-dung, and earth, or portions of the bed on which the +dog had lain, we should seldom err if we affirmed that he died rabid; +for it is only under the influence of the depraved appetite of rabies +that such substances are devoured. It is not the presence of every kind +of extraneous substance that will be satisfactory: pieces of coal, or +wood, or even the filthiest matter, will not justify us in pronouncing +the animal to be rabid; it is that peculiarly mingled mass of straw, and +hair, and filth of various kinds, that must indicate the existence of +rabies. + +When there are no solid indigesta, but a fluid composed principally of +vitiated bile or extravasated blood, there will be a strong indication +of the presence of rabies. When, also, there are in the duodenum and +jejunum small portions of indigesta, the detection of the least quantity +will be decisive. The remainder has been ejected by vomit; and inquiry +should be made of the nature of the matter that has been discharged. + +The inflammation of rabies is of a peculiar character in the stomach. It +is generally confined to the summits of the folds of the stomach, or it +is most intense there. On the summits of the rugae there are effusions +of bloody matter, or spots of ecchymosis, presenting an appearance +almost like crushed black currants. There may be only a few of them; but +they are indications of the evil that has been effected. + +From appearances that present themselves in the intestines, the bladder, +the blood-vessels, or the brain, no conclusion can be drawn; they are +simply indications of inflammation. + +We now rapidly, and for a little while, retrace our steps. What is the +cause of this fatal disease, that has so long occupied our attention? It +is the saliva of a rabid animal received into a wound, or on an abraded +surface. In horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and the human being, it is +caused by inoculation alone; but, according to some persons, it is +produced spontaneously in other animals. + +I will suppose that a wound by a rabid dog is inflicted. The virus is +deposited on or near its surface, and there it remains for a certain +indefinite period of time. The wound generally heals up kindly; in fact, +it differs in no respect from a similar wound inflicted by the teeth of +an animal in perfect health. Weeks and months, in some cases, pass on, +and there is nothing to indicate danger, until a degree of itching in +the cicatrix of the wound is felt. From its long-continued presence as a +foreign body, it may have rendered the tissue, or nervous fibre +connected with it, irritable and susceptible of impression, or it may +have attracted and assimilated to itself certain elements, and rabies is +produced. + +The virus does not appear to have the same effect on every animal. Of +four dogs bitten by, or inoculated from, one that is rabid, three, +perhaps, would display every symptom of the disease. Of four human +beings, not more than one would become rabid. John Hunter used to say +not more than one in twenty; but that is probably erroneous. Cattle +appear to have a greater chance of escape, and sheep a still greater +chance. + +The time of incubation is different in different animals. With regard to +the human being, there are various strange and contradictory stories. +Some have asserted that it has appeared on the very day on which the +bite was inflicted, or within two or three days of that time. Dr. +Bardsley, on the other hand, relates a case in which twelve years +elapsed between the bite and the disease. If the virus may lurk so long +as this in the constitution, it is a most lamentable affair. According +to one account, more than thirty years intervened. The usual time +extends from three weeks to six or seven months. + +In the dog I have never seen a case in which plain and palpable rabies +occurred in less than fourteen days after the bite. The average time I +should calculate at five or six weeks. In three months I should consider +the animal as tolerably safe. I am, however, relating my own experience, +and have known but two instances in which the period much exceeded three +months. In one of these five months elapsed, and the other did not +become affected until after the expiration of the seventh month. + +The quality and the quantity of the virus may have something to do with +this, and so may the predisposition in the bitten animal to be affected +by the poison. If it is connected with oestrum, the bitch will probably +become a disgusting, as well as dangerous animal; if with parturition, +there is a strange perversion of maternal affection--she is incessantly +and violently licking her young, continually shifting them from place to +place; and, in less than four-and-twenty hours, they will be destroyed +by the reckless manner in which they are treated. In both cases the +development of the disease seems to wait on the completion of her time +of pregnancy. It appears in the space of two months after the bite, if +her parturition is near at hand, or it is delayed for double that time, +if the period of labour is so far distant. + +The duration of the disease is different in different animals. In man it +has run its course in twenty-four hours, and rarely exceeds seventy-two. +In the horse from three to four days; in the sheep and ox from five to +seven; and in the dog from four to six. + +Of the real nature of the rabid virus, we know but little. It has never +been analysed, and it would be a difficult process to analyse it. It is +not diffused by the air, nor communicated by the breath, nor even by +actual contact, if the skin is sound. It must be received into a wound. +It must come in contact with some tissue or nervous fibre, and lie +dormant there for a considerable, but uncertain period. The absorbents +remove everything around; whatever else is useless, or would he +injurious, is taken away, but this strange substance is unchanged. It +does not enter into the circulation, for there it would undergo some +modification and change, or would be rejected. It lies for a time +absolutely dormant, and far longer than any other known poison; but, at +length, the tissue on which it has lain begins to render it somewhat +sensible, and assimilates to itself certain elements. The cicatrix +begins to be painful, and inflammation spreads around. The absorbents +are called into more powerful action; they begin to attack the virus +itself, and a portion of it is taken up, and carried into the +circulation, and acquires the property of assimilating other secretions +to its own nature, or it is determined to one of the secretions only; it +alters the character of that secretion, envenoms it, and gives it the +power of propagating the disease. + +Something like this is the history of many animal poisons. In variola +and the vaccine disease the poison is determined to the skin, in +glanders to the Schneiderian membrane, and in farcy to the superficial +absorbents. Each in its turn becomes the depot of the poison. So it is +with the salivary glands of the rabid animal; in them it is formed, or +to them it is determined, and from them, and them alone, it is +communicated to other animals. + +Professor Dick, in his valuable Manual of Veterinary Science, states +some peculiar views, and those highly interesting, respecting the +disease of rabies. He holds it to be essentially an inflammatory +affection, attacking peculiarly the mucous membrane of the nose, and +extending thence through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bones to +the interior part of the brain, and so giving rise to a derangement of +the nervous system as a necessary consequence. This train of symptoms +constitutes mainly, if not wholly, the essence of an occasional epidemic +not unlike some forms of influenza or epizootic disease, and the bite of +a rabid animal is not always, to an animal so bitten, the exciting cause +of the disease, but merely an accidental concomitant in the prevailing +disorder. Also the disease hydrophobia, produced in man, is not always +the result of any poison introduced into his system, but merely the +melancholy, and often fatal result of panic fear, and of the disordered +slate of the imagination. Those who are acquainted with the effects of +sympathy, and imitation, and panic, in the production of nervous +disorders, will readily apprehend the meaning of the Professor. + +Some of these diseases speedily run their course and exhaust themselves. +Cowpox and farcy, in many instances, have this character. Perhaps, to a +certain degree, this may be affirmed of all of them. I have seen cases, +which I could not mistake, in which the symptoms of rabies were one +after another developed. The dog was plainly and undeniably rabid, and I +had given him up as lost; but, after a certain period, the symptoms +began to be less distinct; they gradually disappeared, and the animal +returned to perfect health. This may have formed one ground of belief in +the power of certain medicines, and most assuredly it gives +encouragement to perseverance in the use of remedial measures. + +It has then been proved, and I hope demonstratively, that rabies is +propagated by inoculation. It has also been established that although +every animal labouring under this disease is capable of communicating +it, yet, with very few exceptions, it can be traced to the bite of the +dog. It has still further been shown that the malady, generally appears +at some period between the third and seventh month from the time of +inoculation. At the expiration of the eighth month, the animal may be +considered to be safe; for there is only one acknowledged case on +record, in which the disease appeared in the dog after the seventh month +from the bite had passed. + +Then it would appear that if a species of quarantine could be +established, and every dog confined separately for eight months, the +disease would be annihilated in our country, or could only reappear in +consequence of the importation of some infected animal. Such a course of +proceeding, however, could never be enforced either in the sporting +world or among the peasantry. Other measures, however, might be resorted +to in order to lessen the devastations of this malady; and that which +first presents itself to the mind as a powerful cause of rabies is the +number of useless and dangerous dogs that are kept in the country for +the most nefarious and, in the neighbourhood of considerable towns, the +most brutal purposes; without the slightest hesitation, I will affirm +that rabies is propagated, nineteen times out of twenty, by the cur and +the lurcher in the country, and the fighting-dog in towns. + +A tax should be laid on every useless dog, and doubly or trebly heavier +than on the sporting-dog. No dog except the shepherd's should be exempt +from this tax, unless, perhaps, it is the truck-dog, and his owner +should be compelled to take out a license; to have his name in large +letters on his cart; and he should be heavily fined if the animal is +found loose in the streets, or if he is used for fighting. + +The disease is rarely propagated by petted and house-dogs They are +little exposed to the danger of inoculation; yet, we pity, or almost +detest, the folly of those by whom their favourites are indulged, and +spoiled even more than their children. + +We will now suppose that a person has had the misfortune to be bitten by +a rabid dog: what course is he to pursue? What preventive means are to +be adopted? Some persons, and of no mean standing in the medical world, +have recommended a ligature. The reply would be, that this ligature must +be worn during a very inconvenient and dangerous period of time. The +virus lies in the wound inert during many successive weeks and months. + +Dr. Haygarth first suggested that a long-continued stream of warm water +should be poured upon the wound from the mouth of a kettle. He says that +the poison exists in a fluid form, and therefore we should suppose that +water would be its natural solvent. Dr. Massey adds to this, that if the +wound is small, it should be dilated, in order that the stream may +descend on the part on which the poison is deposited. We are far, +however, from being certain that this falling of water on the part, may +not by possibility force a portion of the virus farther into the +texture, or cause it to be entangled with other parts of the wound. [2] + +There is a similar or stronger objection to the cupping-glass of Dr. +Barry. The virus, forced from the texture with which it lies in contact +by the rush of blood from the substance beneath, is too likely to +inoculate, or become entangled with, other parts of the wound. + +There is great objection to suction of the wound; for, in addition to +this possible entanglement, the lips, or the mouth, may have been +abraded, and thus the danger considerably aggravated. There also remains +the undecided question as to the absorption of the virus through the +medium of a mucous surface. + +Excision of the part is the mode of prevention usually adopted by the +human surgeon, and to a certain extent it is a judicious practice. If +the virus is not received into the circulation, but lies dormant in the +wound for a considerable time, the disease cannot supervene if the +inoculated part is destroyed. + +This operation, however, demands greater skill and tact than is +generally supposed. It requires a determination fully to accomplish the +desired object; for every portion of the wound with which the tooth +could possibly have come into contact, must be removed. This is often +exceedingly difficult to accomplish, on account of the situation and +direction of the wound. The knife must not enter the wound, or it will +be likely to be itself empoisoned, and then the mischief and the danger +will be increased instead of removed. Dr. Massey was convinced of the +impropriety of this when he advised that, + + "should the knife by chance enter the wound that had been made by the + dog's tooth, the operation should be recommenced with a clean knife, + otherwise the sound parts will become inoculated." + +If the incision is made freely and properly round the wound, and does +not penetrate into it, yet the blood will follow the knife, and a +portion of it will enter into the wound caused by the dog, and will come +in contact with the virus, and will probably be contaminated, and will +then overflow the original wound, and will be received into the new +incision, and will carry with it the seeds of disease and death: +therefore it is, that scarcely a year passes without some lamentable +instances of the failure of incisions. It has occurred in the practice +of the most eminent surgeons, and seems scarcely or not all to impeach +the skill of the operator. + +Aware of this, there are very few human practitioners who do not use the +caustic after the knife. Every portion of the new wound is submitted to +its influence. They do not consider the patient to be safe without this +second operation. But has the question never occurred to them, that if +the caustic is necessary to give security to the operation by incision, +the knife might have been spared, and the caustic alone used? + +The veterinary surgeon, when operating on the horse, or cattle, or the +dog, frequently has recourse to the actual cautery. I could, perhaps, +excuse this practice, although I would not adopt it, in superficial +wounds; but I do not know the instrument that could be safely used in +deeper ones. If it were sufficiently small to adapt itself to the +tortuous course of little wounds, it would be cooled and inert before it +could have destroyed the lower portions of them. If it were of +sufficient substance long to retain the heat, it would make a large and +fearful chasm, and probably interfere with the future usefulness of the +animal. The result of the cases in which the cautery has been used +proves that in too many instances it is an inefficient protection. The +rabid dog in Park Lane has already been mentioned. He bit several horses +before he could be destroyed. Caustic was applied to one of them, and +the hot iron to the others. The first was saved, almost all the others +were lost. A similar case occurred last spring; the caustic was an +efficacious preventive; the cautery was perfectly useless. What caustic +then should be applied? Certainly not that to which the surgeon usually +has recourse--a liquid one. Certainly not one that speedily deliquesces; +for they are both unmanageable, and, what is a more important +consideration, they may hold in solution, and not decompose the poison, +and thus inoculate the whole of the wound. The application which +promises to be successful, is that of the 'lunar caustic'. It is +perfectly manageable, and, being sharpened to a point, may be applied +with certainty to every recess and sinuosity of the wound. + +Potash and nitric acid form a caustic which will destroy the substances +with which they come in contact, but the combination of this caustic and +the animal fibre will be a soft or semi-fluid mass. In this the virus is +suspended, and with this it lies or may be precipitated upon the living +fibre beneath. Then there is danger of re-inoculation; and it would seem +that this fatal process is often accomplished. The eschar formed by the +lunar caustic is dry, hard, and insoluble. If the whole of the wound has +been fairly exposed to its action, an insoluble compound of animal fibre +and the metallic salt is produced, in which the virus is wrapped up, and +from which it cannot be separated. In a short time the dead matter +sloughs away, and the virus is thrown off with it. + +Previous to applying the caustic it will sometimes be necessary to +enlarge the wound, in order that every part may be fairly got at; and +the eschar having sloughed off, it will always be prudent to apply the +caustic a second time, but more slightly, in order to destroy any part +that may not have received the full influence of the first operation, or +that, by possibility, might have been inoculated during the operation. + +Mr. Smerdon, in the Medical and Physical Journal, March 1820, thus +reasons: + + "All the morbid poisons that require to lie dormant a certain time + before their effects are manifested, pass into the system through the + medium of the absorbents," (we somewhat differ from Mr. Smerdon here, + but his reasoning is equally applicable to the nervous system,) "and + if the absorbents are excited, their action is increased. I am + satisfied that even in a venereal sore the application of a caustic, + instead of destroying the disease, causes its rapid extension. Then," + asks he, "if the virus on a small venereal sore is rendered more + active by the caustic, is it not highly probable that the same law + holds good with respect to the poison of rabies?" + +The sooner the caustic is applied the better; but I should not hesitate +to have recourse to it even after the constitution has become affected. +It is related in the Medico-Chirurgical Annals of Altenburg (Sept. +1821), that two men were bitten by a rabid dog. One became hydrophobous +and died; the other had evident symptoms of hydrophobia a few days +afterwards. A surgeon excised the bitten part, and the disease +disappeared. After a period of six days the symptoms returned. The wound +was examined; considerable fungus was found sprouting from its bottom. +This was extirpated. The hydrophobia symptoms were again removed, and +the man did well. This is a most instructive case. + +In the Journal Pratique de Médecine Vétérinaire, M. Damalix gives an +interesting account of the effect of a bite of a rabid dog on a horse. +On the 8th of July, 1828, a fowl-merchant, proceeding to the market of +Colmar, was attacked by a dog, who, after some fruitless efforts to get +into the cart, bit the horse on the left side of the face, and fled +precipitately. A veterinary surgeon was sent for, who applied the +cautery to the horse, gave him some populeum ointment, and bled him. +Everything appeared to go on well, and on the 16th the wounds were +healed. + +On the 25th a great alteration took place. The horse was careless and +slow; he sometimes refused to go at all, and would not attend in the +least to the whip, which had never occurred before. In the evening the +wounds opened spontaneously, an ichorous and infectious pus run from +them; there was salivation and utter loss of appetite: strange fancies +seemed to possess him; he showed a desire to bite his master. The +veterinary surgeon might approach him with safety; but the moment his +owner or the children appeared, he darted at them, and would have torn +them in pieces. The disease now took on the appearance of acute +glanders; livid and fungous wounds broke out; the stable was saturated +with an infectious smell, the horse refused his food, or was unable to +eat. The mayor at last interfered, and the animal was destroyed. In the +Treatises on The Horse, Cattle, and Sheep, in former volumes, accounts +are fully given of this dreadful malady in these animals. It may not be +uninteresting to give a hasty sketch of it in some of the inferior +classes. + +'Rabies in the Rabbit.'--I very much regret that I never instituted a +course of experiments on the production and treatment of rabies in this +animal. It would have been attended with little expense or danger, and +some important discoveries might have been made. Mr. Earle, in a case in +which he was much interested, inoculated two rabbits with the saliva of +a dog that had died rabid. They were punctured at the root of the ears. +One of the rabbits speedily became inflamed about the ears, and the ears +were paralysed in both rabbits. The head swelled very much, and +extensive inflammation took place around the part where the virus was +inserted. One of them died without exhibiting any of the usual symptoms +of the disease; the other, after a long convalescence, survived, and +eventually recovered the use of his ears. Mr. Earle very properly +doubted whether this was a case of rabies. + +Dr. Capello describes, but in not so satisfactory a manner as could be +wished, a case of supposed rabies in one of these animals. A rabbit and +a dog lived together in a family. They were strange associates; but such +friendships are not unfrequent among animals. The dog became rabid, and +died. A man bitten by that dog became hydrophobous, and died. No one +dreamed of the rabbit being in danger, and he ran about the house as +usual; but, one day, he found his way to the chamber of the mistress of +the house, with a great deal of viscid saliva running from his mouth, +furiously attacked her, and left the marks of his violence on her leg. +He then ran into a neighbouring stable, and bit the hind-legs of a horse +several times. Finally, he retreated to a corner of the stable, and was +there found dead. Neither the lady nor the horse eventually suffered. + +'Rabies in the Guinea-pig'.--A man suspected of being hydrophobous was +taken to the Middlesex Hospital. He was examined before several of the +medical students; one of whom, in order to make more sure of the affair, +inoculated a guinea-pig with the saliva taken from the man's mouth. The +guinea-pig had been usually very playful, and fond of being noticed; +but, on the eleventh day after this inoculation, he began to be dull and +sullen, retiring into his house, and hiding himself as much as he could +in a corner. On the following day he became out of temper, and even +ferocious in his way; he bit at everything that was presented to him, +gnawed his cage, and made the most determined efforts to escape. Once or +twice his violence induced convulsions of his whole frame; and they +might be produced at pleasure by dashing a little water at him. In the +course of the night following he died. + +'Rabies in the Cat'.--Fortunately for us, this does not often occur; for +a mad cat is a truly ferocious animal. I have seen two cases, one of +them to my cost; yet, I am unable to give any satisfactory account of +the progress of the disease. The first stage seems to be one of +sullenness, and which would probably last to death; but from that +sullenness it is dangerous to rouse the animal. It probably would not, +except in the paroxysm of rage, attack any one; but during that paroxysm +it knows no fear, nor has its ferocity any bounds. + +A cat, that had been the inhabitant of a nursery, and the playmate of +the children, had all at once become sullen and ill-tempered. It had +taken refuge in an upper room, and could not be coaxed from the corner +in which it had crouched. It was nearly dark when I went. I saw the +horrible glare of her eyes, but I could not see so much of her as I +wished, and I said that I would call again in the morning. + +I found the patient, on the following day, precisely in the same +situation and the same attitude, crouched up in a corner, and ready to +spring. I was very much interested in the case; and as I wanted to study +the countenance of this demon, for she looked like one, I was foolishly, +inexcusably imprudent. I went on my hands and knees, and brought my face +nearly on a level with hers, and gazed on those glaring eyes, and that +horrible countenance, until I seemed to feel the deathly influence of a +spell stealing over me. I was not afraid, but every mental and bodily +power was in a manner suspended. My countenance, perhaps, alarmed her, +for she sprang on me, fastened herself on my face, and bit through both +my lips. She then darted down stairs, and, I believe, was never seen +again. I always have nitrate of silver in my pocket, even now I am never +without it; I washed myself, and applied the caustic with some severity +to the wound; and my medical adviser and valued friend, Mr. Millington, +punished me still more after I got home. My object was attained, +although at somewhat too much cost, for the expression of that brute's +countenance will never be forgotten. + +The later symptoms of rabies in this animal, no one, perhaps, has had +the opportunity of observing: we witness only the sullenness and the +ferocity. + +'Rabies in the Fowl'.--Dr. Ashburner and Mr. King inoculated a hen with +the saliva from a rabid cow. They made two incisions through the +integument, under the wings, and then well rubbed into these cuts the +foam taken from the cow's mouth. She was after this let loose among +other fowls in the poultry-yard. The incisions soon healed, and their +places could with difficulty be discovered. Ten weeks passed over, when +she was observed to refuse her food, and to run at the other fowls. She +had a strange wild appearance, and her eyes were blood-shot. Early on +the following morning her legs became contracted, so that she very soon +lost the power of standing upright. She remained sitting a long time, +with the legs rigid, refusing food and water, and appearing very +irritable when touched. She died in the evening, immediately after +drinking a large quantity of water which had been offered to her. + +'Rabies in the Badger'.--Hufeland, in his valuable Journal of Practical +Medicine, relates a case of a rabid female badger attacking two boys. +She bit them both, but she fastened on the thigh of one of them, and was +destroyed in the act of sucking his blood. The poor fellow died +hydrophobous, but the other escaped. This fact, certainly, gives us no +idea of the general character of the disease in this animal; but it +speaks volumes as to its ferocity. + +'Rabies in the Wolf'.--Rabies is ushered in by nearly the same symptoms, +and pursues the same course in the wolf us in the dog, with this +difference, which would be readily expected, that his ferocity and the +mischief which he accomplishes are much greater. The dog hunts out his +own species, and his fury is principally directed against them; +although, if he meets with a flock of sheep, or a herd of cattle, he +readily attacks them, and, perhaps, bites the greater part of them. The +dog, however, frequently turns out of his way to avoid the human being, +and seldom attacks him without provocation. The wolf, on the contrary, +although he commits fearful ravages among the sheep and cattle, searches +out the human being as his favorite prey. He conceals himself near the +entrance to the village, and steals upon and wounds every passenger that +he can get at. There are several accounts of more than twenty persons +having been bitten by one wolf; and there is a fearful history of +sixteen persons perishing from the bite of one of these animals. This is +in perfect agreement with the account which I have given of the +connexion between the previous temper and habits of the rabid dog, and +the mischief that he effects under the influence of this malady. The +wolf, as he wanders in the forest, regards the human being as his +persecutor and foe; and, in the paroxysm of rabid fury, he is most eager +to avenge himself on his natural enemy. Strange stories are told of the +arts to which he has recourse in order to accomplish his purpose. In the +great majority of cases he steals unawares upon his victim, and the +mischief is effected before the wood-cutter or the villager is conscious +of his danger. + +The following observations and experiments respecting rabies, by Dr. +Hertwich, Professor at the Veterinary School at Berlin, are well worthy +of attention. + +1. Out of fifty dogs that had been inoculated with virus taken from a +rabid animal of the same species, fourteen only were infected. + +2. In the cases where inoculation had been practised without effect, no +reason could be assigned why the disease should not have taken place. +This consequently proves that the malady is similar to others of a +contagious nature, and that there must exist a predisposition in the +individual to receive the disease before it can occur. In one +experiment, a mastiff dog, aged four years, was inoculated without +exhibiting any symptoms of the malady, while seven others, who had been +inoculated at the same time and place, soon became rabid. Several of +these animals had been inoculated several times before any symptoms +showed themselves, while in others, on the contrary, once was +sufficient. + +3. It appears that in a state of doubtful rabies, one or two accidental +or artificial inoculations are not sufficient to create a negative proof +of its existence. + +4. This disease has never ben communicated to an individual from one +infected by means of the perspirable matter; this, therefore, is a proof +that the contagious part of the disease is not of a volatile nature. + +5. It does not only exist in the saliva and the mucus of the mouth, but +likewise in the blood and the parenchyma of the salivary glands; but not +in the pulpy substance of the nerves. + +6. The power of communicating infection is found to exist in all stages +of the confirmed disease, even twenty-four hours after the decease of +the rabid animal. + +7. The morbid virus, when administered internally, appears to be +incapable of communicating this disease; inasmuch as of twenty dogs to +whom was given a certain quantity, not one exhibited the least symptom +of rabies. + +8. The application of the saliva upon recent wounds appears to have been +as often succeeded by confirmed rabies as when the dog had been bitten +by a rabid animal. + +9. It cannot now be doubled that the disease is produced by the wound +itself, as was supposed by M. Girard of Lyons, not by the fright of the +individual, according to the opinion of others, but only from the +absorption of the morbid virus from its surface. + +10. Several experiments have proved to me the little reliance there is +to be placed on the opinions of Baden and Capello, who believe that, in +those dogs who become rabid after the bite of an animal previously +attacked with this disease, the contagious properties of the saliva is +not continued, but only exists in those primarily bitten. + +11. During the period of incubation of the virus there are no morbid, +local, or general alterations of structure or function to be seen in the +infected animal; neither are there any vesicles to be perceived on the +inferior surface of the tongue, nor any previous symptoms which are +found in other contagious diseases. + +12. This disease is generally at its height at the end of fifty days +after either artificial or accidental inoculation; and the author has +never known it to manifest itself at a later period. + +13. It is quite an erroneous idea to suppose that dogs in a state of +health are enabled to distinguish, at first sight, a rabid animal, +inasmuch as they never refuse their food when mixed with the secretions +of those infected. [3] + +The following singular trial respecting the death of a child by +hydrophobia is worth quoting: + +'Jones v. Parry.'--The plaintiff is a labourer, who gets only fourteen +shillings a week to support himself and his family. The defendant is his +neighbour, and keeps a public-house. This was an action brought by the +plaintiff to recover damages against the defendant for the loss of his +son, who was bitten by the defendant's dog, and afterwards became +affected with rabies, of which disease he died. + +It appeared in the evidence that the defendant's dog had, some time ago, +been bitten by another dog; in consequence of which this dog was tied in +the cellar, but the length of the rope which was allowed him enabled him +to go to a considerable distance. The plaintiff's child knew the dog, +having often played with him when he was at large. Some time ago the +child crossed the street, near to the place where the dog was fastened, +who rushed out of the place in which he was confined to where the child +stood, sprung upon him, and bit him sadly in the face, and afterwards +violently shook him. The child being thus wounded, a surgeon was sent +for, who, after having dressed him, and attended him for a certain time, +gave directions that he should be taken to the sea-side, and bathed in +the salt water. + +This having been continued for some time, the child was brought home, +and, at the expiration of a month from the day on which he was bitten, +became evidently and strangely ill. The surgeon proved beyond all +shadow of doubt thai the child laboured under rabies; that he had the +never-failing symptoms of that dreadful affliction; and that a little +while before he expired, he even barked like a dog. The surgeon's charge +to the father for his attendance was'£1. 6s. 6d.', which, together with +the charge of the undertaker for the funeral of the child, amounted to +between six and seven pounds. Application was made to the defendant to +defray this expense, which at first he expressed a willingness to comply +with, but afterwards refused; upon which this action was brought. + +After some time the defendant offered to pay the plaintiff the sum of +'£6. 3s. 6d.', and the expense of the funeral and the surgeon, provided +the plaintiff would bear the expenses of the lawsuit, which he was not +in a condition to do, as probably it would amount to more than that +money. On this account, therefore, the action was now brought into +court. There was no proof that the defendant knew or suspected his dog +to be mad, previously to his attacking the boy; but an animal known to +have been bitten by a mad dog, ought either to have been at once +destroyed, or so secured that it was impossible for him to do mischief. + +Lord Kenyon observed to the jury, that this was one of those causes +which came home to the feelings of all, yet must not be carried farther +than justice demanded. A cause like this never, perhaps, before occurred +in a court of justice; but there had been many resembling it in point of +principle. If a dog, known to be ill-tempered and vicious, did any +person an injury without provocation, there could be no question that +the owner of the dog was answerable, in a court of justice, for the +injury inflicted. Here was a worse case. The dog by whom the child was +bitten had been attacked by another that was undeniably rabid. His +master was aware of this, and placed him in a state of partial +confinement--a confinement so lax, and so inefficient, that this poor +child had broken through it, and was bitten and died. What other people +would have done in such a situation he could not tell; but, if he were +asked what he would do, he answered, he certainly would kill the dog, +however much of a favourite he had been, because no atonement was within +the reach of his fortune to make to the injured party for such a +dreadful visitation of Providence as this. It was not enough for the +owner of such a dog to say, he took precaution to prevent mischief: he +ought to have made it impossible that mischief could happen; and, +therefore, as soon as there was any reasonable suspicion that the dog +was rabid, he ought to have destroyed him. + +But, if the owner wished to save the animal, until he was satisfied of +the actual state of the case, he ought to have secured him, so that +every individual might be safe. Whether the defendant thought he had +done all that was necessary, his lordship did not know; but this he +knew, that the dog was not perfectly secured, otherwise this misfortune +could not have happened. + +The care which the defendant took in this case was not enough, and, +therefore, he had no doubt that this action was maintainable. The jury +would judge what damages they ought to give. He would refer this to +their feelings. They could not avoid commiserating the distress of the +family of this poor man. He should, however, observe to the jury, that +they must not give vindictive damages; but still he did not think that +damages merely to the amount of '£6'. or '£7'., which was stated to be +the expense of the funeral, &c., would at all meet the justice of the +case. He was inclined to advise them to go beyond that, although he did +not plead vindictive damages. There would be costs to be defrayed by the +plaintiff, well known in the profession under the head of "extra costs," +even although he had a verdict. If the verdict had been at his disposal, +he would have taken care that these costs should have been borne by the +party that had been the cause of the injury. That appeared to him to be +the justice of the case. + +He trusted that none who heard him would doubt his sincerity, when he +said, he lamented the misfortune which had given birth to this action; +and, with that qualification of the case, he must say that he was not +sorry that this action had been brought. He thanked the plaintiff for +bringing it; for it might be of public benefit. It would teach a lesson +that would not soon be forgotten, "That a person, who knowingly keeps a +vicious, dangerous animal, should be considered to be answerable for all +the acts of that animal." There were instances in which very large +damages had been given to repair such injuries. He did not say that the +present case called for large damages; but, if other cases of the same +kind should be brought into court after this had been made public, he +hoped the jury would go beyond the ordinary limits, and give verdicts +which might operate 'in terrorem' on the offending parties. + +Verdict for the plaintiff--damages £36. [4] + +A child was bitten by a rabid dog at York, and became hydrophobous. All +possibility of relief having vanished, the parents, desirous of putting +an end to the agony of their child, or fearful of its doing mischief, +smothered it between two pillows. They were tried for murder, and found +guilty. They were afterwards pardoned; but the intention of the +prosecutor was that of deterring others from a similar practice, in a +like unfortunate situation [5]. + +In 1821, a physician, at Poissy, was sentenced to pay 8000 francs (£320) +to a poor widow whose husband died of hydrophobia, in consequence of a +bite from the physician's dog, he knowing that the dog had been bitten, +yet not confining him. + +[Our author having written so extensively upon the subject of rabies, it +would seem superfluous in us to attempt to add anything more upon a +subject so ably and practically handled by one having so great +opportunities to make personal observations. However, to allay the +feelings of many of our dogkilling citizens, we will not hesitate to +assert that we do not place as much credence in the frequency of rabies +as is generally done; but, on the other hand, are strongly led to +believe that the accounts of this much-dreaded malady are greatly +exaggerated both in this country and in England. + +That there may be a few cases of rabies in our country in the course of +a year, we do not doubt; but, at the same time, we are satisfied that +the affection in its genuine form is quite rare, and that the great hue +and cry made every season about mad dogs, is more the result of +ignorance and fright than of reality. + +Our limits in this publication would not allow us sufficient space to +enlarge upon the many pathological questions naturally arising from a +minute examination of this subject, more particularly as our views are +somewhat at variance with the generally received opinion, and which, of +course, we would be forced to express with considerable diffidence, +owing to the impossibility of collecting such evidence as might seem +necessary to substantiate any peculiar doctrine. + +That tetanus, hysteria, and other spasmodic affections have often been +mistaken for rabies, there is no doubt, and we can easily imagine the +mental effect produced upon an individual of a highly nervous +temperament, by the knowledge of his being bitten by an animal known to +be hydrophobic; and we can, without difficulty, reconcile with our best +judgment the belief 'that the workings of such an individual's +imagination, occasioned by the never-ceasing dread of the horrid malady +to which he is now exposed, might be sufficient to produce a train of +symptoms somewhat resembling the actual state of rabies.' + +For the benefit of these nervous unfortunates, we might say to them, +that the statistics of this affection show a very considerable ratio in +favour of escape from inoculation when bitten, or of entire recovery +even after the development of the disease, and that there are many +other ills in the catalogue of medicine that they should take equal +pains to provide against as lyssa canina. We doubt not that the minds of +many will be relieved, when informed that John Hunter mentions an +instance, in which, out of twenty persons bitten by a rabid dog, only +one suffered from the malady; and that of fifty-nine dogs inoculated by +Professor Hertwick at the veterinary school of Berlin, only fourteen +were affected; and of eleven patients entrusted to the care of M. Blaise +of Cluny, seven recovered after exhibiting greater or less degrees of +spasmodic symptoms. + +It may prove interesting to our readers, to insert in these pages an +account of the first two cases of rabies known in Philadelphia, and as +related to us by a venerable and much-esteemed citizen, who is well +known in the scientific world as a gentleman of deep research, and we +agree with him in opinion, that this much-dreaded disease is most +frequently the result of like causes, or rather that like symptoms often +induce the belief of the presence of this malady, when, in fact, no such +disease does exist. + +Towards the close of the last century, there lived a tailor in Front +street, near Market, in the midst of the most respectable people of that +period; among the number was our esteemed friend Mr. Hembel, as also +Judge Tilghman. This tailor possessed an ill-tempered little spaniel, +who, lounging about the street-door, attacked every one that passed by, +snapping and snarling in the most worrisome manner, more particularly at +every little urchin that invaded his "right of pavement," and not +unfrequently biting them or tearing their clothes from their back. The +owner of the dog was appealed to on many occasions by the neighbours, +begging that the quarrelsome brute should either be disposed of or kept +within doors. To all these solicitations and warnings the little tailor +paid no heed, but continued stitching his breeches and cribbing his +customers' goods, while the ugly little spaniel, without interruption, +amused himself by snapping at and biting the heels of the passers-by. + +The nuisance at last became insufferable, and Judge Tilghman applied to +Mr. Hembel to assist him in getting rid of this troublesome brute; the +latter gentleman advised the administration of a small quantity of +strychnia, concealed in a portion of meat, which proposition was agreed +upon and immediately carried into execution. A short time after the +administering of this dose the spaniel sickened, and retired from his +post to the kitchen, which was in the basement, and where an Irish +domestic was engaged in washing; the dog appeared uneasy for a time, and +suddenly, being taken with the involuntary muscular convulsions that +so frequently follow the administration of this powerful drug, ran +around the kitchen yelping and howling at a most terrible rate, and +ultimately, to the no small discomfiture and amazement of the maid, +sprang up into the wash-tub, at which unceremonious caper, on the part +of the dog, the woman became greatly alarmed and ran out into the +street, followed by the whole household, crying mad dog, which soon +produced an uproar in the neighbourhood, no one daring to satisfy +himself as to the correctness of the report, and all, perhaps, too +ignorant of the subject to discern the real cause of the animal's +singular behaviour. The tailor, still bearing a strong attachment to his +unfortunate favourite, and being somewhat more daring than his +neighbours, ventured, at length, to peep into the kitchen to see the +state of affairs, and seeing the dog still convulsed and foaming at the +mouth, was more than ever confirmed in the belief of hydrophobia, and +knowing full well the biting propensities of the animal, independent of +rabies, concluded, much to the relief of every one, to shoot him. The +next step in the programme was the dragging out and consigning of the +patient to a watery grave, which was accomplished by placing, with a +pair of tongs, a noose over the head of the animal, and thus hauling him +out of the basement window amid the cheers of the assembled populace who +soon cast him into the Delaware. + +The second case of rabies as related to us by Mr. Hembel was as +follows:--In 1793 the barbers of the city were in the habit of going +around to the various boarding-houses for the purpose of shaving the +visitors in their apartments, instead of accommodating them, as at the +present time, in their own establishments. + +One of these knights of the razor, living also in Front street, when +going to and from a fashionable boarding-house in the vicinity, was not +unfrequently assailed by a small cur who often took him by the heels +when hurrying along. + +To get rid of this annoying little animal as speedily and secretly as +possible, he had recourse to the powers of strychnia, which produced in +a very short time similar effects upon the poor victim, and the result +was another great hue and cry about mad dogs. + +These authentic and remarkable cases of hydrophobia were heralded in all +the papers of the day, which, from that time forward, were filled with +notes of caution to all dog-owners. + +Of the 'treatment' of rabies we will make but a few remarks, as of the +immense number of specifics proposed for this disease, amounting in all +to several hundred, few or none can be relied on to the exclusion of the +others; but those medicines, perhaps, known as opiates or +anti-spasmodics, claim a larger share of attention than any others in +combating the disease after its development. In looking over the very +original works of Jacques Du Fouilloux, a worthy cynegetical writer of +the sixteenth century, we find a prescription that was supposed by many +to be an infallible specific for this disease, and as it appears to us +quite as certain in its effects on the animal economy as many others of +the inert substances that have been lauded to the skies both in our +country and in other parts of the world as antidotes, we take the +liberty of transcribing it, as also of adding a translation of his +quaint French. + +'Autre recepte par mots preservants la rage.' + +'Ay appris vne recepte d'vn Gentil-homme, en Bretaigne, lequel faisoit +de petits escriteaux, où n'y auoit seulement que deux lignes, lesquels +il mettoit en vne omellette d'oeufs, puis les faisoit aualer aux chiens +qui auorient esté mords de chiens enragez, et auoit dedans l'escriteau, +'Y Ran Quiran Cafram Cafratrem, Cafratrosque'. Lesquels mots disoit +estre singuliers pour empescher les chiens de la rage, mais quant à moi +ie n'y adiouste pas foy. + +I have learned a recipe from a nobleman of Brittany, which is composed +of a written charm, in which there are only two lines; these he put in +an omelet of eggs, he then made the dogs that had been bitten by a rabid +animal swallow them. There was on the paper "'Y Ran Quiran Cafram +Cafratrem, Cafratrosque'". These words were said to be singularly +efficacious in preventing madness in dogs, but for my part I do not +credit it. + +Although our quaint author considered the above charm even too +marvellous for his belief, we give below his own prescription in which +he placed implicit confidence, but, no doubt, on trial it would prove +'"as singularly efficacious" as the other'. + +Baing pour lauer, les chiens, quand ils ont esté mords des chiens +enragez, de peur qu'ils enragent. + +Quand les chiens sont mords ou desbrayez de chiens enragez, il faut +incontinent emplir vne pippe d'eau, puis prendre quatre boisseaux de sel +et les ietter dedans, en meslaut fort le sel auec vn baston pour le +faire fondre soudainement: et quand il sera fondu, faut mettre le chien +dedans, et le plonger tout, sans qu'il paroisse rien, par neuf fois: +puis quand il sera bien laué, faut le laisser aller, celà l'empeschera +d'enrager. + +When a dog has been bitten or scratched by another affected with +madness, we must immediately take a tub of water and throw into it four +bushels of salt, stirring it briskly with a stick to make it dissolve +quickly. When the salt shall be dissolved, put the dog into the bath, +and plunge him well nine times, so that the bath shall cover him each +time; now that he is well washed you may let him go, as this will +prevent his becoming rabid. + +Having given publicity to the two preceding valuable receipts, we must +be pardoned for adding our own views upon this point, as a caution to +those who may not feel sufficient faith in the remedies above mentioned. + +The wound should be thoroughly washed and cleansed as soon as possible +after the bite is inflicted: no sucking of the parts, as is advised by +many, for the purpose of extracting the poison, as the presence of a +small abrasion of the lips or interior of the mouth would most assuredly +subject the parts to inoculation. If the wound be ragged, the edges may +be taken off with a pair of sharp scissors; the wound must then be +thoroughly cauterized with nitrate of silver (lunar caustic), being sure +to introduce the caustic into the very depths of the wound, so that it +will reach every particle of poison that may have insinuated itself into +the flesh. If the wound is too small to admit of the stick of caustic, +it may be enlarged by the knife, taking care, however, not to carry the +poison into the fresh cut, which can be avoided by wiping the knife at +each incision. Should the wound be made on any of the limbs, a bandage +may be placed around it during the application of these remedies, the +more effectually to prevent the absorption of the virus. Nitrate of +silver is a most powerful neutralizer of specific poisons, and the +affected parts will soon come away with the slough, no dressings being +necessary, except perhaps olive oil, if there should be much +inflammation of the parts. If the above plan be pursued, the patient +need be under no apprehension as to the result, but make his mind +perfectly easy on the point. This is the course generally pursued by the +veterinary surgeons of Europe, and there are but few of them who have not, +some time in their practice, been bitten and often severely lacerated by +rabid animals; nevertheless, we never hear of their having suffered any +bad effects from such accidents. If caustic be not at hand, the wound +may be seared over with red-hot iron, which will answer as good a +purpose, although much more painful in its operation. Mr. Blaine, in +closing his able and scientific article on this subject, very justly +remarks, + + "Would I could instil into such minds the 'uncertainty' of the disease + appearing at all; that is, even when no means have been used; and the + 'perfect security' they may feel who have submitted to the preventive + treatment detailed. I have been bitten several times, Mr. Youatt + several also; yet in neither of us was any dread occasioned: our + experience taught us the 'absolute certainty' of the 'preventive' + means; and such I take on me to pronounce they always prove, when + performed with dexterity and judgment." We acknowledge ourselves a + convert to this gentleman's doctrine; and feel satisfied that if the + above course be adopted, there need be no fear whatever of the + development of this frightful affection.--L.] + + + +[Footnote 1: 'La Folie des Animaux', by M. Perquin.] + + +[Footnote 2: The physician Apollonius, having been bitten by a rabid +dog, induced another dog to lick the wound, + + "ut idem medicus esset qui vulneris auctor fuit."] + + +[Footnote 3: 'Journal Pratique de Méd. Vét.'] + + +[Footnote 4: 'Sporting Magazine', vol. xviii. p. 186.] + + +[Footnote 5: Daniel's 'Rural Sports', vol. i. p. 220.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE EYE AND ITS DISEASES. + +The diseases that attack the same organ are essentially different, in +different animals, in their symptoms, intensity, progress, and mode of +treatment. In periodic ophthalmia--that pest of the equine race and +opprobrium of the veterinary profession--the cornea becomes suddenly +opaque, the iris pale, the aqueous humour turbid, the capsule of the +lens cloudy, and blindness is the result. After a time, however, the +cornea clears up, and becomes as bright as ever; but the lens continues +impervious to light, and vision is lost. + +Ophthalmia in the dog presents us with symptoms altogether different. +The conjunctiva is red; that portion of it which spreads over the +sclerotica is highly injected, and the cornea is opaque. As the disease +proceeds, and even at a very early period of its progress, an ulcer +appears on the centre; at first superficial, but enlarging and deepening +until it has penetrated the cornea, and the aqueous humour has escaped. +Granulations then spring from the edges of the ulcer, rapidly enlarge, +and protrude through the lids. Under proper treatment, however, or by a +process of nature, these granulations cease to sprout; they begin to +disappear; the ulcer diminishes; it heals; scarcely a trace of it can be +seen; the cornea recovers its perfect transparency, and vision is not in +the slightest degree impaired. + +There is a state of the orbit which requires some consideration. It is +connected with the muscles employed in mastication. Generally speaking, +the food of the dog requires no extraordinary degree of mastication, nor +is there usually any great time employed in this operation. That muscle +which is most employed in the comminution of the food, namely, the +temporal muscle, has its action very much limited by the position of the +bony socket of the eye; yet sufficient room is left for all the force +that can be required. In some dogs, either for purposes of offence or +defence, or the more effectual grasping of the prey, a sudden violent +exertion of muscular power, and a consequent contraction of the temporal +muscle, are requisite, but for which the imperfect socket of the orbit +does not seem to afford sufficient scope and room. There is an admirable +provision for this in the removal of a certain portion of the orbital +process of the frontal bone on the outer and upper part of the external +ridge, and the substitution of an elastic cartilage. This cartilage +momentarily yields to the swelling of the muscles; and then, by its +inherent elasticity, the external ridge of the orbit resumes its +pristine form. The orbit of the dog, the pig, and the cat, exhibits this +singular mechanism. + +The horse is, to a certain extent, also an illustration of this. He +requires an extended field of vision to warn him of the approach of his +enemies in his wild state, and a direction of the orbits somewhat +forward to enable him to pursue with safety the headlong course to which +we sometimes urge him; and for this purpose his eyes are placed more +forward than those of cattle, sheep, or swine. That which Mr. Percivall +states of the horse is true of our other domesticated animals: + + "The eyeball is placed within the anterior or more capacious part of + the orbit, nearer to the frontal than to the temporal side, with a + degree of prominence peculiar to the individual, and, within certain + limits, variable at his will." + +In many of the carnivorous animals the orbit encroaches on the bones of +the face. A singular effect is also produced on the countenance, both +when the animal is growling over his prey and when he is devouring it. +The temporal muscle is violently acted upon; it presses upon the +cartilage that forms part of the external ridge; that again forces +itself upon and protrudes the eye, and hence the peculiar ferocity of +expression which is observed at that time. The victims of these +carnivorous animals are also somewhat provided against danger by the +acuteness of sight with which they are gifted. Adipose matter also +exists in a considerable quantity in the orbit of the eye, which enables +it to revolve by the slightest contraction of the muscles. + +We should scarcely expect to meet with cases of fracture of the orbital +arch in the dog, because, in that animal, cartilage, or a +cartilago-ligamentous substance, occupies a very considerable part of +that arch; but I have again and again, among the cruelties that are +practised on the inferior creation, seen the cartilage partly, or even +entirely, torn asunder. I have never been able satisfactorily to +ascertain the existence of this during life; but I have found it on +those whom I have recommended to be destroyed on account of the brutal +usage which they had experienced. Blows somewhat higher, or on the thick +temporal muscle of this animal, will very rarely produce a fracture. + +A few cases of disease in the eye may be interesting and useful. + +'Case' I.--The eyes of a favourite spaniel were found inflamed and +impatient of light. Nothing wrong had been perceived on the preceding +day. No ulceration could be observed on the cornea, and there was but a +slight mucous discharge. An infusion of digitalis, with twenty times the +quantity of tepid water, was employed as a collyrium, and an aloetic +ball administered. On the following day the eyes were more inflamed, The +collyrium and the aloes were employed as before, and a seton inserted in +the poll. + +Three or four days afterwards the redness was much diminished, the +discharge from the eye considerably lessened, and the dog was sent home. +The seton, however, was continued, with an aloetic ball on every third +or fourth day. + +Two or three days after this the eyes were perfectly cured and the seton +removed. + +'Case' II.--The eye is much inflamed and the brow considerably +protruded. + +This was supposed to be caused by a bite. I vainly endeavoured to bring +the lid over the swelling. I scarified the lid freely, and ordered the +bleeding to be encouraged by the constant application of warm water, and +physic-ball to be given. + +On the following day the brow was found to be scarcely or at all +reduced, and the eye could not be closed. I drew out the haw with a +crooked needle, and cut it off closely with sharp scissors. The excised +portion was as large as a small-kidney-bean. The fomentation was +continued five days afterwards, and the patient then dismissed cured. + +'Case' III.--A pointer was brought in a sad state of mange. Redness, +scurf, and eruptions were on almost every part. Apply the mange ointment +and the alterative and physic balls. On the following day there was an +ulcer on the centre of the cornea, with much appearance of pain and +impatience of light. Apply an infusion of digitalis, with the liquor +plumbi diacetatis. He was taken away on the twelfth day, the mange +apparently cured, and the inflammation of the eye considerably lessened. +A fortnight afterwards this also appeared to be cured. + +'Case' IV.--A spaniel had been bitten by a large dog. There was no wound +of the lids, but the eye was protruded from the socket. I first tried +whether it could be reduced by gentle pressure, but I could not +accomplish it. I then introduced the blunt end of a curved needle +between the eye and the lid; and thus drawing up the lid with the right +hand, while I pressed gently on the eye with the left hand, I +accomplished my object. I then subtracted three ounces of blood and gave +a physic-ball. On the following day the eye was hot and red, with some +tumefaction. The pupil was moderately contracted, but was scarcely +affected by any change of light. The dog was sent home, with some +extract of goulard, and a fortnight afterwards was quite well. + +'Case' V.--A dog received a violent blow on the right eye. Immediate +blindness occurred, or the dog could apparently just discern the +difference between light and darkness, but could not distinguish +particular objects. The pupil was expanded and immovable. A +pink-coloured hue could be perceived on looking earnestly into the eye. +A seton was introduced into the poll, kept there nearly a month, and +often stimulated rather sharply. General remedies of almost every kind +were tried: depletion was carried to its full extent, the electric fluid +was had recourse to; but at the expiration of nine weeks the case was +abandoned and the dog destroyed. Permission to examine him was refused. + +I have, in two or three instances, witnessed decided cases of dropsy of +the eye, accumulation of fluid taking place in both the anterior and +posterior chambers of the eye; there was also effusion of blood in the +chambers, but in one case only was there the slightest benefit produced +by the treatment adopted, and in that there was gradual absorption of +the effused fluid. + +About the same time there was another similar case. A pointer had +suddenly considerable opacity of one eye, without any known cause: the +other eye was not in the least degree affected. The dog had not been out +of the garden for more than a week. The eye was ordered to be fomented +with warm water. + +On the following day the inflammation had increased, and the adipose +matter was protruded at both the inner and outer canthus. The eye was +bathed frequently with a goulard lotion. On the fourth day the eyeball +was still more inflamed, and the projections at both canthi were +increased. A curved needle was passed through both eyes, and there was +considerable bleeding. On the following day the inflammation began to +subside. At the expiration of a week scarcely any disease remained, and +the eye became as transparent as ever. + +A curious ease of congenital blindness was brought to my infirmary. A +female pointer puppy, eight weeks old, had both her eyes of their +natural size and formation, but the inner edge of the iris was strangely +diseased. The pupil was curiously four-cornered, and very small. There +hung out of the pupil a grayish-white fibrous matter, which appeared to +be the remainder of the pupillary membrane. + +Six months afterwards we examined her again, and found that the pupil +was considerably enlarged, and properly shaped, and the white skin had +vanished. In the back-ground of the eye there was a faint yellow-green +light, and the dog not only showed sensibility to light, but some +perception of external objects. At this period we lost sight of her. + +A very considerable improvement has taken place with regard to the +treatment of the enlarged or protruded ball of the eye. A dog may get +into a skirmish, and have his eye forced from the socket. If there is +little or no bleeding, the case will probably be easily and successfully +treated. + +The eye must, first, be thoroughly washed, and not a particle of grit +must be left. A little oil, a crooked needle, and a small piece of soft +rag should be procured. The blunt end of the needle should he dipped +into the oil, and run round the inside of the lid, first above and then +below. The operator will next--his fingers being oiled--press upon the +protruded eye gently, yet somewhat firmly, changing the pressure from +one part of the eye to the other, in order to force it back into the +socket. + +If, after a couple of minutes' trial, he does not succeed, let him again +oil the eye on the inside and the out, and once more introduce the blunt +end of the needle, attempting to carry it upwards under the lid with two +or three fingers pressing on the eye, and the points of pressure being +frequently changed. In by far the greater number of cases, the eye will +be saved. + +If it is impracticable to cause the eye to retract, a needle with a +thread attached must be passed through it, the eye being then drawn as +forward as possible and cut off close to the lids. The bleeding will +soon cease and the lids perfectly close. + +'Ophthalmia' is a disease to which the dog is often liable. It is the +result of exposure either to heat or to cold, or violent exertion; it is +remedied by bleeding, purging, and the application of sedative medicine, +as the acetate of lead or the tincture of opium. When the eye is +considerably inflamed, in addition to the application of tepid or cold +water, either the inside of the lids or the white of the eye may be +lightly touched with the lancet. From exposure to cold, or accident or +violence, inflammation often spreads on the eye to a considerable +degree, the pupil is clouded, and small streaks of blood spread over the +opaque cornea. The mode of treatment just described must be pursued. + +The crystalline lens occasionally becomes opaque. There is cataract. It +may be the result of external injury or of internal predisposition. Old +dogs are particularly subject to cataract. That which arises from +accident, or occasionally disease, may, although seldom, be reinstated, +especially in the young dog, and both eyes may become sound; but, in the +old, the slow-growing opacity will, almost to a certainty, terminate in +cataract. + +There is occasionally an enlargement of the eye, or rather an +accumulation of fluid within the eye, to a very considerable extent. No +external application seems to have the slightest effect in reducing the +bulk of the eye. If it is punctured, much inflammation ensues, and the +eye gradually wastes away. + +In 'amaurosis', the eye is beautifully clear, and, for a little while, +this clearness imposes upon the casual observer; but there is a peculiar +pellucid appearance about the eye--a preternatural and unchanging +brightness. In the horse, the sight occasionally returns, but I have +never seen this in the dog. + +The occasional glittering of the eyes of the dog has been often +observed. The cat, the wolf, some carnivora, and also sheep, cows, and +horses, occasionally exhibit the same glittering. Pallas imagined that +the light of these animals emanated from the nervous membrane of the +eye, and considered it to be an electrical phenomenon. It is found, +however, in every animal that possesses a 'tapetum lucidum'. The +shining, however, never takes place in complete darkness. It is neither +produced voluntarily, nor in consequence of any moral emotion, but +solely from the reflection that falls on the eye. + +[The eye and its diseases being so concisely treated by Mr. Youatt, we +are emboldened to add a more full and particular treatise on this +interesting subject, couched in language the most simple, and we trust +sufficiently plain to be understood by the most unscientific patron of +the canine race. + + + +THE EYE AND ITS DISEASES. + +THE NICTITATING MEMBRANE. + +It is somewhat astonishing that an organ, so delicate and so much +exposed as the eye of the hunting dog necessarily is, should not more +frequently be attacked with disease, or suffer from the thorns, +poisonous briars, and bushes that so constantly oppose their progress +while in search of game. Nature, ever wise in her undertakings, while +endowing this organ with extreme sensibility, also furnished it with the +means of protecting itself in some measure against the many evils that +so constantly threaten its destruction. + +The plica semilunaris, haw or nictitating membrane, though not as +largely developed in the dog as in some other animals, is, nevertheless, +of sufficient size to afford considerable protection to the ball of the +eye, and assists materially in preventing the accumulation of seeds and +other minute particles within the conjunctiva. This delicate membrane is +found at the inner canthus of the eye, and can be drawn at pleasure over +a portion of the globe, so as to free its surface from any foreign +substances that might be upon it. Although the eye of the dog is +attacked by many diseases, almost as numerous as those of the human +being, still they are much less frequent and far more tractable. + + +OPTHAMALIA--SIMPLE INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. + +In its mild form this disease is frequently met with, and easily yields +to the administration of the proper remedies, but when it appears as an +epidemic, in a kennel, it proves more stubborn. The discharge in +epidemic ophthalmia, when carried from one dog to the eyes of another, +no doubt is contagious, and, therefore, it is necessary to separate dogs +as much from each other as possible during any prevalent epidemic of +this nature. + +The disease announces itself by slight redness of the conjunctiva, +tenderness to light, and increased flow of the secretions. + +The eyeball appears retracted in its socket, and more moist and +transparent than usual. The infected vessels of the conjunctiva form a +species of net-work, and can be moved about with this membrane, showing +that the inflammation is entirely superficial, and not penetrating the +other coverings of the eye. Extravasation of blood within the +conjunctiva, (bloodshot,) is also not an uncommon appearance, but is +frequently the first symptom that draws our attention to the malady. + +As the disease progresses, the conjunctiva becomes more vascular, the +photophobia intolerable, the cornea itself becomes opaque, and sometimes +exhibits a vascular appearance. There is considerable itching of the +ball, as evinced by the disposition of the dog to close the eye. If the +disease progresses in its course, unchecked by any remediate means, the +cornea may lose its vitality, ulceration commence, and the sight be for +ever destroyed by the bursting and discharge of the contents of the eye. + +'Causes.'--Simple canine opthalmia proceeds from many causes, distinct +in their character, but all requiring pretty much the same treatment. +Bad feeding, bad lodging, want of exercise, extremes of heat, and cold, +are the most active agents in producing this affection. + +'Treatment.'--The disease in its mild form is very tractable, and +requires but little attention; soothing applications, in connexion with +confinement to an obscure apartment and low diet, will generally correct +the affection in its forming stage. + +In all inflammations of the eye, tepid applications we consider +preferable to cold, the latter producing a temporary reaction, but no +permanent good, while the former exerts a soothing and relaxing +influence over the tissues and parts to which they are applied. + +Weak vinegar and water, with a small proportion of laudanum, we have +frequently seen used with advantage as a wash in this complaint. + +When there is fever, it will be necessary to bleed, and purge. +Scarifying the conjunctiva with the point of a lancet, has been resorted +to by some veterinary surgeons with success. + + +CHRONIC OPHTHALMIA. + +When the disease assumes this form, the discharge from the eyes is +lessened, and becomes more thick, the conjunctiva is not of such a +bright arterial red, but more of a brick-dust colour, and the inner side +of the lids when exposed will present small prominences and ulcerations. + +'Treatment.'--More stimulating collyria will now be necessary, as +solutions of sulphate of zinc, copper, acetate of lead, &c. See No. 1, +2, 3, of the Collyria. The direct application of sulphate of copper, or +nitrate of silver, will often be of great benefit in changing the action +of the parts. + +The lids should be turned down and brushed over two or three times with +the above articles in substance, and the dog restrained for a few +moments to prevent him from scratching during the temporary pain +inflicted upon him by the application. + +Laudanum dropped in the eye will also prove very beneficial, allaying +the itching and pain, at the same time stimulating the organs to renewed +action. If the disease does not succumb under this treatment, a seton +placed in the pole will generally conquer it. + + +TRAUMATIC OPHTHALMIA + +is produced by wounds of poisoned briars, stings of insects, bites of +other dogs, the scratching of cats, or the actual presence of foreign +bodies in the eye itself, which latter cause frequently occurs, and is +often overlooked by the sportsman. + +'Treatment'.--This species of ophthalmia is best subdued by the +application of emollient poultices, depletion, purgation and cooling +washes. If a seed, small briar, or other substance has got in under the +lids, or inserted itself in the globe of the eye, the dog keeps the eye +closed, it waters freely, and in a short time becomes red and inflamed. +The removal of the article alone, will generally produce a cure; +sometimes it is necessary to use a cooling wash and administer a purge +or two. Great care should he had for the extraction of extraneous +substances from the eyes of dogs, as their presence often causes great +suffering to the animal even while diligently employed in the field. The +writer has seen dogs more than once rendered useless while hunting, by +grass, cloverseeds, or other small particles burying themselves under +the lids. + +'Ophthalmia of Distemper'.--This species of inflammation will be spoken +of when treating of this latter affection. + + +SYMPATHETIC OPHTHALMIA + +arises from the presence of some other disease located in another +portion of the body, as derangement of the stomach, mange, surfeit, &c. +The presence of one of these affections will indicate the cause of the +other. + +'Treatment'.--Soothing applications to the organ itself, and remedies +for the removal of the primary affection. + + +HYDROPHTHALMIA + +though not a common affection in the canine race, is occasionally met +with; several cases have come under the observation of the writer, and +no doubt there are but few dog-fanciers who have not seen the eyeballs +of some dog suffering with this malady, ready to start from their +sockets. + +This affection depends upon a superabundance of the humours of the eye, +occasioned by over-secretion, or a want of power in the absorbent +vessels to carry off the natural secretions of the parts. + +Old dogs are more apt to suffer from this disease than young dogs: +nevertheless, the latter are not by any means exempt; we once saw a pup, +a few days old, with the globe of the eye greatly extended by this +affection. + +As the disease progresses, the eye becomes more hard and tender, the +sight is greatly impaired, and ultimately, if not arrested, the eye +bursts, discharges its contents, and total blindness ensues, greatly to +the relief of the poor animal. + +'Treatment'.--This disease is very intractable, and is to be combated by +saline purges, bleeding, and stimulating application to the organ +itself. Mercurial ointment, rubbed over the eyebrow, will assist in +stimulating the absorbents. + +When the disease has progressed for a long time, and the pain, as is +often the case, seems intense, it will save the animal great suffering, +by opening the ball and allowing the humours to escape. This may be done +by puncturing the cornea or the sclerotic coat with a needle. Setons +introduced along the spine would have a good effect. + + +CONGENITAL BLINDNESS + +occasionally occurs throughout a whole litter, no doubt being entailed +upon the progeny of those dogs who have defective vision, or who are old +and infirm at the time of copulation. The best and only remedy is speedy +drowning. + + +CATARACT + +consists in the partial or complete opacity of the crystalline lens; it +results from numerous causes, and is more frequent in the old than the +young subject. In old dogs both eyes are usually attacked, producing +absolute blindness, while in young animals one eye alone is generally +attacked. + +'Causes.'--Old age, hard work, and bad feeding, are the agents most +active in the production of this affection; it generally comes on +slowly, but sometimes very quickly. + +When the disease occurs in young dogs, it is generally the result of +wounds or blows over the head, convulsions and falls. + +'Treatment.'--Little can be accomplished towards curing this disease +either in the old or young dog, as the disease, in spite of all our +efforts, will run its course, and terminate in total opacity of the +lens. Mild purging, blistering on the neck, introduction of the seton, +and blowing slightly stimulating powders into the eye, will sometimes +arrest the progress of the disease in the young dog. + + +ULCERATIONS ON THE CORNEA + +are sometimes very troublesome, and if not put a stop to, will often +cause opacity and blindness, if not total destruction of the eye. + +Slightly stimulating washes and purges are useful; the careful +application of nitrate of silver will often induce the ulcer to heal; it +must be put on very nicely and gently. + + +SPOTS ON THE CORNEA + +are the result of ulcers and inflammation. If they do not materially +interfere with vision, they had better be left alone. + +Powdered sugar and a small quantity of alum blown into the eye daily +through a quill, we have seen used with much success. + + +AMAUROSIS--GUTTA SERENA OR GLASS EYE, + +A partial or complete paralysis of the optic nerves of either side is +not a frequent disease. It usually comes on gradually, but sometimes may +appear in the course of a few hours from the effects of wounds or +convulsions. When the paralysis is complete, total blindness of course +ensues. The intimate connection, or sympathy, existing between the +nerves of either eye, is so peculiar that disease of one is quickly +followed by a corresponding disease in the other. + +Amaurosis, therefore, ordinarily ends in total blindness. The disease is +characterized by a dilated stage of the pupil, which seldom contracts +under the effect of any degree of light thrown upon it. The coats and +humours of the eye are perfectly transparent, in fact appear to be more +pellucid than natural. + +'Causes.'--This affection is produced in many different ways; among the +most common causes may be mentioned wounds on the head, or of the parts +surrounding the nerve, strains, falls, disease of the bone, convulsions, +and epileptic fits. + +We have seen a case produced by a tumour, which occupied the posterior +portion of the orbit, and caused the organ to be somewhat protruded from +its proper position, giving the eye the appearance of hydrophthalmia, +for which it was taken, the existence of the tumour never for a moment +being suspected. In this case there was partial amaurosis in both sides, +although nothing of disease could be discovered in the left eye. + +Amaurosis is a very deceptive disease, the nerves alone being affected; +the humours and coverings of the eye remaining perfectly transparent and +natural, imposes upon the inexperienced observer, but is easily detected +by those who have witnessed the disease in others. There is a singular +watery appearance and vacant stare about the eye of the dog that cannot +be mistaken. This peculiarity is owing, no doubt, to the enlargement of +the pupil, as before observed. + +'Treatment'.--When proceeding from blows, convulsions, or inflammation +of the nerve itself, bleeding will be serviceable, as also purging and +blistering. If the disease should appear without any symptom, or other +cause, to lead us to believe that there is any local affection, the +antiphlogistic course should be laid aside, and resort be had to local +and constitutional tonic applications, and revulsive frictions to the +nape of the neck and spine. A seton may also be applied; and electricity +has been recommended in such cases, no doubt arising from want of tone +in the general system. + +This affection, in spite of every effort, is very unmanageable, and but +seldom yields to any course of treatment. Strychnia has been used +lately, both internally and externally, in the cure of this complaint; +it may be sprinkled over a blistered surface immediately above the eye, +in the proportion of a grain morning and evening; it may also be +administered inwardly at the same time, in doses from the half a grain +to a grain twice a day. + + +EXTIRPATION OF THE EYE. + +It sometimes becomes necessary, from the diseased state of this organ, +that it should be taken completely from its socket. This operation, +though frightful, perhaps, to consider, is very simple in its +application, and may be performed without difficulty by any one +accustomed to the use of the knife. The animal is to be held firmly, as +before directed, and an assistant to keep the lids widely extended. + +If the lids cannot be drawn well over the eye, owing to enlargement of +the ball caused by disease, they may be separated by an incision at the +external angle. A curved needle armed with a thread is now to be passed +entirely through the eye, being careful to include sufficient of the +sound parts within its grasp to prevent its tearing out. This finished, +the needle may be detached, and the ends of the thread being united, the +movements of the eye can be governed by means of this ligature: then +proceed as follows: + +1st. The assistant keeping the lids well separated, the operator draws +the eye upward and outward, and then inserting the scalpel at the inner +and lower angle of the eye, with a gentle sweep separates the ball from +the lids, extending the incisions through to the external canthus. + +2d. The ball is now to be drawn inwardly and downward, while the +scalpel, continuing the circular movement as far as the internal +canthus, separates the upper lid. + +3d. The muscles and optic nerves still bind this organ to the orbit, +which attachments can easily be destroyed by the scalpel, by pulling the +eye forward sufficiently to reach them. If the eye has been extirpated +on account of any malignant disease, it is necessary to remove every +particle of muscle from the orbit; and when the disease has extended +itself to the lids, it will also be proper to remove that portion of +them included in the affection. + +The hemorrhage from the operation is trifling, and may generally be +arrested by the pressure of the fingers, or the insertion of a conical +ball of lint within the socket, which may be allowed to remain two or +three days if necessary. If there is nothing to apprehend from +hemorrhage, it is only necessary to draw the lids together, and unite +that portion which has been separated by a suture, and place a hood over +the whole. + +We do not recommend the stuffing of the orbit with lint, except in case +of hemorrhage, as its presence will sometimes produce violent +inflammation, which may extend to the brain. The cavity of the eye will, +in a measure, be filled up by newly formed matter. The dog must be +restricted to a low cooling diet, and have administered two or three +saline purges. + + +ULCERATIONS OF THE EYELIDS + +are often met with in old mangy, ill-fed animals, and are difficult to +overcome, except by curing the the primary affection, which is often no +easy task. The lids become enlarged, puffy, and tender, the lashes fall +out, and the edges present an angry reddish appearance. + +'Treatment'--Must be directed, in the first place, to the curing of the +old affection, by which, in connection with blisters, purging, +stimulating washes, &c., a cure may be effected. When the swelling of +the lids is considerable, scarifying them with the point of a lancet +will often be of much service. Ointment of nitrate of silver may also be +smeared on the edges. + + +WARTS ON THE EYELIDS + +sometimes make their appearance; they may be lifted up with the forceps, +and excised with a knife or scissors, and the wound touched with nitrate +of silver. The same treatment will answer for those warts, or little +excrescences, that sometimes come on the inside of the lids. + + +ENTROPIUM--INVERSION OF THE EYELIDS. + +This disease we do not find mentioned by any of the writers on canine +pathology: nevertheless, we are led to believe that it is not an +uncommon form of ophthalmia; and we must express our surprise that it +should have escaped the attention of such close observers as Blain and +Youatt. + +The acute form of the disease resulting from, or attending, simple +ophthalmia, we have often witnessed, but the chronic form, of which we +more particularly speak, is more rare. We have seen three cases of the +latter, and, no doubt, might have found many more if our opportunities +of studying canine pathology were equal to those of the English writers. +The inversion of the eyelids upon the globe is accompanied with pain and +irritation, swelling and inflammation, both of the lids and eye, which +ultimately renders the dog almost useless, if not entirely blind. + +'Causes'.--Neglected chronic ophthalmia was, no doubt, the cause of the +disease in two cases, a setter and a pointer, while the other, in a +hound, was the result of an acute attack of ophthalmia brought on by +scalding with hot pitch thrown upon the animal. Some of this substance +entered the eye, while a large portion adhered to the muzzle and lids. +The eye, as well as the lids, became inflamed; the latter, being puffed +up and contracted on their edges, were necessarily drawn inwards from +the tension of the parts, and double entropium was thus produced. The +inflammation and tumefaction of the parts continued for a considerable +time, and when ultimately reduced by the application of tepid +fomentations, the skin appeared greatly relaxed; and the muscular fibres +having lost their power of support or contractility, owing to their long +quiescence, seemed no longer able to keep their lids in their proper +situation; the edges therefore remained in the abnormous position +previously assumed. + +By this strange condition of the parts, the eyeball continued greatly +irritated by the constant friction of the lashes; water was continually +flowing over the lids, and from its irritating character produced +considerable excoriation of the face and muzzle. The conjunctiva +remained inflamed, the cornea in due course became ulcerous, and the eye +was ultimately destroyed by the discharge of its contents. This was the +course and final termination of the disease in the case of the hound +above referred to, all of which disastrous results might have been +prevented by proper management. + +'Treatment.'--When in England, we sent to the United States a fine bred +pointer dog, designed as a present for one of our sporting friends. This +animal travelled from Leeds to Liverpool, chained on top of the railroad +cars; the journey occupied several hours, daring which the weather was +cold and boisterous, and we noticed on his arrival at the latter place +that his eyes were watering and somewhat inflamed. On examining them +more particularly, we were enabled to extract several pieces of cinder +from under the lids, which seemed to relieve him somewhat. He went to +sea, in the care of the steward, on the following day; and remained on +deck exposed to the inclemency of the weather during a long voyage. When +he arrived in Philadelphia, the inflammation, we were informed, was very +considerable, occasioned by the presence of some other small particles +of cinder that may have escaped our attention before shipping him. The +presence of these foreign substances in the eye, in connection with the +salt spray and irritating atmosphere, greatly aggravated the ophthalmia, +and resolved it into a chronic affection, which ultimately resulted in +entropium. + +"Fop" was hunted during the same autumn, which no doubt increased the +malady to a considerable extent; and before the hunting season was over, +the dog was rendered almost useless: the lids becoming so much swollen +and the irritation so considerable, that it was deemed cruel to allow +him to go into the field. + +When we saw him some time in the course of the same winter, the lower +lids of both eyes were completely inverted on their globes, and the +conjunctival inflammation and flow of tears considerable. + +The eyes seemed contracted within their sockets, and at times were +nearly hidden from view, the corneas were somewhat opaque, the +photophobia intolerable, and the animal showed evident signs of extreme +pain, by his restless anxiety and constant efforts at scratching and +rubbing the eyes. + +Under the judicious application of cooling astringent collyria, and +other remediate means, the irritation and pain of the parts were +relieved, and the lids somewhat retracted. + +"Fop" remained in this condition till the following autumn, suffering at +times considerably from the increased inflammation and tumefaction of +the lids, which continued obstinately to persist, insomuch that when +turned out by the pressure of the fingers on them, they immediately +contracted, and were forced inwards on the ball when freed from the +fingers. + +Finding that no external application was of any permanent benefit, we +resolved to have resort to the same operation we saw practised in the +Parisian hospitals for the cure of a similar malformation in the human +subject. + +To insure quiet we enclosed the body of the dog in a case, made +stationary and sufficiently small to prevent struggling, with the head +firmly fixed by a sliding door, as represented in the accompanying +drawing. + +The mouth was kept closed by a small strap passed around the muzzle. +This method of fixing a strong dog, we consider the best ever adopted +for all nice operations on the face. The first step in the operation was +to pinch up a portion of the lax skin of the diseased lid and pass three +needles, armed with silk ligatures, successively through the base of the +upraised integuments. + +One needle approximating the external canthus, another the internal, and +a third midway between these two points, as represented in the annexed +drawing. + +The next step was lo raise up the integuments included in the ligature, +and, by means of a pair of sharp scissors, cut off the super-abundant +skin as near to the ligatures as possible; having care however to leave +sufficient substance included in the ligatures, to prevent their +sloughing out before adhesion has taken place. The next and last step of +the operation was, to draw the edges of the wound together by tying each +ligature, which procedure immediately secured the lid and held it firmly +in its natural position. The ligatures were now cut short, and a large +wire muzzle, covered over with some dark substance on the operated eye, +being put on him, and his legs hobbled with a piece of strong twine, +more effectually to prevent his scratching the head, "Fop" was then set +at liberty, and soon became reconciled to this eye-shade. + +The hemorrhage was trifling, the wound healed up by the first intention +and the ligatures were drawn away in a few days, when a perfect cure was +effected--the conjunctiva having lost its inflammatory appearance, and +the cornea having again become quite transparent. + +The other eye was operated on in the same way and with like success. In +the first operation we cut away the loose flaccid integuments only; +whereas, in the second, we snipped small longitudinal fibres from the +cartilage itself, and the operation consequently was more perfect, if +possible, than in the first instance. + +The eyes were now perfectly restored, and remained well during the whole +of the shooting season, after which we lost sight of our patient, he +having accompanied one of our friends as a "compagnon de voyage" on a +commercial expedition to Santa Fe, and, when on his return, had the +misfortune to lose "Fop," who was carried off into captivity by some +prowling Camanches, who no doubt have long since sacrificed him to the +Great Spirit in celebrating the buffalo or wolf dance. + + +PROTRUSION OF THE EYE + +The eye may be forced from its orbit by wounds or the bites of other +animals. + +If not materially injured, the ball should be cleaned with a little +tepid water, or by wiping off with a fine silk or cambric handkerchief, +and immediately replaced within its socket; otherwise the inflammation +and swelling of the lids will soon prevent its easy admission. When +handling the protruded eye, the fingers should be dipped in olive oil or +warm water. + +When sufficient time has elapsed from the occurrence of the accident to +prevent the ball being replaced, owing to the swelling and contraction +of the lids, an incision may be made at the external angle of the eye, +so as to divide the lids, which will then admit the eye into its natural +position. If not, the lid itself can be raised up and slit far enough to +allow its being drawn over the globe. As considerable inflammation +generally follows this accident, it will be prudent to bleed the animal +and confine him. + +We have seen eyes replaced, that have been out of their sockets for +several hours, perfectly recover their strength and brilliancy. + + +WEAK EYES. + +Some dogs, particularly several breeds of spaniels, have naturally weak +eyes, attended by an over-secretion and constant flow of tears, more +particularly when exposed to the sun. When there is no disease of the +lachrymal duct, the secretion may be diminished and the eyes +strengthened by the daily application of some slightly tonic wash, as +No. 1, 2, 3, &c. + + +FISTULA LACHRYMALIS. + +The lachrymal duct is a small canal, leading from the internal angle of +the eye to the nostrils, and is the passage through which the tears +escape from the eye. This duct may become closed by inflammation of the +lining membrane of the nose, caries of the bone, ulcers, fungous +growths, or by the presence of some extraneous substance impacted in it. +The tears, no longer having a natural outlet, are necessarily forced +over the lids, accompanied, not unfrequently, by a good deal of purulent +matter. + +This canal, when thus obstructed from some one of the above causes, +often forms an ulcerous opening at its upper extremity, just below the +internal canthus, for the escape of the pus that usually collects in a +sac at that point. This perforation is called "Fistula Lachrymalis." The +tears, entering the canal at its punctum, are carried along till they +pass out at the fistulous opening. + +Treatment'.--This is a very troublesome affection, and has been +pronounced incurable by some writers. However, we would not hesitate +making an attempt at relieving a favourite or valuable dog of this +disagreeable deformity. We should first endeavour to clear out the nasal +canal, either by means of a minute flexible probe, or by directing a +stream of water from a suitable syringe through its course. A small +silver or copper style may then be placed in the canal to keep it open, +as also to direct the tears through the natural route. This being done, +and the dog confined in such a way as not to be able to scratch or rub +the eye, the fistulous opening might close up in a short time. However, +it might be necessary to wear the style for many months. In such a case, +we see no reason why a wire muzzle, such as used by us after the +operation for Entropium, might not be worn for an indefinite period, +without any inconvenience to the animal. + + +CARUNCULA LACHRYMALIS AND PLICA SEMILUNARIS, OR HAW. + +The caruncula lachrymalis is a small glandular body situated at the +internal commissure of each eye. This little gland often becomes greatly +enlarged from inflammation or fungous growths--old dogs are much more +subject to the disease than young ones. + +'Treatment'.--The application of cooling collyria and a weak solution of +nitrate of silver, will generally suppress the further growth of this +gland. If, however, it continues much swollen and runs on to +suppuration, it may be punctured with a lancet and poultices applied. If +the affection be of a malignant character, the gland may be drawn out by +passing a ligature through its base, and then excised. + +The haw is most frequently concerned in the disease, and may also be +removed. + + +Collyria: + +No. I. + +[Symbol: Rx] Vinegar [Symbol: ounce] i. + Laudanum [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vii. + +Mix.--The eyes to be frequently bathed with the mixture. + + +No. 2. + +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of zinc (white vitriol) [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + +M.--To be used as above. + + +No. 3. + +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of copper (blue vitriol) [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + +M.--To be used as above. + + +No. 4. + +[Symbol: Rx] Acetate of lead (sugar of lead) [Symbol: scruple] ii. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + +M.--To be used as above. + + +No. 5. + +[Symbol: Rx] Argenti nitrat. (nitrate of silver) [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + +M.--To be dropped in the eye 2 or 3 times daily. + + +No. 6. + +[Symbol: Rx] Sub-muriate of mercury (corrosive sublimate) grs. x. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + +M.--To be used as the preceding. + + +No. 7. + +[Symbol: Rx] Argenti nitrat (nitrate of silver) grs. v. + Fresh butter or lard [Symbol: ounce] i. + +No. 8. + +[Symbol: Rx] Powdered alum grs. xv. + Calomel grs. vii. + + +M.--Blown in the eye, will often have a most excellent effect, more +particularly in old chronic ophthalmia. + + +No. 9. + +Infusions of slippery elm bark, sassafras or elder pith, infusions of +green tea, flaxseed, &c., are all excellent emollient applications--L.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES. + + +'Canker in the Ear.' + +All water-dogs, and some others, are subject to a disease designated by +this name, and which, in fact, is inflammation of the integumental +lining of the inside of the ear. When the whole of the body, except the +head and ears, is surrounded by cold water, there will be an unusual +determination of blood to those parts, and consequent distension of the +vessels and a predisposition to inflammation. A Newfoundland dog, or +setter, or poodle, that has been subject to canker, is often freed from +a return of the disease by being kept from the water. + +The earliest symptom of the approach of canker is frequent shaking of +the head, or holding of the head on one side, or violent scratching of +one or both ears. Redness of the integument may then be observed, and +particularly of that portion of it which lines the annular cartilage. +This is usually accompanied by some enlargement of the folds of the +skin. As soon as any of these symptoms are observed, the ear should be +gently but well washed, two or three times in the day, with lukewarm +water, and after that a weak solution of the extract of lead should be +applied, and a dose or two of physic administered. + +If the case is neglected, the pain will rapidly increase; the ear will +become of an intenser red; the folds of the integument will enlarge, and +there will be a deposition of red or black matter in the hollow of the +ear. The case is now more serious, and should be immediately attended +to. This black or bloody deposit should be gently but carefully washed +away with warm water and soap; and the extract of lead, in the +proportion of a scruple to an ounce of water, should be frequently +applied, until the redness and heat are abated. A solution of alum, in +about the same quantity of alum and water as the foregoing lotion, +should then be used. + +Some attention should be paid to the method of applying these lotions. +Two persons will be required in order to accomplish the operation. The +surgeon must hold the muzzle of the dog with one hand, and have the root +of the ear in the hollow of the other, and between the first finger and +the thumb. The assistant must then pour the liquid into the ear; half a +tea-spoonful will usually be sufficient. The surgeon, without quitting +the dog, will then close the ear, and mould it gently until the liquid +has insinuated itself as deeply as possible into the passages of the +ear. Should not the inflammation abate in the course of a few days, a +seton should be inserted in the poll, between the integument and the +muscles of the occiput, reaching from ear to ear. The excitement of a +new inflammation, so near to the part previously diseased, will +materially abate the original affection. Physic is now indispensable. +From half a drachm to a drachm of aloes, with from one to two grains of +calomel, should be given every third day. + +Should the complaint have been much neglected, or the inflammation so +great as to bid defiance to these means, ulceration will too often +speedily follow. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can +only be detected by moulding the ear; the effused pus will occasionally +occupy the inside of the ear to its very tip. However extensive and +annoying the inflammation may be, and occasionally causing so much +thickening of the integument as perfectly to close the ear, it is always +superficial. It will generally yield to proper treatment, and the +cartilage of the ear may not be in the slightest degree affected. Still, +however, the animal may suffer extreme pain; the discharge from the +ulcer may produce extensive excoriation of the cheek; and, in a few +cases, the system may sympathise with the excessive local application, +and the animal may be lost. + +The treatment must vary with circumstances. If the ulceration is deep in +the ear, and there is not a very great degree of apparent inflammation, +recourse may be had at once to a stimulating and astringent application, +such as alum or the sulphate of zinc, and in the proportion of six +grains of either to an ounce of water. If, however, the ulceration +occupies the greater part of the hollow of the ear, and is accompanied +by much thickening of the integument, and apparent filling up of the +entrance to the ear, some portion of the inflammation must be first +subdued. + +The only chance of getting rid of the disease is to confine the ear. A +piece of strong calico must be procured, six or eight inches in width, +and sufficiently long to reach round the head and meet under the jaw. +Along each side of it must be a running piece of tape, and a shorter +piece sewed at the centre of each of the ends. By means of these the cap +may be drawn tightly over the head, above the eyes, and likewise round +the neck behind the ears, so as perfectly to confine them. + +After all, no mild ointment will dispose such an ulcer to heal, and +recourse must be had at once to a caustic application. A scruple of the +nitrate of silver must be rubbed down with an ounce of lard, and a +little of it applied twice every day, and rubbed tolerably hard into the +sore until it assumes a healthy appearance; it may then be dressed with +the common calamine ointment. + +If the discharge should return, the practitioner must again have +recourse to the caustic ointment. + +The cartilage will never close, but the integument will gradually cover +the exposed edges, and the wound will be healed. The ear will, however, +long continue tender, and, if it should be much beaten, by the shaking +of the head, the ulcer will reappear. This must be obviated by +occasionally confining the ears, and not overfeeding the dog. + +Some sportsmen are accustomed to 'round' the ears, that is to cut off +the diseased part. In very few instances, however, will a permanent cure +be effected, while the dog is often sadly disfigured. A fresh ulcer +frequently appears on the new edge, and is more difficult to heal than +the original one. Nine times out of ten the disease reappears. + +The Newfoundland dog is very subject to this disease, to remedy which +recourse must be had to the nitrate of silver. + +Spaniels have often a mangy inflammation of the edges of the ear. It +seldom runs on to canker; but the hair comes off round the edges of the +ear, accompanied by much heat and scurfiness of the skin. The common +sulphur ointment, with an eighth part of mercurial ointment, will +usually remove the disease. + +From the irritation produced by canker in or on the ear, and the +constant flapping and beating of the ear, there is sometimes a +considerable effusion of fluid between the integument and the cartilage +occupying the whole of the inside of the flap of the ear. The only +remedy is to open the enlarged part from end to end, carefully to take +out the gossamer lining of the cyst, and then to insert some bits of +lint on each side of the incision, in order to prevent its closing too +soon. In a few days, the parietes of the cyst will begin to adhere, and +a perfect cure will be accomplished + +If the tumour is simply punctured, the incision will speedily close, and +the cyst will fill again in the space of four-and-twenty hours. A seton +may be used, but it is more painful to the dog, and slower in its +operation. + +The ear should be frequently fomented with a decoction of white poppies, +and to this should follow the Goulard lotion; and, after that, if +necessary, a solution of alum should be applied. To the soreness or +scabby eruption, which extends higher up the ear, olive oil or +spermaceti ointment may be applied. In some cases, portions of the +thickened skin, projecting and excoriated, and pressing on each other, +unite, and the opening into the ear is then mechanically filled. I know +not of any remedy for this. It is useless to perforate the adventitious +substance, for the orifice will soon close; and, more than once, when I +have made a crucial incision, and cut out the unnatural mass that closed +the passage, I have found it impossible to keep down the fungous +granulations or to prevent total deafness. + +The following is a singular case of this disease:--1st July, 1820 a dog +was sent with a tumour, evidently containing a fluid, in the flap of the +ear. A seton had been introduced, but had been sadly neglected. The hair +had become matted round the seton, and the discharge had thus been +stopped. Inflammation and considerable pain had evidently followed, and +the dog had nearly torn the seton out. I removed it, washed the ear +well, and applied the tincture of myrrh and aloes. The wound soon +healed. On the 14th the ear began again to fill. On the 17th the tumour +was ripe for the seton, which was again introduced, and worn until the +9th of August, when the sides of the abscess appeared again to have +adhered, and it was withdrawn. Canker had continued in the ear during +the whole time; and, in defiance of a cold lotion daily applied, the ear +was perceived again to be disposed to fill. The seton was once more +inserted, and the cyst apparently closed. The seton was continued a +fortnight after the sinus was obliterated, and then removed. Six weeks +afterwards the swelling had disappeared, and the canker was quite +removed. This anecdote is an encouragement to persevere under the most +disheartening circumstances. + +All dogs that are foolishly suffered to become gross and fat are subject +to canker. It seems to be a natural outlet for excess of nutriment or +gross humour; and, when a dog has once laboured under the disease, he is +very subject to a return of it. The fatal power of habit is in few cases +more evident than in this disease. When a dog has symptoms of mange, the +redness or eruption of the skin, generally, will not unfrequently +disappear, and bad canker speedily follow. The habit, however, may be +subdued, or at least may be kept at bay, by physic and the use of +Goulard lotion or alum. + +Sportsmen are often annoyed by another species of canker Pointers and +hounds are particularly subject to it. + +This species of canker commences with a scurfy eruption and thickening +of the edges of the ear, apparently attended by considerable itching or +pain. The dog is continually flapping his ear, and beating it violently +against his head. The inflammation is thus increased, and the tip of the +ear becomes exceedingly sore. This causes him to shake his head still +more violently, and the ulcer spreads and is indisposed to heal, and at +length a fissure or crack appears on the tip of the cartilage, and +extends to a greater or less distance down the ear. + +The narration of one or two cases may be useful, as showing the +inveteracy of the disease. + +8th Feb. 1832.--A Newfoundland dog, very fat, had dreadful canker in +both ears, and considerable discharge of purulent matter. He was +continually shaking his ears, lying and moaning. Apply the canker +lotion, and give the alterative balls. + +13th. The discharge considerably lessened from one ear, but that from +the other has increased. Continue the lotion and apply a seton. + +22d. The dog, probably neglected at home, was sent to me. Both ears +were as bad as ever. + +25th. The dog is perfectly unmanageable when the lotion is poured into +the ear, but submits when an ointment is applied. Use ung. sambuci, +[Symbol: ounce] j. cerus, acet. [Symbol: ounce] j., mix well together. +Continue the alteratives. + +30th. Slowly amending; the whining has ceased, and the animal seldom +scratches. Continue the lotion, alteratives, and purgatives. + +10th Oct.--Slowly improving. Continue the treatment. + +17th. One ear well, the other nearly so. + +24th. Both ears were apparently well. Omit the lotion. + +28th. One ear was again ulcerated. Applied the aerugo aeris. + +31st. This has been too stimulating, and the ulceration is almost as +great as at first. Return to the ung. sambuci and cerusa acetata. + +From this time to the 24th February, 1833, we continued occasionally +taking out the seton, but returning to it every two or three days; +applying the canker lotion until we were driven from it, mixing with it +variable quantities of tinctura opii, having recourse to mercurial +ointment, and trying a solution of the sulphate of copper. With two or +three applications we could keep the disease at bay; but with none could +we fairly remove the evil. The sulphate of zinc, the acetate of lead, +decoctions of oak bark, a very mild injection of the nitrate of +silver,--all would do good at times; but at other times we were set at +complete defiance. + +Another gentleman brought his dog about the same time. This was also a +Newfoundland dog. He had always been subject to mangy eruptions, and had +now mange in the feet, the inside of the ear covered with scaly +eruptions, the skin red underneath, considerable thickening of the ear, +and a slight discharge from its base. A seton was inserted and a +physic-ball given every second day. The canker lotion had little good +effect. Some calamine ointment, with a small portion of calomel, was +then had recourse to. + +In ten days the dog had ceased to scratch himself or shake his head, and +the ear was clean and cool. The seton was removed; but the animal being +confined, a little redness again appeared in the ear, which the lotion +soon removed. + +At the expiration of a month he was dismissed apparently cured; but he +afterwards had a return of his old mangy complaints, which bade defiance +to every mode of treatment. + +Herr Maassen, V. S., Wümemburg, has lately introduced, and with much +success, the use of creosote for the cure of canker in the ear. + +The first experiment was on a setter with canker in his ear. The owner +of the dog had ordered it to be hanged, as all remedies had failed in +producing a cure. Herr Maassen prescribed creosoti 3ss. et spirit, vini +rectificat. 3ij. This mixture was applied once in every day to the +diseased part. In a few weeks the dog was completely cured, and has +since had no return of the complaint. In a terrier, and also in three +spaniels, the effect of this application was equally satisfactory. In +some cases, where the disease showed itself in a less degree, the +creosote was dissolved in water, instead of spirit of wine. It is always +necessary to take away the collar while the dog is under treatment, in +order that the flap of the ear may not be injured by striking against it. + + +VEGETATING EXCRESCENCES IN THE EAR. (By F. J. J. Rigot.) + +Productions of this kind, which he had the opportunity of observing only +once, are sometimes united in masses, and completely close the auditive +canal. The surface is granulated and black, and there escapes from it an +unctuous fetid discharge. On both sides the animal is exceedingly +susceptible of pain, and the excrescences bleed if the slightest +pressure is brought to bear upon them. + +He thought it right to cut away these excrescences bodily, which he +found to be composed of a strong dense tissue, permitting much blood to +escape through an innumerable quantity of vascular openings. They were +reproduced with extreme promptitude after they had been cut off or +cauterized. Some of them appeared no more after being destroyed by the +nitrate of mercury. + +Sometimes, however, twenty-four hours after a simple incision, not +followed by cauterization, these productions acquire an almost +incredible size. It seemed, in M. Rigot's case, to be impossible to +conquer the evil, and the patient was destroyed. + + +ERUPTIONS IN THE EAR. + +A Newfoundland dog had long been subject to mangy eruptions on the back +and in the feet. They had suddenly disappeared, and the whole of the +inside of the ear became covered with scaly eruptions. The skin was red; +there was considerable thickening of the ear, and a discharge from the +base of it. The canker-lotion was used, a physic-ball given every second +day, and a seton inserted in the poll reaching from ear to ear. No +apparent benefit resulted. A little calamine ointment, to which was +added one-eighth part of mercurial ointment, was then tried, and +considerable benefit immediately experienced. The dog no longer +continued to scratch himself or to shake his head, and the ear became +clean and cool. The seton was removed, and nothing remained but a little +occasional redness, which the lotion very soon dispersed. + +The owner, however, became ultimately tired of all this doctoring, and +the animal was destroyed. + +A poodle had had exceedingly bad ears during several months. There was +considerable discharge, apparently giving much pain. The dog was +continually shaking his head and crying. A seton was introduced, the +canker-lotion was resorted to, and alterative and purgative medicines +exhibited. On the 29th of December the discharge from the ear ceased; +but, owing to the neglect of the servant, it soon broke out again, and +there was not only much excoriation under the ear, but, from the matting +of the hair, deep ulcers formed on either side, the edges of the wound +were ragged, and the skin was detached from the muscular parts beneath. +Probes were introduced on each side, which passed down the neck and +nearly met. The smell was intolerably offensive, and the dog was reduced +almost to a skeleton. I was, for the second time, sent for to see the +case. I immediately recommended that the animal should be destroyed; but +this was not permitted. I then ordered that it should daily be carefully +washed, and diluted tincture of myrrh be applied to the wounds. They +showed no disposition to heal, and the dog gradually sunk under the +continued discharge and died. + + +VIOLENT AFFECTION OF THE EAR. + +20th May, 1928.--A spaniel screamed violently, even when it was not +touched, and held its head permanently on one side, as if the muscles +were contracted. The glands beneath the ear were enlarged, but the +bowels were regular; the nose was not hot; there was no cough. A warm +bath was ordered, with aperient medicine. + +On the 22d she was no better. I examined the case more carefully. The +left ear was exceedingly hot and tender: she would scarcely bear me to +touch it. I continued the aperient medicine, and ordered a warm lotion +to be applied, consisting of the liquor plumbi acetatis and infusion of +digitalis. She improved from the first application of it, and in a few +days was quite well. A fortnight afterwards the pain returned. The +lotion was employed, but not with the same success. A seton was then +applied. She wore it only four days, when the pain completely +disappeared. + +I have an account in my records of the conduct of a coward, who, coming +from such a breed, was not worthy of the trouble we took with him. He +was a Newfoundland dog, two years old, with considerable enlargement, +redness, and some discharge from both ears. He was sent to our hospital +for treatment. When no one was near him, he shook his head and scratched +his ears, and howled dreadfully. Many times in the course of the day he +cried as if we were murdering him. We sent him home thoroughly well, and +glad we were to get rid of him. + + +CROPPING OF THE EARS. + +I had some doubt, whether I ought not to omit the mention of this cruel +practice. Mr. Blaine very properly says, that + + "it is one that does not honour the inventor, for nature gives nothing + in vain. Beauty and utility appear in all when properly examined, but + in unequal degrees. In some, beauty is pre-eminent; while, in others, + utility appears to have been the principal consideration. That must, + therefore, be a false taste, that has taught us to prefer a + 'curtailed' organ to a perfect one, without gaining any convenience by + the operation." He adds, and it is my only excuse saying one word + about the matter, that "custom being now fixed, directions are proper + for its performance." + +The owner of the dog commences with maiming him while a puppy. He finds +fault with the ears that nature has given him, and they are rounded or +cut into various shapes, according to his whim or caprice. It is a cruel +operation. A great deal of pain is inflicted by it, and it is often a +long time before the edge of the wound will heal: a fortnight or three +weeks at least will elapse ere the animal is free from pain. + +It has been pleaded, and I would be one of the last to oppose the plea, +that the ears of many dogs are rounded on account of the ulcers which +attack and rend the conch; because animals with short ears defend +themselves most readily from the attacks of others: because, in their +combats with each other, they generally endeavour to lay hold of the +neck or the ears; and, therefore, when their ears are shortened, they +have considerable advantage over their adversary. There is some truth in +this plea; but, otherwise, the operation of cropping is dependent on +caprice or fashion. + +If the ears of dogs must be cropped, it should not be done too early. +Four, five, or six weeks should first pass; otherwise, they will grow +again, and the second cropping will not produce a good appearance. The +scissors are the proper instruments for accomplishing the removal of the +ear; the tearing of the cartilages out by main force is an act of +cruelty that none but a brute in human shape would practise; and, if he +attempts it, it is ten to one that he does not obtain a good crop. If +the conch is torn out, there is nothing remaining to retain the skin +round the auricular opening: it may be torn within the auditory canal, +and as that is otherwise very extensible in the dog, it is prolonged +above the opening, which may then probably be closed by a cicatrix. The +animal will in this case always remain deaf, at least in one ear. In the +mean time, the mucous membrane that lines the 'meatus auditorias' +subsists, the secretion of the wax continues; it accumulates and +acquires an irritating quality; the irritation which it causes produces +an augmentation of the secretion, and soon the whole of the subcutaneous +passage becomes filled, and seems to assume the form of a cord; and it +finishes by the dog continuing to worry himself, shaking his head, and +becoming subject to fits. + +Mr. Blaine very naturally observes, that, "it is not a little surprising +that this cruel custom is so frequently, or almost invariably, practised +on pug-dogs, whose ears, if left alone to nature, are particularly +handsome and hang very gracefully. It is hardly to be conceived how the +pug's head--which is not naturally beautiful except in the eye of +perverted taste--is improved by suffering his ears to remain." + +If the cropping is to be practised, the mother should have been +previously removed. It is quite erroneous, that her licking the wounded +edges will be serviceable. On the contrary, it only increases their +pain, and deprives the young ones of the best balsam that can be +applied--the blood that flows from their wounds. + + +POLYPI IN THE EARS. + +Dr. Mercer, in The Veterinarian, of July, 1844, gives an interesting +account of the production of polypi in the meatus of the ear. He +considers that there are two kinds of polypi--first, the soft, vascular +and bleeding polypus, usually produced from the fibro-cartilaginous +structure of the outer half of the tube; and, secondly, the hard and +cartilaginous polypus or excrescence produced from the lining membrane +of its inner half. The first is termed the hæmatoid polypus, and the +other the chondromatous. The dog suffering under either generally has a +dull, heavy, and rather watery eye. He moans or whines at intervals. If +his master is present he feels a relief in pressing and rubbing his +aching ear against him. At other times he presses and rubs his ear +against the ground, in order to obtain a slight relief, flapping his +ears and shaking his head; the mouth being opened and the tongue +protruded, and the affected ear pointing to the ground. Then comes a +sudden, and often a profuse, discharge of fetid pus. The local discharge +of pus and blood becomes daily more and more fetid, and the poor animal +becomes an object of disgust. + +In the first variety of polypus, where it is practicable, the soft and +vascular excrescence should be excised with a pair of scissors or a +small knife, or it may be noosed by a ligature of silk or of silver +wire, or twisted off with a pair of forceps. Immediately after its +removal, the base of the tumour should be carefully destroyed by the +nitrate of silver, and this should be repeated as long as there is any +appearance of renewed growth. Any ulcer or carious condition of the +meatus should be immediately removed. + +In order to protect the diseased parts, a soft cap should be used, and +within the ear a little cotton wadding may defend the ear from injury. + +Dr. Mercer very properly remarks that, in the second or chondromatous +variety of polypus of the meatus, the treatment must depend upon the +concomitant circumstances. If the tumour is seated close to the membrana +tympani, and has a broad and sessile base, then it cannot be excised or +noosed with any degree of success. It must therefore be treated by the +daily application of the solid nitrate of silver, applied exactly to its +surface; and, in the intervals of application, the use of any collyria +may be had recourse to. If the substance of the growth be firm and +solid, and possess little sensibility, then a very speedy mode of +getting rid of it is to divide its substance with a small knife; and +afterwards, by applying the solid nitrate of silver, the tumour will +soon be sloughed away. + +The dog is liable to polypi in the nasal cavity, in the anus, and in the +vagina, which it will not be out of place to mention here. + +The polypi of the nasal and of the anal cavities often show themselves +under the form of rounded bodies, projecting from the nose or anus. +Their size and consistence are variable--sometimes soft, tearing with +the greatest facility, and bleeding at the slightest touch; at other +times, solid and covered with pituitary membrane. They are generally the +result of ulcerations, wounds, fractures, perforations of the turbinated +bones, sinuses,&c. These polypous productions obstruct the passage of +the air, and more or less impede the breathing. They are best extirpated +by means of a ligature, or circular compression, on the pedicle of the +polypus, and tightened every second day. + +We may discover the presence of a tumour of this nature in one of the +nasal passages, when, on putting our hand to the orifice of the nostril, +there issues little or no air; or when we sound the nostril with the +finger or a probe, or examine it on a bright day. + +The methods of destroying polypi in the nasal cavity vary with the +texture, size, form, and position of these excrescences. Excision with +the bistoury, or with scissors, may be tried when the polypus is near +the orifice of the nostril, and particularly when it is not large at the +base. Excision should be followed by cauterization with the red-hot +iron, by which a portion of the base of the tumour is destroyed, and +which could not be reached by a sharp instrument. To succeed in these +operations, it is frequently necessary to cut through the false nostril. +The edges of the wound may afterwards be united by a suture. + +The ligature, or circular compression, excised immediately on the +pedicle of the polypus, by means of a wire or waxed string, and directed +into the nasal cavity by means of a proper instrument, may he tried when +the polypus is deeply situated, and particularly when its base is +narrow. But, for this operation, which is difficult to perform, and +which may be followed by a new polypous production, when the base is not +perfectly destroyed, we may substitute the forcible detachment, +especially when we have to act on vascular and soft excrescences. + +The Italian greyhound is strangely subject to these polypi in the matrix +or vagina. The reason for it is difficult to explain. + +A bitch, ten years old, was brought to the author on the 20th December, +1843, with an oval substance, as large as a thrush's egg, occasionally +protruding from the vagina. I advised that it should be removed by means +of a ligature; but the owner was afraid, and a fortnight was suffered to +pass before she was brought again. The tumour had rapidly increased; it +was as large as a pigeon's egg, considerably excoriated, and the pedicle +being almost as large as the tumour itself. The operation was now +consented to. I passed a ligature as firmly round the pedicle and as +high up as I could. The bitch scarcely seemed to suffer any pain. + +3d Jan.--The circulation is evidently cut off, and the tumour is +assuming a thoroughly black hue, but it appears to cause no +inconvenience to the dog. I tightened the ligature. 4th. The tumour is +now completely black, considerably protruded, and apparently destitute +of feeling. I again tightened the ligature. + +5th. The tumour not appearing disposed to separate, and the uterus +seeming to be drawn back by its weight, I cut off the tumour close to +the ligature. Not the slightest pain seemed to be given, and the tumour +was hard and black. There was, however, a very little oozing of bloody +fluid, which continuing to the 8th, I injected a slight solution of alum +into the vagina, and three days afterwards the discharge was perfectly +stopped. + +[Although our author has given us several interesting and practical +pages upon the diseases of the ear and its appendages, it seems to us +that the arrangement of the matter is rather objectionable, and not +sufficiently explicit to be easily comprehended by sportsmen, not before +familiar with the subject; we therefore add a concise resumé or epitome +of these troublesome affections, which we trust will be found of +practical utility to the reader. + + +SIMPLE OTORRHÆA, + +or running from the ear, produced by inflammation of the mucous membrane +of the external auditory canal, is of frequent occurrence. The dog +should be purged with salts, and the ear washed with castile soap and +tepid water. The following solution may be introduced several times a +day: + +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of zinc [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. or, + +[Symbol: Rx] Sugar of lead [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + + +If the discharge be fetid, the following may be applied often: + +[Symbol: Rx] Chloride of lime [Symbol: drachm] i. + Water 1 pint. + + +This affection in old dogs is very troublesome, and in most cases +impossible to cure. Alum, zinc, copper, lead, and other astringent +applications may be used in powder, as a local application in these +cases. A seton and blisters will also be serviceable. + + +TUMORS OF THE FLAP. + +A tumour, particularly in old dogs, is often seen extending from the tip +of the flap even to the base of the ear. It progresses slowly but +surely, if not interfered with in its career, and will become eventually +enormously large and very painful. These tumours are most common in old +setters, Newfoundlands, and hounds. + +Treatment'.--The tumour, at its commencement, may be discussed by the +application of astringent washes, as warm vinegar, water, and laudanum, +or sugar of lead. When, however, it has become more extensive, the only +remedy is opening it through its whole extent, and pressing out its +purulent content. A poultice may then be applied, and tepid fomentations +used for several days. It is often extremely difficult to heal up the +abscess, or arrest the fetid discharge that is constantly collecting: a +seton placed in the poll, in connexion with washes of a stimulating +character, will, however, effect a cure, if patiently persevered in. +Either of the following will answer this purpose: + +[Symbol: Rx] Chloride of lime [Symbol: drachm] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + Mix. or, + +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of zinc [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] jii. + Mix. + + +We used on one occasion tincture of iodine with perfect success +in an old and obstinate case. + + +CANKER IN THE EAR. + +This is a rather indefinite term, as applied to the diseased ear of a +dog; in fact, any malignant corroding sore may be called a canker, no +matter where situated. Some writers describe, under the head of canker, +a violent chronic otitis, attended by a purulent sanguinoid discharge. +Others understand by canker a species of erysipelatous inflammation, +that makes its appearance on the inside of the flap, and extends itself +to the interior of the ear. What we understand by canker, is an acute +inflammation of the lining membrane of the ear, destroying the tympanum +or drum, and producing total deafness. The secretion is often +considerable, and if not removed, will soon fill up the cavity of the +ear with a dark reddish deposit, which greatly increases the irritation +and inflammation of the parts. Mr. Blaine states that he has seen this +disease take a very malignant character, and extend its ravages over the +face, destroying the soft parts, and even penetrating through the bone +into the interior of the head. + +'Causes'.--This disease may he excited by any of those causes that +produce a general or local inflammatory action; exposure to cold, the +presence of malignant diseases on other portions of the body, high +living, heat, confinement, or extraneous substances lodged in the organ +itself. + +Water-dogs are most subject to this affection, owing, no doubt, to the +frequent afflux of blood to these parts, while the remainder of the body +is immersed in the water. A tendency to this peculiar inflammation may +also be produced in these animals by the action of the water upon the +delicate membranes of the ear, which occasions a violent shaking of the +head and beating of the flaps, which not unfrequently bruises them +considerably. Dogs that seldom or never go into the water are not, +however, by any means exempt from the disease; as we have often seen it +developed in terriers, mastiffs, and every species of mongrel. + +'Treatment'.--When the disease appears in its acute form, and without +any apparent cause beyond luxurious living and confinement, bleeding, +purging, low diet, and regular exercise, together with tepid and +soothing washes, will generally relieve the inflammatory action of the +parts. The ear should be carefully and tenderly washed out with castile +soap, and a small quantity of the following solution poured into it two +or three times daily, and the ear worked about gently in the hand to +secure the percolation of the fluid through its structure. + + +[Symbol: Rx] Goulard's extract [Symbol: ounce] sj. + Water 1 pint. + Mix. + or, +[Symbol: Rx] Sugar of lead [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + or, +[Symbol: Rx] Powdered alum [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + + +The above mixtures should be warmed before using, otherwise the dog may +resist their introduction. + +When the disease from bad treatment or neglect has subsided into the +chronic form, and ulceration and suppuration have commenced, it will be +necessary to pursue a somewhat different treatment, and remain more +patient, awaiting the result. + +At this time the auditory passage is filled with a dark purulent +secretion, which forms a thick and irritating crust. + +This deposit should first be removed by washing with castile soap and +tepid water, and the daily application of a hop poultice. If there be +much inflammatory action of the parts, the dog may be bled, and +alterative or purgative balls administered. The following wash must be +used two or three times daily. + +[Symbol: Rx] Sugar of lead [Symbol: scruple] i. + Laudanum gtt.--20 (drops.) + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + +As the discharge is usually very offensive, the following solution will +correct its fetor, and should be injected or poured in the ear. + +[Symbol: Rx] Chloride of lime [Symbol: drachm] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] vi. + Mix. + +If granulations have sprung up, touch them with a camel's hair brush, +dipped in the following mixture: + +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of copper [Symbol: scruple] i. + Water [Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + +If, however, the excrescences continue to sprout from the cartilage, and +the discharge continues unabated and offensive, they may be excised and +the parts brushed over with nitrate of silver in substance. After this +operation the flap often becomes extremely tender and much swollen; +poultices of poppy-heads or hops will often afford much relief. + +Setons are of much value in the treatment of obstinate cases, and should +be placed in the poll, and kept open till a cure is effected, or the +case abandoned. + +All greasy applications to the parts should be discarded; the only one +we consider allowable would be a very nice preparation of fresh butter, +alum, and laudanum, smeared over the surface of the ulcers when very +indolent and painful. + +The following wash will be found very soothing in the same case: + +[Symbol: Rx] Opium gtt. 20. + Gum arabic iss-- + Lime water [Symbol: ounce] iv. + +If the disease has progressed far enough to destroy a considerable +portion of the cartilages, and perforate the tympanum, more care is +necessary in using the above washes, as the fluid will enter the +internal ear through this opening, and cause much uneasiness to the +animal, if not fatal consequences. + + +WOUNDS OF THE EAR. + +Wounds of the flap are often occasioned by the tearing of poisonous +briars, while hunting in close cover, or in conflict with other dogs. + +The former will generally heal up without much trouble, but the latter, +when extensive, sometimes two or three inches in length, by requiring +uniting by one or more sutures, to prevent deformity. + + +WARTS. + +When these little excrescences appear on the external or internal +portions of the flap, they may be taken off with the knife, and caustic +applied to the wound, to induce them to heal, and keep down further +granulations. + + +CANKER OF THE EDGE OF THE FLAP. + +When a corroding sore of this nature attacks the edges of the ear, and +refuses to yield to the application of a few stimulating washes, such as +sulphate of copper, alum, borax, nitrate of silver, &c., the diseased +edges may be paired off, and the actual cautery applied to the parts. +This will frequently arrest its further progress. + + +POLYPUS OF THE EAR + +Polypi often spring up from the interior of the ear; they may be cut off +with the scissors, or by the application of a fine wire, or horse-hair +ligature. The wound should be touched with caustic, tincture of iodine, +or the actual cautery. + + +DISEASES OF THE EAR--MANGY EDGES + +This affection generally accompanies the same disease in other portions +of the body, but may occasionally make its appearance independent of +this cause. The edges of the flap become rough, thickened, and furrowed, +the itching intolerable; and the dog perpetually shaking and scratching +the head, occasions a constant oozing of blood from the wound. +Smooth-baited dogs are most subject to this disease, such as pointers, +hounds, and terriers. + +'Treatment'--Slightly stimulating washes, such as castile soap, +alum-water, or infusion of oak-bark, will, in the majority of cases, +induce these sores to heal up. If these do not answer, it will be +necessary to use the mange ointment, keeping the animal hobbled to +prevent him from scratching. Old inveterate cases are best cured by +trimming off the affected parts.--L.] + + + + +CHAPTER X--ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND MOUTH ETC. + + +THE ETHMOID BONES. + +There is some difficulty in describing the ethmoid bones; but we shall +not, however, deviate far from the truth if we give the following +account: + +A great number of small hollow pedicles proceed from and form around the +cribriform plate; as they move downwards, they project into distinct +vesicles or cavities, smaller and more numerous behind, fewer in number +and larger in front; and each of them not a simple cavity, but more or +less convoluted, while the long walls of those cells are of gossamer +thinness, and as porous as gauze. They even communicate, and are lined, +and externally wrapped together, by the same membrane; the whole +assuming a pear-like form, attached by its base or greater extremity, +and decreasing in size as it proceeds downwards; the cells becoming +fewer, and terminating at length in a kind of apex, which passes under +the superior turbinated bone, and forms a valve between the nasal cavity +and the maxillary sinuses. If to this is added, that the olfactory or +first pair of nerves abut on these cribriform plates, and pass through +their minute openings, and spread themselves over every one of these +cells, we have a tolerably correct picture of this portion of the +ethmoid bones. This nerve has different degrees of development in +different animals, in proportion to their acuteness of smell. There is +comparatively but little necessity for acuteness in the horse. The ox +has occasion for somewhat more, especially in the early part of the +spring, when the plants are young, and have not acquired their peculiar +scent. In the sheep it is larger, and fills the superior portion of the +nasal cavity; but in the dog it seems to occupy that cavity almost to +the exclusion of the turbinated bones. It is also much more fragile in +the dog than in the ox, and the plates have a considerably thinner +structure. + +The ethmoid bone of the horse or the ox may be removed from its +situation with little injury; but that of the dog can scarcely be +meddled with without fracture. Below it are the two turbinated bones; +but they are reduced to insignificance by the bulk of the ethmoid bone. +The inferior turbinated bone in the dog is very small, but it is +curiously complicated. + +The 'meatus' contains three distinct channels; and the air, loitering, +as it were, in it, and being longer in contact with the sensitive +membrane by which it is lined, contributes to the acuter sense of smell. +The larger cavity is along the floor of the nasal duct. It is the proper +air-passage; and because it has this important function to discharge, it +is out of the way of violence or injury. + +The 'lachrymal duct' is the channel through which the superfluous tears +are conveyed to the lower parts of the nostril. A long canal here +commences, and runs down and along the maxillary bone. It is very small, +and terminates in the cuticle, in order that the highly sensitive +membrane of the nose may not be excoriated by the tears occasionally +rendered acrimonious in inflammation of the eye. The oval termination of +this duct is easily brought into view by lifting the nostril. + +From some occasional acrimony of the tears, the lining of this duct may +be inflamed and thickened, or some foreign body, or some unctuous matter +from the ciliary glands, may insinuate itself into the duct, and the +fluid accumulates in the sac and distends it, and it bursts; or the +ulcer eats through the integument, and there is a small fistulous +opening beneath the inner canthus of the eye, or there is a constant +discharge from it. It is this constant discharge that prevents the wound +from healing. In some cases the lachrymal bone is involved in the +ulcerative process and becomes carious. In the dog, and particularly in +the smaller spaniel, the watery eye, 'fistula lachrymalis', is of no +unusual occurrence. The fistula will be recognised by a constant, +although perhaps slight, discharge of pus. + +The structure and office of the 'velum palati', or veil of the palate, +is in the horse a perfect interposed section between the cavity of the +mouth and the nose, and cutting off all communication between them. In +the dog, who breathes almost entirely through the mouth, the velum +palati is smaller; the tensor muscle, so beautifully described by Mr. +Percivall, is weak, but the circumflex one is stronger and more +developed. When 'coryza' in the dog runs on to catarrh, and the membrane +of the pharynx partakes of the inflammation, the velum palati becomes +inflamed and thickened, but will not act as a perfect communication +between the mouth and the nose. When there is a defluxion from the nose, +tinged by the colour of the food, and particles of food mingle with it, +we have one of the worst symptoms that can present itself, because it +proves the extent and violence of the inflammation. + +In inflammatory affections of the membrane of the nose in the dog, we +often observe him snorting in a very peculiar way, with his head +protruding, and the inspiration as forcible as the expiration. An emetic +will usually afford relief, or grain doses of the sulphate of copper. + + +THE NASAL BONES. + +The nasal bones of the dog (see fig. 2, in the head of the dog, page +181) are very small, as they are in all carnivorous animals. Instead of +constituting the roof, and part of the outer wall of the cavity, as in +other animals, the nasal bones form only a portion, and a small one, of +the roof. + +The 'superior maxillaries' here swell into importance, and constitute +the whole of the outer wall, and, sometimes, a part of the roof. The +jaws are the weapons of offence and defence; and as much space as +possible is devoted to the insertion of those muscles that will enable +the animal to seize and to hold his prey. One of the most powerful of +them, the 'masseter', rises from the superior maxillary bone, and +spreads over its whole extent: therefore, that bone is developed, while +the nasal bone is compressed into a very small space. The substitution +of a portion of cartilage, instead of bone, at the posterior part of the +orbital ring, in order to give more play for the coracoid process of the +posterior maxillary, round which the temporal bone is wrapped, is a +contrivance of the same nature. + +The scent of the dog is not sacrificed or impaired by the apparent +diminution of the nasals; for the cavity enlarges considerably upward, +and is occupied chiefly by the 'ethmoid bone', which, having the greater +portion of nervous pulp spread on it, seems to have most to do with the +sense of smell. + +The nasal bones of the dog are essentially different from those of the +horse, cattle, and sheep. They commence, indeed, as high up in the face +as those of the horse, their superior extremities being opposite to the +lachrymal gland; but that commencement is an apex or point varying +materially in different breeds. They form, altogether, one sharp +projection, and are received within breeds these processes extend nearly +one-third of the length of the nasals. + +The superior maxillary (3.3.) takes the situation of the nasal (2.), +pushes the lachrymal bone (4.) out of its place, and almost annihilates +it, reaches the frontal bone (7.) and expands upon it, and forms with it +the same denticulated suture which is to be seen in the nasal. The +action of the muscle between these bones, and for the development of +which all this sacrifice is made, is exceedingly powerful. The strength +of this muscle in a large dog is almost incredible: the sutures between +these bones must possess corresponding strength; and so strong is the +union between them, that, in many old dogs, the suture between the +superior maxillary and frontal bones is nearly obliterated, and that +between the nasal and frontal maxillary quite effaced. + +As the nasal bones proceed downward they become somewhat wider. They +unite with a long process of the anterior maxillary for the purpose of +strength, and then terminate in a singular way. They have their apexes +or points on the outer edge of the bone; and these apexes or points are +so contrived, that, lying upon, and seemingly losing themselves, on the +processes of the anterior maxillary, they complete, superiorly and +posteriorly, that elliptical bony opening into the nose which was +commenced by the maxillary anteriorly and inferiorly. The nasal cavity +of the dog, therefore, and of all carnivorous animals, terminates by a +somewhat circular opening, more or less in the form of an ellipse. This +bony aperture varies in size in different dogs, and, as we should expect +from what we have seen of the adaptation of structure to the situation +and wants of the animal, it is largest in those on whom we are most +dependent for speed and stoutness. + +The 'olfactory', or first pair of nerves, have a double origin, namely, +from the 'corpus striatum' and the base of the 'corpus callosum'. They +are prolongations of the medullary substance of the central portion of +the brain. They are the largest of the cerebral nerves. Their course is +exceedingly short; and they have not a single anastomosis, in order that +the impression made on them may be conveyed undisturbed and perfect to +the brain. + +The olfactory nerve is a prolongation of the substance of the brain, and +it abuts upon the cribriform bone, of which mention has been made. I +will not speak of the singular cavities which it contains, nor of their +function; this belongs to the sensorial system: but its pulpy matter has +already been traced to the base of the ethmoid bone, and the under part +of the septum, and the superior turbinated bone. Although we soon lose +it in the mucous membrane of the nose, there is little doubt that in a +more filmy form it is spread over the whole of the cavity, and probably +over all the sinuses of the face and head. It is, however, so mingled +with the mucous membrane, that no power of the lens has enabled us to +follow it so far. It is like the 'portio mollis of the seventh pair, +eluding the eye, but existing in sufficient substances for the +performance of its important functions. + +We have frequent cases of 'Ozæna' in old dogs, and sometimes in those +that are younger. The discharge from the nostril is abundant and +constant, and sometimes fetid. The Schneiderian membrane, of more than +usual sensibility in this animal, is exposed to many causes of +irritation, and debilitated and worn out before its time. Pugs are +particularly subject to Ozæna. I scarcely ever knew a very old pug that +had it not to a greater or less degree. The peculiar depression between +the nasal and frontal bones in this breed of dogs, while it almost +totally obliterates the frontal sinuses, may narrow the air-passage at +that spot, and cause greater irritation there from the unusual rush of +the air, and especially if the membrane becomes inflamed or any foreign +body insinuates itself. + +Little can be done in these cases, except to encourage cleanliness about +the face and nostrils. It is, in the majority of these cases, a disease +of old age, and must take its course. + +A terrier uttered a continual loud stertorous sound in breathing, which +could be plainly heard in our parlour when the dog was in the hospital. +The animal was evidently much oppressed and in considerable pain. He +made continual, and generally ineffectual, efforts to sneeze. When he +did succeed, a very small quantity of pus-like fluid was discharged; the +dog was then considerably relieved, but a quarter of an hour afterwards +he was as bad as ever. I ordered a slight emetic every third day. There +was some relief for seven or eight hours, and then he was as bad as +ever. I could neither feel nor see any cause of obstruction. The owner +became tired, and the dog was taken away; but we could not learn what +became of it. + +Another terrier was occasionally brought for consultation. The dog +breathed with considerable difficulty, and occasionally snorted with the +greatest violence, and bloody purulent matter was discharged; after +which he was somewhat relieved; but, in the course of a few days, the +obstruction was as great as ever. I am not aware of a single instances +of this affection of the pug being completely removed. The discharge +from the nostrils of the bull-dog is often considerable, and, once being +thoroughly established, is almost as obstinate as in the pug. + + +OZÆNA. + +Ozæna, or fetid discharge from the nose, is, perhaps, the most +troublesome and frequent affection that this organ is subject to; it is +attended, at first, with slight fever, swelling of the parts, and a +fetid discharge from the nostrils, which, if not corrected in the early +stage of the disease, subsides into a chronic purulent secretion, that +not only weakens the dog, but renders him peculiarly offensive. Caries +and destruction of the bones of the nose will ultimately take place. + +'Causes'.--Inflammation of the lining membrane of the nose, either +idiopathic, or arising from distemper, or other morbid disturbance of +the system. It may also be a symptom, or the produce, of polypi in this +organ. + +'Treatment'.--In commencing the treatment of this disease, it will be +necessary first to prescribe some alterative medicines, as balls of +aloes and rhubarb, and protect the animal from all severe atmospherical +vicissitudes. This precaution, in connexion with mild astringent +injections into the seat of the disorder, will generally effect a cure. + +'Injections for Ozæna'. + +No. 1. +[Symbol: Rx] Sulphate of Zinc.........................grs. v to x. + Water..............................[Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + +No. 2. +[Symbol: Rx] Alum.............................[Symbol: scruple] ii. + Water..............................[Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix + +No. 3. +[Symbol: Rx] Chloride of Soda........................grs. v. to x. + Water..............................[Symbol: ounce] i. + Mix. + +No. 4. +[Symbol: Rx] Teneriffe, Madeira or Sherry wine..[Symbol: ounce] i. + Extract of Tannin.............................grs. iv. + Mix. + +[Any of the above injections will answer a good purpose. No. 3 is +particularly useful to correct the fetidness of the discharge. When the +disease is an old chronic affection, it should not be arrested too +suddenly by astringent injections; in such cases it will be better to +insert a seton in the poll, and thus keep up a drain from the system +after the suppression of the other.--L.] + + +THE SENSE OF SMELL. + +In the dog we trace the triumph of 'olfactory power'. How indistinct +must be that scent which is communicated to, and lingers on, the ground +by the momentary contact of the foot of the hare, the fox, or the deer; +yet the hound, of various breeds, recognises it for hours, and some +sportsmen have said for more than a day. He also can not only +distinguish the scent of one species of animal from another, but that of +different animals of the same species. The fox-hound, well broken-in, +will rarely challenge at the scent of the hare, nor will he be imposed +upon when the crafty animal that he pursues has taken refuge in the +earth, and thrusts out a new victim before the pack. + +The sense of smelling is, to a certain degree, acute in all dogs. It is +a provision wisely and kindly made, in order to guide them to their +proper food, or to fit them for our service. It may possibly be the +medium through which much evil is communicated. Certain particles of a +deleterious nature may be, and doubtless are, arrested by the mucous +membrane of the nose, and there absorbed, and the constitution, to a +considerable degree, becomes affected. Hence appears the necessity for +attention to ventilation, and especially to prevent the membrane of the +nose from being habitually stimulated and debilitated by the effluvia +generated in a close and hot kennel. + +M. Majendie instituted some curious experiments on the sense of +smelling, and he was led to believe that it depended more on the fifth +pair of nerves than on the olfactory nerve. He divided the fifth pair, +and from that moment no odour, no puncture, produced the slightest +apparent impression on the membrane of the nose. In another dog he +destroyed the two olfactory nerves, and placed some strong odours +beneath the nostrils of the animal. The dog conducted himself as he +would have done in his ordinary state. Hence he concluded it probable +that the olfactory nerve was not that of smelling. + +The simple fact, however, is, that there are two species of nerves here +concerned--those of common and of peculiar sensation. The olfactory +nerve is the nerve of smelling, the fifth pair is that of common +sensation. They are to a certain degree necessary to each other. + +'Scent'.--This leads us to the consideration of the term "scent." It +expresses the odour or effluvium which is constantly issuing from every +animal, and especially when that animal is in more than usual exercise. +In a state of heat or excitement, the pores of the skin appear relaxed, +and a fluid or aqueous vapour is secreted, which escapes in small or +large quantities, adheres to the persona or substances on which it +falls, and is, particularly, received on the olfactory organs. The +hound, at almost the earliest period, begins to comprehend the work +which he has to perform. The peculiar scent which his nostrils imbibe +urges him eagerly to pursue but the moment he ceases to be conscious of +the presence of the effluvium, he is at a perfect loss. + +Mr. Daniel, in his work on the Chase, very properly observes, that "the +scent most favourable to the hound is when the effluvium, constantly +perspired from the game as it runs, is kept by the gravity of the air at +the height of his breast. It is then neither above his reach nor does he +need to stoop for it. This is what is meant when the scent is said to be +breast-high." + +When the leaves begin to fall, the scent does not lie well in the cover. +It frequently alters materially in the same day. This depends +principally on the condition of the ground and the temperature of the +air, which should be moist but not wet. When the ground is hard and the +air dry, there will seldom be much scent. The scent rarely lies with a +north or east wind. A southerly wind without rain is the best. Sudden +storms are sure to destroy the scent. A fine sunshiny day is not good; +but a warm day without sun is always a good one. If, as the morning +advances, the drops begin to hang on the bushes, the scent will not lie. +During a white frost the scent lies high, and also when the frost is +quite gone; but at the time of its going off the scent never lies. In a +hard rain, if the air is mild, the scent will sometimes be very good. A +wet night often produces the best chases. In heathy countries, where the +game brushes the grass or the boughs as it goes along, the scent seldom +fails. It lies best on the richest soils; but the countries that are +favourable to horses are not always so to hounds. The morning usually +affords the best scent, and the game is then least able to escape. The +want of rest, added perhaps to a full belly, gives the hounds a decided +superiority over an early-found fox; and the condition of the ground and +the temperature of the air are circumstances of much importance. + +Such are the results of the best observations on scent; but, after all, +we have much to learn concerning it. Many a day that predicated to be a +good one for scent has turned out a very bad one, and 'vice versa'. An +old or experienced sportsman, knowing this, will never presume to make +sure of his scent. + +We shall be forgiven if we pursue this subject a little at length. + +There is not only a constant appropriation of new matter to repair the +losses that animals are continually sustaining, but there is a constant +elaboration of gaseous or fluid matter maintaining the balance of the +different systems, and essential to the continuance of life. This +effluvium, as the animal moves from place to place, is attracted and +detained for a while by the substances with which it comes into contact, +or it remains floating in the atmosphere. + +There is a peculiar smell or scent belonging to each individual, either +generally or under peculiar circumstances. + +The sportsman takes advantage of this; and, as most species of dogs +possess great acuteness of olfactory power, they can distinguish, or +are readily taught to distinguish, not only the scent of the hare from +that of the fox, but that of the hare or fox which they are pursuing +from that of half a dozen others that may be started during the chase. + +The dogs that are selected for this purpose are those the conformation +of whose face and head gives ample room for the development of the +olfactory apparatus, and these are the different species of hounds; but +a systematic education, and too often a great deal of unnecessary +cruelty, is resorted to, in order to make them perfect in their work. +The distinction between the scent of the fox and that of the hare is +soon learned by the respective packs; and, when it is considered that +the hunted hare is perspiring at every pore, and her strength being +almost exhausted, she is straining every limb to escape from her +pursuers, the increasing quantity of vapour which exudes from her will +prevent every other newly started animal from being mistaken for her. + +It has been well observed that when the atmosphere is loaded with +moisture, and rain is at hand, the gas is speedily dissolved and mingles +with the surrounding air. A storm dissipates it at once, while the +cessation of the rain is preceded by the return and increased power of +scent. A cold, dry easterly wind condenses and absorbs it, and this is +even more speedily and irretrievably done by superabundant moisture. On +fallows and beaten roads the scent rarely lies well, for there is +nothing to detain it, and it is swept away in a moment; while over a +luxuriant pasture, or by the hedge-row, or on the coppice, it lingers, +clinging to the grass or the bushes. In a sunshiny day the scent is +seldom strong; for too much of it is evaporated by the heat. The most +favourable period is a soft southerly wind without rain, the scent being +of the same temperature and gravity with the atmosphere. Although it +spreads over the level, it rises not far above the ground, and, being +'breast high', enables the hound, keeping his muzzle in the midst of it, +to run at his greatest speed. The different manners or attitudes in +which the dog runs afford pleasing and satisfactory illustrations of the +nature of the scent. Sometimes they will be seen galloping with their +noses in the air, as if their game had flown away, and, an hour or two +afterwards, every one of them will have his muzzle on the ground. The +specific gravity of the atmosphere has changed, and the scent has risen +of fallen in proportion. + +A westerly wind stands next to a southerly one, for a hunting morning. +This is all simple enough, and needs not the mystification with which it +has been surrounded. A valuable account of this may be found in +Johnson's Shooting Companion, a work that is justly and highly approved. + +Mr. Delmé Radcliffe has also, in his splendid work on "the noble +science," some interesting remarks on the scent of hounds. He says that +there is an idiosyncracy, a peculiarity, in their several dispositions. +Some young hounds seem to enter on their work instinctively. From their +first to their last appearance in the field they do no wrong. Others, +equally good, will take no notice of anything; they will not stoop to +any scent during the first season, and are still slack at entering even +at the second; but are ultimately distinguished at the head of the pack; +and such usually last some seasons longer than the more precocious of +the same litter. + + +THE TONGUE. + +The manner of drinking is different in the different animals. The horse, +the ox, and the sheep do not plunge their muzzles into the water, but +bring their lips into contact with it and sip it gradually. The dog, +whose tongue is longer, plunges it a little way into the fluid, and, +curving its tip and its edges, laps, in the language of Johnson, with a +"quick reciprocation of the tongue." The horse sucks the water that is +placed before him, the dog laps it; and both of them are subject to +inflammation of the tongue, to enlargement of that organ, and to a +considerable or constant flow of saliva over it. + +Extending from the base to the tip of the tongue there is on either side +a succession of tendons, which help to retain the tongue in the mouth, +and to curve the edge of it, so as to convey the food or the water to +the posterior part of the mouth. These all spring from one central cord, +and ramify over the membrane of the tongue. On opening the mouth, and +keeping it open by means of two pieces of tape, one behind the upper +canine teeth, and the other behind the lower ones, and drawing the +tongue from the mouth and exposing its under surface, a cuticular fold +or ridge will present itself, occupying a middle line from the base of +the tongue to its very point. If this is opened with a lancet, a minute +fibrous cord will be exposed through its whole extent. It is the cord +which governs the motions of the tongue. + +This cord is, sometimes, foolishly and uselessly detached from its +adhesions, so far as we can effect it, and drawn forward with a +tenaculum and divided. There is one abominable course pursued in +effecting this. The violence used in stripping down the tendon is so +great, and the lacerated fibrous substance is put so much on the stress, +and its natural elasticity is so considerable, that it recoils and +assumes the appearance of a dying worm, and the dog is said to have been +wormed. For the sake of humanity, as well as to avoid the charge of +ignorance, it is to be hoped that this practice will speedily cease. + + +THE BLAIN. + +The blain is a vesicular enlargement on the lateral and under part of +the tongue in horses, oxen, and dogs, which, although not of unfrequent +occurrence, or peculiarly fatal result, has not been sufficiently +noticed by veterinary authors. In the horse and the dog it is often +unaccompanied by any previous indisposition, or by other disease; but +suddenly there is a copious discharge of saliva, at first limpid and +without smell, but soon becoming purulent, bloody, and exceedingly +fetid. On examination, the tongue is found apparently enlarged. It is +elevated from its base between the maxillary bones, and on the side and +towards the base of it are seen large vesicles, pellucid, red, livid, or +purple; and, if the discharge is fetid, having near their bases ulcers, +irregular, unhealthy, and gangrenous. + +In the horse and the dog the progress of the disease is slow, and seldom +extends beyond the sides of the tongue. The vesicles are not of such +magnitude as to interfere with respiration, and the ulcers are neither +many nor foul. + +In cattle it is sadly different. The vesicles attain an enormous size. +They quickly break and form deep ulcerations, which are immediately +succeeded by other vesicles still larger. The whole membrane of the +mouth becomes affected; the inflammation and swelling extend to the +cellular substance of the neighbouring parts, and the head and neck are +considerably, and sometimes enormously, enlarged; the respiratory +passages are obstructed; the animal breathes with the greatest +difficulty, and is, in some cases, literally suffocated. + +The primary seat of blain, is the cellular substance beneath the +integument of the part. As the sublingual glands stretch along the under +part of the tongue, and their ducts open on the side of the frænum, it +is possible that this disease may proceed from, or be connected with, +obstruction or inflammation of these ducts. Dissection, however, has not +proved this; and the seat of the disease, when the swellings are first +discovered, is chiefly the cellular tissue between the integument and +the lateral parts of the tongue, and also that between the membrane of +the mouth and the sublingual glands. + +'Post-mortem' examination shows intense disease: the small intestines +are highly inflamed with red and black patches, which are also found in +the cŸcum, colon, and rectum. + +The blain is more frequent in spring and summer than at other seasons of +the year. These are the times when the animal is debilitated by the +process of moulting, and is then more than usually disposed to +inflammatory complaints. It is usually an epidemic disease. Many cases +of it occur about the same time in certain districts, and over a great +extent of country. When it appears in towns, the country is rarely +exempt from it. I am not prepared lo say that it is contagious either in +the horse or the dog. I have not seen any instance of it. At all events, +it is not so virulent in these animals as it is in cattle. + +The vesicles should be freely lanced from end to end. There will not, +perhaps, be much immediate discharge; for the vesicle will be distended +by a substance imperfectly organised, or of such a glassy or inspissated +nature as not readily to escape. It will, however, soon disappear; and +in four-and-twenty hours, in the majority of cases, the only vestige of +the disease will be an incision, not, perhaps, looking very healthy, but +that will soon become so and heal. If there have been any previous +ulcerations, or the slightest fetor, the mouth should he frequently +washed with a diluted solution of the chloride of lime; one part of the +saturated solution, and eleven of water. This will act as a powerful and +useful stimulus to the foul and indolent ulcer. When all unpleasant +smell is removed, the mouth should be bathed with a lotion composed of +equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water, or half an ounce of alum +dissolved in a quart of water, and two ounces of the tincture of catechu +added to the solution. I do not recollect a case in the horse or dog, in +which these medicines were not employed with advantage. In cattle, +before there has been fetor attending the discharge, or the constitution +has been materially affected, these simple means will perfectly succeed. + +If the practitioner is consulted somewhat too late, when the +constitution has become affected, and typhoid fever has ensued, he +should still lance the tumours, and apply the chloride of lime and the +tincture of myrrh, and give a gentle aperient. He should endeavour to +rouse and support the system by tonic medicines, as gentian and colomba +with ginger, adding to two drachms of the first two, and one drachm of +the last, half an ounce of nitre; but he should place most dependence on +nourishing food. Until the mouth is tolerably sound, it is probable that +the animal will not be induced to eat; but it will occasionally sip a +little fluid, and, therefore, gruel should be always within its reach. +More should occasionally be given, as thick as it will flow, with a +spoon or small horn. + +[INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE. + +Glossitis or inflammation of the tongue is not an unfrequent disease, +but is occasionally met with in its simple form or in connexion with +inflammatory affections of the throat. Under all and any circumstances +this affection must be considered a dangerous malady, as it not +unfrequently proves fatal in the course of a few hours from suffocation, +occasioned by the swelling of the organ itself and other portions of the +throat. The disease comes on suddenly with fever, heat, swelling and +redness of the tongue. The tongue protrudes from the mouth and exhibits +a dry, hot, inflammatory appearance, the respiration is hurried, and the +animal expresses great uneasiness, and constant desire to lap water, +which he can with difficulty accomplish. If not arrested, the +inflammation may terminate in suppuration, by which process the swelling +is relieved, and a cure often effected. + +'Causes'.--Independent of the natural agents before referred to in the +production of inflammatory affections, there are some few causes to +which we can especially attribute this disease. Direct injuries done to +the member itself, either by wounds or stings of insects, the taking of +poisonous or irritating substances into the mouth, want of water while +hunting in hot weather, &c. + +Several years ago we witnessed the death of a very valuable pointer, +suffering from this disease produced by poison maliciously administered. +He was affected so suddenly and violently with inflammation of the +throat and tongue that his owner, Mr. F--, was lead to believe that a +bone had lodged in the throat, which was the occasion of all the +trouble. After proper examination and considerable delay, he was forced +to abandon this erroneous idea, but not in time to save the poor animal, +who soon died from strangulation or congestion of the lungs. This +valuable dog might have been saved if promptly and energetically treated. + +The stings of wasps or bees may also produce this affection. + +'Treatment'.--Nothing can be done with this malady without the use of +the lancet, by which six or eight ounces of blood should be drawn at the +commencement of the disease. If the tongue is much swollen and very +tender, longitudinal incisions should be made in it, extending as far +back as possible, and their bleeding assisted by sponging the mouth out +with tepid water. Astringent applications may then be used as washes, +such as alum water, strong vinegar, infusions of oak bark or solutions +of nitrate of silver, four or six grains to the ounce, to be applied +once or twice a day. A large blister may also be placed under the +throat, and when the inflammation is sufficiently reduced to allow the +introduction of articles into the stomach, a powerful purge of aloes +should be given. Nothing, however, can be done without copious +bleeding.--L.] + + +THE LIPS + +of the dog discharge, with somewhat less efficiency, the same office as +in the horse, cattle, and sheep; and are usefully employed in gathering +together the food, and conveying it to the mouth. The lips also secrete +the saliva, a fluid that is indispensably necessary for the proper +comminution of the food. + +Swellings on the inside of the cheek or upper lip, and extending nearly +to the angle of the lip, are of frequent occurrence. A superficial sore +spreads over it, slightly covered by a yellowish, mattery pellicle; and +on the teeth, and extending down the gums, there is a deposition of +hardened tartarous matter, which is scaled off with a greater or less +degree of difficulty. It must be removed, or the sore will rapidly +spread over the cheek. A lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and +water, with a few drops of the tincture of cantharides, will be usually +sufficient to cause the swelling to subside, and the pellicle to be +detached. The lip, however, will generally remain slightly thickened. A +little soreness will sometimes return, but be easily reduced. + + +THE TEETH + +next claim attention. + +According to the dentition of the dog by M. Girard and Linnæus, the +following is the acknowledged formula: + +Incisors, 5/6; Canines, (1-1)/(1-1); Molars, (6-6)/(7-7),=42. + +The following cuts exhibit the front teeth of the dog in various +stages of growth and decay: + +[Seven illustrations, shown in full in the html version of this text.] + +The full-grown dog has usually 20 teeth in the upper, and 22 in the +lower jaw, with two small supernumerary molars. All of them, with the +exception of the tushes, are provided with a bony neck covered by the +gums, and separating the body of the tooth from the root. The projecting +portion of the teeth is more or less pointed, and disposed so as to tear +and crush the food on which the dog lives. They are of a moderate size +when compared with those of other animals, and are subject to little +loss of substance compared with the teeth of the horse. In most of them, +however, there is some alteration of form and substance, both in the +incisors and the tushes; but this depends so much on the kind of food on +which the animal lives, and the consequent use of the teeth, that the +indication of the age, by the altered appearance of the mouth, is not to +be depended upon after the animal is four or five years old. The incisor +teeth are six in number in each jaw, and are placed opposite to each +other. In the lower jaw, the pincers, or central teeth, are the largest +and the strongest; the middle teeth are somewhat less; and the corner +teeth the smallest and the weakest. In the upper jaw, however, the +corner teeth are much larger than the middle ones; they are farther +apart from their neighbours, and they terminate in a conical point +curved somewhat inwards and backwards. + +As long as the teeth of the full-grown dog are whole, and not injured by +use, they have a healthy appearance, and their colour is beautifully +white. The surface of the incisors presents, as in the ruminants, an +interior and cutting edge, and a hollow or depression within. This edge +or border is divided into three lobes, the largest and most projecting +forming the summit or point of the tooth. The two lateral lobes have the +appearance of notches cut on either side of the principal lobe; and the +union of the three resembles the 'fleur de lis', which, however, is in +the process of time effaced by the wearing out of the teeth. (Figs. 3 +and 4.) + +While the incisor teeth are young, they are flattened on their sides, +and bent somewhat backwards, and there is a decided cavity, in which a +pulpy substance is enclosed. This, however, is gradually contracted as +the age of the dog increases. + +M. F. Cuvier speaks of certain supernumerary teeth occasionally +developed in each of the jaws. There is much irregularity accompanying +them; and they have even been supposed to have extended to seven or +eight in number. + + +THE INDICATIONS OF AGE. + +The dog displays natural indications of age. The hair turns gray to a +certain extent as in the human being. This commences about the eyes, and +extends over the face, and weakens the sight; and, at ten years old, or +earlier, in the majority of dogs, this can scarcely be mistaken. At +fifteen or sixteen years the animal is becoming a nuisance, yet he has +been known to linger on until he has reached his two-and-twentieth year. + +Among the diseases from which the dog suffers, there are few of more +frequent occurrence than decayed teeth, especially in towns, or in the +habitations of the higher classes of society: the carious teeth, in +almost every case, becoming insufferably fetid, or so loose as to +prevent mastication; or an immense accumulation of tartar growing round +them. + +The course which the veterinary surgeon pursues is an exceedingly simple +one. If any of the teeth are considerably loose, they must be removed. +If there is any deposit of tartaric acid, it must be got rid of by means +of the proper instruments, not very different from those which the human +surgeon employs. The teeth must be perfectly cleaned, and every loose +one taken away. Without this the dog will be an almost insufferable +nuisance. The decayed and loose teeth being removed, chlorinated lime +diluted with 15 or 20 times its bulk of water should be applied to the +gums. By the use of this the ulcers will quickly heal; the fetor will be +removed, and the deposition of the tartar prevented. Mr. Blaine first +introduced the chlorinated lime for the accomplishment of these +purposes. + +Two little histories out of a great number will sufficiently illustrate +these cases. A terrier had scarcely eaten during more than a week. He +dropped his meat after attempting to chew it, and the breath was very +offensive. Several of the teeth were loose, and the rest were thickly +encrusted with tartar. The gums had receded from the teeth, and were +red, sore, and ulcerated. + +I removed all the loose teeth; for experience had taught me that they +rarely or never became again fixed. I next, with the forceps and knife, +cleaned the others, and ordered the diluted chlorinated lime to be +alternated with tincture of myrrh and water. The extraction of the loose +teeth, and the removal of the tartar from those that were sound, +occupied a full hour; for the dog resisted with all his might. He, +however, soon began to eat; the lotions were continued; and five months +afterwards, the mouth of the dog was not in the slightest degree +offensive. + +An old dog should not be quite abandoned. A pug had only four teeth +remaining beside the canines. They were all thickly covered with tartar, +and two of them were very loose. The gums and lips were in a dreadfully +cankerous state, and the dog was unable to eat. All that he could do was +to lap a little milk or broth. + +I extracted the two loose teeth, cleaned the others, and ordered a +lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water to be applied. + +'13th August', 1842.--A very considerable discharge of pus was observed, +with blood from the mouth, apparently proceeding from the cavity whence +one of the teeth had been extracted. The dog is exceedingly thirsty, and +walks round and round the water-dish, but is afraid to lap. He has not +eaten for two days. Use the lotion as before, and force him with strong +soup. + +'15th.' The dog has not voluntarily eaten, but is still forced with +soup. He is very costive. Give two grains of calomel and an equal +quantity of antimonial powder. + +'18th.' He has eaten a very little, but gets thinner and weaker. +Continue the lotion. + +'27th.' The ulcers are nearly healed, and the discharge of pus has +ceased. + +'31st.' The mouth is clean, the gums are healed, and there is no longer +anything offensive about the dog. + + +THE LARYNX + +is placed at the top of the windpipe, the exit from the lungs, and is +also connected with the Schneiderian membrane. At its upper part is the +epiglottis, the main guard against the passage of the food into the +respiratory tubes, and, at the same time, of the instrument of the +voice. It consists of five cartilages united together by a ligamentous +substance, and, by distinct and perfect articulations, adapting itself +to every change of the respiratory process and the production of the +voice. + +At the base is the 'cricoid cartilage,' the support and bond of union of +the rest. Above are the 'arytenoid cartilages,' resting on the 'chorda +vocales' and influencing their action. The 'epiglottis' is placed at the +extremity of the opening into the windpipe, with its back opposed to the +pharynx, so that when a pellet of food passes from the pharynx in its +way to the oesophagus, the epiglottis is applied over the glottis, and by +this means closes the aperture of the larynx, and prevents any portion +of the food from passing into it. The food having passed over the +epiglottis, that cartilage, from its elastic power, again rises and +resumes its former situation. + +The 'thyroid cartilage' envelopes and protects all the rest, and +particularly the lining membrane of the larynx, which vibrates from the +impulse of the air that passes. The vibrations spread in every direction +until they reach the delicate membrane of the tympanum of the ear. That +membrane responds to the motion without, and the vibration is carried on +to the pulp of the auditory nerve, deep in the recesses of the ear. The +loudness of the tone--its acuteness or graveness--depends on the force +of the expired air and the shortening or lengthening of the chord. Hence +it is, that the tone of the bark of the dog, or the neighing of the +horse, depends so much on the age or size of the animal. Thus we compare +the shrill bark of the puppy with the hoarse one of the adult dog; the +high-toned but sweet music of the beagle with the fuller and lower cry +of the fox-hound, and the deep but melodious baying of the mastiff. I +may, perhaps, be permitted to add to these, the whinnying of the colt +and the neighing of the horse. + +Each animal has his peculiar and intelligible language. He who has long +lived among them will recognise the tone of delight at meeting, rising +into and terminating in a sharper sound; the strong and elevated tone +when they are calling to or challenging each other at a distance; the +short expression of anger--the longer, deeper, hoarser tone of fear; the +murmur almost as deep, but softer, of habitual attachment, and the +elevated yet melodious token of sudden recognition. I could carry on a +conversation with a dog that I once possessed for several minutes, and +one perfectly intelligible to both. + +Inflammation of the larynx is a frequent and dangerous complaint. It +usually commences with, and can scarcely be distinguished from, catarrh, +except that it is attended by cough more violent and painful, and the +dog expectorates considerably. Acute laryngitis is not so frequent an +occurrence; but there is much danger attending it. Blood must be +abstracted to as great an extent as the pulse will bear, or until it +becomes evidently affected. To this must follow digitalis, nitre, tartar +emetic, and aloes, and to these must be added a powerful blister. A +considerable quantity is effused and organized, the membrane is +thickened, perhaps permanently so, and the whole of the submucous +cellular tissue becomes oedematous. + +The dog is subject to sudden attacks of 'angina'. It has been imagined, +from the appearances that are manifested, that some strange body is +arrested in the windpipe or the throat. There is no dread of water or of +the usual fluids; the dog will lap once or twice from that fluid which +is placed before him, and turns slowly away from it; and this +circumstance gives rise to what is called dumb madness. The dog barks in +a particular manner, or rather howls like a rabid dog: he is out of +spirits, has a strange, anxious, altered countenance, and is alternately +cold and hot. Frequently added to this is redness of the buccal and +nasal membranes. He refuses all solid food, and either will not drink or +finds it difficult to swallow anything. His mouth is generally open, and +contains a spumy matter exhaling an offensive smell. His tongue, charged +with a great quantity of saliva, protrudes from his mouth, and the +submaxillary glands are enlarged. To these appearances are added a +yellow tint of the eyes, constipation, and a small quantity of urine, +surcharged with a deep yellow colour. At this period the disease has +generally reached a considerable degree of virulence. Often the +inflammation extends to the back part of the mouth and larynx; and in +this last case the respiration is attended by a hoarse, hissing kind of +sound. + +The progress of the disease is rapid, and, in a few days, it reaches its +highest degree of intensity. It is always fatal when it is intense; and, +when its influence is widely spread, it is a very dangerous complaint. + +Somewhat rarely the subjects of it recover. After death we find great +redness and injection in all the affected nervous surfaces, and +indications of abscesses in which suppuration was not fully established. + + +FOREIGN ARTICLES IN THE THROAT + +When a substance, such as a bone, has become impacted in the throat, the +better plan is to attempt to push it downwards into the stomach, as +there is but little hope of extracting it. + +[A portion of sponge may be securely tied on the end of a piece of +ratan, whalebone, or other flexible material, and inserted in the mouth, +may be carried over the tongue down the throat against the foreign +article, which may then be gently pushed before it. If this should not +succeed, and the substance appears firmly imbedded in the throat, an +incision may be made in the oesophagus and the bone extracted.--L.] + + +BRONCHOCELE OR GOITRE + +in the dog is almost daily forced upon our notice. If a spaniel or +pug-puppy is mangy, pot-bellied, rickety, or deformed, he seldom fails +to have some enlargement of the thyroid gland. The spaniel and the pug +are most subject to this disease. The jugular vein passes over the +thyroid gland; and, as that substance increases, the vein is sometimes +brought into sight, and appears between the gland and the integuement, +fearfully enlarged, varicose, and almost appearing as if it were +bursting. The trachea is pressed upon on either side, and the oesophagus +by the left gland, and there is difficulty of swallowing. The poor +animal pants distressingly after the least exertion, and I have known +absolute suffocation ensue. In a few cases ulceration has followed, and +the sloughing has been dreadful, yet the gland has still preserved its +characteristic structure. Although numerous abscesses have been formed +in the lower part of it, and there has been considerable discharge, +viscid or purulent, the upper part has remained as hard and almost as +scirrhous as before. + +'Cause of Goitre'.--In many cases, this enlargement of the thyroid +glands is plainly connected with a debilitated state of the constitution +generally, and more particularly with a disposition to rickets. I have +rarely seen a puppy that had had mange badly, and especially if mange +was closely followed by distemper, that did not soon exhibit goitre. +Puppies half-starved, and especially if dirtily kept, are thus affected; +and it is generally found connected with a loose skin, flabby muscles, +enlarged belly, and great stupidity. On the other hand, I have seen +hundreds of dogs, to all appearance otherwise healthy, in whom the +glands of the neck have suddenly and frightfully enlarged. I have never +been able to trace this disease to any particular food, whether solid or +liquid; although it is certainly the frequent result of want of +nutriment. + +Some friends, of whom I particularly inquired, assured me, that it is +not to any great extent prevalent in those parts of Derbyshire where +goitre is oftenest seen in the human being. + +It is periodical in the dog. I have seen it under medical treatment, and +without medical treatment, perfectly disappear for a while, and soon +afterwards, without any assignable cause, return. There is a breed of +the Blenheim spaniel, in which this periodical goitre is very +remarkable; the slightest cold is accompanied by enlargement of the +thyroid gland, but the swelling altogether disappears in the course of a +fortnight. I am quite assured that it is hereditary; no one that is +accustomed to dogs can doubt this for a moment. + +'Treatment'.--I am almost ashamed to confess how many inefficient and +cruel methods of treatment I many years ago adopted. I used mercurial +friction, external stimulants, and blisters; I have been absurd enough +to pass setons through the tumours, and even to extirpate them with the +knife. The mercury salivated without any advantage, the stimulants and +the blisters aggravated the evil; the setons did so in a tenfold degree, +so that many dogs were lost in the irritative fever tint was produced; +and, although the gland, when directed out, could not be reproduced, yet +I have been puzzled with the complication of vessels around it, and in +one case lost my patient by hemorrhage, which I could not arrest. + +When the power of iodine in the dispersion of glandular tumours was +first spoken of, I eagerly tried it for this disease, and was soon +satisfied that it was almost a specific. I scarcely recollect a case in +which the glands have not very materially diminished; and, in the +decided majority of cases, they have been gradually reduced to their +natural size. I first tried an ointment composed of the iodine of +potassium and lard, with some, but not a satisfactory result. Next I +used the tincture of iodine, in doses of from five to ten drops, and +with or without any external local application; but I found, at length, +that the simple iodine, made into pills with powdered gum and syrup, +effected almost all that I could wish. It is best to commence with the +eighth of a grain for a small dog, and rapidly increase it to half a +grain, morning and night. A larger dog may take from a quarter of a +grain to a grain. In a few instances, loss of appetite and slight +emaciation have been produced; but then, the medicine being suspended +for a few days, no permanent ill effect has ever followed the exhibition +of iodine. + + +PHLEGMONOUS TUMOUR. + +A phlegmonous tumour under the throat, and accompanied by constitutional +disturbance, with the exception of there being little or no cough, often +appears in the dog. Comparing the size of the animals, these tumours are +much larger than in either the horse or ox; but they are situated higher +up the face, and do not press so much upon the windpipe, nor is there +any apparent danger of suffocation from them. The whole head, however, +is sometimes enlarged to a frightful degree, and the eyes are completely +closed. More than a pint of fluid has sometimes escaped from a +middle-sized dog at the first puncture of the tumour. + +The mode of treatment is, to stimulate the part, in order to expedite +the suppuration of the tumour, and to lance it freely and deeply, as +soon as matter is evidently formed. The wound should be dressed with +tincture of aloes, and a thick bandage placed round the neck, to prevent +the dog from scratching the part, which often causes dreadful +laceration. + +These tumours in the throat of the dog are not always of a phlegmonous +character. They are cysts, sometimes rapidly formed, and of considerable +size, and filled with a serous or gelatinous fluid. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE CHEST; THE DIAPHRAGM; THE PERICARDIUM; THE +HEART; PLEURISY; PNEUMONIA; SPASMODIC COUGH + +The chest is the superior, or in quadrupeds the anterior, cavity of the +trunk of the body: it is divided into two cavities by a membranous +partition, termed 'mediastinum;' and separated from the abdomen, or +cavity which contains the liver, spleen, pancreas, and other abdominal +viscera, by the 'diaphragm,' which is of a musculo-membranous nature. +This membrane may be described, as it is divided, into the main circular +muscle, with its central tendinous expansion forming the lower part, and +two appendices, or 'crura,' as they are termed from their peculiar +shape, constituting its superior portion. We trace the fleshy origin of +the grand muscle, laterally and inferiorly, commencing from the +cartilage of the eighth rib anteriorly, and following somewhat closely, +as we proceed backward, the union of the posterior ribs with their +cartilages, excepting, however, the two last. The attachment is +peculiarly strong. It is denticulated: it encloses the whole of the +latter and inferior part of the chest as far as the sternum, where it is +connected with the ensiform cartilage. + +The diaphragm is the main agent, both in ordinary and extraordinary +respiration. In its quiescent state it presents its convex surface +towards the thorax, and its concave one towards the abdomen. The +anterior convexity abuts upon the lungs; the posterior concavity is +occupied by some of the abdominal viscera. + +Thus far we have described the diaphragm as found in the horse, ox, and +sheep. There is some difference with regard to the dog. The muscular +part of the diaphragm is thick and strong in every species of dog, while +the aponeurotic expansion is comparatively smaller. From the smaller +expanse of the thorax of the dog, and the consequent little expansion of +the diaphragm, the action, although occasionally rapid and violent--for +he is an animal of speed--is not so extensive, and more muscle and less +tendon may be given to him, not only without detriment, but with evident +advantage. Therefore, although we have occasional rupture of the heart +of the dog, oftener perhaps than in the horse, there is no case of +rupture of the diaphragm on record. + +The cavity of the thorax is lined by a membrane, termed pleura, which +covers the surface of the lungs. + +The lungs on either side are enclosed in a separate and perfect bag, +anil each lung has a distinct pleura. The heart lies under the left +lung; and, more perfectly to cut off all injurious connexion or +communication of disease between the lungs and the heart, the heart is +enclosed in a distinct pleura or bag, termed the 'pericardium'. This +membrane closely invests the heart, supports it in its situation, +prevents too great dilatation when it is gorged with blood, and too +violent action when it is sometimes unduly stimulated. Notwithstanding +the confinement of the pericardium, the heart, when under circumstances +of unusual excitation, beats violently against the ribs, and, were it +not thus tied down, would often bruise and injure itself, and cause +inflammation in the neighbouring parts. + +The 'heart' is composed of four cavities; two above, called 'auricles', +from their shape, and two below, termed 'ventricles', occupying the bulk +of the heart. In point of fact, there are two hearts--the one on the +left side propelling the blood through the frame, and the other on the +right side conveying it through the pulmonary system; but, united in the +manner in which they are, their junction contributes to their mutual +strength, and both circulations are carried on at the same time. + +The beating of the heart in the dog is best examined behind the elbow on +the left side. The hand, applied flat against the ribs, will give the +number and character of the pulsations. The pericardium, or outer +investing membrane of the heart, is frequently liable to inflammation, +milked by a quickened and irregular respiration, and an action of the +heart, bounding at an early period of the disease, but becoming scarcely +recognisable as the fluid increases. The patient is then beginning +gradually to sink. A thickening of the substance of the heart is +occasionally suspected, and, on the other hand, an increased capacity of +the cavities of the heart; the parietes being considerably thinner, and +the frame of the animal emaciated. + +The pulse of the greater part of our domestic animals has been +calculated by Mr. Vatel, in his excellent work on Veterinary Pathology, +to be nearly as follows: + + +In the horse, from 32 to 38 pulsations in a minute. + " ox or cow, " 35 " 49 " + " ass, " 48 " 54 " + " sheep, " 70 " 79 " + " goat, from 72 to 76 pulsations in a minute. + " dog, " 90 " 100 " + " cat, " 110 " 120 " + " rabbit, . . 120 " + " guinea-pig, . . 140 " + " crow, . . 136 " + " duck, . . 136 " + " hen, . . 140 " + " heron, . . 200 " + + +The pulse of the dog may be easily ascertained by feeling at the heart +or the inside of the knee, and it varies materially, according to the +breed, as well as the size of the animal. This is very strikingly the +case with some of the sporting dogs, with whom the force as well as the +rapidity of the pulse vary materially according to the character and +breed of the dog. + +There is, occasionally, in the dog as in the human being, an alteration +of the quantity, as well as of the quality, of the blood. 'Anæmia' is +the term used to designate a deficiency in quantity; 'plethora' is the +opposite state of it. M. D'Arbor relates a very curious account of the +former: + +Two dogs were sent into the hospital of the veterinary school at Lyons. +They did not appear to suffer any considerable pain. Their skin and +mucous membranes that were visible had a peculiar appearance. They had +also comparatively little power over their limbs; so little, indeed, +that they rested continually on one side, without the ability to shift +their posture. When they were placed on their feet, their limbs gave +way, and they fell the moment they were quitted. In despite of the care +that was taken of them, they died on the second day. + +Incisions were made through the skin, but in opening them no blood +flowed. The venæ cavæ themselves did not contain any--there were only +two clots of blood in the cavities of their hearts. One of them, of the +size of a small nutmeg, occupied the left ventricle; the other, which +was still smaller, was found at the base of the right ventricle. The +chest of one of them enclosed a small quantity of serosity; a similar +fluid was between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane, and the +same was the case in the larger ventricles of the encephalon. The other +viscera did not offer anything remarkable, except the paleness and +flaccidity of their tissue. The great fatigues of the chase, and the +immersion of these animals in water at the time that they were very much +heated, appeared to have been the causes of this singular disease. In +the report of the labours of the School of Alfort, in the year 1825, the +same anæmia was remarked in two dogs that died there; one of them had +lately undergone a considerable hemorrhage, and in the other anæmia had +developed itself spontaneously. + +It is in fact among dogs that this extreme anæmia has been principally +observed, and is ordinarily fatal. It has been remarked by M. Crusal in +a bullock attacked with gastro-enteritis. + +This disease, according to M. Vatel, is generally the symptom of a +chronic malady, or the instantaneous effect of an excessive hemorrhage. +It is rarely primary. The extreme discoloration of the tissues, and of +the mucous membrane more particularly, the disappearance of the +subcutaneous blood-vessels, and the extreme feebleness of the animal, +are the principal symptoms. There also often exists considerable +swelling of the limbs. + +The following singular case of a wound penetrating into the chest and +pericardium of a dog, is recorded by Professor Delafond: + +A mastiff dog fighting with another was stabbed in the chest by the +master of his antagonist. Five hours after the accident, the Professor +was sent for. On the exterior of the sternum was a laceration an inch +and a half in length, covered by a spumy fluid, from the centre of which +was heard a gurgling noise, showing that a wound had penetrated into the +sac of the pleura. The respiration was quick, and evidently painful; the +beating of the heart was also strong and precipitate. The finger being +introduced into the wound, penetrated between the fourth and fifth rib +on the left side. "Having arrived at the pleuritic sac," says the +Professor, "I gently tapped the surface of the lung, in order to assure +myself that it was not injured; my finger penetrated into the +pericardium, and the point of the heart beat against it." + +He bathed the wound with a little diluted wine, and brought the edges of +it as near together as he could, and confined them with a suture, +administering a mild aperient. + +On the following day, the animal walked slowly about, seeking for +something to eat; he gave him some milk. On changing the dressing, he +tried whether he could again introduce any sound into the wound; but it +would only penetrate a very little way; indeed, re-union by adhesion had +already taken place. + +On the fifth day, the animal was in good spirits; the wound had a +healthy red appearance, and all tended to a speedy cure. + +On the eighth day he was sent home to his master, a distance of two +leagues from his house. He saw the dog eighteen months afterwards, and +he was as eager as ever after his game. + +The following is a case of rupture of the heart:--A black pointer, of +the Scotch breed, had every appearance of good health, except that she +frequently fell into a fit after having run a little way, and sometimes +even after playing in the yard. She was several times bled during and +after these fits. When I examined her, I could plainly perceive +considerable and violent spasmodic motion of the heart, and the sounds +of the beating of the heart were irregular and convulsive. She was sent +to the infirmary, in order to be cured of an attack of mange; but during +her stay in the hospital she had these fits several times: the attack +almost always followed after she had been playing with other dogs. She +appeared as if struck by lightning, and remained motionless for several +minutes, her gums losing their natural appearance and assuming a bluish +hue. After the lapse of a few minutes, she again arose as if nothing had +been the matter. She was bled twice in eight days, and several doses of +foxglove were administered to her. The fits appeared to become less +frequent; but, playing one day with another dog, she fell and expired +immediately. + +The 'post mortem' examination was made two hours after death. The cavity +of the pericardium contained a red clot of blood, which enveloped the +whole of the heart; it was thicker in the parts that corresponded with +the valve of the heart; and on the left ventricle, and near the base of +the left valve of the heart, and on the external part of that viscus, +was an irregular rent two inches long. It crossed the wall of the valve +of the heart, which was very thin in this place. The size of the heart +was very small, considering the height and bulk of the dog. The walls of +the ventricles, and particularly of the left ventricle, were very thick. +The cavity of the left ventricle was very small; there was evidently a +concentric hypertrophy of these ventricles; the left valve of the heart +was of great size. + +The immediate cause of the rupture of the valve of the heart had +evidently been an increase of circulation, brought on by an increase of +exercise; but the remote cause consisted in the remarkable thinness of +the walls of the valve of the heart. This case is remarkable in more +than one respect; first, because examples of rupture of the valve of the +heart are very rare; and, secondly, because this rupture had its seat in +the left valve of the heart, while, usually, in both the human being and +the quadruped, it takes place in the right; and this, without doubt, +because the walls and the valves of the right side are thinner. + +Diseases of the investing membrane of the lungs, and the pleura of the +thoracic cavity, and of the substance of the lungs, are more frequent +than those of the heart. + + +PLEURISY, + +or inflammation of the membrane of the chest and the lungs of the dog, +is not unfrequent. There are few instances of inflammation of the lungs, +or pneumonia, that do not ultimately become connected with or terminate +in pleurisy. The tenderness of the sides, the curious twitching that is +observed, the obstinate sitting up, and the presence of a short, +suppressed, painful cough, which the dog bears with strange impatience, +are the symptoms that principally distinguish it from pneumonia. The +exploration of the chest by auscultation gives a true picture of it in +pleurisy; and, by placing the dog alternately on his chest, his back, or +his side, we can readily ascertain the extent to which effusion exists +in the thoracic cavity; and, if we think proper, we can get rid of the +fluid. It is not a dangerous thing to attempt, although it is very +problematical whether much advantage would accrue from the operation. +With a favourite dog it may, however, be tried; and, to prevent all +accidents, a veterinary surgeon should be entrusted with the case. + + +PNEUMONIA, + +or inflammation of the substance of the lungs, is a complaint of +frequent occurrence in the dog, and is singularly marked. The extended +head, the protruded tongue, the anxious, bloodshot eye, the painful +heaving of the hot breath, the obstinacy with which the animal sits up +hour after hour until his feet slip from under him, and the eye closes, +and the head droops, through extreme fatigue, yet in a moment being +roused again by the feeling of instant suffocation, are symptoms that +cannot be mistaken. + +Here, from the comparative thinness of the integument and the parietes, +we have the progress of the disease brought completely under our view. +The exploration of the chest of the dog by auscultation is a beautiful +as well as wonderful thing. It at least exhibits to us the actual state +of the lungs, if it does not always enable us to arrest the impending +evil. + +Mr. Blaine and myself used cordially to agree with regard to the +treatment of pneumonia, materially different from the opinions of the +majority of sportsmen. Epidemic pneumonia was generally fatal, if it was +not speedily arrested in its course. The cure was commenced by bleeding, +and that to a considerable extent, when not more than four-and-twenty or +six-and thirty hours had passed; for, after that, the progress of the +disease could seldom be arrested. Blistering the chest was sometimes +resorted to with advantage; and the cantharides ointment and the oil of +turpentine formed one of the most convenient as well as one of the most +efficacious blisters. A purgative was administered, composed of mutton +broth with Epsom salts or castor oil; to which followed the +administration of the best sedatives that we have in those cases, +namely, nitre, powdered foxglove, and antimonial powder, in the +proportion of a scruple of the first, four grains of the second, and two +grains of the third. + +Congestion of the lungs is a frequent termination of pneumonia; and in +that congestion the air-cells are easily ruptured and filled with +blood. That blood assumes a black pulpy appearance, commonly indicated +by the term of 'rottenness', an indication or consequence of the +violence of the disease, and the hopelessness of the case. A different +consequence of inflammation of the lungs is the formation of tubercles, +and, after that, of suppuration and abscess, when, generally speaking, +the case is hopeless. A full account of this is given in the work on the +Horse. + +Two cases of pneumonia will be useful: + +Oct. 22d, 1820. A black pointer bitch that had been used lo a warm +kennel, was made to sleep on flat stones without straw. A violent cough +followed, under which she had been getting worse and worse for a +fortnight. Yesterday I saw her. The breathing was laborious. The bitch +was constantly shifting her position, and, whether she lay down or sat +up, was endeavouring to elevate her head. Her usual posture was sitting, +and she only lay down for a minute. The eyes were surrounded, and the +nose nearly stopped with mucus. V. S. [Symbol: ounce] viij. Emet. +Fever-ball twice in the day. + +23d. Breathing not quite so laborious. Will not eat. Medicine as before. +Apply a blister on the chest. + +24th. Nearly the same. V. S. [Symbol: ounce] vj. Bol. utheri. + +26th. Decided amendment. She breathes with much less difficulty. Less +discharge both from eyes and nose. Bol. utheri. + +Nov. 7th. Sent home well. + +A singular and not uninstructive case came before me. A lady in the +country wrote to me to say, that her terrier was thin, dull, husking, +and perpetually trying to get something from the throat; that her coat +stared, and she frequently panted, I replied, that I apprehended she had +caught cold; and recommended bleeding to the extent of four ounces, a +grain each of calomel and emetic tartar to be given every fourth +morning, and a fever-ball, composed of digitalis, nitre, and tartrate of +antimony, on each intermediate day. + +A few days after this I received another letter from her, saying, that +the dog was bled as ordered, and died on the following Thursday. That +another veterinary surgeon had been called in, who said that the first +one had punctured the 'vena cava' in the operation, and that the dog had +bled to death internally; and she wished to know my opinion. I replied, +that the charge proceeded from ignorance or malice, or both. That in one +sense he was right--the jugular, which the other had probably opened, +runs into the vena cava, and may, with some latitude, be considered a +superior branch of it; therefore, thus far the first man had punctured +the vena cava, which I had done many hundred times; but that the point +of union of the four principal veins that form the vena cava was too +securely seated in the upper part of the thorax for any lancet to reach +it. That the rupture of some small arterial vessel might have caused +this lingering death, but that the puncture of a vein would either have +been speedily fatal, or of no consequence; and that, probably, the +animal died of the disease which she had described. + + +SPASMODIC COUGH + +is a troublesome disease to manage. Dogs, and especially those +considerably petted, are subject to frequent cough, requiring a material +difference in the treatment. Sometimes there is a husky cough, not to so +great a degree as in distemper, but followed by the same apparent effort +to get something from the throat, the same attempt to vomit, and the +ejection of mucus, frothy or adhesive, and occasionally discoloured with +bile. It proceeds from irritability or obstruction in some of the +air-passages, and oftenest of the superior ones. An emetic will clear +the fauces, or at least force out a portion of the adhesive matter which +is clogging the bronchial tubes. + +A cough of this kind, and attended in its early stages by little fever, +seldom requires anything more for its cure than the exhibition of a few +gentle emetics, consisting of equal portions of calomel and emetic +tartar, given in doses varying from half a grain to one grain and a half +of each. + +A harsh hollow cough is attended by more inflammatory action. The +depletive system must be adopted here. A loud and harsh cough will yield +only to the lancet and to purgatives, assisted by sedative medicines +composed of nitre, antimonial powder, and digitalis, or small doses of +syrup of poppies, or more minute doses of the hydrocyanic acid; this +last medicine, however, should be carefully watched, and only given +under surgical advice. + +28th October, 1842. A spaniel was apparently well yesterday, but +towards evening a violent cough suddenly came on. It was harsh and +hollow, and terminated in retching. There was a discharge of water from +the eyes; but the nose was cool and moist. Give an emetic, and then two +grains of the James's powder. + +29th The animal coughed almost the whole of the night. There was more +watery discharge from the eyes, which appeared to be red and impatient +of light; the nose continued cool, and the dog did not refuse his food. +An aperient ball was given; and twice afterwards in the day, the nitre, +antimonial powder, and digitalis. + +30th. The cough is as frequent, but not very loud. Give a mixture of +syrup of poppies and prussic acid morning and night, and the ball as +yesterday. + +31st. Nearly in the same state as yesterday, except that he is not so +thirsty, and does not eat so well. Give the mixture three times daily. + +Nov. 1st. He had an emetic in the morning, which produced a large +quantity of phlegm, but the cough is no better. No evacuation during the +two last days. Give an aperient ball, and the mixture as before in the +evening. + +The prussic acid has been fairly tried; it has not in the least +mitigated the cough, but begins to make the dog sick, and altogether to +destroy his appetite. Give three times in the day a mixture consisting +of two-thirds of a drachm of syrup of poppies, and one-third of syrup of +buckthorn. The sickness ceased, and the cough remained as before, I then +gave twice in the day half a grain of calomel, the same of opium, two +each of pulvis antimonialis and digitalis, and four grains of nitre, +morning and noon, with six grains of the Dover's powder at night. This +was continued on the 3d, 4th and 5th of November, when there were longer +intervals of rest, and the dog did not cough so harshly when the fit was +on him. + +On the 6th, however, no medicine was given; but towards evening the dog +coughed as much as ever, and a decided mucous discharge commenced from +the nose and the eyes, with considerable snorting. An emetic was given, +and the balls resorted to as before. + +'7th.' He appeared to be much relieved by the emetic. The cough was +better, the dog ate well, and had regained his usual spirits. The ball +as before. + +'9th'. Slight tenesmus now appeared. It quickly became frequent and +violent. The dog strained very much; but the discharge was small in +quantity, and consisted of adhesive mucus. Give two drachms of castor +oil, and the fever ball with opium. The cough is worse, and the dog still +continues to strain, no blood, however, appearing. + +'11th'. The opium and oil have had their desired effect, and the cough +is better. + +'12th', Except the animal is kept under the influence of opium, the +cough is dreadfully troublesome. I have, however, obtained one point. I +have been permitted to subtract four ounces of blood; but blood had been +mingling with the expectorated mucus before I was permitted to have +recourse to the lancet. + +'13th'. The dog is better, and we again have recourse to the fever +mixture, to which, on the '14th', I added a very small portion of the +carbonate of iron, for the dog was evidently getting weak. The sickness +has returned, and the cough is decidedly worse. + +'16th'. Rub a small quantity of rheumatic embrocation, and tincture of +cantharides. + +'17th.' The first application of the blister had not much effect; but +this morning it began to act. The dog ran about the house as cross as he +could be for more than an hour; there was considerable redness on the +throat and chest. The cough, however, was decidedly better. + +'18th'. The cough is better. Again apply the embrocation. + +'19th.' The cough and huskiness have returned. Employ an emetic, and +continue the embrocation. + +'20th'. The cough is decidedly worse. Continue the embrocation, and give +the fever mixture. + +'23d'. The embrocation and medicine have been daily used; but the cough +is as bad as ever. Balls of assafoetida, squills, and opium were had +recourse to. + +25th. The second ball produced the most distressing sickness, but the +cough was evidently relieved. The assafoetida was discontinued. + +'28th'. The cough, during the last two days, has been gradually getting +worse. It is more laborious and longer, and the intervals between it are +shorter. Give another emetic and continue the other medicine. + +30th'. The effect of the emetic was temporary, and the cough is again +worse. + +'Dec'. 2d'. Very little change. + +5th'. The cough appears to be stationary. Again have recourse to the +antimony, digitalis, and nitre. + +8th'. The cough is certainly better. Try once more the assafoetida. It +again produced sickness, but of a very mild character. + +12th'. The assafoetida was again used used morning and night. The cough +continues evidently to abate. + +14th'. The dog coughs very little, not more than half-a-dozen times in +the day. Notwithstanding the quantity of medicine that has been taken, +the appetite is excellent, and the spirits good. + +16th'. The cough is still less frequent, but when it occurs it is +attended with retching. + +19th'. The cough is daily getting better, and is not heard more than +three or four times in the four-and-twenty hours, and then very slight. + +30th'. At length I can say that the cough has ceased. It is seldom that +so much trouble would have been taken with a dog. It is the neglect of +the medical attendance which is often the cause of death. Professor +Delafond, of Alfort, gives a most interesting and complete table of the +usual diagnostic symptoms of pleurisy and pneumonia. + + +PLEURISY. + +'Commencement of the Inflammation'. +Shivering, usually accompanied by slight colicky pains, and followed by +general or partial sweating. Inspiration always short, unequal, and +interrupted; expiration full; air expired of the natural temperature. +Cough unfrequent, faint, short, and without expectoration. Artery full. +Pulse quick, small, and wiry. + +'Auscultation'. +A respiratory murmur, feeble, or accompanied by a slight rubbing through +the whole extent of the chest, or in some parts only. + +'Percussion'. +Slight, dead, grating sound. Distinct resonance through the whole of the +chest, and pain expressed when the sides are tapped or compressed. + +'Terminations' +Delitescence. Cessation of pain; moderate temperature of the skin; +sometimes profuse general perspiration. Respiration less accelerated; +inspiration easier and deeper. Pulse fuller and softer. Breath of the +natural temperature. Return of the natural respiratory murmur and +resonance. The walls of the chest cease to exhibit increased +sensibility. + +'Effusion, false Membranes'. +Inspiration more and more full. + +'Auscultation and Percussion. +Complete absence of the respiratory murmur, with the crepitating +wheezing always at the bottom of the chest; sometimes a gurgling noise. +Vesicular respiration very strong in the upper region of the chest, or +in the sac opposite to the effusion. + +'Continuance of the Effusion'. +Absence of the respiratory murmur gains the middle region of the chest, +following the level of the fluid. These symptoms may be found on only +one side; a circumstance of frequent occurrence in the dog, but rare in +other animals. The respiratory murmur increases in the superior region +of the chest, or on the side opposite to the effusion. Inspiration +becomes more and more prolonged. Breath always cold. Cough not existing, +or rarely, and always suppressed and interrupted. Exercise producing much +difficulty of respiration. + +'Resolution or Re-absorption of the effused fluid, and Organization of +false Membrane, the consequence of Pleurisy'. + +Slow but progressive reappearance of the respiratory murmur, and +disappearance of the sounds produced by the fluid. Diminution of the +force of the respiratory murmur in the superior part of the chest, or of +the lung opposite to the sac in which the effusion exists. Gradual +return of the respiratory murmur to the inferior part of the chest. +Inspiration less deep, and returning to its natural state. + +'Chronic Pleurisy, with Hydrothorax'. +Inspiration short. Cough dry, sometimes with expectoration; frequent or +capricious; always absence of complete respiratory murmur in the +inferior portion of the chest. Sometimes the gurgling noise during +inspiration and expiration. Strong respiratory murmur in the superior +portion. In dogs these symptoms sometimes have existence only on one +side of the chest. The mucous membranes are infiltrated; serous +infiltration on the lower part of the chest and belly; sometimes of the +scrotum or the inferior extremities; generally of the fore legs. The +animal lies down frequently, and dies of suffocation. + + + +PNEUMONIA. + +'Commencement of the Inflammation'. +General shivering, rarely accompanied by colicky pains, followed by +partial sweats at the flanks and the inside of the thighs. Inspiration +full, expiration short. Air expired hot. Cough frequently followed by +slight discharge of red-coloured mucus. Artery full. Pulse accelerated, +strong, full, and soft. + +'Auscultation'. +Absence of respiratory murmur in places where the lung is congested; +feebleness of that sound in the inflamed parts, with humid crepitating +wheezing. The respiratory murmur increased in the sound parts. + +'Percussion'. +The dead grating sound confined to the inflamed parts. Distinct +resonance at the sound parts; increased sensibility of the walls of the +chest slight, or not existing at all. + +'Terminations'. +Resolution. Temperature of the skin moderate. Sometimes profuse partial +sweats. Laborious respiration subsiding; inspiration less deep. Artery +less full. Pulse yielding. Breath less hot. Gradual and progressive +disappearance of the crepitating 'râle'. Slow return of the resonance. + +'Red Hepatization'. +Respiration irregular and interrupted. + +'Auscultation and Percussion. +Circumscribed absence of the respiratory murmur, in one point, or in +many distinct parts of the lung. The respiratory murmur increased in one +or more of the sound parts of the lung, or in the sound lung if one is +inflamed. + +'Passage to a State of Gray Induration'. +The absence of respiratory murmur indicates extensive hepatization of +one lung; a circumstance, however, of rare occurrence. When the +induration is of both lungs, and equally so, the respiratory murmur and +the inspiration remain the same, except that they become irregular. The +cough dry or humid, frequent, and sometimes varying. Exercise +accompanied by difficulty of respiration, without dyspnoea. + +'Resolution or Re-absorption of the Products of Inflammation of the +Parenchymatous Substance of the Lungs'. + +Diminution of the force of the respiratory murmur in the sound parts. +Cessation of the crepitating wheezing. Slow return of the respiratory +murmur where it had ceased. Respiration ceases to be irregular or +interrupted, and returns slowly to its natural state, or it remains +interrupted. This indicates the passage from red to gray induration. + +'Chronic Pneumonia--(Gray Induration.)' +Inspiration or expiration interrupted, cough unfrequent; suppressed; +rarely with expectoration; always interrupted. Complete absence of +respiratory murmur. + +'Softening of the Induration, Ulcerations, Vomicæ, &c.' +Mucous and wheezing; mucous râle in the bronchia; discharge from the +nostrils of purulent matter, white, gray, or black, and sometimes fetid. +Paleness of the mucous membranes. The animal seldom lies down, and never +long at a time. Death by suffocation, when the matter proceeding from +the vomicæ, or abscesses, obstructs the bronchial passages, or by the +development of an acute inflammation engrafted upon the chronic one. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ANATOMY OF THE GULLET, STOMACH, AND INTESTINES: TETANUS; ENTERITIS; +PERITONITIS; COLIC; CALCULUS IN THE INTESTINES: INTUSSUSCEPTION; +DIARRHOEA; DYSENTERY; COSTIVENESS; DROPSY; THE LIVER; JAUNDICE; THE +SPLEEN AND PANCREAS; INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY; CALCULUS; INFLAMMATION +OF THE BLADDER; RUPTURE OF THE BLADDER; WORMS: FISTULA IN THE ANUS. + +The 'oesophagus', or gullet, of the dog, is constructed in nearly the +same manner as that of the horse. It consists of a similar muscular tube +passing down the neck and through the chest, and terminating in the +stomach, in which the process of digestion is commenced. The orifice by +which the gullet enters the stomach is termed the 'cardia', probably on +account of its neighbourhood to the heart or its sympathy with it. It is +constantly closed, except when the food is passing through it into the +stomach. + +The 'stomach' has three coats: the outermost, which is the common +covering of all the intestines, called the peritoneum; the second or +muscular coat, consisting of two layers of fibres, by which a constant +motion is communicated to the stomach, mingling the food, and preparing +it for digestion; and the mucous or villous, where the work of digestion +properly commences, the mouths of numerous little vessels opening upon +it, which exude the gastric juice, to mix with the food already +softened, and to convert it into a fluid called the chyme. It is a +simpler apparatus than in the horse or in cattle. It is occasionally the +primary seat of inflammation: and it almost invariably sympathises with +the affections of the other intestines. + +The successive contractions of each portion of the stomach, expose by +turns every portion of the alimentary mass to the influence of the +gastric juice, and each is gradually discharged into the alimentary +canal. + +As the chyme is formed, it passes out of the other orifice of the +stomach, and enters the first intestine or 'duodenum'. + +It may be naturally supposed that this process will occasionally be +interrupted by a variety of circumstances. Inflammation of the stomach +of the dog is very difficult to deal with. It is produced by numerous +different causes. There is great and long-continued sickness; even the +most harmless medicine is not retained on the stomach. The thirst is +excessive; there are evident indications of excessive pain, expressed by +the countenance and by groans: there is a singular disposition in the +animal to hide himself from all observation; an indication that should +never be neglected, nor the frequent change from heat to cold, and from +cold to heat. + +The mode of treatment is simple, although too often inefficient. The +lancet must be immediately resorted to, and the bleeding continued until +the animal seems about to fall; and to this should quickly succeed +repeated injections. Two or three drops of the croton oil should be +injected twice or thrice in the day, until the bowels are thoroughly +opened. The animal will be considerably better, or the disease cured, in +the course of a couple of days. + +There is a singular aptitude in the stomach of the dog to eject a +portion of its contents; but, almost immediately afterwards, the food, +or a portion if not the whole of it, is swallowed again. This is a +matter of daily occurrence. There is a coarse rough grass, the +'cynosurus cristatus', or crested dog's-tail. It is inferior for the +purposes of hay, but is admirably suited for permanent pastures. It +remains green after most other grasses are burnt by a continuance of dry +weather. The dog, if it be in his power, has frequent recourse to it, +especially if he lives mostly in a town. The dry and stimulating food, +which generally falls to his share, produces an irritation of his +stomach, from which lie is glad to free himself; and for this purpose he +has recourse to the sharp leaves of the cynosurus. They irritate the +lining membrane of the stomach and intestines, and cause a portion of +the food to be occasionally evacuated; acting either as an emetic or a +purgative, or both. They seem to be designed by nature to be substituted +for the calomel and tartar emetic, and other drugs, which are far too +often introduced. + +An interesting case of the retention of a sharp instrument in the +stomach is related by Mr. Kent of Bristol. + +On the 23d of February, Mr. Harford, residing in Bristol, when feeding a +pointer-dog, happened to let the fork tumble with the flesh, and the dog +swallowed them both. On the following morning, Mr. Kent was desired to +see the animal; and, although he could feel the projection of the fork +outwardly, which convinced him that the dog had in reality swallowed it, +yet, as he appeared well, and exhibited no particular symptoms of pain +or fever, Mr. Kent gave it as his opinion that there was a possibility +that he might survive the danger, and the animal was sent to him, in +order to be more immediately under his care. The treatment he adopted +was, to feed him on cow's liver, with a view to keep the stomach +distended and the bowels open; and he gave him three times a day half a +pint of water, with sufficient sulphuric acid to make it rather strongly +sour to the human tongue, with the intention of assisting the stomach in +dissolving the iron. + +On the following Sunday, the skin, at the projecting point, began to +exhibit some indication of ulceration; and on Monday a prong of the fork +might be touched with the point of the finger, when pressed on the +ulcer. Mr. Kent then determined on making an effort to extract the fork +on the following morning, which he accordingly did, and with but little +difficulty, assisted by a medical friend of the owner. The dog was still +fed on cow's liver; his appetite remained good, and with very little +medical treatment the external wound healed. The animal improved rapidly +in flesh during the whole time. He left the infirmary in perfect health, +and remained so, with one inconvenience only, a very bad cough, and his +being obliged to lie at length, being unable to coil himself up in his +usual way. + +The fork was a three-pronged one, six and a half inches long. The +handle, which was of ivory, was digested: it was quite gone; and either +the gastric fluid or the acid, or both conjointly, had made a very +apparent impression on the iron. + +Dogs occasionally swallow various strange and unnatural substances. +Considerable quantities of hair are sometimes accumulated in the +stomach. Half-masticated pieces of straw are ejected. Straw mingled with +dung is a too convincing proof of rabies. Dog-grass is found irritating +the stomach, or in too great quantities to be ejected, while collections +of earth and dung sometimes threaten suffocation. Pieces of money are +occasionally found, and lead, and sponge. Various species of polypus +irritate the coats of the stomach. Portions of chalk, or stone, or +condensed matters, adhere to each other, and masses of strange +consistence and form are collected. The size which they assume increases +more and more. M. Galy relates an extraordinary account of a dog. It was +about three years old when a tumour began to be perceived in the flank. +Some sharp-pointed substance was felt; the veterinary surgeon cut down +upon it, and a piece of iron, six inches in length, was drawn out. + +The following fact was more extraordinary: it is related by M. Noiret. A +hound swallowed a bone, which rested in the superior part of the +oesophagus, behind the pharynx, and caused the most violent efforts to +get rid of it. The only means by which it could be made to descend into +the stomach was by pushing it with the handle of a fork, which, escaping +from the hand of the operator, followed the bone into the stomach. Two +months afterwards, on examining the stomach, the fork was plainly felt +lying in a longitudinal direction, parallel with the position of the +body; the owner of the dog wishing mechanically to accelerate the +expulsion of this body, endeavoured to push it backwards with his hands. +When it was drawn as far back as possible, he inserted two fingers into +the anus, and succeeded in getting hold of the handle, which he drew out +nearly an inch; but, in order to be enabled fully to effect his object, +it was necessary to make an incision into the rectum, and free the +substance from every obstacle that could retain it. This he did not +venture to do, and he was therefore compelled to allow the fork to pass +back into its former position. + +About three months after the accident, M. Noiret made an incision, three +inches from above to below, and the same from the front backwards. He +also made an incision through the muscular tissue. Having arrived at the +peritoneum, he made another incision, through which he drew from the +abdomen a part of the floating portion of the large intestines, and +introduced his fingers into the abdominal cavity. He seized the handle +of the fork, which was among the viscera, and free about half-way down, +and drew it carefully towards the opening made in the flank. The other +half of the fork was found to be closely enveloped by the origin of the +mesocolon, which was red, hard, and inflamed. The operator freed it by +cutting through the tissues which held the fork, and then drew it easily +out. The animal was submitted to a proper course of treatment, and in +three weeks afterwards was perfectly cured. + +The food, having been converted into chyme by the digestive power of the +stomach, soon undergoes another and very important change. It, or a +portion of it, is converted into chyle. It is mixed with the bile and a +secretion from the pancreas in the duodenum. The white thick liquid is +separated, and contains the nutritive part of the food, and a yellow +pulpy substance is gradually changed into excrement. As these substances +pass on, the separation between them becomes more and more complete. The +chyle is gradually taken up by the lacteals, and the excrement alone +remains. + +The next of the small intestines is the 'jejunum', so called from its +being generally empty. It is smaller in bulk than the duodenum, and the +chyme passes rapidly through it. + +Next in the list is the 'ileum'; but it is difficult to say where the +jejunum terminates and the ileum commences, except that the latter is +usually one-fifth longer than the former. + +At the termination of the ileum the 'cæcum' makes its appearance, with +a kind of valvular opening into it, of such a nature that everything +that passes along it having reached the blind or closed end, must return +in order to escape; or rather the office of the cæcum is to permit +certain alimentary matters and all fluids to pass from the ileum, but to +oppose their return. + +The 'colon' is an intestine of very large size, being one of the most +capacious, as well as one of the longest, of the large intestines. It +commences at the cæsum caput coli, and soon expands into a cavity of +greater dimensions than even that of the stomach itself. Having attained +this singular bulk, it begins to contract, and continues to do so during +its course round the cæcum, until it has completed its second flexure, +where it grows so small as scarcely to exceed in calibre one of the +small intestines; and though, from about the middle of this turn, it +again swells out by degrees, it never afterwards acquires its former +capaciousness; indeed, previously to its junction with the rectum, it +once more materially differs in size. + +At the upper part of the margin of the pelvis the colon terminates in +the 'rectum', which differs from the cæcum and colon by possessing only +a partial peritoneal covering, and being destitute of bands and cells. +It enlarges towards its posterior extremity, and is furnished with a +circular muscle, the sphincter ani, adapted to preserve the anus closed, +and to retain the fæculent matter until so much of it is accumulated in +the rectum as to excite a desire to discharge it. + + +TETANUS, + +a disease of great fatality, often depends upon the condition of the +stomach; but it is not frequent in dogs. + +Why the dog is so little subject to 'tetanus', or lock-jaw, I am unable +to explain. Sportsmen say that it sometimes attacks him when, being +heated in the chase, he plunges into the water after the stag. The +French give it the name of 'mal de cerf', from stags being supposed to +be attacked in a similar way, and from the same cause. In the course of +nearly forty years' practice, I have seen but four cases of it. The +first arose from a wound in the foot. The cause of the second I could +not learn. In both the spasmodic action was dreadful as well as +universal. The dogs lay on their sides, the neck and legs stretched out, +and the upper legs kept some inches from the ground by the intensity of +the spasm. They might be taken up by either leg, and not a portion of +the frame change its direction. At the same time, in their countenances, +and by their hoarse cries, they indicated the torture which they +endured. + +In the third case, which occurred 12th June, 1822, the head was drawn +permanently on one side, and the whole body formed a kind of bow, the +dog walking curiously sideways, often falling as it walked, and +frequently screaming violently. I ordered him to be well rubbed with an +ammoniacal liniment, and balls of tonic and purging medicine to be given +twice in the day. The dog gradually recovered, and was dismissed cured +on the 20th. + +On the 16th November, in the same year, a bull-terrier had a similar +complaint. He had been tried in the pit a fortnight before, and severely +injured, and the pain and stiffness of his joints were increasing. The +head was now permanently drawn on one side. The dog was unable to stand +even for a moment, and the eyes were in a state of spasmodic motion. He +was a most savage brute; but I attempted to manage him, and, by the +assistance of the owner, contrived lo bleed him, and to give him a +physic-ball. At the same time I advised that he should be destroyed. + +His master would not consent to this; and, as the dog occasionally ate a +little, we contrived to give a grain each of calomel and opium every +sixth hour. In the course of three days he was materially recovered. He +could stand, but was exceedingly weak, I ordered the calomel lo be +omitted, but the opium to be continued. Three days afterwards he was +sent into the country, and, as I heard, perfectly recovered. + +The following is a very interesting case of tetanus, detailed by M. +Debeaux, of the Royal French Chasseurs: + +A favourite dog was missing. Four days had passed, and no intelligence +could be obtained with regard to him until he returned home, fatigued +and half-starved. He had probably been stolen. In the excess of their +joy, the owners crammed him with meat until he became strangely ill. His +throat was filled with froth, the pupils of his eyes were dilated, the +conjunctiva was strongly injected, his neck was spasmodically +contracted, and the spine of the back was bowed, and most highly +sensible to the touch. M. Debeaux was sent for; it was an hour before he +could attend. The dog was lying on his belly; the four limbs were +extended and stiff. He uttered the most dreadful and prolonged howling +every two or three minutes. The surgeon ordered the application of a +dozen leeches to the chest and belly; laxative medicines were given, and +embrocations applied to the spine and back. + +Three days passed, and the symptoms evidently augmented. The excrement +was dark and fetid, and the conjunctiva had a strong yellow tint. +Leeches were again employed; emollient lotions and aperient medicines +were resorted to. The sensibility of the spine and back was worse than +ever; the animal lay on his belly, stretching out his four limbs, his +neck fixed, his jaws immovable, his voice hoarse, and he was utterly +unable to move. + +The bathings, lotions, and aperients were continued, with very few +intermissions, until the 14th day, when the muscles began to be a little +relaxed; but he cried whenever he was touched. On the 15th, for the +first time, he began to eat a little, and his natural voice returned; +still, however, the spasms occasionally appeared, but very much +mitigated, and on the 20th the pain had entirely ceased. + +On the 5th of the next month he travelled two leagues with his master. +It was cold, and the snow fell. On his reaching home, all the horrible +spasms returned, and it was eleven days before he was completely cured. +[1] + +Mr. Blaine gives the following account of his experience of this disease: + + "It is remarkable, that although dogs are subject to various spasmodic + affections, yet they are so little subject to lock-jaw that I never + met with more than three cases of it among many thousands of diseased + dogs. Two of these cases were 'idiopathic'; one being apparently + occasioned by exposure to cold air all night; the other the cause was + obscure. The third was of that kind called 'sympathetic', and arose + from extreme injury done to one of the feet. In each of these cases + the convulsive spasm was extreme, and the rigidity universal but not + intense. In one case the jaw was only partially locked. Both warm and + cold bathings were tried. Large doses of opium and camphor were given + by the mouth, and also thrown up in clysters. The spine of one was + blistered. Stimulating frictions were applied to all, but in neither + case with any salutary effect." [2] + + +ENTERITIS. + +'Enteritis', or inflammation of the intestine, is a disease to which +dogs are very liable. It may be produced by the action of several +causes. The intestines of the dog are peculiarly irritable, and subject +to take on inflammatory action, and this tendency is often much +increased by the artificial life which they lead. It is a very frequent +complaint among those dogs that are much petted. A cold temperature is +also a common cause of disease in these dogs. + +I was consulted with regard to a dog who was hiding himself in a cold, +dark corner, paved with stone. Every now and then he lifted his head and +uttered a howl closely resembling that of a rabid dog. He fixed his gaze +intently upon me, with a peculiarity of expression which many would have +mistaken for rabid. They, however, who have had the opportunity of +seeing many of these cases, will readily perceive the difference. The +conjunctiva is not so red, the pupil is not so dilated, and the dog +appears to implore pity and not to menace evil. + +In this state, if the dog is approached, he will not permit himself to +be touched until he he convinced that no harm is intended. A peculiar +slowness attends each motion; his cries are frequent and piteous; his +belly hot and tender; two cords, in many cases, seem to run +longitudinally from the chest to the pubis, and on these he cannot bear +the slightest pressure. He abhors all food; but his thirst for water, +and particularly cold water, is extreme; he frequently looks round at +his flanks, and the lingering gaze is terminated by a cry or groan. In +the majority of cases there is considerable costiveness; but, in others, +the bowels are freely opened from the beginning. + +The peritoneal inflammation is sometimes pure, but oftener involves the +muscular coat of the intestines. Its prevailing cause is exposure to +cold, especially after fatigue, of lying on the wet stones or grass. Now +and then it is the result of neglected rheumatism, especially in old and +petted dogs. + +The treatment is simple. Bleed until the pulse falters, put the animal +in a warm bath, and let the belly be gently rubbed while the dog is in +the water, and well fomented afterwards; the drink should consist of +warm broth, or warm milk and water. The bleeding should be repeated, if +little or unsatisfactory relief is obtained; and the examination of the +rectum with the finger, and the removal of any hardened fæces that may +have accumulated there, and the cautious use of enemata, neither too +stimulating nor too forcibly injected, should be resorted to. No +medicine should be employed until the most urgent symptoms are abated. +Castor oil, the mildest of our purgatives--syrup of buckthorn assisting +the purgative property of the oil, and containing in its composition as +much stimulating power as is safe--and the spirit of while poppies--the +most convenient anodyne to mingle with the other medicines--will +generally be successful in allaying the irritation already existing, and +preventing the development of more. Even this must not be given in too +large quantities, and the effect must be assisted by a repetition of the +enemata every fifth or sixth hour. On examination after death the nature +of the disease is sufficiently evident: the peritoneum, or portions of +it, is highly injected with blood, the veins are turgid, the muscular +membrane corrugated and hardened, while often the mucous membrane +displays not a trace of disease. In violent cases, however, the whole of +the intestines exhibit evidence of inflammation. + +I was much gratified a few years ago in witnessing the decided manner in +which Professor Spooner expressed himself with regard to the treatment +of enteritis in the dog. + + "I should deem it advisable," said he, "to administer a purgative; but + of what would that consist? Calomel? Certainly not. I was surprised to + hear one gentleman assert that he should administer it to the extent + of from five to ten grains, and another to say that he should not + hesitate to exhibit a scruple of calomel to a dog, and to all + carnivorous animals. I should never think of exhibiting it as a + cathartic. I should only administer it in small doses, and for the + purpose of producing its specific effect on the liver, which is the + peculiar property of this drug. Given in larger doses it would not be + retained, and if it got into the intestines it would act as a powerful + drastic purgative." [3] + +In our treatment of the horse we have got rid of a great proportion of +the destructive urine-balls and drastic purgatives of the farrier. The +cow is no longer drenched with half-a-dozen deleterious stimulants. A +most desirable change has been effected in the medical treatment of +these animals. Let us not, with regard to the dog, continue to pursue +the destructive course of the keeper or the huntsman. + +The following case of enteritis, with rupture of the colon, may be +useful: + +On March 15, 1840, I was requested to attend a large dog of the bull +breed, three years old, who had not appeared to be well during the last +four or five days. + +I had scarcely arrived ere I recognised it to be a case of enteritis. He +had a dreadful shivering fit, to which succeeded heat of the skin and +restlessness. The muzzle was dry and hot, as also was the tongue. The +eyes were sunken and redder than usual; the breathing was accelerated, +but not very laborious; the extremities were cold, while the surface of +the body was hot and painful to the touch. The bowels were constipated, +and had been so during the last week; some dung however was evacuated, +but it was hard and dry, and in small quantities. The pulse was quick, +but full; and there was a slight pain and considerable irritation in the +rectum. I took from him [Symbol: ounce] x. of blood before the desired +effect was produced, and then gave him tinct. opii gr. xiv., et spt. +ether, nit. gutt. viij., cum ol. ricini [Symbol: ounce] iij., and an +opiate enema to allay the irritation of the rectum. This was about 8 +o'clock, A.M. + +11 A.M.--The bowels have not been moved, and the pain is more intense; +his countenance expresses great anxiety; he frequently lies on his +stomach, and the pulse is small but quick. I gave him a little broth, +and ordered the abdomen to be fomented with hot flannels. + +2 P.M.--He has had distressing sickness, and is extremely anxious for +water. I introduced my finger into the rectum, but could not discover +any hardened fæces. Enemata, composed of mag. sulphas and warm water, +were frequently thrown into the intestines; as soon as one came away +another was thrown up. + +4 P.M.--No better: gave him pulv. aloes [Symbol: ounce] j.; calomel, gr. +vj. et pulv. opii gr. viij. The fomentations to be continued, and the +abdomen rubbed with a lin. terebinthinæ. + +5 P.M.--A great change has taken place within the last hour; the hind +extremities are paralysed; the mouth and ears are cold; the pulse is +more hurried and irregular, and almost imperceptible; the respiration is +laborious and irregular, as is the pulse; and the dog is frequently +sick. To be kept quiet. + +6 P.M.--Another change: he lies panting and groaning piteously; his +limbs are bathed in sweat, with convulsive struggles. At twenty minutes +past six he died. + +A post-mortem examination presented general marks of inflammation; the +small intestines were extremely red, while the large ones were in a +gangrenous state and most offensive, with a rupture of the colon. I did +not expect to meet with the rupture, and am at a loss to account for it. +The liver was of a pale ashen colour, and very light. I put a piece of +it into some water, and it floated on the surface. The other contents of +the abdomen did not show the slightest appearance of disease. + +September 2d, 1843.--A black pug-bitch, 18 months old, was yesterday +taken violently sick; the vomiting continued at intervals the greater +part of the day, and she had not eaten during the last 24 hours. I could +not possibly get at her, on account of her ferocity: as she had not had +the distemper, and as I was misled by her age and the watery discharge +from her eyes, and as she had had several motions yesterday, I imagined +that the attack might be the beginning of that disease. Learning that +she was fond of sweet things, I prepared an emetic containing a grain of +calomel and a grain of tartar emetic: she took it readily, and I +promised to call on the following day. + +Sept. 3.--The weakness at the eyes had disappeared, but there had been +no motion. On getting at her by main force I found her belly very tense +and rather hot: she had again been sick, was very eager for water, and +still refused to eat. The disease was now evident. As she appeared too +unmanageable for anything else, I produced a physic-ball, in giving +which I was bitten. + +Six hours afterwards I again went: no fæces had passed: I administered +two enemas, the second of which was returned with a small quantity of +hardened fæces and an intolerable smell. I ordered the water to be +removed, and broth to be substituted. + +Sept. 4.--The dog is in good spirits, has eaten heartily, and had no +motion, probably because it was habitually cleanly, and had not been +taken out of doors. Her owner considered her as quite well, and +dismissed me. Three days afterwards a servant came to say that all was +going on very well. + + +PERITONITIS. + +Chronic inflammation of the 'peritoneal membrane' is a frequent disease +among dogs. The animal loses his appetite and spirits; he sometimes eats +a little and sometimes not; he becomes thin, his belly is tucked up, and +when we closely examine him we find it contracted and hard, and those +longitudinal columns of which I have already spoken are peculiarly dense +and almost unyielding. He now and then utters a half-suppressed whine, +and he occasionally seeks to hide himself. In the greater number of +cases he after a while recovers; but he too often pines away and dies. +On examination after death the case is plain enough. There is +inflammation of the peritoneal membrane, more indicated by undue +congestion of the bowels than by the general blush of the membrane. The +inflammation has now spread to the muscular coat, and the whole of the +intestine is corrugated and thickened. + +There is another peritoneal affection, aggravated by combination with a +rheumatic tendency, to which the dog is more disposed than any other +domesticated animal. It has its most frequent origin in cold, or being +too much fed on stimulating and acrid food, and probably from other +causes which have not yet been sufficiently developed. + +Here also no drastic purgative is to be admitted; it would be adding +fuel to fire: not a grain of calomel should be used, if the life of the +animal is valued. The castor oil mixture will afford the most certain +relief, a drop or two of the oil of peppermint being added to it. + + +COLIC. + +The dog is also subject to fits of 'colic', principally to be traced to +improper food, or a sudden change of food, or exposure to cold. This is +particularly the case with puppies. There is no redness of the eye, no +heat of the mouth, no quickened respiration; but the animal labours +under fits of pain. He is not quiet for a minute. He gets into one +corner and another, curling himself closely up, but he does not lie +there more than a minute or two; another fit of pain comes on; he utters +his peculiar yelp, and seeks some new place in which he may possibly +find rest. + +It is with considerable diffidence that I offer an opinion on this +subject contrary to that of Mr. Blaine. He states that the treatment of +this species of colic is seldom successful, and that which has seemed +the most efficacious has been mercurial purgatives; namely, calomel one +grain, aloes a scruple, and opium a quarter of a grain, until the bowels +are opened. I have seldom found much difficulty in relieving the patient +suffering under this affection; and I gave no aloes nor calomel, but the +oleaginous mixture to which I have so often referred. I should not so +much object to the aloes, for they constitute an excellent purgative for +the dog; nor to a dog that I was preparing for work, or that was +suffering from worms, should I object to two or three grains of calomel +intimately mixed with the aloes: from the combined effect of the two, +some good might be obtained. + + +CALCULUS IN THE INTESTINES + +Many persons have a very foolish custom of throwing stones, that their +dogs may dive or run after them, and bring them to their owner's feet: +the consequence is, that their teeth are soon worn down, and there are +too many cases on record in which the stone has been swallowed. It has +been impeded in its progress through the intestinal canal, inflammation +has ensued, and the animal has been lost, after having suffered the most +dreadful torture. + +Professor Simonds relates a case in which a dog was thus destroyed. The +animal for some days previous to his admission into the hospital had +refused his food, and there was obstinate constipation of the bowels, to +remove which aperient medicine had been given. The pulse was +accelerated, there was distension of the abdomen with evident tenderness +on pressure, the extremities were cold, no fæces were voided, and he +occasionally vomited. Some aperient medicine was given, which was +retained on the stomach, and enemas and external stimulants were +resorted to, but two days afterwards he died. + +The intestines were examined, and the offending body was found to be a +common pebble. The dog had long been accustomed to fetch stones out of +the water. One of these stones had passed through the stomach into the +intestines, and, after proceeding some distance along them, had been +impacted there. The inflammation was most intense so far as the stone +had gone; but in the part of the intestine to which it had not reached +there was not any. This was an interesting and instructive case, and +should make its due impression. + +Another account of the strange contents of the intestines of a bitch may +be here introduced. + +A valuable pointer-bitch was sent to the infirmary of Mr. Godwin of +Litchfield. She presented a very emaciated appearance, and had done so +for four or five months. Her evacuations for a day or two were very thin +and copious, and afterwards for several days nothing was passed. When +pressing the abdomen with both hands, a hard substance was distinctly +felt in the inferior part of the umbilical region. She was destroyed, +and, upon 'post-mortem' examination, a calculus was discovered in the +ileum about the size and shape of a hen's egg, the nucleus of which was +a portion of hair. The coats of the intestines were considerably +thickened and enlarged, so as to form a kind of sac for its retention. +Anterior to this was another substance, consisting of a ball of hair, +covered with a layer of earthy matter about the eighth of an inch thick, +and next to this another ball of hair of less dimensions, intermixed +with a gritty substance. The stomach contained a large quantity of hair, +and a portion of the omentum, about the size of n crown piece, was +thickly studded with small white calculi, the largest about the size of +a pea, and exceedingly hard. + + +INTUSSUSCEPTION. + +If 'peritonitis'--inflammation--is neglected, or drastic purgatives are +too often and too plentifully administered, a peculiar contraction of +the muscular membrane of the intestine takes place, and one portion of +the bowel is received within another--there is 'intussusception'. In +most cases, a portion of the anterior intestine is received into that +which is posterior to it. Few of us have opened a dog that had been +labouring under this peculiar affection without being struck with the +collapsed state of the canal in various parts, and in some much more +than in others. Immediately posterior to this collapsed portion, it is +widened to a considerable extent. The peristaltic motion of the +intestine goes on, and the consequence is, that the constricted portion +is received into that which is widened, the anterior portion is +invaginated in the posterior: obstruction of the intestinal passage is +the necessary consequence, and the animal dies, either from the general +disturbance of the system which ensues, or the inflammation which is set +up in the invaginated part. + +I will say nothing of medical treatment in this case; for I do not know +the symptoms of intussusception, or how it is to be distinguished from +acute inflammation of the bowels. Acute inflammation will not long exist +without producing it; and, if its existence should be strongly +suspected, the treatment would be the same as for inflammation. + +The domesticated dog, from the nature of his food, more than from any +constitutional tendency, is liable to constipation. This should never be +neglected. If two or three days should pass without an evacuation, the +case should be taken in hand; otherwise inflammation will be very soon +established. In order to procure an evacuation, the aloetic ball, with +one or two grains of calomel, should be given. Beyond that, however, I +should not dare to go; but, if the constipation continued, I should have +recourse to the castor-oil mixture. I should previously examine and +empty the rectum, and have frequent recourse to the enema-syringe; and I +should continue both. It would be my object to evacuate the intestinal +canal with as little increased action as possible. + + +DIARRHOEA + +is the discharge of fæces more frequently than usual, and thinner than +their natural consistence, but otherwise not materially altered in +quality; and the mucous coat of the intestines being somewhat congested, +if not inflamed. It is the consequence of over-feeding, or the use of +improper food. Sometimes it is of very short continuance, and disappears +without any bad consequence; the health being unaffected, and the +character of the fæces not otherwise altered than by assuming a fluid +character. It may not be bad practice to wait a day, or possibly two, as +it is desirable for the action of the intestines to be restored without +the aid of art. I should by no means give a physic-ball, or a grain of +calomel, in simple diarrhoea. I should fear the establishment of that +species of purging which is next to be described. The castor-oil mixture +usually affords the best hope of success. + +Habitual diarrhoea is not an unfrequent disease in petted dogs: in some +it is constitutional, in others it is the effect of neglected +constipation. A state of chronic inflammation is induced, which has +become part of the constitution of the dog; and, if repressed in the +intestines, it will appear under a more dangerous form in some other +place. + + +DYSENTERY + +is a far more serious complaint. In most cases a considerable degree of +inflammation of the mucous coat exists, and the mucus is separated from +the membrane beneath, and discharged per anum. The mucus thus separated +from the intestinal membrane assumes an acrid character. It not only +produces inflammation of the membrane, dangerous and difficult to treat, +but it excoriates the anus and neighbouring parts, and produces pain and +tenesmus. + +This disease has sometimes been fatally misunderstood. A great deal of +irritation exists in the intestinal membrane generally, and in the lower +part of the rectum particularly. The fæces passing over this denuded +surface cause a considerable degree of pain, and there is much +straining, and a very small bit or portion of faces is evacuated. This +has often been seen by the careless observer; and, as he has taken it as +an indication of costiveness, some drastic purgative has been +administered, and the animal quickly killed. + +No one that had ascertained the real nature of the disease would +administer calomel in any form or combination; but the anodyne mixture +as an enema, and also administered by the mouth, is the only medicine +from which benefit can be expected. + + +COSTIVENESS + +is a disease when it becomes habitual. It is connected with disease of +the intestinal canal. Many dogs have a dry constipated habit, often +greatly increased by the bones on which they are too frequently fed. +This favours the disposition to mange and to many diseases depending on +morbid secretions. It produces indigestion, encourages worms, blackens +the teeth, and causes fetid breath. The food often accumulates in the +intestines, and the consequence is inflammation of these organs. A dog +should never be suffered to remain costive more than a couple of days. +An aloetic ball or some Epsom salts should then be administered; and +this failing to produce the desired effect, the castor-oil mixture, with +spirits of buckthorn and white poppies, should be administered, and the +use of the clyster-pipe resorted to. It may be necessary to introduce +the finger or the handle of a spoon when the fæcal matter is more than +usually hard, and it is with difficulty broken down; small doses of +castor-oil should be afterwards resorted to, and recourse occasionally +be had to boiled liver, which the dog will rarely refuse. The best +means, however, of preventing costiveness in dogs, as well as in men, is +regular exercise. A dog who is kept chained up in a kennel should be +taken out and have a certain quantity of exercise once in the +twenty-four hours. When this cannot be done, the food should consist +chiefly of well-boiled farinaceous matter. + + +DROPSY + +Another disease, which is not confined to the abdominal cavity, is +dropsy: but, as in the dog it most commonly assumes that form which is +termed ascites, or dropsy of the abdomen, it may be noticed in this +place. It is seldom an idiopathic or primary affection, but is +generally the consequence of some other disease, most commonly of an +inflammatory kind. + +Dropsy is a collection of fluid in some part of the frame, either from +increased exhalation, or from diminished absorption, the consequence +of inflammation. The divisions of dropsy are into active and passive, or +acute and chronic. The causes are also very properly arranged as +predisposing and exciting. The diseases on which dropsy most frequently +supervenes are fevers and visceral inflammations and obstructions. The +dog is peculiarly subject to 'ascites' or 'dropsy of the belly', and the +quantity of fluid contained in the abdomen is sometimes almost +incredible. It is usually accompanied or characterised by a weak, +unequal, small, and frequent pulse--paleness of the lips, tongue, and +gums--flaccidity of the muscles, hurried breathing on the least +exertion, feebleness of the joints, swellings of the lower limbs, +effusion of fluid into the integuments or among the muscles, before +there is any considerable effusion into the thorax or the abdomen, and +an unhealthy appearance of the cutaneous surface. The urine seldom +coagulates. This form of dropsy is usually seated in the abdomen or +cellular tissue. + +The treatment of ascites is seldom perfectly successful. The great +extent of the peritoneum, the number and importance of the viscera with +which it is connected, and of the absorbent glands which it encloses, +the number and weakness of the veins which transmit their blood to the +portal vessels, and the absence of valves, in some measure account for +the frequent accumulation of fluid in this cavity. It appears in both +sexes from the usual causes of inflammatory disease. Unwholesome diet, +the drastic operation of purgatives, external injuries, the suppression +of accustomed secretions and discharges, all are exciting causes of +dropsy. + +The animal has suffered materially from mange, which has been apparently +cured: the itchiness and eruption altogether disappear, but many weeks +do not elapse ere ascites begins to be seen, and the abdomen is +gradually distended with fluid. When this appears in young and healthy +animals, it may be conquered; but when there has been previous disease +of almost any kind, comparatively few patients permanently recover. +Irritability of the stomach, and a small and accelerated pulse, are +unfavourable. If the operation of tapping has taken place, at all times +there is danger; but, if there is a thick, brown, albuminous or fetid +discharge, it is very unlikely that any permanent advantage will result +from the operation. + +We will introduce a few cases as they occur in our clinical records. + +'November 7th, 1821'.--A spaniel, nine years old, had been, during four +months, alternately asthmatic or mangy, or both. Within the last few +days she had apparently increased in size. I was sent for. The first +touch of the abdomen betrayed considerable fluctuation. She likewise had +piles, sore and swelled. I ordered an alterative ball to be given +morning and night. + +'8th'. One of the balls has been given, and two doses of castor oil; but +no effect has been produced. An injection was administered. + +'9th'. A small evacuation of water has been produced, and the bowels +have been slightly opened. Give a dose of the castor-oil mixture. + +'10th'. The obstruction has been removed; the enlargement is somewhat +diminished; much water has passed. Give an alterative ball every +morning. + +'14th'. The alteratives have been continued, and there is a slow but +evident decrease of the abdomen. + +'18th'. I cannot detect any effusion in the abdomen. Give a pill every +alternate day for a fortnight. At the expiration of this period the dog +was apparently well. + +'April 23d', 1822.--A terrier, ten years old, had cough and mange, which +ceased. The belly for the first time began to enlarge, and on feeling +the dog considerable fluctuation was evident. He would not eat, but he +drank immoderately. Give daily a ball consisting of tonic and physic +mist., with powdered digitalis and tartrate of iron. + +'May 6th'.--He is in better spirits, feeds tolerably well, but is rather +increased in size. Give daily a ball of tartrate of iron, digitalis, +ginger, and a grain of calomel. + +22'd'. Much thinner, the belly very considerably diminished: a slight +fluctuation is still to be perceived. Continue medicine, with a +half-grain only of calomel. + +'July 17th'.--The medicine has been regularly given, and the water of +the abdomen has rapidly disappeared, until a fortnight ago: since that +time it has been once more filling. The medicine was ordered to be +repeated. + +'August 6th'.--The medicine has once more produced its proper effect, +and the fluid has disappeared. + +On the '16th', however, the fluctuation was again too plainly felt, and +the owner determined to have nothing more to do with the case. The +animal was never brought again, nor could I trace it. The dog might have +been saved if the owner had done it justice. + +As soon as dropsy appears to be established, proper medicines must be +resorted to. Foxglove, nitre, and ginger should be first tried in the +proportional doses of one, ten, and eight grains, given morning and +night. If this does not succeed, iodine from half-a-grain to a grain may +be given morning and night, and a weak solution of iodine rubbed on the +belly. + +This being ineffectual, recourse may be had to tapping, taking care that +the trocar is not plunged sufficiently deep to wound the intestines. The +place for the operation is directly on the 'linea alba', or middle line +of the belly, and about midway between the pubis and the navel. The +whole of the intestinal fluid may be suffered to escape. A bandage +should then be applied round the belly, and retained there a week or +more. + +Mr. Blaine very properly states, that the difference between fatness and +dropsy is, that the belly hangs pendulous in dropsy, while the back bone +stands up, and the hips are protruded through the skin; while the hair +is rough, and the feeling of the coat is peculiarly harsh. It may be +distinguished from pregnancy by the teats enlarging, in the latter case, +as gestation advances, and the young ones may occasionally be felt to +move. In addition to this it may be stated, that the presence of water +is readily and unerringly detected. If the right hand is laid on one +side of the belly, and the other side is gently struck with the left +hand, an undulating motion will be readily perceived. + +In old dogs, dropsy, under the title of "anasarca," is an unfrequent but +occasional accompaniment of ascites. If pressure is made on any +particular parts, they yield and continue depressed for a longer or +shorter period of time, and slowly and by degrees regain their natural +form. The skin is dry and distended, and with no natural action; the +circulation is languid and small, the muscular powers are diminished, +the animal is unquiet, the thirst is great, the tongue is pale, the +appetite diminished, and the limbs are swelled. The best mode, of +treatment is the infliction of some very small punctures in the +distended skin, and the application of gentle friction. The majority of +cases of this kind are usually fatal, and so is almost every case of +encysted dropsy. + +A dog had cough in February, 1825. Various medicines were administered, +and at length the cough almost suddenly ceased, and evident ascites +appeared. The thirst was insatiable, the dog would not touch food, and +he was unable to lie down more than two minutes at a time. + +Digitalis, cream of tartar, and hydrarg. submur. were given on the 9th +April. + +On the 13th he was much worse, and apparently dying. He had been unable +to rise for the last twelve hours, and lay panting. I punctured the +abdomen, and four quarts of fluid were evacuated. + +'14th'. The panting continues. The dog will not eat, but he can lie down +in any posture. + +'15th'. The panting is diminished, the appetite is returning, and water +continues to ooze from the wound, + +'17th'. The wound healed on the night of the 15th, and already the fluid +begins to collect. The medicine still continued. + +'20th'. The spirits good, and strength improving; but the belly is +evidently filling, and matter is discharged from both the nose and eyes. + +'26th'. The swelling a little diminished, respiration easy, and the dog +walking comfortably about, and feeding well. + +'May 13th'.--The swelling, which for some days past diminished, is now +again increasing; but the dog is strong and breathes easily. Medicine as +before. + +'24th.'. The dog is thinner, weaker, filling fast, and the thirst +excessive. [Symbol: Rx]: Crem. tart., ferri tart. [Symbol: ounce] ij., +pulv. flor. anthemid. [Symbol: ounce] iiij., conser. ros. q. s.: divide +in bol. xii.: cap. in dies. + +'27th'. During two days he has been unable to lie down more than a +minute at a time. Again tapped: fully as much fluid was evacuated as +before; but there is now blood mingling with it. + +30th. Much relieved by the tapping, and breathes with perfect ease; +but, now that the enormous belly is reduced, the dog is very thin. Bol. +continued. + +June 8th. Within the last three days the animal has filled again with +extraordinary rapidity. [Symbol: Rx;]: Ferr. tart. [Symbol: scruple] j., +opii. gr. 1/4, pulv. gentianæ [Symbol: scruple] j., cons. ros. q. s.: f. +bol. capiend. in dies. + +13th. Is again strangely distended; I advised, or rather solicited, +that it might be destroyed; but this not being granted, I once more +tapped him. At least a gallon of dark-coloured fluid was evacuated. + +22d. Again rapidly filling, but not losing either flesh or strength. + +July 4th.--Once more punctured, and a gallon of dark-coloured fluid +evacuated. + +12th. Again filling and rapidly losing flesh and strength. + +26th. Once more tapped: immediately after which he appeared to be +revived, but almost immediately began again to fill. + +Aug. 2d.--He had eaten tolerably; appeared to have nothing more than +usual the matter with him, when, being missed for an hour, he was found +dead. No examination was permitted. + +In 1824 a spaniel, six years old, was brought to the infirmary. It had +had an asthmatic cough, which had left it. It was now hollow in the +flanks, the belly pendulous, and an evident fluctuation of water. The +owner would not consent to any operation. An aloetic physic-ball, +however, was given every fifth day, and a ball, composed of tartrate of +iron, digitalis, nitre, and antimonial powder, on every intermediate +morning and night. The water evidently accumulated; the dog was sent +for, and died in the course of a week. + +There are a few medicines that may be useful in arresting the effusion +of the fluid; but they too often fail in producing any considerable +benefit. The fox-glove is, perhaps, possessed of the greatest power, +combined with nitre, squills, and bitartrate of potash. At other times +chamomile, squills, and spirit of nitrous ether, may be tried. + +The following case, treated by the administration of iodine, by +Professor Dick, is important:-- + +A black and tan coloured retriever was sent to me labouring under +ascites. He was tapped, and two quarts of fluid abstracted. Tonics, +combined with diuretics were given, but the fluid continued to +accumulate, and in three weeks he was again tapped, and another two +quarts drawn away. The disease still went on, and a fortnight afterwards +a similar quantity was withdrawn. Various remedies were tried in order +to check the power of the disease, but without effect, and the abdomen +again became as much distended with the effused serum as before. + +He was then put under a course of iodine, which soon began to show its +beneficial influence by speedily allaying his excessive thirst; and in +about a month the whole of the effused fluid was absorbed, although from +the size of the abdomen it must have amounted to a similar quantity to +that drawn off on the previous occasions. The dog's appetite soon +returned; he gained flesh rapidly, and has continued quite well, and, +from being a perfect skeleton, soon became overloaded with fat. + +Induced by the great benefit derived in this case from the iodine, I +took the opportunity of trying it on a Newfoundland dog similarly +affected. He was put on a course of iodine, and the quantity of the drug +was gradually increased. As absorption rapidly commenced, the fluid was +completely taken up; but, partly in consequence of pushing the medicine +too far, and partly from extensive disease in the liver, unfavourable +symptoms took place, and he sunk rather unexpectedly. Still, however, +from the obvious and decided advantage derived from the medicine, I have +no doubt that iodine will be found one of the most efficient remedies in +dropsy in dogs. + +Iodine is a truly valuable drug. When first introduced into veterinary +practice it was observed that it readily accomplished the reduction of +the enlarged glands that frequently remain after catarrh; but it was +presently evident that it reduced almost every kind of tumour, even the +growth of tubercles in the lungs. Professor Morton, in his Manual of +Pharmacy, has admirably described the different combinations of iodine. + + +THE LIVER + +of the dog seems to follow a law of comparative anatomy, that its bulk +shall be in an inverse proportion of that of the lungs. The latter are +necessarily capacious; for they need a large supply of arterial blood, +in order to answer to their rapid expenditure when the utmost exertion +of strength and speed is required. The liver is, therefore, restricted +in its size and growth. Nevertheless, it has an important duty to +fulfil, namely, to receive the blood that is returned from the +intestines, to separate from the blood, or to secrete, by means of it, +the bile; and then to transmit the remaining portion of it to the lungs, +where it undergoes the usual process of purification, and is changed to +arterial blood. In the performance of this office, the liver often +undergoes a state of inflammation, and disease ensues, inveterate, and +setting at defiance every means of cure. Both the skin and the urine +become tinged with a yellow effusion. The animal is dull, and gradually +wastes away. + +In a few days the yellow hue becomes more intense, and particularly on +the cuticle, the conjunctiva, the iris, the gums, and the lips. A state +of fever becomes more and more perceptible, and there are alternations +of cold and heat. The pulse varies from 80 to 120; the dry tongue hangs +from the mouth; the appetite ceases, but the animal is peculiarly +desirous of cold water. The dog becomes restless; he seeks to hide +himself; and he groans, if the parts in the neighbourhood of the liver +are pressed upon. + +Frequent vomitings now appear, slimy, and evidently containing gall. The +animal becomes visibly thinner, obstinately refuses all solid food, and +only manifests thirst. He begins to stagger as he walks; he withdraws +himself from observation; he anxiously seeks some dark place where he +may lay himself with his chest and belly resting on the cold ground, his +fore legs stretched out before him, and his hind legs almost as far +behind him. The fever increases, the skin becomes of a dark yellow +colour, the mucous membrane of the mouth and conjunctiva is of a dirty +red, the expired air is evidently hot, the gaze is anxious, the urine is +of a saffron yellow, or even darker: in short, there now appears every +symptom of inflammation of the liver, with jaundice. + +As the disease proceeds the animal begins to vomit masses of a yellowish +green substance, occasionally mixed with blood. He wastes away to a +skeleton, he totters in his walk, he is half unconscious, the pulse +becomes weak and interrupted, the temperature sinks, and death ensues. + +The duration and course of the disease are deceptive. It occasionally +proceeds so insidiously that several days are suffered to pass before +the owner perceives any marks of disease, or seeks any aid. The duration +of the disease is usually from ten to twelve days. It terminates in +congestion of blood in the liver, or a gradual restoration to health. +The latter can only take place in cases where the inflammation has +proceeded very slowly; where the commencement and progress of the +disease could be discovered by debility and slight yellowness of the +skin, and especially where speedy recourse has been had to medical aid. + +The predisposing causes of this disease are often difficult to discover. +The dog, in warm climates, seems to have a natural disposition to it. As +exciting causes, atmospheric influence may be reckoned, sultry days, +cold nights, and damp weather. Other occasional causes may be found in +violent falls, bruises, and overfeeding. Fat petted dogs that are easily +overheated by exertion are often attacked by this disease. The result of +the disease depends on its duration, course, and complication. If it is +attended to early, it can generally be cured. If it has existed for +several days, and the fever has taken on a typhoid character--if the +yellow hue is perceptible--the appetite failing, and vomiting ensuing, +the cure is doubtful; and, if inflammation of the stomach has taken +place, with high fever, vomiting of blood, wasting away, and fits +occurring, there is no chance of cure. + +When simple jaundice alone is visible, a moderate laxative of sulphate +of magnesia and tartaric acid, in conjunction with some aromatic and +mucilaginous fluid, or, quite in the beginning of the disease, an +emetic, will be found of considerable service; but, when the yellow +colour has become more intense, and the animal will no longer eat, and +the fever and weakness are increased, it is necessary to give calomel, +tartar-emetic, camphor, and opium, in the form of pills, and to rub some +strong liniment on the region of the liver: the doses of calomel, +however, must be very small. If inflammation of the stomach appears, +mucilaginous fluids only must be given. Bleeding may be of service in +the commencement of the disease, but afterward it is hurtful. + +This is an account of hepatitis as it occasionally appears, and +particularly on the Continent; but it does not often assume so virulent +a character in our country. There is often restlessness, thirst, and +sickness, accompanied by much prostration of strength; or general heat +and tenderness. Occasionally there is purging; but much oftener +constipation, that bids defiance to almost every medicine. The principal +or almost only hope of cure consists in bleeding, physicking, and +blistering on the right side. + +Of bilious disease, assuming the character of inflammation, we have too +many cases. It may be spontaneous or brought on by the agency of other +affections. Long-continued and inveterate mange will produce it. It is +often connected with, or produced by, distemper, or a dull inflammatory +disease of the liver, and it is generally accompanied by pustular +eruption on the belly. The skin is usually tinged of a yellow hue, and +the urine is almost invariably impregnated with bile. The suffusion +which takes place is recognised among sportsmen by the term "yellows." +The remedy should be some mercurial, with gentian and aloes given twice +in the day, and mercurial ointment well rubbed in once in the day. If +this treatment is steadily pursued, and a slight soreness induced in the +mouth, the treatment will usually be successful. Mr. Blaine observes, + + "A moderate soreness of the mouth is to be encouraged and kept up. I + have never succeeded in removing the complaint without it." + + +JAUNDICE. + +M. W. Leblanc, of Paris, has given an interesting account of the causes +and treatment of 'jaundice' in the dog. + +The prevailing symptom of this disease in the dog is a yellow +discoloration of the skin and the mucous membranes of greater or less +intensity. It generally announces the existence of very serious disease, +as inflammation of the liver and its excretory ducts, or of the +gall-bladder, or the stomach, or small intestines, or contraction or +'obliteration' of the excretory ducts of the liver, in consequence of +inflammation of these vessels, or the presence of concrete substances +formed from the bile. The dogs in which he found the most decided traces +of this disease laboured under diarrhea, with stools of a reddish brown +or black colour for one, two or three days. + +The causes of jaundice are chiefly over-fatigue (thus, greyhounds are +more subject to it than pointers), immersions in water, fighting, +emetics or purgatives administered in over-doses, the repeated use of +poisonous substances not sufficiently strong at once to destroy the +animal, the swallowing of great quantities of indigestible food, and +contusions of the abdominal viscera, especially about the region of the +liver. The most serious, if not the most common cause, is cold after +violent and long-continued exercise; and especially when the owners of +dogs, seeing them refuse their food after a long chase, give them +powerful purgatives or emetics. + +The treatment should have strict relation to the real or supposed cause +of jaundice, and its most evident concomitant circumstances. Some of +these symptoms are constant and others variable. Among the first, +whatever be the cause of the disease, we reckon acceleration of the +pulse; fever, with paroxysms of occasional intensity; and a yellow or +reddish-yellow discoloration of the urine. Among the second are +constipation, diarrhoea, the absence or increase of colour in the faecal +matter, whether solid or fluid. When they are solid, they are usually +void of much colour; when, on the contrary, there is diarrhea, the fæces +are generally mingled with blood more or less changed. Sometimes the +dejections are nearly black, mixed with mucus. It is not unusual for a +chest affection to be complicated with the lesions of the digestive +organs, which are the cause of jaundice. + +With these leading symptoms there are often others connected that are +common to many diseases; such as dryness and heat of the mouth, a fetid +smell, a staggering gait, roughness of the hair, and particularly of +that of the back; an insatiable thirst, accompanied by the refusal of +all food; loss of flesh, which occasionally proceeds with astonishing +rapidity; a tucked-up flank, with hardness and tenderness of the +anterior part of the belly. + +The jaundice which is not accompanied with fever, nor indeed with any +morbid change but the colour of the skin, will require very little +treatment. It will usually disappear in a reasonable time, and M. +Leblanc has not found that any kind of treatment would hasten that +disappearance. + +When any new symptom becomes superadded to jaundice, it must be +immediately combated. Fever, injection of the vessels of the +conjunctiva, constipation, diarrhoea, or the discoloration of the urine, +require one bleeding at least, with some mucilaginous drinks. Purgatives +are always injurious at the commencement of the disease. + + "I consider," says M. Leblanc, "this fact to be of the utmost + importance. Almost the whole of the dogs that have been brought to me + seriously ill with jaundice, have been purged once or more; and either + kitchen salt, or tobacco, or jalap, or syrup of buckthorn, or emetic + tartar, or some unknown purgative powders, have been administered. + + "Bleeding should be resorted to, and repeated if the fever continues, + or the animal coughs, or the respiration be accelerated. When the + pulse is subdued, and the number of pulsations are below the natural + standard--if the excrements are still void of their natural colour--if + the constipation continues, or the animal refuses to feed--an ounce of + manna dissolved in warm water should be given, and the dog often + drenched with linseed tea. If watery diarrhoea should supervene, and + the belly is not hot nor tender, a drachm or more, according to the + size of the dog, of the sulphate of magnesia or soda should be + administered, and this medicine should be repeated if the purging + continues; more especially should this aperient be had recourse to + when the fæces are more or less bloody, there being no fever nor + peculiar tenderness of the belly. + + "When the liquid excrement contains much blood, and that blood is of a + deep colour, all medicines given by the mouth should be suspended, and + frequent injections should be thrown up, consisting of thin starch, + with a few drops of laudanum. Too much cold water should not be + allowed in this stage of the disease. Injections, and drinks composed + of starch and opium, are the means most likely to succeed in the black + diarrhoea, which is so frequent and so fatal, and which almost always + precedes the fatal termination of all the diseases connected with + jaundice. + + "In simple cases of jaundice the neutral salts have seldom produced + much good effect; but I have obtained considerable success from the + diascordium, in doses of half a drachm to a drachm. + + "Great care should be taken with regard to the diet of the dog that + has had jaundice, with bloody or black diarrhoea; for the cases of + relapse are frequent and serious and almost always caused by improper + or too abundant food. A panada of bread, with a little butter, will + constitute the best nourishment when the dog begins to recover his + appetite. From this he may be gradually permitted to return to his + former food. Most especially should the animal not be suffered to take + cold, or to be left in a low or damp situation. This attention to the + food of the convalescent dog may be thought to be pushed a little too + far; but experience has taught me to consider it of the utmost + importance, and it is neither expensive nor troublesome." + + +THE SPLEEN AND PANCREAS. + +The spleen is generally regarded as an appendage to the absorbent +system. Tiedemann and Gmelin consider that its specific function is to +secrete from the blood a fluid which possesses the property of +coagulation, and which is carried to the thoracic duct, and then, being +united with the chyle, converts it into blood, and causes an actual +communication between the arterial and absorbent systems. According, +however, to Dr. Bostock, there is a fatal objection to this, namely, +that animals have been known to live an indefinite length of time after +the removal of the spleen, without any obvious injury to their +functions, which could not have been the case if the spleen had been +essentially necessary for so important a process. + +A knowledge of the diseases of the spleen in the dog appears to be less +advanced than in any other animal. In the cases that I have seen, the +earliest indications were frequent vomiting, and the discharge of a +yellow, frothy mucus. The animal appeared uneasy, shivering, the ears +cold, the eyes unnaturally protuberant, the nostrils dilated, the flanks +agitated, the respiration accelerated, and the mucous membranes pale. +The best treatment I know is the administration, twice in the day, of a +ball composed of a grain of calomel and the same quantity of aloes, and +five grains of ginger. The dog frequently cries out, both when he is +moved and when he lies on his bed. In the course of three days the +yellow mucus is generally disappearing, and the expression of pain is +materially diminished. + +If the bowels are much constipated after two days have passed, two +scruples of aloes may be given, and a grain of calomel; frequent +injections may also be administered. + +We are almost totally ignorant of the functions of the 'pancreas'. It +probably is concerned in assimilating the food, and converting the chyme +of the stomach into chyle. + + +INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY + +is a serious and dangerous malady. This organ is essentially vascular in +its texture; and although it is small in volume, yet, on account of the +quantity of blood which it contains, and the rapidity with which its +secretions are performed, it is disposed to frequent and dangerous +inflammation. The immediate causes of inflammatory action in this viscus +are blows and contusions in the lumbar region; hard work long continued, +and the imprudent use of stimulating substances employed as +aphrodisiacs; the presence of calculi in the kidney, and the arrest of +the urine in the bladder. The whole of the kidney may be affected with +anæmia or defect of blood, or this may be confined to the cortical +substance, or even to the tubular. The kidneys are occasionally much +larger than usual, without any other change of structure; or simple +hypertrophy may affect but one of them. They are subject to atrophy, +which may be either general or partial; or one of the kidneys may be +completely wanting, and this evidently the consequence of violence or +disease. + +Hydatids, though seldom met with in the human kidney, are not +unfrequently found in that of the dog. All these are circumstances that +have not received sufficient attention. + + +CALCULOUS CONCRETIONS + +are of more frequent occurrence than is generally imagined, but they are +not confined to the kidneys; there is scarcely a portion of the frame in +which they have not been found, particularly in the brain, the glandular +substance, and the coats of the intestines. + +I cannot say with Mr. Blaine that I have seen not less than 40 or 50 +calculi in my museum; but I have seen too many fearful examples of the +complaint. There has been usually great difficulty in the urinary +evacuation; and at length one of the calculi enters the urethra, and so +blocks up the flow of the urine that mortification ensues. + +M. Lautour relates a case of renal calculus in a dog. He had +occasionally voided his urine with some difficulty, and had walked +slowly and with evident pain. August 30, 1827, a sudden exacerbation +came on, and the dog was dreadfully agitated. He barked and rolled +himself on the ground almost every minute; be made frequent attempts to +void his urine, which came from him drop by drop. When compelled to +walk, his hind and fore legs seemed to mingle together, and his loins +were bent into a perfect curve; his flanks were drawn in; he could +scarcely be induced to eat; and he evidently suffered much in voiding +his fæces. Mild and demulcent liquids were his only food. Warm baths and +injections were applied almost unceasingly, and in eight days he seemed +to have perfectly gained his health. + +In March, in the following year, the symptoms returned with greater +intensity. His hind limbs were dragged after him; he rapidly lost flesh, +and his howlings were fearful and continuous. The same mode of treatment +was adopted without any good effect, and, his cries continuing, he was +destroyed. + +The stomach and intestines were healthy. The bladder was enlarged from +the thickness and induration of its parietes; the mucous membrane of it +was covered with ecchymoses; the kidneys were three or four times their +natural size; and the pelvis contained a calculus weighing 126 grains, +composed of 58 grains of uric acid and 58 of ammonia, with 10 grains of +phosphate of lime. + +Of the nature and causes of urinary calculi in the bladder we know very +little. We only know that some solid body finds its way or is formed +there, gradually increases in size, and at length partially or entirely +occupies the bladder. Boerhaave has given a singular and undeniable +proof of this. He introduced a small round pebble into the bladder of a +dog. The wound perfectly healed. A few months afterwards the animal was +killed, and there was found a calculus of considerable size, of which +the pebble was the nucleus. + +Occasionally the pressure of the bladder on the calculus which it +contains is exceedingly great, so much so, indeed, as to crush the +calculus. A small calculus may sometimes be forcibly extracted, or cut +down upon and removed; but when the calculus is large, a catheter or +bougie must be passed up the penis as far as the curve in the urethra, +and then somewhat firmly held with the left hand, and pressing against +the urethra. A scalpel should be taken, and an incision made into the +urethra. The catheter being now withdrawn, and the finger or a pair of +forceps introduced into the bladder, the calculus may be grasped and +extracted. + +There are some instances in which as many as 20 or 30 small calculi have +been taken from the bladder of a dog. Twice I have seen calculi +absolutely crushed in the bladder of a dog; and Mr. Blaine says that he +found no fewer than 40 or 50 in the bladder of a Newfoundland dog. One +of them had passed out into the urethra, and had so blocked up the +passage that the flow of urine was prevented, and the animal died of +mortification. + +With much pleasure I refer to the details of Mr. Blaine with regard to +the management of 'vesical calculi'. + + "When a small calculus," says he, "obstructs the urethra, and can be + felt, it may be attempted to be forced forward through the urethra to + the point of the penis, whence it may be extracted by a pair of + forceps. If it cannot be so moved, it may be cut down upon and removed + with safety; but when one or more stones are within the bladder, we + must attempt lithotomy, after having fully satisfied ourselves of + their existence there by the introduction of the sound; to do which it + must be remembered that the urethra of the dog in passing the bladder + proceeds nearly in a direct line backwards, and then, making an acute + angle, it passes again forwards to the bladder. It must be therefore + evident, that when it becomes necessary to introduce a catheter, + sound, or bougie, it must first be passed up the penis to the + extremity of this angle; the point of the instrument must then be cut + down upon, and from this opening the instrument may be readily passed + forward into the bladder. The examination made, and a stone detected, + it may, if a very small one, be attempted to be pushed forward by + means of a finger passed up the anus into the urethra; but, as this + could be practicable only where the dog happened to be a large one, it + is most probable that nothing short of the operation of lithotomy + would succeed. To this end, the sound being introduced, pass a very + small gorget, or otherwise a bistoury, along its groove into the + bladder, to effect an opening sufficient to admit of the introduction + of a fine pair of forceps, by which the stone may be laid up and + extracted." + 'Blaine's Canine Pathology', p. 180. + + +INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER + +is of frequent occurrence in the dog; it is also occasionally observed +in the horse and the ox. It sometimes appears as an epizootic. It is +generally announced by anxiety, agitation, trembling of the hinder +limbs, frequent attempts to urine, vain efforts to accomplish it, the +evacuation small in quantity, sometimes clear and aqueous, and at other +times mucous, laden with sediment, thick and bloody, escaping by jets, +painfully and with great difficulty, and then suddenly rushing out in +great quantity. To this list of symptoms colic may often be added. The +animal drinks with avidity, but seldom eats much, unless at the +commencement of the complaint. The skin is hard and dry, he looks at his +flanks, and his back and flanks are tender when pressed upon. + +During the latter portion of my connexion with Mr. Blaine, this disease +assumed an epidemic character. There was a great drought through almost +every part of the country. The disease was characterised by general +uneasiness; continual shifting of the posture; a tucked-up appearance; +an anxious countenance; a quick and noisy pulse; continued panting; the +urine voided in small quantities, sometimes discharged drop by drop, or +complete stoppage of it. The belly hot, swelled, and tender to the +touch; the dog becoming strangely irritable, and ready to bite even his +master. + +'1st May', 1824.--Two dogs had been making ineffectual attempts to void +their urine for nearly two days. The first was a terrier, and the other +a Newfoundland. The terrier was bled, placed in a warm bath, and an +aloetic ball, with calomel, administered. He was bled a second time in +the evening, and a few drops of water were discharged. On the following +day, the urine slowly passed involuntarily from him; but when he +attempted to void any, his efforts were totally ineffectual. Balls +composed of camphor, pulv. uva ursi, tinct. ferri mur., mass purg., and +pulv. lini. et gum. arab., were administered morning, noon, and night. + +On the 5th the urine still passed involuntarily. Cold lotions were +employed, and tonic and astringent medicines administered, with castor +oil. He gradually got well, and no trace of the disease remained until +June the 6th, when he again became thin and weak, and discharged much +bloody urine, but apparently without pain. The uva ursi, oak bark, and +powdered gum-arabic were employed. + +On the 12th he had become much better, and so continued until the 1st of +July, when he again exhibited the same complaint more violently than +before. He was exceedingly tender on the loins, and screamed when he +was touched. He was bled, returned to his uva ursi and powdered gum, and +recovered. I saw him two years afterwards apparently well. + +The Newfoundland dog exhibited a similar complaint, with nearly the same +accompaniments. + +'May' 1.--He was disinclined to move; his belly was hard and hot, and he +was supposed to be costive. Gave an aloetic ball with iron. + +2d. He has endeavoured, in vain, several times to void his urine. He +walks stiffly with his back bound. Subtract eight ounces of blood; give +another physic-ball, and apply cold affusion to the loins. + +3d. He frequently attempts to stale, and passes a little urine at each +time; he still walks and stands with his back bound. Syr. papav. et +rhamni, with tinct. ferr. mur., a large spoonful being given morning and +night. + +4th. He again tries, ineffectually, to void his urine. Mist. et pulv. + +5th. Unable to void a drop of urine; nose hot; tongue hangs down; pants +considerably; will not eat; the countenance has an anxious character. +Bleed to twelve ounces; apply cold affusion. Medicine as before, with +cold affusion. + +6th. Appears to be in very great pain; not a drop of water has passed +from him. Medicine and other treatment as before. In the evening he lay +down quietly. On the next morning he was found dead. All the viscera +were sound except the bladder, which was ruptured; the abdomen contained +two quarts of bloody fluid. The mucous membrane of the bladder appeared +to be in the highest state of inflammation. It was almost black with +extravasated blood. On the neck of the bladder was an enlargement of the +size of a goose's egg, and almost filling the cavity of the pelvis. On +cutting into it, more than two ounces of pus escaped. + +On June 29, 1833, a poodle was brought to me. He had not been observed +to pass any urine for two days. He made frequent attempts to void it, +and cried dreadfully. The bladder could be felt distended in the +abdomen. I put him into a warm bath, and took from him a pound of blood. +He seemed to be a little relieved. I did not leave him until after +midnight, but was soon roused by his loud screams, and the dog was also +retching violently. The cries and retching gradually abated, and he +died. The bladder had burst, and the parietes were in a dreadful state +of inflammation. + +A dog had laboured under incontinence of urine more than two months. The +water was continually dropping from him. The servant told me that, three +months before, he had been shut into a room two days, and, being a +cleanly animal, would not stale until he was liberated. Soon after that +the incontinence of urine was observed. I gave the usual tonic balls, +with a small portion of opium, night and morning, and ordered cold water +to be frequently dashed on the perinæum. A month afterwards he was quite +well. + +Comparatively speaking, 'profuse staling' is not a common disease, +except when it is the consequence of bad food, or strong diuretics, or +actual inflammation. The cause and the result of the treatment are often +obscure. Bleeding, purging, and counter irritation, would be indicated +to a certain extent, but the lowering system must not be carried too +far. The medicine would probably be catechu, uva ursi, and opium. + +At times blood mingles with the urine, with or without coagulation. The +cause and the source of it may or may not be determined. Generally +speaking it is the result of some strain or blow. + +A terrier bitch, in January, 1820, had incontinence of urine. No +swelling or injury could be detected. I used with her the simple tonic +balls. + +10th January'.--She is now considerably better, and only a few drops +are observed. + +2d February'.--The disease which had seemingly been conquered began +again to reappear; the medicine had been neglected. Again have recourse +to it. + +4'th March'.--The disease now appears to be quite checked by the cold +lotion and the balls. + + +A CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE BLADDER + +This is a singular account, and stands almost alone. + +The patient was a valuable spaniel belonging to that breed known as "The +Duke of Norfolk's," and now possessed in its full perfection by the Earl +of Albemarle. Professor Simonds shall give his own account: + +I was informed that almost from a puppy to the time when he was two +years old, the dog had always been delicate in his appearance, and was +observed to void his urine with difficulty; but there were not +sufficient indications of disease for the owner to suppose that medical +attendance was necessary until within a few days of his death, and then, +finding that the act of staling was effected with increased difficulty, +and accompanied with extreme pain; that the dog refused his food, was +feverish; that at length there were frequent or ineffective efforts to +expel the urine, the dog crying out from extremity of pain, and it was +sufficiently evident that great mischief was going on, he was placed +under my care; and even then he was walked a mile and a half to my +infirmary. + +My attention was immediately directed to him; the man who brought him +informing me that he seemed much easier since he left home. On +examination, I at once pronounced that he could not recover; in fact, +that he was rapidly sinking; but, from his then state, I could give no +opinion with regard to the precise nature or extent of his disease. He +was placed upon a bed in an appropriate apartment, with directions not +to be disturbed, and in a few hours he died. + +The 'post-mortem' appearances were the abdomen containing from four to +five pints of fluid, having much the character of, but more bloody than, +that found in cases of ascites. The peritoneum seemed to be dyed from +its immersion in this fluid, as it showed a general red hue, not +apparently deeper in some parts than in others. There was an absence, to +a great extent, of that beautiful appearance and well-marked course of +the minute blood-vessels which accompany many cases of original +peritonitis. Extending the examination, I found the bladder to be +ruptured, and that the fluid of which I have spoken was to a large +extent composed of urine, mingled with some other secretion from the +peritoneal investure of the abdomen and its viscera, probably produced +from the presence of an irritant, the urine being brought into direct +contact with the membrane. Farther research showed that this rupture of +the bladder was caused in the manner which I have stated. The +'post-mortem' examination displayed a chronic enlargement of the +prostate gland of a considerable size, causing by its pressure a +mechanical obstruction to the passage of the urine. Death in this +instance was not immediately brought about by the abnormal state of the +original organ affected; but the prostate gland, having early in the +life of the animal become diseased, and, being gradually increased in +size, became a cause of still more serious disease, attacking more +important organs. + + +WORMS. + +There are various kinds of worms to which the dog is subject; they have +occasionally been confounded with each other; but they are essentially +different in the situations which they occupy, and the effects which +they produce. + +The 'ascarides' are small thread-like worms, generally not more than six +or ten lines in length, of a white colour, the head obtuse, and the tail +terminating in a transparent prolongation. They are principally found in +the rectum. They seem to possess considerable agility; and the itching +which they set up is sometimes absolutely intolerable. To relieve this, +the dog often drags the fundament along the ground. + +All the domesticated animals are subject to the annoyance which these +worms occasion. They roll themselves into balls as large as a nut, and +become entangled so much with each other that it is difficult to +separate them. Sometimes they appear in the stomach, and in such large +masses that it is almost impossible to remove them by the act of +vomiting. It has been said that packets of ascarides have been collected +in the stomach containing more than one hundred worms. These collections +are rarely or never got entirely rid of. Enormous doses of medicine may +be given, and the worms may not be seen again for several weeks; but, at +length, they reappear as numerous as ever. + +Young dogs are exceedingly subject to them, and are with great +difficulty perfectly freed from their attacks. Another species of worm +is the 'teres'. It would resemble the earth-worm in its appearance, were +it not white instead of a red colour. They are very common among dogs, +especially young dogs, in whom they are often attended by fits. +Occasionally they crawl into the stomach, and there produce a great deal +of irritation. + +Another, and the most injurious of the intestinal worms, is the +'taenia', or 'tape-worm'. It is many inches in length, almost flat in +the greater part of its extent, and its two extremities are nearly or +quite equal. Tape-worms associate in groups like the others, but they +are not so numerous; they chiefly frequent the small intestines. They +are sometimes apt to coil themselves, and form a mechanical obstruction +which is fatal to the dog. + +The presence of all these worms is readily detected. There is generally +a dry, short cough, a staring coat, a hot and fetid breath, a voracious +appetite, and a peculiar state of the bowels; alternately constipated to +a great degree, or peculiarly loose and griping. In young dogs the +emaciated appearance, stinted growth, fetid breath, and frequent fits, +are indications not to be mistaken. + +At other times, however, the dog is filled with worms with scarcely any +indication of their presence. Mr. Blaine very properly remarks that it +docs not follow, because no worms are seen to pass away, that there are +none: neither when they are not seen does it follow even that none pass; +for, if they remain long in the intestines after they are dead, they +become digested like other animal matter. + +The means of expelling or destroying worms in the intestines of the dog +are twofold: the first and apparently the most natural mode of +proceeding, is the administration of purgatives, and usually of drastic +ones; but there is much danger connected with this; not merely the fæces +will be expelled, but a greater or less portion of the mucus that lines +the intestinal canal. The consequence of this will be griping and +inflammation to a very dangerous extent. Frequent doses of Epsom salts +have been given; but not always with success, and frequently with +griping. Mercurial medicines have been tried; but they have not always +succeeded, and have often produced salivation. One method of expelling +the worm has been adopted which has rarely failed, without the slightest +mischief--the administration of glass finely powdered. Not a particle of +it penetrates through the mucus that lines the bowels, while it destroys +every intestinal worm. The powdered glass is made into a ball with lard +and ginger. + +The following account of the symptoms caused by taenia may be +interesting. A dog used to be cheerful, and particularly fond of his +master; but gradually his countenance became haggard, his eyes were red, +his throat was continually filled with a frothy spume, and he stalked +about with an expression of constant inquietude and suffering. These +circumstances naturally excited considerable fear with regard to the +nature of his disease, and he was shut up in a court, with the intention +of his being destroyed. Thus shut up, he furiously threw himself upon +every surrounding object, and tore them with his teeth whenever he could +seize them. He retired into one of the corners of the court, and there +he was continually rubbing his nose, as it were to extract some foreign +body; sometimes he bit and tore up the earth, barking and howling +violently; his hair stood on end, and his flanks were hollow. + +During the whole of his disease he continued to recognise his master. He +ran to him at the slightest word. He refused nothing to drink; but he +would not eat. He was killed on account of the fear excited among the +neighbours. + +The veterinary surgeon who attended him suspected that there was some +affection of the head, on account of the strange manner in which he had +rubbed and beaten it. The superior part of the nose was opened, and two +tæniæ; lanceolatæ were found: it was plain enough that they were the +cause of all the mischief. + +The proprietor of the dog nevertheless believed that it was a case of +rabies; he had the caustic applied to his hands, and could not persuade +himself that he was safe until he had been at the baths of Bourbonne. +[4] + +There is a worm inhabiting the stomach of young dogs, the 'Ascaris +Marginata', a frequent source of sickness and occasionally of spasmodic +colic, by rolling itself into knots. It seems occasionally to take a +dislike to its assigned residence, and wanders into the oesophagus, but +rarely into the larger intestines. A dog had a severe cough, which could +not be subdued by bleeding or physic, or sedative or opiate medicines. +He was destroyed, and one of these ascarides was found in the trachea. +Others find their way into the nasal cavity; and a dreadful source of +irritation they are when they are endeavouring to escape, in order to +undergo one of the changes of form to which they are destined, or when +they have been forced into the nostril in the act of vomiting. + +I once had a dog as a patient, whose case, I confess, I did not +understand. He would sneeze and snort, and rub his head and nose along +the carpet. I happened to say that the symptoms in some respects +resembled those of rabies, and yet, that I could not satisfy myself that +the dog was rabid. The mention of rabies was sufficient, and in defiance +of my remonstrances the animal was destroyed. + +The previous symptoms led me to examine the nasal cavity, and I found +two of these ascarides, one concealed in the middle and the other in the +upper meatus, through neither of which could any strong current of air +be forced, and from which the ascarides could not be dislodged. + +Worms may be the cause of sudden death in a dog. The following case, +communicated by Professor Dick, illustrates this fact: + +I lately had the body of a dog sent to me: his owner sent the following +letter by the same conveyance. + + "My keeper went out shooting yesterday morning with the dog which I + now send to you. He was quite lively, and apparently well, during the + former part of the day; but towards evening he was seized with violent + vomiting. When he came home he refused to eat, and this morning about + eight o'clock he died. As I have lost all my best dogs rather + suddenly, I will thank you to have him examined, and the contents of + his stomach analyzed; and have the kindness to inform me whether he + has been poisoned, or what was the cause of his death." + +On opening the abdomen, the viscera appeared quite healthy: the stomach +was removed, and the contents were found to be more decidedly acid than +usual. The acids were the muriatic and acetic: the finding of an +increased quantity of these is far from being unusual. There was not a +trace of arsenical, mercurial, nor any other metallic poison present. Of +the vegetable poisons, I can only say there was not the slightest trace +of the morbid effects of any of them. The pericardium and the left side +of the thorax contained a small quantity of bloody serous fluid, and the +heart was full of black blood. The left lung was a little inflamed. The +trachea contained some frothy yellow mucous matter, similar to the +contents of the stomach. In the larynx was found one of those worms +occasionally inhabiting the cavities of the nose, and which had probably +escaped from the nose while the dog had been hunting; and, lodging in +the larynx, had destroyed the animal by producing spasms of the larynx. +The worm was about one inch and a half in length, and had partly +penetrated through the rima glottidis. Another worm about the same size +was found in the left bronchia, and a still smaller one among the mucus +of the trachea: there were also four others in the nose. + +Some years ago I found some worms of the filacia species in the right +ventricle of the heart of a dog, which had produced sudden death by +interrupting the action of the valves. + +The following is a curious case of tape-worm, by Mr. Reynold: + +On an estate where a great quantity of rabbits are annually destroyed in +the month of November, we have observed that several dogs that were +previously in good health and condition soon became weak, listless, and +excessively emaciated, frequently passing large portions of the +tape-worm. This induced us to examine the intestines of several hares +and rabbits; and, with, very few exceptions, we found each to contain a +perfect tape-worm three to four feet in length. We then caused two of +the dogs whose cases appeared the worst to be separated from the others, +feeding them on potatoes, &c.; and, in eight or ten days, after voiding +several feet of the worms, they were perfectly restored to their former +strength and appearance. The worm disease, hitherto so formidable to the +spaniel and pointer, may in a great measure be fairly attributed to the +custom of giving them the intestines of their game, under the technical +appellation of "the paunch." The facts above stated, in explaining the +cause of the disease, at the same time suggest the remedy. + +'A worm in the urethra of a dog'. +M. Séon, veterinary surgeon of the Lancers of the Body Guard, was +requested to examine a dog who strained in vain to void his urine, often +uttering dreadful cries, and then eagerly licking his penis. M. Séon, +after having tried in vain to abate the irritation, endeavoured to pass +an elastic bougie. He perceived a conical body half an inch long +protruding from the urethra with each effort of the dog to void his +urine, and immediately afterwards returning into the urethra. He crushed +it with a pair of forceps, and drew it out. It proved to be a worm +resembling a strongylus, four and a half inches long. It was living, and +moving about. M. Séon could not ascertain its species. The worm being +extracted, the urine flowed, and the dog soon recovered. [5] + + +FISTULA IN THE ANUS. + +This is a too frequent consequence of piles. It is often the result of +the stagnation of hardened fæces in the rectum, which produces +inflammation and ulceration, and frequently leaves a fistulous opening. +If we may judge what the quadruped suffers by the sufferings of human +beings, it is a sadly painful affair, whether the fistula is external or +internal. Whether it may be cured by a mild stimulant daily inserted to +the bottom of the abscess, or whether there is a communication with the +opening of the rectum which buries itself in the cellular tissues around +it, and requires an operation for its cure, it will require the +assistance of a skilful surgeon to effect a cure in this case. + + + +[Footnote 1: Tetanus observed on a Dog, by M. Debeaux.--'Pract. Med. +Vet.' 1829, p. 543] + + +[Footnote 2: 'Blaine's Canine Pathology', p. 151.] + + +[Footnote 3: 'Proceedings of the Veterinary Medical Association', +1839-40] + + +[Footnote 4: 'Prat. Méd. Vét.' 1824, p. 14.] + + +[Footnote 5: 'Prat. Méd. Vét.', Fév. 1828.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +BLEEDING; TORSION; CASTRATION, PARTURITION; AND SOME DISEASES +CONNECTED WITH THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. + + +BLEEDING. + +This operation is exceedingly useful in many accidents and diseases. It +is, in fact, as in the horse, the sheet-anchor of the practitioner in +the majority of cases of an inflammatory character. There is some +difference, however, in the instrument to be used. The lancet is the +preferable instrument in the performance of this operation. The fleam +should be banished from among the instruments of the veterinary surgeon. + +A ligature being passed round the lower part of the neck, and the head +being held up a little on one side, the vein will protrude on either +side of the windpipe. It will usually be advisable to cut away a little +of the hair over the spot designed to be punctured. When a sufficient +quantity of blood is abstracted, it will generally be necessary, and +especially if the dog is large, to pass a pin through both edges of the +orifice, and secure it with a little tow. + +When no lancet is at hand, the inside of the flap of the ear may be +punctured with a pen-knife, the course of a vein being selected for this +purpose. In somewhat desperate cases a small portion of the tail may be +amputated. + +The 'superficial brachial vein', the 'cephalic' vein of the human +subject, and the 'plat' vein of the farrier, may be resorted to in all +lamenesses of the fore limb, and especially in all shoulder-wrenches, +strains of the loins, and of the thigh and the leg, and muscular and +ligamentous extensions of any part of the hind limbs; the 'vena saphena +major', and the 'anterior tibial' vein may be punctured in such cases. + +The quantity of blood to be abstracted must be regulated according to +the size and strength of the dog and the degree of inflammation. + +One or two ounces may be sufficient for a very small dog, and seven or +eight for a large one. + + +TORSION + +To M. Amusat, of Paris, we are indebted for the introduction of the +artery-forceps for the arresting of hemorrhage. I shall do but justice +to him by describing his mode of proceeding. He seizes the divided +vessel with a pair of torsion-forceps in such a manner as to hold and +close the mouth of the vessel in its teeth. The slide of the forceps +then shuts its blade, and the artery is held fast. The artery is then +drawn from out of the tissues surrounding it, to the extent of a few +lines, and freed, with another forceps, from its cellular envelope, so +as to lay bare its external coat. The index and thumb of the left hand +are then applied above the forceps, in order to press back the blood in +the vessel. He then begins to twist the artery. One of the methods +consists in continuing the torsion until the part held in the forceps is +detached. When, however, the operator does not intend to produce that +effect, he ceases, after from four to six revolutions of the vessel on +its axis for the small arteries, and from eight to twelve for the large +ones. The hemorrhage instantly stops. The vessel which had been drawn +out is then replaced, as the surrounding parts give support to the knot +which has been formed at its extremities. The knot becomes further +concealed by the retraction of the artery, and this retraction will be +proportionate to the shortening which takes place by the effect of the +twisting, so that it will be scarcely visible on the surface of the +stump. It is of the utmost importance to seize the artery perfectly, and +to make the stated number of twists, as otherwise the security against +the danger of consecutive hemorrhage will not be perfect. + +Mr. W. B. Costello, of London, was present when the operation was +performed at Paris. He brought back a full account of it as performed +there, and availed himself of an early opportunity of putting it to the +test before some of our metropolitan surgeons. A dog was placed on the +table, the forceps were applied, and the operation perfectly succeeded. + +A few days afterwards a pointer bitch was brought to my infirmary, with +a large scirrhous tumour near the anterior teat on the left side. It had +been gradually increasing during the last five months. It was becoming +more irregular in its form, and on one of its tuberculous prominences +was a reddish spot, soft and somewhat tender, indicating that the +process of suppuration was about to commence. + +I had often, or almost uniformly, experienced the power of iodine in +dispersing glandular enlargements in the neck of the dog, and also those +indurated tumours of various kinds which form about the joints of some +domesticated animals, particularly of cattle; but frequent +disappointment had convinced me that it was, if not inert, yet very +uncertain in its effect in causing absorption of tumours about the mammæ +of the bitch. Having also been taught that the ultimate success of the +excision of these enlargements depended on their removal before +suppuration had taken place, and the neighbouring parts had been +inoculated by the virus which so plentifully flowed from the ulcer, I +determined on an immediate operation; and, as the tumour was large, and +she was in high condition, I thought it a good case for 'the first trial +of torsion'. She was well physicked, and on the third day was produced +before my class and properly secured. I had not provided myself with the +'torsion forceps', but relied on the hold I should have on the vessel by +means of a pair of common artery forceps; and the effect of imperfect +instruments beautifully established the power of torsion in arresting +hemorrhage. + +Two elliptical incisions were made on the face of the tumour, and +prolonged anteriorly and posteriorly about an inch from it. The portion +of integument that could be spared was thus enclosed, while the opposed +edges of the wound could be neatly and effectually brought together +after the operation. The dissection of the integument from the remaining +part of the face of the tumour was somewhat slow and difficult, for it +was in a manner identified with the hardened mass beneath; but the +operation soon proceeded more quickly, and we very soon had the scirrhus +exposed, and adhering to the thorax by its base. About two ounces of +venous blood had now been lost. + +I was convinced that I should find the principal artery, by which the +excrescence was fed, at its anterior extremity, and not far from the +spot where the suppuration seemed to be preparing: therefore, beginning +posteriorly, I very rapidly cut through the cellular texture, elevating +the tumour and turning it back, until I arrived at the inner and +anterior point, and there was the only source of supply; the artery was +plainly to be seen. In order to give the experiment a fair chance, I +would not enclose it in the forceps, but I cut through it. A jet of +blood spirted out. I then seized the vessel as quickly as I could, and +began to turn the forceps, but before I could effect more than a turn +and a half I lost my hold on the artery. I was vexed, and paused, +waiting for the renewed gush of blood that I might seize the vessel +again; but to my surprise not a drop more blood came from the arterial +trunk. That turn and a half, considerable pressure having been used, had +completely arrested the hemorrhage. I can safely say that not more than +four drachms of arterial blood were lost. + +The wound was sponged clean: there remained only a very slight oozing +from two or three points; the flaps were brought together, secured by +the ordinary sutures, and the proper bandages applied. The weight of the +tumour was twenty-two ounces; there was no after-bleeding, no unpleasant +occurrences; but the wound, which had been nearly six inches in length, +was closed in little more than three weeks. + +He will essentially promote the cause of science, and the cause of +humanity, who will avail himself of the opportunity which country +practice affords of putting the effect of torsion to the test: and few +things will be more gratifying than the consciousness of rescuing our +patients from the unnecessary infliction of torture. + +In docking, it will be found perfectly practicable: our patients will +escape much torture, and tetanus will often be avoided. The principal +danger from castration has arisen from the severity with which the iron +has been employed. The colt, the sheep, and the dog will be fair +subjects for experiment. The cautery, as it regards the first, and the +brutal violence too frequently resorted to in operating upon the others, +have destroyed thousands of animals. + + +CASTRATION. + +This operation is performed on a great portion of our domestic animals. +It renders them more docile, and gives them a disposition to fatten. It +is followed by fewest serious accidents when it is performed on young +animals. The autumn or spring should, if possible, be chosen for the +operation, for the temperature of the atmosphere is then generally +uniform and moderate. It should be previously ascertained that the +animal is in perfect health; and he should be prepared by a mash diet +and bleeding, if he is in a plethoric state, or possessed of +considerable determination. If it is a young animal that is to be +operated upon, an incision may be made into the scrotum, the testicle +may be protruded, and the cord cut without much precaution, for the +blood will soon be stayed; but for older animals it will be advisable to +use a ligature, applied moderately tightly round the spermatic cord a +little more than an inch beyond its insertion into the testicle; the +scalpel is then used, and a separation effected between the ligature and +the testis. The vas derens needs not to be included; a great deal of +pain will then be spared to the animal. + +The ordinary consequences of castration are pain, inflammation, +engorgement, and suppuration. The pain and suppuration are inevitable, +but generally yield to emollient applications. The engorgement is often +considerable at first, but soon subsides, and the suppuration usually +abates in the course of a few days. It has been said that the castrated +dog is more attached and faithful to his master than he who has not been +deprived of his genital powers: this, however, is to be much doubted. He +has, generally speaking, lost a considerable portion of his courage, his +energy, and his strength. He is apt to become idle, and is disposed to +accumulate fat more rapidly. His power of scent is also very +considerably diminished and he is less qualified for the sports of the +field. Of this there can be no doubt. It has been said that he is more +submissive: I very much doubt the accuracy of that opinion. He may not +be so savage as in his perfect state; he may not be so eager in his +feeding; but there is not the devotion to his master, and the quickness +of comprehension which belongs to the perfect dog. + +The removal of the ovaries, or spaying of the female, used to be often +practised, and packs of spayed bitches were, and still are, occasionally +kept. In performing this operation, an opening is made into the flank on +one side, and the finger introduced--one of the ovaries is laid hold of +and drawn a little out of the belly; a ligature is then applied round +it, just above the bifurcation of the womb, and it is cut through, the +end of the ligature being left hanging out of the wound. The other ovary +is then felt for and drawn out, and excised and secured by a ligature. +The wound is then sewed up, and a bandage is placed over the incision. +Some farriers do not apply any ligature, but simply sew up the wound, +and in the majority of cases the edges adhere, and no harm comes of the +operation, except that the general character of the animal is +essentially changed. She accumulates a vast quantity of fat, becomes +listless and idle, and is almost invariably short-lived. + +The female dog, therefore, should always be allowed to breed. Breeding +is a necessary process; and the female prevented from it is sure to be +affected with disease sooner or later; enormous collections and +indurations will form, that will inevitably terminate in scirrhus or +ulceration. + +A troublesome process often occurs when the female is not permitted to +have young ones; namely, the accumulation of milk in the teats, +especially if at any previous time, however distant, she may have had +puppies once. The foundation is laid for many unpleasant and +unmanageable complaints. If she is suffered to bring up one litter after +another, she will have better health than those that are debarred from +intercourse with the male. + +The temporary union which takes placed between the male and female at +the period at which they are brought together is a very singular one. +The corpora cavernosa of the male and the clitoris of the female being +suddenly distended with blood, it is impossible to withdraw either of +them until the turgescence of the parts has entirely ceased. + + +PARTURITION + +The pupping usually takes place from the sixty-second to the +sixty-fourth day; and the process having commenced, from a quarter to +three quarters of an hour generally takes place between the production +of each puppy. + +Great numbers of bitches are lost every year in the act of parturition: +there seems to be a propensity in the females to associate with dogs +larger than themselves, and they pay for it with their lives. The most +neglected circumstance during the period of pregnancy is the little +exercise which the mother is permitted to take, while, in point of fact, +nothing tends more to safe and easy parturition than her being permitted +or compelled to take a fair quantity of exercise. + +When the time of parturition has arrived, and there is evident +difficulty in producing the foetus, recourse should be had to the ergot +of rye, which should be given every hour or half hour, according to +circumstances. If after a certain time some, although little, progress +has been made, the ergot must be continued in smaller doses, or perhaps +suspended for a while; but, if all progress is evidently suspended, +recourse must be had to the hook or the forceps. By gentle but continued +manipulation much may be done, especially when the muzzle of the puppy +can be brought into the passage. As little force as possible must be +used, and especially the foetus little broken. Many a valuable animal is +destroyed by the undue application of force. + +If the animal seems to be losing strength, a small quantity of laudanum +and ether may be administered. + + "The patience of bitches in labour is extreme," says Mr. Blaine; "and + their distress, if not removed, is most striking and affecting. Their + look is at such time particularly expressive and apparently + imploring." + +When the pupping is protracted, and the young ones are evidently dead, +the mother may be saved, if none of the puppies have been broken. In +process of time the different puppies may, one after another, be +extracted; but when violence has been used at the commencement, or +almost at any part of the process, death will assuredly follow. + +'June' 15, 1832.--A spaniel bitch was brought to my infirmary to-day, +who has been in great and constant pain since yesterday, making repeated +but fruitless efforts to expel her puppies. She is in a very plethoric +habit of body; her bowels are much confined, and she exhibits some +general symptoms of febrile derangement, arising, doubtless, from her +protracted labour. This is her first litter. Upon examination, no young +could be distinctly felt. + +Place her in a warm bath, and give her a dose of castor oil, morning and +evening. + +'June' 16.--The bitch appears in the same state as yesterday, except +that the medicine has operated freely upon the bowels, and the febrile +symptoms have somewhat decreased. Her strainings are as frequent and +distressing as ever. Take two scruples of the ergot of rye, and divide +into six doses, of which let one be given every half hour. + +In about ten minutes after the exhibition of the last dose of this +medicine, she brought forth, with great difficulty, one dead puppy, upon +taking which away from her, she became so uneasy that I was induced to +return it to her. In about a quarter of an hour after this I paid her +another visit: the puppy could not now be found; but a suspicious +appearance in the mother's eye betrayed at once that she had devoured +it. I immediately administered an emetic; and in a very short time the +whole foetus was returned in five distinct parts, viz., the four +quarters and the head. After this, the bitch began to amend very fast; +she produced no other puppy; and as her supply of milk was small, she +was soon convalescent. + +Twelve months afterwards she was again taken in labour, about eleven +o'clock in the morning, and after very great difficulty, one puppy was +produced. After this the bitch appeared in great pain, but did not +succeed in expelling another foetus, in consequence of which I was sent +for about three o'clock, P.M. I found her very uneasy breathing +laboriously; the mouth hot, and the bowels costive; but I could not +discover any trace of another foetus. She was put into a warm bath, and +a dose of opening medicine was administered. + +About five o'clock she got rid of one dead and two living puppies. + +'2d'. She is still very ill; she evinces great pain when pressed upon +the abdomen; and it is manifest that she has another foetus within her. +I ordered a dose of the ergot, and in about twenty minutes a large puppy +was produced, nearly dying. She survived with due care. + +I cannot refrain from inserting the following case at considerable +length. + +'Sept.' 4, 1820.--A very diminutive terrier, weighing not 5 lbs. was +sent to my hospital in order to lie in. She was already restless and +panting. About eight o'clock at night the labour pains commenced; but +until eleven scarcely any progress was made. The 'os uteri' would not +admit my finger, although I frequently attempted it. + +At half-past eleven, the membranes began to protrude; at one the head +had descended into the pelvis and the puppy was dead. In a previous +labour she had been unable to produce her young, although the ergot of +rye had been freely used. I was obliged to use considerable force, and +she fought terribly with me throughout the whole process. At half-past +one, and after applying considerable force, I brought away a large +foetus, compared with her own size. On passing my finger as high as +possible, I felt another foetus living, but the night passed and the +whole of the following day, and she ate and drank, and did not appear to +be much injured. + +Several times in the day I gave her some strong soup and the ergot. Some +slight pains now returned, and by pressing on the belly the nose of the +foetus was brought to the superior edge of the pelvis. The pains again +ceased, the pudenda began to swell from frequent examination, the bitch +began to stagger, and made frequent attempts to void her urine, with +extreme difficulty in accomplishing it. I now resorted to the crotchet; +and after many unsuccessful attempts, in which the superior part of the +vagina must have been considerably bruised, I fixed it sufficiently +firmly to draw the head into the cavity of the pelvis. Here for a while +the shoulder resisted every attempt which I could make without the +danger of detruncating the foetus. At length by working at the side of +the head until my nails were soft and my fingers sore, I extracted one +fore leg. The other was soon brought down; another large puppy was +produced, but destroyed by the means necessary for its production. This +was the fruit of two hours' hard work. + +She was completely exhausted, and scarcely able to stand. When placed on +the ground she staggered and fell at almost every step. Her efforts to +void her urine were frequent and ineffectual. + +At four o'clock I again examined her; the external pudenda were sore and +swelled, and beginning to assume a black hue. It was with considerable +difficulty that I could introduce my finger. A third foetus irregularly +presented was detected. I could just feel one of the hind legs. No time +was to be lost. I introduced a small pair of forceps by the side of my +finger, and succeeded in laying hold of the leg without much difficulty, +and, with two or three weak efforts from the mother,--I could scarcely +call them pains,--I brought the leg down until it was in the cavity of +the pelvis. I solicited it forward with my finger, and, by forcibly +pressing back the 'labia pudendi', I could just grasp it with the finger +and thumb of the right hand. Holding it there, I introduced the finger +of the right hand, and continued to get down the other leg, and then +found little difficulty until the head was brought to the superior edge +of the pelvis. After a long interval, and with considerable force, this +was brought into the pelvis, and another puppy extracted. This fully +occupied two hours. + +The bitch now appeared almost lifeless. As she was unable to stand, and +seemed unconscious of every thing around her, I concluded that she was +lost: I gave her one or two drops of warm brandy and water, covered her +up closely, and put her to bed. + +To my surprise, on the following morning, she was curled round in her +basket; she licked my hands, and ate a bit of bread and butter; but when +put on her legs staggered and fell. The pudendum was dreadfully swollen, +and literally black. In the afternoon she again took a little food: she +came voluntarily from her basket, wagged her tail when spoken to, and on +the following day she was taken in her basket a journey of 70 miles, and +afterwards did well; no one could be more rejoiced than was her master, +who was present at, and superintended the greater part of the +proceedings. + +'The beneficial effect of Ergot of Rye in difficult Parturition'.--The +following case is from the pen of Professor Dick: + +On the 10th instant, a pointer bitch produced two puppies; and it was +thought by the person having her in charge that she had no more. She was +put into a comfortable box, and with a little care was expected to do +well. On the next morning, however, she was sick and breathed heavily, +and continued rather uneasy all the day. + +On the forenoon of the following day I was requested to see her. I found +her with her nose dry, breath hot, respiration frequent, mouth hot and +parched, coat staring, back roached, pulse 120, and a black fetid +discharge from the vagina. Pressure on the abdomen gave pain. A pup +could be obscurely felt; the secretion of milk was suppressed, and the +skin had lost its natural elasticity. + +Tepid water with a little soap dissolved in it was immediately injected +into the uterus, which in a considerable degree excited its action; and +this injection was repeated two or three times with the same effect. + +After waiting for half an hour, the foetus was not discharged nor +brought forward; therefore a scruple of the ergot of rye was then made +into an infusion with two ounces of water, and one-third of it given as +a dose; in half an hour, another one-third of it; the injections of warm +water and soap being also continued. Soon after the second dose of the +infusion, a dead puppy was expelled; the bitch rapidly recovered, and, +with the exception of deficiency of milk, is now quite well. + +This case would seem to prove the great power of the ergot of rye over +the uterus; but, until more experiments are made, it is necessary to be +cautious in ascribing powers to medicines which have not been much tried +in our practice. It is not improbable that the warm water and soap might +have roused the uterus into action without the aid of the ergot; and it +is therefore necessary that those who repeat this experiment should try +the effects of the medicine unaided by the auxiliary. + +The Professor adds, that the great power which this drug is said to have +on the human being, and the apparent effect in the case just given, +suggest the propriety of instituting a further trial of it, and of our +extending our observations to cattle, amongst which difficult cases of +calving so frequently occur. + +Mr. Simpson thus concludes some remarks on ergot in difficult +parturition. This medicine possesses a very great power over the uterus, +rousing its dormant or debilitated contractility, and stimulating it to +an extra performance of this necessary function after its natural energy +has been in some measure destroyed by forcible but useless action. The +direct utility of the ergot was manifested in cases where the uterus +appeared quite exhausted by its repeated efforts; and certainly it is +but fair to ascribe the decidedly augmented power of the organ to the +stimulus of the ergot, for no other means were resorted to in order to +procure the desired effect. Its action, too, is prompt. Within ten +minutes of the administration of a second or third dose, when nature has +been nearly exhausted, the parturition has been safely effected. + +'Puerperal Fits'. +Nature, proportions the power and resources of the mother to the wants +of her offspring. In her wild undomesticated state she is able to suckle +her progeny to the full time; but, in the artificial state in which we +have placed her, we shorten the interval between each period of +parturition, we increase the number of her young ones at each birth, we +diminish her natural powers of affording them nutriment, and we give her +a degree of irritability which renders her whole system liable to be +excited and deranged by causes that would otherwise be harmless: +therefore it happens that, when the petted bitch is permitted to suckle +the whole of her litter, her supply of nutriment soon becomes exhausted, +and the continued drain upon her produces a great degree of +irritability. She gets rapidly thin; she staggers, is half unconscious, +neglects her puppies, and suddenly falls into a fit of a very peculiar +character. It begins with, and is sometimes confined to, the respiratory +apparatus: she lies on her side and pants violently, and the sound of +her laboured breathing may be heard at the distance of twenty yards. +Sometimes spasms steal over her limbs; at other times the diaphragm and +respiratory muscles alone are convulsed. In a few hours she is certainly +lost; or, if there are moments of remission, they are speedily succeeded +by increased heavings. + +The practitioner unaccustomed to this fearful state of excitation, and +forgetful or unaware of its cause, proceeds to bleed her, and he seals +her fate. Although one system is thus convulsively labouring, it is +because others are suddenly and perfectly exhausted; and by abstraction +of the vital current he reduces this last hold of life to the helpless +condition of the rest. There is not a more common or fatal error than +this. + +The veterinary practitioner is unable to apply the tepid bath to his +larger patients, in order to quiet the erythism of certain parts of the +system, and produce an equable diffusion of nervous influence and +action; and he often forgets it when he has it in his power to save the +smaller ones. Let the bitch in a fit be put into a bath, temperature 96° +Fahrenheit, and covered with the water, her head excepted. It will he +surprising to see how soon the simple application of this equable +temperament will quiet down the erythism of the excited system. In ten +minutes, or a quarter of an hour, she may be taken out of the bath +evidently relieved, and then, a hasty and not very accurate drying +having taken place, she is wrapped in a blanket and placed in some warm +situation, a good dose of physic having been previously administered. +She soon breaks out in a profuse perspiration. Everything becomes +gradually quiet, and she falls into a deep and long sleep, and at length +awakes somewhat weak, but to a certain degree restored. + +If, then, all her puppies except one or two are taken from her, and her +food is, for a day or two, somewhat restricted, and after that given +again of its usual quantity and kind, she will live and do well; but a +bleeding at the time of her fit, or suffering all her puppies to return +to her, will inevitably destroy her. + +A bitch that was often brought to my house was suckling a litter of +puppies. She was foolishly taken up and thrown into the Serpentine in +the month of April. The suppression of milk was immediate and complete. +There was also a determination to the head, and attacks resembling +epilepsy. The puppies that were suffered to remain with the mother, were +very soon as epileptic as she was, and were destroyed. A seton was +inserted on each side of her neck. Ipecacuanha was administered; and +that having sufficiently worked, a small quantity of diluted sulphuric +acid was given. A fortnight afterwards she was perfectly well. + +'Inversion of the Uterus in a Bull Bitch after Pupping. Extirpation +and Cure.' + +By M. Cross, M. V., Milan.--In July, 1829, I was desired to attend a +small bull bitch six years old, and who had had puppies four times. The +uterus was completely inverted, and rested all its weight on the vaginal +orifice of the urethra, preventing the discharge of the urine, and thus +being the cause of great pain when the animal endeavoured to void it, or +the faecal matter. The uterus was become of almost a black colour, +swelled, softened, and exhaling an insupportable odour. Judging from +this that the preservation of the uterus was impossible, and reckoning +much on the good constitution of the patient, I warned the proprietor of +the danger of its reduction, even supposing that it was practicable, and +proposed to him the complete extirpation of the uterus as the only means +that remained of saving the bitch. + +Armed with his consent, I passed a ligature round the neck of the +uterus, at the bottom of the vagina, and drew it as tight as I possibly +could. On the following day I again tightened the ligature, in order to +complete the mortification of the part, and the separation of the womb. +On the third day I extirpated the womb entirely, close to the haunch. +There was very slight loss of blood, but there ran from the walls of the +vagina a small quantity of ichorous fluid, with a strong fetid smell. +The operation was scarcely completed ere she voided a considerable +quantity of urine, and then searched about for something to eat and to +drink. + +The portion of the uterus that was removed weighed fourteen ounces. The +mucous membrane by which it was lined was in a highly disorganized +state. From time to time injections of a slight infusion of aromatic +plants were introduced into the vagina, and the animal was nourished +with liquid food of easy digestion. + +The first day passed without the animal being in the slightest degree +affected; but, on the following day, in despite of all our care, an +ichorous fluid was discharged, which the dog would lick notwithstanding +all our efforts to prevent it. The general health of the animal did not +seem to be in the slightest degree affected. + +On the fourth day after the operation, the cords that had served as a +ligature fell off, and all suppuration from the part gradually ceased. + +'October 20th'.--Three months have passed since the operation, and she +is perfectly well. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE DISTEMPER. + + +By this singular name is distinguished a prevalent disease now about to +come under our consideration, which was first observed on the continent. +The rapidity with which it spread, the strange protean appearances which +it assumed, and its too frequent fatal termination, surprised and +puzzled the veterinary surgeons; and they called it "la maladie des +chiens," the disease or distemper in dogs. + +It is comparatively a new disease. It was imported from France about one +hundred years since, although some French authors have strangely +affirmed that it is of British origin. Having once gained footing among +us, it has established itself in our country, to the vexation and loss +of the sportsman, and the annoyance of the veterinary surgeon. However +keepers, or even men of education, may boast of their specifics, it is a +sadly fatal disease, and destroys fully one-third of the canine race. + +Dogs of all ages are subject to its attack. Many, nine and ten years +old, have died of pure distemper; and I have seen puppies of only three +weeks fall victims to it; but it oftenest appears between the sixth and +twelfth month of the animal's life. If it occurs at an early period, it +proves fatal in the great majority of cases; and, if the dog is more +than four years old, it generally goes hard with him. It is undeniably +highly contagious, yet it is frequently generated. In this it bears an +analogy to mange, and to farcy and glanders in the horse. + +One attack of the disease, and even a severe one, is no absolute +security against its return; although the dog that has once laboured +under distemper possesses a certain degree of immunity; or, if he is +attacked a second time, the malady usually assumes a milder type. I +have, however, known it occur three times in the same animal, and at +last destroy him. + +Violent catarrh will often terminate in distemper; and low and +insufficient feeding will produce it. It frequently follows mange, and +especially if mercury has been used in the cure of the malady. When we +see a puppy with mange, and that peculiar disease in which the skin +becomes corrugated, and more especially if it is a spaniel, and +pot-bellied or rickety, we generally say that we can cure the mange, but +it will not be long before the animal dies of distemper; and so it +happens in three cases out of four. Whatever debilitates the +constitution predisposes it for the reception or the generation of +distemper. It, however, frequently occurs without any apparent exciting +cause. + +That it is highly contagious cannot admit of doubt. A healthy dog can +seldom, for many days, be kept with another that labours under distemper +without becoming affected; and the disease is communicated by the +slightest momentary contact. There is, however, a great deal of caprice +about this. I have more than once kept a dog in the foul-yard of my +hospital for several successive weeks, and he has not become diseased. +Inoculation with the matter that flows from the nose, either limpid or +purulent, and in an early or advanced stage of the distemper, will, with +few exceptions, produce the disease; yet I have failed to communicate it +even by this method. Inoculation used to be recommended as producing a +milder and less fatal disease. So far as my experience goes, the +contrary has been the result. + +Distemper is also epidemic. It occurs more frequently in the spring and +autumn than in the winter and summer. If one or two dogs in a certain +district are affected, we may be assured that it will soon extensively +prevail there; and where the disease could not possibly be communicated +by contagion. Sometimes it rages all over the country. At other times it +is endemic, and confined to some particular district. + +Not only is the disease epidemic or endemic, but the form which it +assumes is so. In one season, almost every dog with distemper has +violent fits; at another, in the majority of cases, there will be +considerable chest affection, running on to pneumonia; a few months +afterwards, a great proportion of the distempered dogs will be worn down +by diarrhoea, which no medicine will arrest; and presently it will be +scarcely distinguishable from mild catarrh. + +It varies much with different breeds. The shepherd's dog, generally +speaking, cares little about it; he is scarcely ill a day. The cur is +not often seriously affected. The terrier has it more severely, +especially the white terrier. The hound comes next in the order of +severity; and after him the setter. With the small spaniel it is more +dangerous; and still more so with the pointer, especially if he has the +disease early. Next in the order of fatality comes the pug; and it is +most fatal of all with the Newfoundland dog. Should a foreign dog be +affected, he almost certainly dies. The greater part of the northern +dogs brought by Captain Parry did not survive a twelvemonth; and the +delicate Italian greyhound has little chance, when imported from abroad. + +Not only does it thus differ in different species of dogs, but in +different breeds of the same species. I have known several gentlemen who +have laboured in vain for many years, to rear particular and valuable +breeds of pointers and greyhounds. The distemper would uniformly carry +off five out of six. Other sportsmen laugh at the supposed danger of +distemper, and declare that they seldom lose a dog. This hereditary +predisposition to certain kinds of disease cannot be denied, and is not +sufficiently attended to. When a peculiar fatality has often followed a +certain breed, the owner should cross it from another kennel, and +especially from the kennel of one who boasts of his success in the +treatment of distemper. This has occasionally succeeded far beyond +expectation. + +It is time to proceed to the symptoms of this disease; but here there is +very considerable difficulty, for it is a truly protean malady, and it +is impossible to fix on any symptom that will invariably characterise +it. + +An early and frequent symptom is a gradual loss of appetite, spirits, +and condition: the dog is less obedient to his master, and takes less +notice of him. The eyes appear weak and watery; and there will be a very +slight limpid discharge from the nose. In the morning there will, +perhaps, be a little indurated mucus at the inner corner of the eye. +This may continue two or three weeks without serious or scarcely +recognizable illness. Then a peculiar husky cough is heard, altogether +different from the sonorous cough of catarrh, or the wheezing of asthma. +It is an apparent attempt to get something from the fauces or throat. By +degrees the discharge from the eyes and nose, and particularly the +former, will increase. More mucus will collect in the corners of the +eye; and the eye will sometimes be closed in the morning. The +conjunctiva and particularly that portion which covers the sclerotica, +will be considerably injected, but there will not be the usual intense +redness of inflammation. The vessels will be large and turgid rather +than numerous, and frequently of a darkish hue. + +Occasionally, however, the inflammation of the conjunctiva will be +exceedingly intense, the membrane vividly red, and the eye impatient of +light. An opacity spreads over the cornea, and this is quickly succeeded +by ulceration. The first spot of ulceration is generally found precisely +in the centre of the cornea, and is perfectly circular; this will +distinguish it from a scratch or other injury. The ulcer widens and +deepens, and sometimes eats through the cornea, and the aqueous humour +escapes. Fungous granulations spring from it, protrude through the lids, +and the animal evidently suffers extreme torture. + +A remarkable peculiarity attends this affection of the eye. However +violent may be the inflammation, and by whatever disorganization it may +be accompanied, if we can cure the distemper, the granulations will +disappear, the ulcer will heal, the opacity will clear away, and the eye +will not eventually suffer in the slightest degree. One-fourth part of +the mischief in other cases, unconnected with distemper, would +inevitably terminate in blindness; but permanent blindness is rarely the +consequence of distemper. + +It may not be improper here shortly to revert to the different +appearance of the eye in rabies. In the early stage of this malady there +is an unnatural and often terrific brightness of the eye; but the cornea +in distemper is from the first rather clouded. In rabies there is +frequent strabismus, with the axis of the eye distorted outwards. The +apparent squinting of the eye in distemper is caused by the probably +unequal protrusion of the membrana nictitans over a portion of the eye +at the inner canthus, in order to protect it from the light. In rabies, +the white cloudiness which I have described, and the occasional +ulceration with very little cloudiness, and the ulceration, are confined +to the cornea; but a dense green opacity comes on, speedily followed by +ulceration and disorganization of every part of the eye. + +The dog will, at this stage of distemper, be evidently feverish, and +will shiver and creep to the fire. He will more evidently and rapidly +lose flesh. The huskiness will be more frequent and troublesome, and the +discharge from the nose will have greater consistence. It will be often +and violently sneezed out, and will gradually become more or less +purulent. It will stick about the nostrils and plug them up, and thus +afford a considerable mechanical obstruction to the breathing. + +The progress of the disease is now uncertain. Sometimes fits come on, +speedily following intense inflammation of the eye; or the inflammation +of the nasal cavity appears to be communicated, by proximity, to the +membrane of the brain. One fit is a serious thing. If it is followed by +a second within a day or two, the chances of cure are diminished; and if +they rapidly succeed each other, the dog is almost always lost. These +fits seldom appear without warning; and, if their approach is carefully +watched, they may possibly be prevented. + +However indisposed to eat the dog may previously have been, the appetite +returns when the fits are at hand, and the animal becomes absolutely +voracious. Nature seems to be providing for the great expenditure of +power which epilepsy will soon occasion. The mucus almost entirely +disappears from the eyes, although the discharge from the nose may +continue unabated; and for an hour or more before the fit there will be +a champing of the lower jaw, frothing at the mouth, and discharge of +saliva. The champing of the lower jaw will be seen at least twelve hours +before the first fit, and will a little while precede every other. There +will also be twitchings of some part of the frame, and usually of the +mouth, cheek, or eyelid. It is of some consequence to attend to these, +as enabling us to distinguish between fits of distemper and those of +teething, worms, or unusual excitement. The latter come on suddenly. The +dog is apparently well, and racing about full of spirits, and without a +moment's warning he falls into violent convulsions. + +We may here, likewise, be enabled to distinguish between rabies and +distemper. When a person, unacquainted with dogs, sees a dog struggling +in a fit, or running along unconscious of every surrounding object, or +snapping at everything in his way, whether it be a human being or a +stone, he raises the cry of "mad dog," and the poor brute is often +sacrificed. The very existence of a fit is proof positive that the dog +is not mad. No epilepsy accompanies rabies in any stage of that disease. + +The inflammation of the membrane of the nose and fauces is sometimes +propagated along that of the windpipe, and the dog exhibits unequivocal +proofs of chest affection, or decided pneumonia. + +At other times the bowels become affected, and a violent purging comes +on. The fæces vary from white with a slight tinge of gray, to a dark +slate or olive colour. By degrees mucus begins to mingle with the fæcal +discharge, and then streaks of blood. The fæcal matter rapidly lessens, +and the whole seems to consist of mingled mucus and blood; and, from +first to last, the stools are insufferably offensive. When the mingled +blood and mucus appear, so much inflammation exists in the intestinal +canal that the case is almost hopeless. + +The discharge from the nose becomes decidedly purulent. While it is +white and without smell, and the dog is not too much emaciated, the +termination may be favourable; but when it becomes of a darker colour, +and mingled with blood, and offensive, the ethmoid or turbinated bones +are becoming carious, and death supervenes. This will particularly be +the case if the mouth and lips swell, and ulcers begin to appear on +them, and the gums ulcerate, and a sanious and highly offensive +discharge proceeds from the mouth. A singular, half-fetid smell arising +from the dog, is the almost invariable precursor of death. + +When the disease first visited the continent, it was regarded as a +humoral disease. Duhamel, who was one of the earliest to study the +character of the malady, contended that the biliary sac contained the +cause of the complaint; the bile assumed a concrete form, and its +superabundance was the cause of disease. Barrier, one of the earliest +writers on the subject, described it as a violent irregular bilious +fever. Others regarded it as a mucous discharge, or a depurative; and +others, as a salutary crisis, removing from the constitution that which +oppressed the different organs. Others had recourse to inoculation, in +order to give it a more benign character; and others, and among them +Chabert, considered that it possessed a character of peculiar malignity, +and he gave it a name expressive of its nature and situation--'nasal +catarrh'. It exhibited the ordinary symptoms of coryza: it was a +catarrhal affection in its early stage; but it afterwards degenerated +into a species of palsy. The causes were unknown. By some, they were +attributed to the natural voracity of the dog; by others, to his +occasional lasciviousness; by others, to his frequent feeding on +carrion, or the refuse of fat and soups. + +There is no doubt that nasal catarrh is, to a very considerable degree, +contagious on the continent. It often spreads over a wide extent of +country, and includes numerous animals of various descriptions. It is +complicated with various diseases; and particularly, at an early stage, +with ophthalmia. It may be interesting to the reader to trace the +progress of the disease among our continental neighbours. It commences +with a certain depression of spirits; a diminution of appetite; a +heaviness of the head; a heat of the mouth; an attempt to get something +from the throat; an insatiable thirst; an elevated temperature of the +body; a dry and painful suffocating cough; and all these circumstances +continue twenty to thirty days, until at length the dog droops and dies. + +The duration of distemper is uncertain. It sometimes runs its course in +five or six days; or it may linger on two or three months. In some cases +the emaciation is rapid and extreme: danger is then to be apprehended. +When the muscles of the loins are much attenuated, or almost wasted, +there is little hope; and, although other symptoms may remit, and the +dog may be apparently recovering, yet, if he continues to lose flesh, we +may be perfectly assured that he will not live. On the other hand, let +the discharge from the nose be copious, and the purging violent, and +every other symptom threatening, yet if the animal gains a little flesh, +we may confidently predict his recovery. + +When the dog is much reduced in strength and flesh, a spasmodic +affection or twitching of the muscles will sometimes be observed. It is +usually confined at first to one limb; but the most decisive treatment +is required, or these spasms will spread until the animal is altogether +unable to stand; and while he lies every limb will be in motion, +travelling, as it were, at the rate of twenty miles an hour, until the +animal is worn out, and dies of absolute exhaustion. When these spasms +become universal and violent, they are accompanied by constant and +dreadful moans and cries. + +In the pointer and the hound, and particularly when there is little +discharge from the eyes or nose, an intense yellowness often suddenly +appears all over the dog. He falls away more in twenty-four hours than +it would be thought possible; his bowels are obstinately constipated; he +will neither eat nor move; and in two or three days he is dead. + +In the pointer, hound, and greyhound, there sometimes appears on the +whole of the chest and belly a pustular eruption, which peels off in +large scales. The result is usually unfavourable. A more general +eruption, however, either wearing the usual form of mange, or +accompanied by minute pustules, may be regarded as a favourable symptom. +The disease is leaving the vital parts, and expending its last energy on +the integument. + +The 'post-mortem' appearances are exceedingly unsatisfactory: they do +not correspond with the original character of the disease, but with its +strangely varying symptoms. If the dog has died in fits, we have +inflammation of the brain or its membranes, and particularly at the base +of the brain, with considerable effusion of a serous or bloody fluid. If +the prevailing symptoms have led our attention to the lungs, we find +inflammation of the bronchial passages, or, in a few instances, of the +substance of the lungs, or the submucous tissue of the cells. We rarely +have inflammation of the pulmonary pleura, and never to any extent of +the intercostal pleura. In a few lingering cases, tubercles and vomicæ +of the lungs have been found. + +If the bowels have been chiefly attacked, we have intense inflammation +of the mucous membrane, and, generally speaking, the small intestines +are almost filled with worms. If the dog has gradually wasted away, +which is often the case when purging to any considerable extent has been +encouraged or produced, we have contraction of the whole canal, +including even the stomach, and sometimes considerable enlargement of +the mesenteric glands [1]. + +The membrane of the nose will always exhibit marks of inflammation, and +particularly in the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal cells; and I have +observed the portion of membrane on the septum, or cartilaginous +division of the nostrils, between the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal +cells, to be studded with small miliary tubercles. In advanced stages of +the disease, attended with much defluxion from the nose, the cells of +the ethmoidal bone and the frontal sinuses are filled with pus. + +Ulceration is sometimes found on the membrane of the nose, oftenest on +the spot to which I have referred--occasionally confined to that; and +now and then spreading over the whole of the septum, and even corroding +and eating through it; generally equal on both sides of the septum; in a +few instances extending into the fauces; seldom found in the larynx, but +occasionally seen in the bronchial passages. The other viscera rarely +present any remarkable morbid appearance. + +The distemper is clearly a disease of the mucous membranes, usually +commencing in the membrane of the nose, and resembling nasal catarrh. In +the early stage it is 'coryza', or nasal catarrh; but the affection +rapidly extends, and seems to attack the mucous membranes generally, +determined to some particular one, either by atmospheric influence or +accidental causes, or constitutional predisposition. The fits arise from +general disturbance of the system, or from the proximity of the brain to +the early seat of inflammation. + +This account of the nature and treatment of distemper will, perhaps, be +unsatisfactory to some readers. One thing, however, is clear, that for a +disease which assumes such a variety of forms, there can be no specific; +yet there is not a keeper who is not in possession of some supposed +infallible nostrum. Nothing can be more absurd. A disease attacking so +many organs, and presenting so many and such different symptoms, must +require a mode of treatment varying with the organ attacked and the +symptom prevailing. The faith in these boasted specifics is principally +founded on two circumstances--atmospheric influence and peculiarity of +breed. There are some seasons when we can scarcely save a dog; there are +others when we must almost wilfully destroy him in order to lose him. +There are some breeds in which, generation after generation, five out of +six die of distemper, while there are others in which not one out of a +dozen dies. When the season is favourable, and the animal, by hereditary +influence, is not disposed to assume the virulent type of the disease, +these two important agents are overlooked, and the immunity from any +fatal result is attributed to medicine. The circumstances most conducive +to success will be the recollection that it is a disease of the mucous +surfaces, and that we must not carry the depleting and lowering system +too far. Keeping this in view, we must accommodate ourselves to the +symptoms as they arise. + +The natural medicine of the dog seems to be an emetic. The act of +vomiting is very easily excited in him, and, feeling the slightest +ailment, he flies to the dog-grass, unloads his stomach, and is at once +well. In distemper, whatever be the form which it assumes, an emetic is +the first thing to be given. Common salt will do when nothing else is at +hand; but the best emetic, and particularly in distemper, consists of +equal parts of calomel and tartar emetic. From half a grain to a grain +and a half of each will constitute the dose. + +This will act first as an emetic, and afterwards as a gentle purgative. +Then, if the cough is urgent, and there is heaving at the flanks, and +the nose is hot, a moderate quantity of blood may be taken--from three +to twelve ounces--and this, if there has been previous constipation, may +be followed by a dose of sulphate of magnesia, from two to six drachms. + +In slight cases this will often be sufficient to effect a cure: but, if +the dog still droops, and particularly if there is much huskiness, the +antimonial or James's powder, nitre and digitalis, in the proportion of +from half a grain to a grain of digitalis, from two to five grains of +the James's powder, and from a scruple to a drachm of nitre, should be +administered twice or thrice in a day. If on the third or fourth day the +huskiness is not quite removed, the emetic should be repeated. + +In these affections of the mucous membranes, it is absolutely necessary +to avoid or to get rid of every source of irritation, and worms will +generally be found a very considerable one in young dogs. If we can +speedily get rid of them, distemper will often rapidly disappear; but, +if they are suffered to remain, diarrhoea or fits are apt to supervene: +therefore some worm medicine should be administered. + +I have said that vomiting is very easily excited in the dog; and that +for this reason we are precluded from the use of a great many medicines +in our treatment of him. Calomel, aloes, jalap, scammony, and gamboge +will generally produce sickness. We are, therefore, driven to some +mechanical vermifuge; and a very effectual one, and that will rarely +fail of expelling even the tape-worm, is tin filings or powdered glass. +From half a drachm to a drachm of either may be advantageously given +twice in the day. There may generally be added to them digitalis, +James's powder, and nitre, made into balls with palm oil and a little +linseed meal. This course should be pursued in usual cases until two or +three emetics have been given, and a ball morning and night on the +intermediate days. Should the huskiness not diminish after the first two +or three days, if the dog has not rapidly lost flesh, I should be +disposed to take a little more blood, and to put a seton in the poll. It +should be inserted between the ears, and reaching from ear to ear. + +When there is fever and huskiness, and the dog is not much emaciated, a +seton is an excellent remedy; but, if it is used indiscriminately, and +when the animal is already losing ground, and is violently purging, we +shall only hasten his doom, or rather make it more sure. + +It is now, if ever, that pneumonia will be perceived. The symptoms of +inflammation in the lungs of the dog can scarcely be mistaken. The quick +and laborious breathing, the disinclination or inability to lie down, +the elevated position of the head, and the projection of the muzzle, +will clearly mark it. More blood must be subtracted, a seton inserted, +the bowels opened with Epsom salts, and the digitalis, nitre, and +James's powder given more frequently and in larger doses than before. + +Little aid is to be derived from observation of the pulse of the dog; it +differs materially in the breed, and size, and age of the animal. Many +years' practice have failed in enabling me to draw any certain +conclusion from it. The best place to feel the pulse of the dog is at +the side. We may possibly learn from it whether digitalis is producing +an intermittent pulse, which it frequently will do, and which we wish +that it should do: it should then be given a little more cautiously, and +in smaller quantities. + +If the pneumonia is evidently conquered, or we have proceeded thus far +without any considerable inflammatory affection of the chest, we must +begin to change our plan of treatment. If the huskiness continues, and +the discharge from the nose is increased and thicker, and the animal is +losing flesh and becoming weak, we must give only half the quantity of +the sedative and diuretic medicine, and add some mild tonic, as gentian, +chamomile, and ginger, with occasional emetics, taking care to keep the +bowels in a laxative but not purging state. The dog should likewise be +urged to eat; and, if he obstinately refuses ail food, he should be +forced with strong beef jelly, for a very great degree of debility will +now ensue + +We have thus far considered the treatment of distemper from its +commencement; but it may have existed several days before we were +consulted, and the dog may be thin and husky, and refusing to eat. In +such case we should give an emetic, and then a dose of salts, and after +that proceed to the tonic and fever balls. + +Should the strength of the animal continue to decline, and the discharge +from the nose become purulent and offensive, the fever medicine must be +omitted, and the tonic balls, with carbonate of iron, administered. Some +veterinary surgeons are very fond of gum resins and balsams. Mr. Blaine, +in his excellent treatise on the distemper in his Canine Pathology, +recommends myrrh and benjamin, and balsam of Peru and camphor. I much +doubt the efficacy of these drugs. They are beginning to get into +disrepute in the practice of human medicine; and I believe that if they +were all banished from the veterinary Materia Medica we should +experience no loss. When the dog begins to recover, although not so +rapidly as we could wish, the tonic balls, without the iron, may be +advantageously given, with now and then an emetic, if huskiness should +threaten to return; but mild and wholesome food, and country or good +air, will be the best tonics. + +If the discharge from the nose become very offensive, the lips swelled +and ulcerated, and the breath fetid, half an ounce of yeast may be +administered every noon, and the tonics morning and night; and the mouth +should be frequently washed with a solution of chloride of lime. + +At this period of the disease the sub-maxillary glands are sometimes +very much enlarged, and a tumour or abscess is formed, which, if not +timely opened, breaks, and a ragged, ill-conditioned ulcer is formed, +very liable to spread, and very difficult to heal. It is prudent to +puncture this tumour as soon as it begins to point, for it will never +disperse. After the opening, a poultice should be applied to cleanse the +ulcer; after which it should be daily washed with the compound tincture +of benjamin, and dressed with calamine ointment. Some balls should be +given, and the animal liberally fed. + +Should the fits appear in an early stage, give a strong emetic; then +bleed, and open the bowels with five or six grains of calomel and a +quarter grain of opium: after this insert a seton, and then commence the +tonic balls. + +The progress of fits in the early stages of the disease may thus be +arrested. The occurrence of two or three should not make us despair; +but, if they occur at a later period, and when the dog is much reduced, +there is little hope. This additional expenditure of animal power will +probably soon carry him off. All that is to be done, is to administer a +strong emetic, obviate costiveness by castor oil, and give the tonic +balls with opium. + +Of the treatment of the yellow disease little can be said; we shall not +succeed in one case in twenty. When good effect has been produced, it +has been by one large bleeding, opening the bowels well with Epsom +salts, and then giving grain doses of calomel twice a day in a tonic +ball. + +While it is prudent to obviate costiveness, we should recollect that +there is nothing more to be dreaded, in every stage of distemper, than +diarrhoea. The purging of distemper will often bid defiance to the most +powerful astringents. This shows the folly of giving violent cathartics +in distemper; and, when I have heard of the ten, and twenty, and thirty +grains of calomel that are sometimes given, I have thought it fortunate +that the stomach of the dog is so irritable. The greater part of these +kill-or-cure doses is ejected, otherwise the patient would soon be +carried off by super-purgation. There is an irritability about the whole +of the mucous membrane that may be easily excited, but cannot be so +readily allayed; and, therefore, except in the earliest stage of +distemper, or in fits, or limiting ourselves to the small portion of +calomel which enters into our emetic, I would never give a stronger +purgative than castor-oil or Epsom salts. It is of the utmost +consequence that the purging of distemper should be checked as soon as +possible. + +In some diseases a sudden purging, and even one of considerable +violence, constitutes what is called the crisis. It is hailed as a +favourable symptom, and from that moment the animal begins to recover; +but this is never the case in distemper: it is a morbid action which is +then going on, and which produces a dangerous degree of debility. + +The proper treatment of purging in cases of distemper, is first to give +a good dose of Epsom salts, in order to carry away anything that may +offend, and then to ply the animal with mingled absorbents and +astringents. A scruple of powdered chalk, ten grains of catechu, and +five of ginger, with a quarter of a grain of opium, made into a ball +with palm oil, may be given to a middle-sized dog twice or thrice every +day. To this may be added injections of gruel, with the compound chalk +mixture and opium. + +When the twitchings which I have described begin to appear, a seton is +necessary, whatever may be the degree to which the animal is reduced. +Some stimulating embrocation, such as tincture of cantharides, may be +rubbed along the whole course of the spine; and the medicine which has +oftenest, but not always, succeeded, is castor-oil, syrup of buckthorn, +and syrup of white poppies, given morning and night, and a tonic ball at +noon. If the dog will not now feed, he should be forced with strong +soup. As soon, however, as the spasms spread over him, accompanied by a +moaning that increases to a cry, humanity demands that we put an end to +that which we cannot cure. Until this happens I would not despair; for +many dogs have been saved that have lain several days perfectly +helpless. + +As to the chorea which I have mentioned as an occasional sequel of +distemper, if the dog is in tolerable condition, and especially if he is +gaining flesh, and the spring or summer is approaching, there is a +chance of his doing well. A seton is the first thing; the bowels should +be preserved from constipation; and the nitrate of silver, in doses of +one-eighth of a grain, made into a pill with linseed meal, and increased +to a quarter of a grain, should be given morning and night. + +We should never make too sure of the recovery of a distempered dog, nor +commit ourselves by too early a prognosis. It is a treacherous disease; +the medicines should be continued until every symptom has fairly +disappeared; and for a month at least. + +It may be interesting to add the following account of the distemper in +dogs, by Dr. Jenner. Several of our modern writers have copied very +closely from him. + + "That disease among dogs which has familiarly been called the + 'distemper,' has not hitherto, I believe, been, much noticed by + medical men. My situation in the country favouring my wishes to make + some observations on this singular malady, I availed myself of it, + during several successive years, among a large number of foxhounds + belonging to the Earl of Berkeley; and, from observing how frequently + it has been confounded with hydrophobia, I am induced to lay the + result of my inquiries before the Medical and Chirurgical Society. It + may be difficult, perhaps, precisely to ascertain the period of its + first appearance in Britain. In this and the neighbouring counties, I + have not been able to trace it back beyond the middle of the last + century; but it has since spread universally. I knew a gentleman who, + about forty-five years ago, destroyed the greater part of his hounds, + from supposing them mad, when the distemper first broke out among + them; so little was it then known by those most conversant with dogs. + On the continent I find it has been known for a much longer period; it + is as contagious among dogs as the small-pox, measles, or scarlet + fever among the human species; and the contagious miasmata, like those + arising from the diseases just mentioned, retain their infectious + properties a long time after separation from the distempered animal. + Young hounds, for example, brought in a state of health into a kennel, + where others have gone through the distemper, seldom escape it. I have + endeavoured to destroy the contagion by ordering every part of a + kennel to be carefully washed with water, then whitewashed, and + finally to be repeatedly fumigated with the vapour of marine acid, but + without any good result. + + "The dogs generally sicken early in the second week after exposure to + the contagion; it is more commonly a violent disease than otherwise, + and cuts off at least one in three that are attacked by it. It + commences with inflammation of the substance of the lungs, and + generally of the mucous membrane of the bronchi. The inflammation at + the same time seizes on the membranes of the nostrils, and those + lining the bones of the nose, particularly the nasal portion of the + ethmoid bone. These membranes are often inflamed to such a degree as + to occasion extravasation of blood, which I have observed coagulated + on their surface. The breathing is short and quick, and the breath is + often fetid; the teeth are covered with a dark mucus. There is + frequently a vomiting of a glairy fluid. The dog commonly refuses + food, but his thirst seems insatiable, and nothing cheers him like the + sight of water. The bowels, although generally constipated as the + disease advances, are frequently affected with diarrhoea at its + commencement. The eyes are inflamed, and the sight is often obscured + by mucus secreted from the eyelids, or by opacity of the cornea. The + brain is often affected as early as the second day after the attack; + the animal becomes stupid, and his general habits are changed. In this + state, if not prevented by loss of strength, he sometimes wanders from + his home. He is frequently endeavouring to expel by forcible + expirations the mucus from the trachea and fauces, with a peculiar + rattling noise. His jaws are generally smeared with it, and it + sometimes flows out in a frothy state, from his frequent champing. + + "During the progress of the disease, especially in its advanced + stages, he is disposed to bite and gnaw anything within his reach; he + has sometimes epileptic fits, and a quick succession of general though + slight convulsive spasms of the muscles. If the dog survive, this + affection of the muscles continues through life. He is often attacked + with fits of a different description; he first staggers, then tumbles, + rolls, cries as if whipped, and tears up the ground with his teeth and + fore feet: he then lies down senseless and exhausted. On recovering, + he gets up, moves his tail, looks placid, comes to a whistle, and + appears in every respect much better than before the attack. The eyes, + during this paroxysm, look bright, and, unless previously rendered dim + by mucus, or opacity of the cornea, seem as if they were starting from + their sockets. He becomes emaciated, and totters from feebleness in + attempting to walk, or from a partial paralysis of the hind legs. In + this state he sometimes lingers on till the third or fourth week, and + then either begins to show signs of returning health (which seldom + happens when the symptoms have continued with this degree of + violence), or expires. During convalescence, he has sometimes, though + rarely, profuse hæmorrhage from the nose. + + "When the inflammation of the lungs is very severe, he frequently dies + on the third day. I know one instance of a dog dying within + twenty-four hours after the seizure; and in that short space of time + the greater portion of the lungs was, from exudation, converted into a + substance nearly as solid as the liver of a sound animal. In this case + the liver itself was considerably inflamed, and the eyes and flesh + universally were tinged with yellow, though I did not observe anything + obstructing the biliary ducts. In other instances I have also observed + the eyes looking yellow. + + "The above is a description of the disease in its several forms; but + in this, as in the diseases of the human body, there is every + gradation in its violence. + + "There is also another affinity to some human diseases, viz., that the + animal which has once gone through it very rarely meets with a second + attack. Fortunately this distemper is not communicable to man. Neither + the effluvia from the diseased dog nor the bite have proved in any + instance infectious; but, as it has often been confounded with canine + madness, as I have before observed, it is to be wished that it were + more generally understood; for those who are bitten by a dog in this + state are sometimes thrown into such perturbation that hydrophobia + symptoms have actually arisen from the workings of the imagination. + Mr. John Hunter used to speak of a case somewhat of this description + in his lectures. + + "A gentleman who received a severe bite from a dog, soon after fancied + the animal was mad. He felt a horror at the sight of liquids, and was + actually convulsed on attempting to swallow them. So uncontrollable + were his prepossessions, that Mr. Hunter conceived he would have died + had not the dog which inflicted the wound been found and brought into + his room in perfect health. This soon restored his mind to a state of + tranquillity. The sight of water no longer afflicted him, and he + quickly recovered." [2] + +Palsy, more or less complete, is sometimes the termination of the +distemper in dogs. + +It is usually accompanied by chorea, and it is then, in the majority of +cases, hopeless. Setons should be inserted in the poll, being then, as +nearly as possible, at the commencement of the spinal cord. They should +be well stimulated and worn a considerable time. If they fail, a plaster +composed of common pitch, with a very small quantity of yellow wax and +some powdered cantharides, spread on sheep's-skin, should be placed over +the whole of the lumbar and sacral regions, extending half-way down the +thigh on either side. The bowels should be kept open by mild aperients, +in order that every source of irritation may be removed from the +intestinal canal. Some mild and general tonic will likewise be useful, +such as gentian and ginger. + + + +[Footnote 1: The following is a very frequent and unexaggerated history +of distemper, when calomel has been given in too powerful doses: + +'August 30, 1828'.--A spaniel, six months old, has been ailing a +fortnight, and three doses of calomel have been given by the owner. He +has violent purging, with tenesmus and blood. Half an ounce of +caster-oil administered. + +'31st.' Astringents, morning, noon, and night. + +'Sept. 6.' The astringents have little effect, or, if the purging is +restrained one day, it returns with increased violence on the following +day. Getting rapidly thin. Begins to husk. Astringents continued. + +'10th'. The purging is at last overcome, but the huskiness has rapidly +increased, accompanied by laborious and hurried respiration.--Bleed to +the extent of three ounces. + +'11th'. The breathing relieved, but he obstinately refuses to eat, and +is forced several times in the day with arrow-root or strong soup. + +'18th'. He had become much thinner and weaker, and died in the evening. +No appearance of inflammation on the thoracic viscera, nor in any part +of the alimentary canal. The intestines are contracted through the whole +extent. + +'Veterinarian', ii. 290.] + + +[Footnote 2: 'Medico-Chirurgical Transitions', 31st March, 1809.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +SMALL-POX; MANGE; WARTS; CANCER; FUNGUS HÆMATODES; SORE FEET. + + +SMALL-POX. + +In 1809, there was observed, at the Royal Veterinary School at Lyons, an +eruptive malady among the dogs, to which they gave the name of +'small-pox'. It appeared to be propagated from dog to dog by contagion. +It was not difficult of cure; and it quickly disappeared when no other +remedies were employed than mild aperients and diaphoretics. A sheep was +inoculated from one of these dogs. There was a slight eruption of +pustules formed on the place of inoculation, but nowhere else; nor was +there the least fever. + +At another time, also, at the school at Lyons, a sheep died of the +regular sheep-pox. A part of the skin was fastened, during +four-and-twenty hours, on a healthy sheep, and the other part of it on a +dog, both of them being in apparent good health. No effect was produced +on the dog, but the sheep died of confluent sheep-pox. + +The essential symptoms of small-pox in dogs succeed each other in the +following order: the skin of the belly, the groin, and the inside of the +fore arm, becomes of a redder colour than in its natural state, and +sprinkled with small red spots irregularly rounded. They are sometimes +isolated, sometimes clustered together. The near approach of this +eruption is announced by an increase of fever. + +On the second day the spots are larger, and the integument is slightly +tumefied at the centre of each. + +On the third day the spots are generally enlarged, and the skin is still +more prominent at the centre. + +On the fourth day the summit of the tumour is yet more prominent. +Towards the end of that day, the redness of the centre begins to assume +a somewhat gray colour. On the following days, the pustules take on +their peculiar characteristic appearance, and cannot be confounded with +any other eruption, On the summit is a white circular point, +corresponding with a certain quantity of nearly transparent fluid which +it contains, and covered by a thin and transparent pellicle. This fluid +becomes less and less transparent, until it acquires the colour and +consistence of pus. The pustule, during its serous state, is of a +rounded form. It is flattened when the fluid acquires a purulent +character, and even slightly depressed towards the close of the period +of suppuration, and when that of desiccation is about to commence, which +ordinarily happens towards the ninth or tenth day of the eruption. The +desiccation and the desquamation occupy an exceedingly variable length +of time; and so, indeed, do all the different periods of the disease. +What is the least inconstant, is the duration of the serous eruption, +which is about four days, if it has been distinctly produced and guarded +from all friction. If the general character of the pustules is +considered, it will be observed, that, while some of them are in a state +of serous secretion, others will only have begun to appear. + +The eruption terminates when desiccation commences in the first +pustules; and, if some red spots show themselves at that period of the +malady, they disappear without being followed by the development of +pustules. They are a species of abortive pustules. After the +desiccation, the skin remains covered by brown spots, which, by degrees, +die away. There remains no trace of the disease, except a few +superficial cicatrices on which the hair does not grow. + +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 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 elevated temperature singularly favours the eruption, and also +renders it confluent and of a serous character. A cold atmosphere is +unfavourable to the eruption, or 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 moderate 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; consequently 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. 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 pellicles, and permits the purulent +matter to escape; and the influence of this purulent matter is most +pernicious. The fever is increased, and also the unpleasant smell from +the mouth, and that of the fæces. In this state there is a disposition +which is rapidly developed in the lungs to assume the character of +pneumonia. This last complication is a most serious one, and almost +always terminates fatally. It has a peculiar character. It shows 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 characters of pneumonia being completely +developed. The respiration is accompanied by a mucous 'râle' 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 +soon and plentifully developed. When he is lying quiet, and even when he +seems to be asleep, there is a loud, stertorous, guttural breathing. + + +MANGE. + +The existence of certain insects found burrowing under the skin of the +human being, and of various tribes of animals, has been acknowledged +from the 12th century. In the 17th century, correct engravings of these +insects were produced. On the other hand many doubted their existence, +because it had not been their lot to see them. In 1812, Galés, a pupil +in the hospital of St. Louis, pretended to have found some of them. They +were put into the hands of M. Raspail, of Paris, who proved that they +were nothing more than the common cheese-mites; and substituted by Galés +for those seen by Bonomo. + +Professor Hertwig, of Berlin, has given a graphic sketch of these +insects (Veterinarian, vol. xi. pp. 373, 489). + +Mr. Holthouse states that, "placed on the skin of a healthy individual, +they excite a disease in the part to which they were confined, having +all the characters of scabies; that insects taken from mangy sheep, +horses, and dogs, and transplanted to healthy individuals of the same +species, produce in them a disease analogous to that in the animals from +which they were taken; and that there are too many well-attested cases +on record to permit us to doubt of scabies having been communicated from +animals to man." + +Mange may in some degree be considered as an hereditary disease. A mangy +dog is liable to produce mangy puppies, and the progeny of a mangy bitch +will certainly become affected sooner or later. In many cases a +propensity to the disease will be speedily produced. If the puppies are +numerous, and confined in close situations, the effluvia of their +transpiration and fæcal discharges will often be productive of mange +very difficult to be removed. Close confinement, salted food, and little +exercise, are frequent causes of mange. + +'The Scabby Mange' is a frequent form which this disease assumes. It +assumes a pustular and scabby form in the red mange, particularly in +white-haired dogs, when there is much and painful inflammation. A +peculiar eruption, termed surfeit, which resembles mange, is sometimes +the consequence of exposure to cold after a hot sultry day. Large +blotches appear, from which the hair falls and leaves the skin bare and +rough. Acute mange sometimes takes on the character of erysipelas; at +other times there is considerable inflammation. The animal exhibits heat +and restlessness, and ulcerations of different kinds appear in various +parts, superficial but extensive. Bleeding, aperient and cooling +medicines are indicated, and also applications of the subacetate of +lead, or spermaceti ointment. A weak infusion of tobacco may be resorted +to when other things fail, but it must be used with much caution. The +same may be said of all mercurial preparations. The tanner's pit has +little efficacy, except in slight cases. Slight bleedings may be +serviceable, and especially in full habits; setons may be resorted to in +obstinate cases. A change in the mode of feeding will often be useful. +Mild purgatives, and especially Epsom salts, are often beneficial, and +also mercurial alternatives, as Æthiop's mineral with cream of tartar +and nitre. The external applications require considerable caution. If +mercury is used, care must be taken that the dog does not lick it. The +diarrhoea produced by mercury often has a fatal effect. + +Unguents are useful, but considerable care must be taken in their +application. They must be applied to the actual skin, not over the hair. +In old and bad cases much time and patience will be requisite. Mr. +Blaine had a favourite setter who had virulent mange five years. He was +ordered to be dressed every day, or every second day, before the disease +was complete conquered. + +Cutaneous affections have lately been prevalent to an extent altogether +unprecedented on this and on the other side of the channel. In the +latter part of 1843 the disease assumed a character which had not been +known among us for many years. The common mange, which we used to think +we could easily grapple with, was now little seen: even the usual red +mange with the fox-coloured stain was not of more frequent occurrence +than usual, but an intolerable itchiness with comparatively little +redness of skin, and rarely sufficient to account for the torture which +the animal seemed to endure, and often with not the slightest +discoloration of the integument, came before us almost every day, and +under its influence the dog became ill-tempered, dispirited, and +emaciated, until he sunk under its influence. All unguents were thrown +away here. Lotions of corrosive sublimate, decoction of bark, infusion +of digitalis or tobacco, effected some little good; but the persevering +use of the iodine of potassium, purgatives, and the abstraction of blood +very generally succeeded. + +The sudden appearance of redness of the skin, and exudation from it, and +actual sores attending the falling off of the hair, and itching, that +seemed to be intolerable, have also been prevalent to an unprecedented +extent. This mange, however, is to a certain degree manageable. A dose +or two of physic should he given, with an application of a calamine +powder, and the administration of the iodide of potassium. + +Mr. Blaine gives a most valuable account of mange in the dog, part of +which I shall quote somewhat at length. Mange exerts a morbid +constitutional action on the skin; it is infectious from various +miasmata, and it is contagious from personal communication. In some +animals it may be produced by momentary contact; it descends to other +animals of various descriptions; there is no doubt that it is +occasionally hereditary: it is generated by effluvia of many various +kinds; almost every kind of rancid or stimulating food is the parent of +it. High living with little exercise is a frequent cause of it, and the +near approach of starvation is not unfavorable to it. The scabby mange +is the common form under which it generally appears. In red mange the +whole integument is in a state of acute inflammation; surfeit, or +blotches, a kind of cuticular eruption breaks out on particular parts of +the body without the slightest notice, and, worse than all, a direct +febrile attack, with swelling and ulceration, occurs, under which the +dog evidently suffers peculiar heat and pain. Last of all comes local +mange. Almost every eruptive disease, whether arising from the eye, the +ear, the scrotum, or the feet, is injurious to the quality as well as +the health of every sporting dog: the scent invariably becomes diseased, +and the general powers are impaired. + +There are several accounts of persons who, having handled mangy dogs, +have been affected with an eruption very similar to the mange. A +gentleman and his wife who had been in the habit of fondling a mangy pug +dog, were almost covered with an eruption resembling mange. Several of +my servants in the dog-hospital have experienced a similar attack; and +the disease was once communicated to a horse by a cat that was +accustomed to lie on his back as he stood in the stall. + + +WARTS. + +These are often unpleasant things to have to do with. A Newfoundland dog +had the whole of the inside of his mouth lined with warts. I applied the +following caustic:--Hyd. suc-corrosivi [Symbol: ounce] j., acidi mur. +[Symbol: ounce], alcoholis [Symbol: ounce] iiij., aquæ [Symbol: ounce] +ij. The warts were touched twice every day, and in less than a fortnight +they had all disappeared. + +Another dog had its mouth filled with warts, and the above solution was +applied. In four days considerable salivation came on, and lasted a +week, but at the expiration of that time the warts had vanished. The +owner of the dog had applied the solution with the tip of her finger; +she experienced some salivation, which she attributed to this cause. + +The skin of the dog, from the feebleness of its perspiratory functions, +is little sensible to the influence of diaphoretics: therefore we trust +so much to external applications for the cure of diseases of the skin of +that animal. + + +CANCER + +This is a disease too frequent among females of the dog tribe, and +occasionally seen in the male. Its symptoms, local and general, are +various. They are usually very obscure in their commencement; they +increase without any limit; they are exasperated by irritants of any +kind; and in the majority of cases their reproduction is almost +constant, and perfectly incurable. + +With regard to the female, it is mostly connected with the secretion of +milk. Two or three years may pass, and at almost every return of the +period of oestrum, there will be some degree of enlargement or +inflammation of the teats. Some degree of fever also appears; but, after +a few weeks have passed away, and one or two physic balls have been +administered, everything goes on well. In process of time, however, the +period of oestrum is attended by a greater degree of fever and +enlargement of the teats, and at length some diminutive hardened nuclei, +not exceeding in size the tip of a finger, are felt within one of the +teats. By degrees they increase in size; they become hard, hot, and +tender. A considerable degree of redness begins to appear. Some small +enlargements are visible. The animal evidently exhibits considerable +pain when these enlargements are pressed upon. They rapidly increase, +they become more hot and red, various shining protuberances appear about +the projection, and at length the tumour ulcerates. A considerable +degree of sanious matter flows from the aperture. + +The tumours, however, after a while diminish in size; the heat and +redness diminish; the ulcer partly or entirely closes, but, after a +while, and especially when the next period of oestrum arrives, the +tumour again increases, and with far greater rapidity than before, and +then comes the necessity of the removal of the tumour, or if not, the +destruction of the animal. In the great majority of cases, the removal +of the cancer does not destroy the dog, but lessens its torture. The +knife and the forceps must usually be resorted to, and in the hands of a +skilful surgeon the life of the animal will be saved. + +When the cancer is attached to the neighbouring parts by cellular +substance alone, no difficulty will be experienced in detaching the +whole of it. The operation will be speedily performed, and there will be +an end of the matter; but, if the tumour has been neglected, and the +muscular, the cellular, or even the superficial parts have been +attacked, the utmost caution is requisite that every diseased portion +shall be removed. Mr. Blaine adds to this that + + "it must also be taken into the account, that, although in the canine + cancer ulceration does not often reappear in the intermediate part, + when the operation has been judiciously performed, yet, when the + constitution has been long affected with this ulcerative action, it is + very apt to show itself in some neighbouring part soon after." + + +FUNGUS HÆMATODES. + +In the month of March, 1836, a valuable pointer dog was sent to Mr. Adam +of Beaufort, quite emaciated, with total loss of appetite and with a +large fungus hæmatodes about the middle of the right side of his neck. +It had begun to appear about five months before, and was not at first +larger than a pea. Mr. Adam gave him a purgative of Barbadoes aloes, +which caused the discharge of much fetid matter from the intestines. At +the expiration of three days he removed the tumour with the knife. There +was a full discharge of healthy matter from the wound. During the period +of its healing the animal was well fed, and ferruginous tonics were +given. In a little more than three weeks the wound had completely filled +up with healthy granulations, and the dog was sent home to all +appearance quite well. + +At the expiration of three months another tumour made its appearance +near the situation of the former one, growing fast; it had attained +nearly the size of the other. Mr. Adam removed it immediately, ordering +a system of nutritive feeding and tonics. It appeared at first to go on +favourable; but, five days after the removal of the second one, a third +made its appearance. + +This was removed at the expiration of another five days; but the animal +was totally unable to walk, with very laborious breathing and cold +extremities. A cathartic was given and the legs bandaged; but the wounds +made no progress towards healing, and at the end of three days he died. +On exposing the cavity of the thorax it was almost covered with +variously formed tumours, from the size of a pigeon's egg to that of a +small pea. The intercostal muscles had many of these adhering to them, +and a few small ones were developed on the heart. There were three on +the diaphragm, in the centre of which matter was formed. The +blood-vessels, kidneys, &c., were free from disease. These tumours were +white, or nearly so, rather hard, and of a glandular substance. The +external ones were soft, red, and almost destitute of blood-vessels, +except the first, which bled considerably. There was dropsy of the +abdomen. + + +SORE FEET + +Sore feet constitute a frequent and troublesome complaint. It consists +of inflammation of the vascular substance, between the epidermis and the +parts beneath. It is the result of numerous slight contusions, produced +by long travelling in dry weather, or hunting over a hard and rough +country, or one covered with frost and snow. The irritation with which +it commences continues to increase and a certain portion of fluid is +determined to the feet, and tubercles are formed, hard, hot, and tender, +until the whole foot is in a diseased state, considerably enlarged. The +animal sadly suffers, and is scarcely able to stand up for a minute. +Sometimes the ardour of the chase will make him for a while forget all +this; but on his return, and when he endeavours to repose himself, it is +with difficulty that he can be got up again. The toes become enlarged, +the skin red and tender, and the horny sole becomes detached and drops. +Local fever, and that to a considerable extent, becomes established; it +reacts on the general economy of the animal, who scarcely moves from his +bed, and at length refuses all food. At other times a separation takes +place between the dermis and the epidermis, which is a perfect mass of +serosity. + +Still, however, it is only when all this has much increased, or has been +neglected, that any permanently dangerous consequences take place. When +violent inflammation has set in, the feet must be carefully attended to, +or the dog may be lamed for life. One or two physic-balls may be given; +all salted meat should be removed, and the animal supplied with food +without being compelled to move from his bed. The feet should be bathed +with warm water, and a poultice of linseed meal applied to them twice in +the day. If, as is too often the case, he should tear this off, the feet +should be often fomented. It is bad practice in any master of dogs to +suffer them to be at all neglected when there are any tokens of +inflammation of the feet. The neglect of even a few days may render a +dog a cripple for life. If there are evident appearances of pus +collecting about the claws, or any part of the feet, the abscess should +be opened, well bathed with warm water, and friar's balsam applied to +the feet. + +When the feet have been neglected, the nail is apt to grow very rapidly, +and curve round and penetrate into the foot. The forceps should he +applied, and the claws reduced to their proper size. + +If there are any indications of fever, or if the dog should be +continually lying down, or he should hold up his feet, and keep them +apart as much as he can, scarifications or poultices, or both, should be +resorted to. + +When the feet of a dog become sore in travelling, the foolish habit of +washing them with brine should never be permitted, although it is very +commonly resorted to. Warm fomentations, or warm pot-liquor, or +poultices of linseed meal should be applied, or, if matter is apparently +forming, the lancet may be resorted to. + +Dogs are frequently sent to the hospital with considerable redness +between the toes, and ichorous discharge, and the toes thickened round +the base of the nails, as if they were inclined to drop off. The common +alterative medicine should be given, and a lotion composed of hydrarg. +oxym. gr. vi., alcohol [Symbol: ounce] j., et aq. calcis [Symbol: ounce] +iiij., should he applied to the feet three times every day. Leathern +gloves should be sewn on them. These cases are often very obstinate. + +Generally speaking, the dog has five toes on the fore feet, and four on +the hind feet, with a mere rudiment of a fifth metatarsal bone in some +feet; but, in others, the fifth bone is long and well proportioned, and +advances as far as the origin of the first phalanx of the neighbouring +toe. + +[The editor begs leave to add a more detailed and systematic treatise of +the affections generally attacking the feet and limbs of our dogs. + + +DISEASES OF THE FEET. + +SORE FEET. + +Inflammation of the feet, a disease somewhat analogous to founder in +horses, and often attended with equally bad results, particularly in the +English kennels, is comparatively rare with us, although there are few +sportsmen but have met with some cases among their dogs. The feet become +tender, swollen, and hot, violent inflammatory action sets in, the toes +become sore, the claws diseased, and the balls very painful, and often +suppurate. + +The animal is thus speedily rendered useless; not being able to support +his body, owing to the intense pain, he remains in his house, and +employs the most of his time in temporarily assuaging his sufferings by +constantly licking the diseased members. + +'Causes'.--Running long distances over frozen or stony grounds, hunting +over a rough and ill-cleaned country, over-feeding, confinement, and +lazy habits, are all conducive in some measure to this affection. + +This form of disease is not uncommon among those dogs used in toling +ducks on the Chesapeake bay, these animals being obliged to run +incessantly to and fro over the gravel shores, in their efforts to +attract the canvass-back. We have seen many dogs that have been made +cripples by this arduous work, and rendered prematurely old while yet in +their prime. It would certainly be wise and humane on the part of those +who pursue this sport either for pleasure or gain, to provide suitable +boots for these sagacious animals, who in return would repay such +kindness by increased ardour and length of service. These articles might +be made of leather, or some other durable substance, in such a manner +that they could be laced on every morning before commencing their +labours. + +The claws should be allowed to project through openings in the boot, as +this arrangement will give much more freedom to the feet, and the boot +itself will not be destroyed so soon by the penetration of the toes +through its substance. Boots thus neatly made will neither interfere +with his locomotive nor swimming powers, but add greatly to the comfort +of the animal, and secure his services for many years. + +'Treatment'.--No stimulating applications to the feet are to be used, +such as salt water, ley, fish brine, or urine, but rather emollient +poultices and cooling washes. These last-mentioned remedies should be +carefully applied, and the dog confined to his house as much as +possible: in fact, there is little difficulty in restraining him in this +respect, as he has but little inclination or ability to move about. + +Purging balls should be administered every night, and blood abstracted +if there be much fever, as indicated in the heat, swelling, and pain of +the limbs. + +If the balls continue to swell, and there is a collection of pus within +them, they may be opened by the lancet, and the contents evacuated, +after which apply a linseed poultice. When the inflammation has +subsided, simple dressings of melted butter or fresh lard will generally +effect a cure. + + +PUSTULAR AFFECTION OF THE FEET. + +Dogs frequently have a pustular eruption between the toes, either +accompanying mange or some other skin disease, or entirely independent +of any other affection. + +'Causes'.--Want of cleanliness, bad housing, improper food, vermin, and +depraved constitution. + +'Treatment'.--Frequent washing with castile soap and water will correct +this disease; the feet and legs after washing should be rubbed dry, +particularly between the toes. When the pustules are large, they may be +opened with the lancet and a poultice applied. If the disease appears +complicated with mange, or dependent upon other general causes, the +primary affection must be removed by the proper remedies, which +generally carries off with the secondary disease. + + +SPRAINS + +It is not an uncommon occurrence for dogs, while running, climbing +fences, or jumping ditches, to sprain themselves very severely in the +knee, or more frequently in the shoulder-joint; and if not properly +attended to, will remain cripples for life, owing to enlargement of the +tendon and deposition of matter. + +We once had a fine, large, powerful bull-dog, that sprained himself in +the shoulder while running very violently in the street after another +dog, and in some way, owing to the great eagerness to overtake the +other, tripped up when at the top of his speed, fell on his chest, and +when he arose commenced limping, and evidently suffered from +considerable pain. On taking him home, we examined his feet, limbs, and +chest very particularly, expecting to find a luxation or fracture of +some of the bones of the leg or feet, or perhaps the presence of a piece +of glass or other article deeply imbedded in the ball. None of the above +accidents, however, being brought to light by our examination, or that +of a medical friend who expressed a wish to see our patient, we +concluded that a simple sprain of some of the tendons had taken place. + +On the following day there was slight swelling and tenderness of the +shoulder-joint, accompanied by great unwillingness to put the foot to +the ground, owing to the pain that seemed to be produced by the +extension of the leg. The limb was fomented, and the dog confined for +several days, till the swelling and tenderness disappeared; but, greatly +to our astonishment and that of others, he still remained lame as +before. + +This lameness continued for several months, when we parted with him, +sending him to a relative in the country, who informed us that he never +recovered the use of his limb, but that it became shrivelled and +deformed for want of use. + +The cause of lameness in this dog is as unaccountable as some cases of +lameness we see in horses. We are convinced that there was neither +fracture nor luxation, nor any other unnatural displacement of the +parts, and can attribute it to nothing but enlargement of one of the +tendons of the shoulder-joint resulting from inflammation. If it had +been in our power, we should have liked to have examined this animal +after death. + +'Treatment'.--Hot fomentations to the part affected, together with +purging balls and bleeding, if there be great tenderness and swelling of +the limb. When the inflammation and tumefaction have disappeared, rub +the parts with opodeldoc, or other stimulating mixtures. + + +WOUNDS OF THE FEET. + +Dogs are apt to cut their feet by stepping upon sharp tools, bits of +oyster-shell, old iron, &c., or by the introduction of thorns, burrs, +nails, bits of glass, and other articles, into their balls. + +'Treatment'.--If the cut be very deep, or divides the ball, the foot +must be washed in tepid water, and the edges of the wound drawn together +and retained in their position by a couple of sutures or a strap or two +of adhesive plaster, and the animal confined. + +Where thorns or sand-burrs have pierced the foot, diligent search should +be made to extract them, or the wound will suppurate, and the dog +continue lame for a long time. This caution is particularly necessary +when minute particles of glass have entered the foot. A poultice in such +cases should be applied, after removing every particle within our reach, +and the, foot be wrapped up, or, what is better, enclosed in a boot of +some kind, sufficiently strong to protect it from the dirt or other +small particles which otherwise would enter the wound and prevent its +healing. In a case of great emergency, one of our friends hunted a +setter dog three successive days in a leather boot, which we instructed +a country cobbler to put on him to protect his foot from a recent and +deep cut, that he had received from treading upon some farming utensils. +The boot was taken off every night, the foot nicely cleaned, the leather +oiled and replaced ready for the following day. The wound afterwards +healed up, and no trace of the incision now remains. The boot should be +made of stout, flexible leather, and extend beyond the first joint; the +seam must be in front, so as not to interfere with the dog's tread. +There should be openings for the claws, and the sole large enough to +allow the expansion of the ball pads when in motion: a small layer of +tow had better be laid on the bottom of the foot before putting on the +boot. + +It is often very difficult to tell the exact spot where a briar or thorn +has entered the foot, owing to its penetrating so far into the substance +of the ball as to be entirely concealed under the skin, or by the +swelling of the parts surrounding it. In all such cases the bottom of +the foot should he gently pressed by the thumb, and the point where the +dog exhibits symptoms of must pain should be, particularly examined, +and, if necessary, cut down upon to extract the extraneous substance, no +matter what it may be. + + +LONG NAILS OR CLAWS. + +The nails of some dogs require occasional cutting, otherwise they grow +so long and fast that they turn in and penetrate the ball of the foot. +If we cut them, a strong, sharp knife is necessary for the purpose; +filing them off we consider far preferable. + + +LAMENESS + +Dogs, as well as horses, become lame from stiff joints, splints, and +sprains. Stiff joints are occasioned by anchylosis, or the deposit of +calcareous or osseous matter within the ligament or around the head of +the bone, which latter defect is known as ring-bone in the horse. + +'Treatment'.--Stimulating friction to the parts, such as spirits of +camphor, or camphorated liniment, mercurial ointment, tincture of +iodine, opodeldoc, blistering, c.--L.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +FRACTURES + + +These are of not unfrequent occurrence in the dog; and I once had five +cases in my hospital at the same time. + +In the human subject, fractures are more frequent in adults, and, +perhaps, in old men, than in infants; but this is not the case with the +smaller animals generally, and particularly with dogs. Five-sixths of +the fractures occur between the time of weaning and the animal being six +months old; not, perhaps, because of their chemical composition, that +the bones are more fragile at this age; but because young dogs are more +exposed to fall from the hands of the persons who carry them, and from +the places to which they climb; and the extremities of the bones, then +being in the state of epiphysis, are easily separated from the body of +the bone. When the fracture takes place in the body of the bone, it is +transverse or somewhat oblique, but there is scarcely any displacement. + +A simple bandage will be sufficient for the reduction of these +fractures, which may be removed in ten or twelve days, when the +preparatory callus has acquired some consistence. One only out of twenty +dogs that were brought to me with fractures of the extremities, in the +year 1834, died. Two dogs had their jaws fractured by kicks from horses, +and lost several of their teeth. In one of them the anterior part of the +jaw was fractured perpendicularly; in the other, both branches were +fractured. Plenty of good soup was injected into their mouths. Ten or +twelve days afterwards, they were suffered to lap it; and in a little +while they were dismissed cured. + +It will be desirable, perhaps, to describe our usual method of reducing +the greater part of the fractures which come under our notice. + +I.--The 'humerus' was fractured just above the elbow and close to the +joint. The limb was enclosed in adhesive plaster, and supported by a +firm bandage. The bones were beginning to unite, when, by some means +concerning which I could never satisfy myself, the 'tibia' was broken a +little above the hock. Nothing could well be done with this second +fracture; but great care was taken with regard to the former. The lower +head of the humerus remained somewhat enlarged; but the lameness became +very slight, and in three weeks had nearly or quite disappeared. Nothing +was done to the second fracture; in fact, nothing more than a slight, +annular enlargement, surrounding the part, remained--a proof of the +renovating power of nature. + +II.--A spaniel was run over by a light carriage. It was unable to put +the left hind leg to the ground, and at the upper tuberosity of the +ileum some crepitus could be distinguished. I subtracted six ounces of +blood, administered a physic-ball, and ordered the patient to be well +fomented with warm water several times during the night. On the +following day no wound could be discovered, but there was great +tenderness. I continued the fomentation. Two or three days afterwards +she was evidently easier. I then had the hair cut close, and covered the +loins and back with a pitch-plaster. At the expiration of six days the +plaster was getting somewhat loose, and was replaced by another with +which a very small quantity of powdered cantharides was mingled. At the +expiration of the fifth week she was quite well. + +III.--The 'thigh-bone' had been broken a fortnight. It was a compound +fracture: the divided edges of the bone protruded through the +integuments, and there was no disposition to unite. It is not in one +case in a hundred that an animal thus situated can be saved. We failed +in our efforts, and the dog was ultimately destroyed. + +IV.--The 'femur' was broken near the hip. I saw it on the third day, +when much heat and swelling had taken place. I ordered the parts to be +frequently bathed with warm water. The heat and tenderness to a +considerable degree subsided, and the pitch-plaster was carefully +applied. At the expiration of a week the plaster began to be loosened. A +second one was applied, and when a fortnight longer had passed, a slight +degree of tenderness alone remained. + +V.--The following account is characteristic of the bull terrier. The +'radius' had been broken, and was set, and the bones were decidedly +united, when the dog, in a moment of frantic rage, seized his own leg +and crushed some of the bones. They were once more united, but his wrist +bent under him in the form of a concave semicircle, as if some of the +ligaments of the joint had been ruptured in the moment of rage. It was +evident on the following day that it was impossible to control him, and +he was destroyed. + +VI.--A spaniel, three months old, became fractured half-way between the +wrist and the 'elbow'. A surgeon bound it up, and it became swollen to +an enormous size, from the adhesive plaster that had been applied and +the manner of placing the splints. I removed the splints. On the +following morning I had the arm frequently fomented: a very indistinct +crepitus could be perceived at the point of the humerus: I applied +another plaster higher up, and including the elbow. The hair not having +been cut sufficiently close, the plaster was removed, applied much more +neatly and closely, and the original fracture was firmly bound together. +No crepitus was now to be perceived. + +I saw no more of our patient for four days, when I found that he had +fallen, and that the elbow on the other side was fractured within the +capsular ligament. A very distinct crepitus could be felt, and the dog +cried sadly when the joint was moved. I would have destroyed him, but he +was a favourite with his master, and we tried what a few days more would +produce. I enclosed the whole of the limb in a plaster of pitch, and +bound it up without splints. Both the bandages remained on nearly a +fortnight, when the fractures were found to be perfectly united, and the +lameness in both legs gradually disappeared. + +VII.--July 22, 1843. A spaniel was frightened with something on the bed, +and fell from it, and cried very much. The instep, or wrist, of the +right leg, before was evidently bowed, and there was considerable heat +and tenderness. It was well fomented on the two following days, and then +set, and adhesive plaster was tightly applied, and a splint bound over +that. + +24th. The foot began to swell, and was evidently painful. The outer +bandage was loosened a little, but the inner bandage was not touched. + +Aug. 4. The bandage, that had not been meddled with for eleven days, now +appeared to give him some pain. For the last two days he has been gently +licking and gnawing it. The splints were removed; but the adhesive +plaster appearing even and firm, was suffered to remain. + +26th. Everything appeared to be going on well, when he again leaped from +his bed. The wrist was much more bowed, and was tender and hot. Simple +lint and a firm calico bandage were had recourse to. + +27th. He is unable to put his foot to the ground, and the joint is +certainly enlarging. An adhesive plaster, made by a Frenchman, was +applied at the owners request, over which was placed a splint. The dog +soon began to gnaw the plaster, which formed a sticky but not very +adhesive mass. Before night the pain appeared to be very great, and the +dog cried excessively. I was sent for. We well fomented the leg, and +then returned to our former treatment. There was evidently a great deal +of pain, but it gradually passed over, and a slight degree of lameness +alone remained. + +I have great pleasure in adding the following accounts of the successful +treatment of fractures in dogs by Mr. Percivall: + + "Hopeless as cases of fracture in horses generally are, from the + difficulty experienced in managing the patient, they are by no means + to be so regarded in dogs. I have in several instances seen dogs + recover, and with very good use of the parts, if not perfect + restoration of them, when the accidents have been considered, at the + time they took place, of a nature so irremediable as to render it + advisable to destroy the animals. + + "May 4, 1839. A valuable Irish spaniel fell from a high wall, and + fractured his 'off shoulder'. On examination, I found the 'os humeri' + fractured about an inch above its radial extremity, causing the limb + to drop pendulously from the side, and depriving the animal of all use + of it. The arm, by which I mean the fore arm, was movable in any + direction upon the shoulder, and there was distinct crepitus: in a + word, the nature of the accident was too plain to admit of doubt; nor + was there any splinter or loose piece of bone discoverable. I directed + that the animal might be laid flat upon his sound side in a hamper, or + covered basket or box, of sufficient dimensions, but not large enough + to admit of his moving about; to have his hind legs fettered, his + mouth muzzled, and his injured parts covered with a linen cloth wetted + with a spirit lotion. + + 'May' 5. The parts are tumefied, but not more, nor even so much as one + night have expected. Continue the lotion. + + '6th'. At my request, Mr. Youatt was called in to give his opinion as + to the probability of effecting a cure. He thought from the + inconvenient situation of the fracture, that the chances of success + were doubtful; and recommended that a plaster, composed of thick + sheep-skin and pitch, cut to the shape of the parts, should be + applied, extending from the upper part of the shoulder down upon the + arm, and reaching to the knee; and that the whole should be enveloped + in well-applied bandages, one of them being carried over the shoulders + and brought round between the fore legs, to support the limb, and aid + in retaining the fractured ends in apposition. Prior to the + application of the pitch plaster the hair was closely shorn off. Thus + bound up, the dog was replaced in his hamper, and had some aperient + medicine given to him. + + '8th'. The medicine has operated; and he appears going on well, his + appetite continuing unimpaired. + + '10th'. He growls when I open the basket to look at him. On examining + him (while his keeper had hold of him), I found the plaster loosening + from its adhesion; I took it off altogether, and applied a fresh one, + composed of the stopping composition I use for horses' feet. + + June 7. Up to this time everything appears to have been going on + properly. The fracture feels as if it were completely united, and, as + the plaster continues to adhere firmly, I thought the bandages + enveloping it, as they were often getting loose, might now he + dispensed with, and that the dog might with benefit be chained to a + kennel, instead of being so closely confined as he has been. In + moving, he does not attempt to use the fractured limb, but hops along + upon the three other legs. + + July. He has acquired pretty good use of the limb. Being now at + liberty, he runs about a good deal; halting, from there being some + shortness of the limb, but not so much as to prevent him being + serviceable, as a 'slow' hunter, in the sporting-field. + + "About a twelvemonth ago," continues Mr. Percivall, "I was consulted + concerning a blood-hound of great size and beauty, and of the cost of + £50, that had been a cripple in one of his hind limbs for some + considerable time past, owing, it was said or thought, to having + received some injury. After a very careful handling, and examination + of the parts about the hips, the places where he expressed pain, I + came to the conclusion that there had been, and still existed, some + fracture of 'the ischial portion of the pelvis', but precisely where, + or of what nature, I could not determine; and all the treatment I + could recommend was, that the animal should be shut up within a basket + or box of some, sort, of dimensions only sufficient to enable him to + lie at ease, and that he be kept there for at least six months, + without being taken out, save for the purpose of having his bed + cleansed or renewed. His owner had previously made up his mind to have + him destroyed; understanding, however, from me, that there still + remained a chance of his recovery, he ordered his groom to procure a + proper basket, and see that the dog's confinement was such as I had + prescribed. The man asked me to allow him to have his kennel, which, + being no larger than was requisite for him, I did not object to; and + to this he had an iron lattice-door made, converting it into a sort of + wild beast cage. After two months' confinement, I had him let out for + a short run, and perceived evident amendment. I believe altogether + that he was imprisoned five months, and then was found so much + improved that I had him chained to his kennel for the remaining month, + and this, I believe, was continued for another month. The issue was + the complete recovery of the animal, very much to the gratification + and joy of his master, by whom he is regarded as a kind of unique or + unobtainable production. + + "The fractures of dogs and other animals must, of course, be treated + in accordance with all the circumstances of their cases; but I have + always considered it a most essential part of their treatment that + such portable patients as dogs and cats, &c., should be placed and + kept in a state of confinement, where they either could not, or were + not likely to, use or move the fractured parts; and, moreover, I have + thought that failure, where it has resulted after such treatment, has + arisen from its not having been sufficiently long persisted in." + +In the opinion of Professor Simonds, when there is fracture of the bones +of the extremities, a starch bandage is the best that can be employed. +If applied wet, it adapts itself to the irregularities of the limbs; and +if allowed to remain on twelve hours undisturbed, it forms a complete +case for the part, and affords more equal support than anything else +that can possibly be used. + +The following case was one of considerable interest. It came under the +care of Professor Simonds. Two gentlemen were playing at quoits, and the +dog of one of them was struck on the head by a quoit, and supposed to be +killed. His owner took him up, and found that he was not dead, although +dreadfully injured. It being near the Thames, his owner took him to the +edge of the river, and dashed some water over him, and he rallied a +little. Professor Simonds detected a fracture of the skull, with +pressure on the brain, arising from a portion of depressed bone. The dog +was perfectly unconscious, frequently moaning, quite incapable of +standing, and continually turning round upon his belly, his straw, or +his bed. It was a case of coma; he took no food, and the pulsation at +the heart was very indistinct. + + "I told the proprietor that there was no chance of recovery except by + an operation; and, even then, I thought it exceedingly doubtful. I was + desired to operate, and I took him home. + + "The head was now almost twice as large as when the accident occurred, + proceeding from a quantity of coagulated blood that had been effused + under the skin covering the skull. I gave him a dose of aperient + medicine, and on the following morning commenced my operation. + + "The hair was clipped from the head, and an incision carried + immediately from between the eye-brows to the back part of the skull, + in the direction of the sagittal suture. Another incision was made + from this towards the root of the ear. This triangular flap was then + turned back, in order to remove the coagulated blood and make a + thorough exposure of the skull. I was provided with a trephine, + thinking that only a portion of the bone had been depressed on the + brain, and it would be necessary, with that instrument, to separate it + from its attachment, and then with an elevator remove it; but I found + that the greater part of the parietal bone was depressed, and that the + fracture extended along the sagittal suture from the coronal and + lamdoidal sutures. At three-fourths of the width of the bone, the + fracture ran parallel with the sagittal suture, and this large portion + was depressed upon the tunics of the brain, the dura mater being + considerably lacerated. The depressed bone was raised with an + elevator, and I found, from its lacerated edges and the extent of the + mischief done, that it was far wiser to remove it entirely, than to + allow it to remain and take the chance of its uniting. + + "In a few days, the dog began to experience relief from the operation, + and to be somewhat conscious of what was taking place around him. He + still requires care and attention, and proper medicinal agents to be + administered from time to time; but with the exception of occasionally + turning round when on the floor, he takes his food well, and obeys his + master's call."[1] + + + +[Footnote 1: Trans. Vet. Med. Assoc., i. 51.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. + + +These are far more numerous and complicated than would, on the first +consideration of them, be imagined. The Veterinary Surgeon has a long +list of them, suited to the wants and dangers, imaginary or real, of his +patients; and he who is not scientifically acquainted with them, will +occasionally blunder in the choice of remedies, or the application of +the means of cure which he adopts. Little attention may, perhaps, be +paid to the medical treatment of the dog; yet it requires not a little +study and experience. I will endeavour to give a short account of the +drugs, and mode of using them, generally employed. + +The administering of medicines to dogs is, generally speaking, simple +and safe, if a little care is taken about the matter, and especially if +two persons are employed in the operation. The one should be sitting +with the dog between his knees, and the hinder part of the animal +resting on the floor. The mouth is forced open by the pressure of the +fore-finger and thumb upon the lips of the upper jaw, and the medicine +can be conveniently introduced with the other hand, and passed +sufficiently far into the throat to insure its not being returned. The +mouth should be closed and kept so, until the bolus has been seen to +pass down. Mr. Blaine thus describes the difference between the +administration of liquid and solid medicines: + + "A little attention will prevent all danger. A ball or bolus should be + passed completely over the root of the tongue, and pushed some way + backward and forward. When a liquid is given, if the quantity is more + than can be swallowed at one effort, it should be removed from the + mouth at each deglutition, or the dog may be strangled. Balls of a + soft consistence, and those composed of nauseous ingredients, should + be wrapped in thin paper, or they may disgust the dog and produce + sickness." + +Dogs labouring under disease should be carefully nursed: more depends on +this than many persons seem to be aware. A warm and comfortable bed is +of a great deal more consequence than many persons who are fond of their +dogs imagine. Cleanliness is also an essential point. Harshness of +manner and unkind treatment will evidently aggravate many of their +complaints. I have sometimes witnessed an angry word spoken to a healthy +dog produce instant convulsions in a distempered one that happened to be +near; and the fits that come on spontaneously in distemper, almost +instantly leave the dog by soothing notice of him. + +'Acidum Acetum (Vinegar)'.--This is useful for sprains, bruises, and +fomentations. + +'Acidum Nitricum (Nitric Acid; Aqua Fortis)'.--This may be used with +advantage to destroy warts or fungous excrescences. A little of the acid +should be dropped on the part and bound tightly down. The protuberance +will slough off and healthy granulations will spring up. A surer +application, however, is the nitrate of silver. + +'Acidum Hydrocyanicum (Prussic Acid)'.--This is an excellent application +for the purpose of allaying irritation of the skin in dogs; but it must +be very carefully watched. I have seen a drachm of it diluted with a +pint of distilled water, rapidly allay cuticular inflammation. The +dreadful degree of itching which had been observed during the last two +or three years yielded to this application alone; and to that it has +almost invariably yielded, a little patience being used. + +'Acupuncturation' is a practice lately introduced into veterinary +surgery. It denotes the insertion of a needle into the skin or flesh of +a person or animal suffering severely from some neuralgic affection. The +needle is small and sharp: it is introduced by a slight pressure and +semi-rotating motion between the thumb and forefinger, and afterwards +withdrawn with the same motion. This should always employ a quarter of +an hour at least, and in cases of very great pain it should continue two +hours; but when the object is to afford an exit to the fluid collected, +mere puncture is sufficient. It is attended with very little pain; and +therefore it may be employed at least with safety if not with advantage. +The operation was known and practised in Japan, many years ago; but it +was only in the seventeenth century that its singular value was +ascertained. In 1810 some trials of it were made in Paris, and M. Chenel +look the lead. He had a young dog that he had cured of distemper, except +that a spasmodic affection of the left hind leg remained. He applied a +needle, and with fair success. He failed with another dog; but M. +Prevost, of Geneva, relieved two mares from rheumatism, and an entire +horse that had been lame sixteen months. In the Veterinary School at +Lyons acupuncturation was tried on two dogs. One had chorea, and the +other chronic paralysis of the muscles of the neck. The operation had no +effect on the first; the other came out of the hospital completely +cured. In the following year acupuncturation was tried without success +in the same school. Four horses and two dogs were operated upon in vain. + +'Adeps (Hog's Lard)' forms the basis of all our ointments. It is +tasteless, inodorous and free from every stimulating quality. + +'Alcohol (Rectified Spirit)'.--This is principally used in tinctures, +and seldom or never administered to the dog in a pure state. + +'Aloes, Barbadoes'.--From these are formed the safest and best aperients +for the dog--consisting of powdered aloes, eight parts; antimonial +powder, one part; ginger, one part; and palm oil, five parts; beaten +well together, and the size of the ball varying from half a drachm to +two drachms, and a ball administered every fourth or fifth hour. Mr. +Blaine considers it to be the safest general purgative. He says that +such is the peculiarity of the bowels of the dog, that while a man can +take with impunity as much calomel as would kill two large dogs, a +moderate-sized dog will take a quantity of aloes sufficient to destroy +two stout men. The smallest dog can take 15 or 20 grains; half a drachm +is seldom too much; but the smaller dose had better be tried first, for +hundreds of dogs are every year destroyed by temerity in this +particular. Medium-sized dogs usually require a drachm; and some large +dogs have taken two or even three drachms. + +'Alteratives' are medicines that effect some slow change in the diseased +action of certain parts, without interfering with the food or work. The +most useful consist of five parts of sublimed sulphur, one of nitre, one +of linseed meal, and two of lard or palm oil. + +'Alum' is a powerful astringent, whether employed externally or +internally. It is occasionally administered in doses of from 10 to 15 +grains in obstinate diarrhoea. In some obstinate cases, alum whey has +been employed in the form of a clyster. + +'Oxide of Antimony', in the form of a compound powder, and under the +name of James's powder, is employed as a sudorific, or to cause a +determination to the skin. + +The 'Antimonii Potassio Tartras (Tartar Emetic)', besides its effect on +the skin, is a useful nauseant, and invaluable in inflammation of the +lungs and catarrhal affections of every kind. The 'Black Sesquisulphuret +of Antimony' is a compound of sulphur and antimony, and an excellent +alterative. + +'Argenti Nitras--Nitrate of Silver (Lunar Caustic)'.--I have already +strongly advocated the employment of this caustic for empoisoned wounds +and bites of rabid animals. In my opinion it supersedes the use of every +other caustic, and generally of the knife. I have also given it +internally as a tonic to the dog, in cases of chorea, in doses from an +eighth to a quarter of a grain. A dilute solution may be employed as an +excitant to wounds, in which the healing process has become sluggish. +For this purpose, ten grains or more may be dissolved in a fluid ounce +of distilled water. A few fibres of tow dipped in this solution, being +drawn through the channel which is left on the removal of a seton, +quickly excite the healing action. Occasionally one or two drops of this +solution may be introduced into the eye for the purpose of removing +opalescence of the cornea. In cases of fungoid matter being thrown out +on the cornea, the fungus may be touched with a rod of nitrate of +silver, and little pain will follow. + +The 'Peruvian Bark', or its active principle the disulphate of quina, is +a valuable tonic in distemper, especially when combined with the iodide +of iron; the iron increasing with the general tone of the system, and +the iodine acting as a stimulant to the absorbents. + +'Blisters' are occasionally useful or indispensable in some of the +casualties and diseases to which the dog is liable. They are mostly of +the same description, and act upon the same principles as in the horse, +whether in the form of plaster, or ointment, or stimulating fluid. +Blisters can be kept on the dog with difficulty: nothing short of a wire +muzzle will suffice; Mr. Blaine says, that for very large dogs, he used +to be compelled to make use of a perforated tin one. The judgment of the +practitioner will determine in these cases, as well as with regard to +the horse, whether the desired effect should be produced by severe +measures or by those of a milder character, by active blisters or by +milder stimulants; the difficulty of the measures to be adopted, and the +degree of punishment that may be inflicted, being never forgotten by the +operator. + +We have stated in our work on the Horse, that "the art of blistering +consists in cutting or rather shaving the hair perfectly close; then +well rubbing in the ointment, and afterwards, and, what is the greatest +consequence of all, plastering a little more of the ointment lightly +over the part, and leaving it. As soon as the vesicles have perfectly +risen, which will be in twenty or twenty-four hours, the torture of the +animal may be somewhat relieved by the application of olive or +neat's-foot oil, or any emollient ointment. + +"An infusion of two ounces of the cantharides in a pint of oil of +turpentine, for several days, is occasionally used as a languid blister; +and when sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a 'sweating' +oil, for it maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflammation on +the skin, yet not sufficient to blister; and thus gradually abates or +removes some old or deep inflammation, or cause of lameness." [1] + +Iodine in various cases is now rapidly superseding the cantharides and +the turpentine. + +'Calomel'--Sufficient has been said of this dangerous medicine in the +course of the present work. I should rarely think of exhibiting it, +except in small doses for the purpose of producing that specific +influence on the liver, which we know to be the peculiar property of +this drug. In large doses it will to a certain extent produce vomiting; +and, if it finds its way into the intestines, it acts as a powerful +drastic purgative. + +'Castor Oil (Oleum Ricini)'.--This is a most valuable medicine. It is +usually combined with the syrup of buckthorn and white poppies, in the +proportions of three parts of the oil to two of the buckthorn and one of +the poppy-syrup; which form a combination of ingredients in which the +oleaginous, stimulant, and narcotic ingredients happily blend. + +'Catechu.'--This is an extract from the wood of an acacia-tree '(Acacia +catechu)', and possesses a powerful astringent property. It is given in +cases of superpurgation, united with opium, chalk, and powdered gum. A +tincture of it is very useful for the purpose of hastening the healing +principle of wounds. Professor Morton says, that he considers it as the +most valuable of the vegetable astringents. + +'Clysters.'--Professor Morton gives an account of the use of clysters. +The objects, he says, for which they are administered, are--1. To empty +the bowels of fæces: thus they act as an aperient. Also, to induce a +cathartic to commence its operations, when, from want of exercise or due +preparation, it is tardy in producing the desired effect. Clysters +operate in a twofold way: first, by softening the contents of the +intestines; and, secondly, by exciting an irritation in one portion of +the canal which is communicated throughout the whole; hence they become +valuable when the nature and progress of the disease require a quick +evacuation of the bowels. The usual enema is warm water, but this may be +rendered more stimulating by the addition of salt, oil, or aloes. 2. For +the purpose of killing worms that are found in the rectum and large +intestines: in this case it is usually of an oleaginous nature. 3. For +restraining diarrhoea: sedatives and astringents being then employed. 4. +For nourishing the body when food cannot be received by the mouth. Gruel +is generally the aliment thus given. 5. For allaying spasms in the +stomach and bowels. + +'Copper'--Both the verdigris, or subacetate, and the blue vitriol of +sulphate of copper, are now comparatively rarely used. They are employed +either in the form of a fine powder, or mixed with an equal quantity of +the acetate of lead in order to destroy proud flesh or stimulate old +ulcers. They also form a part of the ægyptiacum of the farrier. There +are many better drugs to accomplish the same purpose. + +'Creosote' is seldom used for the dog. We have applications quite as +good and less dangerous. It may be employed as a very gentle excitant +and antiseptic. + +'Creta Preparata (Chalk)', in combination with ginger, catechu, and +opium, is exceedingly useful; indeed, it is our most valuable medicine +in all cases of purging, and particularly the purging of distemper. + +'Digitalis' is an exceedingly valuable drug. It is a direct and powerful +sedative, a mild diuretic, and useful in every inflammatory and febrile +complaint. + +'Gentian' and 'Ginger' are both valuable; the first as a stomachic and +tonic, and the last as a cordial and tonic. It is occasionally +necessary, or at least desirable, to draw this distinction between them. + +'Chloride of Lime' is a useful application for ill-conditioned wounds +and for the frequent cleansing of the kennel. + +'Epsom Salts', or 'Sulphate of Magnesia', are mild yet effective in +their action: with regard to cattle and sheep, they supersede every +other aperient; for the dog, however, they must yield to the castor-oil +mixture. + +'Mercury'--The common mercurial ointment is now comparatively little +used. It has given way to the different preparations of iodine. In +direct and virulent mange, it is yet, however, employed under the form +of calomel, and combined with aloes, but in very small doses, never +exceeding three grains. It is also useful in farcy and jaundice. The +corrosive sublimate is occasionally used for mange in the dog, and to +destroy vermin; but it is a very uncertain and dangerous medicine. + +'Palm Oil' would be an excellent emollient, if it were not so frequently +adulterated with turmeric root in powder. It is far milder than the +common lard. + +'Nitrate of Potash' is a valuable cooling and mild diuretic, in doses of +eight or ten grains. + +'Sulphur' is the basis of the most effectual applications for mange. It +is a good alterative, combined usually with antimonials and nitre, and +particularly useful in mange, surfeit, grease, hide-bound, and want of +condition. + +'Turpentine' is an excellent diuretic and antispasmodic; it is also a +most effectual sweating blister and highly useful in strains. + +'The Sulphate of Zinc' is valuable as an excitant to wounds, and +promotes adhesion between divided surfaces and the 'radix'. + + + +[Footnote 1: The Horse, p. 501.] + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +THE NEW LAWS OF COURSING, + +'As Revised and Enlarged at a Meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen, held at +the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's Street, June 1, 1839'. + +I. Two stewards shall be appointed by the members at dinner each day, to +act in the field the following day, and to preside at dinner. They shall +regulate the plan of beating the ground, under the sanction of the owner +or occupier of the soil. + +II. Three or five members, including the secretary for the time being, +shall form a Committee of Management, and shall name a person, for the +approbation of the members, to judge all courses--all doubtful cases +shall be referred to them. + +III. All courses shall be from slips, by a brace of greyhounds only. + +IV. The time of putting the first brace of dogs in the slips shall be +declared at dinner on the day preceding. If a prize is to be run for, +and only one dog is ready, he shall run a by, and his owner shall +receive forfeit: should neither be ready, the course shall be run when +the Committee shall think fit. In a match, if only one dog be ready, his +owner shall receive forfeit; if neither be present, the match shall be +placed the last in the list. + +V. If any person shall enter a greyhound by a name different from that +in which he last appeared in public, without giving notice of such +alteration, he shall be disqualified from winning, and shall forfeit his +match. + +VI. No greyhounds shall be entered as puppies unless born on or after +the 1st of January of the year preceding the day of running. + +VII. Any member, or other person, running a greyhound at the meeting, +having a dog at large which shall join in the course then running, shall +forfeit one sovereign; and, if belonging to either of the parties +running, the course shall be decided against him. + +VIII. The judge ought to be in a position where he can see the dogs +leave the slips, and to decide by the colour of the dogs to a person +appointed for that purpose: his decision shall be final. + +IX. If, in running for prizes, the judge shall be of opinion that the +course has not been of sufficient length to enable him to decide as to +the merits of the dogs, he shall inquire of the Committee whether he is +to decide the course or not; if in the negative, the dogs shall be +immediately put again into the slips. + +X. The judge shall not answer any questions put to him regarding a +course, unless such questions are asked by the Committee. + +XI. If any member make any observation in the hearing of the judge +respecting a course, during the time of running, or before he shall have +delivered his judgment, he shall forfeit one sovereign to the fund; and, +if either dog be his own, he shall lose the course. If he impugn the +decision of the judge, he shall forfeit two sovereigns. + +XII. When a course of an average length is so equally divided that the +judge shall be unable to decide it, the owners of the dogs may toss for +it; but, if either refuse, the dogs shall be again put in the slips, at +such time as the Committee may think fit; but, if either dog be drawn, +the winning dog shall not be obliged to run again. + +XIII. In running a match the judge may declare the course to be +undecided. + +XIV. If a member shall enter more than one greyhound, 'bonâ fide' his +own property, for a prize, his dogs shall not run together, if it be +possible to avoid it; and, if two greyhounds, the property of the same +member, remain to the last tie, he may run it out or draw either, as he +shall think fit. + +XV. When dogs engaged are of the same colour, the last drawn shall wear +a collar. + +XVI. If a greyhound stand still in a course when a hare is in his or her +sight, the owner shall lose the course; but, if a greyhound drops from +exhaustion, and it shall be the opinion of the judge that the merit up +to the time of falling was greatly in his or her favour, then the judge +shall have power to award the course to the greyhound so falling, if he +think fit. + +XVII. Should two hares be on foot, and the dogs separate before reaching +the hare slipped at, the course shall be undecided, and shall be run +over again at such time as the Committee shall think fit, unless the +owners of the dogs agree to toss for it, or to draw one dog; and if the +dogs separate after running some time, it shall be at the discretion of +the Committee whether the course shall be decided up to the point of +separation. + +XVIII. A course shall end if either dog be so unsighted as to cause an +impediment in the course. + +XIX. If any member or his servant ride over his opponent's dog when +running, so as to injure him in the course, the dog so ridden over shall +be deemed to win the course. + +XX. It is recommended to all union meetings to appoint a committee of +five, consisting of members of different clubs, to determine all +difficulties and cases of doubt. + + +'The following general rules are recommended to judges for their +guidance:' + +The features of merit are: + +The race from slips, and the first turn or wrench of the hare (provided +it be a fair slip), and a straight run-up. + +Where one dog gives the other a go-by when both are in their full speed, +and turns or wrenches the hare. (N. B. If one dog be in the stretch, and +the other only turning at the time he passes, it is not a fair go-by.) + +Where one dog turns the hare when she is leading homewards, and keeps +the lead so as to serve himself, and makes a second turn of the hare +without losing the lead. + +A catch or kill of the hare, when she is running straight and leading +homewards, is fully equal to a turn of the hare when running in the same +direction, or perhaps more, if he show the speed over the other dog in +doing it. If a dog draws the fleck from the hare, and causes her to +wrench or rick only, it is equal to a turn of the hare when leading +homewards. + +When a dog wrenches or ricks a hare twice following, without losing the +lead, it is equal to a turn. + +N. B. It often happens when a hare has been turned, and she is running +from home, that she turns of her own accord to gain ground homeward, +when both dogs are on the stretch after her; in such a case the judge +should not give the leading dog a turn. + +There are often other minor advantages in a course, such as one dog +showing occasional superiority of speed, turning on less ground, and +running the whole course with more fire than his opponent, which must be +led to the discretion of the judge, who is to decide on the merits. + + +LOCAL RULES. + +I. The number of members shall be regulated by the letters in the +Alphabet, and the two junior members shall take the letters X and Z, if +required. + +II. The members shall be elected by ballot, seven to constitute a +ballot, and two black balls to exclude. + +III. The name of every person proposed to be balloted for as a member, +shall be placed over the chimney-piece one day before the ballot can +take place. + +IV. No proposition shall be balloted for unless put up over the +chimney-piece, with the names of the proposer and seconder, at or before +dinner preceding the day of the ballot, and read to the members at such +dinner. + +V. Every member shall, at each meeting, run a greyhound his own +property, or forfeit a sovereign to the Club. + +VI. No member shall be allowed to match more than two greyhounds in the +first class, under a penalty of two sovereigns to the fund, unless such +member has been drawn or run out for the prizes, in which case he shall +be allowed to run three dogs in the first class. + +VII. If any member shall absent himself two seasons without sending his +subscription, he shall be deemed out of the Society, and another chosen +in his place. + +VIII. No greyhound shall be allowed to start if any arrears are due to +this Society from the owner. + +IX. Any member lending another a greyhound for the purpose of saving his +forfeit (excepting by consent of the members present) shall forfeit five +sovereigns. + +X. Any member running the dog of a stranger in a match shall cause the +name of the owner to be inserted after his own name in the list, under a +penalty of one sovereign. + +XI. No stranger shall be admitted into the Society's room, unless +introduced by a member, who shall place the name of his friend over the +chimney-piece, with his own attached to it; and no member shall +introduce more than one friend. + +XII. The members of the [erased] Clubs shall be honorary members of this +Society, and when present shall be allowed to run their greyhounds on +payment of the annual subscription. + +XIII. This Society to meet on the [erased] in [erased], and course on +the [erased] following days. + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +INDEX. + +Acupuncturation, used in neuralgic affections + mode of performing +Adam, Mr., on fungus hæmatodes +Adeps, the basis of all ointments +African wild dog, description of the +Agasæi, British hunting dogs, description of +Age, the indications of +Albanian dog, description of the +Alcohol, only used in tinctures +Alicant dog, description of the +Aloes, Barbadoes, the best purgative +Alpine spaniel, description of +Alteratives, the most useful +Alum, a powerful astringent +Amaurosis, symptoms of +American wild dogs, description of the +Anæmia, description of + causes of + 'post-mortem' appearances +Anasarca, nature of +Andalusian dog, description of the +Angina, nature of +Antimony, the oxide of, a sudorific + the black sesquisulphuret of, an alterative +Anubis, an Egyptian deity with the head of a dog +Anus, polypus in the + fistula in the +Aquafortis, a caustic +Argus, the dog of Ulysses +Arrian on hunting +Artois dog, description of the +Ascarides, a species of worms +Ascites, 'see' Dropsy +Attention, an important faculty +Auscultation, use of +Australasian dog, description of the + +Barbary dog, description of the +Barbet, description of the +Bark, Peruvian, a valuable tonic +Barry, a celebrated Bernardine dog, anecdote of +Bath, use of in puerperal fits +Beagle, description of the +Bell, Professor, opinion on the origin of the dog +Bernardine dog, description of the +Billy, a celebrated terrier +Bladder, inflammation of the + rupture of the +Blain, nature, causes, treatment, and 'post-mortem' appearances of +Blaine, Mr., opinion on kennel lameness + on tetanus + on dropsy + on calculus + on distemper + on mange +Bleeding, best place for + directions for + useful in epilepsy + useful in distemper +Blenheim spaniel, description of the +Blisters, uses of + composition + mode of applying and guarding +Bloodhound, description of the +Brain, comparative bulk of in different animals + description of the +Breaking-in of hounds + cruelty disadvantageous +Breeding of greyhounds + should always be permitted +British hunting-dogs, Agasæi, description of +Bronchocele, nature of + causes and treatment of +Búánsú, or Nepâl dog, description of +Buffon, opinion as to the origin of the dog +Bull-dog, description of the + crossed with the greyhound +Bull terrier, description of the + + +Cæcum, description of the +Calculus, nature, causes, and treatment of, + in the intestines, causes of, + cases, +Calomel, a dangerous medicine + should not be used in enteritis +Cancer, symptoms of + treatment of +Canis, genus +Canker in the ear, causes, symptoms and treatment of + cases of +Canute, laws concerning greyhounds by +Cardia, description of the +Castor oil, a valuable purgative +Castration, proper time for + mode of performing + not recommended +Catechu, an astringent +Caustic, lunar, the best +Cayotte, description of the +Chabert, anecdote of the dog of +Chalk, an astringent +Charles I, anecdote of the dog of +Charles II's spaniel, description of +Chest, anatomy and diseases of the + proper form of, in the greyhound + in the fox-hound +Chest-founder, nature, causes, and treatment of +Chloride of lime, uses of +Chorea, nature of, causes, treatment + cases + in distemper +Chryseus scylex, or dhole, description of the +Claret, a celebrated greyhound +Classification, zoological +Climate, effect of +Clysters, uses of +Coach-dog, description of the +Cocker, description of the +Colic, causes, symptoms, and treatment of +Colon, the + rupture of the +Colour of the greyhound + of the pointer +Constipation, causes and treatment of +Copper, preparations of, and their uses +Coryza, the early stage of distemper +Costiveness, causes and treatment of + means of preventing +Cough, spasmodic, nature and treatment of +Coursing, Ovid's description of + anecdotes of + laws of + general rules for the guidance of judges + local rules +Creosote, a dangerous medicine + useful in canker +Creta, an astringent +Cropping of the ears + deafness frequently caused by + disapproved of + proper method of + +Cross-breeding, effect of +Cuba, mastiff of +Cur, description of the +Cyprus, greyhounds of, described +Cynosaurus cristatus, an useful emetic +Czarina, a celebrated greyhound + + +Dakhun wild dog, description of the +Dalmatian dog, description of the +Danish sacrifices of dogs, description of + dog, description of the +Deab, description of the +Deafness frequently caused by cropping +Deer-hound, description of the +Delafond, Professor, his table of the diagnostic symptoms of pleurisy + and pneumonia +Dentition, formula of +Dew-claws + their removal unnecessary +Dhole, description of the +Diaphragm, description of the +Diarrhoea, causes, nature, and treatment of + habitual +Dick, Professor, on rabies + on the use of ergot of rye +Digestion, the process of +Digitalis, the uses of +Digitigrade, an order of animals +Dingo, description of the +Distemper, origin of the name + is a new disease + causes of + is contagious + is epidemic + effects on different breeds + symptoms + nature of + duration + 'post-mortem' appearances + treatment + a cause of epilepsy + sometimes terminates in palsy +Dog, early history of the + used as a beast of draught + for food + uses of the skin of the + origin of + mention of, in the Old and New Testaments + anecdotes of the sagacity and fidelity of + changes produced in, by breeding and climate + zoological description of + natural divisions of + sacrificed by the Greeks and Romans + by the Danes and Swedes + African wild + Albanian + Alicant + Alpine spaniel + American wild + Andalusian + Artois + Australasian + Barbary + barbet + beagle + black and tan spaniel + Blenheim spaniel + blood-hound + British + bull + bull terrier + coach + cocker + cur + Dakhun + Dalmatian + Danish + drover's + Egyptian + Esquimaux + fox-hound + French matin + French pointer + gasehound + Grecian + Grecian greyhound + greyhound + Hare Indian + harrier + Highland greyhound + Hyrcanian + Iceland + Irish greyhound + Italian greyhound + Italian wolf + Javanese + King Charles's spaniel + Lapland + lion + Locrian + lurcher + Mahratta + Maltese + mastiff + Molossian + Nepal + Newfoundland + New Zealand + otter + Pannonian + pariah + Persian greyhound + pointer + Polugar + poodle + Portuguese pointer + Russian greyhound + Russian pointer + Scotch greyhound + Scotch terrier + setter + sheep + shock + southern hound + spaniel + Spanish pointer + springer + stag-hound + Sumatran wild + terrier + Thibet + Turkish + Turkish greyhound + water-spaniel + wild + wolf + +Dog-carts, prohibition of, disapproved + should be licensed +Dog-pits +Dog-stealing +Dog's-tail grass, the use of +Dogs, Isle of, origin of the name +Dropsy, + causes of + cases of + treatment of +Drover's dog, description of the +Duodenum, the +Dupuy, M., on diseases of the spinal marrow +Dysentery, nature of + treatment of + + +Ear, diseases of the + vegetating excrescences in the + eruptions in the + cropping of the + polypi in the, nature and treatment of + pain of, an early symptom of rabies +Egyptian worship of the dog + dog, description of the +Elfric, King of Mercia, possessed greyhounds +Emetic tartar, uses of +Enteritis, causes, symptoms, and treatment of +Epiglottis, description of the +Epilepsy, causes of + treatment of + cases + puerperal + in distemper +Epsom salts, a purgative +Ergot of rye, use of, in parturition +Esquimaux dog, description of the +Ethiopia, a dog elected king of +Ethmoid bones, description of the +Extremities, bones of the +Eye, distinctive form of the + diseases of the + construction of the + cases of disease of the + congenital blindness + ophthalmia + cataract + amaurosis + appearance of in rabies + appearance of in distemper + + +Familiaris, sub-genus +Feet, sore +Femur, fracture of the +Fighting-pits +First division of varieties +Fistula in the anus, causes and treatment of +Fits, symptoms of + treatment of + distemper + puerperal +Fitzhardinge, Lord, his management of hounds +Flogging hounds, disapproved of +Food, the dog used for + of the greyhound + of the foxhound + insufficient, a cause of distemper +Fore-arm, fracture of the +Foxhound, description of the + size and proper conformation of + pupping + treatment of whelps + breaking in + management in the field + general management and food of + Lord Fitzhardinge's management +Fractures, most frequent in young dogs + of the humerus + of the thigh + of the femur + of the radius + of the fore-arm + of the shoulder + of the pelvis + of the skull +French pointer, description of the +Fungus hæmatodes, a case of + 'post-mortem' appearances + + +Gasehound, description of +Gêlert, the dog of Llewellyn, poem on the death of +Gentian, a stomachic and tonic +Ghoo-khan, or wild ass, hunted by Persian greyhounds +Giddiness, nature and treatment of +Ginger, a cordial and tonic +Glass, powdered, the best vermifuge +Goître, nature of + cause and treatment of +Good qualities of the dog +Goodwood kennel, description of + plan of +Grecian dogs, description of + sacrifices of dogs + greyhound, description of the +Greyhound, description of the + puppies, out of + origin of + known in England in the Anglo-Saxon period + old verses describing the + cross with the bull-dog + proper conformation of + colour of + breeding + rules for age + food + training + laws for coursing with + English + Grecian + Highland + Irish + Italian + Persian + Russian + Scotch + Turkish +Grognier, Professor, description of the French sheep-dog +Gullet, description of the + + +Hare Indian dog, description of the +Harrier, description of the +Head, bones of the + form of in the foxhound +Heart, description of the + action of the + rupture of the +Hecate, dogs sacrificed to +Hepatitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment of +Hertwich, Professor, on rabies +Highland greyhound, description of the +Hindoos regard the dog unclean +Hogg, James, anecdotes of his dog +Hog's lard, the basis of all ointments +Hound, the various kinds of + blood + fox + otter + southern + stag +Humerus, fracture of the +Hunting with dogs first mentioned by Oppian +Hunting-kennels +Huntsman, the requisites of a +Hydatids in the kidney +Hydrocyanic acid, useful in cases of irritation of the skin +Hydrophobia, 'see' Rabies +Hyrcanian dog, description of the + + +Iceland dog, description of the +Ileum, description of the +Incontinence of urine +India, degeneration of dogs in +Inflammation of the lungs + of the stomach + of the intestines + of the peritoneal membrane + of the liver + of the kidney + of the bladder + of the feet +Intelligence of the dog + anecdotes illustrative of the +Intestines, description of the + inflammation of the +Intussusception, nature and causes of + treatment +Iodine, a valuable medicine in goître + in dropsy +Irish greyhound, description of the + wolf-dog + setter +Italian greyhound, description of the + wolf-dog + + + +James's powder, a sudorific +Jaundice, causes, symptoms, and treatment of +Javanese dog, description of the +Jejunum, description of the +Jenner, Dr., on distemper +Jews regard the dog with abhorrence +John, kept many dogs + received greyhounds in lieu of fines + + +Kamtschatka, uses of the dog as a beast of draught in +Karáráhé or New Zealand dog, description of the +Kennel, description of + Goodwood + Plan of Goodwood + for watch-dog construction of + hare, use of + lameness, nature of + causes of + means of prevention +Kidney, inflammation of the + hydatids in the +King Charles's spaniel, description of + + +Lachrymal duct, description of the +Lapland dog, description of the +Lard, the basis of all ointments +Larynx, description of the + inflammation of the +Laws of coursing +Leblanc, M., on jaundice +Léonard, M., his exhibition of dogs +Lime, chloride of, the uses of +Lion dog, description of the +Lips, functions of the + swellings of the +Liver, description of the + functions of the + inflammation of the +Llewellyn, poem on the dog of +Locrian dog, description of the +Lunar caustic, the best + recommended for bites of rabid dogs +Lungs, inflammation of the + congestion of the +Lurcher, description of the + + +Madness, canine, 'see' Rabies +Magnesia, sulphate of, a purgative +Mahratta dog description of the +Majendie, his experiments on the olfactory nerves +Major, a celebrated greyhound +Maltese dog, description of the +Mammalia, a class of animals +Management of the pack +Mange, nature of + is hereditary + the scabby + treatment + causes of + frequently causes goître +Mastiff, description of the + used in Cuba to hunt the Indians +Mâtin, description of the +Maxillary bones, description of the +Meatus, description of the +Medicines, a list of the most useful + mode of administering +Medullary substance of the brain +Memory of the dog +Mercury, preparations of + uses of +Milk, accumulation of, in the teats + secretion of, connected with cancer +Mohammedan abhorrence of dogs +Molossian dog, description of the +Moral qualities of the dog +Nasal bones, description of the + catarrh, nature of + cavity, polypus in the +Neck, should be long in the greyhound +Nepal dog, description of the +Nerves, description of the +Nervous system, diseases of +Newfoundland dog, description of the +New Holland dog, description of the +New Zealand dog, description of the +Nimrod, opinion on kennel lameness +Nitrate of potash, a useful diuretic +Nitrate of silver, a caustic + recommended for the bites of rabid dogs + useful in chorea + in canker +Nitric acid, a caustic +Norfolk spaniel, description of the +Nose, anatomy of the + diseases of the + discharge from the, in distemper + + +Olfactory nerves, size of, in different animals + development of the + description of the +Ophthalmia, symptoms of + causes of + treatment of +Oppian, the first who mentions hunting with dogs + description of British dogs by +Orbit of the eye, form of the +Orford, Lord, first crossed greyhounds with the bull-dog + death of +Otter-hound, description of the +Ovaries, removal of the +Ovid, description of coursing by +Ozæna, nature and treatment of + + +Palate, veil of the + inflammation of the +Palsy, causes of + treatment of + a consequence of chorea + consequence of distemper +Palm oil, an emollient +Pancreas, functions of the +Pannonian dog, description of the +Pariah, description of the +Parry, Captain, description of the Esquimaux dog +Parturition, time of + management during + use of the ergot of of rye + inversion of the uterus after +Pelvis, fracture of the +Percival, Mr., on fractures +Pericardium, description of the + case of a wound in the +Peritonitis, symptoms and treatment of +Persian greyhound, description of the +Peruvian bark, a valuable tonic +Phlegmonous tumour, nature and treatment of +Pleurisy, nature of + diagnostic symptoms of +Pneumonia, nature and treatment of + diagnostic symptoms of + in distemper + a consequence of small-pox + +Pointer, compared with the setter, 136; + early training of, 144; + breaking-in, 149; + English, 140; + French, 142; + Spanish, 142 +Pollux, the introduction of hunting with dogs attributed to +Polugar dog, description of the +Polypus in the ear + in the nasal and anal cavities + in the vagina +Pomeranian wolf-dog, description of +Poodle, description of the +Portuguese pointer, description of the +Potash, the nitrate of, a useful diuretic +Prussic acid, useful in cases of irritation of the skin +Puerperal fits, causes, nature, and treatment of +Pulse of various animals +Pupping, 'see' Parturition +Purging in distemper + should be avoided +Pythagoras, his high opinion of the virtues of the dog +Rabies, + cases + early symptoms + progress + 'post-mortem' appearances + causes + period of incubation + duration + nature of the virus + nature of the disease + treatment of persons bitten + in the horse + in the rabbit + in the guinea-pig + in the cat + in the fowl + in the badger + in the wolf + trials concerning the death of persons by +Radius, fracture of the +Radcliffe, D., on scent +Rectum, the +Retriever, Newfoundland dog used as +Rheumatism, nature, causes, and treatment of +Richard II, anecdote of the dog of +Richmond, the third Duke of, built Goodwood kennel +Roman sacrifices of dogs, description of +Rottenness of the lungs +Rupture of the heart, case of + 'post-mortem' appearances + of the colon + of the bladder +Russian greyhound, description of the + pointer, description of the + + +Saliva, state of in rabies +Salts, a purgative +Scabby mange, nature and treatment of +Scent, the term + description of + influence of the atmosphere upon +Scotch greyhound, description of the + terrier, description of the + +Scott, Sir Walter, anecdote of the dog of + verses on the dogs of +Second division of varieties +Seton, useful in epilepsy +Setter, description of the + early training of + compared with the pointer + +Sheep-dog, description of the + anecdotes of the + supposed by Buffon to be the original type + French, description of the +Shock-dog, description of the +Shoulder, fracture of the + proper form of the, in the greyhound +Siberian dog, description of the +Simonds, Professor, on fractures +Simpson, Mr., on the use of the ergot of rye +Skeleton, description of the +Skin, uses of the +Skull, form of, adopted as the arrangement of the varieties of the dog + fracture of the +Small-pox, symptoms of + causes of + treatment +Smell, the sense of +Snowball, a celebrated greyhound +Sore feet, causes of + treatment +Southern hound, description of the +Spaniel, origin of the + description of the + Blenheim + King Charles's + Norfolk + water +Spanish pointer, description of the +Spasmodic cough, nature and treatment of +Spaying, mode of performing +Spleen, functions of the + diseases of the +Springer, description of the + +Staghound, description of the + anecdotes of the +Staling, profuse +Starch, bandage, useful in fractures +Stealing of dogs +Stomach, anatomy and diseases of the + case of the retention of a sharp instrument in the +Strychnia, a valuable medicine in palsy +Sulphur, the basis of applications for mange + a good alterative +Sumatra, description of the wild dog of +Surfeit, an eruption resembling mange +Swedish sacrifices of dogs, description of +Sympathetic nerves + + +Tænia, a species of worm +Tailing +Tape-worm, the +Tapping in cases of dropsy +Tartar emetic, a useful medicine +Teeth, distinctive arrangement of the + description of the + cuts showing various signs of growth and decay + supernumerary + diseases of the + very early lost by the Turkish dog +Teres, a species of worm +Terrier, description of the + training of the + anecdotes of the + Scotch, description of the +Tetanus, causes of + symptoms and treatment of +Thibet dog, description of the +Thigh, fracture of the +Third division of varieties +Thyroid cartilage, description of the +Toes, sore + number of +Tongue, description of the + mode of drinking + worming + blain +Torsion, mode of performing + forceps +Training of the greyhound + of the foxhound + of the pointer or setter +Trimmer. Mr., description of the Spanish sheep-dog +Trunk, bones of the +Tumour, phlegmonous, nature and treatment of +Turkish dog, description of the + greyhound, description of the +Turnside, nature and treatment of +Turnspit, description of the +Turpentine, uses of + + +Unguents, use of, in mange +Unguiculata, a tribe of animals +Uterus, case of inversion of the + extirpation and cure + + +Vagina, polyps in the +Van Diemen Land, ravages of wild dogs in +Varieties, three divisions of + first division of + second division of + third division of +Vatel, his observations on the pulse of different animals +Vegetating excrescences in the ear, nature and treatment of +Vermifuge, glass the most effectual +Vertebrated animals, what +Vinegar, useful for fomentations +Voice, change of in rabies +Vyner. Mr., opinion on kennel lameness + + +Warts, treatment of +Washing of hounds disapproved of +Watch-dog, frequent ill-usage of the +Water-spaniel, description of the + anecdotes of the +Wild dog, description of the + of Africa + of Australia + of Van Diemen Land + +Williamson, Captain, account of the wild dogs of Nepâl + on the degeneration of dogs in India + description of the dhole +Wolf, supposed to be the origin of the dog + anecdotes of the +Wolf-dog, Irish + Italian +Worms, varieties of + symptoms of + means of expelling + cases of + a cause of sudden death + causes of + a cause of epilepsy + a cause of distemper + + +Yellow distemper, nature of + treatment of +Yellows, the + + +Zinc, sulphate of, a valuable excitant + +Zoological classification of the dog + + + + + + * * * * * + + +APPENDIX + +INDEX TO THE EDITOR'S ADDITIONS. + + +Affection of dogs +Age of the pointer +Alexander the Great, dog sent to +Aloes, effects of +Amaurosis, causes and treatment of +American greyhound +Anecdotes of rabid dogs +Arctic fox + +Bengal, le braque de +Blindness, congenital +Brazen dog of Jupiter +Byron, Lord, his opinion of the dog's memory + +Canes Ceteres +Canine fidelity, anecdote of +Canine pathology, Introduction to +Canis Lagopus +Canis Latrans +Canker of the ear + of the flap +Captain Lyon's account of the Esquimaux dog +Catlin's remarks on the Indian dog +Chesapeake bay, ducks of the +Chorea, accidental cure of +Chronic opthalmia, causes and treatment of +Circulation, state of the +Claims of dogs upon us +Cocker, method of breaking the + his style of hunting +Colonel Hawker's account of dog-stealing +Colonel Thornton's Spanish pointer +Collyria +Congenital blindness +Cornea, ulceration of the + spots on the +Coursing, ancient mode of + Gay's poems descriptive of +Cropping, a barbarous fancy + recommended by Mr. Skinner +Cross of dog with fox + between the wolf and, opinions of the Cynegetical writers + respecting + opinions of the moderns +Cure of diseases, remedial means for + of chorea, accidental + +Daniel Lambert's dogs, their price &c. +Dead bodies, dogs kept to devour +Dew-claws, removal of, Mr. Blaine's opinion in reference to +Diana, spotted dogs given by Pan to +Disease, symptoms of + of the eye + of the ear + of the tongue + of the feet +Disposition of the dog to hunt by scent +Dog, considered as an animal of draught + length of intestines in the + Molossian + fidelity of the + of Santa Fé and the Chihuahuas + of the Mexicans, worthless + prophylactic properties of the + crossed with the fox + with the wolf + Indian + social invitations extended to + self-broken + claim of, upon man + hospitals for + rabid, anecdotes of, 234; + Esquimaux, 95 + +Duck of the Chesapeake bay, manner of toling the + discovery of this method + +Duke of Norfolk's breed of King Charles' spaniel + +Ear, canker of the, causes and treatment of + wounds of the + warts on the + polypus of the + mangy edges in the + +Editor's remarks on rabies + his preventive treatment for + +English pointer, size and appearance of +Entropium +Epilepsy, treatment of + mistaken for rabies +Esquimaux dog, Captain Lyons' account of +Extirpation of the eye + +Eye and its diseases + simple inflammation of + extirpation of the + protrusion of the + weak + washes for the +Eyelids, ulceration of the + inversion of the, operation for +Eye-washes, various + +Feet, diseases of the +Fidelity of the dog +Fistula lachrymalis +Flap, tumours of the +Fouilloux, Jacques du, his recipes for rabies +Fox, Arctic + cross of dog with the + +Glossitis, causes and treatment of +Gay's poems descriptive of coursing +Greeks, ancient, domestic manners of the, respecting their dogs + greyhound of +Greek sportsman's care of his dogs +Greyhound of America, 55; + of ancient Greece, 56 +Gutta serena + +Hawker, Colonel, his account of dog-stealing +Hembel, Mr., his anecdotes of rabid dogs +Herds of the Mexicans, immense, 48 +Hippocrates, prophylactic properties of the dog recommended by +Horse doctors +Hospitals for dogs +Hydrophthalmia, treatment of + +Indian dog +Introduction to Canine Pathology +Irish setter, inductive reasoning in an + +Jacques du Fouilloux, his recipes for rabies + +Keyworth, Mr., springer belonging to + +Lambert, Daniel, the price of his dogs +Lord Byron's opinion of the dog's memory +Louisiana marmot +Lyon, Captain, his account of the Esquimaux dog, 95 + +Mangy edges, treatment of +Marmot, the Louisiana +Mexicans, immense herds of the, 48 +Mexico, shepherd dogs of + their introduction into this country +Molossian dogs, 26 +Newfoundland dog, as a retriever + two varieties of + account of two imported into this country +Nictitating membrane of the eye +Norfolk, Duke of, his breed of King Charles' spaniels +Nux vomica, effects of + +Ophthalmia + chronic treatment of + traumatic + sympathetic +Otorrhoea, simple, treatment of +Ozæna, injection for + + +Pathology, Canine, Introduction to +Pointer, English, his size and appearance; + merits of, compared with those of the setter; + age of; + origin of; + his disposition to hunt by scent; + tailing of the +Polypus in the ear +Predisposition to disease in dogs +Preventative treatment for rabies +Prophylactic properties of the dog, as recommended by Pliny, + Hippocrates, Aristotle, and others +Protrusion of the eye +Pustular affection of the feet + +Rabid dogs, anecdotes of +Rabies, epilepsy taken For; + remarks on; + recipes for the cure of; + preventive treatment for +Remedial means for the cure of diseases +Rheumatism, causes and varieties of + +Scent, disposition of the dog to hunt by +Self-broken dogs +Setter, old document respecting the training of; + merits of, compared with those of the pointer; + Irish, inductive reasoning in +Shepherd's dog, importance of the, to our agriculturists; + of Mexico; + their introduction into this country +Shepherds of Mexico +Skinner. Mr., cropping recommended by +Social invitations extended to dogs +Sow, account of one finding and standing game +Spaniel, King Charles', breed of +Spanish pointer, Colonel Thornton's +Spirits of turpentine, effects of +Sportsman, Greek, his care of his dogs +Spots on the cornea +Spotted dogs given by Pan to Diana +Sprains +Springer +Stealing dogs, Colonel Hawke's account of +Symptoms of disease + +Tailing, objections to + of pointers +Thornton, Colonel, his Spanish pointer +Throat, foreign articles in the +Toling ducks +Tongue, appearance of the, in disease +Traumatic ophthalmia, treatment of +Turnside, uncommon in the country + +Ulceration of the cornea; + of the eyelids + +Youatt, Mr., his opinion approved + +Warts of the ear +Weak eyes +Wounds of the ear + + + * * * * * + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dog, by William Youatt + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOG *** + +This file should be named 9478-8.txt or 9478-8.zip + +Produced by Clytie Siddall, Joshua Hutchinson and Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/9478-8.zip b/9478-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e2a238 --- /dev/null +++ b/9478-8.zip diff --git a/9478-h.zip b/9478-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0023dc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/9478-h.zip diff --git a/9478-h/9478-h.htm b/9478-h/9478-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d46c65d --- /dev/null +++ b/9478-h/9478-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,22856 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>The Dog</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= +"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<meta name="keywords" content= +"dog, The Dog, Youatt, animal, canine, manual, veterinary, illustration, anecdote, history, e-book, Public Doman, free e-book"> +<meta name="description" content= +"'The Dog', comprising history, training instruction manual, veterinary manual, anecdotes and magnificent line illustrations of various breeds, now available in html form, as a free download from Project Gutenberg"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {background:#ffff99; margin:10%; text-align:justify} +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {color:#A82C28} +– > +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dog, by William Youatt + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Dog + A nineteenth-century dog-lovers' manual, + a combination of the essential and the esoteric. + +Author: William Youatt + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9478] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 4, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOG *** + + + + + +Produced by Clytie Siddall, Joshua Hutchinson and Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +</pre> + +<a name="title.gif"></a><img src="images/title.gif" width="446" height="781" align="right" border="5" alt="Title-page with head of hound"> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<h1><i>The Dog</i></h1> + +<br> +<br> +<b>by William Youatt<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +with illustrations<br> +<br> + +edited, with additions<br> +<br><br> + +by E. J. Lewis. M. D.<br> +<br> +<br> +1852</b><br> +<br> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + +<b><a name="toc">Summarized Table of Contents</a> (<a href="#toc1">Detailed Table</a> below, and <a href="#index">Alphabetical Index</a> at end.)</b> +<ul> +<li><a href="#introduction">Preface of the Editor</a></li> +<li><a href="#section1">Chapter I — The Early History and Zoological Classification of the Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#section2">Chapter II — The Varieties of the Dog. — First Division</a></li> +<li><a href="#section3">Chapter III — The Varieties of the Dog — Second Division</a></li> +<li><a href="#section4">Chapter IV — The Varieties of the Dog — Third Division</a></li> +<li><a href="#section5">Chapter V — The Good Qualities of the Dog and Cruelties</a></li> +<li><a href="#pathintro">Introduction to Canine Pathology. by the Editor</a>.</li> +<li><a href="#section6">Chapter VI — Description of the Skeleton. Diseases of the Nervous System</a></li> +<li><a href="#section7">Chapter VII — Rabies</a></li> +<li><a href="#section8">Chapter VIII — The Eye and its Diseases</a></li> +<li><a href="#section9">Chapter IX — The Ear and its Diseases</a></li> +<li><a href="#section10">Chapter X — Anatomy of the Nose and Mouth; and Diseases of the Nose and other parts of the Face</a></li> +<li><a href="#section11">Chapter XI — Anatomy and Diseases of the Chest</a></li> +<li><a href="#section12">Chapter XII — Anatomy of the Gullet, Stomach, and Intestines</a></li> +<li><a href="#section13">Chapter XIII — Bleeding; Torsion; Castration; Parturition;<br> +and some Diseases Connected with the Organs of Generation</a></li> +<li><a href="#section14">Chapter XIV — The Distemper</a></li> +<li><a href="#section15">Chapter XV — Small-pox; Mange; Warts; Cancer; Fungus Haematodes;<br> +Sore Feet</a></li> +<li><a href="#section16">Chapter XVI — Fractures</a></li> +<li><a href="#section17">Chapter XVII — Medicines used in the Treatment of the Diseases of the Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#appendix">Appendix — New Laws of Coursing</a></li> +<li><a href="#index">Alphabetical Index</a></li> +</ul> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + +<i>Note: in folllowing Contents, breeds of dog or items printed in italics feature illustrations.</i><br> +<br> + + +<b><a name="toc1">Detailed Table of Contents</a></b> +<ul> +<li><a href="#introduction">Preface of the Editor</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section1">Chapter I — The Early History and Zoological Classification of the Dog</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#greyhounds"><i>Illustration of an Ancient Statue of Greyhounds</i></a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section2">Chapter II — The Varieties of the Dog. — First Division</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#wild">Wild Dogs</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#Nepâl">The Wild Dog of Nepâl</a></li> +<li><a href="#dakhun">The Wild Dog of Dakhun</a></li> +<li><a href="#mahrattas">The Wild Dog of the Mahrattas</a></li> +<li><a href="#dhole">Dhole</a></li> +<li><a href="#thibet"><i>The Thibet Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#pariah">The Pariah</a></li> +<li><a href="#dingo"><i>The Dingo, Australasian, or New Holland Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#nz">The Canis Australis — Karárahé, New Zealand Dog</a></li> +</ul> + +<li><a href="#domesticated">Domesticated Dogs of The First Division</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#indian"><i>The Hare Indian Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#albanian">The Albanian Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#dalmatian">The Great Danish Dog, called also the <i>Dalmatian</i> or Spotted Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#matin">The French Matin</a></li> +<li><a href="#greyhound"><i>The Greyhound</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#scotchgrey">The Scotch Greyhound</a></li> +<li><a href="#deerhound">The Highland Greyhound, or Deer-hound</a></li> +<li><a href="#irishgrey">The Irish Greyhound</a></li> +<li><a href="#gasehound">The Gasehound</a></li> +<li><a href="#irishwolf">The Irish Wolf-dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#russiangrey">The Russian Greyhound</a></li> +<li><a href="#greciangrey"><i>The Grecian Greyhound</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#turkishgrey">The Turkish Greyhound</a></li> +<li><a href="#persiangrey">The Persian Greyhound</a></li> +<li><a href="#italiangrey">The Italian Greyhound</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a name="cp2"></a><a href="#section3">Chapter III — The Varieties of the Dog — Second Division</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#spaniel">The Spaniel</a></li> +<li><a href="#cocker"><i>The Cocker</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#kcspaniel">The King Charles's Spaniel</a></li> +<li><a href="#springer">The Springer</a></li> +<li><a href="#btspaniel">The Black and Tan Spaniel</a></li> +<li><a href="#blenheim"><i>The Blenheim Spaniel</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#waterspaniel"><i>The Water-Spaniel</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#poodle"><i>The Poodle</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#barbet">The Barbet</a></li> +<li><a href="#maltese">The Maltese Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#liondog">The Lion Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#turkish">The Turkish Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#bernardine"><i>The Alpine Spaniel, or Bernardine Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#newfoundland"><i>The Newfoundland Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#esquimaux"><i>The Esquimaux Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#lapland">The Lapland Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#sheepdog"><i>The Sheep-dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#scotchsheep"><i>The Scotch Sheep-Dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#drover">The Drover's Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#pom">The Italian or Pomeranian Wolf-dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#cur">The Cur</a></li> +<li><a href="#lurcher">The Lurcher</a></li> +<li><a href="#beagle"><i>The Beagle</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#harrier"><i>The Harrier</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#fox"><i>The Fox Hound</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#commence">The Commencement of the Season</a></li> +<li><a href="#huntken">Hunting-Kennels</a></li> +<li><a href="#kenlame">Kennel Lameness</a></li> +<li><a href="#fitz">Lord Fitzhardinge's Management</a></li> +<li><a href="#packman">Management Of The Pack</a></li> +<li><a href="#Goodwood"><i>Goodwood Kennels</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#stag">The Stag-hound</a></li> +<li><a name="cp3"></a><a href="#shound"><i>Southern Hound</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#blood"><i>The Blood-Hound</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#setter"><i>The Setter</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#settpoint">The Merits of the Setter Compared with Those of the Pointer</a></li> +<li><a href="#pointer"><i>The Pointer</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#spanishp">The Spanish Pointer</a></li> +<li><a href="#portpoint">The Portugese Pointer</a></li> +<li><a href="#frenpoint">The French Pointer</a></li> +<li><a href="#russpoint">The Russian Pointer</a></li> +<li><a href="#earlytraining">The Early Training of the Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#otterh">The Otter Hound</a></li> +<li><a href="#turnspit">The Turnspit</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section4">Chapter IV — The Varieties of the Dog — Third Division</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#bulldog"><i>The Bull-dog</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#bullterr">The Bull Terrier</a></li> +<li><a href="#mastiff"><i>The Mastiff</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#iceland">The Iceland Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#terrier">The Terrier</a></li> +<li><a href="#scotchterrier"><i>The Scotch Terrier</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#shockdog">The Shock-dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#artois">The Artois Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#andalusian">The Andalusian, or Alicant Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#barbary">The Egyptian and Barbary Dog</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section5">Chapter V — The Good Qualities of the Dog and:</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#smell">The Sense of Smell</a></li> +<li><a href="#iq">Intelligence</a></li> +<li><a href="#moral">The Moral Qualities of the Dog</a></li> +<li><a href="#dcarts">Dog-Carts</a></li> +<li><a href="#cropping">Cropping</a></li> +<li><a href="#tailing">Tailing</a></li> +<li><a href="#dewclaws">Dew-claws</a></li> +<li><a name="cp4"></a><a href="#dogpits">Dog-Pits</a></li> +<li><a href="#dogsteal">Dog-Stealing</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#pathintro">Introduction to Canine Pathology. by the Editor</a>.</li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#predis">Predisposition to, and Causes of, Diseases in Dogs. — The +Claims of Dogs upon us.</a></li> +<li><a href="#remed">Remedial Means for the Cure of Diseases</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section6">Chapter VI — Description of the <i>Skeleton</i>. Diseases of the Nervous System</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#section6"><i>The Canine Skeleton</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#fits">Diseases of the Nervous System: Fits</a></li> +<li><a href="#giddy">Diseases of the Nervous System: Turnside or Giddiness</a></li> +<li><a href="#epilepsy">Diseases of the Nervous System: Epilepsy</a></li> +<li><a href="#chorea">Diseases of the Nervous System: Chorea</a></li> +<li><a href="#rheum">Rheumatism and Palsy</a></li> +<li><a href="#mange">Palsy — Mange</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section7">Chapter VII — Rabies</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section8">Chapter VIII — The Eye and its Diseases</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#nict">The Nictitating Membrane</a></li> +<li><a href="#opth">Opthamalia — Simple Inflammation of the Eye</a></li> +<li><a href="#copth">Chronic Ophthalmia</a></li> +<li><a href="#topth">Traumatic Ophthalmia</a></li> +<li><a href="#sopth">Sympathetic Ophthalmia</a></li> +<li><a href="#hopth">Hydrophthalmia</a></li> +<li><a href="#cblind">Congenital Blindness</a></li> +<li><a href="#cataract">Cataract</a></li> +<li><a href="#ulccor">Ulcerations on the Cornea</a></li> +<li><a href="#spotcor">Spots on the Cornea</a></li> +<li><a href="#amaur">Amaurosis — Gutta Serena or Glass Eye</a></li> +<li><a href="#exeye">Extirpation Of The Eye</a></li> +<li><a href="#ulceye">Ulcerations of the Eyelids</a></li> +<li><a href="#warteye">Warts on the Eyelids</a></li> +<li><a href="#enteye">Entropium — Inversion of the Eyelids (and <i>operation for</i>)</a></li> +<li><a name="cp5"></a><a href="#proteye">Protrusion of the Eye</a></li> +<li><a href="#weakeye">Weak Eyes</a></li> +<li><a href="#fisteye">Fistula Lachrymalis</a></li> +<li><a href="#haweye">Caruncula Lachrymalis and Plica Semilunaris, or Haw</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> +<ul> +<li><a href="#section9">Chapter IX — The Ear and its Diseases</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#cankear">Canker in the Ear (1)</a></li> +<li><a href="#vegear">Vegetating Excrescences in the Ear</a></li> +<li><a href="#eruptear">Eruptions in the Ear</a></li> +<li><a href="#violear">Violent Affection of the Ear</a></li> +<li><a href="#cropear">Cropping</a></li> +<li><a href="#polypear">Polypi in the Ears</a></li> +<li><a href="#polypother">Polypi in Other Orifices</a></li> +<li><a href="#simotor">Simple Otorrhœa</a></li> +<li><a href="#tumflap">Tumors of the Flap</a></li> +<li><a href="#cankear2">Canker in the Ear (2)</a></li> +<li><a href="#woundear">Wounds of the ear</a></li> +<li><a href="#wartear">Warts</a></li> +<li><a href="#cankflap">Canker of the Edge of the Flap</a></li> +<li><a href="#polear">Polypus of the Ear (2)</a></li> +<li><a href="#mangedg">Diseases of the Ear — Mangy Edges</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section10">Chapter X — Anatomy and Diseases of the Facial Features</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#ethmoid">The Ethmoid Bones</a></li> +<li><a href="#nasbone">The Nasal Bones</a></li> +<li><a href="#ozaena">Ozæna</a></li> +<li><a href="#smell1">The Sense of Smell</a></li> +<li><a href="#tongue">The Tongue</a></li> +<li><a href="#blain">The Blain</a></li> +<li><a href="#inflamtong">Inflammation of the Tongue</a></li> +<li><a href="#lips">The Lips</a></li> +<li><a href="#teeth"><i>The Teeth</i></a></li> +<li><a href="#ageind">The Indications of Age</a></li> +<li><a name="cp6"></a><a href="#larynx">The Larynx</a></li> +<li><a href="#forbodth">Foreign Articles in the Throat</a></li> +<li><a href="#goître">Bronchocele or Goître</a></li> +<li><a href="#phlegtum">Phlegmonous Tumour</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section11">Chapter XI — Anatomy and Diseases of the Chest</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#pleurisy">Pleurisy</a></li> +<li><a href="#pneumonia">Pneumonia</a></li> +<li><a href="#spascou">Spasmodic Cough</a></li> +<li><a href="#pptable">A Table of the Usual Diagnostic Symptoms of Pleurisy and Pneumonia</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section12">Chapter XII — Anatomy and Diseases of the Gullet, Stomach, and Intestines:</a> </li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#tetanus">Tetanus</a></li> +<li><a href="#enteritis">Enteritis</a></li> +<li><a href="#peritonitis">Peritonitis</a></li> +<li><a href="#colic">Colic</a></li> +<li><a href="#calintest">Calculus in the Intestines</a></li> +<li><a href="#intussusception">Intussusception</a></li> +<li><a href="#diarrhoea">Diarrhœa</a></li> +<li><a href="#dysentery">Dysentery</a></li> +<li><a href="#costent">Costiveness</a></li> +<li><a href="#dropsy">Dropsy</a></li> +<li><a href="#liver">The Liver</a></li> +<li><a href="#jaun">Jaundice</a></li> +<li><a href="#spanc">The Spleen and Pancreas</a></li> +<li><a href="#kidinf">Inflammation of the Kidney</a></li> +<li><a href="#calcon">Calculous Concretions</a></li> +<li><a href="#bladinf">Inflammation of the Bladder</a></li> +<li><a href="#rupblad">A Case of Rupture of the Bladder</a></li> +<li><a href="#worms">Worms</a></li> +<li><a href="#fistanus">Fistula in the anus</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section13">Chapter XIII — Bleeding; Reproduction</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a name="cp7"></a><a href="#bleed">Bleeding</a></li> +<li><a href="#torsion">Torsion</a></li> +<li><a href="#castrat">Castration</a></li> +<li><a href="#birth">Parturition</a></li> +<li><a href="#ergotbirth">The beneficial effect of Ergot of Rye in difficult Parturition</a></li> +<li><a href="#fitsbirth">Puerperal Fits</a></li> +<li><a href="#invertwomb">Inversion of the Uterus in a Bull Bitch after Pupping: Extirpation and Cure</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section14">Chapter XIV — The Distemper</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section15">Chapter XV — Other Common Canine Ailments</a></li> +<li style="list-style: none"> +<ul> +<li><a href="#smallpox">Small-Pox</a></li> +<li><a href="#mange2">Mange</a></li> +<li><a href="#warts">Warts</a></li> +<li><a href="#cancer">Cancer</a></li> +<li><a href="#funghaem">Fungus Hæmatodes</a></li> +<li><a href="#sorefeet1">Sore Feet (1)</a></li> +<li><a href="#disfeet">Diseases of the Feet</a></li> +<li><a href="#sorefeet2">Sore Feet (2)</a></li> +<li><a href="#pustfeet">Pustular Affection of the Feet</a></li> +<li><a href="#sprains">Sprains</a></li> +<li><a href="#woundfeet">Wounds of the Feet</a></li> +<li><a href="#lclaws">Long Nails or Claws</a></li> +<li><a href="#lame">Lameness</a></li> +</ul> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#section16">Chapter XVI — Fractures</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li><a href="#section17">Chapter XVII — Medicines used in the Treatment of the Diseases of the Dog</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li><a href="#appendix">Appendix — The New Laws of Coursing</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li><a href="#index">Index</a></li> +</ul> + + + +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="introduction">Preface</a></h2> +<br> +The Editor, having been called upon by the American publishers of the +present volume to see it through the press, and add such matter as he +deemed likely to increase its value to the sportsman and the lover of +dogs in this country, the more readily consented to undertake the task, +as he had previously, during the intervals of leisure left by +professional avocations, paid much attention to the diseases, breeding, +rearing, and peculiarities of the canine race, with a view to the +preparation of a volume on the subject.<br> +<br> +His design, however, being in a great measure superseded by the enlarged +and valuable treatise of Mr. Youatt, whose name is a full guarantee as +to the value of whatever he may give to the world, he found that not +much remained to be added. Such points, however, as he thought might be +improved, and such matter as appeared necessary to adapt the volume more +especially to the wants of this country, he has introduced in the course +of its pages. These additions, amounting to about sixty pages, <span style="color: #663300;">are printed in brown</span>, with the initial of the Editor appended. He +trusts they will not detract from the interest of the volume, while he +hopes that its usefulness may be thereby somewhat increased.<br> +<br> +With this explanation of his connexion with the work, he leaves it in +the hope that it may prove of value to the sportsman from its immediate +relation to his stirring pursuits; to the general reader, from the large +amount of curious information collected in its pages, which is almost +inaccessible in any other form; and to the medical student, from the +light it sheds on the pathology and diseases of the dog, by which he +will be surprised to learn how many ills that animal shares in common +with the human race.<br> +<br> +The editor will be satisfied with his agency in the publication of this +volume, if it should be productive of a more extended love for this +brave, devoted, and sagacious animal, and be the means of improving his +lot of faithful servitude. It is with these views that the editor has +occasionally turned from more immediate engagements to investigate his +character, and seek the means of ameliorating his condition.<br> +<br> +<b>Philadelphia</b>, <i>October</i>, 1846. +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h2><a name="section1">Chapter I —the Early History and Zoological Classification of the Dog.</a></h2> +<br> +The Dog, next to the human being, ranks highest in the scale of +intelligence, and was evidently designed to be the companion and the +friend of man. We exact the services of other animals, and, the task +being performed, we dismiss them to their accustomed food and rest; but +several of the varieties of the dog follow us to our home; they are +connected with many of our pleasures and wants, and guard our sleeping +hours.<br> +<br> +The first animal of the domestication of which we have any account, was +the sheep. "<a name="fr1">Abel</a> was a keeper of sheep."<a href="#f1"><sup>1</sup></a> It is difficult to believe +that any long time would pass before the dog — who now, in every country +of the world, is the companion of the shepherd, and the director or +guardian of the sheep — would be enlisted in the service of man.<br> +<br> +From the earliest known history he was the protector of the habitation +of the human being. At the feet of the <i>lares</i>, those household +deities who were supposed to protect the abodes of men, the figure of a +barking dog was often placed. In every age, and almost in every part of +the globe, he has played a principal part in the labours, the dangers, +and the pleasures of the chase.<br> +<br> +In process of time, man began to surround himself with many servants +from among the lower animals, but among them all he had only one +friend — the dog; one animal only whose service was voluntary, and who +was susceptible of disinterested affection and gratitude. In every +country, and in every time, there has existed between man and the dog a +connection different from that which is observed between him and any +other animal. The ox and the sheep submit to our control, but their +affections are principally, if not solely, confined to themselves. They +submit to us, but they can rarely be said to love, or even to recognise +us, except as connected with the supply of their wants.<br> +<br> +The horse will share some of our pleasures. He enjoys the chase as much +as does his rider; and, when contending for victory on the course, he +feels the full influence of emulation. Remembering the pleasure he has +experienced with his master, or the daily supply of food from the hand +of the groom, he often exhibits evident tokens of recognition; but that +is founded on a selfish principle — he neighs that he may be fed, and his +affections are easily transferred.<br> +<br> +The dog is the only animal that is capable of disinterested affection. +He is the only one that regards the human being as his companion, and +follows him as his friend; the only one that seems to possess a natural +desire to be useful to him, or from a spontaneous impulse attaches +himself to man. We take the bridle from the mouth of the horse, and turn +him free into the pasture, and he testifies his joy in his partially +recovered liberty. We exact from the dog the service that is required of +him, and he still follows us. He solicits to be continued as our +companion and our friend. Many an expressive action tells us how much he +is pleased and thankful. He shares in our abundance, and he is content +with the scantiest and most humble fare. He loves us while living, and +has been known to pine away on the grave of his master.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">It is stated that the favourite lap-dog of Mary, Queen of Scots, that +accompanied her to the scaffold, continued to caress the body after the +head was cut off, and refused to relinquish his post till forcibly +withdrawn, and afterwards died with grief in the course of a day or two.<br> +<br> +The following account is also an authentic instance of the inconsolable +grief displayed by a small cur-dog at the death of his master: — A poor +tailor in the parish of St. Olave, having died, was attended to the +grave by his dog, who had expressed every token of sorrow from the +instant of his master's death, and seemed unwilling to quit the corpse +even for a moment. After the funeral had dispersed, the faithful animal +took his station upon the grave, and was with great difficulty driven by +the sexton from the church ground; on the following day he was again +observed lying on the grave of his master, and was a second time +expelled from the premises. Notwithstanding the harsh treatment received +on several succeeding days by the hands of the sexton, this little +creature would persist in occupying this position, and overcame every +difficulty to gain access to the spot where all he held most dear was +deposited. The minister of the parish, learning the circumstances of the +case, ordered the dog to be carried to his house, where he was confined +and fed for several days, in hopes of weaning him by kind treatment to +forget his sorrow occasioned by the loss of his master. But all his +benevolent efforts were of no utility, as the dog availed himself of the +first opportunity to escape, and immediately repaired to his chosen spot +over the grave.<br> +<br> +This worthy clergyman now allowed him to follow the bent of his own +inclinations; and, as a recompense for true friendship and unfeigned +sorrow, had a house built for him over this hallowed spot, and daily +supplied him with food and water for the space of two years, during +which time he never wandered from his post, but, as a faithful guardian, +kept his lonely watch day and night, till death at last put an end to +his sufferings, and laid him by the side of his long-expected +master. — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="I107">As</a> an animal of draught the dog is highly useful in some countries. What +would become of the inhabitants of the northern regions, if the dog were +not harnessed to the sledge, and the Laplander, and the Greenlander, and +the Kamtschatkan drawn, and not unfrequently at the rate of nearly a +hundred miles a day, over the snowy wastes? In Newfoundland, the timber, +one of the most important articles of commerce, is drawn to the +water-side by the docile but ill-used dog; and we need only to cross the +British Channel in order to see how useful, and, generally speaking, how +happy a beast of draught the dog can be.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Large mongrel dogs are very extensively used on the Continent in +pulling small vehicles adapted to various purposes. In fact, most of the +carts and wagons that enter Paris, or are employed in the city, have one +of these animals attached to them by a short strap hanging from the +axle-tree. This arrangement answers the double purpose of keeping off +all intruders in the temporary absence of the master, and, by pushing +himself forward in his collar, materially assists the horse in +propelling a heavy load up-hill, or of carrying one speedily over a +plain surface. It is quite astonishing to see how well broken to this +work these dogs are, and at the same time to witness with what vigour +and perseverance they labour in pushing before them, in that way, +enormous weights. — L.</span> + +Though, in our country, and to its great disgrace, this employment of +the dog has been accompanied by such wanton and shameful cruelty, that +the Legislature — somewhat hastily confounding the abuse of a thing with +its legitimate purpose — forbade the appearance of the dog-cart in the +metropolitan districts, and were inclined to extend this prohibition +through the whole kingdom, it is much to be desired that a kindlier and +better feeling may gradually prevail, and that this animal, humanely +treated, may return to the discharge of the services of which nature has +rendered him capable, and which prove the greatest source of happiness +to him while discharging them to the best of his power.<br> +<br> +In another and very important particular, — as the preserver of human +life, — the history of the dog will be most interesting. The writer of +this work has seen a Newfoundland dog who, on five distinct occasions, +preserved the life of a human being; and it is said of the noble +quadruped whose remains constitute one of the most interesting specimens +in the museum of Berne, that forty persons were rescued by him from +impending destruction.<br> +<br> +<a name="I108">When</a> this friend and servant of man dies, he does not or may not cease +to be useful; for in many countries, and to a far greater extent than is +generally imagined, his skin is useful for gloves, or leggings, or mats, +or hammercloths; and, while even the Romans occasionally fattened him +for the table, and esteemed his flesh a dainty, many thousands of people +in Asia, Africa, and America, now breed him expressly for food.<br> +<br> +If the publication of the present work should throw some additional +light on the good qualities of this noble animal; if it should enable us +to derive more advantage from the services that he can render — to train +him more expeditiously and fully for the discharge of those services — to +protect him from the abuses to which he is exposed, and to mitigate or +remove some of the diseases which his connection with man has entailed +upon him; if any of these purposes be accomplished, we shall derive +considerable "useful knowledge" as well as pleasure from the perusal of +the present volume.<br> +<br> +<a name="I29">Some</a> controversy has arisen with regard to the origin of the dog. +Professor Thomas Bell, to whom we are indebted for a truly valuable +history of the British quadrupeds, traces him to the wolf. He says, and +it is perfectly true, that the osteology of the wolf does not differ +materially from that of the dog more than that of the different kinds of +dogs differs; that the cranium is similar, and they agree in nearly all +the other essential points; that the dog and wolf will readily breed +with each other, and that their progeny, thus obtained, will again +mingle with the dog.<span style="color: #663300;"> The relative length of the intestines is a strong +distinctive mark both as to the habits and species of animals; those of +a purely carnivorous nature are much shorter than others who resort +entirely to an herbaceous diet, or combine the two modes of sustenance +according to circumstances. The dog and wolf have the intestines of the +same length. (See Sir Everard Home on <i>Comparative Anatomy</i>.) — L.</span> <a name="I128">There</a> +is one circumstance, however, which seems to mark a decided difference +between the two animals; the eye of the dog of every country and species +has a circular pupil, but the position or form of the pupil is oblique +in the wolf. Professor Bell gives an ingenious but not admissible reason +for this. He attributes the forward direction of the eyes in the dog to +the constant habit, "for many successive generations, of looking towards +their master, and obeying his voice:" but no habit of this kind could by +possibility produce any such effect. It should also be remembered that, +in every part of the globe in which the wolf is found this form of the +pupil, and a peculiar setting on of the curve of the tail, and a +singularity in the voice, cannot fail of being observed; to which may be +added, that the dog exists in every latitude and in every climate, while +the habitation of the wolf is confined to certain parts of the globe.<br> +<br> +There is also a marked difference in the temper and habits of the two. +The dog is, generally speaking, easily manageable, but nothing will, in +the majority of cases, render the wolf moderately tractable. There are, +however, exceptions to this. <a name="I295">The</a> author remembers a bitch wolf at the +Zoological Gardens that would always come to the front bars of her den +to be caressed as soon as any one that she knew approached. She had +puppies while there, and she brought her little ones in her mouth to be +noticed by the spectators; so eager, indeed, was she that they should +share with her in the notice of her friends, that she killed them all in +succession against the bars of her den as she brought them forcibly +forward to be fondled.<br> +<br> +M.F. Cuvier gives an account of a young wolf who followed his master +everywhere, and showed a degree of affection and submission scarcely +inferior to the domesticated dog. His master being unavoidably absent, +he was sent to the menagerie, where he pined for his loss, and would +scarcely take any food for a considerable time. At length, however, he +attached himself to his keepers, and appeared to have forgotten his +former associate. At the expiration of eighteen months his master +returned, and, the moment his voice was heard, the wolf recognised him, +and lavished on his old friend the most affectionate caresses. A second +separation followed, which lasted three years, and again the +long-remembered voice was recognised, and replied to with impatient +cries; after which, rushing on his master, he licked his face with every +mark of joy, menacing his keepers, towards whom he had just before been +exhibiting fondness. A third separation occurred, and he became gloomy +and melancholy. He suffered the caresses of none but his keepers, and +towards them he often manifested the original ferocity of his species.<br> +<br> +<a name="I110">These</a> stories, however, go only a little way to prove that the dog and +the wolf have one common origin.<span style="color: #663300;"> There are some naturalists that even +go so far as to state that the different varieties of dogs are sprung +from, or compounded of, various animals, as the hyæna, jackal, wolf, +and fox. The philosophic John Hunter commenced a series of experiments +upon this interesting subject, and was forced to acknowledge that "the +dog may be the wolf tamed, and the jackal may probably be the dog +returned to his wild state."<br> +<br> +<a name="I326">The</a> ancient Cynegetical writers were not only acquainted with the cross +between the wolf and dog, but also boasted the possession of breeds of +animals, supposed to have been derived from a connection with the lion +and tiger. <a name="I113">The</a> Hyrcanian dog, although savage and powerful beast, was +rendered much more formidable in battle, or in conflict with other +animals, by his fabled cross with the tiger. In corroboration of this +singular, but not less fabulous belief, Pliny states that the +inhabitants of India take pleasure in having dog bitches lined by the +wild tigers, and to facilitate this union, they are in the habit of +tieing them when in heat out in the woods, so that the male tigers may +visit them. (See L. 8, c. xl.)<br> +<br> +There is, however, but little doubt that the wolf and dog are varieties +of the same family, as they can he bred together, and their offspring +continuing the cross thus formed, will produce a race quite distinct +from the original. French writers do not hesitate at all upon this +point, but even assert that it is very difficult to take a she-wolf with +male dogs during the period of œstrum, parceque la veulent saillir et +covrir comme une chienne.<br> +<br> +Baudrillart, in the "dictionaire des chasses," further remarks that the +mongrels produced by this connection are very viciously disposed and +inclined to bite.<br> +<br> +The period of utero-gestation, and the particular mode of copulation in +the wolf, is the same as that of the canine family, which two +circumstances are certainly very strong presumptive evidences of the +similarity of the species. The dogs used by our northern Indians +resemble very much, in their general appearance, the wolves of that +region, and do not seem very far removed from that race of animals, +notwithstanding they have been in a state of captivity, or +domestication, beyond the traditionary chronicles of this rude people.<br> +<br> +<a name="I312">Another</a> strong circumstance in favour of the common origin of these two +quadrupeds, is the existence in our own country of the Canis Latrans, or +prairie wolf, who whines and barks in a manner so similar to the smaller +varieties of dogs, that it is almost impossible to distinguish his notes +from those of the terrier.<br> +<br> +Major Long remarks that "this animal which does not seem to be known to +naturalists, unless it should prove to be the Mexicanus, is most +probably the original of the domestic dog, so common in the villages of +the Indians of this region, some of the varieties of which still remain +much of the habit and manners of this species." (Vol. i, page 174.)<br> +<br> +<a name="I213">If</a> further proof be necessary to establish the identity of the dog and +wolf, the circumstances related by Captain Parry in his first voyage of +discovery, ought to be sufficient to convince every mind that the wolf, +even in its wild state, will seek to form an alliance or connection with +one of our domestic dogs. </span> + +<blockquote>"About this time it had been remarked that a +white setter dog, belonging to Mr. Beverly, had left the Griper for +several nights past at the same time, and had regularly returned after +some hours absence. As the daylight increased we had frequent +opportunities of seeing him in company with a she-wolf, with whom he +kept up an almost daily intercourse for several weeks, till at length he +returned no more to the ships; having either lost his way by rambling to +too great a distance, or what is more likely, perhaps, been destroyed by +the male wolves. Some time after a large dog of mine, which was also +getting into the habit of occasionally remaining absent for some time, +returned on board a good deal lacerated and covered with blood, having, +no doubt, maintained a severe encounter with a male wolf, whom we traced +to a considerable distance by the tracks on the snow. An old dog, of the +Newfoundland breed, that we had on board the Hecla, was also in the +habit of remaining out with the wolves for a day or two together, and we +frequently watched them keeping company on the most friendly terms."<br> +(Page 136, 1st voyage.)</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">In volume 1st, page 111, of the <i>Menageries</i>, it is stated that Mr. +Wombwell exhibited in October, 1828, two animals from a cross between +the wolf and the domestic dog, which had been bred in that country. They +were confined in the same den with a female setter, and were likely +again to multiply the species. Mr. Daniel remarks that Mr. Brook, famous +for his menagerie, turned a wolf to a Pomeranian bitch at heat; the +congress was immediate, and, as usual between the dog and bitch, ten +puppies were the produce. These animals strongly resembled their sire +both in appearance and disposition, and one of them being let loose at a +deer, instantly caught at the animal's throat and killed it. (See +<i>Daniel's Rural Sports</i>, vol. i, page 14. — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="fr2">It</a> may appear singular that in both the Old Testament and the New the +dog was spoken of almost with abhorrence. He ranked among the unclean +beasts. The traffic in him and the price of him were considered as an +abomination, and were forbidden to be offered in the sanctuary in the +discharge of any vow<a href="#f2"><sup>2</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +One grand object in the institution of the Jewish ritual was to preserve +the Israelites from the idolatry which at that time prevailed among +every other people. <a name="fr3">Dogs</a> were held in considerable veneration by the +Egyptians, from whose tyranny the Israelites had just escaped. Figures +of them appeared on the friezes of most of the temples<a href="#f3"><sup>3</sup></a>, and they +were regarded as emblems of the Divine Being. <a name="fr4">Herodotus</a>, speaking of the +sanctity in which some animals were held by the Egyptians, says that the +people of every family in which a dog died, shaved themselves — their +expression of mourning — and he adds, that "this was a custom existing in +his own time."<a href="#f4"><sup>4</sup></a><br> +<br> +The cause of this attachment to and veneration for the dog is, however, +explained in a far more probable and pleasing way than many of the +fables of ancient mythology. The prosperity of Lower Egypt, and almost +the very subsistence of its inhabitants, depended on the annual +overflowing of the Nile; and they looked for it with the utmost anxiety. +Its approach was announced by the appearance of a certain star — <b>Sirius</b>. +As soon as that star was seen above the horizon, they hastened to remove +their flocks to the higher ground, and abandoned the lower pastures to +the fertilizing influence of the stream. They hailed it as their guard +and protector; and, associating with its apparent watchfulness the +well-known fidelity of the dog, they called it the "dog-star," and they +worshipped it. It was in far later periods and in other countries that +the appearance of the dog-star was regarded as the signal of +insufferable heat or prevalent disease.<br> +<br> +<a name="I19">One</a> of the Egyptian deities — Anubis — is described as having the form and +body of a man, but with a dog's head. These were types of sagacity and +fidelity. + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"Who knows not that infatuate Egypt finds<br> +Gods to adore in brutes of basest kinds?<br> +This at the crocodile's resentment quakes,<br> +While that adores the ibis, gorged with snakes!<br> +And where the radiant beam of morning rings<br> +On shattered Memnon's still harmonious strings;<br> +And Thebes to ruin all her gates resigns,<br> +Of huge baboon the golden image shines!<br> +To <i>mongrel curs</i> infatuate cities bow,<br> +And cats and fishes share the frequent vow!"<br><br> + +<i>Juvenal</i>, Sat. xv. — Badham's Trans. — L.</span></blockquote> + +<a name="I127">In</a> Ethiopia, not only was great veneration paid to the dog, but the +inhabitants used to elect a dog as their king. He was kept in great +state, and surrounded by a numerous train of officers and guards. When +he fawned upon them, he was supposed to be pleased with their +proceedings: when he growled, he disapproved of the manner in which +their government was conducted. These indications of his will were +implicitly obeyed, or rather, perhaps, dictated.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Among the many strange and wonderful things mentioned by Pliny as being +discovered in Africa, is a people called Ptoembati or Ptremphanæ, whose +principal city is Aruspi, where they elect a dog for their king and obey +him most religiously, being governed entirely by the different motions +of his body, which they interpret according to certain signs. (See +Pliny, lib. vi, c. xxx.) — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="I221">Even</a> a thousand years after this period the dog was highly esteemed in +Egypt for its sagacity and other excellent qualities; for, when +Pythagoras, after his return from Egypt, founded a new sect in Greece, +and at Croton, in southern Italy, he taught, with the Egyptian +philosophers, that, at the death of the body, the soul entered into that +of different animals. He used, after the decease of any of his favourite +disciples, to cause a dog to be held to the mouth of the dying man, in +order to receive his departing spirit; saying, that there was no animal +that could perpetuate his virtues better than that quadruped.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr5">It</a> was in order to present the Israelites from errors and follies like +these, and to prevent the possibility of this species of idolatry being +established, that the dog was afterward regarded with utter abhorrence +among the Jews<a href="#f5"><sup>5</sup></a>. This feeling prevailed during the continuance of the +Israelites in Palestine. <a name="fr6">Even</a> in the New Testament the Apostle warns +those to whom he wrote to "beware of dogs and evil-workers;"<a href="#f6"><sup>6</sup></a> and it +is said in The Revelations that "without are dogs and sorcerers," &c.<a href="#f7"><sup>7</sup></a> Dogs were, however, employed even by the Jews. Job says, "Now they +that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have +disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock."<a href="#f8"><sup>8</sup></a> Dogs were employed +either to guide the sheep or to protect them from wild beasts; and some +prowled about the streets at night, contending with each other for the +offal that was thrown away.<br> +<br> +To a certain degree this dislike of the dog continues to the present +day; for, with few exceptions, the dog is seldom the chosen companion of +the Jew, or even the inmate of his house. Nor was it originally confined +to Palestine. Wherever a knowledge of the Jewish religion spread, or any +of its traditions were believed, there arose an abhorrence of the dog. +<a name="fr9">The</a> Mohammedans have always regarded him as an unclean animal, that +should never be cherished in any human habitation — belonging to no +particular owner, but protecting the street<a href="#f9"><sup>9</sup></a> and the district rather +than the house of a master.<br> +<br> +<a name="I158">The</a> Hindoos regard him likewise as unclean, and submit to various +purifications if they accidentally come in contact with him, believing +that every dog was animated by a wicked and malignant spirit, condemned +to do penance in that form for crimes committed in a previous state of +existence. If by chance a dog passed between a teacher and his pupil +during the period of instruction, it was supposed that the best lesson +would be completely poisoned, and it was deemed prudent to suspend the +tuition for at least a day and a night. <a name="fr10">Even</a> in Egypt, dogs are now as +much avoided as they were venerated. In every Mohammedan and Hindoo +country, the most scurrilous epithet bestowed on a European or a +Christian is — "a dog!"<a href="#f10"><sup>10</sup></a><br> +<br> +This accounts for the singular fact that in the whole of the Jewish +history there is not a single allusion to hunting with dogs. Mention is +made of nets and snares, but the dog seems to have been never used in +the pursuit of game.<br> +<br> +In the early periods of the history of other countries this seems to +have been the case even where the dog was esteemed and valued, and had +become the companion, the friend, and the defender of man and his home. +<a name="fr11">So</a> late as the second century of the Christian era, the fair hunting of +the present day needed the eloquent defence of Arrian, who says that + +<blockquote>"there is as much difference between a fair trial of speed in a good +run, and ensnaring a poor animal without an effort, as between the +secret piratical assaults of robbers at sea, and the victorious naval +engagements of the Athenians at Artemisium and at Salamis."<a href="#f11"><sup>11</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="I160">The</a> +first hint of the employment of the dog in the pursuit of other animals +is given by Oppian in his <i>Cynegeticus</i>, who attributes it to Pollux, +about 200 years after the promulgation of the Levitical law.<br> +<br> +Of the precise species of dog that prevailed or was cultivated in Greece +at this early period, little can with certainty be affirmed. One +beautiful piece of sculpture has been preserved, and is now in the +possession of Lord Feversham at Duncombe Hall. It is said to represent +the favourite dog of Alcibiades, and to have been the production of +Myson, one of the most skillful artists of ancient times. It differs but +little from the Newfoundland dog of the present day. He is represented +as sitting on his haunches, and earnestly looking at his master. Any one +would vouch for the sagacity and fidelity of that animal.<br> +<br> +The British Museum contains a group of greyhound puppies of more recent +date, from the ruins of the villa of Antoninus, near Rome. One is +fondling the other; and the attitude of both, and the characteristic +puppy-clumsiness of their limbs, which indicate, nevertheless, the +beautiful proportions that will soon be developed, are an admirable +specimen of ancient art.<br> +<br> +<table summary="greyhounds pic-text" border="0" cellspacing="20" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td>The Greeks, in the earlier periods of their history, depended too much +on their nets; <a name="fr12">and</a> it was not until later times that they pursued their +prey with dogs, and then not with dogs that ran by sight, or succeeded +by their swiftness of foot, but by beagles very little superior to those +of modern days<a href="#f12"><sup>12</sup></a>. Of the stronger and more ferocious dogs there is, +however, occasional mention. The bull-dog of modern date does not excel +the one (possibly of nearly the same race) that was presented to +Alexander the Great, and that boldly seized a ferocious lion, or another +that would not quit his hold, although one leg and then another was cut +off.<br> +<br> +It would be difficult and foreign to the object of this work fully to +trace the early history of the dog. Both in Greece and in Rome he was +highly estimated. Alexander built a city in honour of a dog; and the +Emperor Hadrian decreed the most solemn rites of sepulture to another on +account of his sagacity and fidelity.</td><td><a name="greyhounds"></a><img src="images/greyhounds.gif" width="343" height="355" align="right" border="5" alt="Ancient sculpture of greyhounds"></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + +<a name="I112">The</a> translator of Arrian imagines that the use of the <i>pugnaces</i> +(fighting) and the <i>sagaces</i> (intelligent) — the more ferocious +dogs, and those who artfully circumvented and caught their prey — was +known in the earlier periods of Greek and Roman history, but that the +<i>celeres</i>, the dogs of speed, the greyhounds of every kind, were +peculiar to the British islands, or to the western and northern +continents of Europe, the interior and the produce of which were in +those days unknown to the Greeks and Romans. By most authors who have +inquired into the origin of these varieties of the dog, the +<i>sagaces</i> have been generally assigned to Greece — the +<i>pugnaces</i> to Asia — and the <i>celeres</i> to the Celtic nations.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">The vertragi, <i>canes celeres</i>, or dogs that hunted by sight alone, +were not known to the ancients previous to the time of the younger +Zenophon, who then describes them as novelties just introduced into +Greece:—</span> + +<blockquote>"But the swift-footed Celtic hounds are called in the Celtic tongue +<img src="images/DG2.gif" width="122" height="30" alt="Greek (transliterated): ouéztragoi">; not deriving their name from any particular nation, +like the Cretan, Carian, or Spartan dogs, but, as some of the Cretans +are named <img src="images/DG3.gif" width="86" height="30" alt="Greek: diaponoi"> from working hard, <img src="images/DG4.gif" width="79" height="30" alt="Greek: itamai"> from +their keenness, and mongrels from their being compounded of both, so +these Celts are named from their swiftness. <a name="I76">In</a> figure, the most +high-bred are a prodigy of beauty; their eyes, their hair, their colour, +and bodily shape throughout. Such brilliancy of gloss is there about the +spottiness of the parti-coloured, and in those of uniform colour, such +glistening over the sameness of tint, as to afford a most delightful +spectacle to an amateur of coursing."</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">It is probable these dogs were carried, about this time, into the +southern parts of Europe by the various tribes of Celts who over-ran the +continent, and also occupied Ireland, Britain, and the other western +islands, and ultimately took possession of Gaul. — L.</span><br> +<br> +Of the aboriginal country of the latter there can be little doubt; but +the accounts that are given of the English mastiff at the invasion of +Britain by the Romans, and the early history of the English hound, which +was once peculiar to this country, and at the present day degenerates in +every other, would go far to prove that these breeds also are indigenous +to our island.<br> +<br> +Oppian thus describes the hunting dog as he finds him in +Britain: + +<blockquote>"<a name="fr13">There</a> is, besides, an excellent kind of scenting dogs, though +small, yet worthy of estimation. They are fed by the fierce nation of +painted Britons, who <a name="I6">call</a> them <i>agasœi</i>. In size they resemble +worthless greedy house-dogs that gape under tables. They are crooked, +lean, coarse-haired, and heavy-eyed, but armed with powerful claws and +deadly teeth. The <i>agasoeus</i> is of good nose and most excellent in +following scent<a href="#f13"><sup>13</sup></a>."</blockquote> + +<a name="fr14">Among</a> the savage dogs of ancient times were the Hyrcanian, said, on +account of their extreme ferocity, to have been crossed with the tiger<a href="#f14"><sup>14</sup></a>, — the Locrian, chiefly employed in hunting the boar, — the +Pannonian, used in war as well as in the chase, and by whom the first +charge on the enemy was always made, — and the Molossian, of Epirus, +likewise trained to war as well as to the honours of the amphitheatre +and the dangers of the chase. This last breed had one redeeming +quality — an inviolable attachment to their owners. This attachment was +reciprocal; for it is said that the Molossi used to weep over their +faithful quadruped companions slain in war.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Of all the dogs of the ancients, those bred on the continent of Epirus +were the most esteemed, and more particularly those from a southern +district called Molossia, from which they received their name.<br> +<br> +These animals are described as being of enormous size, great courage and +powerful make, and were considered worthy not only to encounter the +wolf, bear, and boar, but often overcame the panther, tiger, and lion, +both in the chase and amphitheatre. They also, being trained to war, +proved themselves most useful auxiliaries to this martial people.<br> +<br> +The <a name="I310">learned</a> translator of Arrian states that </span> + +<blockquote>"the fabled origin of this +breed is consistent with its high repute; for, on the authority of +Nicander, we are told by Julius Pollux, that the Epirote was descended +from the brazen dog which Vulcan wrought for Jupiter, and animated with +all the functions of canine life." </blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">These were not the only dogs +fashioned by the skilful hands of the Olympic artist, as we find +Alcinous, king of the Phæacians, possessing golden dogs also wrought at +the celestial forge.<br> +<br> +<a name="I306">Pliny</a> states that a dog of enormous magnitude was sent as a present by +the king of Albania to Alexander the Great when on his march to India; +and </span> + +<blockquote>"that this monarch being delighted at the sight of so huge and fair +a dog, let loose unto him first bears, then wild boars, and lastly +fallow deer, all of which animals he took no notice of, but remained +perfectly unconcerned. This great warrior being a man of high spirit and +wonderful courage, was greatly displeased at the apparent cowardice and +want of energy in so powerful an animal, and ordered him to be slain. +This news was speedily carried to the king of Albania, who thereupon +sent unto him a second dog, stating that he should not make trial of his +courage with such insignificant animals, but rather with a lion or +elephant, and if he destroyed this one also, he need not expect to +obtain any other of this breed, as these two were all he possessed. + +<blockquote>Tanta: suis petiere ultra fera semina sylvis,<br> +Dat Venus accessus, et blando fœdere jungit.<br> +Tunc et mansuetis tuto ferus erat adulter<br> +In stabulis, ultroque gravis succedere tigrim<br> +Ausa canis, majore tulit de sanguine fœtum.<br><br> + +<i>Gratii Falisci Cyneget.,</i> liv. 1. v. 160. — L.</blockquote> + +Alexander being much surprised, made immediate preparations for a trial, +and soon saw the lion prostrate, with his back broken, and his body torn +in pieces by the noble dog. Then he ordered an elephant to be produced; +and in no fight did he take more pleasure than in this. For the dog, +with his long, rough, shaggy hair, that covered his whole body, rushed +with open mouth, barking terribly, and thundering, as it were, upon the +elephant. Soon after he leaps and flies upon him, advancing and +retreating, now on one side, now on the other, maintaining an ingenious +combat; at one time assailing him with all vigour, at another shunning +him. So actively did he continue this artificial warfare, causing the +huge beast to turn around so frequently on every side to avoid his +attacks, that he ultimately came down with a crash that made the earth +tremble with his fall." <br> +(Book viii. chap. 40.)</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">The Molossian dogs were at a later period much esteemed by the Romans as +watch dogs, not only of their dwellings, but also to guard their flocks +against the incursions of wild animals. Horace, in the following lines, +passes a just tribute to the worth of this animal, when referring to his +watchfulness, and the ardour with which he pursues those wild animals, +even '<i>per altas nives</i>,' that threaten the flocks entrusted to his +care.</span> + +<blockquote>"Quid immerentes, hospites vexas canis,<br> + Ignarus adversum lupos?<br> +Quin huc inanes, si potes, vertis minas,<br> + Et me remorsurum petis?<br> +Nam, qualis aut Molossus, aut fulvus Lacon,<br> + Amica vis pastoribus,<br> +Agam per altas aure sublatâ nives,<br> + Quæcunpue præcedet fera."<br><br> + +<i>Epode</i> vi. — L.</blockquote> + +Ælian relates that one of them, and his owner, so much distinguished +themselves at the battle of Marathon, that the effigy of the dog was +placed on the same tablet with that of his master.<br> +<br> +Soon after Britain was discovered, the <i>pugnaces</i> of Epirus were +pitted against those of our island, and, according to the testimony of +Gratius, completely beaten. A variety of this class, but as large and as +ferocious, was employed to guard the sheep and cattle, or to watch at +the door of the house, or to follow the owner on any excursion of +business or of pleasure. Gratius says of these dogs, that they have no +pretensions to the deceitful commendation of form; but, at the time of +need, when courage is required of them, most excellent mastiffs are not +to be preferred to them.<br> +<br> +The account of the British <i>pugnaces</i> of former times, and also of +the <i>sagaces</i> and <i>celeres</i>, will be best given when treating +of their present state and comparative value. <a name="I111">In</a> describing the +different breeds of dogs, some anecdotes will be related of their +sagacity and fidelity; a few previous remarks, however, may be +admissible.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I258">young</a> man lost his life by falling from one of the precipices of the +Helvellyn mountains. Three months afterwards his remains were discovered +at the bottom of a ravine, and his faithful dog, almost a skeleton, +still guarding them. Sir Walter Scott beautifully describes the scene: + +<blockquote>Dark-green was the spot, 'mid the brown mountain heather,<br> + Where the pilgrim of nature lay stretched in decay;<br> +Like the corpse of an outcast, abandoned to weather, <br> + Till the mountain winds wasted the tenantless clay;<br> + Nor yet quite deserted, though lonely extended,<br> + For, faithful in death, his mute favourite attended,<br> + The much loved remains of her master defended,<br> + And chased the hill-fox and the raven away.<br> + How long didst thou think that his silence was slumber?<br> + When the wind waved his garments, how oft didst thou start?<br> + How many long days and long weeks didst thou number<br> + Ere he faded before thee, the friend of thy heart?</blockquote> + +Burchell, in his Travels in Africa, places the connexion between man and +the dog, and the good qualities of this animal, in an interesting point +of view. A pack of dogs of various descriptions formed a necessary part +of his caravan, occasionally to provide him with food, but oftener to +defend him from wild beasts or robbers. + +<blockquote> "While almost every other +quadruped fears man as his most formidable enemy," says this interesting +traveller, "there is one who regards him as his companion, and follows +him as his friend. We must not mistake the nature of the case. It is not +because we train him to our use, and have made choice of him in +preference to other animals, but because this particular species of +animal feels a natural desire to be useful to man, and, from spontaneous +impulse, attaches himself to him. Were it not so, we should see in +various countries an equal familiarity with other quadrupeds, according +to their habits, and the taste or caprices of different nations; but, +everywhere, it is the dog only that takes delight in associating with +us, and in sharing our abode. It is he who knows us personally, watches +over us, and warns us of danger. It is impossible for the naturalist not +to feel a conviction that this friendship between creatures so different +from each other must be the result of the laws of nature; nor can the +humane and feeling mind avoid the belief that kindness to those animals, +from which he derives continued and essential assistance, is part of the +moral duty of man.<br> +<br> +Often in the silence of the night, when all my people have been fast + asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these faithful + animals watching by their side, and have learned to esteem them for + their social inclination towards mankind. When, wandering over + pathless deserts, oppressed with vexation and distress at the conduct + of my own men, I have turned to these as my only friends, and felt how + much inferior to them was man when actuated only by selfish views."</blockquote> + +Of the stanchness and incorruptible fidelity of the dog, and his +disregard of personal inconvenience and want, when employed in our +service, it is impossible to entertain a doubt. We have sometimes +thought that the attachment of the dog to its master was increased, or, +at least, the exhibition of it, by the penury of the owner. At all +events one fact is plain enough, that, while poverty drives away from us +many a companion of our happier hours, it was never known to diminish +the love of our quadruped friend.<br> +<br> +The early history of the dog has been described, and the abomination in +which he was held by the Israelites. At no great distance of time, +however, we find him, almost in the neighbourhood of Palestine, in one +of the islands of the Ionian Sea, the companion and the friend of +princes, and deserving their regard. <a name="I21">The</a> reader will forgive a somewhat +abbreviated account of the last meeting of Ulysses and his dog.<br> +<br> +Twenty years had passed since Argus, the favourite dog of Ulysses, had +been parted from his master. The monarch at length wended his way +homewards, and, disguised as a beggar, for his life would have been +sacrificed had he been known, stood at the entrance of his palace-door. +There he met with an old dependant, who had formerly served him with +fidelity and who was yet faithful to his memory; but age and hardship +and care, and the disguise which he now wore, had so altered the +wanderer that the good Eumæus had not the most distant suspicion with +whom he was conversing; but: + +<blockquote><a name="fr15">Near</a> to the gates, conferring as they drew,<br> +Argus the dog his ancient master knew,<br> +And, not unconscious of the voice and tread<br> +Lifts to the sound his ears, and rears his head.<br> +He knew the lord, he knew, and strove to meet;<br> +In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet;<br> +Yet, all he could, his tail, his ears, his eyes<br> +Salute his master, and confess his joys<a href="#f15"><sup>15</sup></a>.</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Lord <a name="I311">Byron</a>, who had much experience and acquaintance with the canine +family, was rather sceptical as regards the memory of this animal, +having been, on one occasion, entirely forgotten by a favourite dog from +whom he was separated some considerable time, and in fact was most +savagely assailed by him, when on his return he attempted to caress him +as he was wont to do in former times. + +This unkind reception at Newstead Abbey, on the part of his pampered +pet, may have given rise to the poet's feelings as embodied in the +following misanthropic lines:</span> + +<blockquote>"And now I'm in the world alone,<br> +Upon the wide, wide sea:<br> +But why should I for others groan,<br> +When none will sigh for me?<br> +Perchance my dog will whine in vain,<br> +Till fed by stranger hands;<br> +But long ere I come back again,<br> +He'd tear me where he stands." — L.</blockquote> + +In Daniel's <i>Rural Sports</i>, the account of a nobleman and his dog is +given. The nobleman had been absent two years on foreign service. On his +return this faithful creature was the first to recognise him, as he came +through the court-yard, and he flew to welcome his old master and +friend. He sprung upon him; his agitation and his joy knew not any +bounds; and at length, in the fulness of his transport, he fell at his +master's feet and expired.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">An <a name="I304">interesting</a> circumstance, strongly exhibiting canine fidelity and +attachment in a large mastiff, came under the Editor's own eye during +his childhood, and which, from its striking character, deserves to be +recorded on the page of history as another testimony to the high moral +worth of these useful animals.<br> +<br> +A gentleman of Baltimore, with his family, lived during a portion of the +year a short distance in the country, and was in the habit of returning +to the city late in the fall to pass the winter. On his estate there was +a fine young mastiff, who though extremely cross to strangers, exhibited +at all times a great degree of tenderness and affection for the younger +branches of the family; — more particularly for the younger son, his most +constant companion, and who would often steal secretly away to share his +daily meal with this affectionate participator in his childish sports: +or, when fatigued with romping together, would retire to the well-kept +kennel, and recruit his limbs in a refreshing sleep, while reclining +upon the body of the faithful dog. If the little truant should now be +missed by those having him in charge, the most natural question to ask +was, "Where is Rolla?" knowing full well that wherever this honest brute +was, there might his young master be found also. On such occasions, +however, this trusty guardian would refuse all solicitations to abandon +his post, and express great dissatisfaction at any attempt to arouse or +carry off his young charge, whom he continued to watch over till he +awoke, refreshed from his slumber and eager again to resume their +frolics.<br> +<br> +The period of returning to the city at last arrived, and the dog +exhibited marked signs of uneasiness, while the bustling preparations +for this end were going on, as if conscious of the separation that was +about to take place between his young master and himself, as also the +other children, who had been his constant companions for so many joyful +months.<br> +<br> +Everything being completed, the childish group bid an affectionate adieu +to the downcast Rolla, whom they left standing on the hill-top, watching +the carriage as it disappeared in the wood. A few days after their +departure, and when this poor animal was forgotten in the new scenes +around them, a communication was received from the overseer of the farm, +in which he stated that the favourite dog appeared much grieved since +the family had left for the city, and was fearful that he might die if +he continued in the same condition. Little attention, however, was given +to these remarks, all imagining that the dog's melancholy was only the +result of temporary distress, owing to his secluded life, so different +from that which he had led when surrounded by the various members of a +large family. Little did any one suppose that this poor neglected brute +was suffering the acutest pangs of mental distress, even sufficient to +produce death.<br> +<br> +Two weeks had now elapsed since the separation from Rolla, when another +message came from the overseer, stating that the dog would surely die +with grief, if not removed to the city, as he had refused all sustenance +for several days, and did nothing but wander about from place to place, +formerly frequented by the children, howling and moaning in the most +piteous manner.<br> +<br> +Orders were now given, much to the children's delight, for the +conveyance of the favourite to the city; but, alas! this arrangement +came too late, as the poor creature sank from exhaustion, while in the +wagon on his way to join those beloved companions whose short absence +had broken his heart and grieved him even unto death. — L</span>.<br> +<br> +We will not further pursue this part of our subject at present. We shall +have other opportunities of speaking of the disinterested and devoted +affection which this noble animal is capable of displaying when he +occupies his proper situation, and discharges those offices for which +nature designed him. It may, however, be added that this power of +tracing back the dog to the very earliest periods of history, and the +fact that he then seemed to be as sagacious, as faithful, and as +valuable as at the present day, strongly favour the opinion that he +descended from no inferior and comparatively worthless animal, — that he +was not the progeny of the wolf, the jackal, or the fox, but he was +originally created, somewhat as we now find him, the associate and the +friend of man.<br> +<br> +If, within the first thousand years after the Deluge, we observe that +divine honours were paid to him, we can scarcely be brought to believe +his wolfish genealogy. The must savage animals are capable of affection +for those to whom they have been accustomed, and by whom they have been +well treated, and therefore we give full credit to several accounts of +this sort related of the wolf, the lion, and even the cat and the +reptile: but in no other animal — in no other, even in the genus +<i>Canis</i> — do we find the qualities of the domestic dog, or the +slightest approach to them. + +<blockquote> "To his master he flies with alacrity," says the eloquent Buffon, "and + submissively lays at his feet all his courage, strength, and talent. A + glance of the eye is sufficient; for he understands the smallest + indications of his will. He has all the ardour of friendship, and + fidelity and constancy in his affections, which man can have. Neither + interest nor desire of revenge can corrupt him, and he has no fear but + that of displeasing. He is all zeal and obedience. He speedily forgets + ill-usage, or only recollects it to make returning attachment the + stronger. He licks the hand which causes him pain, and subdues his + anger by submission. The training of the dog seems to have been the + first art invented by man, and the fruit of that art was the conquest + and peaceable possession of the earth."<br> +<br> + "Man," says Burns, "is the God of the dog; he knows no other; and see + how he worships him. With what reverence he crouches at his feet — with + what reverence he looks up to him — with what delight he fawns upon + him, and with what cheerful alacrity he obeys him!"</blockquote> + +If any of the lower animals bear about them the impress of the Divine +hand, it is found in the dog: many others are plainly and decidedly more +or less connected with the welfare of the human being; but this +connexion and its effects are limited to a few points, or often to one +alone. The dog, different, yet the same, in every region, seems to be +formed expressly to administer to our comforts and to our pleasure. He +displays a versatility, and yet a perfect unity of power and character, +which mark him as our destined servant, and, still more, as our +companion and friend. Other animals may be brought to a certain degree +of familiarity, and may display much affection and gratitude. There was +scarcely an animal in the menagerie of the Zoological Society that did +not acknowledge the superintendent as his friend; but it was only a +casual intercourse, and might be dissolved by a word or look. At the +hour of feeding, the brute principle reigned supreme, and the companion +of other hours would be sacrificed if he dared to interfere; but the +connexion between man and the dog, no lapse of time, no change of +circumstances, no infliction of evil can dissolve. We must, therefore, +look far beyond the wolf for the prototype of the dog.<br> +<br> +Cuvier eloquently states that the dog exhibits the most complete and the +most useful conquest that man has made. Each individual is entirely +devoted to his master, adopts his manners, distinguishes and defends his +property, and remains attached to him even unto death; and all this +springing not from mere necessity, or from constrain, but simply from +gratitude and true friendship. The swiftness, the strength, and the +highly developed power of smelling of the dog, have made him a powerful +ally of man against the other animals; and, perhaps, these qualities in +the dog were necessary to the establishment of society. It is the only +animal that has followed the human being all over the earth.<br> +<br> +There is occasionally a friendship existing between dogs resembling that +which is found in the human being. The author pledges himself as to the +accuracy of the following little anecdote. Two dogs, the property of a +gentleman at Shrewsbury, had been companions for many years, until one +of them died of old age. The survivor immediately began to manifest an +extraordinary degree of restless anxiety, searching for his old +associate in all his former haunts, and refusing every kind of food. He +gradually wasted away, and, at the expiration of the tenth day, he died, +the victim of an attachment that would have done honour to man.<br> +<br> +<a name="I52">The</a> Dog, belongs to the division of animals termed <b>Vertebrated</b>, (see +<i>The Horse,</i> 2d edition, page 106), because it has a cranium or skull, +and a spine or range of <b>Vertebræ</b> proceeding from it. It ranks under the +<i>class</i> <b>Mammalia</b>, because it has teats, by which the female suckles +her young; the <i>tribe</i> <b>Unguiculata</b>, because its extremities are +armed with nails; the <i>order</i> <b>Digitigrades</b>, because it walks +principally on its toes. The <i>genus</i> <b>Canis</b> has two tubercular teeth +behind the large carnivorous tooth in upper jaw; and the <i>sub-genus +familiaris</i>, the <b>Dog</b>, has the pupils of the eye circular, while those +of the wolf are oblique, and those of the fox upright and long.<br> +<br> +<a name="I72">There</a> has been some dispute whether the various species of dogs are of +different origin, or sprung from one common source. When we consider the +change that climate and breeding effect in the same species of dog, and +contrast the rough Irish or Highland greyhound with the smoother one of +the southern parts of Britain, or the more delicate one of Greece, or +the diminutive but beautifully formed one of Italy, or the hairless one +of Africa or Brazil — or the small Blenheim spaniel with the magnificent +Newfoundland; if also we observe many of them varied by accident, and +that accidental variety diligently cultivated into a new species, +altogether different in form or use, we shall find no difficulty in +believing that they might be derived from one common origin.<br> +<br> +One of the most striking proofs of the influence of climate on the form +and character of this animal, occurs in the bull-dog. When transported +to India he becomes, in a few years, greatly altered in form, loses all +his former courage and ferocity, and becomes a perfect coward.<br> +<br> +It is <a name="I87">probable</a> that all dogs sprang from one common source, but climate, +food, and cross-breeding caused variations of form, which suggested +particular uses; and these being either designedly or accidentally +perpetuated, the various breeds of dogs thus arose, and they have become +numerous in proportion to the progress of civilization. Among the ruder, +or savage tribes, they possess but one form; but the ingenuity of man +has devised many inventions to increase his comforts: he has varied and +multiplied the characters and kinds of domestic animals for the same +purpose, and hence the various breeds of horses, and cattle, and dogs.<br> +<br> +The parent stock it is now impossible to trace; but the wild dog, +wherever found on the continent of Asia, or Northern Europe, has nearly +the same character, and bears no inconsiderable resemblance to the +British fox-dog, while many of those from the Southern Ocean can +scarcely be distinguished from the English lurcher. There is, however, +no more difficulty in this respect with regard to the dog, than any +other of our domesticated animals. Climate, or chance, produced a change +in certain individuals, and the sagacity of man, or, perhaps, mere +chance, founded on these accidental varieties numerous breeds possessed +of certain distinct characteristic properties. The degeneracy of the +dog, also, in different countries, cannot for a moment be disputed.<br> +<br> +<a name="I266">The</a> most natural arrangement of all the varieties of the dog is +according to the development of the frontal sinus and the cerebral +cavity, or, in other words, the power of scent, and the degree of +intelligence. This classification originated with M.F. Cuvier, and has +been adopted by most naturalists. He reckoned three divisions of the dog: +<ol type="I"> + +<li>Those having the head more or less elongated, and the parietal +bones of the skull widest at the base, and gradually approaching +towards each other as they ascend, the condyls of the lower +jaw being on the same line with the upper molar teeth. The +<i>Greyhound</i> and all its varieties belong to this class.<br> +</li> + + +<li>The head moderately elongated, and the parietals diverging +from each other for a certain space as they rise upon the side of +the head, enlarging the cerebral cavity and the frontal sinus. To +this class belong our most valuable dogs, — the <i>Spaniel, Setter, +Pointer, Hound,</i> and the <i>Sheep-dog.</i><br> +</li> + + +<li>The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, +and the cranium elevated, and diminished in capacity. +To this class belong some of the <i>Terriers</i>, and a great many dogs +that might very well be spared.</li></ol> + +This division of the different species of the dog is adopted here as +being the most simple, intelligible, and satisfactory.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f1"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>Gen</i>. iv. 2.<br> +<a href="#fr1">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f2"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> <i>Deut</i>. xxiii. 18.<br> +<a href="#fr2">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f3"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 3:</span></a> In some of Belzoni's beautiful sketches of the frieze-work +of the old Egyptian temples, the dog appears, with his long ears and +broad muzzle, not unlike the old Talbot hound.<br> +<a href="#fr3">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f4"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 4:</span></a> Herodotus, lib. ii. c. 66.<br> +<a href="#fr4">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f5"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 5:</span></a> No dog was suffered to come within the precincts of the +Temple at Jerusalem. <img src="images/DG1.gif" width="114" height="30" alt="Greek: Ex_o kunes"> was a prevalent expression +among the Jews. Byrant's <i>Mythology</i>, vol. ii. p. 42.<br> +<a href="#fr5">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f6"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 6:</span></a> <i>Phil</i>. iii. 2.<br> +<a href="#fr6">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f7"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 7:</span></a> <i>Rev</i>. xxii. 15.<br> +<a href="#fr6">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f8"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 8:</span></a> <i>Job</i> xxx. 1. See also <i>Isaiah</i> lvi, 10, 11.<br> +<a href="#fr6">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f9"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 9:</span></a> <i>Psalm lix</i>. 6.<br> +<a href="#fr9">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f10"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 10:</span></a> Carpenter's <i>Scripture Natural History</i>, p.109. It is a +remarkable fact that from this faithful animal, the companion of man, +and the guardian of his person and property, should originate as many +terms of reproach as "dog," "cur," "hound," "puppy," "dog-cheap," "a +dog's trick," "dog sick," "dog-weary," "to lead the life of a dog," "to +use like a dog." All this probably originated in the East, where the dog +was held in abhorrence as the common scavenger of the streets.<br> +<a href="#fr10">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f11"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 11:</span></a> Arrian's <i>Cynegeticus</i>, cap 26.<br> +<a href="#fr11">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f12"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 12:</span></a> <i>New Sporting Magazine</i>, vol. xiv. p. 97.<br> +<a href="#fr12">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f13"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 13:</span></a> Oppian's <i>Cynegeticus</i>, lib. i. v. 468-480.<br> +<a href="#fr13">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f14"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 14:</span></a> + + <blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"At contrà faciles, magnique Lycaones armis.<br> + Sed non Hyrcanæ satis est vehementia genti."</span></blockquote> +<a href="#fr14">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f15"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 15:</span></a> Pope's <i>Odyssey</i>, xvii.<br> +<a href="#fr15">return</a> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section2">Chapter II — The Varieties of the Dog — First Division</a></h2> +<br> +<blockquote><i>The head more or less elongated, the parietal bones widest at +the base and gradually approaching to each other as they ascend, +and the condyls of the lover jaw being on the same line with the +upper molar teeth.</i></blockquote><br> + +To this division belong the greater number of the + +<a name="wild"></a><h3>Wild Dogs.</h3> + +The wild dog, as existing in considerable numbers or communities, seems +to be nearly extirpated in the southern parts of Europe; but there are +several cases on record, of dogs having assumed native independence. A +black greyhound bitch, belonging to a gentleman in Scarisbrick, in +Lancashire, though she had apparently been well broken in, and always +well used, ran away from the habitation of her master, and betook +herself to the woods. She killed a great number of hares and made free +with the sheep, and became an intolerable nuisance to the neighbourhood. +She was occasionally seen, and the depredations that were committed were +brought home to her. Many were the attempts made to entrap or destroy +her, but in vain: for more than six months she eluded the vigilance of +her pursuers. At length she was observed to creep into a hole in an old +barn. She was caught as she came out, and the barn being searched three +whelps were found, which, very foolishly, were destroyed.<br> +<br> +The bitch evinced the utmost ferocity, and, although well secured, +attempted to seize every one who approached her. She was, however, +dragged home and treated with kindness. By degrees her ferocity abated. +In the course of two months, she became perfectly reconciled to her +original abode, and, a twelve-month afterwards (1822), she ran +successfully several courses. There was still a degree of wildness in +her appearance; but, although at perfect liberty, she seemed to be +altogether reconciled to a domestic life.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr11a">In</a> 1784 a dog was left by a smuggling vessel on the coast of +Northumberland. He soon began to worry the sheep for his subsistence, +and did so much mischief that he caused very considerable alarm. He was +frequently pursued by hounds and greyhounds; but when the dogs came up +he lay upon his back as if supplicating for mercy, and in that position +they would never hurt him. He therefore lay quietly until the hunters +approached, when he made off without being followed by the hounds until +they were again excited to the pursuit. He one day led them 30 miles in +this way. It was more than three months before he was caught and was +then shot<a href="#f11a"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +A dog with every character of the wild one has occasionally been seen in +some of the forests of Germany, and among the Pyrenean mountains; but he +has rarely been found gregarious there. In the country on the eastern +side of the Gulf of Venice wild dogs are more frequent. They increase in +the Austrian and Turkish dominions, and are found on almost every part +of the coast of the Black Sea, but even there they rarely gather in +flocks: they do not howl in concert, as the wolf; nor are they the +precursors of other and larger beasts, like the jackal. Most of these +dogs have the muzzle and head elongated, the ears erect, triangular, and +small, the body and neck large and muscular, and the tail short, but +with a brush of crisped hair. In many parts of Arabia the wild dog — or +<i>dakhun</i> — is occasionally found. <a name="fr12a">In</a> Persia, they are most decidedly +congregated together, and still more so in almost every part of India<a href="#f12a"><sup>2</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +Mr. Hodgson has favoured the Zoological Society with an account of + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + + +<a name="Nepâl"></a><h4>The Wild Dog of Nepâl,</h4> + +the <i>búánsú</i>, and, finding it more or less prevailing through the +whole of Northern India, and even southward of the coast of Coromandel, +he thought that he had discovered the primitive race of the dog. This is +a point that can never be decided. + +<blockquote>"These dogs hunt their prey by night, +as well as by day, in packs of from six to ten individuals, maintaining +the chase more by the scent than by the eye, and generally succeeding by +dint of strength and perseverance. While hunting, they bark like the +hound, yet the bark is peculiar, and equally unlike that of the +cultivated breeds of dogs, and the cries of the jackal and the fox."</blockquote> + +<a name="fr13a">Bishop</a> Heber gives the following account of them. + +<blockquote>"They are larger and +stronger than a fox, which in the circumstances of form and fur they +much resemble. They hunt, however, in packs, give tongue like dogs, and +possess an exquisite scent. They make of course tremendous havoc among +the game in these hills; but that mischief they are said amply to repay +by destroying wild beasts, and even tigers."<a href="#f13a"><sup>3</sup></a></blockquote> + +Wild dogs are susceptible of certain social combinations. In Egypt, +Constantinople, and throughout the whole of the East, there are in every +village troops of wandering dogs who belong to no particular person. +Each troop has its own quarter of the place; and if any wander into a +quarter which does not belong to him, its inhabitants unite together and +chase him out. <a name="fr14a">At</a> the Cape of Good Hope there are many dogs +half-starved. On going from home the natives induce two or more of these +animals to accompany them, warn them of the approach of any ferocious +animal, and if any of the jackals approach the walls during the night, +they utter the most piercing cries, and at this signal every dog sallies +out, and, uniting together, put the jackals to speedy flight<a href="#f14a"><sup>4</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr15a">The</a> wild Nepâl dogs caught when at an adult age make no approach towards +domestification; but a young one, which Mr. Hodgson obtained when it was +not more than a month old, became sensible to caresses, and manifested +as much intelligence as any sporting dog of the same age<a href="#f15a"><sup>5</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="I293">Captain</a> T. Williamson gives an interesting account of the ferocious +character of some of these wild dogs. + +<blockquote>"They have considerable +resemblance to the jackal in form. They are remarkably savage, and +frequently will approach none but their <i>doonahs</i> or keepers, not +allowing their own masters to come near them. Some of them are very +fleet; but they are not to be depended upon in coursing; for they are +apt suddenly to give up the chase when it is a severe one, and, indeed, +they will too often prefer a sheep or a goat to a hare. In hog-hunting +they are more valuable. It seems to suit their temper, and they appear +to enjoy the snapping and the snarling, incident to that species of +sports."</blockquote> + +He says that many persons affect to treat the idea of degeneration in +quadrupeds with ridicule; <a name="fr16">but</a> all who have been any considerable time +resident in India must be satisfied that dogs of European breed become, +after every successive generation, more and more similar to the pariah, +or indigenous dog of that country. The hounds are the most rapid in +their decline, and, except in the form of their ears, they are very much +like many of the village curs. Greyhounds and pointers also rapidly +decline, although with occasional exceptions. Spaniels and terriers +deteriorate less, and spaniels of eight or nine generations, and without +a cross from Europe, are not only as good as, but far more beautiful +than, their ancestors. The climate is too severe for mastiffs, and they +do not possess sufficient stamina; but, crossed by the East Indian +greyhound, they are invaluable in hunting the hog<a href="#f16"><sup>6</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +Colonel Sykes, at one of the meetings of the Zoological Society, +produced a specimen of + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + + +<a name="dakhun"></a><h4>The Wild Dog of Dakhun</h4> + +or Deccan, a part of India far to the south of Nepâl, and gave the +following description of this supposed primitive dog: + +<blockquote>"Its head is compressed and elongated, but its muzzle not very sharp. + The eyes are oblique, the pupils round, and the <i>irides</i> + light-brown. The expression of the countenance is that of a coarse + ill-natured Persian greyhound, without any resemblance to the jackal, + the fox, or the wolf. The ears are long, erect, and somewhat rounded + at the top. The limbs remarkably large and strong in relation to the + bulk of the animal. The size is intermediate between the wolf and the + jackal. The neck long, the body elongated, and the entire dog of a + red-brown colour. None of the domesticated dogs of Dakhun are common + in Europe, but those of Dakhun and Nepâl are very similar in all their + characters. There is also a dog in Dakhun with hair so short as to + make him appear naked. It is called the <i>polugar</i> dog."</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + +<a name="mahrattas"></a><h4>The Wild Dog of the Mahrattas</h4> + +possesses a similar conformation; and the fact is, that the East Indian +wild dog is essentially the same in every part of that immense extent of +country. There is no more reason, however, for concluding that it was +the primitive dog, than for conferring on the Indian cattle the same +honour among the ruminants. The truth of the matter is that we have no +guide what was the original breed in any country. The lapse of 4 000 +years would effect strange alterations in the breeds. The common name +of this dog, in the track lying between South Bahar and the Mahratta +frontier towards Maghore, is + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + +<a name="dhole"></a><h4>Dhole</h4> + +the <i>Chryseus Scylex</i> of Hamilton Smith.<br> +<br> +Captain Williamson, in his <i>Oriental Field Sports</i>, gives the following +account of the Dholes: + +<blockquote>"They are to be found chiefly, or only, in the country from Midnapore + to Chamu, and even there are not often to be met with. They are of the + size of a small greyhound. Their countenance is enlivened by unusually + brilliant eyes. Their body, which is slender and deep-chested, is + thinly covered by a coat of hair of a reddish-brown or bay colour. The + tail is dark towards its extremity. The limbs are light, compact, and + strong, and equally calculated for speed and power. They resemble many + of the common pariah dogs in form, but the singularity of their colour + and marks at once demonstrates an evident distinction.<br> +<br> + "These dogs are said to be perfectly harmless if unmolested. They do + not willingly approach persons; but, if they chance to meet any in + their course, they do not show any particular anxiety to escape. They + view the human race rather objects of curiosity, than either of + apprehension or enmity. The natives who reside near the Ranochitty and + Katcunsandy passes, in which vicinity the <i>dholes</i> may frequently + be seen, describe them as confining their attacks entirely to wild + animals, and assert that they will not prey on sheep, goats, &c.; but + others, in the country extending southward from Jelinah and + Mechungunge, maintain that cattle are frequently lost by their + depredations. I am inclined to believe that the <i>dhole</i> is not + particularly ceremonious, but will, when opportunity offers, and a + meal is wanting, obtain it at the expense of the neighbouring village.<br> +<br> + "The peasants likewise state that the <i>dhole</i> is eager in + proportion to the size and powers of the animal he hunts, preferring + the elk to every other kind of deer, and particularly seeking the + royal tiger. It is probable that the <i>dhole</i> is the principal + check on the multiplication of the tiger; and, although incapable + individually, or perhaps in small numbers, to effect the destruction + of so large and ferocious an animal, may, from their custom of hunting + in packs, easily overcome any smaller beast found in the wilds of + India.<br> +<br> + "They run mute, except that they sometimes utter a whimpering kind of + note, similar to that sometimes expressed by dogs when approaching + their prey. This may be expressive of their own gratification, or + anxiety, or may serve as a guide to other <i>dholes</i> to join in the + chase. The speed of the <i>dhole</i> is so strongly marked in his form + as to render it probable no animal in the catalogue of game could + escape him for any distance. Many of the <i>dholes</i> are destroyed + in these contests; for the tiger, the elk, and the boar, and even many + of the smaller classes of game are capable of making a most obstinate + defence. Hence the breed of the <i>dholes</i> is much circumscribed."</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<table summary="thibet" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="thibet"></a><h4>The Thibet Dog.</h4> + +Mr. Bennett, in his scientific and amusing description of the Zoological +Gardens, gave the best account we have of this noble dog, and our +portrait is a most faithful likeness of him. He is bred in the +table-land of the Himalaya mountains bordering on Thibet. The Bhoteas, +by whom many of them are carefully reared, come down to the low +countries at certain seasons of the year to sell their borax and musk. +The women remain at home, and they and the flocks are most sedulously +guarded by these dogs. They are the defenders of almost every +considerable mansion in Thibet. In an account of an embassy to the court +of the Teshoo Llama in Thibet, the author says, that he had to pass by a +row of wooden cages containing a number of large dogs, fierce, strong, +and noisy. They were natives of Thibet, and, whether savage by nature or +soured by confinement, they were so impetuously furious that it was +unsafe even to approach their dens. Every writer who describes these +dogs, speaks of their noble size, and their ferocity, and antipathy to +strangers.<br> +<br> +It is said, however, that the Thibet dog rapidly degenerates when +removed from its native country, and certainly the specimens which have +reached the Zoological Gardens exhibited nothing of ferocity. The one +that was in that menagerie had a noble and commanding appearance; but he +never attempted to do any injury.<br> +<br> +The colour of the Thibet dog is of a deep black, slightly clouded on the +sides, his feet alone and a spot over each eye being of a full tawny or +bright brown hue. He has the broad short truncated muzzle of the +mastiff, and the lips are still more deeply pendulous. There is also a +singular general looseness of the skin on every part of him.</td> + +<td><br> +<br> +<br><br> +<br> +<br> + +<img src="images/thibet.gif" width="329" height="317" border="2" alt="The Thibet Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table><br> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + +<a name="pariah"></a><h4>The Pariah.</h4> + +There are several varieties of this dog. There is a wild breed very +numerous in the jungles and in some of the lower ranges of the Himalaya +mountains. They usually hunt in packs, and it is not often that their +prey escapes them. They generally are very thin, and of a reddish-brown +colour, with sharp-pointed ears, deep chest, and tucked-up flanks. Many +persons hunt with these dogs singly, and they are very useful. They +bring the hog to bay, or indicate the course that he has taken, or +distract his attention when the sportsman is at hand.<br> +<br> +There is also in every inhabited part of the country the poor desolate +pariah, — unowned by any one, — daring to enter into no house, but +wandering about, and picking up a living in any way that he can. He is, +however, of a superior race to the wild dog, and belongs to the second +class of the dog, although mentioned here in order that we may +altogether quit the dog of India. They are neglected by the Hindoos; but +the Mohammedans of India, and other strangers, consider it an act of +charity to throw out occasionally a morsel of food to them. They are +most of them mongrels; but the benevolent Bishop Heber does them no more +than justice when he says that he + + <blockquote>"was forcibly struck at finding the +same dog-like and amiable qualities in these neglected animals as in +their more fortunate brethren in Europe."</blockquote> + +Colonel Sykes says of these outcasts that among the pariahs is +frequently found the turnspit-dog. There is also a small petted variety +of the pariah, usually of a white colour, and with long silky hair. This +animal is taught to carry flambeaux and lanterns.<br> +<br> +<a name="I294">According</a> to Captain Williamson, in some of the ditches of the Carnatic +forts, alligators are purposely kept, and all the pariah dogs found in +the forts are thrown into the ditches as provision for these monsters. +Some persons who have kept tigers in cages have adopted the same means +of supply for their royal captives, putting the poor pariah through an +aperture made for the purpose in the cage; and they justify themselves +by asserting that they thus get rid of a troublesome breed of curs, most +of which are unappropriated, and which being numerous are very +troublesome to passengers, often wantonly biting them, and raising a +yelling noise at night, that sets all attempts to rest at defiance.<br> +<br> +It did not always happen that the tiger killed the pariah put into his +cage. + +<blockquote> "I knew an instance," says Captain Williamson, "of one that was + destined for the tiger's daily meal, standing on the defensive in a + manner that completely astonished both the tiger and the spectator. He + crept into a corner, and whenever the tiger approached seized him by + the lip or the neck, making him roar most piteously. The tiger, + however, impelled by hunger, — for all supply of food was purposely + withheld, — would renew the attack. The result was ever the same. At + length the tiger began to treat the dog with more deference, and not + only allowed him to partake of the mess of rice and milk furnished + daily for his subsistence, but even refrained from any attempt lo + disturb him. The two animals at length became reconciled to each + other, and a strong attachment was formed between them. The dog was + then allowed ingress and egress through the aperture; and, considering + the cage as his own, he left it and returned to it just as he thought + proper. When the tiger died he mourned the loss of his companion for a + considerable period."</blockquote> + +A <a name="I115">wild</a> variety exists in Sumatra. It is described by Cuvier as + +<blockquote> "possessing the countenance of a fox, the eyes oblique, the ears + rounded and hairy, the muzzle of a foxy-brown colour, the tail bushy + and pendulous, very lively, running with the head lifted high, and the + ears straight."</blockquote> + +This animal can scarcely be rendered tractable, and even when he is +apparently tamed can rarely be depended upon.<br> +<br> +<a name="I114">As</a> we proceed through the Indian Archipelago, towards Australasia, we +skirt the coast of Java. Every Javanese of rank has large packs of dogs +with which he hunts the muntjak, the deer of that country. The dogs are +led in strings by the attendants until they scent the prey: they are +then unloosed, while the sportsmen follow, but not at the speed which +would distinguish the British sportsman. The animal is generally found +at bay. The male muntjak usually exhibits considerable courage, and +probably several of the dogs have been wounded by his tusks. As soon as +they come up every gun is discharged, and the animal almost immediately +drops. At other times the mounted sportsmen attack them with a spear or +sword. Generally, the muntjak does not go off like the stag in any +direct track, but takes a circular course, and soon returns to the spot +whence it was started. It perhaps makes several of these circles, and at +length entangles itself in a thicket, where it is secured.<br> +<br> +These dogs are the indigenous breed of the island, the body lank, the +ears erect, ferocious in their disposition, and with very little +attachment to their masters. Such is the account given of them by Dr. +Horsfield.<br> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<table summary="dingo" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="dingo"></a><h4>The Dingo, Australasian, or New Holland Dog.<a href="#fA"><span style="font-size: 70%;"><sup>A</sup></span></a></h4> + + +The newly discovered southern continent was, and some of it still +continues to be, overrun by the native wild dogs. Dampier describes +them, at the close of the last century, as + +<blockquote> "beasts like the hungry wolves, lean like so many skeletons, and being + nothing but skin and bone." </blockquote> + +It was not until the publication of Governor Phillip's voyage to Botany +Bay, that any accurate description or figure of this dog could be +obtained. He approaches in appearance to the largest kind of shepherd's +dog. The head is elongated, the forehead flat, and the ears short and +erect, or with a slight direction forwards. The body is thickly covered +with hair of two kinds — the one woolly and gray, the other silky and of +a deep yellow or fawn colour. The limbs are muscular, and, were it not +for the suspicious yet ferocious glare of the eye, he might pass for a +handsome dog. The Australasian dog, according to M. Desmarest, resembles +in form and in the proportion of his limbs the common shepherd's dog. He +is very active and courageous, covered in some parts with thick hair +woolly and gray, in other parts becoming of a yellowish-red colour, and +under the belly having a whitish hue. When he is running, the head is +lifted more than usual in dogs, and the tail is carried horizontally. He +seldom barks. Mr. Bennett observes that + +<blockquote> "dogs in a state of nature never bark. They simply whine, howl, or + growl. The explosive noise of the bark is only found among those that + are domesticated."</blockquote> +</td> +<td><br> +<br> +<br> +<img src="images/dingo.gif" width="417" height="380" align="right" border="2" alt="The Dingo"></td> +</tr> +</table><br> + + + +Sonini speaks of the shepherds' dogs in the wilds of Egypt as not having +this faculty; and Columbus found the dogs which he had previously +carried to America, almost to have lost their propensity to bark.<br> +<br> +He does, however, occasionally bark, and has the same kind of snarling +voice which the larger dogs generally have. The Australasian dogs that +have been brought to Europe have usually been of a savage and +untractable disposition.<br> +<br> +There are several of the Australasian dogs in the gardens of the +Zoological Society of London. One of them has been an inmate of that +establishment nine years, others more than five years; but not an +individual has acquired the bark of the other dogs by which they are +surrounded. When a stranger makes his appearance, or when the hour of +feeding arrives, the howl of the Australasian is the first sound that is +heard, and it is louder than all the rest.<br> +<br> +If some of them have thrown off a portion of their native ferocity, +others retain it undiminished. A bitch and two of her whelps, nearly +half grown — a male and female — had inhabited the same cage from the time +that the young ones were born. Some cause of quarrel occurred on a +certain night, and the two bitches fell upon the dog and perfectly +destroyed him. There was not a limb left whole. A stronger instance of +the innate ferocity of this breed could scarcely be given. Even in their +native country all attempts perfectly to domesticate them have failed; +for they never lose an opportunity to devour the poultry or attack the +sheep. Every domesticated dog coming within their reach was immediately +destroyed. One that was brought to England broke his chain — scoured the +surrounding country — and, before dawn, had destroyed several sheep; and +another attacked, and would have destroyed, an ass, if he had not been +prevented.<br> +<br> +Mr. Oxley, Surveyor-General of New South Wales, however, gives an +interesting account of the mutual attachment between two of the native +and wild New Holland dingos. + +<blockquote>"About a week ago we killed a native dog, and threw his body on a + small bush. On returning past the same spot to-day, we found the body + removed three or four yards from the bush, and the female in a + dying-state lying close beside it: she had apparently been there from + the day the dog was killed. Being now so weakened and emaciated as to + be unable to move on our approach, it was deemed a mercy to despatch + her."</blockquote> + +<a name="I287">When</a> Van Diemen Land began to be colonized by Europeans, the losses +sustained by the settlers by the ravages of the wild dogs were almost +incredible. The districts infested by these animals were principally +those appropriated to sheep, and there was scarcely a flock that did not +suffer. It was in vain to double the number of shepherds, to watch by +night and by day, or to have fires at every quarter of the fold; for +these animals would accomplish their object by stratagem or by force. +One colony lost no fewer than 1200 sheep and lambs in three months; +another colony lost 700.<br> +<br> +The ravagers were either the native wild dogs of the island, or those +that had escaped from their owners. They seemed to have apportioned the +country into different districts, each troop having its allotted range. +At length the evil became so great that a general meeting of the +colonists was convened. The concluding sentences of the speech of +Lieutenant Hill forcibly express the extent of the evil. + +<blockquote>"The country is +free from bush-rangers: we are no longer surrounded and threatened by +the natives. We have only one enemy left in the field; but that enemy +strikes at the very root of our welfare, and through him the stream of +our prosperity is tainted at its very source." </blockquote> + +The colonists were then +few, but they cordially united in the endeavour to extirpate this +formidable enemy; and, although the wild dog is still found in the +interior of the island, he is comparatively seldom seen, and his ravages +have nearly ceased. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + + +<a name="nz"></a><h4>The Canis Australis — Karárahé, New Zealand Dog.</h4> + +A tradition exists in New Zealand of this dog having been given to the +natives two or three centuries ago by a number of divinities who made +their descent on these shores, probably Juan Fernandez and his +companions. The sagacious animal has, however, dwindled down to the +lowest rank of his family, but ill usage has not altogether destroyed +his worth. In New Zealand he is the safeguard of every village. Should +the slightest alarm exist, he is the first to ascertain the cause of it, +and many families have saved themselves by flight, or have taken arms in +self-defence against the incursions of predatory bands. The New +Zealanders are therefore kind in their treatment of the dog, except that +they occasionally destroy him for his hide.<br> +<br> +The name formerly given to the New Zealand dog was <i>pero</i>, which in +some measure substantiates the supposition of Juan Fernandez having +visited the country — <i>perro</i>, in the Spanish language, being the +name of a dog.<br> +<br> +<a name="I11">We</a> will now turn to the northern parts of America. The races of wild +dogs are there considerably limited, both in number and the districts +which they occupy.<br> +<br> +In the elevated sandy country north of the source of the Missouri, +inhabited by the "Stone" and the "Black Foot" Indians, is a doubtful +species of dogs — wolves they used to be called — who hunt in large packs +and are exceedingly swift; whose bark is similar to that of the domestic +dog, but who burrow in the ground, and eagerly run to their holes, when +the gun of the hunter is heard. <br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Our <a name="I313">author</a> evidently, in the above +remarks, confounds the Louisiana marmot, <i>Arctomys Ludovicianus</i> or +Prairie dog, with the <i>Canis Latrans</i> of Say, as he certainly would not +make us believe that such harmless animals as the marmot should +associate themselves in packs to hunt the deer or other quadrupeds; +neither would he tell us that so different an animal as the <i>Canis +Latrans</i> could burrow in the ground and retreat to their holes when +surprised by the hunter. The Louisiana Marmot, improperly called Prairie +dog, is about sixteen inches long, and lives in extended villages or +excavations surmounted by mounds. These communities often comprise +several thousand inhabitants, whose sole food consists in the scanty +herbage surrounding the settlement, as they seldom extend their +excursions beyond a half-mile from their burrows for fear of the wolves, +and many other enemies.<br> +<br> +The <i>Canis Latrans</i>, on the other hand, is quite a large and savage +animal, and frequently unites in bands to run down deer or buffalo +calves, but as for living under ground in burrows, it is quite out of +reason to suppose such a thing possible with this quadruped, who +secretes himself in the depths of the forest, and appears on the open +plain only when in pursuit of game. — L.</span> <br> +<br> +The habit of selecting large, +open, sandy plains, and burrowing there, extends to the greater part of +the American wild dogs.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We <a name="I331">have</a> been credibly informed by several gentlemen, familiar with the +country of Mexico, that there is a diminutive species of dog running +wild, and burrowing in the ground as rabbits, in the neighbourhood of +Santa Fé and Chihuahua. A gentleman who has seen these animals, states +that there is no doubt as to their identity, having met with them in a +state of domestication, when they exhibited all the actions and manners +of a French lap dog, such as come from Cuba or other West India Islands.<br> +<br> +They are of every variety of hue, and resort to their burrows whenever +disturbed in their natural haunts. What they subsist on it is difficult +to say, as they are too harmless and insignificant to attack any other +animal beyond a mouse or a snail. They are represented as being very +difficult to tame, but when domesticated show no disposition to return +to their former mode of life. The lady of the Mexican Minister, when in +this city, had one of these dogs as a boudoir pet; it was lively and +barked quite fiercely. We have not been able to ascertain whether they +bark in their natural state. The breed of dog cultivated in China for +food alone, are fed entirely upon rice meal and other farinaceous +articles, having no relish whatever for flesh or other strong +aliment. — L.</span><br> +<br> +In some parts of North America whole troops of horses are guarded and +kept together by dogs. If any of the troop attempt to steal away, the +dog will immediately fly after the horse, head him, and bring him back +to his companions.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">To show the necessity of having dogs for this purpose, as well as to +guard the flocks of sheep, we need only mention that it is no uncommon +thing for a Mexican to own several thousand horses, besides an immense +number of cattle.<br> +<br> +Mr. Kendall, in his Santa Fé expedition, states that the proprietress of +one hacienda, a widow, and comparatively poor when the wonderful wealth +of her ancestors is considered, now owns fifty thousand horses and +mules, beside herds of cattle and sheep, and that the pasture ground +extended for fifty miles on either side of the road.<br> +<br> +One of the former owners of this immense estate, a short time previous +to the revolution, sent as a present to a Spanish colonel, just arrived +with his regiment of dragoons, a thousand white horses, nearly all of +the same age, and every one raised on this prolific hacienda. — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="I61">The</a> wild dogs abound in many parts of South America. In some of the +forests on the banks of the Oronoko they multiply to an annoying degree. +The Cayotte of Mexico, described by some as a wolf, and bearing no +slight resemblance to that animal, belongs to the South American wild +dogs, as do also the Aguara dogs of every kind. These wanderers of the +woods are, however, diminished in numbers in every part of that +continent, and are replaced by other kinds, many of which have been +imported from Europe and domesticated.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I332">There</a> is no country in the world more cursed with worthless curs than +that of Mexico and the other southern republics; the cities and villages +actually swarm with these animals, and produce no little vexation to +travellers, who speak of their eternal yelping and barking in the most +indignant terms.<br> +<br> +Mr. Kendall, on entering San Antonio, says, </span> + +<blockquote> <span style="color: #663300;">"From every house some half dozen Mexican curs would jump forth and + greet us with a chorus of yelps and barks, and before we had fairly + entered the town the canine hue and cry was general. Those who have + for the first time entered a Mexican town or city must have been + struck with the unusual number of dogs, and annoyed by their incessant + barking; but the stranger soon learns that they spend all their + courage in barks — they seldom bite." — L.</span></blockquote> + +Many of the Indian tribes have succeeded in reclaiming the dog of the +woods, and have made him a useful although not a perfectly attached +servant.<br> +<br> +The dogs of the Falkland Islands, and the Indian North American dogs +generally, are brown or gray-coloured varieties of the wild dog; but +as they are nearly exterminated, will occupy little space. <a name="I91">It</a> has already +been stated that in Egypt and in Nubia we have the first records of the +dog. Many superstitious notions were connected with him, and divine +honours were paid to him. Those times are passed away, and he is +regarded with aversion by the Moslem of the present day. He is an +outcast. He obtains a scanty living by the offal which he gathers in the +towns, or he is become a perfect wild dog, and scours the country for +his prey. <a name="fr17">His</a> modern name is the <i>deab</i>. He is of considerable +size, with a round muzzle, large head, small erect ears, and long and +hairy tail, spotted with black, white, and yellow, and having a fierce +wolfish aspect. These dogs are not, however, numerous; but the mischief +which they do is often great, whether in pairs they burrow in the earth, +or associate with others and hunt in troops<a href="#f17"><sup>7</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +In Nubia is a smaller dog of the same kind, which never burrows. It +lives on small animals and birds, and rarely enters any of the towns. A +similar dog, according to Colonel Hamilton Smith, inhabits the +neighbourhood of the Cape, and particularly the Karroo or Wilderness. It +is smaller than either of the others, and lives among bushes or under +prominent rocks. Others, although not identified with the jackal, yet +associating with him, inhabit the Uplands of Gambia and Senegal.<br> +<br> +On the Gold Coast, the dog is used and prized as an article of food. He +is fattened and driven to market as the European drives his sheep and +hogs. The dog is even more valued than the sheep for human subsistence, +and is deemed the greatest luxury that can be placed even on the royal +table.<br> +<br> +In Loango, or Lower Guinea, is a town from which the <a name="I5">African wild dog</a>s +derive their name — the <i>dingo</i>. They hunt in large packs. They +fearlessly attack even the elephant, and generally destroy him. In the +neighbourhood of the Cape, the country is nearly cleared of wild beasts; +but in Cape Town there are a great number of lean and miserable dogs, +who howl about the streets at night, quitting their dens and +lurking-places, in quest of offal. No great while ago, the wolves and +hyænas used to descend and dispute the spoil with the dogs, while the +town resounded with their hideous howlings all the night long.<br> +<br> +<a name="I109">This</a> will be a proper place to refer to the numerous accounts that are +given both in ancient and modern times of the immolation of dogs, and of +their being used for food. They were sacrificed at certain periods by +the Greeks and Romans to almost all their deities, and particularly to +Mars, Pluto, and Pan, to Minerva, Proserpine, and Lucina, and also to +the moon, because the dog by his barking disturbed all charms and +spells, and frightened away all spectres and apparitions. <a name="I157">The</a> Greeks +immolated many dogs in honour of Hecate, because by their baying the +phantoms of the lower world were disturbed. A great number of dogs were +also destroyed in Samothrace in honour of the same goddess. Dogs were +periodically sacrificed in February, and also in April and in May; also +to the goddess Rubigo, who presided over the corn, and the Bona Dea, +whose mysterious rites were performed on Mount Aventine. The dog +Cerberus was supposed to be watching at the feet of Pluto, and a dog and +a youth were periodically sacrificed to that deity. The night when the +Capitol had nearly been destroyed was annually celebrated by the cruel +scourging of a dog in the principal public places, even to the death of +the animal.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">As on a certain occasion, the dogs who had the Capitol in custody, did +not bark and give warning when the Gauls attempted to scale the wails, +there is a custom annually observed at Rome, to transfix certain dogs to +forks, and thus crucified, hang them on an elder tree as examples of +justice. (Book 29, chap. IV. Pliny.)-L.</span><br> +<br> +Many of the Greek and Roman epicures were strangely fond of the flesh of +the dog, and those who ought to have known much better encouraged the +use of this food. Galen speaks of it in the strongest terms of praise. +Hippocrates says that the meat of old dogs is of a warm and dry quality, +giving strength to the eater. Ananias, the poet, speaks of dog's flesh +served up with that of the hare and fox. Virgil recommends that the +fatted dog should be served up with whey or butter; and Dioscorides, the +physician, says that they should be fed on the whey that remains after +the making of cheese.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I333">Independent</a> of the many useful and interesting qualities that +necessarily endeared this animal to the ancients, he had yet stronger +claims upon them, in the prophylactic properties of different portions +of his body. Pliny, Hippocrates, Aristotle and others, speak of various +preparations made of his flesh, for the cure of many distempers. The +first-mentioned writer observes, that the ashes of burnt dogs, made into +a liniment, with oil, will make an excellent application to the +eye-brows, to turn them black. We doubt not that an analogous compound, +if proved to be really efficacious, might he introduced to the notice of +the belles of our own time, or meet with extensive sale for dyeing the +pagoties and mustachios of the modern dandy. This quaint philosopher +also recommends the same substance as a healing salve, for malignant +wounds, and the internal use of the same article as a preventive or cure +of hydrophobia and other distempers. (Book 28, chap, XI. and X.) — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="fr18">Before</a> Christianity was established among the Danes, on every ninth year +at the winter solstice, a monstrous sacrifice of 99 dogs was effected. +In <a name="I275">Sweden</a> the sacrifice was still worse. On each of 9 successive days, +99 dogs were destroyed. This sacrifice of the dog, however, gave way to +one as numerous and as horrible. On every 9th year, 99 human victims +were immolated, and the sons of the reigning tyrant among the rest, in +order that the life of the monarch might be prolonged<a href="#f18"><sup>8</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +On the other hand, the dog was frequently the executioner; and, from an +early period, whether in the course of war or the mock administration of +justice, thousands of poor wretches were torn to pieces by animals +trained to that horrible purpose.<br> +<br> +Many of the Indians of North America, and almost of the present day, are +fond of the flesh of the dog.<br> +<br> +Captain Carver, in his <i>Travels in North America</i> in 1766, 1767, and 1768, +describes the admission of an Indian into one of the horrible societies +of that country. + +<blockquote>"The dishes being brought near to me," says he, "I +perceived that they consisted of dog's flesh, and I was informed that at +all their grand feasts they never made use of any other food. The new +candidate provides fat dogs for the festival, if they can be procured at +any price. They ate the flesh; but the head and the tongue were left +sticking on a pole with the front towards the east. When any noxious +disease appeared among them, a dog was killed, the intestines were wound +between two poles, and every man was compelled to pass between them."</blockquote> + +The Nandowepia Indians also eat dog's flesh as an article of luxury, and +not from any want or scarcity of other animal food; for they have the +bear, buffalo, elk, deer, beaver, and racoon.<br> +<br> +Professor Keating, in his interesting work on the expedition to Peter's +River, states that he and a party of American officers were regaled in a +large pavilion on buffalo meat, and <i>tepsia</i>, a vegetable boiled in +buffalo grease, and the flesh of three dogs kept for the occasion, and +without any salt. They partook of the flesh of the dogs with a mixture +of curiosity and reluctance, and found it to be remarkably fat, sweet, +and palatable, divested of any strong taste, and resembling the finest +Welsh mutton, but of a darker colour. So strongly rooted, however, are +the prejudices of education, that few of them could be induced to eat +much of it.<br> +<br> +The feast being over, great care was taken to replace the bones in their +proper places in the dish, after which they were carefully washed and +buried, as a token of respect to the animals generally, and because +there was the belief among them that at some future time they would +return again to life. Well-fattened puppies are frequently sold; and an +invitation to a feast of dog's meat is the greatest distinction that can +be offered to a stranger by any of the Indian nations east of the Rocky +Mountains.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Notwithstanding the Indians occasionally eat their dogs either through +necessity or when they wish to pay a marked tribute of respect to their +gods, or prepare a feast of friendship with strangers, they value them +very highly, and do not by any means consider their flesh superior to +that of the buffaloes or other animals of the chase. Mr. <a name="I315">Catlin</a> remarks, +that </span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"the dog, amongst all Indian tribes, is more esteemed and more +valued than amongst any part of the civilized world: the Indian, who has +more time to devote to his company, and whose untutored mind more nearly +assimilates to that of his faithful domestic, keeps him closer company +and draws him nearer his heart: they hunt together and are equal sharers +in the chase — their bed is one; and on the rocks and on their coats of +arms they carve his image as the symbol of fidelity." <br> +(Vol. I., p. 230.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">On visiting the Sioux, they prepared for this gentleman as a token of +regard a dog feast, previous to partaking of which they addressed him in +a manner that plainly exhibits the veneration in which they held these +faithful animals, at the same time forcibly demonstrating the peculiar +circumstances under which they alone are willing to destroy them:</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"My father, I hope you will have pity upon us; we are very poor. We +offer you to-day not the best we have got; for we have a plenty of good +buffalo hump and marrow; but we give you our hearts in this feast, we +have killed our faithful dogs to feed you, and the Great Spirit will +seal our friendship. I have no more to say." <br> +(Vol. I., p. 229.) — L.</span></blockquote> + +As a counterpart to much of this, the ancient Hyrcanians may be +mentioned, who lived near the Caspian Sea, and who deemed it one of the +strongest expressions of respect to leave the corpse of their deceased +friends to be torn and devoured by dogs. Every man was provided with a +certain number of these animals, as a living tomb for himself at some +future period, and these dogs were remarkable for their fierceness.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I328">Not</a> only the Hyrcanians but most of the people dwelling on or near the +Caspian sea, preserved this race or a similarly formidable one, more +particularly to devour their dead; it being considered more propitiatory +to the Gods, and more flattering to the spirits of the deceased, to make +this disposition of the corpse, than consigning it to the gloomy grave +or funeral pile.<br> +<br> +This custom is noticed by Theodoret as being pursued by the inhabitants +of those parts, and was not abolished till after their adherence to +Christianity. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br><br> +<br> + + +<table summary="The Hare Indian Dog" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="domesticated"></a><h3>Domesticated Dogs of The First Division</h3> + +Some of the readers of this work may possibly recollect three beautiful +dogs of this species in the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, +which afforded a perfect illustration of the elongated head of the dogs +belonging to Cuvier's first section. Mr. Bennett, the Secretary of the +Society, gave an interesting account of them in 1835, derived from the +observation of Sir John Franklin and Dr. Richardson.<br> +<br> +The elongation and sharpness of the muzzle, and the small capacity of +the skull, first attract attention. The dog was doubtless fitted for its +situation, where its duty is to hunt by sight after the moose or +rein-deer, but would have been comparatively worthless if he was to be +guided by the scent. Its erect ears, widened at the base and pointed at +the top, gave it an appearance of vivacity and spirit. Its depth of +chest, and tucked-up flank, and muscular quarters, marked it </td> +<td><a name="indian"></a><img src="images/hare.gif" width="430" height="369" align="right" border="2" alt="The Hare Indian Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> +as a dog of +speed, while its light frame, and the length of the toes, and wideness +of web between them, seem to depict the kind of surface over which it +was to bound. It is not designed to seize and to hold any animal of +considerable bulk; it bounds over the snow without sinking, if the +slightest crust is formed upon it, and eagerly overtakes and keeps at +bay the moose or the rein-deer until the hunters arrive. This animal +furnishes a beautiful illustration of adaptation for a particular +purpose.<br> +<br> +The hair of these dogs is white, with patches of grayish-black and +brown. They are known only in the neighbourhood of the Mackenzie River +and of the Great Bear Lake in North America They appear to be +good-tempered and easily manageable, and soon become familiar even with +strangers. They are most valuable to the Indians, who live almost +entirely on the produce of the chase. In their native country they never +bark, but utter a whine and howl resembling that of the Esquimaux dog; +yet one of the three, who was born a few days after its parents arrived +at the gardens, while it whined and howled occasionally with its +parents, at other times uttered the perfect bark of its companions of +various breeds around it.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">It <a name="I308">is</a> the general belief among the Indians and others who are familiar +with this dog, that his origin is connected, in some way, with the +Arctic Fox, <i>Canis Lagopus</i>, as he so much resembles this animal in his +general appearance and habits.<br> +<br> +This fox when taken is easily tamed, a few days of captivity being often +sufficient to render him quite docile, and ample opportunities have thus +been afforded for studying his peculiarities.<br> +<br> +<a name="I325">Although</a> the cross between the wolf and dog may be considered +established beyond controversy, the testimony is not so very conclusive +as regards the fox. The most authentic instances on record are perhaps +those mentioned by Mr. Daniel, who states that Mr. Tattersall had a +terrier bitch, who bred by a fox, and the produce again had whelps by +dogs, also that the woodman of Mongewell manor had a bitch, the +offspring of a tame dog-fox, by a shepherd's cur, and she again had +puppies by a dog; he does not state, however, that he knew these facts +personally; but concludes from these two instances, that the fox species +may be fairly added to the other supposed original stocks of dogs. +(Daniel's <i>Rural Sports,</i> vol. 1. p. 15.)<br> +<br> +<a name="I263">Mr</a>. Collinson also states, that it is certain that the Siberian dog not +only copulates with the wolf, but with the fox also. Notwithstanding +this assertion, he is not able to cite a single instance, but on the +other hand is forced to acknowledge, that he never met with any person +who had seen the coupling of these two animals. The peasants of that +country have a small dog, which, from their foxy appearance, they term +fox-dogs. Our Indian dogs, also, resemble somewhat the wolves and foxes, +the original inhabitants of this continent, while the canine family +throughout the east is strongly marked with the jackal, the wild +aborigines of that portion of the world.<br> +<br> +These dogs, when fighting, do not shake their antagonists, like the +perfectly domesticated dog; their teeth are extremely sharp, and when +snarling, the skin is drawn from the mouth; their bite is more severe, +and they show but little disposition to attack the wolves, although +quite eager in the pursuit of all other game. The Indians had no dogs +previous to the coming of the whites, but depended in a great measure, +when hunting, upon the presence of the wolves, who, by their howlings, +indicated the position of the herds of buffalo or deer, knowing full +well that after the general carnage, they would come in for a full share +of the garbage of these animals.<br> +<br> +Harlan, in his <i>Fauna Americana</i>, says, </span> + +<blockquote> "we have very little doubt that the various species of domestic dogs + are mere varieties of prolific hybrids, produced by the union of the + wolf with the fox or jackal. A prolific hybrid of this kind once + produced, the progeny would more readily unite with the congeners of + either parent, and with each other, and in this manner give rise to + the innumerable varieties which at the present day are found scattered + over the face of the earth." <br> +(Page 77.)</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">It is somewhat strange, that no naturalist has, as yet, succeeded in +causing a union between the fox and dog, if the thing be possible. We +ourselves are cognizant of an instance, where every effort was made to +produce an offspring from such a connexion, but to no purpose, although +the terrier bitch was thrice in heat while confined with the fox, and +lived on the most amicable terms with him. We agree with Doct. Godman, +that if a litter has ever been generated by these two animals, they were +hybrids, as nothing to the contrary of an authentic character has been +brought forward, whereas it is well known that the fox always exhibits a +great antipathy and instinctive repugnance to such an union. It is also +reasonable to suppose that if prolific hybrids had at any time been +produced, the breed, from its singular character, would have been +propagated by the fortunate possessor, either from curiosity or utility. +The intestines of the fox are shorter than those of the dog or wolf — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + + +<a name="albanian"></a><h4>The Albanian Dog</h4> + +can be traced to a very remote period of history. Some of the old +authors speak of it as the dog which in the times of ancient mythology +Diana presented to Procris. Pliny describes in enthusiastic terms the +combat of one of them with a lion, and afterwards with an elephant. A +dog very much resembling the ancient stories is yet found in Albania, +and most of the districts of Greece. He is almost as large as a mastiff, +with long and silky hair, the legs being shorter and stronger than those +of the greyhound. He is gentle and tractable with those whom he knows, +and when there is no point of duty at stake; but no bribe can seduce him +from his post when any trust is committed to him.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">This dog, it is very probable, was highly impregnated with molossian +blood, and like that animal, was trained both for war and the chase. It +is rather doubtful, whether the dogs presented to Alexander the Great by +the king of Albania, were those of his own country or some that he had +obtained from other parts. We are inclined to believe that they were +imported dogs, for Pliny distinctly states, that these two were all that +the generous monarch possessed, and if destroyed could not be replaced. +From this circumstance it is natural to suppose that, if these dogs had +been native Albanians, the king would have been able to supply any +reasonable quantity of them, and, therefore, not necessitated to send +this message to Alexander. On the other hand, if these dogs had been of +the pure molossian type, such as were raised in Epirus, it is probable +that their huge dimensions would not have surprised this monarch so +much, as it is reasonable to believe that Alexander would certainly have +seen, if not heard, of dogs so remarkable, belonging to a kingdom in +immediate contiguity with his own. We are, therefore, forced to look to +some other source, from whence came these proud dogs, who alone deigned +to contend with the lion and elephant, and must yield to Strabo, who +states that these animals were of the Indian breed. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> + +<table summary="Dalmatian" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="dalmatian"></a><h4>The Great Danish Dog, called also the Dalmatian or Spotted Dog.</h4> + +The difference between these two breeds consists principally in the +size, the Dalmatian being much smaller than the Danish. The body is +generally white, marked with numerous small round black or reddish-brown +spots. The Dalmatian is said to be used in his native country for the +chase, to be easily broken, and stanch to his work. He has never been +thus employed in England, but is chiefly distinguished by his fondness +for horses, and as being the frequent attendant on the carriages of the +wealthy. To that its office seems to be confined; for it rarely develops +sufficient sense or sagacity to be useful in any of the ordinary offices +of the dog.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I309">This</a> dog is, perhaps, the tallest of the canine species in existence; +the smaller Dane, or "le braque de Bengal," of the French writers, is +perhaps a cross of this animal with the pointer or hound, or the +original dog degenerated by removal from his native soil. </span> +</td><td><img src="images/dalmatian.gif" width="475" height="421" border="2" alt="Dalmatian"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Although these +dogs generally display little or no intelligence, and are, in fact, +denounced by many writers as being incapable of acquiring sufficient +knowledge to make them in any way serviceable for hunting, still we are +led to believe that these latent qualities might be developed in this +breed as well as any other of his particular physical construction.<br> +<br> +We had a little Dane in our possession, whom we instructed, with little +trouble, in a variety of tricks; although at first surly and stupid, he +soon exhibited great aptness and pleasure in repeating the various +lessons which we taught him. If he had been younger we might have given +him an opportunity of displaying himself in the field, as we are +confident, from his tractable disposition, that he might have been +tutored, with perseverance, even sufficiently well to stand upon game. +The dogs of Epirus were supposed to have been spotted like the +Dalmatian, if not of the same breed. <a name="I330">These</a> dogs may also be the "spotted +hounds" given by Pan to Diana.<br> +<br> +Let the little Dane's intellectual abilities be what they may, long +habit and association have so intimately connected him with the stable +and its occupants that he seems no longer fit for any other purpose than +that of following in the wake of the carriages of the wealthy. This he +does with peculiar fondness and singular ingenuity; for, although +constantly by the side or at the heels of the horses, or under the +tongue of the vehicle, his sure retreat when attacked by other dogs, who +seem to have an antipathy for these pampered and fancy attendants on the +affluent, he seldom or never is trod upon, or otherwise injured.<br> +<br> +The little Dane is often a good ratter; and a gentleman of this city +informs me that his dogs not only exhibit an attachment to horses in +general, but that one of them has a particular partiality for an old +carriage-horse, with whom he has been intimately associated for many +years, and always greets his return to the stable with every +demonstration of delight, by jumping up and kissing him, &c. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + + +<a name="matin"></a><h4>The French Matin.</h4> + +(<i>Canis laniarius</i>). There is considerable difficulty in describing +this variety. The French consider it as the progenitor of all the breeds +of dogs that resemble and yet cannot be perfectly classed with the +greyhound. It should rather be considered as a species in which are +included a variety of dogs, — the Albanian, the Danish, the Irish +greyhound, and almost the pure British greyhound. The head is elongated +and the forehead flat, the ears pendulous towards the tips, and the +colour of a yellowish fawn. This is the usual sheep-dog in France, in +which country he is also employed as a house-dog. He discharges his duty +most faithfully; and, notwithstanding his flat forehead, shows himself +to possess a very high degree of intelligence.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">The French matin we have seen of every variety of colour, being mostly +patched with brown, yellow, grey, black, or white. He is employed both +in France and Germany in hunting the boar and wolf; which savage animals +he fearlessly attacks with courage equal to any dog they possess. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br><br> +<br> + +<table summary="The Greyhound" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="greyhound"></a><h4>The Greyhound.</h4> + +We find no mention of this dog in the early Grecian records. The +<i>pugnaces</i> and the <i>sagaces</i> are mentioned; but the +<i>celeres</i> — the swift-footed — are not spoken of as a peculiar breed. +The Celtic nations, the inhabitants of the northern continent of Europe +and the Western Islands, were then scarcely known, and the swift-footed +dogs were peculiar to those tribes. They were not, however, introduced +into the more southern parts of Europe until after the dissolution of +the Roman commonwealth.<br> +<br> +<a name="I81">The</a> dog is, however, mentioned by Ovid; and his description of coursing +the hare is so accurate that we cannot refrain from inserting it. We +select a translation of it from Golding. + +</td> +<td><img src="images/greyhound.gif" width="484" height="398" align="right" border="2" alt="The Greyhound"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<blockquote> "I gat me to the knap<br> +Of this same hill, and there behelde of this strange course the hap,<br> +In which the beaste seemes one while caught, and ere a man would thinke<br> +<a name="fr19">Doth</a> quickly give the grewnd<a href="#f19"><sup>9</sup></a> the slip, and from his biting shrinke;<br> +And, like a wilie fox, he runs not forth directly out,<br> +Nor makes a winlas over all the champion fields about,<br> +But, doubling and indenting, still avoydes his enemie's lips,<br> +An turning short, as swift about as spinning-wheele he wips,<br> +To disappoint the snatch. <a name="fr20">The</a> grewnd, pursuing at an inch,<br> +Doth cote<a href="#f20"><sup>10</sup></a> him, never loosing. Continually he snatches<br> +In vaine, but nothing in his mouth, save only hair, he catches."</blockquote> + +There is another sketch by the same poet: + +<blockquote>"As when th' impatient greyhound, slipped from far,<br> +Bounds o'er the glade to course the fearful hare,<br> +She in her speed does all her safety lay,<br> +And he with double speed pursues the prey;<br> +O'erruns her at the sitting turn, but licks<br> +His chaps in vain, yet blows upon the flix;<br> +<a name="fr21">She</a> seeks the shelter, which the neighbouring covert gives,<br> +And, gaining it, she doubts if yet she lives."<a href="#f21"><sup>11</sup></a></blockquote> + +The English, Scotch, and Irish greyhounds were all of Celtic derivation, +And their cultivation and character correspond with the civilization of +the different Celtic tribes. The dogs that were exported from Britain to +Rome were probably of this kind. Mr. Blaine gives an account of the +progress of these dogs, which seems to be evidently founded on truth. + +<blockquote> "Scotland, a northern locality, has long been celebrated for its + greyhounds, which are known to be large and wiry-coated. They are + probably types of the early Celtic greyhounds, which, yielding to the + influences of a colder climate than that they came from, became coated + with a thick and wiry hair. In Ireland, as being milder in its + climate, the frame expanded in bulk, and the coat, although not + altogether, was yet less crisped and wiry. In both localities, there + being at that time boars, wolves, and even bears, powerful dogs were + required. In England these wild beasts were more early exterminated, + and consequently the same kind of dog was not retained, but, on the + contrary, was by culture made finer in coat, and of greater beauty in + form."</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">The <i>canis leporarius</i>, or greyhound of the present day, is quite an +inferior animal in point of size, when compared with his forefathers, +who alone were occupied in the chase of the boar, wolf, bear, deer, and +other animals both powerful and savage.<br> +<br> +As these wild animals gradually disappeared under the hand of +civilization, these hardy dogs were less wanted; and thus, by slow +degrees, have degenerated into the less powerful, but more beautiful and +symmetrical proportions that we now see. This change, however, has +better adapted him for speed, and the coursing of such quadrupeds as +depend upon nimbleness and activity of motion, to secure their escape.<br> +<br> +Owing, in some measure, to the climate, but more particularly to the +inactive life that they lead in this country, so much at variance with +that of England, we can lay claim to but few dogs that would be +considered above mediocrity among British sportsmen. We have seen +several of these dogs which, living in a state of idle luxury, have +degenerated considerably even in the third generation; and we cannot now +recall but one dog, in the possession of a young lady in Philadelphia, +that would at all come up to the English standard of perfection; and +this one is a descendant from a fine imported stock in the second +generation. The ancient Greeks were much devoted to coursing, but +previous to the time of Arrian, their hounds were not a sufficient +match, in point of speed, for the hare, and it was seldom that their +sports were attended with success in the actual capture of this fleet +animal by the dogs alone. If <a name="I82">taken</a> at all, it was generally by running +them down in a long chase, or driving them into nets, toils, and other +similar contrivances, as forcibly described in the following lines of +the ancient poet, when extolling the pleasures of a country life.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"Aut trudit acres hinc et hinc multâ cane<br> + Apros in obstante plagas,<br> +Aut amite levi rara leiidit retia,<br> + Turdis edacibus dolos;<br> +Pavidumve leporem, et advenam laqueo gruem,<br> + Jucunda captat præmia."<br> + <br> +(Horace, <i>Epode ii.</i>, v. 31.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Even after the introduction of the Celtic hound, who, as before stated, +was far inferior as regards speed to the present race, it was no easy +matter to take the hare, it being necessary to carry several couples of +dogs into the field, and let them slip at certain intervals in the +chase, so that the fresh dogs might, in this way, overtake the little +animal, already frightened and fatigued by previous exertion.<br> +<br> +In <a name="I322">reference</a> to this mode of coursing, the younger Xenophon particularly +enjoins that to prevent confusion in the field, naturally arising from +the hunters letting their dogs loose at improper intervals, from +eagerness to see them run, </span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"that a steward should be appointed over the +sport, should match the dogs, and give orders to the field: — if the hare +start on this side, you and you are to slip, and nobody else; but if on +that side, you and you: and let strict attention be paid to the orders +given." <br> +(Arrian, chap. xx.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Alciphron, in his familiar epistles descriptive of the domestic manners +of the Greeks, gives a lively description of a course not very different +from those of the present day, as will be seen in the following extract:</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"In trying whether the young dogs were fit for the chase, I started a + hare from a little bush; my sons loosed the dogs from the slips. They + frightened her confoundedly, and were very near taking the game. The + hare, in her flight, climbed a steep place, and found a retreat in + some burrow. One of the more spirited of the dogs, pressing close upon + her, gasping, and expecting to take her in his gripe, went down with + her into the hole. In endeavouring to pull out the hare, he broke one + of his fore-legs. I lifted up my good dog, with his lame leg, and + found the hare half devoured: thus, when I hoped to get something, I + encountered a serious loss." <br> +(Letter ix.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">We will <a name="I323">close</a> our remarks upon this subject by introducing a few +descriptive lines, selected from one of the very rare English authors +who have attempted a versification of this exciting sport.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"Yet if for silvan sport thy bosom glow,<br> +Let thy fleet greyhound urge his flying foe.<br> +With what delight the rapid course I view!<br> +How does my eye the circling race pursue!<br> +He snaps deceitful air with empty jaws;<br> +The suttle hare darts swift beneath his paws;<br> +She flys, he stretches, now with nimble bound<br> +Eager he presses on, but overshoots his ground:<br> +Then tears with goary mouth the screaming prey."<br><br> + +(<i>Gay's Poems</i>, vol i. — <i>Rural Sports</i>, v. 290), — L.</span></blockquote> + +Mr. Richardson, in his <i>History of the Greyhound</i>, gives a different +derivation of the name of this dog. He says that the <i>greyhound</i> +was of Grecian origin — <i>cannis Græcus</i>, — that <i>Græcus</i> was not +unfrequently written <i>Græius</i>, and thence was derived the term +<i>greyhound</i>. This derivation, however, is somewhat too far-fetched.<br> +<br> +<a name="I121">Mention</a> occurs of the greyhound in a very early period of the British +history. He was an inmate of the Anglo-Saxon kennels in the time of +Elfric, king of Mercia. There are paintings of him that can be +satisfactorily traced to the ninth century. <a name="I55">In</a> the time of Canute he was +reckoned first in degree of rank among the canine species, and no one +under the degree of a gentleman, <i>liberalis</i>, or more properly, +perhaps a <i>freeholder</i>, was allowed by the forest laws to keep +them. Even he could not keep them within two miles of a royal forest, +unless two of the toes were cut off and for every mile that an uncut dog +was found within this distance a fine of a shilling was levied on the +owner. The nobleman was rarely seen abroad without his hawk upon his +fist, and his greyhound at his side.<br> +<br> +<a name="I171">Henry</a> II was passionately fond of them. John spared no expense to +procure good horses and swift hounds, and appears frequently to have +received greyhounds in lieu of money on the issue or removal of grants. +For the renewal of a grant in the year 1203 he received five hundred +marks, ten horses, and ten leashes of greyhounds, and for another, in +1210, one swift running horse and six greyhounds.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr22">The</a> Isle of Dogs, now devoted to purposes of commerce, received its name +from its having been, at this period, the receptacle of the greyhounds +and spaniels of this monarch. It was selected on account of its +contiguity to Waltham and the other royal forests where coursing was a +frequent amusement. For the same purpose he often took up his abode at +Greenwich<a href="#f22"><sup>12</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +Blount's <i>Ancient Tenures</i> abound with instances of the high repute in +which this dog has ever been held in Great Britain. The holders of land +in the manor of Setene in Kent were compelled, as the condition of their +tenure to Edward I and II, to lend their greyhounds, when this king +went into Gascony, "so long as a pair of shoes of 4d price would last." +Edward III was partial to greyhounds; for when he was engaged in war +with France he took with him sixty couples of them, besides other large +hunting dogs.<br> +<br> +<a name="I64">Charles I</a> was as fond of the greyhound as his son Charles II was of the +spaniel. Sir Philip Warwick thus writes of that unfortunate monarch; + +<blockquote> "Methinks, because it shows his dislike of a common court vice, it is + not unworthy the relating of him, that one evening, his dog scratching + at his door, he commanded me to let in Gipsy; whereupon I took, the + boldness to say, Sir, I perceive you love a greyhound better than you + do a spaniel. Yes, says he, for they equally love their masters, and + yet do not flatter them so much."</blockquote> + +On most of the old tombs in the sculpture of which the dog is +introduced, the greyhound is represented lying at the feet of his +master; and an old Welsh proverb says that a gentleman may be known by +his hawk, his horse, and his greyhound.<br> +<br> +<a name="I145">The</a> following poetical record of the fidelity, prowess, and ill-fate of +Gêlert, the favourite greyhound of Llewellyn Prince of Wales, and +son-in-law to King John, will he read with interest: + +<blockquote> The spearman heard the bugle sound<br> + And cheerly smiled the morn,<br> + And many a brach and many a hound<br> + Obeyed Llewellyn's horn.<br> + <br> + And still as blew a lowder blast,<br> + And gave a louder cheer,<br> + "Come, Gêlert! why art thou the last<br> + Llewellyn's horn to hear?"<br> + <br> + "Oh, where does faithful Gêlert roam?<br> + The flower of all his race!<br> + So true, so brave; a lamb at home,<br> + A lion in the chase?"<br> + <br> + 'Twas only at Lewellyn's board<br> + The faithful Gêlert fed,<br> + He watched, he served, he cheered his lord,<br> + And sentinel'd his bed.<br> + <br> + In sooth he was a peerless hound,<br> + The gift of royal John;<br> + But now no Gêlert could be found,<br> + And all the chase rode on.<br> + <br> + And now as over rocks and dells<br> + The gallant chidings rise,<br> + All Snowdon's craggy chaos yells<br> + With many mingled cries.<br> + <br> + That day llewellyn little loved<br> + The chase of hart or hare;<br> + And scan and small the booty proved,<br> + For Gêlert was not there.<br> + <br> + Unpleased Llewellyn homeward hied,<br> + When near the portal seat<br> + His truant Gêlert he espied,<br> + Bounding his lord to greet.<br> + <br> + But when he gained the castle-door,<br> + Aghast the chieftan stood;<br> + The hound was smeared with gouts of gore — <br> + His lips and fangs ran blood.<br> + <br> + Llewellyn gazed with wild surprise:<br> + Unused such looks to meet,<br> + His favourite check'd his joyful guise<br> + And crouched and licked his feet.<br> + <br> + Onward in haste Llewellyn pass'd,<br> + And on went Gélert too;<br> + And still where'er his eyes he cast,<br> + Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view.<br> + <br> + O'erturned his infant's bed he found,<br> + The blood-stained covert rent;<br> + And all around the walls and ground,<br> + With recent blood besprent.<br> + <br> + He called his child — no voice replied — <br> + He searched with terror wild:<br> + Blood! blood! he found on every side,<br> + But nowhere found the child.<br> + <br> + 'Hellhound! by thee my child's devoured!'<br> + The frantic father cried;<br> + And to the hilt his vengeful sword<br> + He plunged in Gélert's side.<br> + <br> + His suppliant, as to earth he fell,<br> + No pity could impart;<br> + But still his Gélert's dying yell<br> + Passed heavy o'er his heart.<br> + <br> + Aroused by Gélert's dying yell,<br> + Some slumberer wakened nigh:<br> + What words the parent's joy can tell<br> + To hear his infant cry!<br> + <br> + Concealed beneath a mangled heap<br> + His hurried search had missed,<br> + All glowing from his rosy sleep,<br> + His cherub boy he kissed.<br> + <br> + Nor scratch had he, nor harm, nor dread,<br> + But the same couch beneath,<br> + Lay a great wolf, all torn and dead,<br> + Tremendous still in death.<br> + <br> + Ah, what was then Llewellyn's pain!<br> + For now the truth was clear:<br> + The gallant hound the wolf had slain,<br> + To save Llewellyn's heir.<br> + <br> + Vain, vain was all Llewellyn's wo:<br> + "Best of thy kind, adieu!<br> + The frantic deed which laid thee low,<br> + This heart shall ever rue."<br> + <br> + And now a gallant tomb they raise,<br> + With costly sculpture decked;<br> + And marbles, storied with his praise,<br> + Poor Gélert's bones protect.<br> + <br> + Here never could the spearman pass,<br> + Or forester, unmoved;<br> + Here oft the tear-besprinkled grass<br> + Llewellyn's sorrow proved.<br> + <br> + And here he hung his horn and spear;<br> + And oft, as evening fell,<br> + In fancy's piercing sounds would hear<br> + Poor Gêlert's dying yell!</blockquote> + +It will be evident, however, from the story of the noble hound whose +history is just related, that the greyhounds of the time were very +different from those which are used at the present day. There are no +Gêlerts now to combat successfully with the wolf, if these ferocious +animals were yet to be met with in our forests. The greyhound of this +early period must have resembled the Irish wolf-dog of the present day, +a larger, stronger, fiercer dog than we are accustomed to see.<br> +<br> +The owner of Gêlert lived in the time of John, in the early part of the +thirteenth century; but, at the latter part of the fifteenth century, +the following singular description is given of the greyhound of that +period. It is extracted from a very curious work entitled "The Treatise +perteynynge to Hawkynge, Huntynge, &c., emprynted at Westmestre, by +Wynkyn de Werde, 1496." + +<blockquote>A greyhounde should be headed lyke a snake,<br> +And neckyd lyke a drake,<br> +Fotyd lyke a cat<br> +Tayled lyke a ratte,<br> +Syded like a teme<br> +And chyned like a bream.<br> +The fyrste yere he must lerne to fede,<br> +The seconde yere to feld him lede.<br> +The thyrde yere he is felow lyke.<br> +The fourth yere there is non syke. <br> +The fifth yere he is good ynough.<br> +The syxth yere he shall hold the plough,<br> +The seventh yere he will avaylle<br> +Grete bytches for assayle.<br> +But when he is come to the ninth yere<br> +Have him then to the tannere;<br> +For the best hounde that ever bytch had<br> +At the ninth yere is full bad.</blockquote><br> + +As to the destiny of the poor animal in his ninth year, we differ from +the author; but it cannot be denied that few dogs retain their speed +beyond the eighth or ninth year.<br> +<br> +There can scarcely be a better description of the greyhound of the +present day; but it would not do for the antagonist of the wolf. The +breed had probably begun to degenerate, and that process would seem to +have slowly progressed. <a name="I46">Towards</a> the close of the last century, Lord +Orford, a nobleman enthusiastically devoted to coursing, imagined, and +rightly, that the greyhound of his day was deficient in courage and +perseverance. He bethought himself how this could best be rectified, and +he adopted a plan which brought upon him much ridicule at the time, but +ultimately redounded to his credit. He selected a bull-dog, one of the +smooth rat-tailed species, and he crossed one of his greyhound bitches +with him. He kept the female whelps and crossed them with some of his +fleetest dogs, and the consequence was, that, after the sixth or seventh +generation, there was not a vestige left of the form of the bulldog; but +his courage and his indomitable perseverance remained, and, having once +started after his game, he did not relinquish chase until he fell +exhausted or perhaps died. This cross is now almost universally adopted. +It is one of the secrets in the breeding of the greyhound.<br> +<br> +Of the stanchness of the well-bred greyhound, the following is a +satisfactory example. A hare was started before a brace of greyhounds, +and ran by them for several miles. When they were found, both the dogs +and the hare lay dead within a few yards of each other. A labouring man +had seen them turn her several times; but it did not appear that either +of them had caught her, for there was no wound upon her.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I90">favourite</a> bitch of this breed was Czarina, bred by Lord Orford, and +purchased at his decease by Colonel Thornton: she won every match for +which she started, and they were no fewer than forty-seven. Lord Orford +had matched her for a stake of considerable magnitude; but, before the +appointed day arrived, he became seriously ill and was confined to his +chamber. On the morning of the course he eluded the watchfulness of his +attendant, saddled his favourite piebald pony, and, at the moment of +starting, appeared on the course. No one had power to restrain him, and +all entreaties were in vain. He peremptorily insisted on the dogs being +started, and he would ride after them. His favourite bitch displayed her +superiority at every stroke; she won the stakes: but at the moment of +highest exultation he fell from his pony, and, pitching on his head, +almost immediately expired. With all his eccentricities, he was a kind, +benevolent, and honourable man.<br> +<br> +In <a name="I71">the</a> thirteenth year of her age, and in defiance of the strange verses +just now quoted, Czarina began to breed, and two of her progeny, Claret +and young Czarina, challenged the whole kingdom and won their matches. +Major, and Snowball, without a white spot about him, inherited all the +excellence of their dam. The former was rather the fleeter of the two, +but the stanchness of Snowball nothing could exceed. A Scotch greyhound, +who had beaten every opponent in his own country, was at this time +brought to England, and challenged every dog in the kingdom. The +challenge was accepted by Snowball, who beat him in a two-mile course. +Snowball won the Mailton cup on four successive years, was never beaten, +and some of his blood is now to be traced in almost every good dog in +every part of the kingdom, at least in all those that are accustomed to +hunt in an open country. The last match run by Snowball was against Mr. +Plumber's celebrated greyhound Speed; and, so severely contested was it, +that Speed died soon afterwards. A son of the old dog, called Young +Snowball, who almost equalled his father, was sold for one hundred +guineas.<br> +<br> +The speed of the greyhound has been said to be equal to that of the +fleetest horse. A singular circumstance, which occurred at Doncaster, +proved that it was not much inferior. A mare cantering over the +Doncaster course, her competitor having been withdrawn, was joined by a +greyhound bitch when she had proceeded about a mile. She seemed +determined to race with the mare, which the jockey humoured, and +gradually increased his pace, until at the distance they put themselves +at their full speed. The mare beat her antagonist only by a head. The +race-horse is, perhaps, generally superior to the greyhound on level +ground, but the greyhound would have the advantage in a hilly country.<br> +<br> +Lord Rivers succeeded to Major Topham and Colonel Thornton, the owners +of Major and Snowball, as the leading man on the course. His kennels at +Strathfieldsaye were the pride of the neighbouring country. At first he +bore away almost every prize, but breeding too much in and in, and for +speed more than for stoutness, the reputation of his kennel considerably +declined before his death.<br> +<br> +In 1797 a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a +chalk-pit at Offham, in Sussex. The hare and both the dogs were found +dead at the bottom of the pit.<br> +<br> +On another occasion a hare was chased by a brace of greyhounds: she was +killed at the distance of seven miles from the place at which they +started. Both of the dogs were so exhausted, that every possible +assistance being given, they were with difficulty recovered.<br> +<br> +The English greyhound hunts by sight alone; not because he is altogether +devoid of scent, but because he has been taught to depend upon his +speed, and that degree of speed which is utterly incompatible with the +searching out of the scent. It is like a pack of hounds, running breast +high, with the game in view. They are then running by sight, and not by +scent, almost doubling their usual pace, and sometimes, from an +unexpected turning of the fox or hare, thrown out for a little while. +The hound soon recovers the track by his exquisite sense of smell. The +English greyhound is never taught to scent his game, but, on the +contrary, is called off the moment he has lost sight of the hare, the +re-starting of which is left to the spaniel.<br> +<br> +<a name="I149">The</a> English greyhound is distinguished by its peculiarly long and +attenuated head and face, terminating in a singular sharpness of the +nose, and length of the muzzle or month. There are two results from +this: the length of the mouth gives a longer grasp and secures the prey, +but, as the nasal cavities and the cavity of the skull are +proportionately diminished, there is not so much room for the expansion +of the membrane of the nose, there is less power of scent, and less +space for the development of the brain.<br> +<br> +There is little want of extraordinary acute hearing, and the ears of the +greyhound are small compared with his bulk. Markham recommends the ears +to be close, sharp, and drooping, neither protruding by their bulk, nor +tiring by their weight.<br> +<br> +The power of the eye is but of little consequence, for the game is +rarely distant from the dog, and therefore, easily seen.<br> +<br> +The neck is an important portion of the frame. It should be long, in +order to correspond with the length of the legs, and thus enable the dog +to seize and lift the game, as he rapidly pursues his course, without +throwing any undue or dangerous weight on the fore extremities. In the +act of seizing the hare the short-necked dog may lose the centre of +gravity and fall.<br> +<br> +The chest is a very important part of the greyhound, as well as of every +other animal of speed. It must be capacious: this capacity must be +obtained by depth rather than by width, in order that the shoulders may +not be thrown so far apart as to impede progression.<br> +<br> +The form and situation of the shoulders are of material consequence; for +on them depends the extent of the action which the animal is capable of +exerting. The shoulders should be broad and deep, and obliquely placed. +They are so in the horse, and the action of the dog depends entirely on +this conformation.<br> +<br> +The fore legs should be set on square at the shoulder: bulging out at +the elbow not only gives a clumsy appearance, but makes the dog slow. +The legs should have plenty of bone, and be straight, and well set on +the feet, and the toes neither turned out nor in. The fore arm, or that +portion of the leg which is between the elbow and the knee, should be +long, straight and muscular. These are circumstances that cannot be +dispensed with. The length of the fore arm, and the low placing of the +pastern, are of essential importance.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr23">With</a> regard to the form of the back and sides of the greyhound, Mr. +Thacker says, with much truth, that + +<blockquote>"It is the strength of the back which is brought into requisition, in + particular, in running over hilly ground. Here may be said to rest the + distinction between long and short backs, supposing both to be good + and strong. The more lengthy the back, and proportionately strong, the + more the greyhound is calculated to beat the shorter-backed dog on the + flat; but on hilly ground one with a shorter back will have the + advantage."<a href="#f23"><sup>13</sup></a></blockquote> + +The ribs should also be well arched. We would perhaps avoid him with +sides too decidedly outswelling, but still more would we avoid the +direct flat-sided dog.<br> +<br> +Without really good haunches and muscular thighs, it has been well +remarked that the odds are against any dog, be his other points whatever +they may. It is by the propulsatory efforts of the muscles of the loins +and thighs that the race is won. The thighs should be large, and +muscularly indented; the hocks broad, and, like the knee, low placed. +These are very important points; for, as Mr. Blaine has properly +remarked, + +<blockquote>"on the extent of the angles formed between these several +portions of the hinder limbs, depends the extent of the space passed +over at each bound."</blockquote> + +<a name="I150">The</a> colour of the greyhound varies exceedingly. Some are perfectly black +and glossy. In strength and endurance, the brindled dog, or the brown or +fawn-coloured one, is the best. The white greyhound, although a +beautiful animal and swift, is not, perhaps, quite so much to be +depended on.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr24">The</a> greyhound is said to be deficient in attachment to his master and in +general intelligence. There is some truth in the imputation; but, in +fact, the greyhound has, far less than even the hound, the opportunity +of forming individual attachments, and no other exercise of the mind is +required of him than to follow the game which starts up before him, and +to catch it if he can. If, however, he is closely watched he will be +found to have all the intellect that his situation requires.<a href="#f24"><sup>14</sup></a><br> +<br> +As to the individual attachment which the greyhound may form, he has not +always or often the opportunity to acquire or to exhibit it. The keeper +exercises over him a tyrannical power, and the owner seldom notices him +in the manner which excites affection, or scarcely recognition; but, as +a plea for the seeming want of fondness, which, compared with other +breeds, he exhibits, it will be sufficient to quote the testimony of the +younger Xenophon, who had made the greyhound his companion and his +friend. + +<blockquote> "I have myself bred up," says he, "a swift, hard-working, courageous, + sound-footed dog. He is most gentle and kindly affectioned, and never + before had I any such a dog for myself, or my friend, or my + fellow-sportsman. When he is not actually engaged in coursing, he is + never away from me. On his return he runs before me, often looking + back to see whether I had turned out of the road, and as soon as he + again catches sight of me, showing symptoms of joy, and once more + trotting away before me. If a short time only has passed since he has + seen me or my friend, he jumps up repeatedly by way of salutation, and + barks with joy as a greeting to us. He has also many different tones + of speech, and such as I never heard from any other dog. Now really I + do not think that I ought to be ashamed to chronicle the name of this + dog, or to let posterity know that Xenophon the Athenian had a + greyhound, called Hormé, possessed of the greatest speed, and + intelligence, and fidelity, and excellent in every point."</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">The Greek sportsmen held their dogs in peculiar estimation; they were +not only their attendants in the field, but their constant companions in +their houses, were fed from their tables, and even shared their beds. It +is with some degree of pleasure that the patrons of this noble animal +will witness, in the following remarks, the tender solicitude with which +this people watched over their dogs.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"There is nothing like a soft and warm bed for greyhounds, but it is + best for them to sleep with men, as they become thereby affectionately + attached, pleased with the contact of the human body, and as fond of + their bed-fellow as of their feeder. If any ailing affect the dog the + man will perceive it, and will relieve him in the night, when thirsty, + or urged by any call of nature. He will also know how the dog has + rested. For if he has passed a sleepless night, or groaned frequently + in his sleep, or thrown up any of his food, it will not be safe to + take him out coursing. All these things the dog's bed-fellow will be + acquainted with." <br> +(Arrian, chap. ix. Trans.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">It <a name="I334">was</a> also not an unusual circumstance for the most polished Greeks, +when sending notes of invitation to their friends, requesting their +presence in celebration of some festive occasion, to extend the same +civilities to their favourite dogs, by desiring them to be brought +along, as will be seen by the following paragraph selected from a letter +of this kind addressed by one friend to another.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"I am about to celebrate the birth-day of my son, and I invite you, my + Pithacion, to the feast. But come not alone; bring with you your wife, + children, and your brother. If you will bring also your bitch, who is + a good guard, and by the loudness of her voice drives away the enemies + of your flocks, she will not, I warrant, disdain to be partaker of our + feast, &c." <br> +(Letter xviii., Alciphron's <i>Epistles</i>.) — L.</span></blockquote> + +The greyhound has within the last fifty years assumed a somewhat +different character from that which he once possessed. He is +distinguished by a beautiful symmetry of form, of which he once could +not boast, and he has even superior speed to that which he formerly +exhibited. He is no longer used to struggle with the deer, but he +contends with his fellow over a shorter and speedier course.<br> +<br> +<a name="I151">The</a> rules for breeding and breaking-in of greyhounds are very simple. +The utmost attention should be paid to the qualities of the parents; for +it is as certain in these dogs as in the horse that all depends upon the +breeding. The bitch should be healthy and of good size; the dog +muscular, stanch, and speedy, and somewhat larger than the bitch. Both +should have arrived at their full vigour, and with none of their powers +beginning to fail. Those as much as possible should be selected whose +peculiar appearance bids fair to increase the good qualities and +diminish the bad ones on either side. The best blood and the best form +should be diligently sought. Breeding from young dogs on either side +should, generally speaking, be avoided. With regard to older dogs, +whether male or female, there may be less care. Many greyhounds, both +male and female, eight, nine, and ten years of age, have been the +progenitors of dogs possessing every stanch and good quality.<br> +<br> +On no consideration, however, should the bitch be put to the dog before +she is two years old. Little can be done to regulate the period of +œstrum; but the most valuable breed will be almost invariably that +which is produced during the spring, because at that time there will +often be opportunity for that systematic exercise on which the growth +and powers of the dog so materially depend. A litter of puppies in the +beginning or even the middle of winter will often be scarcely worth the +trouble or expense of rearing.<br> +<br> +<a name="I152">The</a> age of the greyhound is now taken from the first day in the year; +but the conditions of entry are fixed at different periods. It seems, +however, to be agreed that no dog or bitch can qualify for a puppy cup +after two years of ago.<br> +<br> +<a name="I134">One</a> principle to be ever kept in mind is a warm and comfortable +situation, and a plentiful supply of nourishment for the mother and for +the puppies from the moment of their birth. The dog that is stinted in +his early growth will never do its owner credit. The bitch should be +abundantly supplied with milk, and the young ones with milk and bread, +and oatmeal, and small portions of flesh as soon as they are disposed to +eat it; great care, however, being taken that they are not over-gorged. +Regular and proper feeding, with occasional exercise, will constitute +the best preparation for the actual training. If a foster-mother be +required for the puppies, it should, if possible, be a greyhound; for it +is not at all impossible that the bad qualities of the nurse may to a +greater or less degree be communicated to the whelps. Bringing up by +hand is far preferable to the introduction of any foster-mother. A glass +or Indian-rubber bottle may be used for a little while, if not until the +weaning. Milk at first, and afterwards milk and sop alternately, may be +used.<br> +<br> +There is a difference of opinion whether the whelp should be kept in the +kennel and subjected to its regular discipline, or placed at walk in +some farm-house. In consequence of the liberty he will enjoy at the +latter, his growth will probably be more rapid; but, running with the +farmers' dogs, and probably coursing many hares, he will acquire, to a +certain degree, a habit of wildness. It is useless to deny this; but, on +the other hand, nothing will contribute so much to the development of +every power as a state of almost unlimited freedom when the dogs are +young. The wildness that will be exhibited can soon be afterwards +restrained so far as is necessary, and the dog who has been permitted to +exert his powers when young will manifest his superiority in more +advanced age, and in nothing more than his dexterity at the turn.<br> +<br> +When the training actually commences, it should be preceded by a couple +of doses of physic, with an interval of five or six days, and, probably, +a moderate bleeding between them; for, if the dog begins to work +overloaded with flesh and fat, he will suffer so severely from it that +possibly he will never afterwards prove a game dog. In the course of his +training he should be allowed every advantage and experience every +encouragement. His courses should be twice or thrice a-week, according +to their severity, and as often as it can be effected be should be +rewarded with some mark of kindness.<br> +<br> +In the <i>Sportsman</i> for April, 1840, is an interesting account of the +chase of the hare. It is said that, in general, a good greyhound will +reach a hare if she runs straight. He pursues her eagerly, and the +moment he is about to strike at her she turns short, and the dog, unable +to stop himself, is thrown from ten to twenty yards from her. These +jerking turns soon begin to tell upon a dog, and an old well-practised +hare will seldom fail to make her escape. When, however, pursued by a +couple of dogs, the hare has a more difficult game to play, as it +frequently happens that when she is turned by the leading dog she has +great difficulty in avoiding the stroke of the second.<br> +<br> +It is highly interesting to witness the game of an old hare. She has +generally some brake or thicket in view, under the cover of which she +means to escape from her pursuers. On moving from her seat she makes +directly for the hiding-place, but, unable to reach it, has recourse to +turning, and, <i>wrenched</i> by one or the other of her pursuers, she +seems every moment almost in the jaws of one of them, and yet in a most +dexterous manner she accomplishes her object. A greyhound, when he +perceives a hare about to enter a thicket, is sure to strike at her if +within any reasonable distance. The hare shortens her stride as she +approaches the thicket, and at the critical moment she makes so sudden, +dexterous, and effectual a spring, that the dogs are flung to a +considerable distance, and she has reached the cover and escaped.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr25">The</a> isle of Cyprus has for many years been celebrated for its breed of +the greyhound. On grand days, or when the governor is present, the sport +is conducted in a curious manner. When the hare is ready to become the +prey of its enemies, the governor rushes forwards, and, throwing before +the greyhounds a stick which he carries, they all instantaneously stop. +The hare now runs a little distance; but one of the swiftest greyhounds +is then let loose. He pursues the hare, and, having come up with it, +carries it back, and, springing on the neck of the governor's horse, +places it before him. The governor delivers it to one of his officers, +who sends it to the park, where he maintains many prisoners of the same +kind; for he will not destroy the animal that has contributed to his +amusement<a href="#f25"><sup>15</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr26">The</a> following, according to Mr. Blaine, an ardent courser in his youth, +is the best mode of feeding greyhounds at regular work: + +<blockquote>"The dogs had a +full flesh meal every afternoon or evening, as more nutriment is derived +from night-feeding than by day, and when sleeping than when waking. In +the morning they were let out, and either followed the keeper about the +paddock, or the groom in his horse exercise, and then had a trifling +meat of mixed food, as a quieting portion, until the evening full meal. +Such was our practice on the days when no coursing was contemplated, +and, with the exception of lowering the quantity and quality of the +evening meal, the same plan was pursued throughout the year. On the day +previous to coursing, if we intended anything like an exhibition of our +dogs before company engaged to meet us on the marshes, we gave a +plentiful meal early the previous day, some exercise also in the +afternoon, and a light supper at night, of meal with either broth or +milk, with a man on horseback going a gentle trot of six or seven miles +an hour."<a href="#f26"><sup>16</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="I153">Mr</a>. Thacker orders the greyhounds out on the fore part of every day; +but, instead of being loose and at liberty, they would be much better +two and two; then, when he meets with a proper field to loose them in, +to give them a good gallop. This will be a greater novelty than if they +had been loose on the road, and they will gallop with more eagerness. +Four days in a week will be enough for this exercise. On one day there +should he a gallop of one or two miles, or even a course for each brace +of dogs.<br> +<br> +The young dog has usually an older and more experienced one to start +with him. That which is of most importance is, that his leader should be +a thoroughly stout and high-mettled dog. If he shrinks or shies at any +impediment, however formidable, the young one will be sure to imitate +him, and to become an uncertain dog, if not a rank coward. Early in +November is the time when these initiatory trials are to be made. It is +of consequence that the young one should witness a death as soon as +possible. Some imagine that two old dogs should accompany the young one +at its first commencement. After the death of the leveret, the young dog +must be coaxed and fondled, but never suffered to taste the blood.<br> +<br> +In kennels in which the training is regularly conducted, the dog should +be brushed all over twice every day. Few things contribute so much to +health as general cleanliness, and friction applied to the skin. Warmth +is as necessary for greyhounds as for horses, and should not be +forgotten in cold weather. Body-clothing is a custom of considerable +antiquity, and should not be abandoned. The breeder of greyhounds for +the purpose of coursing must reckon upon incurring considerable expense; +but, if he loves the sport, ho will be amply remunerated by the speed +and stoutness of his dogs.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr27">A</a> question has arisen whether, on the morning of the coursing, any +stimulant should be given to the dog. The author of this work would +unhesitatingly approve of this practice. He has had abundant experience +of the good effect of it; but the stimulus must be that which, while it +produces the desired effect, leaves no exhaustion behind<a href="#f27"><sup>17</sup></a>. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="scotchgrey"></a><h4>The Scotch Greyhound</h4> + +has the same sharpness of muzzle, length of head, lightness of ear, and +depth of chest, as the English dog; but the general frame is stronger +and more muscular, the hind quarters more prominent, there is evident +increase of size and roughness of coat, and there is also some +diminution of speed. If it were not for these points, these dogs might +occasionally be taken for each other. In coursing the hare, no +north-country dog will stand against the lighter southern, although the +southern would be unequal to the labour often required from the +Highlander.<br> +<br> +The Scotch greyhound is said — perhaps wrongly — to be oftenest used by +those who look more to the quantity of game than to the fairness and +openness of the sport, and in some parts of the country this dog is not +permitted to be entered for a sweepstakes, because, instead of depending +on his speed alone, as does the English greyhound, he has recourse to +occasional artifices in order to intercept the hare. In sporting +language he runs sly, and, therefore, is sometimes excluded. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="deerhound"></a><h4>The Highland Greyhound, or Deer-hound</h4> + +is a larger, stronger, and fiercer dog, and may be readily distinguished +from the Lowland Scotch greyhound by its pendulous, and, generally, +darker ears, and by the length of hair which almost covers his face. +Many accounts have been given of the perfection of its scent, and it is +said to have followed a wounded deer during two successive days. He is +usually two inches taller than the Scotch greyhound. The head is carried +particularly high, and gives to the animal a noble appearance. His limbs +are exceedingly muscular, his back beautifully arched. The tail is long +and curved, but assumes the form of an almost straight line when he is +much excited. The only fault which these dogs have is their occasional +ill-temper, or even ferocity; but this does not extend to the owner and +his family.<br> +<br> +It appears singular that the English greyhound exhibits so little power +of scent; but this is simply because he has never been taught to use it, +or has been cruelly corrected when he has attempted to exercise it.<br> +<br> +Holinshed relates the mischief that followed the stealing of one of +these dogs: + +<blockquote>"Divers of the young Pictesh nobilitye repaired unto +Craithlint, King of the Scots, for to hunt and make merie with him; but, +when they should depart homewards, perceiving that the Scotish dogs did +far excel theirs, both in fairnesse, swiftnesse, and hardinesse, and +also in long standing up and holding out, they got diverse both dogs and +bitches of the best kind for breed, to be given them by the Scotish +Lords: and yet not so contented, they stole one belonging to the King +from his keeper, being more esteemed of him than all the others which he +had about him. The maister of the leash, being informed hereof pursued +after them that had stolen the dog, thinking, indeed, to have taken him +from them: but they not being to part with him fell at altercation, and +at the end chanced to strike the maister of the leash through with their +horse spears, so that he did die presently. Whereupon noise and crie +being raised in the country by his servantes, divers of the Scots, as +they were going home from hunting, returned, and falling upon the Picts +to revenge the death of their fellow, there ensued a shrewed bickering +betwixt them; so that of the Scots there died three score gentlemen, +besides a great number of the commons, not one of them understanding +what the matter meant. Of the Picts there were about 100 slaine."</blockquote> + +<a name="fr28">Mr</a>. H.D. Richardson describes a cross between the greyhound and British +bloodhound: + +<blockquote>"It is a tall muscular raw-boned dog, the ears far larger, +and more pendulous, than those of the greyhound or deer-hound. The +colour is generally black, or black and tan; his muzzle and the tips of +the ears usually dark. He is exceedingly swift and fierce; can pull down +a stag single-handed; runs chiefly by sight, but will also occasionally +take up the scent. In point of scent, however, he is inferior to the +true deer-hound. This dog cannot take a turn readily, but often fails +at the double."<a href="#f28"><sup>18</sup></a></blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="irishgrey"></a><h4>The Irish Greyhound.</h4> + +This dog differs from the Scotch, in having shorter and finer hair, of a +pale fawn colour, and pendent ears. It is, compared with the Scotch dog, +gentle and harmless, perhaps indolent, until roused. It is a larger dog +than the Scottish dog, some of them being full four feet in length, and +proportionately muscular. On this account, and also on account of their +determined spirit when roused, they were carefully preserved by some +Irish gentlemen. They were formerly used in hunting the wolf when that +animal infested the forests of Ireland. <a name="fr29">Mr</a>. Bell says that the last +person who kept the pure breed was Lord Altamont, who in 1780 "had eight +of them."<a href="#f29"><sup>19</sup></a> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="gasehound"></a><h4>The Gasehound,</h4> + +the <i>agasaeus</i> of former times, was probably allied to, or +connected with, the Irish greyhound. It hunted entirely by sight, and, +if its prey was lost for a time, it could recover it by a singular +distinguishing faculty. Should the deer rejoin the herd, the dog would +unerringly select him again from all his companions: + +<blockquote>"<a name="fr30">Seest</a> thou the gasehound how with glance severe<br> +From the close herd he marks the destined deer?"<a href="#f30"><sup>20</sup></a> +</blockquote> + +There is no dog possessed of this quality at present known in Europe; +but the translator of Arrian thinks that it might be produced between +the Irish greyhound and the bloodhound. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="irishwolf"></a><h4>The Irish Wolf-dog</h4> + +This animal is nearly extinct, or only to be met with at the mansions of +one or two persons by whom he is kept more for show than use, the wild +animals which he seemed powerful enough to conquer having long +disappeared from the kingdom. The beauty of his appearance and the +antiquity of his race are his only claims, as he disdains the chase of +stag, fox, or hare, although he is ever ready to protect the person and +the property of his master. His size is various, some having attained +the height of four feet, and Dr. Goldsmith stales that he saw one as +large as a yearling calf. He is shaped like a greyhound, but stouter; +and the only dog which the writer from whom this account is taken ever +saw approaching to his graceful figure, combining beauty with strength, +is the large Spanish wolf-dog: concerning which he adds, that, showing +one of these Spanish dogs to some friends, he leaped through a window +into a cow-house, where a valuable calf was lying, and seizing the +terrified animal, killed it in an instant; some sheep having in the same +way disappeared, he was given away. <a name="fr31">The</a> same writer says that his +grandfather had an Irish wolf-dog which saved his mother's life from a +wolf as she was paying a visit attended by this faithful follower. He +rushed on his foe just when he was about to make his spring, and after a +fierce struggle laid him dead at his mistress's feet. His name was Bran.<a href="#f31"><sup>21</sup></a> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="russiangrey"></a><h4>The Russian Greyhound</h4> + +is principally distinguished by its dark-brown or iron-grey colour — its +short semi-erect ears — its thin lanky body — long but muscular legs — soft +thick hair, and the hair of its tail forming a spiral twist, or fan, +(thence called the fan-tailed dog,) and as he runs having a very +pleasing appearance. He hunts by scent as well as by sight, and, +therefore, small packs of this kind are sometimes kept, against which +the wolf, or even the bear, would stand little chance. He is principally +used for the chase of the deer or the wolf, but occasionally follows the +hare. The deer is the principal object of pursuit, and for this he is +far better adapted than to contend with the ferocious wolf. His +principal faults are want of activity and dexterity. He is met with in +most parts of Russia, where his breed is carefully preserved by the +nobility, with whom coursing is a favourite diversion.<br> +<br> +Some dogs of this breed were not long ago introduced into Ireland.<br> +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br><br> + +<table summary="Grecian Greyhound" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<a name="greciangrey"></a><h4>The Grecian Greyhound</h4> + + +The author is glad that he is enabled to present his readers with the +portrait of one now in the menagerie of the Zoological Society of +London. It is the dog whose image is occasionally sculptured on the +friezes of some of the ancient Grecian temples, and was doubtless a +faithful portrait of one of the dogs which Xenophon the Athenian valued, +and was the companion of the heroes of Greece in her ancient glory. + +The principal difference between the Grecian and the English greyhound +is, that the former is not so large, the muzzle is not so pointed, and +the limbs are not so finely framed. +</td><td><img src="images/grecian.gif" width="564" height="506" align="right" border="2" alt="The Grecian Greyhound"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="turkishgrey"></a><h4>The Turkish Greyhound</h4> + +is a small-sized hairless dog, or with only a few hairs on his tail. He +is never used in the field, and bred only as a spoiled pet, yet not +always spoiled, for anecdotes are related of his inviolable attachment +to his owner. One of them belonged to a Turkish Pacha who was destroyed +by the bowstring. He would not forsake the corpse, but laid himself down +by the body of his murdered master, and presently expired. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="persiangrey"></a><h4>The Persian Greyhound</h4> + +is a beautiful animal. He is more delicately framed than the English +breed; the ears are also more pendulous, and feathered almost as much as +those of a King Charles's spaniel. Notwithstanding, however, his +apparent slenderness and delicacy, he yields not in courage, and +scarcely in strength, to the British dog. There are few kennels in which +he is found in which he is not the master.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr32">In</a> his native country, he is not only used for hunting the hare, but the +antelope, the wild ass, and even the boar. The antelope is speedier than +the greyhound: therefore the hawk is given to him as an ally. The +antelope is no sooner started than the hawk is cast off, who, fluttering +before the head of the deer, and sometimes darting his talons into his +head, disconcerts him, and enables the greyhound speedily to overtake +and master him. The chase, however, in which the Persians chiefly +delight, and for which these greyhounds are mostly valued, is that of +the <i>ghoo-khan</i>, or wild ass. This animal inhabits the mountainous +districts of Persia. He is swift, ferocious, and of great endurance, +which, together with the nature of the ground, renders this sport +exceedingly dangerous. The hunter scarcely gives the animal a fair +chance, for relays of greyhounds are placed at various distances in the +surrounding country; so that, when those by which the animal is first +started are tired, there are others to continue the chase. Such, +however, is the speed and endurance of the ghoo-khan, that it is seldom +fairly run down by the greyhounds, its death being usually achieved by +the rifle of some horseman. The Persians evince great skill and courage +in this dangerous sport, galloping at full speed, rifle in hand, up and +down the most precipitous hills, and across ravines and mountain +streams, that might well daunt the boldest rider.<a href="#f32"><sup>22</sup></a><br> +<br> +The Persian greyhound, carried to Hindoostan, is not always to be +depended upon; but, it is said, is apt to console itself by hunting its +own master, or any one else, when the game proves too fleet or escapes +into the cover. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="italiangrey"></a><h4>The Italian Greyhound</h4> + +possesses all the symmetry of the English or Persian one, on a small +scale. So far as beauty can recommend it, and, generally speaking, good +nature, it is deservedly a favourite in the drawingroom; but, like the +large greyhound, it is inferior in intelligence. It has no strong +individual attachment, but changes it with singular facility. It is not, +however, seen to advantage in its petted and degraded state, but has +occasionally proved a not unsuccessful courser of the rabbit and the +hare, and exhibited no small share of speed and perseverance. In a +country, however, the greater part of which is infested with wolves, it +cannot be of much service, but exposed to unnecessary danger. It is bred +along the coasts of Italy, principally for the purpose of sale to +foreigners.<br> +<br> +In order to acquire more perfect beauty of form, and more activity also, +the English greyhound has received one cross from the Italian, and with +decided advantage. The speed and the beauty have been evidently +increased, and the courage and stoutness have not been diminished.<br> +<br> +It has been said that Frederick the Great of Prussia was very fond of a +small Italian greyhound, and used to carry it about with him under his +cloak. During the seven years' war, he was pursued by a party of +Austrian dragoons, and compelled to take shelter, with his favourite, +under the dry arch of a bridge. Had the little animal, that was +naturally ill-tempered and noisy, once barked, the monarch would have +been taken prisoner, and the fate of the campaign and of Prussia +decided; but it lay perfectly still, and clung close to its master, as +if conscious of their mutual danger. When it died, it was buried in the +gardens of the palace at Berlin, and a suitable inscription placed over +its grave.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f11a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>Annals of Sporting</i>, vol. vi. p. 99.<br> +<a href="#fr11a">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f12a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> The superstition of the Arabians and Turks with regard to +dogs is somewhat singular: neither have they much affection for these +animals, or suffer them to be in or near the camp, except to guard it in +the night. They have, however, some charity for the females that have +whelps. As for other dogs, they feed them well, and give them good +words, but never touch them nor go near them, because dogs are regarded +as unclean animals. They particularly drive them away in wet weather; +for, if one drop of water from a dog should fall on their raiment, their +devotion would be interrupted and useless. They who are fond of hunting +make their religion subservient to their pleasure, and say that +greyhounds and setters are excepted from the general rule, because when +not running these dogs are tied up where nothing unclean can reach them, +and they are never suffered to eat any thing unclean. Their opinion is +the same with regard to small dogs, which are kept with great care, and +no one willingly injures a dog, or, if he should injure purposely, or +destroy one of them, the law would punish him. <br> +Chevalier Darvieux's +<i>Travels in Arabia Deserta</i>, 1718, p. 155.<br> +<a href="#fr12a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f13a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 3:</span></a> <i>Heber's Narrative</i>, p. 500.<br> +<a href="#fr13a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f14a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 4:</span></a> <i>Histoire du Chien</i>, par Elzear Blaze, p. 54.<br> +<a href="#fr14a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f15a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 5:</span></a> <i>Proceedings of the Zoological Society</i>, Part I. 833.<br> +<a href="#fr15a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f16"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 6:</span></a> Williamson's <i>Oriental Field Sports</i><br> +<a href="#fr16">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f17"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 7:</span></a> Poiret, in his <i>Travels in Barbary</i> asserts that + +<blockquote>"the dog +loses in the East a great part of those good qualities that make him the +friend of man. He is no longer a faithful domesticated animal, +faithfully attached to his master, and ever ready to defend him even at +the expense of his own life. He is cruel and blood-thirsty, his look is +savage, and his appearance revolting; carrion, filth, anything is good +enough for him if he can but appease his hunger. They seldom bite one +another, but they unite against a stranger who approaches the Arab +tents, and would tear him to pieces if he did not seek his safety in +flight."<br> +Vol. i. p. 353.</blockquote> + +Denon, when in the city of Alexandria, in Egypt, says, + +<blockquote>"I have no longer +recognised the dog, that friend of man, the attached and faithful +companion — the lively and honest courtier. He is here a gloomy egotist, +and cut off from all human intercourse without being the less a slave. +He does not know him whose house he protects, and devours his corpse +without repugnance."<br> +Travels in Lower Egypt, p. 32.</blockquote> +<a href="#fr17">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f18"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 8:</span></a> <i>Histoire du Chien</i>, p. 200. The Voyage of Dumont d'Urville, vol. ii. +p.474.<br> +<a href="#fr18">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f19"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 9:</span></a> Greyhound.<br> +<a href="#fr19">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f20"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 10:</span></a> Overcast, or overrun.<br> +<a href="#fr20">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f21"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 11:</span></a> Ovid, <i>Metamorph.</i>, lib. i. v. 353.<br> +<a href="#fr21">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f22"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 12:</span></a> A singular story is told of Richard II, and one of these +dogs. It is given in the language of Froissart. + +<blockquote>"A grayhounde called +Mithe, who always wayted upon the kynge, and would knowe no man els. For +when so ever the kynge did ryde, he that kept the grayhounde dyd lette +him lose, and he wolde streyght runne to the kynge and faune uppon hym, +and leape with his fore fete uppon the kynge's shoulders. And, as the +kynge and the Erle of Derby talked togyder in the courte, the grayhounde +who was wonte to leape uppon the kynge, left the kynge and came to the +Erle of Derby, Duke of Lancastre; and made to him the same friendly +continuance and chere as he was wonte to do to the kynge. The duke, who +knewe not the grayhounde, demanded of the kynge what the grayhounde +wolde do? 'Cousin,' qoud the kynge, 'it is a greate goode token to you, +and an evyl signe to me.' 'How knowe you that?' quod the duke. 'I knowe +it well,' quod the kynge. 'The grayhounde acknowledgeth you here this +daye as Kynge of England, as ye shall be, and I shal be deposed; the +grayhounde hath this knowledge naturally: therefore take hyme to you, he +wyll followe you and forsake me.' The duke understood well those words, +and cheryshed the grayhounde, who would never after followe kynge +Richarde, but followed the duke of Lancastre."</blockquote> +<a href="#fr22">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f23"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 13:</span></a> <i>Thacker on Sporting.</i><br> +<a href="#fr23">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f24"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 14:</span></a> The writer of this work had a brace of greyhounds as +arrant thieves as ever lived. They would now and then steal into the +cooking-room belonging to the kennel, lift the lid from the boiler, and, +if any portion of the joint or piece of meat projected above the water, +suddenly seize it, and before there was time for them to feel much of +its heat, contrive to whirl it on the floor, and eat it at their leisure +as it got cold. In order to prevent this, the top of the boiler was +secured by an iron rod passing under its handle of the boiler on each +side; but not many days passed ere they discovered that they could gnaw +the cords asunder, and displace the rod, and fish out the meat as +before. Small chains were then substituted for the cords, and the meat +was cooked in safety for nearly a week, when they found that, by rearing +themselves on their hind legs, and applying their united strength +towards the top of the boiler they could lift it out of its bed and roll +it along the floor, and so get at the broth, although the meat was out +of their reach. The man who looked after them expressed himself heartily +glad when they were gone; for, he said, he was often afraid to go into +the kennel, and was sure they were devils, and not dogs.<br> +<a href="#fr24">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f25"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 15:</span></a> <i>Scott's Sportsman's Repository</i>, p. 97.<br> +<a href="#fr25">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f26"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 16:</span></a> Blaine's <i>Encyclopedia of Sporting</i>.<br> +<a href="#fr26">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f27"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 17:</span></a> For a set of laws for Coursing Matches. see <a href="#appendix">Appendix</a>.<br> +<a href="#fr27">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f28"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 18:</span></a> <i>Sportsman</i>,vol. xi. p. 314<br> +<a href="#fr28">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f29"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 19:</span></a> Bell's <i>British Quadrupeds</i>, p. 241.<br> +<a href="#fr29">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f30"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 20:</span></a> <i>Tickell's Miscellanies</i><br> +<a href="#fr30">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f31"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 21:</span></a> <i>Sporting Mag</i>. 1837, p. 156.<br> +<a href="#fr31">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f32"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 22:</span></a> <i>New Sports. Mag.</i> xiii. 124.<br> +<a href="#fr32">return</a><br><br> +<br> + +<a name="fA"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Editorial Supplement A:</span></a> <i>both author and editor have evidently been deceived as to the appearance of dingos, as this illustration is completely spurious. The dingo does <b>not</b> look, and could not possibly have looked at any stage, anything like this, as contemporary descriptions match the existing appearance, and large jaws and a thin coat are necessary to kill prey up to the size of the red kangaroo and tolerate the extreme heat, respectively. See <a href="http://home.mira.net/~areadman/dingo.htm">The Dingo </a> or any other Australian naturalist site on the Net. I strongly suspect in this case that a mischievous person has placed the head and tail of a fox on a dog's body, which adds insult to injury, as the introduced fox has been and is far more of a menace to the country than the dingo. html Ed. (au)</i><br> +<a href="#dingo">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section3">Chapter III — The Varieties of the Dog — Second Division</a></h2> +<br> +<blockquote><i>The head moderately elongated, the parietals not approaching +from their insertion, but rather diverging, so as to enlarge the +cerebral cavities and the frontal sinuses; consequently giving to +these dogs greater power of scent and intelligence. They constitute +the most pleasing and valuable division of the Dog.</i></blockquote><br> + + +<br> + +<table summary="Cockers" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="spaniel"></a><h4>The Spaniel</h4> + +is probably of Spanish origin, and thence his name. The ears are large +and pendent, the tail elevated, the fur of a different length in +different parts of the body, but longest about the ears, under the neck, +behind the thighs and on the tail, varying in colour, but most commonly +white with brown or black patches.<br> +<br> +There are many varieties of the spaniel. The smallest of the <i>land</i> +spaniels is +</td> +<td><img src="images/cocker.gif" width="617" height="484" align="right" border="2" alt="Blenheims and Cockers"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + +<a name="cocker"></a><h4>The Cocker.</h4> + +It is chiefly used in flushing woodcocks and pheasants in thickets and +copses into which the setter, and even the springer, can scarcely enter. + +<blockquote>"But, if the shady woods my cares employ,<br> +In quest of feathered game my spaniels beat,<br> +Puzzling the entangled copse, and from the brake<br> +Push forth the whirring pheasant."</blockquote> + +The cocker is here very useful, although he is occasionally an +exceedingly impatient animal. He is apt to whimper and babble as soon as +he comes upon the scent of game, and often raises the bird before the +sportsman is within reach: but when he is sufficiently broken in not to +give tongue until the game rises, he is exceedingly valuable. There can +scarcely be a prettier object than this little creature, full of +activity, and bustling in every direction, with his tail erect; and, the +moment he scents the bird, expressing his delight by the quivering of +every limb, and the low eager whimpering which the best breaking cannot +always subdue.<br> +<br> +Presently the bird springs, and then he shrieks out his ecstasy, +startling even the sportsman with his sharp, shrill, and strangely +expressive bark.<br> +<br> +The most serious objection to the use of the cocker is the difficulty of +teaching him to distinguish his game, and confine himself within bounds; +for he will too often flush everything that comes within his reach. It +is often the practice to attach bells to his collar, that the sportsman +may know where he is; but there is an inconvenience connected with this, +that the noise of the bells will often disturb and spring the game +before the dog comes fairly upon it.<br> +<br> +Patience and perseverance, with a due mixture of kindness and +correction, will, however, accomplish a great deal in the tuition of the +well-bred spaniel. He may at first hunt about after every bird that +presents itself, or chase the interdicted game; but, if he is +immediately called in and rated, or perhaps corrected, but not too +severely, he will learn his proper lesson, and will recognise the game, +to which alone his attention must be directed. The grand secret in +breaking in these dogs is mildness, mingled with perseverance, the +lessons being enforced, and practically illustrated by the example of an +old and steady dog.<br> +<br> +These spaniels will sometimes vie with almost every other species of dog +in intelligence, and will not yield to one of them in fidelity. A +gentleman in Sussex had an old cocker, that was his constant companion, +both in the house and the field. If the morning was rainy, the dog was +perfectly quiet; if it was fine, he became restless, and, at the usual +time for his master to go out, he would take him by the flap of his +coat, and gently pull at it. If the door was opened, he ran immediately +to the keeper's lodge, which was at a considerable distance from the +house. This was a signal for the other dogs to be brought up, and then +he trotted back to announce their approach.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">This beautiful and interesting dog, so called from his peculiar +suitableness for woodcock shooting, is but little known among us except +as a boudoir companion for our ladies. He is, nevertheless, extensively +used in England by sportsmen for finding and flushing this bird, as also +the pheasant; and no doubt, if introduced into our country, would prove +equally, if not more serviceable, in putting up game concealed in the +thickets and marshy hollows of our uncleared grounds. Having extremely +fine scenting powers, they are also employed in greyhound coursing, to +give warning of the proximity of a hare, which they seldom fail to +accomplish.<br> +<br> +This <a name="I318">active</a> little animal hunts with great spirit, and soon becomes +attached to the sport; in fact the only difficulty to be overcome in +breaking him, is the effort it requires to make him suppress his natural +ardour and withhold his exclamations of delight till the bird is +actually on the wing. The tutelage of the cocker intended for the field +should commence as early as possible, and is not, as many suppose, +attended with great difficulty. His first lessons should be confined to +the art of bringing and carrying, which he soon, in common with all the +other members of the spaniel tribe, learns. The next thing to be +inculcated is implicit obedience to our wishes; then, at the age of four +months or so, he may be carried to the field, where his natural fondness +for hunting will soon be developed by his chasing every bird within his +reach. When this impulse is fully exhibited, and the dog expresses +gratification in the amusement, he should be then instructed to give +chase, or not, at his master's pleasure. When this desirable end has +been accomplished, he may be introduced to the particular kinds of game +which it is proposed to hunt him on, and by slow degrees teach him to +confine his attentions to those varieties alone. It is absolutely +necessary that the dog be forced to hunt as near to the sportsman as +possible, otherwise the game will be flushed at such a distance that it +will be impossible to get at it. The cocker spaniel is much smaller than +the springer; his ears are long, pendulous, and silky; his body round +and compact; his legs short and tufted; his coat variable; his nose +black; tail bushy and feathered, and, when hunting, is kept in constant +motion.<br> +<br> +Some are black and white, others liver colour and yellow; the latter +variety we have most usually seen in this country, and some of them have +been represented to us as well-broken and serviceable dogs. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<a name="kcspaniel"></a><h4>The King Charles's Spaniel,</h4> + +so called from the fondness of Charles II for it — who usually had some +of them following him, wherever he went — belongs likewise to the +cockers. Its form and character are well preserved in one of the +paintings of the unfortunate parent of that monarch and his family. The +ears deeply fringed and sweeping the ground, the rounder form of the +forehead, the larger and moister eye, the longer and silken coat, and +the clearness of the tan, and white and black colour, sufficiently +distinguish this variety. His beauty and diminutive size have consigned +him to the drawing-room or parlour.<br> +<br> +Charles the First had a breed of spaniels, very small, with the hair +black and curly. The spaniel of the second Charles was of the black and +tan breed.<br> +<br> +The King Charles's breed of the present day is materially altered for +the worse. The muzzle is almost as short, and the forehead as ugly and +prominent, as the veriest bull-dog. The eye is increased to double its +former size, and has an expression of stupidity with which the character +of the dog too accurately corresponds. Still there is the long ear, and +the silky coat, and the beautiful colour of the hair, and for these the +dealers do not scruple to ask twenty, thirty, and even fifty guineas.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I268">This</a> breed of dog was cultivated with such jealous care by the late +Duke of Norfolk, that no solicitation or entreaty could induce this +nobleman to part with one of these favourites, except under certain +peculiar stipulations and injunctions, as detailed in the following +interview of Mr. Blaine with the late Duchess of York. </span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"On one occasion, +when we were accompanying Her Royal Highness to her menagerie, with +almost a kennel of canine favourites behind her, after drawing our +attention to a jet black pug pup she had just received from Germany, she +remarked that she was going to show me what she considered a present of +much greater rarity, which was a true King Charles's breed sent to her +by the Duke of Norfolk. 'But,' she observed, 'would you believe he could +be so ungallant as to write word that he must have a positive promise +not from myself, but from the Duke of York, that I should not breed from +it in the direct line?'"</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Notwithstanding these selfish restrictions on +the part of this noble patron of the spaniel, this breed of dog has +become quite common in England, and not a few have found their way to +this country. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<a name="springer"></a><h4>The Springer</h4> + +This dog is slower and steadier in its range than the cocker; but it is +a much safer dog for the shooter, and can better stand a hard day's +work. The largest and best breed of springers is said to be in Sussex, +and is much esteemed in the Wealds of that county.<br> +<br> +<a name="I201">From</a> a cross with the terrier a black and tan variety was procured, +which was cultivated by the late Duke of Norfolk, and thence called the +Norfolk Spaniel. It is larger than the common springer, and stancher, +and stouter. It often forms a strong individual attachment, and is +unhappy and pines away when separated from its master. It is more +ill-tempered than the common springer, and, if not well broken in, is +often exceedingly obstinate.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Mr. <a name="I340">Skinner</a> informs us that this breed, in its greatest purity, may be +found in the Carrollton family, as also in the possession of Mr. +Keyworth of Washington city. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<a name="btspaniel"></a><h4>The Black and Tan Spaniel,</h4> + +the cross of the terrier being nearly or quite got rid of, is often a +beautiful animal, and is much valued, although it is frequently +considered a somewhat stupid animal. The cocker and the springer are +sometimes used as finders in coursing. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<a name="blenheim"></a><h4>The Blenheim Spaniel,</h4> + +<span style="color: #555555;"><i>illustration further above</i></span><br> +<br> + +a breed cultivated by one of the Dukes of Marlborough, belongs to this +division. From its beauty, and occasional gaiety, it is oftener an +inhabitant of the drawing-room than the field; but it occasionally +breaks out, and shows what nature designed it for. Some of these +carpeted pets acquit themselves nobly in the covert. There they ought +oftener to be; for they have not much individuality of attachment to +recommend them, and, like other spoiled animals, both quadruped and +biped, misbehave. The breed has degenerated of late, and is not always +to be had pure, even in the neighbourhood of Blenheim. This spaniel may +he distinguished by the length and silkiness of the coat, the deep +fringe about the ear, the arch and deep-feathering of the tail, the full +and moist eye, and the blackness of the palate. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br><br> + +<table summary="Water Spaniel" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="waterspaniel"></a><h4>The Water-Spaniel.</h4> + +Of this breed there are two varieties, a larger and smaller, both useful +according to the degree of range or the work required; the smaller, +however, being ordinarily preferable. Whatever be his general size, +strength and compactness of form are requisite. His head is long, his +face smooth, and his limbs, more developed than those of the springer, +should be muscular, his carcase round, and his hair long and closely +curled. Good breaking is more necessary here than even with the +land-spaniel, and, fortunately, it is more easily accomplished; for, the +water-spaniel, although a stouter, is a more docile animal than the land +one.<br> +<br> +Docility and affection are stamped on his countenance, and he rivals +every other breed in his attachment to his master. His work is double; +first to find, when ordered so to do, and to back behind the sportsman +when the game will be more advantageously trodden up. </td> +<td><img src="images/water.gif" width="470" height="407" border="2" alt="The Water-Spaniel"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +In both he must be +taught to be perfectly obedient to the voice, that he may be kept within +range, and not unnecessarily disturb the birds. A more important part of +his duty, however, is to find and bring the game that has dropped. To +teach him to find is easy enough, for a young water-spaniel will as +readily take to the water as a pointer puppy will stop; but to bring his +game without tearing is a more difficult lesson, and the most difficult +of all is to make him suspend the pursuit of the wounded game while the +sportsman re-loads.<br> +<br> +The water-spaniel was originally from Spain; but the pure breed has been +lost, and the present dog is probably descended from the large water-dog +and the English setter.<br> +<br> +The water and land spaniels differ materially from each other. The +water-spaniel, although when at his work being all that his master can +desire, is, when unemployed, comparatively a slow and inactive dog; but +under this sobriety of demeanor is concealed a strength and fidelity of +attachment to which the more lively land-spaniel cannot always lay just +claim. <a name="I293">The</a> writer of this work once saved a young water-spaniel from the +persecution of a crowd of people who had driven it into a passage, and +were pelting it with stones. The animal had the character of being, +contrary to what his species usually are, exceedingly savage; and he +suffered himself to be taken up by me and carried from his foes with a +kind of sullenness; but when, being out of the reach of danger, he was +put down, he gazed on his deliverer, and then crouched at his feet.<br> +<br> +From that moment he attached himself to his new master with an intensity +of affection scarcely conceivable — never expressed by any boisterous +caresses, but by endeavouring to be in some manner in contact with him; +resting his head upon his foot; lying upon some portion of his apparel, +his eye intently fixed upon him; endeavouring to understand every +expression of his countenance. He would follow one gentleman, and one +only, to the river-side, and behave gallantly and nobly there; but the +moment he was dismissed he would scamper home, gaze upon his master, and +lay himself down at his feet. In one of these excursions he was shot. He +crawled home, reached his master's feet, and expired in the act of +licking his hand.<br> +<br> +Perhaps the author may be permitted to relate one story more of the +water-spaniel: he pledges himself for its perfect truth. The owner of +the dog is telling this tale. + +<blockquote>"I was once on the sea-coast, when a +small, badly-formed, and leaky fishing-boat was cast on shore, on a +fearful reef of rocks. Three men and a boy of ten years old constituted +the crew. The men swam on shore, but they were so bruised against the +rocks, that they could not render any assistance to the poor boy, and no +person could be found to venture out in any way. I heard the noise and +went to the spot with my dog. I spoke to him, and in he went, more like +a seal than a dog, and after several fruitless attempts to mount the +wreck he succeeded, and laid hold of the boy, who clung to the ropes, +screaming in the most fearful way at being thus dragged into the water. +The waves dashed frightfully on the rocks. In the anxiety and +responsibility of the moment I thought that the dog had missed him, and +I stripped off my clothes, resolved to render what assistance I could. I +was just in the act of springing from the shore, having selected the +moment when the receding waves gave me the best chance of rendering any +assistance, when I saw old 'Bagsman,' for that was the name of my dog, +with the struggling boy in his mouth, and the head uppermost. I rushed +to the place where he must land, and the waves bore the boy and the dog +into my arms.<br> +<br> +"Some time after that I was shooting wild-fowl. I and my dog had been +working hard, and I left him behind me while I went to a neighbouring +town to purchase gunpowder. A man, in a drunken frolic, had pushed off +in a boat with a girl in it; the tide going out carried the boat quickly +away, and the man becoming frightened, and unable to swim, jumped +overboard. Bagsman, who was on the spot, hearing the splash, jumped in, +swam out to the man, caught hold of him, and brought him twenty yards +towards the shore, when the drunken fellow clasped the dog tight round +the body, and they both went down together. The girl was saved by a boat +going to her assistance. The body of the man was recovered about an hour +afterwards, with that of the dog clasped tight in his arms, thus +dragging him to the bottom. 'Poor Bagsman! thy worth deserves to be thus +chronicled.'"</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<table summary="The Poodle" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="poodle"></a><h4>The Poodle.</h4> + +The particular cross from which this dog descended is unknown, but the +variety produced has been carefully preserved. It is, probably, of +continental origin, and is known by its thick curly hair concealing +almost every part of the face, and giving it the appearance of a short, +thick, unintelligent head. When, however, that hair is removed, there is +still the large head; but there is also the cerebral cavity more +capacious than in any other dog, and the frontal sinuses fully +developed, and exhibiting every indication of the intellectual class to +which it belongs.<br> +<br> +It was originally a water-dog, as its long and curly hair, and its +propensities in its domesticated state, prove; but, from its peculiar +sagacity, it is capable of being trained to almost any useful purpose, +and its strong individual attachment renders it more the companion of +man than a mere sporting dog: indeed, its qualities as a sporting dog +are seldom recognised by its owner. +</td><td><img src="images/poodle.gif" width="472" height="422" border="2" alt="The Poodle"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +These dogs have far more courage than the water-spaniel, all the +sagacity of the Newfoundland, more general talent, if the expression may +be used, and more individual attachment than either of them, and without +the fawning of the one, or the submissiveness of the other. The poodle +seems conscious of his worth, and there is often a quiet dignity +accompanying his demonstrations of friendship.<br> +<br> +This dog, however, possesses a very peculiar kind of intelligence. It +will almost perform the common offices of a servant: it will ring the +bell and open the door. Mr. Wilkie, of Ladythorn in Northumberland, had +a poodle which he had instructed to go through all the apparent agonies +of dying. He would fall on one side, stretch himself out, and move his +hind legs as if he were in great pain; he would next simulate the +convulsive throbs of departing life, and then stretch out his limbs and +thus seem as if he had expired. In this situation he would remain +motionless, until he had his master's command to rise.<br> +<br> +The portrait of Sancho, a poodle, that was with difficulty forced from +the grave of his master, after the battle of Salamanca, is familiar to +many of our readers. Enticed from his post he could not be, nor was he +at length taken away until weakened by grief and starvation. He by +degrees attached himself to his new master, the Marquis of Worcester, +but not with the natural ardour of a poodle. He was attentive to every +command, and could perform many little domestic offices. Sometimes he +would exhibit considerable buoyancy of spirit; but there oftener seemed +to be about him the recollection of older and closer friendship.<br> +<br> +Another poodle occupies an interesting place in the history of the +Peninsular war. He too belonged to a French officer, who was killed at +the battle of Castella. The French were compelled to retreat before they +could bury their dead, and the soldiers wished to carry with them their +regimental favourite; but he would not be forced from the corpse of his +master. Some soldiers afterwards traversing the field of battle, one of +them discovered the cross of the Legion of Honour on the breast of the +fallen officer, and stooped to take it away, when the dog flew savagely +at him, and would not quit his hold, until the bayonet of another +soldier laid him lifeless.<br> +<br> +A veterinary surgeon, who, before any other animal than the horse was +acknowledged to be the legitimate object of medical care, did not +disdain to attend to the diseases of the dog, used to say that there +were two breeds which he never wished to see in his infirmary, namely, +the poodle and the Norfolk spaniel; for, although not always difficult +to manage, he could never attach them to him, but they annoyed him by +their pitiful and imploring gaze during the day, and their mournful +howling at night.<br> +<br> +Custom has determined that the natural coat of this animal shall be +taken from him. It may be a relief to the poodle for a part of his coat +to be stripped off in hot weather, and the curly hair which is left on +his chest, contrasted with his smooth and well-rounded loins and +quarters, may make it look pretty enough; but it should he remembered +that he was not designed by nature to be thus exposed to the cold of +winter, and that there are no dogs so liable to rheumatism, and that +rheumatism degenerating into palsy, as the well-trimmed poodle. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="barbet"></a><h4>The Barbet</h4> + +is a small poodle, the production of some unknown and disadvantageous +cross with the true poodle. It has all the sagacity of the poodle, and +will perform even more than his tricks. It is always in action; always +fidgety; generally incapable of much affection, but inheriting much +self-love and occasional ill temper; unmanageable by any one but its +owner; eaten up with red mange; and frequently a nuisance to its master +and a torment to every one else.<br> +<br> +We must not, however, do it injustice; it is very intelligent, and truly +attached to its owner.<br> +<br> +The barbet possesses more sagacity than most other dogs, but it is +sagacity of a particular kind, and frequently connected with various +amusing tricks. Mr. Jesse, in his <i>Gleanings in Natural History</i>, gives a +singular illustration of this. A friend of his had a barbet that was not +always under proper command. In order to keep him in better order, he +purchased a small whip, with which he corrected him once or twice during +a walk. On his return the whip was put on a table in the hall, but on +the next morning it was missing. It was soon afterwards found concealed +in an out-building, and again made use of in correcting the dog. Once +more it would have been lost, but, on watching the dog, who was +suspected of having stolen it, he was seen to take it from the hall +table in order to hide it once more. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="maltese"></a><h4>The Maltese Dog</h4> + +can be traced back to an early period. Strabo says that + +<blockquote>"there is a town +in Sicily called Melita, whence are exported many beautiful dogs called +<i>Canes Melitæi</i>. They were the peculiar favourites of the women; +but now (A.D. 25) there is less account made of these animals, which are +not bigger than common ferrets or weasels, yet they are not small in +understanding nor unstable in their love." </blockquote> + +They are also found in Malta +and in other islands of the Mediterranean, and they maintain the same +character of being devotedly affectionate to their owners, while, it is +added, — and they are not loved the less for that, — they are ill-tempered +to strangers. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="liondog"></a><h4>The Lion Dog</h4> + +is a diminutive likeness of the noble animal whose name it bears. Its +head, neck, shoulders, and fore-legs down to the very feet, are covered +with long, wavy, silky hairs. On the other parts of the dog it is so +short as scarcely to be grasped, except that on the tail there is a +small bush of hair. The origin of this breed is not known; it is, +perhaps, an intermediate one between the Maltese and the Turkish dog. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="turkish"></a><h4>The Turkish Dog,</h4> + +as it is improperly called, is a native of hot climates. The supposition +of Buffon is not an improbable one, that, being taken from some +temperate country to one considerable hotter, the European dog probably +acquired some cutaneous disease. This is no uncommon occurrence in +Guinea, the East Indies, and South America. Some of these animals +afterwards found their way into Europe, and, from their singularity, +care was taken to multiply the breed. Aldrovandus states that the first +two of them made their appearance in Europe in his time, but the breed +was not continued, on account, as it was supposed, of the climate being +too cold for them.<br> +<br> +The few that are occasionally seen in England bear about them every mark +of a degenerated race. They have no activity, and they show little +intelligence or affection. One singular circumstance appertains to all +that the author of this work has had the opportunity of seeing, — their +teeth become very early diseased, and drop from the gums. That eminent +zoologist, Mr. Yarrell, examining, with the author of this work, one +that had died, certainly not more than five years old, found that it had +neither incisors nor canine teeth, and that the molars were reduced to +one on each side, the large tubercular tooth being the only one that was +remaining. At the scientific meeting of the Zoological Society, the same +gentleman stated, that he had examined the mouths of two individuals of +the same variety, then alive at the gardens, in both of which the teeth +were remarkably deficient. In neither of them were there any false +molars, and the incisors in both were deficient in number. Before the +age of four years the tongue is usually disgustingly hanging from the +mouths of these animals. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Bernardine" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="bernardine"></a><h4>The Alpine Spaniel, or Bernardine Dog,</h4> + +is a breed almost peculiar to the Alps, and to the district between +Switzerland and Savoy. The passes over these mountains are exceedingly +dangerous from their steepness and narrowness. A precipice of many +hundred feet is often found on one side, and perpendicular rocks on the +other, while the path is glazed with frozen snow or ice. In many places +the path is overhung with huge masses of frozen snow, which occasionally +loosen and fall, when the dreadful storms peculiar to these regions +suddenly come on, and form an insurmountable barrier, or sweep away or +bury the unfortunate traveller. Should he escape these dangers, the path +is now become trackless, and he wanders amid the dreary solitudes until +night overtakes him; and then, when he pauses from fatigue or +uncertainty with regard to the path he should pursue, his limbs are +speedily benumbed. </td> +<td><img src="images/bernardine.gif" width="497" height="478" align="right" border="2" alt="Alpine Spaniel or Bernardine Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> +Fatal slumbers, which he cannot shake off, steal upon +him, and he crouches under some ledge and sleeps, to wake no more. The +snow drifts on. It is almost continually falling, and he is soon +concealed from all human help.<br> +<br> +On the top of Mount St. Bernard, and near one of the most dangerous of +these passes, is a convent, in which is preserved a breed of large dogs +trained to search for the benighted and frozen wanderer. Every night, +and particularly when the wind blows tempestuously, some of these dogs +are sent out. They traverse every path about the mountains, and their +scent is so exquisite that they can discover the traveller, although he +may lie many feet deep in the snow. Having found him, they set to work +and endeavour to scrape away the snow, uttering a deep bark that +reverberates from rock to rock, and tells those who are watching in the +convent that some poor wretch is in peril. Generally, a little flask of +spirits is tied round the neck of the animal, by drinking which the +benighted traveller may recruit his strength, until more effectual +rescue arrive. The monks hasten in the direction of the sound, and often +succeed in rekindling the vital spark before it is quite extinguished. +Very many travellers have been thus rescued from death by these +benevolent men and their intelligent and interesting quadruped servants.<br> +<br> +<a name="I28">One</a> of these Bernardine dogs, named Barry, had a medal tied round his +neck as a badge of honourable distinction, for he had saved the lives of +forty persons. He at length died nobly in his vocation. A Piedmontese +courier arrived at St. Bernard on a very stormy day, labouring to make +his way to the little village of St. Pierre, in the valley beneath the +mountain, where his wife and children lived. It was in vain that the +monks attempted to check his resolution to reach his family. They at +last gave him two guides, each of whom was accompanied by a dog, one of +which was the remarkable creature whose service had been so valuable. +Descending from the convent, they were overwhelmed by two avalanches or +heaps of falling snow, and the same destruction awaited the family of +the poor courier, who were travelling up the mountain in the hope of +obtaining some news of the husband and father.<br> +<br> +A beautiful engraving has been made of this noble dog. It represents him +as saving a child which he had found in the Glacier of Balsore, and +cherished, and warmed, and induced to climb on his shoulders, and thus +preserved from, otherwise, certain destruction. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Newfoundland" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="newfoundland"></a><h4>The Newfoundland Dog.</h4> + +The Newfoundland is a spaniel of large size. He is a native of the +island of which he bears the name; but his history is disgraceful to the +owners of so valuable an animal. The employment of the lower classes of +the inhabitants of St. John, in Newfoundland, is divided between the +cutting of wood, and the drawing of it and other merchandise in the +winter, and fishing in the summer. + +The carts used in the winter work are drawn by these dogs, who are +almost invariably urged and goaded on beyond their strength, fed only +with putrid salt-fish, and an inadequate quantity even of that. A great +many of them are worn out and die before the winter is over; and, when +the summer approaches, and the fishing season commences, many of them +are quite abandoned, and, uniting with their companions, prowl about +preying on the neighbouring flocks, or absolutely starving.</td> +<td><img src="images/newfoundland.gif" width="504" height="453" align="right" border="2" alt="The Newfoundland Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<a name="fr31a">Mr</a>. Macgregor, however, states that + +<blockquote> "in almost every other part of British America they are valuable and + useful. They are remarkably docile and obedient to their masters, + serviceable in all the fishing countries, and yoked in pairs to draw + the winter's fuel home. They are faithful, good-natured, and ever + friendly to man. They will defend their master and their master's + property, and suffer no person to injure either the one or the other; + and, however extreme may be the danger, they will not leave them for a + minute. They seem only to want the faculty of speech, in order to make + their good wishes and feelings understood, and they are capable of + being trained for all the purposes for which every other variety of + the canine species is used."<a href="#f31a"><sup>1</sup></a></blockquote> + +That which most recommends the Newfoundland dog is his fearlessness of +water, and particularly as connected with the preservation of human +life. The writer of the present work knows one of these animals that has +preserved from drowning four human beings. + +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I253">This</a> breed of dog, though much esteemed both in England and other +portions of the world, as well for his majestic appearance as for many +useful and winning traits of character, has but few sportsmen as patrons +with us. He is not only used in England as a water-dog for the pursuit +of wild fowl, but has been trained by many sportsmen to hunt on +partridges, woodcocks, and pheasants, and is represented by Captain +Hawker and others as surpassing all others of the canine race, in +finding wounded game of every description.<br> +<br> +Mr. Blaine remarks that, </span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"as a retriever, the Newfoundland dog is easily +brought to do almost anything that is required of him, and he is so +tractable, likewise, that, with the least possible trouble, he may be +safely taken among pointers to the field, with whose province he will +not interfere, but will be overjoyed to be allowed to look up the +wounded game, which he will do with a perseverance that no speed and no +distance can slacken, nor any hedge-row baulk. In cover he is very +useful; some, indeed, shoot woodcocks to a Newfoundland, and he never +shines more than when he is returning with a woodcock, pheasant, or +hare, in his mouth, which he yields up, or even puts into your hand +unmutilated."</span> </blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Notwithstanding the high commendations of these gentlemen, +we cannot look upon the Newfoundland in any other light than that of a +dog, whose powers of sagacity are destined for display in the water.<br> +<br> +In contending with this element, either in the preservation of human +life, or in search of wounded fowl, he has no equal, and volumes might +be filled with accounts of his various daring achievements in this +particular branch, not only in England, but on the rivers of our own +country. Mr. Blaine mentions two varieties of these dogs as being common +in England, the Labrador and St. John. The former is very large, +rough-haired, and carries his tail very high; the latter is smaller, +more docile, and sagacious in the extreme, and withal much more +manageable. We were not aware of these varieties, and more particularly +as regards the difference in docility and sagacity, but are convinced, +from subsequent observations, that such is the case even in our own +country, for we have often noticed a great dissimilarity in the size and +appearance of these dogs and attributed it to the effects of the climate +and cross breeding with inferior animals. We are <a name="I344">indebted</a> to Mr. Skinner +for bringing before the public a faithful and minute account of two of +these animals imported into this country by Mr. Law, of Baltimore, and +may be pardoned for giving again publicity to this gentleman's letter in +relation to these two sagacious brutes.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">Baltimore, Maryland, <i>January 7th, 1845.</i> + +"My Dear Sir: — In the fall of 1807 I was on board of the ship Canton, +belonging to my uncle, the late Hugh Thompson, of Baltimore, when we +fell in, at sea, near the termination of a very heavy equinoctial gale, +with an English brig in a sinking condition, and took off the crew. The +brig was loaded with codfish, and was bound to Poole, in England, from +Newfoundland. I boarded her, in command of a boat from the Canton, which +was sent to take off the English crew, the brig's own boats having been +all swept away, and her crew in a state of intoxication. I found on +board of her two Newfoundland pups, male and female, which I saved, and, +subsequently, on our landing the English crew at Norfolk, our own +destination being Baltimore, I purchased these two pups of the English +captain for a guinea a-piece. Being bound again to sea, I gave the +dog-pup, which was called Sailor, to Mr. John Mercer, of West River; and +the slut-pup, which was called Canton, to Doctor James Stewart, of +Sparrow's Point. The history which the English captain gave me of these +pups was, that the owner of his brig was extensively engaged in the +Newfoundland trade, and had directed his correspondent to select and +send him a pair of pups of the most approved Newfoundland breed, but of +different families, and that the pair I purchased of him were selected +under this order. The dog was of a dingy red colour, and the slut black. +They were not large; their hair was short, but very thick coated; they +had dew claws. Both attained great reputation as water-dogs. They were +most sagacious in everything, particularly so in all duties connected +with duck-shooting. Governor Lloyd exchanged a Mexican ram for the dog +at the time of the merino fever, when such rams were selling for many +hundred dollars, and took him over to his estate on the eastern shore of +Maryland, where his progeny were well known for many years after, and +may still he known there, and on the western shore, as the Sailor breed. +The slut remained at Sparrow's Point till her death, and her progeny +were, and are still, well known through Patapsco Neck, on the Gunpowder, +and up the bay, amongst the duck-shooters, as unsurpassed for their +purposes. I have heard both Doctor Stewart and Mr. Mercer relate most +extraordinary instances of the sagacity and performances of both dog and +slut, and would refer you to their friends for such particulars as I am +unable, at this distance of time, to recollect with sufficient accuracy +to repeat.<br> +<br> +Yours, in haste,<br> +<br> +George Law."</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">These dogs are represented as being of fine carriage, broad-chested, +compact figure, and in every respect built for strength and activity.<br> +<br> +Their patience and endurance were very great when pursuing wounded ducks +through the floating ice, and when fatigued from extraordinary exertions +were known to rest themselves upon broken portions of ice till +sufficiently recovered again to commence the chase. We have seen some of +the descendants of these sagacious animals on the Chesapeake, engaged, +not only in bringing the ducks from the water when shot, but also toling +them into shore within range of the murderous batteries concealed behind +the blind.<br> +<br> +<a name="I316">This</a> may not be an inappropriate place to speak of this wonderful mode +of decoying ducks, termed toling, so extensively practised upon the +Chesapeake bay and its tributaries, where the canvass-back and red-heads +resort in such numerous quantities every fall. A species of mongrel +water-dog, or often any common cur, is taught to run backwards and +forwards after stones, sticks, or other missiles thrown from one side to +the other. In his activity and industry in this simple branch of +education, within the comprehension of any dog, consists the almost +incredible art of toling the canvass-back.<br> +<br> +With a dog of this character, the shooting party, consisting of several +persons all prepared with heavy double-barrelled duck-guns, ensconce +themselves at break of day behind some one of the numerous blinds +temporarily erected along the shore contiguous to the feeding-grounds of +these ducks. Everything being arranged, and the morning mists cleared +off, the ducks will be seen securely feeding on the shallows not less +than several hundreds of yards from the shore. The dog is now put in +motion by throwing stones from one side of the blind to the other. This +will soon be perceived by the ducks, who, stimulated by an extreme +degree of curiosity, and feeling anxious to inform themselves as to this +sudden and singular phenomenon, raise their heads high in the water and +commence swimming for the shore. The dog being kept in motion, the ducks +will not arrest their progress until within a few feet of the water's +edge, and oftentimes will stand on the shore staring, as it were, in +mute and silly astonishment at the playful motions of the dog. + +If well trained the dog takes no notice whatever of the duck, but +continues his fascination until the quick report of the battery +announces to him that his services are now wanted in another quarter, +and he immediately rushes into the water to arrest the flight of the +maimed and wounded, who, struggling on every side, dye the water with +their rich blood. + +The discovery of this mode of decoying ducks was quite an accident, +being attributed to a circumstance noticed by a sportsman, who, +concealed behind a blind patiently awaiting the near approach of the +canvass-back, observed that they suddenly lifted up their heads and +moved towards the shore. Wondering at this singular and unusual +procedure on the part of this wray bird, he naturally looked round to +discover the cause, and observed a young fox sporting upon the river +bank, and the ducks, all eagerness to gaze upon him, were steering their +course directly for the shore.<br> +<br> +These ducks will not only be decoyed by the dog, but will often come in +by waving a fancy coloured handkerchief attached to the ramrod. We have +seen a dog fail to attract their attention till bound around the loins +with a white handkerchief, and then succeed perfectly well. The toling +season continues about three weeks from the first appearance of the +ducks, often a much shorter time, as these birds become more cautious, +and are no longer deceived in this way.<br> +<br> +The canvass-back toles better than any other duck; in fact, it is +asserted by many sportsmen, that this particular variety alone can be +decoyed in this mode. There are always numbers of other ducks feeding +with the canvass-back, particularly the red-heads and black-necks, who +partake of the top of the grass that the canvas-back discards after +eating off the root, which is a kind of celery. These ducks, though they +come in with the canvass-back when toled, do not seem to take any notice +whatever of the dog, but continue to swim along, carelessly feeding, as +if entrusting themselves entirely to the guidance of the other ducks.<br> +<br> +As far as we have been able to judge, we are inclined to this opinion +also, and do not recollect ever having succeeded in toling any other +species of duck, unaccompanied by the canvass-back, although we have +made the effort many times. These ducks are a very singular bird, and +although very cunning under ordinary circumstances, seem perfectly +bewildered upon this subject, as we were one of a party several years +since, who actually succeeded in decoying the same batch of ducks three +successive times in the course of an hour, and slaying at each fire a +large number, as we counted out over forty at the conclusion of the +sport. + +Although the toling of ducks is so simple in its process, there are few +dogs that have sufficient industry and perseverance to arrive at any +degree of perfection in the art. The dog, if not possessed of some +sagacity and considerable training, is very apt to tire and stop running +when the ducks have got near to the shore, but too far to be reached by +the guns, which spoils all, as the birds are very apt to swim or fly off +if the motion of the animal is arrested for a few moments. — L.</span> + +A native of Germany was travelling one evening on foot through Holland, +accompanied by a large dog. Walking on a high bank which formed one side +of a dyke, his foot slipped, and he was precipitated into the water; +and, being unable to swim, soon became senseless. When he recovered his +recollection, he found himself in a cottage on the contrary side of the +dyke, surrounded by peasants, who had been using the means for the +recovery of drowned persons. The account given by one of them was, that, +returning home from his labour, he observed at a considerable distance a +large dog in the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing +along something that he seemed to have great difficulty in supporting, +but which he at length succeeded in getting into a small creek on the +opposite side. When the animal had pulled what he had hitherto supported +as far out of the water as he was able, the peasant discovered that it +was the body of a man, whose face and hands the dog was industriously +licking. The peasant hastened to a bridge across the dyke, and, having +obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house, +where proper means soon restored the drowned man to life. Two very +considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, appeared, one on his +shoulder and the other on his poll; hence it was presumed that the +faithful beast had first seized his master by the shoulder, and swam +with him in this manner for some time, but that his sagacity had +prompted him to quit this hold, and to shift it to the nape of the neck, +by which he had been enabled to support the head out of water; and in +this way he had conveyed him nearly a quarter of a mile before he had +brought him to the creek, where the banks were low and accessible.<br> +<br> +Dr. Beattie relates an instance of a gentleman attempting to cross the +river Dee, then frozen over, near Aberdeen. The ice gave way about the +middle of the river; but, having a gun in his hand, he supported himself +by placing it across the opening. His dog then ran to a neighbouring +village, where, with the most significant gestures, he pulled a man by +the coat, and prevailed on him to follow him. They arrived at the spot +just in time to save the drowning man's life.<br> +<br> +Of the noble disposition of the Newfoundland dog, Dr. Abel, in one of +his lectures on Phrenology, relates a singular instance. + +<blockquote>"When this dog +left his master's house, he was often assailed by a number of little +noisy dogs in the street. He usually passed them with apparent +unconcern, as if they were beneath his notice; but one little cur was +particularly troublesome, and at length carried his impudence so far as +to bite the Newfoundland dog in the leg. This was a degree of wanton +insult beyond what he could patiently endure; and he instantly turned +round, ran after the offender, and seized him by the skin of the back. +In this way he carried him in his mouth to the quay, and, holding him +some time over the water, at length dropped him into it. He did not, +however, seem to design that the culprit should be punished capitally. +He waited a little while, until the poor animal, who was unused to that +element, was not only well ducked, but nearly sinking, and then plunged +in, and brought him safe to land."<br> +<br> +"It would be difficult," says Dr. Hancock, in his <i>Essay on Instinct</i>, +"to conceive any punishment more aptly contrived or more completely in +character. Indeed, if it were fully analyzed, an ample commentary might +be written in order to show what a variety of comparisons and motives +and generous feelings entered into the composition of this act."</blockquote> + +No one ever drew more legitimate consequence from certain existing +premises.<br> +<br> +One other story should not be omitted of this noble breed of water-dogs. +A vessel was driven on the beach of Lydd, in Kent. The surf was rolling +furiously. Eight poor fellows were crying for help, but not a boat could +be got off to their assistance. At length a gentleman came on the beach +accompanied by his Newfoundland dog: he directed the attention of the +animal to the vessel, and put a short stick into his mouth. The +intelligent and courageous fellow at once understood his meaning, sprung +into the sea, and fought his way through the waves. He could not, +however, get close enough to the vessel to deliver that with which he +was charged; but the crew understood what was meant, and they made fast +a rope to another piece of wood, and threw it towards him. The noble +beast dropped his own piece of wood and immediately seized that which +had been cast to him, and then, with a degree of strength and +determination scarcely credible, — for he was again and again lost under +the waves, — he dragged it through the surge and delivered it to his +master. A line of communication was thus formed, and every man on board +was rescued.<br> +<br> +There is, however, a more remarkable fact recorded in the <i>Penny +Magazine.</i> + +<blockquote>"During a heavy gale a ship had struck on a rock near the land. The only +chance of escape for the shipwrecked was to get a rope ashore; for it +was impossible for any boat to live in the sea as it was then running. +There were two Newfoundland dogs and a bull-dog on board. One of the +Newfoundland dogs was thrown overboard, with a rope thrown round him, +and perished in the waves. The second shared a similar fate: but the +bull-dog fought his way through that terrible sea, and, arriving safe +onshore, rope and all, became the saviour of the crew."</blockquote> + +<a name="I343">Some</a> of the true Newfoundland dogs have been brought to Europe and have +been used as retrievers. They are principally valuable for the fearless +manner in which they will penetrate the thickest cover. They are +comparatively small, but muscular, strong, and generally black. A larger +variety has been bred, and is now perfectly established. He is seldom +used as a sporting dog, or for draught, but is admired on account of his +stature and beauty, and the different colours with which he is often +marked. Perhaps he is not quite so good-natured and manageable as the +smaller variety, and yet it is not often that much fault can be found +with him on this account.<br> +<br> +A noble animal of this kind was presented to the Zoological Society by +His Royal Highness Prince Albert. He is a great ornament to the gardens; +but he had been somewhat unmanageable, and had done some mischief before +he was sent thither.<br> +<br> +A portion of Lord Byron's beautiful epitaph on the death of his +Newfoundland dog will properly close our account of this animal: + +<blockquote>"The poor dog! In life the firmest friend,<br> +The first to welcome, foremost to defend;<br> +Whose honest heart is still his master's own;<br> +Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone." +</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Notwithstanding the many excellent qualities so conspicuous in this +noble breed of dog, he is said to possess one most ungenerous trait of +character, "a peculiar antipathy to sheep," and if not early trained to +endure their presence, will take every opportunity to destroy these +innocent animals.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Esquimaux" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="esquimaux"></a><h4>The Esquimaux Dog</h4> + +is a beast of burden and of draught, usefully employed by the +inhabitants of the extreme parts of North America and the neighbouring +islands. When the Esquimaux Indian goes in pursuit of the seal, the +rein-deer, or the bear, his dogs carry the materials of his temporary +hut, and the few necessaries of his simple life; or, yoked to the +sledge, often draw him and his family full sixty miles a-day over the +frozen plains of these inhospitable regions. At other times they assist +in the chase, and run down and destroy the bear and the rein-deer on +land, and the seal on the coast.<br> +<br> +These dogs are very early trained to the work which they are destined to +follow, and even at the tender age of four or five months are harnessed +together or in company with older animals, and are compelled, either by +persuasion or brutal chastisement, to draw heavy weights, and thus soon +become accustomed to the trammels of the rude gearing, and familiar with +the service that they afterwards perform with so much sagacity and +alacrity.</td> +<td><img src="images/esquimaux.gif" width="477" height="414" align="right" border="2" alt="The Esquimaux Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +Capt. Lyon states that they are very similar in appearance to the +shepherd dog of England, but more muscular and broad chested, owing to +severe work; ears pointed, of a savage appearance; the finer dogs are +equal to the Newfoundland breed in point of height and general symmetry.<br> +<br> +It is also somewhat curious to be informed that these dogs have no +particular season of œ strum, but bear young indiscriminately at all +times of the year, cold or warm, having very little or no effect upon +their reproductive powers, being often seen in heat during the month of +December when the thermometer was forty degrees below zero.<br> +<br> +Their journeys are often without any certain object; but, if the dogs +scent the deer or the bear, they gallop away in that direction until +their prey is within reach of the driver, or they are enabled to assist +in destroying their foe. Captain Parry, in his Journal of a <i>Second +Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage</i>, gives an amusing +account of these expeditions. + +<blockquote>"A number of dogs, varying from six to twelve, are attached to each +sledge by means of a single trace, but with no reins. An old and tried +dog is placed as the leader, who, in their simple journeys, and when the +chase is the object, steadily obeys the voice of the driver sitting in +front of the sledge, with a whip long enough to reach the leader. This +whip, however, is used as seldom as possible; for these dogs, although +tractable, are ferocious, and will endure little correction. When the +whip is applied with severity on one, he falls upon and worries his +neighbour, and he, in his turn, attacks a third, and there is a scene of +universal confusion, or the dogs double from side to side to avoid the +whip, and the traces become entangled, and the safety of the sledge +endangered. The carriage must then be stopped, each dog put into his +proper place, and the traces re-adjusted. This frequently happens +several times in the course of the day. The driver therefore depends +principally on the docility of the leader, who, with admirable +precision, quickens or slackens his pace, and starts off or stops, or +turns to the right or left, at the summons of his master. When they are +journeying homeward, or travelling to some spot to which the leader has +been accustomed to go, he is generally suffered to pursue his own +course; for, although every trace of the road is lost in the drifting +snow, he scents it out, and follows it with undeviating accuracy. Even +the leader, however, is not always under the control of his master. If +the journey lies homeward, he will go his own pace, and that is usually +at the top of his speed; or, if any game starts, or he scents it at a +distance, no command of his driver will restrain him. Neither the dog +nor his master is half civilized or subdued."</blockquote> + +Each of these dogs will draw a weight of 120 lb. over the snow, at the +rate of seven or eight miles an hour.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">It is extraordinary to consider the powers and wonderful speed of these +animals, almost equalling that of many horses.<br> +<br> +<a name="I314">Captain</a> Lyon informs us that three dogs drew a sledge weighing 100 lbs. +and himself, one mile in six minutes; his leader dog, which is generally +more powerful than the others, drew 196 lb. the same distance in eight +minutes; seven dogs ran one mile in four minutes and thirty seconds, +with a heavy sledge full of men attached to them; ten dogs ran one mile +in five minutes; nine dogs drew 1611 lb. the same distance in nine +minutes. — <i>Lyon's Journal</i>, p. 243. — L.</span><br> +<br> +In summer, many of these dogs are used as beasts of burden, and each +carries from thirty to fifty pounds. They are then much better kept than +in the winter; for they have the remains of the whale and sea-calf, +which their masters disdain to eat. The majority, however, are sent +adrift in the summer, and they live on the produce of the chase or of +their constant thievery. The exactness with which, the summer being +past, each returns to his master, is an admirable proof of sagacity, and +frequently of attachment.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr32a">In</a> some parts of Siberia, on the borders of the Oby, there are +established relays of dogs, like the post-horses in other countries. +Four of these are attached to a very light vehicle; but, when much haste +is required, or any very heavy goods are to be conveyed, more than +treble or quadruple that number are harnessed to the vehicle. M. de +Lesseps<a href="#f32a"><sup>2</sup></a> gives an almost incredible account of this. He is speaking +of the voracity of these poor beasts, in the midst of the snowy desert, +with little or no food. + + <blockquote>"We had unharnessed our dogs, in order to bring +them closer together, in the ordinary way; but, the moment they were +brought up to the pole, they seized their harness, constructed of the +thickest and toughest leather, and tore it to pieces, and devoured it. +It was in vain that we attempted every means of restraint. A great +number of them escaped into the wilds around, others wandered here and +there, and seized everything that came within their reach, and which +their teeth could destroy. Almost every minute some one of them fell +exhausted, and immediately became the prey of the others. Every one that +could get within reach struggled for his share. Every limb was disputed, +and torn away by a troop of rivals, who attacked all within their reach. +As soon as one fell by exhaustion or accident, he was seized by a dozen +others, and destroyed in the space of a few minutes. In order to defend +ourselves from this crowd of famished beasts, we were compelled to have +recourse to our bludgeons and our swords. To this horrible scene of +mutual destruction succeeded, on the following day, the sad appearance +of those that surrounded the sledge, to which we had retreated for +safety and for warmth. They were thin, and starved, and miserable; they +could scarcely move; their plaintive and continual howlings seemed to +claim our succour; but there was no possibility of relieving them in the +slightest degree, except that some of them crept to the opening in our +carriage through which the smoke escapes; and the more they felt the +warmth closer they crept, and then, through mere feebleness, losing +their equilibrium, they rolled into the fire before our eyes."</blockquote> + +These dogs are not so high as the common pointer, but much larger and +stouter, although their thick hair, three or four inches long in the +winter, gives them an appearance of more stoutness than they possess. +Under this hair is a coating of fine close soft wool, which begins to +grow in the early part of winter, and drops off in the spring. Their +muzzles are sharp and generally black, and their ears erect.<br> +<br> +<a name="I264">The</a> Greenland, and Siberian, and Kamtschatdale are varieties of the +Esquimaux or Arctic dogs, but enlarged in form, and better subdued. The +docility of some of these is equal to that of any European breed.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I62">person</a> of the name of Chabert, who was afterwards better known by the +title of "Fire King," had a beautiful Siberian dog, who would draw him +in a light carriage 20 miles a day. He asked £200 for him, and sold him +for a considerable portion of that sum; for he was a most beautiful +animal of his kind, and as docile as he was beautiful. Between the sale +and the delivery, the dog fell and broke his leg. Chabert, to whom the +price agreed on was of immense consequence, was in despair. He took the +dog at night to a veterinary surgeon. He formally introduced them to +each other. He talked to the dog, pointed to his leg, limped around the +room, then requested the surgeon to apply some bandages around the leg, +and he seemed to walk sound and well. He patted the dog on the head, who +was looking alternately at him and the surgeon, desired the surgeon to +pat him, and to offer him his hand to lick, and then, holding up his +finger to the dog, and gently shaking his head, quitted the room and the +house. The dog immediately laid himself down, and submitted to a +reduction of the fracture, and the bandaging of the limb, without a +motion, except once or twice licking the hand of the operator. He was +quite submissive, and in a manner motionless, day after day, until, at +the expiration of a month, the limb was sound. Not a trace of the +fracture was to be detected, and the purchaser, who is now living, knew +nothing about it.<br> +<br> +The employment of the Esquimaux dogs is nearly the same as those from +Newfoundland, and most valuable they are to the traveller who has to +find his way over the wild and trackless regions of the north. The +manner, however, in which they are generally treated seems ill +calculated to cause any strong or lasting attachment. During their +period of labour, they, like their brethren in Newfoundland, are fed +sparingly on putrid fish, and in summer they are turned loose to shift +for themselves until the return of the severe season renders it +necessary to their masters' interest that they should again be sought +for, and once more reduced to their state of toil and slavery.<br> +<br> +They have been known for several successive days to travel more than 60 +miles. They seldom miss their road, although they may be driven over one +untrodden snowy plain, where they are occasionally unable to reach any +place of shelter. When, however, night comes, they partake with their +master of the scanty fare which the sledge will afford, and, crowding +round, keep him warm and defend him from danger. If any of them fall +victims to the hardships to which they are exposed, their master or +their companions frequently feed on their remains, and their skins are +converted into warm and comfortable dresses. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="lapland"></a><h4>The Lapland Dog.</h4> + +<a name="fr33a">Captain</a> Clarke thus describes the Lapland dog: + + <blockquote> "We had a valuable companion in a dog belonging to one of the boatmen. + It was of the true Lapland breed, and in all respects similar to a + wolf, excepting the tail, which was bushy and curled like those of the + Pomeranian race. This dog, swimming after the boat, if his master + merely waved his hand, would cross the lake as often as he pleased, + carrying half his body and the whole of his head and tail out of the + water. Wherever he landed, he scoured all the long grass by the side + of the lake in search of wild-fowl, and came back to us, bringing + wild-ducks in his mouth to the boat, and then, having delivered his + prey to his master, he would instantly set off again in search of + more."<a href="#f33a"><sup>3</sup></a></blockquote> + +But we pass on to another and more valuable species of the dog: + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Sheepdog" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="sheepdog"></a><h4>The Sheep-dog.</h4> + +The origin of the sheep-dog is somewhat various; but the predominant +breed is that of the intelligent and docile spaniel. Although it is now +found in every civilized country in which the sheep is cultivated, ii is +not coeval with the domestication of that animal. When the pastures were +in a manner open to the first occupant, and every shepherd had a common +property in them, it was not so necessary to restrain the wandering of +the sheep, and the voice of the shepherd was usually sufficient to +collect and to guide them. He preceded the flock, and they "followed him +whithersoever he went." In process of time, however, man availed himself +of the sagacity of the dog to diminish his own labour and fatigue, and +this useful servitor became the guide and defender of the flock.</td> +<td><img src="images/sheep.gif" width="495" height="371" align="right" border="2" alt="The Sheep-Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> +The sheep-dog possesses much of the same form and character in every +country. The muzzle is sharp, the ears are short and erect, and the +animal is covered, particularly about the neck, with thick and shaggy +hair. He has usually two dew claws on each of the hind legs; not, +however, as in the one claw of other dogs, having a jointed attachment +to the limb, but merely connected by the skin and some slight cellular +substance. These excrescences should be cut off when the dog is young. +The tail is slightly turned upwards and long, and almost as bushy as +that of a fox, even in that variety whose coat is almost smooth. He is +of a black colour or black prevails, mixed with gray or brown. +<br> +<br> +<a name="I154">Professor</a> Grognier gives the following account of this dog as he is +found in France: + +<blockquote> "The shepherd's dog, the least removed from the natural type of the + dog, is of a middle size; his ears short and straight; the hair long, + principally on the tail, and of a dark colour; the tail is carried + horizontally or a little elevated. He is very indifferent to caresses. + possessed of much intelligence and activity to discharge the duties + for which he was designed. In one or other of its varieties it is + found in every part of France. Sometimes there is but a single breed, + in others there are several varieties. It lives and maintains its + proper characteristics, while other races often degenerate. Everywhere + it preserves its proper distinguishing type. It is the servant of man, + while other breeds vary with a thousand circumstances. It has one + appropriate mission, and that it discharges in the most admirable way: + there is evidently a kind and wise design in this."</blockquote> + +This account of the French sheep-dog, or of the sheep-dog everywhere, is +as true as it is beautiful. One age succeeds to another, we pass from +one climate to another, and everything varies and changes, but the +shepherd's dog is what he ever was — the guardian of our flocks. <a name="fr34">There</a> +are, however, two or more species of this dog; the one which Professor +Grognier has described, and which guards and guides the sheep in the +open and level country, where wolves seldom intrude; another crossed +with the mastiff, or little removed from that dog, used in the woody and +mountainous countries, their guard more than their guide<a href="#f34"><sup>4</sup></a>. In Great +Britain, where he has principally to guide and not to guard the flock, +he is comparatively a small dog. He is so in the northern and open parts +of the country, where activity is principally wanted; but, in the more +enclosed districts, and where strength is often needed to turn an +obstinate sheep, he is crossed with some larger dog, as the rough +terrier, or sometimes the pointer, or now and then the bull-dog: in +fact, almost any variety that has strength and stoutness may be +employed. Thus we obtain the larger sheep-dog and the drover's dog. The +sagacity, forbearance, and kindness of the sheep-dog are generally +retained, but from these crosses there is occasionally a degree of +ferocity from which the sheep often suffer.<br> +<br> +In other countries, where the flock is exposed to the attack of the +wolf, the sheep-dog is larger than the British drover's dog, and not far +inferior in size to the mastiff. The strength and ferocity which qualify +him to combat with the wolf, would occasionally be injurious or fatal to +those who somewhat obstinately opposed his direction; therefore, in +Denmark and in Spain, the dog is rarely employed to drive the flock. It +is the office of the shepherd, to know every individual under his +charge, to, as in olden times, "call them all by their names," and have +always some docile and tamed wether who will take the lead, almost as +subservient to his voice as is the dog himself, and whom the flock will +immediately follow.<br> +<br> +In whatever country the dog is used, partly or principally to protect +the flock from the ravages of the wolf, he is as gentle as a lamb, +except when opposed to his natural enemy; and it is only in England that +the guardian of the sheep occasionally injures and worries them, and +that many can be found bearing the mark of the tooth. This may he +somewhat excusable (although it is often carried to a barbarous extent) +in the drover's dog; but it will admit of no apology in the shepherd's +dog. It is the result of the idleness of the boy, or the mingled +brutality and idleness of the shepherd, who is attempting to make the +dog do his own work and that of his master too. We have admired the +Prussian sheep-dog in the discharge of his duty, and have seen him pick +out the marked sheep, or stop and turn the flock, as cleverly as any +Highland colley, but he never bit them. He is a shorter, stronger, and +more compact dog than ours. He pushes against them and forces them +along. If they rebel against this mild treatment, the shepherd is at +hand to enforce obedience; and the flock is as easily and perfectly +managed as any English or Highland one, and a great deal more so than +the majority that we have seen.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr35">Mr</a>. Trimmer, in his work on the Merinos, speaking of the Spanish flocks, +says: + +<blockquote>"There is no driving of the flock; that is a practice entirely +unknown; but the shepherd, when he wishes to remove his sheep, calls to +him a tame wether accustomed to feed from his hands. The favourite, +however distant, obeys his call, and the rest follow. One or more of the +dogs, with large collars armed with spikes, in order to protect them +from the wolves, precede the flock, others skirt it on each side, and +some bring up the rear. If a sheep be ill or lame, or lag behind +unobserved by the shepherds, they stay with it and defend it until some +one return in search of it. With us, dogs are too often used for other +and worse purposes. In open, unenclosed districts, they are +indispensable; but in others I wish them, I confess, either managed, or +encouraged less. If a sheep commits a fault in the sight of an +intemperate shepherd, or accidentally offends him, it is <i>dogged</i> +into obedience: the signal is given, the dog obeys the mandate, and the +poor sheep flies round the field to escape from the fangs of him who +should be his protector, until it becomes half dead with fright and +exhaustion, while the trembling flock crowd together dreading the same +fate, and the churl exults in this cowardly victory over a weak and +defenceless animal."<a href="#f35"><sup>5</sup></a></blockquote> + +If the farmer will seriously calculate the number of ewes that have +yeaned before their time, and of the lambs that he has lost, and the +accidents that have occurred from the sheep pressing upon one another in +order to escape from the dog, and if he will also take into account the +continual disturbance of the sheep while grazing, by the approach of the +dog, and the consequent interference with the cropping and the digestion +of the food, he will attach more importance to the good temper of the +dog and of the shepherd than he has been accustomed to do. There would +be no injustice, or rather a great deal of propriety, in inflicting a +fine for every tooth-mark that could be detected. When the sheep, +instead of collecting round the dog, and placing themselves under his +protection on any sudden alarm, uniformly fly from him with terror, the +farmer may he assured there is something radically wrong in the +management of the flock.<br> +<br> +Instinct and education combine to fit this dog for our service. The +pointer will act without any great degree of instruction, and the setter +will crouch; and most certainly the sheep-dog, and especially if he has +the example of an older and expert one, will, almost without the +teaching of the master, become everything that can be wished, obedient +to every order, even to the slightest motion of the hand. There is a +natural predisposition for the office he has to discharge, which it +requires little trouble or skill to develop and perfect.<br> +<br> +It is no unpleasing employment to study the degree in which the several +breeds of dogs are not only highly intelligent, but fitted by nature for +the particular duty they have to perform. The pointer, the setter, the +hound, the greyhound, the terrier, the spaniel, and even the bull-dog, +were made, and almost perfected, by nature chiefly for one office alone, +although they maybe useful in many other ways. This is well illustrated +in the sheep-dog. If he be but with his master, he lies content, +indifferent to every surrounding object, seemingly half asleep and half +awake, rarely mingling with his kind, rarely courting, and generally +shrinking from, the notice of a stranger; but the moment duty calls, his +sleepy, listless eye, becomes brightened; he eagerly gazes on his +master, inquires and comprehends all he is to do, and, springing up, +gives himself to the discharge of his duty with a sagacity, and +fidelity, and devotion, too rarely equalled even by man himself.<br> +<br> +<a name="I159">Mr</a>. James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, living in his early days among the +sheep and their quadruped attendants, and an accurate observer of +nature, as well an exquisite poet, gives some anecdotes of the colley, +(the Highland term for sheep-dog), with which the reader will not be +displeased. + + <blockquote>"My dog Sirrah," says he, in a letter to the Editor of <i>Blackwood's + Edinburgh Magazine</i>, "was, beyond all comparison, the best dog I + ever saw. He had a somewhat surly and unsocial temper, disdaining all + flattery, and refusing to be caressed, but his attention to my + commands and interest will never again be equalled by any of the + canine race. When I first saw him, a drover was leading him with a + rope. He was both lean and hungry, and far from being a beautiful + animal; for he was almost black, and had a grim face, striped with + dark brown. I thought I perceived a sort of sullen intelligence in his + countenance, notwithstanding his dejected and forlorn appearance, and + I bought him. He was scarcely a year old, and knew so little of + herding that he had never turned a sheep in his life; but, as soon as + he discovered that it was his duty to do so, and that it obliged me, I + can never forget with what anxiety and eagerness he learned his + different evolutions; and when I once made him understand a direction, + he never forgot or mistook it."<br> +<br> + On one night, a large flock of lambs that were under the Ettrick + Shepherd's care, frightened by something, scampered away in three + different directions across the hills, in spite of all that he could + do to keep them together. "Sirrah," said the shepherd, "they're a' + awa!"<br> +<br> + It was too dark for the dog and his master to see each other at any + considerable distance, but Sirrah understood him, and set off after + the fugitives. The night passed on, and Hogg and his assistant + traversed every neighbouring hill in anxious but fruitless search for + the lambs; but he could hear nothing of them nor of the dog, and he + was returning to his master with the doleful intelligence that he had + lost all his lambs. "On our way home, however," says he, "we + discovered a lot of lambs at the bottom of a deep ravine called the + Flesh Cleuch, and the indefatigable Sirrah standing in front of them, + looking round for some relief, but still true to his charge. We + concluded that it was one of the divisions which Sirrah had been + unable to manage, until he came to that commanding situation. But what + was our astonishment when we discovered that not one lamb of the flock + was missing! How he had got all the divisions collected in the dark, + is beyond my comprehension. The charge was left entirely to himself + from midnight until the rising sun; and, if all the shepherds in the + forest had been there to have assisted him, they could not have + effected it with greater promptitude. All that I can say is, that I + never felt so grateful to any creature under the sun us I did to my + honest Sirrah that morning."</blockquote><br> +<br> + + +<table summary="Scotch Sheep-Dog" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="fr36">A</a> shepherd, in one of his excursions over the Grampian Hills to collect +his scattered flock, took with him (as is a frequent practice, to +initiate them in their future business) one of his children about four +years old. After traversing his pastures for a while, attended by his +dog, he was compelled to ascend a summit at some distance. As the ascent +was too great for the child, he left him at the bottom, with strict +injunctions not to move from the place. Scarcely, however, had he gained +the height, when one of the Scotch mists, of frequent occurrence, +suddenly came on, and almost changed the day to night. He returned to +seek his child, but was unable to find him, and concluded a long and +fruitless search by coming distracted to his cottage. His poor dog also +was missing in the general confusion. On the next morning by daylight he +renewed his search, but again he came back without his child. He found, +however, that during his absence his dog had been home, and, on +receiving his allowance of food, instantly departed. For four successive +days the shepherd continued his search with the same bad fortune, the +dog as readily coming for his meal and departing. </td> +<td><a name="scotchsheep"></a><img src="images/scotch.gif" width="437" height="400" align="right" border="2" alt="The Scotch Sheep-Dog"></td> +</tr> +</table> +Struck by this +singular circumstance, he determined to follow the dog, who departed as +usual with his piece of cake. The animal led the way to a cataract at +some distance from the spot where the child had been left. It was a +rugged and almost perpendicular descent which the dog took, and he +disappeared in a cave, the mouth of which was almost on a level with the +torrent. The shepherd with difficulty followed; but, on entering the +cavern, what were his emotions when he beheld the infant eating the cake +which the dog had just brought to him, while the faithful animal stood +by, eyeing his young charge with the utmost complacency! From the +situation in which the child was found, it appeared that he had wandered +to the brink of the precipice, and then either fallen or scrambled down, +the torrent preventing his re-ascent. The dog by means of his scent had +traced him to the spot, and afterwards prevented him from starving by +giving up a part, or, perhaps, the whole of his own daily allowance. He +appears never to have quitted the child night or day, except for food, +as he was seen running at full speed to and from the cottage<a href="#f36"><sup>6</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr37">Mr</a>. Hogg says, and very truly, that a single shepherd and his dog will +accomplish more in gathering a flock of sheep from a Highland farm than +twenty shepherds could do without dogs; in fact, that without this +docile animal, the pastoral life would be a mere blank. It would require +more hands to manage a flock of sheep, gather them from the hills, force +them into houses and folds, and drive them to markets, than the profits +of the whole flock would be capable of maintaining. Well may the +shepherd feel an interest in his dog; he it is indeed that earns the +family bread, of which he is himself content with the smallest morsel: +always grateful, and always ready to exert his utmost abilities in his +master's interests. Neither hunger, fatigue, nor the worst treatment +will drive him from his side, and he will follow him through every +hardship without murmur or repining. If one of them is obliged to change +masters, it is sometimes long before he will acknowledge the new owner, +or condescend to work for him with the willingness that he did for his +former lord; but, if he once acknowledges him, he continues attached to +him until death<a href="#f37"><sup>7</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr38">We</a> will add another story of the colley, and proceed. It illustrates the +memory of the dog. A shepherd was employed in bringing up some mountain +sheep from Westmoreland, and took with him a young sheep-dog who had +never made the journey before. From his assistant being ignorant of the +ground, he experienced great difficulty in having the flock stopped at +the various roads and lanes he passed in their way to the neighbourhood +of London.<br> +<br> +In the next year the same shepherd, accompanied by the same dog, brought +up another flock for the gentlemen who had had the former one. On being +questioned how he had got on, he said much better than the year before, +as his dog now knew the road, and had kept the sheep from going up any +of the lanes or turnings that had given the shepherd so much trouble on +his former journey. The distance could not have been less than 400 +miles<a href="#f38"><sup>8</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr39">Buffon</a> gives an eloquent and faithful account of the sheep-dog: + +<blockquote>"This animal, faithful to man, will always preserve a portion of his + empire and a degree of superiority over other beings. He reigns at the + head of his flock, and makes himself better understood than the voice + of the shepherd. Safety, order, and discipline are the fruits of his + vigilance and activity. They are a people submitted to his management, + whom he conducts and protects, and against whom he never employs force + but for the preservation of good order." <br> +<br> +"If we consider that this + animal, notwithstanding his ugliness and his wild and melancholy look, + is superior in instinct to all others; that he has a decided character + in which education has comparatively little share; that he is the only + animal born perfectly trained for the service of others; that, guided + by natural powers alone, he applies himself to the care of our flocks, + a duty which he executes with singular assiduity, vigilance, and + fidelity; that he conducts them with an admirable intelligence which + is a part and portion of himself; that his sagacity astonishes at the + same time that it gives repose to his master, while it requires great + time and trouble to instruct other dogs for the purposes to which they + are destined: if we reflect on these facts we shall be confirmed in + the opinion that the shepherd's dog is the true dog of nature, the + stock and model of the whole species."<a href="#f39"><sup>9</sup></a></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">After <a name="I350">reading</a> the above history of this truly valuable dog, it is +almost superfluous for us to attempt to add anything more on this head; +however, we must pause for a few moments, to call the attention of our +agriculturists and others engaged in raising sheep, to the immense +advantages to be derived from the introduction of this sagacious animal +throughout our own country.<br> +<br> +The increased vigour that is now given for the cultivation of sheep, to +supply the necessary demands of the numerous woollen factories springing +up in every quarter, renders the services of this faithful creature +absolutely indispensable, not only as a guardian of the flocks, but as a +mere expedient of economy.<br> +<br> +Many portions of our country, now lying idle, particularly the +mountainous ranges, are peculiarly adapted for the grazing of sheep, and +we are destined not only to supply the world with cotton, but may hope +ere long to add to our national wealth the other equally valuable staple +commodity, that of wool.<br> +<br> +<a name="I341">In</a> the care of sheep, each dog not only supplies the place of two or +three men, but, as is seen in the foregoing pages, renders such +assistance as cannot be obtained from any other source.<br> +<br> +The shepherds of Mexico lead a life not unlike the patriarchs of old, +shifting about from day to day, watching their immense flocks, attended +only by a few dogs, who have the entire control of the sheep, keeping +them from straying away, and not only defending them from the +blood-thirsty wolf, but even attacking, if necessary, the skulking +savage.<br> +<br> +These dogs of Mexico are represented as being much larger than the +English variety, and no doubt are the descendants of the Spanish +shepherd dog, so highly prized in protecting the Merino flocks from the +wolves that infest the mountainous parts of Spain, most frequented by +the herds during the summer season.<br> +<br> +These dogs are the same breed as those engaged by the philanthropic +monks of St. Bernard in hunting up the benumbed traveller when sinking +from exhaustion, or already overwhelmed by the sudden rushing of an +avalanche into some one of the mountain passes.<br> +<br> +The original Spanish shepherd dog is a very powerful animal, and even +those of Mexico, when armed with spiked collars, are a sufficient match +for the largest wolves. Mr. Kendall mentions having met on the grand +prairie with a flock of sheep numbering seventeen thousand, which +immense herd was guarded by a very few men, assisted by a large number +of noble dogs, which appeared gifted with the faculty of keeping them +together.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">"There was no running about, no barking or biting in their +system of tactics; on the contrary, they were continually walking up and +down, like faithful sentinels, on the outer side of the flock, and +should any sheep chance to stray from his fellows, the dog on duty at +that particular post would walk gently up, take him carefully by the +ear, and lead him back to the fold. Not the least fear did the sheep +manifest at the approach of these dogs, and there was no occasion for +it."<br> +(Vol. I. p. 268.)</span></blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">This account coincides with the remarks of Mr. Trinner upon this dog in +old Spain; and Mr. Skinner very justly remarks, that the Mexican +sheep-dog has not his equal in any part of the world, except, perhaps, +in his native country, and that the Scotch or English dog sinks into +insignificance when compared with him.<br> +<br> +A flock of a thousand sheep in Spain requires the attendance of two men +and an equal number of dogs, who never for a moment quit their charge, +watching them without intermission day and night. The great inferiority +of the English dogs, may be attributed, perhaps, to their want of care +in training and bringing up, which is considered the most essential, and +actually the foundation of all their future usefulness with the +Mexicans. The pups when first born, are taken from the bitch, and put to +a sucking ewe, already deprived of her own lamb. For several days the +ewe is confined with the pups in the shepherd's hut, and either from +force, or an instinctive desire to be relieved of the contents of the +udder, she soon allows the little strangers to suck, and in the course +of a few days more, becomes quite reconciled to the change, and exhibits +a great degree of affection for her foster children, who, knowing no +other parentage, becomes thus early engrafted into the general +community, and returns their early kindness by every mark of affection +and fidelity hereafter; never being willing for a moment to quit their +society, but remains with them night and day, expressing a peculiar +attachment to this particular flock, and seeming able to distinguish +each member of it from all other intruders.<br> +<br> +In the third volume of the <i>American Agriculturist</i> will be found +an interesting article connected with this subject, and from which we +might extract much useful information, if our limits would allow of its +insertion in the present volume.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I342">Skinner</a> states, that in 1832 he had two of these dogs, a male and +female, both trained, but unfortunately lost the latter before obtaining +any pups from her; he also remarks, that they can be imported via Havana +and Santander, at an expense of not less than $70 or $80. We see no +reason why the same dogs might not be obtained at a much less cost by +the Santa Fé traders, who, no doubt, would be glad to bring them into +the country as companions de voyages, provided there was any demand for +them. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="drover"></a><h4>The Drover's Dog</h4> + +bears considerable resemblance to the sheep-dog, and has usually the +same prevailing black or brown colour. He possesses all the docility of +the sheep-dog, with more courage, and sometimes a degree of ferocity, +exercised without just cause upon his charge, while he is in his turn +cruelly used by a brutal master.<br> +<br> +There is a valuable cross between the colley and the drover's dog in +Westmoreland, and a larger and stronger breed is cultivated in +Lincolnshire; indeed it is necessary there, where oxen as well as sheep +are usually consigned to the dog's care. A good drover's dog is worth a +considerable sum; but the breed is too frequently and injudiciously +crossed at the fancy of the owner. Some drovers' dogs are as much like +setters, lurchers, and hounds, as they are to the original breed.<br> +<br> +Stories are told of the docility and sagacity of the drover's dog even +more surprising than any that are related of the sheep-dog. The Ettrick +Shepherd says, that a Mr. Steel, butcher in Peebles, had such implicit +dependence on the attention of his dog to his orders, that whenever he +put a lot of sheep before her, he took a pride in leaving them entirely +to her, and either remained to take a glass with the farmer of whom he +had made the purchase, or travelled another road to look after bargains +or business. At one time, however, he chanced to commit a drove to her +charge, at a place called Willenslee, without attending to her +condition, which he certainly ought to have done. This farm is about +five miles from Peebles, over wild hills, and there is no regularly +defined path to it. Whether Mr. Steel chose another road is uncertain; +but, on coming home late in the evening, he was surprised to hear that +his faithful animal had not made her appearance with her flock. He and +his son instantly prepared to set out by different paths in search of +her; but, on going into the street, there was she with the flock, and +not one of the sheep missing; she, however, was carrying a young pup in +her mouth. She had been taken in travail on those hills; and how the +poor beast had contrived to manage the sheep in her state of suffering +is beyond human calculation, for her road lay through sheep-pastures the +whole way. Her master's heart smote him when he saw what she had +suffered and effected; but she was nothing daunted; and, having +deposited her young one in a place of safety, she again set out at full +speed to the hills, and brought another and another little one, until +she had removed her whole litter one by one; the last, however, was +dead.<br> +<br> +Mr. Blaine relates as extraordinary an instance of intelligence, but not +mingled, like the former, with natural affection. A butcher and +cattle-dealer, who resided about nine miles from Alston, in Cumberland, +bought a dog of a drover. The butcher was accustomed to purchase sheep +and kine in the vicinity, which, when fattened, he drove to Alston +market and sold. In these excursions he was frequently astonished at the +peculiar sagacity of his dog, and at the more than common readiness and +dexterity with which he managed the cattle; until at length he troubled +himself very little about the matter, but, riding carelessly along, used +to amuse himself with observing how adroitly the dog acquitted himself +of his charge. At length, so convinced was he of his sagacity, as well +as fidelity, that he laid a wager that he would intrust the dog with a +number of sheep and oxen, and let him drive them alone and unattended to +Alston market. It was stipulated that no one should be within sight or +hearing who had the least control over the dog, nor was any spectator to +interfere. This extraordinary animal, however, proceeded with his +business in the most steady and dexterous manner; and, although he had +frequently to drive his charge through other herds that were grazing, he +did not lose one; but, conducting them to the very yard to which he was +used to drive them when with his master, he significantly delivered them +up to the person appointed to receive them by barking at his door. When +the path which he travelled lay through grounds in which others were +grazing, he would run forward, stop his own drove, and then, chasing the +others away, collect his scattered charge, and proceed. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="pom"></a><h4>The Italian or Pomeranian Wolf-dog.</h4> + +The wolf-dog is no longer a native of Great Britain, because his +services are not required there, but he is useful in various parts of +the Continent, in the protection of the sheep from the attacks of the +wolf. A pair of these dogs was brought to the Zoological Society of +London in 1833, and there long remained, an ornament to the Gardens. +They appeared to possess a considerable degree of strength, but to be +too gentle to contend with so powerful and ferocious an animal as the +wolf. They were mostly covered with white or gray, or occasionally black +hair, short on the head, ears and feet, but long and silky on the body +and tail. The forehead is elevated, and the muzzle lengthened and +clothed with short hair. The attachment of this dog to his master and +the flock is very great, and he has not lost a particle of his sagacity, +but, where wolves are common, is still used as a sheep-dog. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="cur"></a><h4>The Cur</h4> + +is the sheep-dog crossed with the terrier. He has long and somewhat +deservedly obtained a very bad name, as a bully and a coward; and +certainly his habit of barking at everything that passes, and flying at +the heels of the horse, renders him often a very dangerous nuisance: he +is, however, in a manner necessary to the cottager; he is a faithful +defender of his humble dwelling; no bribe can seduce him from his duty; +and he is likewise a useful and an effectual guard over the clothes and +scanty provisions of the labourer, who may be working in some distant +part of the field. All day long he will lie upon his master's clothes +seemingly asleep, but giving immediate warning of the approach of a +supposed marauder. He has a propensity, when at home, to fly at every +horse and every strange dog; and of young game of every kind there is +not a more ruthless destroyer than the village cur.<br> +<br> +Mr. Hogg draws the following curious parallel between the sheep-dog and +the cur: + +<blockquote> "An exceedingly good sheep-dog attends to nothing but the particular + branch of business to which he is bred. His whole capacity is exerted + and exhausted in it; and he is of little avail in miscellaneous + matters; whereas a very indifferent cur bred about the house, and + accustomed to assist in everything will often put the more noble breed + to disgrace in these little services. If some one calls out that the + cows are in the corn or the hens in the garden, the house colley needs + no other hint, but runs and turns them out. The shepherd's dog knows + not what is astir, and, if he is called out in a hurry for such work, + all that he will do is to run to the hill, or rear himself on his + haunches to see that no sheep are running away. A well-bred sheep-dog, + if coming hungry from the hills, and getting into a milk-house, would + likely think of nothing else than filling his belly with the cream. + Not so his initiated brother: he is bred at home to far higher + principles of honour. I have known such lie night and day among from + ten to twenty pails full of milk, and never once break the cream of + one of them with the tip of his tongue, nor would he suffer cat, rat, + or any other creature to touch it. While, therefore, the cur is a + nuisance, he is very useful in his way, and we would further plead for + him, that he possesses a great deal of the sagacity and all the + fidelity of the choicest breed of dogs."</blockquote> + +The dog who, according to the well-known and authentic story, watched +the remains of his master for two years in the churchyard of St. +Olave's, in Southwark, was a cur.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr40">The</a> following story is strictly authentic: + +<blockquote> "Not long ago a young man, an acquaintance of the coachman, was + walking, as he had often done, in Lord Fife's stables at Banff. Taking + an opportunity, when the servants were not regarding him, he put a + bridle into his pocket. A Highland cur that was generally about the + stables saw him, and immediately began to bark at him, and when he got + to the stable-door would not let him pass, but bit him by the leg in + order to prevent him. As the servants had never seen the dog act thus + before, and the same young man had been often with them, they could + not imagine what could be the reason of the dog's conduct. However, + when they saw the end of a valuable bridle peeping out of the young + man's pocket, they were able to account for it, and, on his giving it + up, the dog left the stable-door, where he had stood, and allowed him + to pass."<a href="#f40"><sup>10</sup></a></blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="lurcher"></a><h4>The Lurcher.</h4> + +This dog was originally a cross between the greyhound and the shepherd's +dog, retaining all the speed and fondness for the chase belonging to the +one, and the superior intelligence and readiness for any kind of work +which the latter possessed. This breed has been crossed again with the +spaniel, combining the disposition to quest for game which distinguishes +the spaniel with the muteness and swiftness of the greyhound. Sometimes +the greyhound is crossed with the hound. Whatever be the cross, the +greyhound must predominate; but his form, although still to be traced, +has lost all its beauty.<br> +<br> +The lurcher is a dog seldom found in the possession of the honourable +sportsman. The farmer may breed him for his general usefulness, for +driving his cattle, and guarding his premises, and occasionally coursing +the hare; but other dogs will answer the former purposes much better, +while the latter qualification may render him suspected by his landlord, +and sometimes be productive of serious injury. In a rabbit-warren this +dog is peculiarly destructive. His scent enables him to follow them +silently and swiftly. He darts unexpectedly upon them, and, being +trained to bring his prey to his master, one of these dogs will often in +one night supply the poacher with rabbits and other game worth more +money than he could earn by two days' hard labour.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr41">Mr</a>. H. Faull, of Helstone, in Cornwall, lost no fewer than fifteen fine +sheep, and some of them store sheep, killed by lurchers in January, +1824.<a href="#f41"><sup>11</sup></a><br> +<br> +We now proceed to the different species of dog belonging to the second +division of Cuvier, which are classed under the name of Hound; and, +first we take + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Beagle" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="beagle"></a><h4>The Beagle.</h4> + +The origin of this diminutive hound is somewhat obscure. There is +evidently much of the harrier and of the old southern, connected with a +considerable decrease of size and speed, the possession of an +exceedingly musical voice, and very great power of scent. Beagles are +rarely more than ten or twelve inches in height, and were generally so +nearly of the same size and power of speed, that it was commonly said +they might be covered with a sheet. This close running is, however, +considered as a mark of excellence in hounds of every kind.<br> +<br> +There are many pleasurable recollections of the period when "the good +old English gentleman" used to keep his pack of beagles or little +harriers, slow but sure, occasionally carried to the field in a pair of +panniers on a horse's back; often an object of ridicule at an early +period of the chase, but rarely failing to accomplish their object ere +the day closed, "the puzzling pack unravelling wile by wile, maze within +maze."</td> +<td><img src="images/beagle.gif" width="428" height="348" align="right" border="2" alt="The Beagle"></td> +</tr> +</table> + It was often the work of two or three hours to accomplish this; +but is was seldom, in spite of her speed, her shifts, and her doublings, +that the hare did not fall a victim to her pursuers.<br> +<br> +The slowness of their pace gradually caused them to be almost totally +discontinued, until very lately, and especially in the royal park at +Windsor, they have been again introduced. Generally speaking, they have +all the strength and endurance which is necessary to ensure their +killing their game, and are much fleeter than their diminutive size +would indicate. Formerly, considerable fancy and even judgment used to +be exercised in the breeding of these dogs. They were curiously +distinguished by the names of "deep-flewed," or "shallow-flewed," in +proportion as they had the depending upper lip of the southern, or the +sharper muzzle and more contracted lip of the northern dogs. The +shallow-flewed were the swiftest, and the deep-flewed the stoutest and +the surest, and their music the most pleasant. The wire-haired beagle +was considered as the stouter and better dog.<br> +<br> +The form of the head in beagles has been much misunderstood. They have, +or should have, large heads, decidedly round, and thick rather than +long; there will then be room for the expansion of the nasal membrane, +that of smell, and for the reverberation of the sound, so peculiarly +pleasant in this dog.<br> +<br> +The beagle runs very low to the ground, and therefore has a stronger +impression of the scent than taller dogs. This is especially the case +when the scent is more than usually low.<br> +<br> +Among the advocates for beagles, several years ago, was Colonel Hardy. +He used to send his dogs in panniers, and they had a little barn for +their kennel. The door was one night broken open, and every hound, +panniers and all, stolen. The thief was never discovered, not even +suspected.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr42">The</a> use of beagles was soon afterwards nearly abandoned by the +introduction of the harrier, and by his yielding in his turn to the +fox-hound; but the beagles of Colonel Thornton and Colonel Molyneux will +not be soon forgotten.<a href="#f42"><sup>12</sup></a><br> +<br> +There is, however, a practice which fair sportsmen will never resort +to — the use of a beagle to start a hare in order to be run down by a +brace of greyhounds, or perhaps by a lurcher. The hare is not fairly +matched in this way of proceeding. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Harrier" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="harrier"></a><h4>The Harrier</h4> + +occupies an intermediate station between the beagle and the fox-hound. +It is the fox-hound bred down to a diminished size, and suited to the +animal he is to pursue. He retains, or did for a while retain, the long +body, deep chest, large bones, somewhat heavy head, sweeping ears, and +mellow voice, which the sportsman of old so enthusiastically described, +with the certainty of killing, and the pleasing prolongation of the +chase. With this the farmer used to be content: it did not require +expensive cattle, was not attended with much hazard of neck, and did not +take him far from home.<br> +<br> +Almost every country squire used in former days to keep his little pack +of harriers or beagles. He was mounted on his stout cob-horse, that +served him alike for the road and the chase; and his huntsman probably +had a still smaller and rougher beast, or sometimes ran afoot. </td><td><img src="images/harrier.gif" width="418" height="389" align="right" border="2" alt="The Harrier"></td> +</tr> +</table> +He could +then follow the sport, almost without going off his own land, and the +farmer's boys, knowing the country and the usual doublings of the hare, +could see the greater part of the chase, and were almost able to keep up +with the hounds, so that they were rarely absent at the death: indeed, +they saw and enjoyed far more of it than the fox-hunter or the +stag-hunter now does, mounted on his fleetest horse. +<br> +<br> +The harrier was not more than 18 or 19 inches high. He was crossed with +the fox-hound if he was getting too diminutive, or with the beagle if he +was becoming too tall.<br> +<br> +The principal objects the sportsman endeavoured to accomplish were to +preserve stoutness, scent, and musical voice, with speed to follow the +hare sufficiently close, yet not enough to run her down too quickly, or +without some of those perplexities, and faults, and uncertainties which +give the principal zest to the chase.<br> +<br> +The character and speed of the hound much depend on the nature of the +country. The smaller harrier will best suit a deeply enclosed country; +but where there is little cover, and less doubling greater size and +fleetness are requisite. The harrier, nevertheless, let him be as tall +and as speedy as he may, should never he used for the fox; but every dog +should be strictly confined to his own game.<br> +<br> +Mr. Beckford, in his <i>Thoughts upon Hunting</i>, gives an account, +unrivalled, of the chase of the hare and fox. Many sporting writers have +endeavoured to tread in his steps; but they have failed in giving that +graphic account of the pleasures of the field which Mr. Beckford's essay +contains.<br> +<br> +He says that the sportsman should never have more than 20 couple in the +field, because it would he exceedingly difficult to get a greater number +to run together, and a pack of harriers cannot be complete if they do +not. A hound that runs too fast for the rest, or that lags behind them, +should be immediately discarded. His hounds were between the large +slow-hunting harrier and the fox-beagle. He endeavoured to get as much +bone and strength in as little compass as possible. He acknowledges that +this was a difficult undertaking; but he had, at last, the pleasure to +see them handsome, small, yet bony, running well together, and fast +enough, with all the alacrity that could be desired, and hunting the +coldest scent.<br> +<br> +He anticipates the present improvement of the chase when he lays it down +as a rule never to be departed from, that hounds of every kind should be +kept to their own game. They should have one scent, and one style of +hunting. Harriers will run a fox in so different a style from the +pursuit of a hare, that they will not readily, and often will not at +all, return to their proper work. The difference in the scent, and the +eagerness of pursuit, and the noise that accompanies fox-hunting, all +contribute to spoil a harrier.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr43">Mr</a>. Beckford pleasingly expresses a sportsman's consideration for the +poor animal which he is hunting to death. + +<blockquote>"A hare," he says, "is a +timorous little animal that we cannot help feeling some compassion for +at the time that we are pursuing her destruction. We should give scope +to all her little tricks, nor kill her foully nor overmatched. Instinct +instructs her to make a good defence when not unfairly treated, and I +will venture to say that, as far as her own safety is concerned, she has +more cunning than the fox, and makes shifts to save her life far beyond +all his artifice."<a href="#f43"><sup>13</sup></a></blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<table summary="Fox-Hound" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="fox"></a><h4>The Fox Hound</h4> + +is of a middle size, between the harrier and the stag-hound; it is the +old English hound, sufficiently crossed with the greyhound to give him +lightness and speed without impairing his scent; and he has now been +bred to a degree of speed sufficient to satisfy the man who holds his +neck at the least possible price, and with which few, except +thorough-bred horses, and not all of them, can live to the end of the +chase. The fox-hound is lighter, or as it is now called, more highly +bred, or he retains a greater portion of his original size and +heaviness, according to the nature of the country and the fancy of the +master of the pack: therefore it is difficult to give an accurate +description of the best variety of this dog; but there are guiding +points which can never be forgotten without serious injury.</td> +<td><img src="images/foxhound.gif" width="464" height="392" align="right" border="2" alt="The Fox-Hound"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<a name="I66">He</a> derives from the greyhound a head somewhat smaller and longer in +proportion to his size than either the stag-hound or the harrier. But +considerable caution is requisite here. The beauty of the head and face, +although usually accompanied by speed, must never be sacrificed to +stoutness and power of scent. The object of the sportsman is to +amalgamate them, or rather to possess them all in the greatest possible +degree. This will generally be brought to a great degree of perfection +if the sportsman regards the general excellence of the dog rather than +the perfection of any particular point. The ears should not, +comparatively speaking, be so large as those of the stag-hound or the +harrier; but the neck should be longer and lighter, the chest deep and +capacious, the fore legs straight as arrows, and the hind ones well bent +at the hock.<br> +<br> +Some extraordinary accounts have been given of the speed of the +fox-hound. A match that was run over the Beacon Course at Newmarket is +the best illustration of his fleetness. The distance is 4 miles 1 +furlong and 132 yards. The winning dog performed it in 8 minutes and a +few seconds; but of the sixty horses that started with the hounds, only +twelve were able to run in with them. Flying Childers had run the same +course in 7 minutes and 30 seconds. + +<blockquote>"<a name="fr44">The</a> size, or, as we should rather say, the height of a fox-hound, is a +point on which there has been much difference of opinion. Mr. Chule's +pack was three inches below the standard of Mr. Villebois', and four +inches below that of Mr. Warde's. The advocates of the former assert, +that they get better across a deep and strongly fenced country, while +the admirers of the latter insist on their being better climbers of +hills and more active in cover. As to uniformity in size, it is by no +means essential to the well-doing of hounds in the field, and has been +disregarded by some of our best sportsmen: Mr. Meynell never drafted a +good hound on account of his being over or under sized. The proper +standard of height in fox-hounds is from 21 to 22 inches for bitches, +and from 23 to 24 for dog-hounds. Mr. Warde's bitches, the best of the +kind that our country contained, were rather more than 23 inches. A few +of his dogs were 25 inches high. The amount of hounds annually bred will +depend upon the strength of the kennel. From sixty to eighty couples is +the complement for a four days a-week pack, which will require the +breeding of a hundred couples of puppies every year, allowing for +accidents and distemper."<a href="#f44"><sup>14</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="fr45">Nimrod</a> very properly observes, that + +<blockquote>"Mr. Beckford has omitted a point +much thought of by the modern sportsmen, namely, <i>the back-ribs</i>, +which should also be deep, as in a strong-bodied horse, of which we say, +when so formed, that he has a good 'spur place;' a point highly esteemed +in him. Nor is he sufficiently descriptive of the hinder legs of the +hound; for there is a length of thigh discernible in first-rate hounds +which, like the well-let-down hock of the horse, gives them much +superiority of speed, and is also a great security against their laming +themselves in leaping fences, which they are more apt to do when they +become blown and consequently weak. The fore legs, 'straight as arrows,' +is an admirable illustration of perfection in those parts by Beckford; +for, as in a bow or bandy legged man, nothing is so disfiguring to a +hound as having his elbows projecting, and which is likewise a great +check to speed."<a href="#f45"><sup>15</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="fr46">Mr</a>. Daniel gives a curious account of the prejudices of sportsmen on the +subject of colour. The white dogs were curious hunters, and had a +capital scent; the black, with some white spots, were obedient, good +hunters, and with good constitutions; the gray-coloured had no very +acute scent, but were obstinate, and indefatigable in their quest; the +yellow dogs were impatient and obstinate, and taught with difficulty.<a href="#f46"><sup>16</sup></a><br> +<br> +The dog exhibits no criteria of age after the first two years. That +period having elapsed, the whiteness and evenness of the teeth soon pass +away, and the <i>old</i> dog can scarcely be mistaken. Nimrod scarcely +speaks too positively when he says that an old hound cannot be mistaken, +if only looked in the face. At all events, few are found in a kennel +after the eighth year, and very few after the ninth.<br> +<br> +Mr. Beckford advises the sportsman carefully to consider the size, +shape, colour, constitution, and natural disposition of the dog from +which he breeds, and also the fineness of the nose, the evident strength +of the limb, and the good temper and devotion to his master which he +displays. The faults or imperfections in one breed may be rectified in +another; and, if this is properly attended to, there is no reason why +improvements may not continually be made.<br> +<br> +The separation of the sexes in the kennel and in the field is one of the +latest innovations in the hunting world, and generally considered to be +a good one. The eye is pleased to see a pack of hounds, nearly or quite +of a size. The character of the animal is more uniformly displayed when +confined to one sex. In consequence of the separation of the two, the +dogs are less inclined to quarrel; and the bitches are more at their +ease than when undergoing the importunate solicitations of the male. As +to their performances in the field, opinions vary, and each sex has its +advocates. The bitch, with a good fox before her, is decidedly more +off-hand at her work; but she is less patient, and sometimes overruns +the scent. <a name="fr47">Sir</a> Bellingharn Graham has been frequently heard to say, that +if his kennels would have afforded it, he would never have taken a +dog-hound into the field. That in the canine race the female has more of +elegance and symmetry of form, consequently more of speed, than the +male, is evident to a common observer; but there is nothing to lead to +the conclusion that, in the natural endowments of the senses, any +superiority exists.<a href="#f47"><sup>17</sup></a><br> +<br> +<a name="I137">The</a> bitch should not be allowed to engage in any long and severe chase +after she has been lined. She should be kept as quiet as may be +practicable, and well but not too abundantly fed; each having a kennel +or place of retreat for herself. She should be carefully watched, and +especially when the ninth week approaches. The huntsman and the keeper +without any apparent or unnecessary intrusion, should be on the alert.<br> +<br> +The time of pupping having arrived, as little noise or disturbance +should be made as possible; but a keeper should be always at hand in +case of abortion or difficult parturition. Should there be a probability +of either of these occurring, he should not be in a hurry; for, as much +should be left to nature as can, without evident danger, be done, and +the keeper should rarely intrude unless his assistance is indispensable.<br> +<br> +The pupping being accomplished, the mother should be carefully attended +to. She should be liberally fed, and particularly should have her share +of animal food, and an increased quantity of milk.<br> +<br> +The bitch should not have whelps until she has hunted two seasons; for, +before that time it will be scarcely possible to ascertain her +excellences or defects. If there are any considerable faults, she should +be immediately rejected.<br> +<br> +When the time approaches for her to produce her puppies, she should be +allowed a certain degree of liberty, and should choose her couch and run +about a little more than usual; but, when the young ones are born, the +less they are handled the better. The constitution and appearance of the +mother will indicate how many should be kept. If two litters are born at +or about the same time, or within two or three days of each other, we +may interchange one or two of the whelps of each of them, and perhaps +increase the value of both.<br> +<br> +<a name="I138">When</a> the whelps are able to crawl to a certain distance, it will be time +to mark them, according to their respective litters, some on the ear and +others on the lip. The dew-claws should be removed, and, usually, a +small tip from the tail. Their names also should be recorded.<br> +<br> +The whelps will begin to lap very soon after they can look about them, +and should remain with the mother until they are fully able to take care +of themselves. They may then be prepared to go to quarters.<br> +<br> +Two or three doses of physic should be given to the mother, with +intervals of four or five days between each: this will prepare her to +return to the kennel.<br> +<br> +There is often considerable difficulty in disposing of the whelps until +they get old and stout enough to be brought into the kennel. They are +mostly sent to some of the neighbouring cottages, in order to be taken +care of; but they are often neglected and half starved there. In +consequence of this, distemper soon appears, and many of them are lost.<br> +<br> +Whelps <i>walked</i>, or taken care of at butchers' houses, soon grow to +a considerable size; but they are apt to be heavy-shouldered and +throaty, and perhaps otherwise deformed. There is some doubt whether it +might not be better for the sportsman to take the management of them +himself, and to have a kennel built purposely for them. It may, perhaps, +be feared that the distemper will get among them: they would, however, +be well fed, and far more comfortable than they now are; and, as to the +distemper, it is a disease that they must have some time or other.<br> +<br> +From twenty to thirty couples are quite as many as can be easily +managed; and the principal consideration is, whether they are steady, +and as nearly as possible equal of speed. When the packs are very large, +the hounds are seldom sufficiently hunted to be good. Few persons choose +to hunt every day, or, if they did, it is not likely that the weather +would permit them. The sportsman would, therefore, be compelled to take +an inconvenient number into the field, and too many must be left behind. +In the first place, too many hounds in the field would frequently spoil +the sport; and, on the other hand, the hounds that remained would get +out of wind, or become riotous, or both. Hounds, to be useful and good, +should be constantly hunted; but a great fault in many packs is their +having too many old dogs among them.<br> +<br> +Young hounds, when first taken to the kennel, should be kept separate +from the rest of the pack, otherwise there will be frequent and +dangerous quarrels. When these do occur, the feeder hears, and +sometimes, but not so frequently as he ought, endeavours to discover the +cause of the disturbance, and visits the culprits with deserved +punishment; too often, however, he does not give himself time for this, +but rushes among them, and flogs every hound that he can get at, guilty +or not guilty. This is a shameful method of procedure. It is the cause +of much undeserved punishment: it spoils the temper of the dog, and +makes him careless and indifferent as long as he lives.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I139">Beckford</a> very properly remarks, that + +<blockquote>"Young hounds are, and must be +awkward at first, and should be taken out, a few at a time, with couples +not too loose. They are thus accustomed to the usual occurrences of the +road, and this is most easily accomplished when a young and an old dog +are coupled together."</blockquote> + +A sheep-field is the next object, and the young hound, properly watched, +soon becomes reconciled, and goes quietly along with the companion of +the preceding day. A few days afterwards the dogs are uncoupled in the +field, and perhaps, at first, are not a little disposed to attack the +sheep; but the cry of "Ware sheep!" in a stern tone of voice, arrests +them, and often, without the aid of the whip; it being taken as a +principle that this instrument should be used as seldom as possible. If, +indeed, the dog is self-willed, the whip must be had recourse to, and +perhaps with some severity; for, if he is once suffered to taste the +blood of the sheep, it may be difficult to restrain him afterwards. A +nobleman was told that it was possible to break his dogs of the habit of +attacking his sheep, by introducing a large and fearless ram among them; +one was accordingly procured and turned into the kennel. The men with +their whips and voices, and the ram with his horns, soon threw the whole +kennel into confusion. The hounds and the ram were left together. +Meeting a friend soon afterwards, "Come," said he, "to the kennel, and +see what rare sport the ram is making among the hounds." His friend +asked whether he was not afraid that some of them might be spoiled. +"No," said he; "they deserve it, and let them suffer." They proceeded to +the kennel; all was quiet. The kennel-door was thrown open, and the +remains of the ram were found scattered about: the hounds, having filled +their bellies, had retired to rest.<br> +<br> +The time of entering young hounds must vary in different countries. In a +corn country, it should not be until the wheat is carried; in grass +countries, somewhat sooner; and, in woodlands, as soon as we please. +Frequent hallooing may be of use with young hounds; it makes them more +eager; but, generally speaking, there is a time when it may be of use, a +time when it does harm, and a time when it is perfectly indifferent.<br> +<br> +The following remarks of Mr. Beckford are worthy of their author: + + <blockquote> "Hounds at their first entering cannot be encouraged too much. When + they begin to know what is right, it will be soon enough to chastise + them for doing wrong, and, in such case, one rather severe beating + will save a great deal of trouble. The voice should be used as well as + the whip; and the smack of the whip will often be of as much avail as + the lash to him who has felt it."</blockquote> + +<a name="I133">Flogging</a> hounds in the kennel, the frequent practice of too many +huntsmen, should be held in utter abhorrence, and, if carried to a +considerable excess, is a disgrace to humanity. Generally speaking, none +but the sportsman can form an adequate conception of the perfect +obedience of the hound both in the kennel and the field. At +feeding-time, each dog, although hungry enough, will go through the gate +in the precise order in which he is called by the feeder; and, in a +well-broken pack, to chop at, or to follow a hare, or to give tongue on +a false scent, or even to break cover alone, although the fox is in +view, are faults that are rarely witnessed.<br> +<br> +Let not this obedience, however, be purchased by the infliction of a +degree of cruelty that disgraces both the master and the menial. A young +fox-hound may, possibly, mistake the scent of a hare for that of a fox, +and give tongue. In too many hunts he will be unmercifully flogged for +this, and some have almost died under the lash. Mercy is a word totally +unknown to a great proportion of whippers-in, and even to many who call +themselves gentlemen. There can be no occasion or excuse for barbarity: +a little trouble, and moderate punishment, and the example of his +fellows, will gradually teach the wildest hound his duty.<br> +<br> +That the huntsman, and not the hound, may occasionally be in fault, the +following anecdote will furnish sufficient proof. In drawing a strong +cover, a young bitch gave tongue very freely, while none of the other +hounds challenged. The whipper-in railed to no purpose; the huntsman +insisted that she was wrong, and the whip was applied with great +severity. In doing this, the lash accidentally struck one of her eyes +out of its socket.<br> +<br> +Notwithstanding the dreadful pain that must have ensued, she again took +up the scent, and proved herself right; for the fox had stolen away, and +she had broken cover after him, unheeded and alone. After much delay and +cold hunting, the pack hit off the same scent.<br> +<br> +At some distance a farmer informed the sportsmen, that they were a long +way behind the fox, for he had seen a single hound, very bloody about +the head, running breast-high, so that there was but little chance of +their getting up with her. The pack, from her coming to a check, did at +last overtake her.<br> +<br> +The same bitch once more hit off the scent, and the fox was killed, +after a long and severe run. The eye of the poor animal, that had hung +pendent through the chase, was then taken off with a pair of scissors. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="commence"></a><h3>The Commencement of the Season.</h3> + +During the beginning of autumn, the hounds should be daily exercised +when the weather will permit. They should often be called over in the +kennel to habituate them to their names, and walked out among the sheep +and deer, in order that they may he accustomed perfectly to disregard +them.<br> +<br> +A few stout hounds being added to the young ones, some young foxes may +occasionally be turned out. If they hunt improper game, they must be +sternly checked. Implicit obedience is required until they have been +sufficiently taught as to the game which they are to pursue. No +obstinate deviation from it must ever be pardoned. The hounds should be, +as much as possible, taken out into the country which they are +afterwards to hunt, and some young foxes are probably turned out for +them to pursue. At length they are suffered to hunt their game in +thorough earnest, and to taste of its blood.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr48">After</a> this they are sent to more distant covers, and more old hounds are +added, and so they continue until they are taken into the pack, which +usually happens in September. The young hounds continue to be added, two +or three couple at a time, until all have hunted. They are then divided +into two packs, to be taken out alternate days. Properly speaking, the +sport cannot be said to begin until October, but the two preceding +months are important and busy ones.<a href="#f48"><sup>18</sup></a> + +<blockquote> "It would appear, then," says Nimrod, "that the breeding of a pack of + fox-hounds, bordering on perfection, is a task of no ordinary + difficulty. The best proof of it is to be found in the few sportsmen + that have succeeded in it. Not only is every good quality obtained if + possible, but every imperfection or fault is avoided. The highest + virtue in a fox-hound is his being true to the line his game has gone, + and a stout runner at the end of the chase. He must also be a patient + hunter when there is a cold scent and the pack is at fault." +</blockquote> + +While there is no country in the world that can produce a breed of +horses to equal the English thorough-bred in his present improved state, +there are no dogs like the English fox-hound for speed, scent, and +continuance. It would seem as if there were something in the climate +favourable and necessary to the perfection of the hound. Packs of them +have been sent to other countries, neighbouring and remote; but they +have usually become more or less valueless.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr49">As</a> regards the employment of the voice and the horn when out with +hounds, too much caution cannot be used. A hound should never be cheered +unless we are perfectly convinced that he is right, nor rated unless we +are sure that he is wrong. When we are not sure of what is going on we +should sit still and be silent. A few moments will possibly put us in +possession of all that we wish to know.<a href="#f49"><sup>19</sup></a><br> +<br> +The horn should only be used on particular occasions, and a huntsman +should speak by his horn as much as by his voice. Particular notes +should mean certain things, and the hounds and the field should +understand the language. We have heard some persons blowing the horn all +the day long, and the hounds have become so careless as to render it of +no use. When a hound first speaks in cover to a fox, you may, if you +think it necessary, use <i>one single</i> and prolonged note to get the +pack together. The same note will do at any time to call up a lost or +loitering hound; but, when the fox breaks cover, then let your horn be +marked in its notes: let it sound as if you said through it, "Gone away! +gone away! gone away! away! away! away!" dwelling with full emphasis on +the last syllable. Every hound will fly from the cover the moment he +hears this, and the sportsmen and the field will know that the fox is +away.<br> +<br> +It is the perfection of the horse, and the perfection of the hound, and +the disregard of trifling expense, that has given to Englishmen a +partiality for field-sports, unequalled in any other country. Mr. Ware's +pack of fox-hounds cost 2 000 guineas, and the late Lord Middleton gave +the same to Mr. Osbaldeston for ten couples of his hounds. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="huntken"></a><h3>Hunting-Kennels.</h3> + +It is time, however, to speak of the kennel, whether we regard the +sporting architecture of Mr.G. Tattersall, or the scientific inquiries +of Mr. Vyner, or a sketch of the noble buildings at Goodwood.<br> +<br> +The lodging-rooms should be ceiled, but not plastered, with ventilators +above and a large airy window on either side. The floors should be laid +with flags or paved with bricks. Cement may be used instead of mortar, +and the kennels will then be found wholesome and dry. The doorways of +the lodging-houses will generally be four feet and a half wide, in the +clear. The posts are rounded, to prevent the hounds from being injured +when they rush out. The benches may be made of cast-iron or wood; those +composed of iron being most durable, but the hounds are more frequently +lamed in getting to them. The wooden benches must be bound with iron, or +the hounds will gnaw or destroy them. A question has arisen, whether the +benches should be placed round the kennel, or be in the centre of it, +allowing a free passage by the side. There is least danger of the latter +being affected by the damp. The walls should be wainscoted to the height +of three feet at least. This will tend very considerably to their +comfort.<br> +<br> +The floors of all the courts should be arranged in nearly the same way; +the partition walls being closed at the bottom, but with some iron work +above. The doorways should also be so contrived, that the huntsman may +be able to enter whenever he pleases. The boiling-house should be at as +great a distance from the hunting-kennel as can be managed, continuing +to give warmth to the infirmary for distempered puppies, and at ihe same +time being out of the way of the other courts.<br> +<br> +Mr. Vyner gives an interesting account of the young hounds' kennel: + +<blockquote> "This building," he says, "should be as far from the other + lodging-rooms as the arrangements of the structure will allow. There + is also an additional court, or grass-yard, an indispensable requisite + in the puppies' kennel. The size must be regulated according to the + waste land at the end of the building; but the longer it is, the + better. At the farther end of the grass-court is a hospital for such + young hounds as are distempered, so contrived as to be remote from the + other kennels, and, at the same time, within an easy distance of the + boiling-house, whence it is apparently approached by an outside door, + through which the feeder can constantly pass to attend to the sick + hounds without disturbing the healthy lots. Although this lodging room + is warmed by the chimney of the boiling-house, it must be well + ventilated by two windows, to which shutters must be attached; + ventilation and good air being quite as necessary to the cure of + distemper as warmth."</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="kenlame"></a><h3>Kennel Lameness.</h3> + +We now proceed to a most important and ill-understood subject — the +nature and treatment of <i>kennel lameness</i>. It is a subject that +nearly concerns the sportsman, and on which there are several and the +most contrary opinions.<br> +<br> +This is a kind of lameness connected with, or attributable to, the +kennel. According to the early opinion of Mr. Asheton Smith, who is a +good authority, it was referable to some peculiarity in the breed or +management of the hounds; but, agreeably to a later opinion, it is +dependent on situation and subsoil, and may be aggravated or increased +by circumstances over which we have no control. Some kennels are in low +and damp situations, yet the hounds are free from all complaint: and +others, with the stanchest dogs and under the best management, are +continually sinking under kennel lameness.<br> +<br> +Mr. R. T. <a name="I291">Vyner</a> was one of the first who scientifically treated on this +point, and taught us that <i>clay is not by any means an objectionable +soil to build a kennel upon</i>, although so many pseudo-sportsmen are +frightened by the very name of it.<br> +<br> +He enters at once into his subject. + + <blockquote>"I am thoroughly convinced," says he, "from my own experience, and, I + may add, my own suffering, that the disease of kennel lameness arises + only from one cause, and that is an injudicious and unfortunate + selection of the spot for building. The kennel is generally built on a + sand-bed, or on a sandstone rock, while the healthiest grounds in + England are on a stiff clay, and they are the healthiest because they + are the least porous. Although this may be contrary to the opinion and + prejudice of the majority of sportsmen, it is a fact that cannot be + contradicted.<br> +<br> + Through a light and friable soil, such as sand and sandstone, a + vapour, more or less dense, is continually exhaling and causing a + perpetual damp, which produces that fearful rheumatism which goes by + the name of kennel lameness, while the kennels that are built on a + clay soil, a soil of an impervious nature, are invariably healthy.<br> +<br> + I could," he adds, "enumerate twenty kennels to prove the effect — the + invariable effect — of the existence of the disease on the one part, + and of the healthiness of the situation on the other. I turn + particularly to her Majesty's kennel at Ascot, the arches of which + were laid under the very foundation strain, and yet little at no + amendment has ever taken place in the healthiness and comfort of the + dogs. It is necessary to select a sound and healthy situation when + about to erect a kennel, and that sound and healthy situation can be + met with alone on a strong impervious clay soil. We must have no fluid + oozing through the walls or the floor of the kennel, and producing + damp and unhealthy vapours, such as we find in the sandbed."</blockquote> + +With regard to this there can be no error. + +<a name="I197">Nimrod</a>, in his excellent treatise on <i>Kennel Lameness</i>, asks, whether it +does not appear that this disease is on the increase. He asks, + +<blockquote>How is it that neither Beckford nor Somerville says one word that + clearly applies to the disease; and no one, however learned he might + be in canine pathology, has been able clearly to define the disease, + much less to discover a remedy for it?"</blockquote> + +<a name="I31">All</a> that Mr. Blaine says on the matter amounts only to this: + +<blockquote> "The healthiness of the situation on which any kennel is to be built, + is an important consideration. It is essential that it should be both + dry and airy, and it should also be warm. A damp kennel produces + rheumatism in dogs, which shows itself sometimes by weakness in the + loins, but more frequently by lameness in the shoulders, known under + the name of kennel lameness."</blockquote> + +<a name="fr50">Mr</a>. Blaine illustrates this by reference to his own experience. + +<blockquote> "There is no disease, with the exception of distemper and mange, to + which dogs are so liable as to a rheumatic affection of some part of + the body. It presents almost as many varieties in the dog as it does + in man; and it has some peculiarities observable in the dog only. + Rheumatism never exists in a dog without affecting the bowels. There + will be inflammation or painful torpor through the whole of the + intestinal canal. It is only in some peculiar districts that this + occurs; it pervades certain kennels only; and but until lately there + has been little or almost no explanation of the cause of the evil."<a href="#f50"><sup>20</sup></a></blockquote> + +Nimrod took a most important view of the matter, and to him the sporting +world is much indebted. + +<blockquote> "How is it," he asks, "that, in our younger days, we never heard of + kennel lameness, or, indeed, of hounds being lame at all, unless from + accident, or becoming shaken and infirm from not having been composed + of that iron-bound material which the labours of a greyhound or a + hound require? How is it, that, in our younger days, masters of hounds + began the season with 50 or 60 couples, and, bating the casualties, + left off at the end of it equally strong in their kennels, and able, + perhaps, to make a valuable draft; whereas we now hear of one-half of + the dogs in certain localities being disabled by disease, and some + masters of hounds compelled to be stopped in their work until their + kennels are replenished."</blockquote> + +<a name="I292">Washing</a> hounds when they come home after work must be injurious to them, +although it has almost become the fashion of modern times. If they are +not washed at all, and we believe it to be unnecessary, yet the kennels +in which lameness has appeared should be strictly avoided. It should be +on the day following and not in the evening of a hunting-day that +washing should take place.<br> +<br> +Mr. Hodgson told Nimrod, that the Quorn Pack never had a case of kennel +lameness until his late huntsman took to washing his hounds after +hunting, and then he often had four or five couples ill from this cause. +He deprecated even their access to water in the evening after hunting, +and we believe that he was quite right in so doing.<br> +<br> + +<a name="I174">The</a> tongue of the dog, with the aid of clean straw, is his best and +safest instrument in cleansing his person; and, if he can be brought to +his kennel with tolerably clean feet, as Mr. Foljambe enables him to be +brought, he will never be long before he is comfortable in his bed, +after his belly is filled.<br> +<br> +There is another mode, as a preventive of kennel lameness, which we have +the best authority for saying deserves particular attention, and that +is, the frequently turning hounds off their benches during the day, even +if it were to the extent of every two hours throughout the entire day. +We do not mean to deny the existence of a disease, which, being produced +in the kennel, is properly termed kennel lameness. Some kennels are, no +doubt, more unhealthy and prone to engender rheumatic affections than +others; but, by proper management, and avoiding as much as possible all +exciting causes, their effects may, at least, be very much lessened, if +not entirely obviated. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="fitz"></a><h3>Lord Fitzhardinge's Management.</h3> + +<a name="fr51">Lord</a> Fitzhardinge's opinion of the situation of the kennel and the +management of the hounds, as given in the <i>New Sporting Magazine</i>, is +somewhat different from that which has been just given. The following is +the substance of it:<a href="#f51"><sup>21</sup></a><br> +<br> +He states that the kennel should be built on a dry and warm situation. +Of this there can be no doubt: the comfort and almost the existence of +the dog depend upon it. To this he adds that it must not be placed on a +gravelly or porous soil, over which vapours more or less dense are +frequently or continually travelling, and thus causing a destructive +exhalation over the whole of the building. There must be no fluid oozing +through the walls or the floor of the kennel, and producing damp and +unhealthy vapours. When we have not a deep supersoil of clay, one or two +layers of bricks or of stone may line the floor, and then, not even the +most subtile vapour can penetrate through the floor. A clean bed of +straw should be allowed every second day, or oftener when the weather is +wet. The lodging-houses should be ceiled, and there should be shutters +to the windows. A thatched roof is preferable to tiles, being warmer in +winter and cooler in summer.<br> +<br> +Stoves in the kennels are not necessary: probably they are best avoided; +for, if dogs are accustomed to any considerable degree of artificial +heat, they are more easily chilled by a long exposure to cold. Their +teeth and the setting-up of their backs will confirm this.<br> +<br> +Hounds, when they feel cold, naturally seek each other for warmth, and +they may be seen lying upon the straw and licking each other; and that +is by far the most wholesome way of procuring comfort and warmth.<br> +<br> +<a name="I135">On</a> returning from hunting, their feet should be washed with some warm +fluid, and especially the eyes should be examined, and their food got +ready for them as soon as possible. The feeding in the morning should be +an hour, or an hour and a half, before they start for the field.<br> +<br> +It is truly observed by the noble writer to whom we have referred, that +there is no part of an establishment of this kind that merits more +attention than the boiling and feeding house. The hounds cannot perform +their work well unless judiciously fed. Each hound requires particular +and constitutional care. No more than five of them should be let in to +feed together, and often not more than one or two. The feeder should +have each hound under his immediate observation, or they may get too +much or too little of the food.<br> +<br> +Some hounds cannot run if they carry much flesh; others are all the +better for having plenty about them. The boilers should be of iron, two +in number, — one for meal and the smaller one for flesh. The large boiler +should render it necessary to be used not more than once in four days or +a week. The food should be stirred for two hours, then transferred to +flat coolers, until sufficiently gelatinous to be cut with a kind of +spade. By the admixture of some portion of soups it may be brought to +any thickness requisite. The flesh to be mixed with it should be cut +very small, that the greedy hounds may not be able to obtain more than +their share. Four bushels and a half of genuine old oatmeal should be +boiled with a hundred gallons of water. The flesh should he boiled every +second or third day. Too great a proportion of soup would render the +mixture of a heating nature.<br> +<br> +Mr. Delmé Radcliffe very truly observes that the feeding of hounds, as +regards their condition, is one of the most essential proofs of a +huntsman's skill in the management of the kennel. To preserve that even +state of condition throughout the pack which is so desirable, he must be +well acquainted with the appetite of every hound; for some will feed +with a voracity scarcely credible, and others will require every kind of +enticement to induce them to feed.<br> +<br> +Mr. Meynell found that the use of dry unboiled oatmeal succeeded better +than any other thing he had tried with delicate hounds. When once +induced to take it, they would eat it greedily, and it seemed to be far +more heartening than most kinds of aliment. Other hounds of delicate +constitution might be tempted with a little additional flesh, and with +the thickest and best of the trough, but they required to be watched, +and often to be coaxed to eat.<br> +<br> +The dog possesses the power of struggling against want of food for an +almost incredible period. One of these animals, six years old, was +missing three-and-twenty days; at length some children wandering in a +distant wood thought that they frequently heard the baying of a dog. The +master was told of it, and at the bottom of an old quarry, sixty feet +deep, and the mouth of which he had almost closed by his vain attempts +to escape, the voice of the poor fellow was recognised. With much +difficulty he was extricated, and found in a state of emaciation; his +body cold as ice and his thirst inextinguishable, and he scarcely able +to move. They gave him at intervals small portions of bread soaked in +milk and water. Two days afterwards he was able to follow his master a +short distance.<br> +<br> +This occurrence is mentioned by M. Pinguin as a proof that neither +hunger nor thirst could produce rabies. <a name="fr52">Messrs</a>. Majendie and F. Cousins +have carried their observations to the extent of forty days — a +disgraceful period.<a href="#f52"><sup>22</sup></a> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="packman"></a><h3>Management Of The Pack.</h3> + +Sixty-five couple of hounds in full work will consume the carcases of +three horses in one week, or five in a fortnight. The annual consumption +of meal will be somewhat more than two tons per month.<br> +<br> +In feeding, the light eaters should be let in first, and a little extra +flesh distributed on the surface of the food, in order to coax those +that are most shy. Some hounds cannot be kept to their work unless fed +two or three times a day; while others must not be allowed more than six +or seven laps, or they would get too much.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr53">In</a> summer an extra cow or two will be of advantage in the dairy; for the +milk, after it has been skimmed, may be used instead of flesh. There +must always be a little flesh in hand for the sick, for bitches with +their whelps, and for the entry of young hounds.<a href="#f53"><sup>23</sup></a> About Christmas is +the time to arrange the breeding establishment. The number of puppies +produced is usually from five to eight or nine; but, in one strange +case, eighteen of them made their appearance. The constitution and other +appearances in the dam, will decide the number to be preserved. When the +whelps are sufficiently grown to run about, they should be placed in a +warm situation, with plenty of fresh grass, and a sufficient quantity of +clean, but not too stimulating, food. They should then be marked +according to their respective letters, that they may be always +recognised. When the time comes, the ears of the dog should be rounded; +the size of the ear and of the head guiding the rounding-iron.<br> +<br> +This being passed, the master of the pack takes care that his treatment +shall be joyous and playful; encouragement is always with him the word. +The dog should be taught the nature of the fault before he is corrected: +no animal is more grateful for kindness than a hound; the peculiarities +of his temper will soon be learned, and when he begins to love his +master, he will mind, from his natural and acquired affection, a word or +a frown from him more than the blows of all the whips that were ever put +into the hands of the keepers.<br> +<br> +The distemper having passed, and the young hounds being in good health, +they should be walked out every day, and taught to follow the horse, +with a keeper who is selected as a kind and quiet person, and will bear +their occasionally entangling themselves in their couples. They are then +taken to the public roads, and there exercised, and checked from riot, +but with as little severity as possible; a frequent and free use of the +whip never being allowed. No animals take their character from their +master so much as the hounds do from theirs. If he is wild, or noisy, or +nervous, so will his hounds be; if he is steady and quick, the pack will +be the same. The whip should never be applied but for some immediate and +decided fault. A rate given at an improper time does more harm than +good: it disgusts the honest hound, it shies and prevents from hunting +the timid one, and it is treated with contempt by those of another +character who may at some future time deserve it. It formerly was the +custom, and still is too much so, when a hound <i>has hung on a hare</i>, to +catch him when he comes up, and flog him. The consequence of this is, +that he takes good care the next time he indulges in a fault not to come +out of cover at all.<br> +<br> +We will conclude this part of our subject by a short account of the +splendid kennel at Goodwood, for which we are indebted to Lord W. +Lennox, with the kind permission of the Duke of Richmond. It is +described as one of the most complete establishments of the kind in +England. The original establishment of this building, although a little +faulty, possesses considerable interest from its errors being corrected +by the third Duke of Richmond, a man who is acknowledged to have been +one of the most popular public characters of the day, and who in more +private life extended his patronage to all that was truly honourable. It +was to the Duke's support of native talent that we may trace the origin +of the present Royal Academy. In 1758, the Duke of Richmond displayed, +at his residence in Whitehall, a large collection of original plaster +casts, taken from the finest statues and busts of the ancient sculptors. +Every artist was freely admitted to this exhibition and, for the further +encouragement of talent, he bestowed two medals annually on such as had +exhibited the best models.<br> +<br> +We have thus digressed in order to give a slight sketch of the nobleman +by whom this kennel was built, and we do not think that we can do better +than lay before our readers the original account of it.<br> +<br> +<table summary="Goodwood" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td>Early in life the Duke built what was not then common, a tennis-court, +and what was more uncommon, a dog-kennel, which cost him above +£6000. The Duke was his own architect, assisted by, and under +the guidance of, Mr. Wyatt; he dug his own flints, burnt his own lime, +and conducted the wood-work in his own shops. The result of his labours +was the noble building of which a plan is here given.<br> +<br> +The dog-kennel is a grand object when viewed from Goodwood. The front is +handsome, the ground well raised about it, and the general effect good; +the open court in the centre adds materially to the noble appearance of +the building.</td> +<td><br> +<br> +<a name="Goodwood"></a><img src="images/goodwood.gif" width="495" height="280" align="right" border="2" alt="Goodwood Kennels"></td> +</tr> +</table> +The entrance to the kennel is delineated in the centre with a flight of +stairs leading above. The huntsman's rooms, four in number first present +themselves, and are marked in the plan before us by the letter <b>C</b>; each +of them is fifteen feet four inches, by fourteen feet six inches.<br> +<br> +At each end of the side towards the court is one of the feeding-rooms, +twenty-nine feet by fourteen feet four inches, and nobly constructed +rooms they are; they are designated by the letters <b>B</b>. At the back of the +feeding-rooms, are one set of the lodging-rooms, from thirty-five feet +six inches, to fourteen feet four inches, and marked by the letters <b>A</b>, +and at either extremity is another lodging-room, thirty-two feet six +inches in length, and fourteen feet six inches in width: this is also +marked by the letter <b>A</b>.<br> +<br> +Coming into the court we find the store-room twenty-four feet by +fourteen and a half, marked by the letter <b>D</b>, and the stable, of the same +dimensions, by the letter <b>E</b>.<br> +<br> +At the top of the buildings are openings for the admission of cold air, +and stoves to warm the air when too cold. There are plentiful supplies +of water from tanks holding 10,000 gallons; so that there is no +inconvenience from the smell, and the whole can at any time be drained, +and not be rendered altogether useless.<br> +<br> +Round the whole building is a pavement five feet wide; airy yards and +places for breeding, &c., making part of each wing. For the huntsman and +whipper-in there are sleeping-rooms, and a neat parlour or kitchen.<br> +<br> +Soon after the kennel was erected, it would contain two packs +of hounds. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp2">Detailed Contents, p. 2</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="stag"></a><h4>The Stag-hound.</h4> + +The largest of the English hounds that has been lately used, is devoted, +as his name implies, to the chase of the deer. He is taller than the +fox-hound, and with far more delicate scent, but he is not so speedy. He +answers better than any other to the description given of the old +English hound, so much valued when the country, less enclosed, and the +forests, numerous and extensive, were the harbours of the wild deer. The +deer-hound and the harrier were for many centuries the only +hunting-dogs. The fox-hound has been much more recently bred.<br> +<br> +The most tyrannic and cruel laws were enforced for the preservation of +this species of game, and the life of the deer, except when sacrificed +in the chase, and by those who were privileged to join in it, was +guarded with even more strictness than the life of the human being. +When, however, the country became more generally cultivated, and the +stag was confined to enclosed parks, and was seldom sought in his lair, +but brought into the field, and turned out before the dogs, so much +interest was taken from the affair, that this species of hunting grew +out of fashion, and was confined to the neighbourhood of the scattered +forests that remained, and enjoyed only by royalty and a few noblemen, +of whose establishment a kennel of deer-hounds had, from time +immemorial, formed a part.<br> +<br> +Since the death of George III, who was much attached to this sport, +stag-hunting has rapidly declined, and the principal pleasure seems now +to consist in the concourse of people brought together to an appointed +place and hour, to witness the turning out of the deer. There is still +maintained a royal establishment for the continuance of this noble +sport, but, unless better supported than it has of late years been, it +will gradually decline.<br> +<br> +The stag-hounds are now a part of the regular Crown establishment. The +royal kennel is situated upon Ascot Heath, about six miles from Windsor. +At the distance of a mile from the kennel is Swinley Lodge, the official +residence of the Master of the Stag-hounds.<br> +<br> +The stag-hound is a beautiful animal. He is distinguished from the +fox-hound by the apparent broadness and shortness of his head, his +longer cheek, his straighter hock, his wider thigh and deeper chest, and +better feathered and more beautifully arched tail. His appearance +indicates strength and stoutness, in which indeed he is unequalled, and +he has sufficient speed to render it difficult for the best horses long +to keep pace with him; while, as is necessary, when the distance between +the footmarks of the deer is considered, his scent is most exquisite. He +is far seldomer at fault than any other hound except the blood-hound, +and rarely fails of running down his game.<br> +<br> +Of the stoutness of this dog, the following anecdotes will be a +sufficient illustration. A deer, in the spring of 1822, was turned out +before the Earl of Derby's hounds in Hayes Common. The chase was +continued nearly four hours without a check, when, being almost run +down, the animal took refuge in some outhouses near Speldhurst in Kent, +more than forty miles across the country, and having actually run more +than fifty miles. Nearly twenty horses died in the field, or in +consequence of the severity of the chase.<br> +<br> +A stag was turned out at Wingfield Park, in Northumberland. The whole +pack, with the exception of two hounds, was, after a long run, thrown +out. The stag returned to his accustomed haunt, and, as his last effort, +leaped the wall of the park, and lay down and died. One of the hounds, +unable to clear the wall, fell and expired, and the other was found dead +at a little distance. They had run about forty miles. + +<blockquote>"<a name="fr54">When</a> the stag first hears the cry of the hounds, he runs with the +swiftness of the wind, and continues to run as long as any sound of his +pursuers can be distinguished. That having ceased, he pauses and looks +carefully around him; but before he can determine what course to pursue, +the cry of the pack again forces itself upon his attention. Once more he +darts away, and after a while again pauses. His strength perhaps begins +to fail, and he has recourse to stratagem in order to escape. He +practises the doubling and the crossing of the fox or the hare. This +being useless, he attempts to escape by plunging into some lake or river +that happens to lie in his way, and when, at last, every attempt to +escape proves abortive, he boldly faces his pursuers, and attacks the +first dog or man who approaches him."<a href="#f54"><sup>24</sup></a></blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> + +<a name="shound"></a><h4>Southern Hound.</h4> + +<table summary="Beagle" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<br> +There used to be in the south of Devon a pack or cry of the genuine old +English or southern hounds. There is some reason to believe that this +was the original stock of the island, or of this part of the island, and +that this hound was used by the ancient Britons in the chase of the +larger kinds of game with which the country formerly abounded. Its +distinguishing characters are its size and general heavy appearance; its +great length of body, deep chest, and ears remarkably large and +pendulous. The tones of its voice were peculiarly deep. It answered the +description of Shakspeare: + +</td><td><img src="images/southern.gif" width="542" height="461" align="right" border="2" alt="The Southern Hound"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<blockquote>"So flewed, so sanded; and their heads are hung<br> +With ears that sweep away the morning dew;<br> +Crook-knee'd, and dew-lapp'd, like Thessalian bulls;<br> +Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bells,<br> +Each under each."</blockquote> + + +It was the slowness of the breed which occasioned its disuse. Several of +them, however, remained not long ago at a village called Aveton Gifford, +in Devonshire, in the neighbourhood of which some of the most opulent of +the farmers used to keep two or three dogs each. When fox-hunting had +assumed somewhat of its modern form, the chase was followed by a slow +heavy hound, whose excellent olfactory organs enabled him to carry on +the scent a considerable time after the fox-hound passed, and also over +grassy fallows, and hard roads, and other places, where the modern +high-bred fox-hound would not be able to recognise it. Hence the chase +continued for double the duration which it does at present, and hence +may be seen the reason why the old English hunter, so celebrated in +former days and so great a favourite among sportsmen of the old school, +was enabled to perform those feats which were exultingly bruited in his +praise. The fact is, that the hounds and the horse were well matched. If +the latter possessed not the speed of the Meltonian hunter, the hounds +were equally slow and stanch. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="blood"></a><h4>The Blood-Hound.</h4> + +<span style="color: #555555;"><i>This illustration is a feature of the title-page (<a href="#title.gif">here</a>).</i></span><br> +<br> +This dog does not materially differ in appearance from the old +deer-hound of a larger size, trained to hunt the human being instead of +the quadruped. If once put on the track of a supposed robber, he would +unerringly follow him to his retreat, although at the distance of many a +mile. Such a breed was necessary when neither the private individual nor +the government had other means to detect the offender. Generally +speaking, however, the blood-hound of former days would not injure the +culprit that did not attempt to escape, but would lie down quietly and +give notice by a loud and peculiar howl what kind of prey he had found. +Some, however, of a savage disposition, or trained to unnatural +ferocity, would tear to pieces the hunted wretch, if timely rescue did +not arrive.<br> +<br> +Hounds of every kind, both great and small, may be broken in to follow +any particular scent, and especially when they are feelingly convinced +that they are not to hunt any other. This is the case with the +blood-hound. He is destined to one particular object of pursuit, and a +total stranger with regard to every other.<br> +<br> +In the border country between England and Scotland, and until the union +of the two kingdoms, these dogs were absolutely necessary for the +preservation of property, and the detection of robbery and murder. A tax +was levied on the inhabitants for the maintenance of a certain number of +blood-hounds. When, however, the civic government had sufficient power +to detect and punish crime, this dangerous breed of hounds fell into +disuse and was systematically discouraged. It, nevertheless, at the +present day, is often bred by the rangers in large forests or parks to +track the deer-stealer, but oftener to find the wounded deer.<br> +<br> +The blood-hound is taller and better formed than the deer-hound. It has +large and deep ears, the forehead broad and the muzzle narrow. The +expression of the countenance is mild and pleasing, when the dog is not +excited; but, when he is following the robber, his ferocity becomes +truly alarming.<br> +<br> +The Thrapstone Association lately trained a blood-hound for the +detection of sheepstealers. In order to prove the utility of this dog, a +person whom he had not seen was ordered to run as far and as fast as his +strength would permit. An hour afterwards the hound was brought out. He +was placed on the spot whence the man had started. He almost immediately +detected the scent and broke away, and, after a chase of an hour and a +half, found him concealed in a tree, fifteen miles distant.<br> +<br> +Mr. John Lawrence says, that a servant, discharged by a sporting country +gentleman, broke into his stables by night, and cut off the ears and +tail of a favourite hunter. As soon as it was discovered, a blood-hound +was brought into the stable, who at once detected the scent of the +miscreant, and traced it more than twenty miles. He then stopped at a +door, whence no power could move him. Being at length admitted, he ran +to the top of the house, and, bursting open the door of a garret, found +the object that he sought in bed, and would have torn him to pieces, had +not the huntsman, who had followed him on a fleet horse, rushed up after +him.<br> +<br> +Somerville thus describes the use to which he was generally put, in +pursuit of the robber: + +<blockquote>"Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail<br> +Flourished in air, low bending, plies around<br> +His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffs<br> +Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried,<br> +Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart<br> +Beats quick. His snuffing nose, his active tail,<br> +Attest his joy. Then, with deep opening mouth,<br> +That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims<br> +Th' audacious felon. Foot by foot he marks<br> +His winding way. Over the watery ford,<br> +Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills,<br> +Unerring he pursues, till at the cot<br> +Arrived, and seizing by his guilty throat<br> +The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey."</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> +<table summary="Setter" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="setter"></a><h4>The Setter</h4> + +is evidently the large spaniel improved to his peculiar size and beauty, +and taught another way of marking his game, viz., by <i>setting</i> or +crouching. If the form of the dog were not sufficiently satisfactory on +this point, we might have recourse to history for information on it. Mr. +Daniel, in his <i>Rural Sports</i>, has preserved a document, dated in the year +1685, in which a yeoman binds himself for the sum of ten shillings, +fully and effectually to teach a spaniel to <i>sit</i> partridges and +pheasants.</td> +<td><img src="images/setter.gif" width="557" height="457" align="right" border="2" alt="The Setter"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<span style="color: #663300;">As <a name="I261">this</a> old document may prove interesting to the curious, we take the +liberty of inserting it, knowing full well, that Mr. Daniel's work is +quite rare in this country, and copies of it are not easily obtained +even in England.</span> + +<blockquote><span style="color: #663300;">Ribbesford, Oct. 7, 1685,<br> +<br> + "I, John Harris, of Willdon, in the parish of Hastlebury, in the + county of Worcester, yeoman, for and in consideration of ten shillings + of lawful English money this day received of Henry Herbert of + Ribbesford, in the said county, Esqr., and of thirty shillings more of + like money by him promised to be hereafter pay'd me, do hereby + covenant and promise to and with the said Henry Herbert, his exôrs and + admôrs, that I will, from the day of the date hereof, untill the first + day of March next, well and sufficiently mayntayne and keepe a Spanile + Bitch named Quand, this day delivered into my custody by the said + Henry Herbert, and will, before the first day of March next, fully and + effectually traine up and teach the said Bitch to sitt Partridges, + Pheasants, and other game, as well and exactly as the best sitting + Doggers usually sett the same. And the said bitch, so trayned and + taught, shall and will delivere to the said Henry Herbert, or whom he + shall appoint to receive her, att his house in Ribbesford aforesaid, + on the first day of March next. And if at anytime after the said Bitch + shall, for want of use or practice, or orwise, forgett to sett Game as + aforesaid, I will, at my costes and charges, maynetayne her for a + month, or longer, as often as need shall require, to trayne up and + teach her to sett Game as aforesaid, and shall and will, fully and + effectually, teach her to sett Game as well and exactly as is above + mentyon'd.<br> +<br> + Witness my hand and seal the day and year first above written,<br> +<br> + John Harris, his <b>X</b> mark.<br> +<br> + Sealed and delivered in presence of<br> +<br> + H. Payne, his <b>X</b> mark."<br> +<br> + L.</span> +</blockquote> + +The first person, however, who systematically broke-in setting dogs is +supposed to have been Dudley Duke of Northumberland in 1335.<br> +<br> +A singular dog-cause was tried in Westminster, in July, 1822. At a +previous trial it was determined that the mere possession of a dog, +generally used for destroying game, was sufficient proof of its being +actually so used. Mr. Justice Best, however, determined that a man might +be a breeder of such dogs without using them as game-dogs; and Mr. +Justice Bailey thought that if a game-dog was kept in a yard, chained up +by day, and let loose at night, and, being so trained as to guard the +preimises, he was to be considered as a yard-dog, and not as a game-dog.<br> +<br> +<a name="I168">The</a> setter is used for the same purpose as the pointer, and there is +great difference of opinion with regard to their relative value as +sporting-dogs. Setters are not so numerous; and they are dearer, and +with great difficulty obtained pure. It was long the fashion to cross +and mix them with the pointer, by which no benefit was obtained, but the +beauty of the dog materially impaired; many Irish sportsmen, however, +were exceedingly careful to preserve the breed pure. Nothing of the +pointer can be traced in them, and they are useful and beautiful dogs, +altogether different in appearance from either the English or Scotch +setter. The Irish sportsmen are, perhaps, a little too much prejudiced +with regard to particular colours. Their dogs are either very red, or +red and white, or lemon-coloured, or white, patched with deep chestnut; +and it was necessary for them to have a black nose, and a black roof to +the mouth. This peculiar dye is supposed to be as necessary to a good +and genuine Irish setter as is the palate of a Blenheim spaniel to the +purity of his breed. A true Irish setter will obtain a higher price than +either an English or Scotch one. Fifty guineas constituted no unusual +price for a brace of them, and even two hundred guineas have been given. +It is nevertheless, doubtful whether they do in reality so much exceed +the other breeds, and whether, although stout and hard-working dogs, and +with excellent scent, they are not somewhat too headstrong and unruly.<br> +<br> +The <a name="I262">setter</a> is more active than the pointer. He has greater spirit and +strength. He will better stand continued hard work. He will generally +take the water when necessary, and, retaining the character of the +breed, is more companionable and attached. He loves his master for +himself, and not, like the pointer, merely for the pleasure he shares +with him. His somewhat inferior scent, however, makes him a little too +apt to run into his game, and he occasionally has a will of his own. He +requires good breaking, and plenty of work; but that breaking must be of +a peculiar character: it must not partake of the severity which too +often accompanies, and unnecessarily so, the tuition of the pointer. He +has more animal spirit than the pointer, but he has not so much patient +courage; and the chastisement, sometimes unnecessary and cruel, but +leaving the pointer perfect in his work, and eager for it too, would +make the setter disgusted with it, and leave him a mere <i>blinker</i>. +It is difficult, however, always to decide the claim of superiority +between these dogs. He that has a good one of either breed may be +content, but the lineage of that dog must be pure. The setter, with much +of the pointer in him, loses something in activity and endurance; and +the pointer, crossed with the setter, may have a degree of wildness and +obstinacy, not a little annoying to his owner. The setter may be +preferable when the ground is hard and rough; for he does not soon +become foot-sore. He may even answer the purpose of a springer for +pheasants and woodcocks, and may be valuable in recovering a wounded +bird. His scent may frequently be superior to that of the pointer, and +sufficiently accurate to distinguish, better than the pointer, when the +game is sprung; but the steadiness and obedience of the pointer will +generally give him the preference, especially in a fair and tolerably +smooth country. At the beginning of a season, and until the weather is +hot, the pointer will have a decided advantage.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We beg leave to finish this history of the setter by referring to our +essay on this dog, published in vol. xv, No. 47, of the <i>New York Spirit +of the Times</i>, or as lately transferred to the pages of an interesting +and valuable sporting work, about being published by our esteemed +friend, Wm. A. Porter, and from which we now abstract our remarks upon</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#toc1">Detailed Contents</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="settpoint"></a><h3>The Merits of the Setter Compared with Those of the Pointer.</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">It cannot for a moment be doubted that the setter has superior +advantages to the pointer, for hunting over our uncleared country, +although the pointer has many qualities that recommend him to the +sportsman, that the setter does not possess. In the first place, the +extreme hardiness and swiftness of foot, natural to the setter, enables +him to get over much more ground than the pointer, in the same space of +time. Their feet also, being more hard and firm, are not so liable to +become sore from contact with our frozen ground. The ball pads being +well protected by the spaniel toe-tufts, are less likely to be wounded +by the thorns and burs with which our woods are crowded during the +winter season. His natural enthusiasm for hunting, coupled with his +superior physical powers, enables him to stand much more work than the +pointer, and oftentimes he appears quite fresh upon a long continued +hunt, when the other will be found drooping and inattentive.<br> +<br> +The long, thick fur of the setter, enables him to wend his way through +briary thickets without injury to himself, when a similar attempt on the +part of a pointer, would result in his ears, tail, and body being +lacerated and streaming with blood.<br> +<br> +On the other hand, the pointer is superior to the setter in retaining +his acquired powers for hunting, and not being naturally enthusiastic in +pursuit of game, he is more easily broken and kept in proper subjection.<br> +<br> +The setter frequently requires a partial rebreaking at the commencement +of each season, in his younger days, owing to the natural eagerness with +which he resumes the sport. The necessity of this, however, diminishes +with age, as the character and habits of the dog become more settled, +and then we may take them into the field, with a perfect assurance of +their behaving quite as well on the first hunt of the season, as the +stanchest pointer would.<br> +<br> +The extreme caution, and mechanical powers of the pointer in the field, +is a barrier to his flushing the birds, as is often witnessed in the +precipitate running of the setter, who winds the game and frequently +overruns it in his great anxiety to come up with it. But this occasional +fault on the part of the setter, may be counterbalanced by the larger +quantity of game that he usually finds in a day's hunt, owing to his +enthusiasm and swiftness of foot. Setters require much more water while +hunting than the pointer, owing to their thick covering of fur, +encouraging a greater amount of insensible perspiration to fly off than +the thin and short dress of the pointer. Consequently they are better +calculated to hunt in the coldest seasons than early in our falls, which +are frequently quite dry and warm.<br> +<br> +A striking instance of this fact came under our own immediate +observation this fall, when shooting in a range of country thinly +settled and uncommonly dry. The day being warm and the birds scarce, the +dogs suffered greatly from thirst, in so much that a very fine setter of +uncommon bottom, was forced to give up entirely, completely prostrated, +foaming at the mouth in the most alarming manner, breathing heavily, and +vomiting from time to time a thick frothy mucus.<br> +<br> +His prostration of both muscular and nervous powers was so great, that +he could neither smell nor take the slightest notice of a bird, although +placed at his nose. He could barely manage to drag one leg after the +other, stopping to rest every few moments, and we were fearful that we +should be obliged to shoulder and carry him to a farm-house, a +considerable distance off. However, he succeeded, with much difficulty, +in reaching the well, where he greedily drank several pints of water +administered to him with caution.<br> +<br> +He recovered almost immediately, gave me a look of thanks, and was off +to the fields in a few moments, where he soon found a fine covey of +birds.<br> +<br> +The pointer, his associate in the day's work, and a much less hardy dog, +stood the hunt remarkably well, and seemed to suffer little or no +inconvenience from the want of water. The setter has natural claims upon +the sportsman and man generally, in his affectionate disposition and +attachment to his master, and the many winning manners he exhibits +towards those by whom he is caressed.<br> +<br> +The pointer displays but little fondness for those by whom he is +surrounded, and hunts equally as well for a stranger as his master. — L.</span><br> +<br> +Of the difference between the old English setter and the setters of the +present day, we confess that we are ignorant, except that the first was +the pure spaniel improved, and the latter the spaniel crossed too +frequently with the pointer.<br> +<br> +It must be acknowledged, that of companionableness, and disinterested +attachment and gratitude, the pointer knows comparatively little. If he +is a docile and obedient servant in the field, it is all we want. The +setter is unquestionably his superior in every amiable quality. Mr. +Blaine says, that a large setter, ill with the distemper, had been +nursed by a lady more than three weeks. At length he became so ill as to +be placed in a bed, where he remained a couple of days in a dying state. +After a short absence, the lady, re-entering the room, observed him to +fix his eyes attentively on her, and make an effort to crawl across the +bed towards her. This he accomplished, evidently for the sole purpose of +licking her hand, after which he immediately expired.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I327">Daniel</a> Lambert celebrated for his enormous magnitude, weighing seven +hundred and thirty-nine pounds, had a very superior breed of setters, +which were publicly sold, at the following prices; after his death, +which forcibly illustrates the immense value placed on this dog in +England; whereas, many American sportsmen considers it a great hardship +to be obliged to give thirty or forty dollars for a well-bred setter in +this country.</span><br> +<br> +<table summary="pointers and setters" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>dog's name</i></td> + <td><i>breed</i></td> + <td>Guineas</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Peg</td> + <td>a black Setter Bitch</td> + <td>41</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Punch</td> + <td>a Setter Dog</td> + <td>26</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Brush</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>17</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Bob</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>30</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Bell</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>32</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Bounce</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>22</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Sam</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>26</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Charlotte</td> + <td>a Pointer Bitch</td> + <td>22</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>Lucy</td> + <td><i>do.</i></td> + <td>12</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td></td> + <td></td> + <td>____</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td></td> + <td></td> + <td>218 [—L].</td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> +<table summary="Pointer" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td>The <a name="I347">pointer</a> is evidently descended from the hound.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We beg leave to make the following extracts from our essay on this +subject, published in No. 1, vol. xvi, of the <i>Spirit of the Times</i>:<br> +<br> +The origin of the pointer, like that of the setter, is involved in much +obscurity; he is of mixed blood, and no doubt largely indebted to both +hound and spaniel for his distinct existence.<br> +<br> +Many sportsmen are under the erroneous idea that the pointer is +contemporary with, if not older than, the Setter. Such, however, is not +the case; and we are led to believe that the Pointer is of quite modern +origin; at all events, the production of a much later date than the +spaniel.</span></td> +<td><a name="pointer"></a><img src="images/pointer.gif" width="481" height="389" align="right" border="2" alt="The Pointer"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Strut, <a name="I305">in</a> his <i>Sports and Pastimes</i>, chap. 1, sects. xv. and xvi., +mentions a MS. in the Cotton Library, originally written by William +Twici, or Twety, Grand Huntsman to Edward II, who ascended the throne in +1307.<br> +<br> +This manuscript contains the earliest treatise on hunting that the +English possess, and enumerates the various kinds of game and different +species of dogs then in existence, as also the modes of taking the +former and using the latter.<br> +<br> +After describing, in the usual minute manner, the specific employment of +each dog, he finishes by stating:</span> + +<blockquote>"The spaniel was for use in +hawking, hys crafte is for the perdrich or partridge, and the quail; and +when taught to couch, he is very serviceable to the fowler, who takes +these birds with nets."</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">No mention is made in this treatise of the pointer, and we naturally +infer that he did not exist, or he would have been noticed in connexion +with the spaniel, who, it appears, even at this early period, was taught +to <i>couch</i> on and point out game to those employed in netting it.<br> +<br> +In the early portion of the sixteenth century, we have another +enumeration of dogs, <i>then</i> in use, in a book entitled — <i>A Jewel +for Gentrie</i>; which, besides the dogs already descanted upon by Twici, +we find added to the list, </span> + +<blockquote>"bastards and mongrels, lemors, kenets, +terrours, butchers' hounds, dung-hill dogs, trindel-tailed dogs, +prychercard curs, and ladies' puppies." <br> +(Chap. 1st., Sec. XVI. — Strut.)</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">The pointer being the offspring of the fox-hound and spaniel, is +consequently sprung from the two ancient races known as <i>Sagaces</i> +and <i>Pugnaces</i> or <i>Bellicosi</i>. He certainly evinces a larger +share of the <i>Bellicosi</i> blood than the setter, being ever ready +for fight when assailed, while the latter generally exhibits a +conciliatory disposition under the most trying circumstances. — L.</span><br> +<br> +It is the fox-hound searching for game by the scent, but more perfectly +under the control of the sportsman, repressing his cry of joy when he +finds his game, and his momentary pause, and gathering himself up in +order to spring upon it artificially, converted into a steady and +deliberate point. There still remains a strong resemblance, in +countenance and in form, between the pointer and the fox-hound, except +that the muzzle is shorter, and the ears smaller, and partly pendulous.<br> +<br> +<a name="I">Seventy</a> or eighty years ago, the breed of pointers was nearly white, or +varied with liver-coloured spots; some, however, belonging to the Duke +of Kingston, were perfectly black. This peculiarity of colour was +supposed to be connected with exquisite perfection of scent. That is not +the case with the present black pointers, who are not superior to any +others.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr55">Mr</a>. Daniel relates an anecdote of one of his pointers. He had a dog that +would always go round close to the hedges of a field before he would +quarter his ground. He seemed to have observed that he most frequently +found his game in the course of this circuit.<a href="#f55"><sup>25</sup></a><br> +<br> +Mr. Johnson gives the following characteristic sketches of the different +breeds of pointer: + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="spanishp"></a><h4>The Spanish Pointer,</h4> + +originally a native of Spain, was once considered to be a valuable dog. +He stood higher on his legs, but was too large and heavy in his limbs, +and had widely spread, ugly feet, exposing him to frequent lameness. His +muzzle and head were large, corresponding with the acuteness of his +smell. His ears were large and pendent, and his body ill-formed. He was +naturally an ill-tempered dog, growling at the hand that would caress +him, even although it were his master's. He stood steadily to his birds; +but it was difficult to break him of chasing the hare. He was deficient +in speed. His redeeming quality was his excellent scent, unequalled in +any other kind of dog.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">To <a name="I319">convince</a> our readers of the value of this particular breed, we may +mention the very singular sale of Colonel Thornton's dog Dash, who was +purchased by Sir Richard Symons for one hundred and sixty pounds worth +of champagne and burgundy, a hogshead of of claret, and an elegant gun +and another pointer, with a stipulation that if any accident befell +the dog, he was to be returned to his former owner for fifty guineas. +Dash unfortunately broke his leg, and in accordance with the agreement +of sale was returned to the Colonel, who considered him a fortunate +acquisition as a stallion to breed from. (See Blaine or Daniel). — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br><br> + +<a name="portpoint"></a><h4>The Portugese Pointer,</h4> + +although with a slighter form than the Spanish one, is defective in the +feet, often crooked in the legs, and of a quarrelsome disposition. He +soon tires, and is much inclined to chase the hare. The tail is larger +than that of the spaniel, and fully fringed. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="frenpoint"></a><h4>The French Pointer</h4> + +is distinguished by a furrow between his nostrils, which materially +interferes with the acuteness of smell. He is better formed and more +active than either the Spanish or Portugese dog, and capable of longer +continued exertion; but he is apt to be quarrelsome, and is too fond of +chasing the hare.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We will close this account of the Pointer by transferring from the +pages of the <i>Spirit of the Times</i> our remarks upon this particular +breed.<br> +<br> +The French variety, as described by English authors, is much smaller +than either of the above breeds; and although possessed of great beauty, +acute scent, and other qualifications that would render him valuable in +their eyes, still is considered much inferior, not being able to cope +with their dogs in hunting, owing to a want of physical power of +endurance.<br> +<br> +Youatt states, that he is distinguished by a furrow in his nose, which +materially interferes with his acuteness of smell.<br> +<br> +These accounts do not agree with the French writers, to whom, it is very +true, the English should not look for any particular information +respecting hunting or shooting. Nevertheless, all must admit that they +are quite as capable of describing their particular breeds of animals as +other nations; and, in fact, we might go farther, and say that they are +much more competent to the task than English writers, judging from their +extensive knowledge in comparative anatomy, and their long array of +celebrated writers on natural history — the Cuviers, Buffon, &c.<br> +<br> +<i>Baudrillart</i>, in his <i>Dictionnaire des Chases</i>, describes the French +Pointer as having endurance and great industry, and of their being used +oftentimes solely for <i>la grande chasse</i>. In the atlas of plates +accompanying this interesting work, will be found two distinct and +extremely correct drawings of the English Pointer, and also an engraving +of the French variety, which latter, certainly, is represented as being +equally, if not more muscular and and hardy, than the English.<br> +<br> +As for the furrow in the nose, as mentioned by Youatt, no reference is +made to it in connection with this species, and in the engraving the +nose is square. But in describing another variety, known in France as +coming from Spain, <i>Baudrillart</i> states, that they are vulgarly +called "<i>à deux nez, parceque ce chien a les narines separées par une +gouttiere</i>."<br> +<br> +As for Mr. Youatt's declaration in reference to the furrow in the nose +"<i>materially interfering with the acuteness of smell</i>," I cannot +understand how, or on what principle of reasoning, this slight deviation +from nature should affect the properties of the olfactory apparatus. +That these furrow-nosed dogs are inferior to the English in scenting +powers, as stated by Mr. Youatt, we do not question; but that their +deficiency depends upon this furrow, remains to be proved.<br> +<br> +This furrow in the nose is merely a deformity, and like many others in +various breeds of animals, was solely the result of accident in the +first place; and as we often see, even in the human species, the +deformities and infirmities of our ancestors entailed upon their +progeny, so has this '<i>cut in the nose</i>' been so extensively +inherited by succeeding generations, that it has now become a +distinctive mark of a whole class of dogs.<br> +<br> +The French Pointer, as known in this country, is a beautiful, +well-shaped, compact, square-nosed dog; not so long or high as the +English, but extremely well built, full-chested, large head, pendent +ears, projecting eyes, large feet, and thickish tail. His colour, seldom +white, but generally intermingled with small spots of brown or chocolate +over the body, and more particularly over the head and ears. Such a dog +is in the possession of the writer, who knows nothing of his ancestry; +but is convinced from those he saw in France, that they must have been +imported from that country.<br> +<br> +The English Pointer will now claim more particularly our attention. It +is quite useless to go into a general description of an animal of whom +we have already said much, and with whom we are all familiar; but we +will endeavour to mention the most striking points of the species, which +marks can be referred to as guides in the purchase of a dog.<br> +<br> +It is a difficult matter to put on paper, in a manner satisfactory +either to the reader or writer, the peculiarities of any animal, whereby +he may be judged pure or mixed. However, there are, generally, some few +points in each species, that can be selected as proofs of their +genuineness and ability to perform certain actions peculiar to the race.<br> +<br> +But, after all, more reliance must be placed upon the good faith of the +seller, or the previous knowledge of the strain from which the purchaser +selects — and what is better than either, from actual observation in the +field; all of which precautions may, nevertheless, prove abortive, and +our dog be worthless.<br> +<br> +As regards the size of the English Pointer, we may say, that he averages +in length about 3 feet from the tip of the muzzle to the base of the +tail, and from 22 to 26 inches high. His head not bulky nor too narrow, +the frontal sinuses largely developed.<br> +<br>The muzzle long and rather tapering, the nostrils large and well open, +the ear slightly erect, not over long, and the tip triangular; if too +pendent, large and rounded at the tip, there is too much of the hound +present. The eyes lively, but not too prominent; the neck rather long +and not over thick, ihe chest broad, the limbs large and muscular; the +paws strong, hard and wide. The body and loins thin, rather than bulky, +the hind quarters broad, and the limbs in the same proportion with the +fore members; the tail long and tapering. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="russpoint"></a><h4>The Russian Pointer</h4> + +is a rough, ill-tempered animal, with too much tendency to stupidity, +and often annoyed by vermin. He runs awkwardly, with his nose near the +ground, and frequently springs his game. He also has the cloven or +divided nose. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="earlytraining"></a><h3>The Early Training of the Dog.</h3> + +The education of these dogs should commence at an early period, whether +conducted by the breeder or the sportsman; and the first lesson — that on +which the value of the animal, and the pleasure of its owner, will much +depend — is a habit of subjection on the part of the dog, and kindness on +the part of the master. This is a <i>sine quâ non</i>. The dog must +recognise in his owner a friend and a benefactor. This will soon +establish in the mind of the quadruped a feeling of gratitude, and a +desire to please. All this is natural to the dog, if he is encouraged by +the master, and then the process of breaking-in may commence in good +earnest.<br> +<br> +No long time probably passes ere the dog commits some little fault. He +is careless, or obstinate, or cross. The owner puts on a serious +countenance, he holds up his finger, or shakes his head, or produces the +whip, and threatens to use it. Perhaps the infliction of a blow, that +breaks no bones, occasionally follows. In the majority of cases nothing +more is required. The dog succumbs; he asks to be forgiven; or, if he +has been self-willed, he may be speedily corrected without any serious +punishment.<br> +<br> +A writer, under the signature of "Soho," in <i>The New Sporting Magazine</i> +for 1833, gives an interesting account of the schooling of the pointer +or setter, thus commenced. A short abstract from it may not be +unacceptable: + +<blockquote>"The first lesson inculcated is that of passive obedience, and this + enforced by the infliction of severity as little as the case will + admit. We will suppose the dog to be a setter. He is taken into the + garden or into a field, and a strong cord, about eighteen or twenty + yards long, is tied to his collar. The sportsman calls the dog to him, + looks earnestly at him, gently presses him to the ground, and several + times, with a loud, but not an angry voice, says, 'Down!' or 'Down + charge!' The dog knows not the meaning of this, and struggles to get + up; but, as often as he struggles, the cry of 'Down charge!' is + repeated, and the pressure is continued or increased.<br> +<br> + "This is repeated a longer or shorter time, until the dog, finding + that no harm is meant, quietly submits. He is then permitted to rise; + he is patted and caressed, and some food is given to him. The command + to rise is also introduced by the terms 'Hie up!' A little afterwards + the same process is repeated, and he struggles less, or perhaps ceases + altogether to struggle.<br> +<br> + "<a name="fr56">The</a> person whose circumstances permit him occasionally to shoot over + his little demesne, may very readily educate his dog without having + recourse to keepers or professional breakers, among whom he would + often be subject to imposition. Generally speaking, no dog is half so + well broken as the one whose owner has taken the trouble of training + him. The first and grand thing is to obtain the attachment of the dog, + by frequently feeding and caressing him, and giving him little hours + of liberty under his own inspection; but, every now and then, + inculcating a lesson of obedience, teaching him that every gambol must + be under the control of his master; frequently checking him in the + midst of his riot with the order of 'Down charge!' patting him when he + is instantly obedient; and rating, or castigating him, but not too + severely, when there is any reluctance to obey. <i>Passive obedience + is the first principle, and from which no deviation should be + allowed.</i><a href="#f526"><sup>1</sup></a><br> +<br> + "<a name="I43">Much</a> kindness and gentleness are certainly requisite when breaking-in + the puppy, whether it be a pointer or a setter. There is heedlessness + in the young dog which is not readily got rid of until age has given + him experience. He must not, however, be too severely corrected, or he + may be spoiled for life. If considerable correction is sometimes + necessary, it should be followed, at a little distance of time, by + some kind usage. The memory of the suffering will remain; but the + feeling of attachment to the master will also remain, or rather be + increased. The temper of a young dog must be almost as carefully + studied as that of a human being. Timidity may be encouraged, and + eagerness may be restrained, but affection must be the tie that binds + him to his master, and renders him subservient to his will.<br> +<br> + "The next portion of the lesson is more difficult to learn. He is no + longer held by his master, but suffered to run over the field, + seemingly at his pleasure, when, suddenly, comes the warning 'Down!' + He perhaps pays no attention to it, but gambols along until seized by + his master, forced on the ground, and the order of 'Down!' somewhat + sternly uttered.<br> +<br> + "After a while he is suffered again to get up. He soon forgets what + has occurred, and gallops away with as much glee as ever. Again the + 'Down!' is heard, and again little or no attention is paid to it. His + master once more lays hold of him and forces him on the ground, and + perhaps inflicts a slight blow or two, and this process continues + until the dog finds that he must obey the command of 'Down charge!'<br> +<br> + "The owner will now probably walk from him a little way backward with + his hand lifted up. If the dog makes the slightest motion, he must be + sharply spoken to, and the order peremptorily enforced.<br> +<br> + "He must then be taught to 'back,' that is, to come behind his master + when called. When he seems to understand all this, he is called by his + master in a kindly tone, and patted and caressed. It is almost + incredible how soon he will afterwards understand what he is ordered + to do, and perform it.<br> +<br> + "It will be seen by this that no one should attempt to break-in a dog + who is not possessed of patience and perseverance. The sportsman must + not expect to see a great deal of improvement from the early lessons. + The dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few + hours before; but perseverance and kindness will effect much: the + first lessons over, the dog, beginning to perceive a little what is + meant, will cheerfully and joyfully do his duty.<br> +<br> + "When there is much difficulty in teaching the dog his lesson, the + fault lies as often with the master as with him; or they are, + generally speaking, both in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by + means of frequent correction. The less the sportsman has to do with + them the better. Others will not endure the least correction, but + become either ferocious or sulky. They should be disposed of as soon + as possible. The majority of dogs are exceedingly sagacious. They + possess strong reasoning powers; they understand, by intuition, almost + every want and wish of their master, and they deserve the kindest and + best usage.<br> +<br> + "The scholar being thus prepared, should be taken into the field, + either alone, or, what is considerably better, with a well-trained, + steady dog. When the old dog makes a point, the master calls out, + 'Down!' or 'Soho!' and holds up his hand, and approaches steadily to + the birds; and, if the young one runs in or prepares to do so, as + probably he will at first, he again raises his hand and calls out, + 'Soho!' If the youngster pays no attention to this, the whip must be + used, and in a short time he will be steady enough at the first + intimation of game.<br> +<br> + "If he springs any birds without taking notice of them, he should be + dragged to the spot from which they rose, and, 'Soho!' being cried, + one or two sharp strokes with the whip should be inflicted. If he is + too eager, he should be warned to 'take heed.' If he <i>rakes</i> or + runs wilh his nose near the ground, he should be admonished to <i>hold + up</i>, and, if he still persists, the <i>muzzle-peg</i> may be + resorted to. Some persons fire over the dog for running at hares: but + this is wrong; for, besides the danger of wounding or even killing the + animal, he will for some time afterwards he frightened at the sound, + or even at the very sight of a gun. The best plan to accustom dogs to + the gun, is occasionally to fire one off when they are being fed.<br> +<br> + "Some persons let their dog fetch the dead birds. This is very wrong. + Except the sportsman has a double-barrelled gun, the dog should not be + suffered to move until the piece is again charged. The young one, + until he is thoroughly broken of it, is too apt to run in whether the + bird is killed or not, and which may create much mischief by + disturbing the game.<br> +<br> + "Although excessive punishment should not be administered, yet no + fault, however small, should pass without reproof: on the other hand, + he should be rewarded, but not too lavishly, for every instance of + good conduct.<br> +<br> + "When the dog is grown tolerably steady, and taught to come at the + call, he should also learn to range and quarter his ground. Let some + clear morning, and some place where the sportsman is likely to meet + with game, be selected. Station him where the wind will blow in his + face; wave your hand and cry, 'Heigh on, good dog!' Then let him go + off to the right, about seventy or eighty yards. After this, call him + in by another wave of the hand, and let him go the same distance to + the left. Walk straight forward with your eye always upon him; then, + let him continue to cross from right to left, calling him in at the + limit of each range.<br> +<br> + "This is at first a somewhat difficult lesson, and requires careful + teaching. The same ground is never to be twice passed over. The + sportsman watches every motion, and the dog is never trusted out of + sight, or allowed to break fence. When this lesson is tolerably + learned, and on some good scenting morning early in the season, he may + take the field, and perhaps find. Probably he will be too eager, and + spring his game. Make him <i>down</i> immediately, and take him to the + place where the birds rose. Chide him with 'Steady!' 'How dare you!' + Use no whip; but scold him well, and be assured that he will be more + cautious. If possible, kill on the next chance. The moment the bird is + down, he will probably rush in and seize it. He must be met with the + same rebuff, 'Down charge!' If he does not obey, he deserves to have, + and will have, a stroke with the whip. The gun being again charged, + the bird is sought for, and the dog is suffered to see it and play + with it for a minute before it is put into the bag.<br> +<br> + "He will now become thoroughly fond of the sport, and his fondness + will increase with each bird that is killed. At every time, however, + whether he kills or misses, the sportsman should make the dog 'Down + charge.' and never allow him to rise until he has loaded.<br> +<br> + "If a hare should be wounded, there will, occasionally, be + considerable difficulty in preventing him from chasing her. The best + broken and steadiest dog cannot always be restrained from running + hares. He must be checked with <i>'Ware chase,'</i> and, if he does + not attend, the sportsman must wait patiently. He will by-and-by come + slinking along with his tail between his legs, conscious of his fault. + It is one, however, that admits of no pardon. He must be secured, and, + while the field echoes with the cry of <i>'Ware chase,'</i> he must be + punished to a certain but not too great extent. The castigation must + be repeated as often as he offends; or, if there is much difficulty in + breaking him of the habit, he must be got rid of."</blockquote> + +The breaking-in or subjugation of pointers and setters is a very +important, and occasionally a difficult affair; the pleasure of the +sportsman, however, depends on it. The owner of any considerable +property will naturally look to his keeper to furnish him with dogs on +which he may depend, and he ought not to be disappointed; for those +which belong to other persons, or are brought at the beginning of the +season, whatever account the breaker or the keeper of them may give, +will too often be found deficient. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="otterh"></a><h4>The Otter Hound</h4> + +used to be of a mingled breed, between the southern hound and the rough +terrier, and in size between the harrier and the fox-hound. The head +should be large and broad, the shoulders and quarters thick, and the +hair strong, wiry, and rough. They used to be kept in small packs, for +the express purpose of hunting the otter.<br> +<br> +Two hundred and fifty years ago, otter-hunting was a favourite amusement +in several parts of Great Britain. Many of our streams then abounded +with this destructive animal; but, since the population are more +numerous, and many contrivances are adopted to ensnare and destroy +otters, few are now to be found. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="turnspit"></a><h4>The Turnspit</h4> + +This dog was once a valuable auxiliary in the kitchen, by turning the +spit before jacks were invented. It had a peculiar length of body, with +short crooked legs, the tail curled, its ears long and pendent, and the +head large in proportion to the body. It is still used in the kitchen on +various parts of the Continent. There are some curious stories of the +artfulness with which he often attempted to avoid the task imposed upon +him.<br> +<br> +There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f31a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America</i>, by +J. Macgregor<br> +<a href="#fr31a">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f32a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> <i>Journal Historique du Voyage de M. de Lesseps</i>, Paris, 1790. +2 vols. — tome 1.<br> +<a href="#fr32a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f33a"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 3:</span></a> Clarke's <i>Scandinavia</i>, vol. i. p. 432.<br> +<a href="#fr33a">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f34"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 4:</span></a> The migratory sheep, in some parts of the south of France +almost as numerous as in Spain, are attended by a <i>goat</i>, as a +guide; and the intelligence and apparent pride which he displays are +remarkable.<br> +<a href="#fr34">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f35"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 5:</span></a> <i>Trimmer on the Merinos</i>, p. 50. See also the Society's work +on Sheep.<br> +<a href="#fr35">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f36"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 6:</span></a> <i>Annals of Sporting</i>, vol. viii. p. 83.<br> +<a href="#fr36">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f37"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 7:</span></a> + + <blockquote> "The Ettrick Shepherd has probably spoken somewhat too + enthusiastically of his dog; but accounts of the sagacity and almost + superhuman fidelity of this dog crowd so rapidly upon us that we are + compelled to admire and to love him."</blockquote> + +<i>Hogg's Shepherd's Calendar</i>, vol. ii. p. 308.<br> +<a href="#fr37">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f38"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 8:</span></a> <i>Jesse's Gleanings</i>, vol. i. p. 93.<br> +<a href="#fr38">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f39"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 9:</span></a> <i>Buffon's Natural History</i>, vol. v. p. 314.<br> +<a href="#fr39">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f40"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 10:</span></a> <i>Travels in Scotland</i>, by the Rev. J. Hall, vol. ii. p. 395.<br> +<a href="#fr40">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f41"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 11:</span></a> <i>Annals of Sporting</i>, vol. v. p. 137.<br> +<a href="#fr41">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f42"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 12:</span></a> Mr Beckford at one time determined to try how he should +like the use of beagles, and, having heard of a small pack of them, he +sent his coachman, the person he could best spare, to fetch them. It was +a long journey, and, although he had some assistance, yet not being used +to hounds, he had some trouble in getting them along, especially as they +had not been out of the kennel for several weeks before. They were +consequently so riotous that they ran after everything they saw, sheep, +cur dogs, birds of all sorts, as well as hares and deer. However, he +lost but one hound; and, when Mr. Beckford asked him what he thought of +them, he said that they could not fail of being good hounds, for they +would hunt everything.<br> +<a href="#fr42">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f43"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 13:</span></a> <i>Beckford on Hunting</i>, p. 150.<br> +<a href="#fr43">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f44"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 14:</span></a> <i>The Horse and the Hound</i>, by Nimrod, p. 340.<br> +<a href="#fr44">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f45"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 15:</span></a> <i>The Horse and the Hound</i>, by Nimrod, p, 332.<br> +<a href="#fr45">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f46"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 16:</span></a> <i>Daniel's Foxhound</i>, p. 205.<br> +<a href="#fr46">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f47"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 17:</span></a> <i>The Horse and the Hound</i>, by Nimrod, p. 355.<br> +<a href="#fr47">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f48"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 18:</span></a> <i>Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting</i>, p. 95.<br> +<a href="#fr48">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f49"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 19:</span></a> Mr. Beckford gives the following excellent account of what +a huntsman should be: + + <blockquote> "A huntsman should be attached to the sport, and indefatigable, young, + strong, active, bold, and enterprising in the pursuit of it. He should + be sensible, good-tempered, sober, exact, and cleanly — a good groom + and an excellent horseman. His voice should be strong and clear, with + an eye so quick as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent + when all are running, and an ear so excellent as to distinguish the + leading hounds when he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient, + and without conceit. Such are the qualities which constitute + perfection in a huntsman. He should not, however, be too fond of + displaying them until called forth by necessity; it being a peculiar + and distinguishing trait in his character to let his hounds alone + while they thus hunt, and have genius to assist them when they + cannot."</blockquote> + +<i>Beckford on Hunting,</i> Letter ix.<br> +<a href="#fr49">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f50"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 20:</span></a> <i>Blaine on the Diseases of the Dog</i>, p. 140.<br> +<a href="#fr50">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f51"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 21:</span></a> See <i>Hints to Young Masters of Fox-Hounds</i> — <i>New Sport. Mag</i>., +vol. viii. p. 174-290.<br> +<a href="#fr51">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f52"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 22:</span></a> <i>Traité de la Folie dex Animaux</i>, tom. ii. 39.<br> +<a href="#fr52">return</a> <br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f53"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 23:</span></a> Mr. D. Radcliffe.<br> +<a href="#fr53">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f54"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 24:</span></a> The late Lord Oxford reduced four stags to so perfect a +degree of submission that, in his short excursions, he used to drive +them in a phaeton made for the purpose. He was one day exercising his +singular and beautiful steeds in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, when +their ears were saluted with the unwelcome cry of a pack of hounds, +which, crossing the road in their rear, had caught the scent, and +leaving their original object of pursuit, were now in rapid chase of the +frightened stags. In vain his grooms exerted themselves to the utmost, +the terrified animals bounded away with the swiftness of lightning, and +entered Newmarket at full speed. They made immediately for the Ram Inn, +to which his lordship was in the habit of driving, and, having +fortunately entered the yard without any accident, the stable-keepers +huddled his lordship, the phaeton, and the deer into a large barn, just +in time to save them from the hounds, who came into the yard in full cry +a few seconds afterwards.<br> +(<i>Annals of Sporting</i>, vol. iii. 1833).<br> +<a href="#fr54">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f55"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 25:</span></a> The author of the <i>Field Book</i> says that he saw an extremely +small pointer, whose length, from the tip of the nose to the point of +the tail, was only two feet and half an inch, the length of the head +being six inches, and round the chest one foot and three inches. He was +an exquisite miniature of the English pointer, being in all respects +similar to him, except in his size. His colour was white, with dark +liver-coloured patches on each side of the head, extending half down the +neck. The ears, with some patches on the back, were also of the same +colour, and numerous small dark-brown spots appeared over his whole body +and legs.<br> +<br> +This beautiful little animal had an exquisite sense of smell. Some of +the same breed, and being the property of the Earl of Lauderdale, were +broken-in and made excellent pointers, although, from their minute size, +it could not be expected that they would be able to do much work. When +intent upon any object, the dog assumed the same attitude as other +pointers, holding up one of his feet.<br> +(<i>The Field Book</i>, p. 399).<br> +<a href="#fr55">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f56"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 26:</span></a> Another writer in the same volume gives also an +interesting account of the management of the setter.<br> +<a href="#fr56">return</a><br> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section4">Chapter IV — The Varieties of the Dog — Third Division</a></h2> +<br> +<blockquote><i>The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, and +the cranium elevated and diminished in capacity.</i></blockquote><br> + +At the head of this inferior or brutal division of dogs stands<br> +<br> + +<table summary="Bulldog" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><a name="bulldog"></a><h4>The Bull-dog.</h4> + +The round, thick head, turned-up nose, and thick and pendulous lips of +this dog are familiar to all, while his ferocity makes him in the +highest degree dangerous. In general he makes a silent although +ferocious attack, and the persisting powers of his teeth and jaws enable +him to keep his hold against any but the greatest efforts, so that the +utmost mischief is likely to ensue as well to the innocent visitor of +his domicile as the ferocious intruder. The bull-dog is scarcely capable +of any education, and is fitted for nothing but ferocity and combat.<br> +<br> +The name of this dog is derived from his being too often employed, until +a few years ago, in baiting the bull. It was practised by the low and +dissolute in many parts of the country. Dogs were bred and trained for +the purpose; and, while many of them were injured or destroyed, the head +of the bull was lacerated in the most barbarous manner. Nothing can +exceed the fury with which the bull-dog rushed on his foe, and the +obstinacy with which he maintained his hold. He fastened upon the lip, +the muzzle, or the eye, and there he hung in spite of every effort of +the bull to free himself from his antagonist.</td> +<td><br> +<br> +<img src="images/bulldog.gif" width="462" height="440" align="right" border="2" alt="Bulldog"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +Bull-dogs are not so numerous as they were a few years ago; and every +kind-hearted person will rejoice to hear that bull-baiting is now put +down by legal authority in every part of the kingdom. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<a name="bullterr"></a><h4>The Bull Terrier.</h4> + +This dog is a cross between the bull-dog and the terrier, and is +generally superior, both in appearance and value, to either of its +progenitors. A second cross considerably lessens the underhanging of the +lower jaw, and a third entirely removes it, retaining the spirit and +determination of the animal. It forms a steadier friendship than either +of them, and the principal objection to it is its love of wanton +mischief, and the dangerous irascibility which it occasionally exhibits.<br> +<br> +<a name="I259">Sir</a> Walter Scott, a warm friend of dogs, and whose veracity cannot be +impeached, gives an interesting account of a favourite one belonging to +him. + +<blockquote> "The cleverest dog I ever had was what is called a bull-dog terrier. I + taught him to understand a great many words, insomuch that I am + positive the communication between the canine species and ourselves + might be greatly enlarged. Camp, the name of my dog, once bit the + baker when bringing bread to the family. I beat him, and explained the + enormity of the offence; after which, to the last moment of his life, + he never heard the least allusion to the story without creeping into + the darkest corner of the room. Towards the end of his life when he + was unable to attend me while I was on horseback, he generally watched + for my return, and, when the servant used to tell him, his master was + coming down the hill, or through the moor, although he did not use any + gesture to explain his meaning, Camp was never known to mistake him, + but either went out at the front to go up the hill, or at the back to + get down to the moor-side."</blockquote> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> +<br> + +<table summary="Mastiff" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><h4>The Mastiff</h4> + +The head considerably resembles that of the bull-dog, but with the ears +dependent. The upper lip falls over the lower jaw. The end of the tail +is turned up, and frequently the fifth toe of the hind feet is more or +less developed. The nostrils are separated one from another by a deep +furrow. He has a grave and somewhat sullen countenance, and his +deep-toned bark is often heard during the night. The mastiff is taller +than the bull-dog, but not so deep in the chest, and his head is large +compared with his general form.<br> +<br> +It is probable that the mastiff is an original breed peculiar to the +British islands.<br> +<br> +He seems to be fully aware of the impression which his large size makes +on every stranger; and, in the night especially, he watches the abode of +his master with the completest vigilance; in fact, nothing would tempt +him to betray the confidence which is reposed in him.</td> +<td><br> +<br> +<a name="mastiff"></a><img src="images/mastiff.gif" width="507" height="435" align="right" border="2" alt="The Mastiff"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<a name="fr61">Captain</a> Brown states that, + +<blockquote>"notwithstanding his commanding appearance +and the strictness with which he guards the property of his master, he +is possessed of the greatest mildness of conduct, and is as grateful for +any favours bestowed upon him as is the most diminutive of the canine +tribe. There is a remarkable and peculiar warmth in his attachments. He +is aware of all the duties required of him, and he punctually discharges +them. In the course of the night he several times examines every thing +with which he is intrusted with the most scrupulous care, and, by +repeated barkings, warns the household or the depredator that he is at +the post of duty."<a href="#f61"><sup>1</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="I88">The</a> mastiff from Cuba requires some mention, and will call up some of +the most painful recollections in the history of the human race. He was +not a native of Cuba, but imported into the country.<br> +<br> +The Spaniards had possessed themselves of several of the South American +islands. They found them peopled with Indians, and those of a sensual, +brutish, and barbarous class — continually making war with their +neighbours, indulging in an irreconcilable hatred of the Spaniards, and +determined to expel and destroy them. In self-defence, they were driven +to some means of averting the destruction with which they were +threatened. They procured some of these mastiffs, by whose assistance +they penetrated into every part of the country, and destroyed the +greater portion of the former inhabitants.<br> +<br> +Las Casas, a Catholic priest, and whose life was employed in +endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings of the original inhabitants, +says that + +<blockquote>"it was resolved to march against the Indians, who had fled to +the mountains, and they were chased like wild beasts, with the +assistance of bloodhounds, who had been trained to a thirst for human +blood, so that before I had left the island it had become almost +entirely a desert."</blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + + +<a name="iceland"></a><h4>The Iceland Dog.</h4> + +The head is rounder than that of the northern dogs; the ears partly +erect and partly pendent; and the fur soft and long, especially behind +the fore legs and on the tail. It much resembles the Turkish dog removed +to a colder climate.<br> +<br> +This dog is exceedingly useful to the Icelanders while travelling over +the snowy deserts of the north. By a kind of intuition he rarely fails +in choosing the shortest and the safest course. He also is more aware +than his master of the approach of the snow storms; and is a most +valuable ally against the attack of the Polar bear, who, drifted on +masses of ice from the neighbouring continent, often commits +depredations among the cattle, and even attacks human beings. When the +dog is first aware of the neighbourhood of the bear, he sets up a +fearful howl, and men and dogs hasten to hunt down and destroy the +depredator.<br> +<br> +The travelling in Iceland is sometimes exceedingly dangerous at the +beginning of the winter. A thin layer of snow covers and conceals some +of the chasms with which that region abounds. Should the traveller fall +into one of them, the dog proves a most useful animal; for he runs +immediately across the snowy waste, and, by his howling, induces the +traveller's friends to hasten to his rescue. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<a name="terrier"></a><h4>The Terrier</h4> + +The forehead is convex; the eye prominent; the muzzle pointed; the tail +thin and arched; the fur short; the ears of moderate size, half erect, +and usually of a deep-black colour, with a yellow spot over the eyes. It +is an exceedingly useful animal; but not so indispensable an +accompaniment to a pack of fox-hounds as it used to be accounted. Foxes +are not so often unearthed as they formerly were, yet many a day's sport +would be lost without the terrier. Some sportsmen used to have two +terriers accompanying in the pack, one being smaller than the other. +This was a very proper provision; a large terrier might be incapable of +penetrating into the earth, and a small one might permit the escape of +the prey. Many terriers have lost their lives by scratching up the earth +behind them, and thus depriving themselves of all means of retreat.<br> +<br> +The coat of the terrier may be either smooth or rough; the smooth-haired +ones are more delicate in appearance, and are somewhat more exposed to +injury or accident; but in courage, sagacity, and strength, there is +very little difference if the dogs are equally well bred. The rough +terrier possibly obtained his shaggy coat from the cur, and the smooth +terrier may derive his from the hound.<br> +<br> +The <a name="I280">terrier</a> is seldom of much service until he is twelve months old; and +then, incited by natural propensity, or the example of the older ones, +or urged on by the huntsman, he begins to discharge his supposed duty.<br> +<br> +An old terrier is brought to the mouth of the earth in which a vixen +fox — a fox with her young ones — has taken up her abode, and is sent in +to worry and drive her out. Some young terriers are brought to the mouth +of the hover, to listen to the process that is going forward within, and +to be excited to the utmost extent of which they are capable. The vixen +is at length driven out, and caught at the mouth of the hole; and the +young ones are suffered to rush in, and worry or destroy their first +prey. They want no after-tuition to prepare them for the discharge of +their duty.<br> +<br> +This may be pardoned. It is the most ready way of training the young dog +to his future business; but it is hoped that no reader of this work will +be guilty of the atrocities that are often practised. An old fox, or +badger, is caught, his under jaw is sawn off, and the lower teeth are +forcibly extracted, or broken. A hole is then dug in the earth, or a +barrel is placed large and deep enough to permit a terrier, or perhaps +two of them, to enter. Into this cavity the fox or badger is thrust, and +a terrier rushes after him, and drags him out again. The question to be +ascertained is, how many times in a given period the dog will draw this +poor tortured animal out of the barrel — an exhibition of cruelly which +no one should be able to lay to the charge of any human being. It is a +principle not to be departed from, that wanton and useless barbarity +should never be permitted. The government, to a certain extent, has +interfered, and a noble society has been established to limit, or, if +possible, to prevent the infliction of useless pain.<br> +<br> +The terrier is, however, a valuable dog, in the house and the farm. The +stoat, the pole-cat, and the weazel, commit great depredations in the +fields, the barn, and granary; and to a certain extent, the terrier is +employed in chasing them; but it is not often that he has a fair chance +to attack them. He is more frequently used in combating the rat.<br> +<br> +The mischief effected by rats is almost incredible. It has been said +that, in some cases, in the article of corn, these animals consume a +quantity of food equal in value to the rent of the farm. Here the dog is +usefully employed, and in his very element, especially if there is a +cross of the bull-dog about him.<br> +<br> +<a name="I30">There</a> are some extraordinary accounts of the dexterity, as well as +courage, of the terrier in destroying rats. The feats of a dog called +"Billy" will he long remembered. He was matched to destroy one hundred +large rats in eight and a half minutes. The rats were brought into the +ring in bags, and, as soon as the number was complete, he was put over +the railing. In six minutes and thirty-five seconds they were all +destroyed. In another match he destroyed the same number in six minutes +and thirteen seconds. At length, when he was getting old, and had but +two teeth and one eye left, a wager was laid of thirty sovereigns, by +the owner of a Berkshire bitch, that she would kill fifty rats in less +time than Billy. The old dog killed his fifty in five minutes and six +seconds. The pit was then cleared, and the bitch let in. When she had +killed thirty rats, she was completely exhausted, fell into a fit, and +lay barking and yelping, utterly incapable of completing her task.<br> +<br> +The speed of the terrier is very great. One has been known to run six +miles in thirty-two minutes. He needs to be a fleet dog if, with his +comparatively little bulk, he can keep up with the foxhound.<br> +<br> +A small breed of <i>wry-legged</i> terriers was once in repute, and, to +a certain degree, is retained for the purpose of hunting rabbits. It +probably originated in some rickety specimens, remarkable for the slow +development of their frame, except in the head, the belly, and the +joints, which enlarge at the expense of the other parts. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<table summary="Scotch" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><h4>The Scotch Terrier</h4> + +There is reason to believe that this dog is far older than the English +terrier. There are three varieties: first the common Scotch terrier, +twelve or thirteen inches high; his body muscular and +compact — considerable breadth across the loins — the legs shorter and +stouter than those of the English terriers. The head large in proportion +to the size of the body — the muzzle small and pointed — strong marks of +intelligence in the countenance — warm attachment to his master, and the +evident devotion of every power to the fulfilment of his wishes. The +hair is long and tough, and extending over the whole of the frame. In +colour, they are black or fawn: the white, yellow, or pied are always +deficient in purity of blood. +</td> +<td><a name="scotchterrier"></a><img src="images/scotchterrier.gif" width="476" height="405" align="right" border="2" alt="The Scotch Terrier"></td> +</tr> +</table> +Another species has nearly the same conformation, but is covered with +longer, more curly, and stouter hair; the legs being apparently, but not +actually, shorter. This kind of dog prevails in the greater part of the +Western Islands of Scotland, and some of them, where the hair has +obtained its full development, are much admired.<br> +<br> +Her Majesty had one from Islay, a faithful and affectionate creature, +yet with all the spirit and determination that belongs to his breed. The +writer of this account had occasion to operate on this poor fellow, who +had been bitten under somewhat suspicious circumstances. He submitted +without a cry or a struggle, and seemed to be perfectly aware that we +should not put him to pain without having some good purpose in view.<br> +<br> +A third species of terrier is of a considerably larger bulk, and three +or four inches taller than either of the others. Its hair is shorter +than that of the other breeds, and is hard and wiry. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="shockdog"></a><h4>The Shock-dog</h4> + +is traced by Buffon, but somewhat erroneously, to a mixture of the small +Danish dog and the pug. The head is round, the eyes large, but somewhat +concealed by its long and curly hair, the tail curved and bent forward. +The muzzle resembles that of the pug. It is of small size, and is used +in this country and on the Continent as a lap-dog. It is very properly +described by the author of <i>The Field Book</i> as a useless little animal, +seeming to possess no other quality than that of a faithful attachment +to his mistress. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="artois"></a><h4>The Artois Dog</h4> + +with his short, flat muzzle, is a produce of the shock-dog and the pug. +He has nothing peculiar to recommend him. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="andalusian"></a><h4>The Andalusian, or Alicant Dog,</h4> + +has the short muzzle of the pug with the long hair of the spaniel. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> + +<a name="barbary"></a><h4>The Egyptian and Barbary Dog,</h4> + +according to Cuvier, has a very thick and round head, the ears erect at +the base, large and movable, and carried horizontally, the skin nearly +naked, and black or dark flesh-colour, with large patches of brown. A +sub-variety has a kind of mane behind the head, formed of long stiff +hairs.<br> +<br> +Buffon imagines that the shepherd's dog — transported to different +climates, and acquiring different habits — was the ancestor of the +various species with which almost every country abounds; but whence they +originally came it is impossible to say. They vary in their size, their +colour, their attitude, their usual exterior, and their strangely +different interior construction. Transported into various climates, they +are necessarily submitted to the influence of heat and cold, and of food +more or less abundant and more or less suitable to their natural +organization; but the reason or the derivation of these differences of +structure it is not always easy to explain.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f61"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> Brown's <i>Biographical Sketches,</i> p. 425.<br> +<a href="#fr61">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section5">Chapter V — The Good Qualities of the Dog — The Sense of Smell — Intelligence — Moral Qualities — Dog Carts — Cropping — Tailing — Breaking-In — Dog-Pits — Dog-Stealing</a></h2> +<br> +In our history of the different breeds of the dog we have seen enough to +induce us to admire and love him. His courage, his fidelity, and the +degree in which he often devotes every power that he possesses to our +service, are circumstances that we can never forget nor overlook. His +very foibles occasionally attach him to us. We may select a pointer for +the pureness of his blood and the perfection of his education. He +transgresses in the field. We call him to us; we scold him well; +perchance, we chastise him. He lies motionless and dumb at our feet. The +punishment being over, he gets up, and, by some significant gesture, +acknowledges his consciousness of deserving what he has suffered. The +writer operated on a pointer bitch for an enlarged cancerous tumour, +accompanied by much inflammation and pain in the surrounding parts. A +word or two of kindness and of caution were all that were necessary, +although, in order to prevent accidents, she had been bound securely. +The flesh quivered as the knife pursued its course — a moan or two +escaped her, but yet she did not struggle; and her first act, after all +was over, was to lick the operator's hand.<br> +<br> +From the combination of various causes, the history of no animal is more +interesting than that of the dog. First, his intimate association with +man, not only as a valuable protector, but as a constant and faithful +companion throughout all the vicissitudes of life. Secondly, from his +natural endowments, not consisting in the exquisite delicacy of one +individual sense — not merely combining memory with reflection — but +possessing qualities of the mind that stagger us in the contemplation of +them, and which we can alone account for in the gradation existing in +that wonderful system which, by different links of one vast chain, +extends from the first to the last of all things, until it forms a +perfect whole on the wonderful confines of the spiritual and material +world.<br> +<br> +We here quote the beautiful account of Sir Walter Scott and his dogs, as +described by Henry Hallam: + +<blockquote>"But looking towards the grassy mound<br> +Where calm the Douglass chieftains lie,<br> +Who, living, quiet never found,<br> +I straightway learnt a lesson high;<br><br> + +For there an old man sat serene,<br> +And well I knew that thoughtful mien<br> +Of him whose early lyre had thrown<br> +O'er mouldering walls the magic of its tone.<br><br> + +It was a comfort, too, to see<br> +Those dogs that from him ne'er would rove,<br> +And always eyed him reverently,<br> +With glances of depending love.<br><br> + +They know not of the eminence<br> +Which marks him to my reasoning sense,<br> +They know but that he is a man,<br> +And still to them is kind, and glads them all he can<br><br> + +And hence their quiet looks confiding;<br> +Hence grateful instincts seated deep<br> +By whose strong bond, were ill betiding,<br> +They'd lose their own, his life to keep.<br><br> + +What joy to watch in lower creature<br> +Such dawning of a moral nature,<br> +And how (the rule all things obey)<br> +They look to a higher mind to be their law and stay!"</blockquote> + +The subject of the intellectual and moral qualities of the inferior +animals is one highly interesting and somewhat misunderstood — urged +perhaps to a ridiculous extent by some persons, yet altogether neglected +by others who have no feeling for any but themselves.<br> +<br> +<a name="I41">Anatomists</a> have compared the relative bulk of the brain in different +animals, and the result is not a little interesting. In man the weight +of the brain amounts on the average to 1-30th part of the body. In the +Newfoundland dog it does not amount to 1-60th part, or to 1-100th part +in the poodle and barbet, and not to more than 1-300th part in the +ferocious and stupid bull-dog.<br> +<br> +<a name="I42">When</a> the brain is cut, it is found to be composed of two substances, +essentially different in construction and function — the cortical and the +medullary. The first is small in quantity, and principally concerned in +the food and reproduction of the animal, and the cineritious in a great +measure the register of the mind. Brute strength seems to be the +character of the former, and superior intelligence of the latter. There +is, comparing bulk with bulk, less of the medullary substance in the +horse than in the ox — and in the dog than in the horse — and they are +characterized as the sluggish ox, the intelligent horse, and the +intellectual and companionable dog.<br> +<br> +<a name="I196">From</a> the medullary substance proceed certain cords or prolongations, +termed <i>nerves</i>, by which the animal is enabled to receive +impressions from surrounding objects and to connect himself with them, +and also to possess many pleasurable or painful sensations. One of them +is spread over the membrane of the nose, and gives the sense of smell; +another expands on the back of the eye, and the faculty of sight is +gained; a third goes to the internal structure of the ear and the animal +is conscious of sound. Other nerves, proceeding to different parts, give +the faculty of motion, while an equally important one bestows the power +of feeling. One division, springing from a prolongation of the brain, +and yet within the skull, wanders to different parts of the frame, for +important purposes connected with respiration or breathing. The act of +breathing is essential to life, and were it to cease, the animal would +die.<br> +<br> +<a name="I276">There</a> are other nerves — the sympathetic — so called from their union and +sympathy with all the others, and identified with life itself. They +proceed from a small ganglion or enlargement in the upper part of the +neck, or from a collection of minute ganglia within the abdomen. They go +to the heart, and it beats; and to the stomach, and it digests. They +form a net-work round each vessel, and the frame is nourished and built +up. They are destitute of sensation, and they are perfectly beyond the +control of the will.<br> +<br> +We have been accustomed, and properly, to regard the nervous system, or +that portion of it which is connected with animal life — that which +renders us conscious of surrounding objects and susceptible of pleasure +and of pain — as the source of intellectual power and moral feeling. It +is so with ourselves. All our knowledge is derived from our perception +of things around as. A certain impression is made on the outward fibres +of a sensitive nerve. That impression, in some mysterious way, is +conveyed to the brain; and there it is received — registered — stored — and +compared; there its connections are traced and its consequences +appreciated; and thence a variety of interesting impressions are +conveyed, and due use is made of them. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="smell"></a><h4>The Sense of Smell</h4> + +Our subject — the intellectual and moral feelings of brutes, and the +mechanism on which they depend — may be divided into two parts, the +portion that receives and conveys, and that which stores up and compares +and uses the impression.<br> +<br> +The portion that receives and conveys is far more developed in the brute +than in the human being. Whatever sense we take, we clearly perceive the +triumph of animal power.<br> +<br> +<a name="I202">The</a> olfactory nerve in the horse, the dog, the ox, and the swine, is the +largest of all the cerebral nerves, and has much greater comparative +bulk in the quadruped than in the human being. The sense of smell, +bearing proportion to the nerve on which it depends, is yet more acute. +In man it is connected with pleasure — in the inferior animals with life. +The relative size of the nerve bears an invariable proportion to the +necessity of an acute sense of smell in the various animals — large in +the horse compared with the olfactory nerve in the human being — larger +in the ox, who is often sent into the fields to shift for +himself — larger still in the swine, whose food is buried under the soil, +or deeply immersed in the filth or refuse, — and still larger in the dog, +the acuteness of whose scent is so connected with our pleasure.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">The disposition to hunt by scent is not peculiar to the setter or +pointer, but in fact is common to all animals; developing itself in +different proportions according to their various physical constructions +and modes of life. The method of finding and pointing at game, now +peculiar to these dogs, and engendered in their progeny through +successive generations, is not the result of any special instinct, that +usually governs the actions of the brute creation — but rather the effect +of individual education and force of habit upon their several ancestors. +This habit of life, engrafted through progressive generations into these +breeds, has become a second nature, and so entirely the property of the +species, that all its members, with but little care on the part of man, +will perform these same actions in the same way, and will ever continue +to exhibit these propensities for hunting, provided opportunities be +offered for indulging them. Nevertheless, as these peculiar +predilections for "<i>setting or pointing</i>," as before said, are the +effect of education and habit, the artificial impulse would very soon be +entirely obliterated, if not encouraged in the young dogs of each +generation. This circumstance alone, proves to us the importance of +getting dogs from a well-known good strain, whose ancestors have been +remarkable for their exploits in the field. This necessary precaution +will insure a favourable issue to our troubles, and lessen materially +our labours. In fact young puppies have been frequently known to exhibit +this propensity the first time they have been taken to the field. Some +of these dogs have come under the notice of the writer, who at a few +months old exhibited all the peculiarities of their race; in fact were +"<i>self-broke</i>." These dogs were the progeny of a well-known +imported stock, in the possession of a gentleman who selected them in +England.<br> +<br> +Although other dogs, and other animals even, have been with great +difficulty and perseverance taught to find and point game, still these +two breeds seem especially adapted by nature, both in their physical and +intellectual construction, for the performance of this particular duty +to man.<br> +<br> +The sense of smell is differently developed in different animals; the +olfactory nerve of the dog is larger than any other in the cerebrum, +which peculiarity will at once account for their wonderful powers of +scent.<br> +<br> +<i>Swine</i>, also, have these nerves largely developed; and necessarily +so, as both in a state of nature or half-civilization, the greater +portion of their food is buried under the earth or mingled with the +filth and mire of their sties, and would pass unheeded, if not for the +acuteness of their nasal organs.<br> +<br> +In <a name="I351"></a>Daniels' <i>Rural Sports</i>, will be found an interesting account of a +sow having been taught to find and point game of various kinds, and +often having been known to stand on partridges at a distance of forty +yards, which is more than can reasonably be expected of every first-rate +dog. She was not only broke to find and stand game, but hunted with the +dogs, and backed successfully when on a point. This extraordinary animal +evinced great aptness for learning, and afterwards great enthusiasm in +the sport; showing symptoms of pleasure at the sight of a gun, or when +called upon to accompany a party to the field. Her hunting was not +confined to any particular game, but stood equally well on partridges, +pheasants, snipes, rabbits, &c. (See Blaine, part vii, chap, iii, page +792.)<br> +<br> +Most of animals instinctively employ the organ of scent to seek out +food, or avert personal danger, in preference to that of sight; but some +depend more upon the latter than the former, either from instinct or the +force of education.<br> +<br> +For instance, the greyhound, though equally gifted with the sense of +smell, as that of sight, has been taught to depend upon the one organ to +the entire exclusion of the other, which is quite the reverse of the +setter and pointer; but the wonderful speed of these dogs renders it +quite unnecessary that he should employ the olfactory nerves, as no +animal, however swift, can hope to escape from him in a fair race, when +once near enough to be seen; though there are some that may elude his +grasp by a "<i>ruse de guerre</i>" when too hardly pressed. +(<i>Extracted from our essay in No. 1, vol. xvi, of the "Spirit of the +Times.</i>") — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="iq"></a><h4>Intelligence</h4> + +We find little mention of insanity in the domesticated animals in any of +our modern authors, whether treating on agriculture, horsemanship, or +veterinary medicine, and yet there are some singular and very +interesting cases of aberration of intellect. The inferior animals are, +to a certain extent, endowed with the same faculties as ourselves. They +are even susceptible of the same moral qualities. Hatred, love, fear, +hope, joy, distress, courage, timidity, jealousy, and many varied +passions influence and agitate them, as they do the human being. The dog +is an illustration of this — the most susceptible to every +impression — approaching the nearest to man in his instincts, and in many +actions that surprise the philosopher, who justly appreciates it.<br> +<br> +What eagerness to bite is often displayed by the dog when labouring +under enteritis, and especially by him who has imbibed the poison of +rabies! How singular is the less dangerous malady which induces the +horse and the dog to press unconsciously forward under the influence of +vertigo! — the eagerness with which, when labouring under phrenitis, he +strikes at everything with his foot, or rushes upon it to seize it with +his teeth! A kind of nostalgia is often recognised in that depression +which nothing can dissipate, and the invincible aversion to food, by +means of which many animals perish, who are prevented from returning to +the place where they once lived, and the localities to which they had +been accustomed.<br> +<br> +These are circumstances proving that the dog is endowed with +intelligence and with affections like ours; and, if they do not equal +ours, they are of the same character.<br> +<br> +With regard to the foundation of intellectual power, viz.: <a name="I22">attention</a>, +memory, association, and imagination, the difference between man and +animals is in degree, and not in kind. Thus stands the account, — with +the quadruped as well as the biped, — the impression is made on the mind; +attention fixes it there; memory recurs to it; imagination combines it, +rightly or erroneously, with many other impressions; judgment determines +the value of it, and the conclusions that are to be drawn from it, if +not with logical precision, yet with sufficient accuracy for every +practical purpose.<br> +<br> +<a name="I166">A</a> bitch, naturally ill-tempered, and that would not suffer a stranger to +touch her, had scirrhous enlargement on one of her teats. As she lay in +the lap of her mistress, an attempt was repeatedly made to examine the +tumour, in spite of many desperate attempts on her part to bite. All at +once, however, something seemed to strike her mind. She whined, wagged +her tail, and sprung from the lap of her mistress to the ground. It was +to crouch at the feet of the surgeon, and to lay herself down and expose +the tumour to his inspection. She submitted to a somewhat painful +examination of it, and to a far more serious operation afterwards. Some +years passed away, and whenever she saw the operator, she testified her +joy and her gratitude in the most expressive and endearing manner.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr71">A</a> short time since, the following scene took place in a street adjoining +Hanover-square. It was an exhibition of a highly interesting character, +and worthy to be placed upon record. The editor of the <i>Lancet</i> having +heard that a French gentleman (M. Léonard), who had for some time been +engaged in instructing two dogs in various performances that required +the exercise, not merely of the natural instincts of the animal and the +power of imitation, but of a higher intellect, and a degree of +reflection and judgment far greater than is commonly developed in the +dog; was residing in London, obtained an introduction, and was +obligingly favoured by M. Leonard with permission to hold a +<i>conversazione</i> with his extraordinary pupils. He thus describes +the interview:<br> +<br> +Two fine dogs, of the Spanish breed, were introduced by M. Leonard, with +the customary French politesse, the largest by the name of M. Philax, +the other as M. Brac (or spot); the former had been in training three, +the latter two, years. They were in vigorous health, and, having bowed +very gracefully, seated themselves on the hearth-rug side by side. M. +Léonard then gave a lively description of the means he had employed to +develop the cerebral system in these animals — how, from having been fond +of the chase, and ambitious of possessing the best-trained dogs, he had +employed the usual course of training — how the conviction had been +impressed on his mind, that by gentle usage, and steady perseverance in +inducing the animal to repeat again and again what was required, not +only would the dog be capable of performing that specific act, but that +part of the brain which was brought into activity by the mental effort +would become more largely developed, and hence a permanent increase of +mental power be obtained.<br> +<br> +This reasoning is in accordance with the known laws of the physiology of +the nervous system, and is fraught with the most important results. We +may refer the reader interested in the subject to the masterly little +work of Dr. Verity, "Changes produced in the Nervous System by +Civilization."<br> +<br> +After this introduction, M. Léonard spoke to his dogs in French, in his +usual tone, and ordered one of them to walk, the other to lie down, to +run, to gallop, halt, crouch, &c., which they performed as promptly and +correctly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go +through the usual exercises of the <i>manége</i>, which they performed +as well as the best-trained ponies at Astley's.<br> +<br> +He next placed six cards of different colours on the floor, and, sitting +with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card, and +the other the white, &c., varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in +such a manner that it was impossible the dogs could have executed his +commands if they had not had a perfect knowledge of the words. For +instance, M. Léonard said, "Philax, take the red card and give it to +Brac; and, Brac, take the white card and give it to Philax;" the dogs +instantly did this, and exchanged cards with each other. He then said, +"Philax, put your card on the green, and Brac, put yours on the blue;" +and this was instantly performed. Pieces of bread and meat were placed +on the floor, with figured cards, and a variety of directions were given +to the dogs, so as to put their intelligence and obedience to a severe +test. They brought the meat, bread, or cards, as commanded, but did not +attempt to eat or to touch unless ordered. Philax was then ordered to +bring a piece of meat and give it to Brac, and then Brac was told to +give it back to Philax, who was to return it to its place. Philax was +next told he might bring a piece of bread and eat it; but, before he had +time to swallow it, his master forbade him, and directed him to show +that he had not disobeyed, and the dog instantly protruded the crust +between his lips.<br> +<br> +While many of these feats were being performed, M. Léonard snapped a +whip violently, to prove that the animals were so completely under +discipline, that they would not heed any interruption.<br> +<br> +After many other performances, M. Léonard invited a gentleman to play a +game of dominos with one of them. The younger and slighter dog then +seated himself on a chair at the table, and the writer and M. Léonard +seated themselves opposite. Six dominos were placed on their edges in +the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before the writer. +The dog having a double number, took one up in his mouth, and put it in +the middle of the table; the writer placed a corresponding piece on one +side; the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until all +the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were then given to each, and +the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog looked +surprised, stared very earnestly at the writer, growled, and finally +barked angrily. Finding that no notice was taken of his remonstrances, +he pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, and took up a suitable +one from his own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then +played correctly; the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest +intimation could have been given by M. Léonard to the dog. This mode of +play must have been entirely the result of his own observation and +judgment. It should be added that the performances were strictly +private. The owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune, +and the instruction of his dogs had been taken up merely as a curious +and amusing investigation<a href="#f71"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +Another strange attainment of the dog is the learning to speak. The +French Academicians mention one of these animals that could call in an +intelligible manner for tea, coffee, chocolate, &c. The account is given +by the celebrated Leibnitz, who communicated it to the Royal Academy of +France. This dog was of a middling size, and was the property of a +peasant in Saxony.<br> +<br> +A little boy, a peasant's son, imagined that he perceived in the dog's +voice an indistinct resemblance to certain words, and therefore took it +into his head to teach him to speak. For this purpose he spared neither +time nor pains with his pupil, who was about three years old when his +learned education commenced, and in process of time he was able to +articulate no fewer than thirty distinct words. He was, however, +somewhat of a truant, and did not very willingly exert his talent, and +was rather pressed than otherwise into the service of literature. It was +necessary that the words should be pronounced to him each time, and then +he repeated them after his preceptor. Leibnitz attests that he heard the +animal talk in this way, and the French Academicians add, that unless +they had received the testimony of so celebrated a person they would +scarcely have dared to report the circumstance. It took place in Misnia, +in Saxony. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br><br> + +<a name="moral"></a><h4>The Moral Qualities of the Dog</h4>. + +We pass on to another division of our subject, <i>the moral qualities of +the dog</i>, strongly developed and beautifully displayed, and often +putting the biped to shame.<br> +<br> +It is truly said of the dog that he possesses + +<blockquote>"Many a good<br> +And useful quality, and virtue too,<br> +Attachment never to be weaned or changed<br> +By any change of fortune; proof alike<br> +Against unkindness, absence, and neglect;<br> +Fidelity, that neither bribe nor threat<br> +Can move or warp; and gratitude, for small<br> +And trivial favours, lasting as the life,<br> +And glistening even in the dying eye."</blockquote> + +It may here be noticed that, among the inferior animals with large +nerves and more medullary substance, there are acuter senses; but man, +excelling them in the general bulk of his brain, and more particularly +in the cortical portion of it, has far superior powers of mind. These +are circumstances that deserve the deepest consideration. In their wild +state the brutes have no concern — no idea beyond their food and their +reproduction. In their domesticated state, they are doomed to be the +servants of man. Their power of mind is sufficient to qualify them for +this service: but were proportionate intellectual capacity added to +this — were they made conscious of their strength, and of the objects +that could be effected by it — they would burst their bonds, and man +would in his turn be the victim and the slave.<br> +<br> +There is an important faculty, termed <i>attention</i>. It is that which +distinguishes the promising pupil from him of whom no good hope could be +formed, and the scientific man from the superficial and ignorant one. +The power of keeping the mind steadily bent upon one purpose, is the +great secret of individual and moral improvement. We see the habit of +attention carried in the dog to a very considerable extent. The terrier +eagerly watching for vermin — the sporting dog standing staunch to his +point, however he may be annoyed by the blunders of his companion or the +unskilfulness of his master — the foxhound, insensible to a thousand +scents, and deaf to every other sound, while he anxiously and +perseveringly searches out the track of his prey — these are striking +illustrations of the power of attention.<br> +<br> +<a name="I192">Then</a>, the impression having been received, and the mind having been +employed in its examination, it is treasured up in the storehouse of the +mind for future use.<br> +<br> +This is the faculty of memory; and a most important one it is. Of the +<i>memory</i> of the <i>dog</i>, and the recollection of kindness +received, there are a thousand stories, from the return of Ulysses to +the present day, and we have seen enough of that faithful animal to +believe most of them. An officer was abroad with his regiment, during +the American war. He had a fine Newfoundland dog, his constant +companion, whom he left with his family. After the lapse of several +years he returned. His dog met him at the door, leaped upon his neck, +licked his face, and died.<br> +<br> +Of the accuracy and retentiveness of memory in the dog, as respects the +instruction he has received from his master, we have abundant proof in +the pointer and the hound, and it may perhaps be with some of them, as +with men, that the lesson must sometimes be repeated, and even impressed +on the memory in a way not altogether pleasant.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We <a name="I339">know</a> an imported Irish setter, formerly in possession of a gentleman +of this city, who on many occasions, while hunting, displayed an +extraordinary instinct, even sufficiently remarkable to make us believe +that he possessed not only the most acute powers of observation, but +that he also enjoyed the faculty of "inductive reasoning," independent +of any mechanical training, many of his performances being entirely +voluntary, and the result of causes dependent upon accidental +circumstances alone: for instance, when lost from observation, he would +noiselessly withdraw from his point, hunt up his master, and induce him, +by peculiar signs, to follow him to the spot where he had previously +observed the birds.<br> +<br> +In his old days, "Smoke" was much opposed to hunting with an indifferent +shot, and would leave the field perfectly disgusted, after a succession +of bad shooting; seeming to argue that he no longer sought after game +for amusement, but that he expected his efforts to be repaid by the +death of the birds.<br> +<br> +This dog was of a morose and dignified disposition, surly with +strangers, and inclined to quarrel with any one who carried a stick or +whip in their hands; never forgetting an injury, and growling whenever +any person who had offended him made their appearance. He was also +particularly irritable and tenacious of his rights when hunting, +shunning all puppies or heedless dogs, and exhibiting a very irascible +disposition if superseded in a point by another dog; and on one occasion +attacked a young pointer in the field, who, in opposition to all his +growling and show of irony, would persist in crawling before him, when +on a point. — L</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br><br> + +<a name="dcarts"></a><h4>Dog-Carts.</h4> + +These were, and still are, in the country, connected with many an act of +atrocious cruelty. We do not object to the dog as a beast of draught. He +is so in the northern regions, and he is as happy as any other animal in +those cold and inhospitable countries. He is so in Holland, and he is as +comfortable there as any other beast that wears the collar. He is not so +in Newfoundland: there he is shamefully treated. It is to the abuse of +the thing, the poor and half-starved condition of the animal, the +scandalous weight that he is made to draw, and the infamous usage to +which he is exposed, that we object. We would put him precisely on the +same footing with the horse, and then we should be able, perhaps, to +afford him, not all the protection we could wish, but nearly as much as +we have obtained for the horse. We would have every cart licensed, not +for the sake of adding to the revenue, but of getting at the owner; and +therefore the taxing need not be any great sum. We would have the cart +licensed for the carrying of goods only; or a separate license taken out +if it carried or drew a human being.<br> +<br> +It is here that the cruelty principally exists. Before the dog-carts +were put down in the metropolis, we then saw a man and a woman in one of +these carts, drawn by a single dog, and going at full trot. Every +passenger execrated them, and the trot was increased to a gallop, in +order more speedily to escape the just reproaches that proceeded from +every mouth. We would have the name and address of the owner, and the +number of the cart, painted on some conspicuous part of the vehicle, and +in letters and figures as large as on the common carts. Every passenger +who witnessed any flagrant act of cruelty would then be enabled to take +the number of the cart, and summon the owner; and the police should have +the same power of interference which they have with regard to other +vehicles.<br> +<br> +After a plan like this had been working a little while, the nuisance +would be materially abated; and, indeed, the consciousness of the ease +with which the offender might be summoned, would go far to get rid of it. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="cropping"></a><h4>Cropping.</h4> + +This is an infliction of too much torture for the gratification of a +nonsensical fancy; and, after all, in the opinion of many, and of those, +too, who are fondest of dogs, the animal looks far better in his natural +state than when we have exercised all our cruel art upon him. Besides, +the effects of this absurd amputation do not cease with the healing of +the ear. The intense inflammation that we have set up, materially +injures the internal structure of this organ. Deafness is occasionally +produced by it in some dogs, and constantly in others. The frequent +deafness of the pug is solely attributable to the outrageous as well as +absurd rounding of his ears. The almost invariable deafness of the white +wire-haired terrier is to be traced to this cause.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Among the many tastes and fancies that the Americans have inherited +from their ancestors, the English, may be enumerated the absurd practice +of fashioning the ears of different breeds of dogs to a certain standard +of beauty. Mr. Blaine very justly remarks that it must be a false taste +which has taught us to prefer a curtailed organ to a perfect one, +without gaining any convenience by the operation. The dogs upon which +this species of barbecuing are more particularly practised in this +country, are the bull-dogs and terriers.<br> +<br> +We imagine that many of our readers will be surprised when they learn +that this operation, although so simple in itself, and performed by +every reckless stable-boy, is attended with great suffering to the +puppy, and not unfrequently with total deafness. Severe inflammation, +extending to the interior of the ear, often follows this operation, more +especially when awkwardly performed, as is frequently the case, by the +aid of the miserable instruments within the reach of our hostlers; to +say nothing of the savage fashion of using the teeth for this purpose, +as is often done by ignorant fellows, who even take credit to themselves +for the clever style in which they perform this outlandish operation. +Mr. Blaine states, that it is a barbarous custom to twist the ears off, +by swinging the dog around; and we are satisfied that every sensible +person will respond to this humane sentiment. We have never had the +misfortune to see this latter method put into practice, and trust that +such an operation is unknown among us, although, from the manner in +which this gentleman condemns it, we are led to suppose that this mode +is not uncommon in the old country.<br> +<br> +As custom has sanctioned the cropping of dogs, in spite of all that can +be said upon the subject, it should be done in such a manner as to cause +the least possible pain to the animal. The fourth or fifth week is the +proper age for this operation; if done sooner, the flap is apt to sprout +and become deformed: if later, the cartilage has grown more thick and +sensitive. The imaginary beauty of a terrier crop consists in the foxy +appearance of the ears, which is easily produced by the clean cut of a +sharp, strong pair of scissors. The first cut should commence at the +posterior base of the ear, near to the head, and be carried to the +extremity of the flap, taking off about the eighth of an inch or more in +width. The second cut should extend from the base of the ear in front, +somewhat obliquely, to intersect the other cut within a few lines of the +point of the flap. These two cuts will shape the ear in such a style as +to please the most fastidious eye, and will require no further trimming. +The pieces taken from the first ear will answer as guides in cutting the +other. The mother should not be allowed to lick the ears of the puppies, +as is generally done, under the supposition that she assists in the +healing process, when, in fact, she irritates them, and occasions +increased inflammation. If the wounds are tardy at healing, or become +mangy, they may be bathed gently with a weak solution of alum.<br> +<br> +<a name="I324">We</a> regret to find that Mr. Skinner, so well known to the sporting world +as the able extoller and defender of the rights of our canine friends, +should recommend the cropping of terriers. We are convinced that he +would change his feelings upon this subject, if he placed any confidence +in the opinions of Blaine, Youatt, Scott, or Daniel, all of whom condemn +the practice as barbarous, and as often occasioning great suffering, and +even total deafness, throughout the progeny of successive generations, +as witnessed in the white wire-haired terrier and pug above mentioned.<br> +<br> +Wo have had the good fortune to persuade some of our friends to desist +from thus mutilating their terrier pups, all of whom, consequently, grew +up with beautiful full ears and long tails, which were much admired; and +to the eyes of many, the dogs seemed more sprightly and knowing with +their long flaps, than when deprived of those natural appendages. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="tailing"></a><h4>Tailing.</h4> + +Then <i>the tail</i> of the dog does not suit the fancy of the owner. It +must be shortened in some of these animals, and taken off altogether in +others. If the sharp, strong scissors, with a ligature, were used, the +operation, although still indefensible, would not be a very cruel one, +for the tail may be removed almost in a moment, and the wound soon +heals; but for the beastly gnawing off of the part, and the drawing out +of the tendons and nerves — these are the acts of a cannibal; and he who +orders or perpetrates a barbarity so nearly approaching to cannibalism, +deserves to be scouted from all society.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">As a <a name="I353">matter</a> of necessity, we cannot sanction the too frequent and cruel +practice of cutting or otherwise barbecuing different portions of the +bodies of our domestic animals, and more particularly the often absurd +fancy or cropping and sterning dogs. Nevertheless, we must admit the +propriety of, and, in fact, recommend, the taking off a small portion of +the pointer's tail, not to increase his beauty, but to save him some +after suffering. A long tail is frequently lacerated in close thickets, +and thus rendered sore and mangy: this is prevented by the operation, as +it becomes better protected by the body, as also more thickly covered by +the feather which generally forms over it.<br> +<br> +When the pups are a month or six weeks old, this operation can be +performed with little pain to the animal, by means of sharp scissors or +a knife; but never allow any one to bite the tail off, as is often done +by some dirty and unfeeling stable-men. Although a long tail is +inconvenient, a too short one is more unsightly; care should therefore +be taken not to remove too much. The quantity should be regulated by the +size of the breed: for a medium breed, an inch is sufficient to be cut +off at this age. Some sportsmen in England, Mr. Blaine also informs us, +draw out the lower tendons of the tail, which present themselves after +amputation, with a pair of forceps, with a view of causing the tail to +be carried higher, which adds to the style and appearance of the dog, +when in the field. This practice, we agree with Mr. Youatt, is +cannibal-like, and very painful; and, to say the least of it, of very +doubtful propriety, as it is but seldom we find a good breed of dog +carrying, while hunting, a slovenly tail.<br> +<br> +If there should be any appearance of hemorrhage after this operation, a +small piece of tape or twine may be tied around the tail, which will +immediately arrest the bleeding. This ligature should not remain on +longer than a few hours, as the parts included in it will be apt to +slough and make a mangy ulcer, difficult to heal. — L.</span> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp3">Detailed Contents, p. 3</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="dewclaws"></a><h4>Dew-claws</h4> + +Next comes the depriving the dog of his <i>dew-claws</i> — the +supplementary toes a little above the foot. They are supposed to +interfere with hunting by becoming entangled with the grass or +underwood. This rarely happens. The truth of the matter is, they are +simply illustrations of the uniformity of structure which prevails in +all animals, so far as is consistent with their destiny. The +<i>dew-claws</i> only make up the number of toes in other animals. If +they are attached, as they are in some dogs, simply by a portion of +skin, they may be removed without any very great pain, yet the man of +good feeling would not meddle with them. He would not unnecessarily +inflict any pain that he can avoid; and here, in several of the breeds, +the toe is united by an actual joint; and if they are dissected because +they are a little in the way, it is a barbarous operation, and nothing +can justify it.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Notwithstanding our author's condemnation of this practice, there are +many sportsmen who think it very necessary to remove this supernumerary +toe, fearing that it may interfere with the dog while hunting, as above +stated.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I329">Blaine</a>, both a practical sportsman and scientific gentleman, to whose +opinions we must at all times show a due regard, considers the removal +of these false appendages very necessary, stating that they often become +troublesome, not only in the field, but that they frequently turn in and +wound the flesh with their nails.<br> +<br> +<a name="I92">We</a> have never seen any particular inconvenience arising from the +presence of these dew-claws, and are not in the habit of taking them +off; but, as the operation is a trifling one, and attended with little +or no pain, we are disposed to recommend its general adoption, as it +improves the appearance of the legs; and their presence may sometimes +prove inconvenient to the animal, as stated by Mr. Blaine. These claws +most commonly have a ligamentous attachment only to the leg, which may +be divided, a few days after birth, by a pair of sharp scissors or a +knife; and if a bony union exists, it is generally of such a trifling +nature that it can be severed in the same way. — L.</span><br> +<br> +The cruelties that are perpetrated on puppies during the course of their +education or <i>breaking-in</i>, are sometimes infamous. Young dogs, +like young people, must be to a certain degree coerced; but these +animals receive from nature so great an aptitude for learning, and +practising that which we require of them, and their own pleasure is so +much connected with what they learn, that there is no occasion for +one-tenth part of the correction that is occasionally inflicted; and the +frequent consequence of the cruelty to which they are subjected, is +cowardice or ferocity during life.<br> +<br> +Not many years ago, as the author was going over one of the commons in +the neighbourhood of the metropolis, now enclosed, he heard the loud +sounds of the lash and the screams of a dog. He hurried on, and found +two men, one holding a greyhound while another was unmercifully flogging +him. He had inflicted many lashes, and was continuing the correction. +The author indignantly interfered, and the dog was liberated, but with a +great deal of abuse from the men; and a gentleman galloping up, and who +was the owner of the dog, and a Middlesex magistrate to boot, seemed +disposed to support his people in no very measured terms On being +addressed, however, by name, and recognising the speaker, and his +attention being directed to the <i>whaled</i> and even bloody state of +the dog, he offered the best excuse that he could.<br> +<br> +We met again some months afterwards. "That hiding," said he, "that +offended you so much did Carlo good, for he has not been touched since." +"No," was the reply; "you were a little ashamed of your fellows, and +have altered your system, and find that your dogs do not want this +unmerciful negro-whipping."<br> +<br> +<a name="I173">Stories</a> are told of the <i>kennel-hare</i> — a hare kept on purpose, and +which is sometimes shown to the fox or stag-hounds. The moment that any +of them open, they are tied up to the whipping-post, and flogged, while +the keepers at every stroke call out "Ware hare!" A sheep has also been +shown to them, or still is, after which another unmerciful flogging is +administered, amidst cries of "Ware sheep!" If this is not sufficient, +some of the wool is dipped in train oil, and put into the dog's mouth, +which is sewed up for many hours in order to cure him of sheep-biting. +There was an almost similar punishment for killing poultry; and there +was the <i>puzzle</i> and the <i>check-collar</i>, cruelly employed, for +killing other dogs.<br> +<br> +There is a great deal of truth, and there may occasionally be some +exaggeration, in these accounts; but the sportsman who is indebted for +the pleasures of the field to the intelligence and exertions of his +horses and his dogs, is bound, by every principle that can influence an +honourable mind, to defend them from all wanton and useless cruelty. +<a name="I172">There</a> is a dog, and a faithful and valuable one, that powerfully demands +the assistance of the humane — the yard or watch-dog. He is not only for +the most part deprived of his liberty, but too often neglected and made +unnecessarily to suffer. How seldom do we see him in the enjoyment of a +good bed of straw, or, rather, how frequently is everything about his +kennel in a most filthy and disgusting state! The following hint not +only relates to him, but to every dog that is tied up out of doors. + + +<blockquote>"Their cribs or their kennels, as they are called, should be constructed +so as to turn, in order to prevent their inmates from being exposed to +the cutting blasts of winter. Where they have no other refuge, all +animals seek shelter from the weather by turning their backs to the +wind; but, as the dog thus confined cannot do so, his kennel should be +capable of turning, or at least should be placed so as not to face the +weather more than is necessary. The premises would be in quite as great +security, for the dog depends as much upon his ear and sense of smell as +upon his eye, and would equally detect a stranger's presence if he were +deprived of sight."</blockquote> + +In the Zoological Gardens, an old blind dog used to be placed at the +door of the dissecting-house. Few had any business there, and every one +of them he, after a while, used to recognise and welcome full ton yards +off, by wagging his tail; at the same distance, he would begin to growl +at a stranger unless accompanied by a friend. From the author's long +habit of noticing him, he used to recognise his step before it would +seem possible for its sound to be heard. He followed him with his +sightless eyes in whatever direction he moved, and was not satisfied +until he had patted and fondled him. + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="dogpits"></a><h4>Dog-Pits.</h4> + +Of the demoniacal use of the dog in the <i>fighting-pits</i>, and the +atrocities that were committed there, I will not now speak. These places +were frequented by few others than the lowest of the low. Cruelties were +there inflicted that seemed to be a libel on human nature; and such was +the baneful influence of the scene, that it appeared to be scarcely +possible for any one to enter these pits without experiencing a greater +or less degree of moral degradation.<br> +<br> +The public dog-pits have now been put down; but the system of +dog-fighting, with most of its attendant atrocities, still continues. +There are many more low public-houses than there used to be pits, that +have roomy places behind, and out of sight, where there are regular +meetings for this purpose. Those among the neighbours who cannot fail of +being annoyed and disgusted by the frequent uproar, might give a clue to +these dens of infamy; and the depriving of a few of the landlords of +their license would go a great way towards the effectual suppression of +the practice.<br> +<br> +Would it be thought possible that certain of our young aristocracy keep +fighting-dogs at the repositories of various dealers in the outskirts of +the metropolis; and that these animals remain there, as it were, at +livery, the owners coming at their pleasure, and making and devising +what matches they think proper?<br> +<br> +However disgraceful it may be, it is actually the fact. Here is a field +for "the suppression of cruelty!" + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="dogsteal"></a><h4>Dog-Stealing.</h4> + +<a name="fr72">The</a> practice of stealing dogs is both directly and indirectly connected +with a great deal of cruelty. There are more than twenty miscreants who +are well known to subsist by picking up dogs in the street. There are +generally two of them together with aprons rolled round their waists. +The dog is caught up at the corner of one of the streets, concealed in a +moment in the apron, and the thieves are far away before the owner +suspects the loss. These dogs, that have been used to every kind of +luxury, are crowded into dark and filthy cellars, where they become +infected by various diseases. The young ones have distemper, and the old +ones mange, and all become filled with vermin. There they remain until a +sufficient reward is offered for their recovery, or they are sent far +into the country, or shipped for France or some other foreign market. +Little or nothing is done by punishing the inferior rogues in this +traffic. The blow must be struck at those of a superior class. I will +not assert that every dog-dealer is in league with, and profits by, the +lower thieves; but it is true of a great many of them, and it is the +principal and most lucrative part of their trade. They are likewise +intimately connected with the dog-fights, and encourage them, for the +sake of their trade as dealers. An attempt should be made to bring the +matter home to these scoundrels<a href="#f72"><sup>2</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I320">Dog-stealing</a>, we are more particularly informed by Col. Hawker, is +reduced to a perfect system in London, and carried on by a set of +fellows who, by their cunning and peculiar knack, are enabled to avoid +all detection in their nefarious traffic, and thus, by extortion of +rewards or sales of stolen dogs, reap a rich harvest for the whole +fraternity from the well-stored pockets of the numerous dog-fanciers of +the English capital.<br> +<br> +The villains engaged in this business are known among themselves under +the too often abused sobriquet of "the Fancy," and assuming the garb of +different mechanics, prowl about the streets, oftentimes with the proper +tools in their hands, carelessly watching the movements of every dog +thst passes by, ready to grab him up the first fitting opportunity. The +dog is then concealed till a suitable reward is offered for him, when, +through the intervention of a third person, a trusty agent of the +society, he is delivered over to his rightful owner, the actual rogue +never appearing in the whole transaction.<br> +<br> +If no reward, or an insufficient one, is offered for the recovery of the +dog, he is either sent off to the country, or, perhaps, cautiously +exposed for sale in some distant quarter of the city, or perhaps killed +for his skin alone.<br> +<br> +These gentry, however, prefer returning dogs to their owners for a +moderate compensation, as they thus know at what rate the animal is +valued, and cherish the hope of soon being able to steal him again, and +thus obtaining another reward.<br> +<br> +There have been instances of a lady paying, in successive rewards, a sum +not less than fifteen guineas for a miserable little lap-dog not worth +as many shillings.<br> +<br> +If anything is said about the law, or threats of prosecution held out in +the notice offering a reward for a "lost or stolen dog," the death of +the kidnapped animal is inevitable, as the "Fancy" prefer sacrificing an +occasional prize rather than run the risk of detection by some +enthusiastic or stubborn dog owner. These fellows, as well as thieves +generally, are said to have a method of quieting the fiercest watch-dogs +by throwing them a narcotic ball, which they call "puddening the +animal."<br> +<br> +The following account, extracted from Hawker's work, will give the +American reader a <i>perfect</i> insight into the maneuvering of these +sharpers.</span> + +<blockquote> <span style="color: #663300;"> "In the month of May, 1830, Mr. Lang lost a favourite setter. He + posted handbills offering two guineas reward; on hearing of which a + man came and told him the reward was not enough, but that if he would + make it four guineas he could find his dog, and the amount must be + deposited in the hands of a landlord who would procure him a + ticket-card. He should then be met to his appointment in some private + field, where he would receive his dog on condition that no questions + should be asked. Mr. Lang sent his shopman, about half-past ten at + night, to White Conduit Fields to meet the parties, who, on receiving + the ticket, delivered up the dog. But there was great hesitation in + transacting this affair, in consequence of the dog having on a lock to + a steel chain collar with Mr. Lang's name, and which, therefore, + induced them to proceed with extreme caution, through fear, as they + supposed, of detection for felony. The whole amount paid for + recovering this setter was £4 17s., £2 10s. of which went to the men + who had him. The rest was divided among others of the "Fancy." The + same person who gave Mr. Lang the information, said that if ever he + lost a dog, and applied to him, he could undertake to get him back + again within thirty-six hours, provided he would make it worth his + while to do so; because all dogs taken by the "Fancy" are brought to + their office and regularly booked by the secretary." <br> +(<i>Hawker on Shooting</i>, p. 592.) — L.</span></blockquote><br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f71"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> Plutarch relates that, at the theatre of Marcellus, a dog +was exhibited before the emperor Vespasian, so well instructed as to +exercise in every kind of dance. He afterwards feigned illness in a most +singular manner, so as to strike the spectators with astonishment. He +first exhibited various symptoms of pain; he then fell down as if dead, +and, afterwards seeming to revive, as if waking from a profound sleep, +and then sported about and showed various demonstrations of joy.<br> +<a href="#fr71">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f72"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> Mr. Bishop, of Bond-street, has assured the public, that he +is able to prove that money has recently been extorted from the owners +of dogs by dog-stealers and their confederates, to the amount of more +than a thousand pounds. Surely this calls for the decided interposition +of the legislature. A strange case of atrocity and cruelty was related +by a gentleman to Mr. Bishop. + + <blockquote> "A young dog of mine," says he, "was lost in London, and, being aware + that if a noise was made about it, a great price would be asked for + it, I gave out that I wanted to purchase one: I was shown my own dog. + I seized it; but there were several scoundrels present who professed + to belong to it, and threatened to kill the dog if I did not pay for + it. I proceeded to describe it as my own, stating that it had <i>bad + back or double teeth</i>. Judge of my surprise when, after great + difficulty, and the dog crying greatly, its mouth was opened, and all + the back teeth had been taken out! I paid two pounds for it before + they would let me take it away; but, in consequence of the injuries it + had received, it died a few days afterward."</blockquote> +<a href="#fr72">return</a><br> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="pathintro">Introduction to Canine Pathology, by the Editor</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="predis"></a><h3>Predisposition to, and Causes of, Diseases in Dogs. — the +Claims of Dogs upon us.</h3><br> + +<blockquote><i>"Unnumbered accidents and various ills<br> +Attend thy pack, hang hovering o'er their heads,<br> +And point the way that leads to death's dark cave.<br> +Short is their span, few at the date arrive<br> +Of ancient Argus, in old Homer's song<br> +So highly honour'd."</i></blockquote><br> + +The dog from early youth, in fact oftentimes at the very period of +birth, is exposed to many dangerous and troublesome affections, the +result of causes not less complex and multifarious than those that exert +an influence over the human organization. Many diseases are the +consequence of their domesticity and the hereditary defects of their +progenitors, others are dependent upon accidental circumstances, bad +treatment, and improper nourishment. Not a few, however, of their most +mortal maladies are the production of contagion, infection, and other +like causes, all exercising a general tendency to disease difficult to +define and impossible to avoid.<br> +<br> +Although every species of dog is more or less subject to certain +diseases peculiar to their race, those breeds of most value and more +particularly subservient to the will of man are liable to a greater +number of ills and casualties than other dogs, for the reason that they +are more frequently exposed to unnatural fatigue, extremes of heat and +cold, as also to the various dangers dependent upon the chase of wild +animals. Those diseases resulting from specific causes, either natural +to the race or artificially produced by the animal itself in a state of +morbid derangement, are most frequent and fatal, as witnessed in +distemper, rabies, mange, &c. The intimate connexion existing between +the diseases of our canine friends and those of the human race, as also +the strong similarity in the action of many drugs over the two systems, +render the study of one branch almost synonymous with that of the other.<br> +<br> +A little attention, therefore, on the part of the physician will render +him quite familiar with and competent to relieve the many sufferings of +these our most faithful and grateful of companions, and at the same time +create an interest in a study that cannot fail to be productive of +pleasure as well as information.<br> +<br> +This <a name="I335">subject</a>, though claiming the attention of many skilful and +intelligent persons in England and other countries, has scarce been +thought of among us, and the mere mention of an infirmary or hospital +for the accommodation of invalid dogs, would involuntarily create a +smile of incredulity or contempt upon the face of most of our +countrymen. Notwithstanding this display of ignorance and positive want +of humane feeling for animal suffering, or a just appreciation of canine +worth, we must beg leave to inform these unbelievers that such +institutions are quite numerous in many large cities of the old world; +and they must also learn that these institutions are conducted by +gentlemen of science upon a system not less regular and useful in this +particular branch, than similar establishments appropriated for the +relief of suffering humanity.<br> +<br> +To these hospitals hundreds of valuable sick dogs are annually sent, +where they receive every attention, and are often snatched from the very +jaws of death, or prevented, when attacked by rabies or other frightful +affections, from doing mischief or propagating infection. Medicines the +most potent are administered to these interesting patients with the +utmost care, either as assuagers of temporary pain, or as remedial +agents in the cure of disease. Operations the most complex are performed +with the greatest skill, and every attention is bestowed upon these +invalids in their different wards, and no trouble is considered too +great to save the life and secure the services of a valuable and +faithful dog.<br> +<br> +As <a name="I338">we</a> have no such establishments in this country, and but a few persons +upon whom we can rely for assistance in case of need, it behooves every +lover of the dog to make himself familiar with, and the mode of treating +the most prominent affections of these companions of our sports, and at +the same time acquire a knowledge of the operations of certain medicines +upon the system in a state of health or disease, so that our trusty +followers may not be left to the tender mercies and physicking +propensities of ignorant stablemen, or the officious intermeddling of +the "<i>pill-directing horse doctor</i>."<br> +<br> +The necessity of resorting to the assistance of either one or the other +of these worthies is equally unfortunate, as the former will most +generally kill the patient by slow degrees in forcibly and largely +administering the two modern specifics for all canine affections, viz.: +"soap pills and flowers of sulphur." While the latter, more bold but not +less ignorant than the former, and his practice is perhaps the +preferable of the two evils, will murder the dog out-right by the free +exhibition of calomel, nux vomica and other deleterious substances, of +the operation of which he has but little knowledge or conception. This +latter system, as before said, is the most preferable, as its adoption +secures for our favourite a speedy termination of his sufferings, and +also relieves our own minds from a state of suspense that illustrates +too forcibly the remark, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> +<br> +<a name="remed"></a><h3>Remedial Means for the Cure of Diseases</h3> + +There are but few remedies useful for the cure of diseases in the human +race that might not he employed by a skilful practitioner in overcoming +the same or different ailments in the dog. There are, however, several +drugs that cannot be used in the same proportions for the one as for the +other, without danger of producing fatal consequences, as instanced in +<i><b>calomel</b></i>, a medicine so often abused by those who pretend to a knowledge +of its administration in the maladies of dogs.<br> +<br> +This article, though given with impunity to mankind in doses varying +from five grains to twenty grains, as also oftentimes administered to +horses in quantities three or four times as great, without any +appreciable effect, will not unfrequently, in minute doses of three +grains to four grains, produce the most violent symptoms in the +strongest dogs. We have seen severe vomiting and purging occasioned by +these small doses, and we once salivated a large mastiff by the +administration of two blue pills. It is thus that both the regular +physician, and even the veterinary surgeon, unacquainted with this +remarkable peculiarity, will make fatal mistakes; and how much oftener +must such blunders take place when we intrust our canine friends to the +care of stable-boys, or a "routine horse-doctor!"<br> +<br> +<b><i>Nux vomica</i></b>, <a name="I345">another</a> medicine much used, and most important in the +treatment of all nervous affections, is particularly noxious to dogs +even in small quantities; a dose sufficient for a human subject under +some circumstances, would almost inevitably destroy the animal under the +same or analogous conditions.<br> +<br> +A drachm of the powdered nux vomica is sufficient to destroy the largest +and most powerful dog, while a few grains will sometimes produce death +in a few minutes if administered to smaller animals.<br> +<br> +We prescribed forty grains in a roll of butter for a worthless cur a +short time since, which, as expected, produced great anxiety, difficulty +of respiration, severe vomiting, tremors, spasmodic twitchings of the +muscles, convulsions, and ultimate death in the course of half an hour. +This powerful drug acts by causing a spasmodic stricture of the muscles +engaged in respiration, as no signs of inflammation are observable in +the stomach and other organs after death.<br> +<br> +<i><b>Spirits of turpentine</b></i>, <a name="I352">another</a> remedy both simple and innocent in its +operations upon the human economy, and so frequently prescribed for the +expulsion of worms from the bowels, is a dangerous medicine for a dog, +and will often in very small quantities prove fatal.<br> +<br> +<i><b>Aloes</b></i>, a medicine more extensively used in canine pathology than any +other in the <i>materia medica,</i> is also very peculiar in its operations +upon these animals, they being able to bear immense doses of it, in fact +quite sufficient to produce death if given to a hearty man.<br> +<br> +Thus we might continue to enumerate other drugs which we have +ascertained, from practical observation as well as the experiments of +other, to exercise a peculiar action on the vital functions of the whole +canine race, quite at variance with that common to both man and the +other domestic animals.<br> +<br> +In combating with the diseases of animals, the veterinary surgeon has +more to contend with than the regular physician, and, in fact, should +possess a knowledge and habit of observation even superior to the +former; although the responsibility of his calling, in a moral sense, is +much inferior to that of the other, as the importance of animal +existence, under no circumstances, can be placed in comparison with that +of human life: still acuteness of observation alone can direct him to +the main cause of suffering in the brute creation, as the animal, though +groaning under the most severe pains, cannot by any word of explanation +point out to us the seat, the probable cause, or peculiar +characteristics of such pain. We see that our dog is ill, he refuses his +food, retires gloomily to his house, looks sullen, breathes heavy, is no +longer delighted at our call. We cannot question him as to his feelings, +or ask him to point out the particular region of his sufferings; we +watch his motions, study his actions, and rely for our diagnosis upon +general symptoms deduced from close observation.<br> +<br> +Besides these external ocular evidences of morbid action, we have, as in +the human subject, guides to direct us in forming a just opinion as to +the nature of a dog's indisposition.<br> +<br> +<a name="I219">The</a> state of the <b>circulation</b> is the first thing that should command our +particular attention.<br> +<br> +The pulse of dogs in health varies from <b>one hundred to one hundred and +twenty strokes per minute,</b> according to the size and peculiar +temperament of the animal, being more frequent in the small breeds.<br> +<br> +The standard of the setter, pointer, hound, &c., may be stated at one +hundred and five.<br> +<br> +The action of the heart may be felt by placing the hand immediately over +that organ, or applying the fingers to several points in the body and +limbs where the large arteries are somewhat superficial, as on the +inside of the fore-knee and the thigh of the hind-leg.<br> +<br> +If the pulse in a state of rest exceeds the average standard in +frequency, regularity, and softness, and a general feeling of uneasiness +be present, together with reddened eyes, warm nose, and coated tongue, +we know at once that there is an unnatural derangement of the vital +functions, and that <b>fever</b> in some form is present. The next question to +determine is, upon what does this fever depend? whether it be +idiopathic, arising from morbific causes difficult to define, or whether +it be sympathetic, with some organic affection yet to be discovered.<br> +<br> +The appearance of the <b>tongue</b> in canine diseases will often materially +assist us in forming a correct diagnosis; this organ in simple fever +loses its rose-colour and becomes pale and coated, the gums and fæces +also participate in this change.<br> +<br> +If, however, the tongue be much furred, with a bright inflammatory +appearance around the edges, with high arterial excitement, and disgust +of food, with general anxiety and craving for water in small but +frequent quantities, <b>inflammation of the stomach or bowels</b> may be +suspected. If, on the other hand, the tongue remains brown and streaked, +with less action of the pulse, variable appetite and diminution of pain, +derangement of the <b>liver</b> may be apprehended.<br> +<br> +If, in connection with some or all of the above symptoms, the <b>breathing</b> +be laboured and painful, with a disposition to remain in the erect or +sitting position, with great anxiety and general distress, we must look +to the <b>pulmonic viscera</b> as the seat of the disease.<br> +<br> +Thus, by examining each and every individual symptom of disease, the +intelligent sportsman will soon be able to arrive at the proximate cause +of all this unnatural state of things, and then he will be competent to +administer such remedies as may seem most likely to afford relief. +Without these precautions, however, he would often be groping in the +dark, and, consequently, not unfrequently, apply those remedies more +calculated to aggravate than cure the malady.<br> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section6">Chapter VI — Description of the Skeleton — Diseases of the Nervous System</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="skeleton"></a><img src="images/skeleton.gif" width="662" height="421" align="middle" border="2" alt="Skeleton of a dog"><br> +<br> + +<table summary="skeletal info" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td></td><td><h4>The Head and its Functions</h4></td><td></td><td><h4>The Trunk</h4></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>1.</b></td><td> The intermaxillary bone</td><td><b>a.</b></td><td> The ligamentum nuchæ (3)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>2.</b></td><td> Nasal bone</td><td><b>I-VII.</b></td><td> The seven vertebræ of the neck</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>3.</b></td><td> Maxilla superior (2)</td><td><b>13.</b></td><td> The thirteen dorsal vertebræ</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>4.</b></td><td> Lachrymal bone</td><td><b>7.</b></td><td> The seven lumbar vertebræ</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>5.</b></td><td> Zygomatic bone</td><td><b>21.</b></td><td> Os sacrum, or rump-bone</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>6.</b></td><td> Orbit of the eye</td><td><b>22.</b></td><td> Twenty caudal vertebræ — vertebræ of the tail</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>7.</b></td><td> Frontal bone</td><td><b>23.</b></td><td> The left os innominatum</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>8.</b></td><td> Summit of the head</td><td><b>24.</b></td><td> Right ditto</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>9.</b></td><td> Occipital bones (2)</td><td></td><td>The nine true ribs, with their cartilages</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>10.</b></td><td> Temporal bones (3)</td><td></td><td>The four false ribs, with their cartilages</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>11.</b></td><td> Inferior maxillary or jaw bones (3)</td><td><b><i>o</i>.</b></td><td> The sternum.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>12.</b></td><td> Seven inferior maxillary molar teeth (x2)</td><td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>13.</b></td><td> Six molar teeth of the superior jaw (x2)</td><td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>14.</b></td><td> Canine teeth of the superior and inferior jaws.</td><td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>15. </b></td><td>Three incisor teeth of the superior maxillary bone</td><td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>16.</b></td><td> The three inferior ditto<br> +</td><td><br> +</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td></td><td><h4><br><br> + +The Left Anterior Extremity</h4></td><td></td><td><h4><br><br> + +The Right Anterior Extremity</h4> +</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>1.</b></td><td>The scapula, or shoulder-blade</td><td><b>1.</b></td><td>Radius — the lesser bone of the arm (2)</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>2.</b></td><td>Os humeri, or shoulder (2)</td><td><b>2.</b></td><td>Ulna — the elbow (2)</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>3.</b></td><td>Radius — the lesser bone of the arm (2)</td><td><b>3.</b></td><td>Os triquetrum — triangular bone</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>4.</b></td><td>Ulna — the elbow (2)</td><td><b>4.</b></td><td>Os naviculare — the navicular bone</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>5.</b></td><td>Os naviculare — the navicular bone</td><td><b>5.</b></td><td>Os semilunare, or semilunar bone</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>6.</b></td><td>Os triquetrum, or triangulare</td><td><b>6.</b></td><td>Os multangulum majus — the larger multangular bone</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>7.</b></td><td>Os pisiforine, or pisiform bone</td><td><b>7.</b></td><td>Os multangulum minus — the small multangular bone</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>8.</b></td><td>Os semilunare, or semilunar bone</td><td><b>8.</b></td><td>Os metacarpi digiti pollicis — the thumb</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>9.</b></td><td>Os capitatum — the nail</td><td><b>9.</b></td><td>Ossa metacarpi digitorum quatuor — the four bones of the metacarpi</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>10.</b></td><td>Os metacarpi digiti tertii — the third metacarpal bone.</td><td><b>10.</b></td><td>Phalanx prima pollicis — first phalange of the thumb</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>11.</b></td><td>Os metacarpi digiti quarti — fourth metacarpal</td><td><b>11.</b></td><td>Phalanx tertia pollicis — third phalange of ditto</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>12.</b></td><td>Os metacarpi digiti quinti</td><td><b>12.</b></td><td>Digiti quatuor — fourth phalange of ditto</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>13.</b></td><td>the first digits of the fore-feet (4)</td><td></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>14.</b></td><td>The second ditto (4)</td><td></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>15.</b></td><td>The third ditto</td><td></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>16.</b></td><td>The sessamoid bone</td><td></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td></td><td><h4><br> +<br> +The Left Posterior Extremity</h4> +</td><td></td><td><h4><br> +<br> +The Right Posterior Extremity</h4> +</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>1.</b></td><td>Os femoris — thigh-bone (2)</td><td><b>1.</b></td><td>Os femoris — thigh-bone (2)</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>2.</b></td><td>Patella — the knee-pan (2)</td><td><b>2.</b></td><td>Patella — the knee-pan (2)</td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>3.</b></td><td>Tibia — the shank of the leg (2)</td><td><b>3.</b></td><td>Tibia — the shank of the leg (2)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>4.</b></td><td>Fibula — the small bone of ditto (2)</td><td><b>4.</b></td><td>Fibula — the small bone of ditto (2)</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>5.</b></td><td>Calcareus — the heel</td><td><b>5.</b></td><td>Calcareus — the heel</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>6.</b></td><td>Astragalus — one of the seven bones of the tarsus</td><td><b>6.</b></td><td>Astragalus — one of the seven bones of +the tarsus</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>7.</b></td><td>Os naviculare — the navicular bone</td><td><b>7.</b></td><td>Os naviculare — the navicular bone</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>8.</b></td><td>Os cuboideum — or cubic bone</td><td><b>8.</b></td><td>Os cuneiforma primum et medium</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>9.</b></td><td>Os cuneiforma tertium et maximum</td><td><b>9.</b></td><td>Os cuboideum — or cubic bone</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>10.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti quarti.</td><td><b>10.</b></td><td>Os cuneiforma tertium et maximum</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>11.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti tertii</td><td><b>11.</b></td><td>Os cuneiforma secundum et minimum.</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>12.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti secundi</td><td><b>12.</b></td><td>Radimentum ossis metatarsi hallucis</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>13.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti primi</td><td><b>13.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti primi</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>14.</b></td><td>Phalanges primæ digitorum pedis</td><td><b>14.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti secundi</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>15.</b></td><td>Phalanges secundæ</td><td><b>15.</b></td><td>Os metatarsi digiti tertii</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>16.</b></td><td>Phalanges tertiæ</td><td><b>16.</b></td><td>Phalanges primæ digitorum pedis</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><b>17.</b></td><td>Os sesamoideum — the sessamoid</td><td><b>17.</b></td><td>Phalanges secundæ.</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td></td><td></td><td><b>18.</b></td><td>Phalanges tertiæ.</td></tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td></td><td></td><td><b>19.</b></td><td>Os sesamoideum — the sessamoid</td></tr> +</table><br> +<br> +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> + +<a name="fits"></a><h3>Diseases of the Nervous System: Fits</h3> + +<i>24th Feb. 1814</i>. — A pug was accustomed to howl frequently when his +young master played on the flute. If the higher notes were sounded, he +would leap on his master's lap, look in his face, and howl vehemently. +To-day the young man purposely blew the shrillest sound that he could. +The dog, after howling three or four times, began to run round the room, +and over the tables and chairs, barking incessantly. This he continued +more than an hour.<br> +<br> +When I saw him all consciousness of surrounding objects was gone. He was +still running feebly, but barking might and main.<br> +<br> +I dashed a basin of cold water in his face, and he dropped as if he had +been shot. He lay motionless nearly a minute, and then began to struggle +and to bark; another cup of water was dashed in his face, and he lay +quite motionless during two minutes or more. In the mean time I had got +a grain each of calomel and tartar emetic, which I put on his tongue, +and washed it down with a little water. He began to recover, and again +began to yelp, although much softer; but, in about a quarter of an hour, +sickness commenced, and he ceased his noise. He vomited three or four +times, and lay frightened and quiet. A physic-ball was given him in the +evening, and on the following morning.<br> +<br> +On the next day the young man put open the door, and sat himself down, +and began to prepare the flute; the dog was out in a moment, and did not +return during a couple of hours. On the following day he made his escape +again, and so the matter went on; but before the expiration of the week, +his master might play the flute if he pleased.<br> + +<p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"><br> + +<a name="giddy"></a><h3>Diseases of the Nervous System: Turnside or Giddiness</h3> + +This is a singular disease prevalent among cattle, but only occasionally +seen in the dog. He becomes listless, dull, off his food, and scarcely +recognises any surrounding object. He has no fit, but he wanders about +the room fur several hours at a time, generally or almost invariably in +the same direction, and with his head on one side. At first he carefully +avoids the objects that are in his way; but by degrees his mental +faculties become impaired; his sense of vision is confused or lost, and +he blunders against everything: in fact, if uninterrupted, he would +continue his strange perambulation incessantly, until he was fairly worn +out and died in convulsions.<br> +<br> +I used to consider the complaint to be uniformly fatal. I have resorted +to every remedial measure that the case could suggest. I have bled, and +physicked and setoned, and blistered, and used the moxa; but all without +avail, for not in a single case did I save my patient.<br> +<br> +No opportunity of <i>post-mortem</i> examination was lost. In some cases +I have found spicula projecting from the inner plate of the skull, and +pressing upon or even penetrating the <i>dura mater</i>. I know not why the dog +should be more subject to these irregularities of cranial surface than +any of our other patients; but decidedly he is so, and where they have +pressed upon the brain, there has been injection of the membranes, and +sometimes effusion between them.<br> +<br> +In some cases I have found effusion without this external pressure, and, +in some cases, but comparatively few, there has not been any perceptible +lesion. Hydatids have been found in the different passages leading to +the cranium, but they have not penetrated.<br> +<br> +I used to recommend that the dog should be destroyed; but I met with two +or three favourable cases, and, after that, I determined to try every +measure that could possibly be serviceable. I bled, and physicked, and +inserted setons, and tried to prevent the utter exhaustion of the +animal. When he was unable longer to perform his circumvolutions, and +found that he was foiled, he laid himself down, and by degrees resumed +his former habits. He was sadly impatient and noisy; but in a few cases +he was cured.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We have seen but two or three cases of this disease in dogs, are led to +believe that it is quite uncommon with our domestic animals. One case in +a valuable setter came on suddenly, and without any apparent cause +(except perhaps over-feeding), and terminated fatally in the course of a +few days. — L.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="epilepsy"></a><h3>Diseases of the Nervous System: Epilepsy</h3> + +in the dog assumes a most fatal character. It is an accompaniment, or a +consequence, of almost every other disease. When the puppy is undergoing +the process of dentition, the irritation produced by the pressure of the +tooth, as it penetrates the gum, leads on to epilepsy. When he is going +through the stages of distemper, with a very little bad treatment, or in +spite of the best, fits occur. The degree of intestinal irritation which +is caused by worms, is marked by an attack of epilepsy. If the usual +exercise be neglected for a few days, and the dog is taken out, and +suffered to range as he likes, the accumulation of excitability is +expended in a fit.<br> +<br> +The dog is, without doubt, the most intellectual animal. He is the +companion and the friend of man: he exhibits, and is debased by some of +his vices; but, to a greater degree than many will allow, he exhibits +all the intelligence and the virtues of the biped. In proportion to his +bulk, the weight of his brain far exceeds that of any other +quadruped — the very smallest animals alone being excepted, in whom there +must be a certain accumulation of medullary matter in order to give +origin to the nerves of every system, as numerous in the minutest as in +him of greatest bulk.<br> +<br> +As it has been said of the human being that great power and exertion of +the mental faculties are sometimes connected with a tendency to +epilepsy, and, as violent emotions of joy or of grief have been known to +be followed by it, I can readily account for its occurrence in the young +dog, when frightened at the chiding of his master, or by the dread of a +punishment which he was conscious that he had deserved. Then, too, I can +understand that, when breaking loose from long confinement, he ranges in +all the exuberance of joy; and especially when he flushes almost his +first covey, and the game falls dead before him, his mental powers are +quite overcome, and he falls into an epileptic fit.<br> +<br> +<a name="I123">The</a> treatment of epilepsy in the dog is simple, yet often misunderstood. +It is connected with distemper in its early stage. It is the produce of +inflammation of the mucous passages generally, which an emetic and a +purgative will probably, by their direct medicinal effect, relieve, and +free the digestive passages from some source of irritation, and by their +mechanical action unburthen the respiratory ones.<br> +<br> +When it is symptomatic of a weak state of the constitution, or connected +with the after stages of distemper, the emeto-purgative must be +succeeded by an anodyne, or, at least, by that which will strengthen, +but not irritate the patient.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I260">seton</a> is an admirable auxiliary in epilepsy connected with distemper; +it is a counter-irritant and a derivative, and its effects are a +salutary discharge, under the influence of which inflammation elsewhere +will gradually abate.<br> +<br> +I should, however, be cautious of <a name="I36">bleeding</a> in distemper fits. I should +be fearful of it even in an early stage, because I well know that the +acute form of that general mucous inflammation soon passes over, and is +succeeded by a debility, from the depression of which I cannot always +rouse my patient. When the fits proceed from dentition, I lance the +jaws, and give an emetic, and follow it up with cooling purgative +medicine. When they are caused by irregular and excessive exercise, I +open the bowels and make my exercise more regular and equable. When they +arise from excitation, I expose my patient more cautiously to the +influence of those things which make so much impression on his little +but susceptible mind.<br> +<br> +If the fit has resisted other means, bleeding should be resorted to. A +fit in other animals is generally connected with dangerous determination +of blood to the head, and bleeding is imperative. A fit in the dog may +be the consequence of sudden surprise and irritation. If I had the means +I should see whether I could not break the charm; whether I could not +get rid of the disturbance, by suddenly affecting the nervous system, +and the system generally, in another way. I would seize him by the nape +of the neck, and, with all my force, dash a little cold water in his +face. The shock of this has often dispersed the epileptic agency, as it +were by magic. I would give an emeto-purgative; a grain or a grain and a +half of calomel and the same quantity of tartar emetic: I would soothe +and coax the poor animal. Then, — and if I saw it at the beginning, I +would do it early, — if the fit was more dependent upon, or was beginning +to be connected with, determination of blood to the head, and not on any +temporary cause of excitation or irritation, I would bleed freely from +the jugular.<br> +<br> +<a name="I124">The</a> following singular case of epilepsy is narrated by M.W. Leblanc:<br> +<br> +A dog of small size, three years old, was very subject to those +epileptic fits that are so frequent among dogs. After a considerable +period, the fits would cease, and the animal recover the appearance of +perfect health; but the more he advanced in age the more frequent were +the fits, which is contrary to that which usually happens.<br> +<br> +The last fit was a very strong one, and was followed by peculiar +symptoms. The animal became dispirited. The eyes lost their usual lively +appearance, and the eyelids were often closed. The dog was very drowsy, +and, during sleep, there were observed, from time to time, spasmodic +movements, principally of the head and chest. <i>He always lay down on +the left side</i>. When he walked, he had a marked propensity to turn to +the left.<br> +<br> +M. Leblanc employed purgatives, a seton to the back part of the neck, +and the application of the cautery to the left side of the forehead; but +nothing would stop the progress of the disease, and he died in the +course of two months after the last fit. The nearer he approached his +end the smaller were the circles that he took; and, in the latter part +of his existence, he did little more than turn as if he were on a pivot, +and, when the time arrived that he could walk no more, he used to lay +himself down on the right side.<br> +<br> +On the <i>post-mortem</i> examination, a remarkable thickness of the +meninges was found on almost the whole of the left lobe of the brain. +The <i>dura mater</i>, the two leaves of the arachnoid membrane, and the <i>pia +mater</i> did not constitute more than one membrane of the usual thickness, +and presented a somewhat yellow colouring. The cerebral substance of the +left lobe appeared to be a little firmer than that of the right lobe. +The fissures of the cerebral devolutions were much less deep than those +of the other side The red vessels which ran in the fissures were of +smaller size, and in some places could scarcely be discovered.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Confinement, over-feeding, blows on the head or spine, drying up of old +ulcers, repelling of cutaneous affections, or, in fact, anything that is +liable to derange the general health of the animal, will produce +epileptic fits.<br> +<br> +We formerly had a beagle hound of very active temperament, which we were +necessarily obliged to keep much confined while in the city; and to +restrain her from running too wildly when taken into the streets, we +were in the habit of coupling her with a greyhound of much milder +disposition. Not being willing to submit lamely to this unpleasant check +upon her liberty, she was ever making fruitless attempts to escape, +either by thrusting herself forwards, or obstinately pulling +backwards. These efforts resulted on several occasions in fits, produced +by congestion of the brain, owing to the pressure of the collar on the +neck, thereby interrupting the circulation, and inducing an influx of +blood to those parts. We were ultimately obliged to abandon this method +of restraint, which nearly proved fatal to our much-admired beagle: she +being suddenly seized with one of these fits on a hot summer's day in +one of our principal thoroughfares, the crowd of ignorant bystanders +concluded it to be a case of rabies, and nothing but my taking her up in +my arms, and carrying her from the scene of action, saved her from +falling a victim to their ignorance.<br> +<br> +If the disease appears dependent upon plethora the result of confinement +and gross living, the animal must be reduced by bleeding and purging, +low diet, and exercise. If, however, the malady proceeds from weakness, +as is sometimes the case in bitches while suckling a large litter, it +will be necessary to relieve her of some of the pups, and supply her +with the most nutritious diet, as also administer tonic balls; the +following will answer.<br> +<br> +<i>[Symbol: Rx]: Extract of Gentian, Quassia, ââ (each) grs. V, made into two +pills, and one or two given morning and evening;</i><br> +<br> +or,<br> +<br> +<i>[Symbol: Rx]: Powdered Columbo. Carbonate of Iron, ââ , grs. V, made into two +pills, and one given morning and evening, or more frequently if +desirable.</i><br> +<br> +A seton placed in the pole will often prevent these attacks, +particularly when depending upon slight cerebral irritation, +accompanying distemper and mange. Blisters and frictions to the spine +are also serviceable. — L.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="chorea"></a><h3>Diseases of the Nervous System: Chorea</h3> + +This is an irregular reception or distribution of nervous power — a +convulsive involuntary twitching of some muscle or set of muscles. It is +an occasional consequence of distemper that has been unusually severe or +imperfectly treated, and sometimes it is seen even after that disease +has existed in its mildest form.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">This nervous affection, more commonly known as St. Vitus' dance, is not +a rare disease, and we doubt not that examples of it have been seen by +most of our readers, more particularly in young dogs affected with +distemper.<br> +<br> +This malady is characterized by sudden involuntary twitchings of the +different muscles of the body, the disease being sometimes confined to +one limb, sometimes to two, and frequently pervades the whole system, +giving the dog a distressing and painful appearance. These involuntary +motions, it is very true, are generally restricted during sleep, +although in old chronic cases of long standing they often continue in +full activity without any remission whatever. The disease is not +attended with fever, and all the functions generally remain for a +considerable time unimpaired. — L.</span><br> +<br> +It first appears in one leg or shoulder, and is long, or perhaps +entirely, confined to that limb. There is a singular spasmodic jerking +action of the limb. It looks like a series of pulsations, and averages +from forty to sixty in a minute. Oftener, perhaps, than otherwise, both +legs are similarly affected. When the animal is lying down, the legs are +convulsed in the way that I have described, and when he stands there is +a pulsating depressing or sinking of the head and neck. In some cases, +the muscles of the neck are the principal seat of the disease, or some +muscle of the face; the temporal muscle beating like an artery; the +masseter opening and closing the mouth, the muscles of the eyelid, and, +in a few cases, those of the eye itself being affected. These convulsive +movements generally, yet not uniformly, cease during sleep, but that +sleep is often very much disturbed. If the case is neglected, and the +dog is in a debilitated state, this spasmodic action steals over the +whole frame, and he lies extended with every limb in constant and +spasmodic action.<br> +<br> +<a name="I106">In</a> the majority of cases, such an expenditure of nervous and muscular +power slowly destroys the strength of the animal, and he dies a mere +skeleton; or the disease assumes the character of epilepsy, or it quiets +down into true palsy.<br> +<br> +In the most favourable cases, no curative means having been used, the +dog regains his flesh and general strength; but the chorea continues, +the spasmodic action, however, being much lessened. At other times, it +seems to have disappeared; but it is ready to return when the animal is +excited or attacked by other disease. In a variety of instances, there +is the irritable temper which accompanies chorea in the human being, and +most certainly when the disease has been extensive and confirmed.<br> +<br> +Chorea, neglected or improperly treated, or too frequently pursuing its +natural course, degenerates into <i>paralysis agitans</i>. There is a tremulous +or violent motion of almost every limb. The spasms are not relaxed, but +are even increased during sleep, and when the animal awakes, he rises +wilh agitation and alarm. There is not a limb under the perfect control +of the will; there is not a moment's respite; the constitution soon +sinks, and the animal dies. No person should be induced to undertake the +cure of such a case: the owner should be persuaded to permit a speedy +termination to a life which no skill can render comfortable.<br> +<br> +Chorea is oftenest observed in young dogs, and especially after +distemper; and it seems to depend on a certain degree of primary or +sympathetic inflammatory affection of the brain.<br> +<br> +Chorea is often very plainly a consequence of debility: either the +distribution of nervous power is irregular, or the muscles have lost +their power of being readily acted upon, or have acquired a state of +morbid irritability. The latter is the most frequent state. Their action +is irregular and spasmodic, and it resembles the struggles of expiring +nature far more than the great and uniform action of health. It is not +the chorea that used to be described, in which there was an irresistible +impulse to excessive action, and which was best combated by complete +muscular exhaustion; but the foundation of this disease is palpable +debility.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Rickets, bad feeding, cold and damp housing, worms in the alimentary +canal, mange, and other chronic affections, are all forerunners of this +malady. — L.</span><br> +<br> +In the treatment of chorea there must be no bleeding, no excessive +purgation, but aperients or alteratives, merely sufficient to keep the +fæces in a pultaceous state, so as to carry off any source of irritation +to the intestinal canal, and particularly some species of worms, too +frequent sources of irritation there. To these should be added +nutritious food, gentle exercise, tonic medicines, and general comforts. +Counter-irritants may be applied — such as blisters over the head, and +setons, extending from poll to poll — the application of turpentine, or +the tincture of cantharides; but all of these will frequently be of no +effect, and occasionally a rapid and fearful increase of irritability +will ensue: antispasmodics are in this case of no use, and narcotics are +altogether powerless. As for tonics, iron and gentian have been +serviceable to a certain extent, but they have never cured the +complaint. <a name="I199">The</a> nitrate of silver will be the sheet-anchor of the +practitioner, and if early used will seldom deceive him. It should be +combined with ginger, and given morning and night, in doses varying from +one-sixth to one-third of a grain, according to the size of the dog.<br> +<br> +The condition and strength of the dog, and the season of the year, will +be our best guides. If the patient has not lost much flesh, <i>and is +not losing it</i> at the time that we have to do with him, and has few +symptoms of general debility, and spring or summer are approaching we +may with tolerable confidence predict a cure; but, if he has been +rapidly losing ground, and is doing so still, and staggers about and +falls, there is no medicine that will restore him.<br> +<br> +<i>5th October, 1840</i>. — A <a name="I69">pointer</a>, eighteen months old, had had the +distemper, but not severely, and was apparently recovering when he +suddenly lost all voluntary power over his limbs. He was unable to get +up, and his legs were in constant, rapid, and violent motion. This +continued three days, during which he had refused all food, when, the +dog being in the country, my advice was asked. I ordered a strong emetic +to be given to him, and after that a dose of Epsom salts, the insertion +of a seton, and, in addition to this, our usual tonic was to be given +twice every day. His food to consist chiefly of good strong soup, which +was to be forced upon him in a sufficient quantity.<br> +<br> +In two days he was able to get up and stagger about, although frequently +falling. His appetite returned. He continued to improve, and most +rapidly gained strength and especially flesh. A very peculiar, +high-lifting, clambering, and uncertain motion of the legs remained, +with an apparent defect of sight, for he ran against almost everything.<br> +<br> +In six weeks the seton was removed, and the dog remained in the same +state until the 7th of December. The uncertain clambering motion was now +increasing, and likewise the defect of sight. He ran against almost +every person and every thing. The cornea was transparent, the iris +contracted, there was no opacity of the lens, or pink tint of the +retina, but a peculiar glassy appearance, as unconscious of everything +around it. An emetic was given, and, after that, an ounce of sulphate of +magnesia.<br> +<br> +<i>8th.</i> He was dreadfully ill after taking the salts; perhaps they +were not genuine. For two days he panted sadly, refused his food, and +vomited that which was forced upon him. His muzzle was hot; he could +scarcely stand; he lost flesh very rapidly. An emetic was given +immediately, and a distemper-ball daily.<br> +<br> +<i>16th.</i> He soon began rapidly to recover, until he was in nearly +the same state as before, except that the sight was apparently more +deficient. The sulphate of magnesia was given every fourth day, and +another seton inserted.<br> +<br> +<i>21st.</i> He continued the medicine, and evidently improved, the +sight returning, and the spasms being considerably less. The +distemper-ball was continued.<br> +<br> +<i>4th January, 1841.</i> — The spasms were better; but the vision did +not improve. In the afternoon he fell into a momentary fit. He almost +immediately rose again, and proceeded as if nothing had happened. An +ounce of Epson salts was given, and then the tonic balls as before.<br> +<br> +<i>22d</i>. The spasms were lessened, the clambering gait nearly ceased, +but the vision was not improved. The seton was removed, and only an +additional dose of salts given.<br> +<br> +<i>27th</i>. The spasms suddenly and very considerably increased. The +left side appeared now to be particularly affected. The left leg before +and behind were most spasmed, the right scarcely at all so. The vision +of the left eye was quite gone. The dog had been taken to Mr. +Alexander's, the oculist, who attributed the affection of the eye and +the general spasmodic disease to some pressure on the brain, and +recommended the trial of copious and repeated bleeding.<br> +<br> +<i>28th</i>. The dog was dull; the spasms appeared to have somewhat +increased and decidedly to affect the left side. Fever-balls were +ordered to be given.<br> +<br> +<i>29th</i>. Considerable change took place. At three o'clock this +morning I was disturbed by a noise in the hospital. The poor fellow was +in a violent fit. Water was dashed in his face, and a strong emetic +given; but it was not until seven o'clock that the fit had ceased; he +lay until eleven o'clock, when the involuntary spasms were almost +suspended. When he was placed on his feet, he immediately fell; he then +gradually revived and staggered about. His master brought a physician to +see him, who adopted Mr. Alexander's idea and urged bleeding. Ten ounces +of blood were immediately taken; the dog refused to eat.<br> +<br> +<i>1st February</i>. — The strength of the animal was not impaired, but +the spasms were more violent, and he lay or wandered about stupid and +almost unconscious. I subtracted eight ounces more of blood.<br> +<br> +<i>2d</i>. The spasms were fully as violent, and no amendment in the +vision. Eight ounces more of blood were subtracted without benefit. A +fever-ball was ordered to be given.<br> +<br> +<i>3d</i>. No amendment; but the bleeding having been carried to its +full extent, I again resorted to the tonic balls, which were given +morning and night. The dog was well fed and the seton replaced.<br> +<br> +<i>5th</i>. A very considerable amendment is evident.<br> +<br> +<i>9th</i>. The spasms rapidly subsided and almost disappeared. Vision +was not perfectly restored; but the dog evidently saw with his left eye. +He was taken away, and tonic balls sent with him and ordered to be +continued.<br> +<br> +<i>6th March</i>. — The dog had improved in strength and no spasmodic +affection remained; he likewise evidently saw with his left eye. The +tonic-balls had been discontinued for a week, and his master hoped that +all would turn out well, when suddenly, while at home, he was seized +with a fit that lasted ten minutes. A strong emetic was given, which +brought up a vast quantity of undigested food. A strong purging-ball was +given to him in the evening.<br> +<br> +<i>13th.</i> The dog had lain slightly spasmed for two or three days, +when they all at once ceased, and the animal appeared as well as before. +Suddenly he was taken with another fit, and again a vast quantity of +food was vomited. These spasms remained two days, but on the 21st the +fit returned with the same discharge of food. Courses of purgatives were +then determined on. A strong dose of sulphate of magnesia was given +every third day. After four doses had been given, it was impossible to +force any more upon him. The syrup of buckthorn was tried, but the +fourth dose of that it was impossible to give. The dog was then sent +into the country; no fit occurred, but there were occasional spasms.<br> +<br> +<i>23d September.</i> — He was brought back to town, and I saw him. +During the last month he had had many fits. His owner at length +consented that the actual cautery should be applied to his head. The +searing-iron for doctoring was used, and applied red-hot to the centre +of the head. It was exceedingly difficult so to confine the dog as to +make the application effectual, without destroying the skin.<br> +<br> +Under the influence of the sudden violent pain, he wandered about for +more than two hours, and then the spasms returned with greater force +than usual. He refused all food.<br> +<br> +We determined to try the cautery to its full extent. We chained him up +in the morning, and penetrated through the skin with the budding-iron. +The spasms were dreadfully violent, and he was scarcely able to walk or +to stand. This gradually subsided, and then he began to run round and +round, and that increased to an extraordinary velocity: he would then +lie for a while with every limb in action. The owner then yielded to all +our wishes, and he was destroyed with prussic acid. No morbid appearance +presented itself in the brain; but, on the inner plate of the right +parietal bone, near the sagittal suture, were two projections, one-sixth +of an inch in length, and armed with numerous minute spicula. There was +no peculiar inflammation or vascularity of any other part of the brain.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We <a name="I317">once</a> cured a case quite accidentally, by throwing a pup into a cold +stream of water, and making him swim ashore; we do not recommend the +plan, although we should be willing to try it again with one of our own +dogs. The animal should be forced to swim till nearly exhausted, and +wrapped up in blankets on coming out of the water. The intense alarm +created in the pup, together with the violent struggle and coldness of +the water, all act as revulsives to the disease, which, if purely +nervous, may be overcome by these powerful agents.<br> +<br> +If the dog be weak, and the stomach deranged, the following tonic balls +will answer a good purpose:<br> +<br> +<i>[Symbol: Rx]: Carbonate of Iron;<br> +<br> +Ground Ginger, ââ, grs. X, made into two pills, one given morning and +evening, or more frequently according to the age or size of the +animal.</i> — L.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="rheum"></a><h3>Rheumatism and Palsy</h3> + +I do not know any animal so subject to <i>rheumatism</i> as the dog, nor +any one in which, if it is early and properly treated, it is so +manageable.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">We agree with our author, that the canine family are exceedingly liable +to inflammation of the fibrous and muscular structures of the body, and +there is no disease from which they suffer more, both in their youth and +old age, than rheumatism. No particular species of dogs are more subject +to its attacks than others, all being alike victims to its ravages. Mr. +Blaine remarks, that the bowels always sympathize with other parts of +the body suffering under this disease, and that inflammation will always +be found existing in the abdominal viscera, if rheumatism be present, +and the lower bowels will be attended with a painful torpor, which he +designates as rheumatic colic. We ourselves noticed, that old setters +particularly, when suffering from this disease, are frequently attacked +with an acute diarrhoea, or suffer from obstinate constipation attended +by griping pains, but did not know that this state of things was so +uniform an accompaniment to the other affection. There are two varieties +of rheumatism, the <i>acute</i> and <i>chronic</i>, both of which are +attended with either general fever or local inflammation. The attacks +usually come on rather suddenly, the joints swell, the pulse becomes +full and tense, the parts tender, and the eyes blood-shot, the stomach +deranged, and the bowels costive. Severe lancinating pain runs through +the articulation, and along the course of the larger muscles, the tongue +is coated, the muzzle hot and dry, and the poor animal howls with agony. +The breathing becomes laboured, all food is rejected, and if you attempt +to move the sufferer he sends forth piteous cries of distress. <i>The +causes</i> of this serious affection are very numerous; among the most +usual and active agents may be enumerated, exposure to atmospherical +vicissitudes, remaining wet and idle after coming from the water, damp +kennels, suppressed perspiration, metastasis of eruptive diseases, +luxurious living, laziness and over-feeding. These and many other causes +are all busy in the production of this disease. Duck dogs on the +Chesapeake, we have noticed as often suffering from this affection, +owing no doubt to the great exposure they are obliged to endure; but few +of them arrive at old age without being martyrs to the chronic form. +<i>Chronic rheumatism</i>, generally the result of the other form of +disease, is most usually met with in old dogs: it is attended with +little fever, although the local inflammation and swelling is sometimes +considerable. The pain is often stationary in one shoulder or loin, at +other times shifts about suddenly to other portions of the body. The +muscles are tender and the joints stiff, the animal seems lame till he +becomes healed, and limber when all appearance of the disease vanishes. +In old cases the limbs become so much enlarged, and the joints so +swollen, that the dog is rendered perfectly useless, and consequently +increases his sufferings by idleness. <i>This form of the disease is +known as gout.</i><br> +<br> +Treatment of <i>acute rheumatism</i> — bleeding largely is very important +in this affection, and if followed up with two or three purges of aloes, +gamboge, colocynth and calomel will arrest the progress of this disease.</span><br> +<br> +<img src="images/Rx1.gif" width="467" height="86" border="1" alt="Prescription for rheumatism"><br> +<br> + + +<span style="color: #663300;">Made into four pills, two to be given at night, and the other the +following morning. If these medicines should not be handy, give a large +purging ball of aloes, to be followed by a full dose of salts. When the +inflammatory action is not sufficiently high to demand depletion, warm +bathing, friction and keeping the dog wrapped up in blankets before a +fire will generally afford relief. If the pain appear very severe, it +will be necessary to repeat the baths at short intervals: great +attention must be paid to the state of the bowels: if a diarrhoea +supervenes, it must not he checked too suddenly, by the use of +astringent medicines, but rather corrected by small doses of oil and +magnesia. If constipation attended with colic be the character of the +affection, small quantities of oil and turpentine in connexion with warm +enemata will be the proper remedies. If paralysis should occur, it will +be found very difficult to overcome, but must be treated, after the +reduction of inflammation, upon principles laid down under the head of +this latter affection. Blisters to the spine, setons, electricity, +<a name="I1">acupuncturation</a>, &c.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment of chronic rheumatism</i> — warm baths are useful, and warm +housing absolutely necessary, attention to diet, and an occasional purge +of blue mass and aloes, together with electricity, acupuncture, +rubefacient applications to the spine, &c. — L.</span><br> +<br> +A <a name="I67">warm</a> bath — perchance a bleeding — a dose or two of the castor-oil +mixture, and an embrocation composed of spirit of turpentine, hartshorn, +camphorated spirit, and laudanum, will usually remove it in two or three +days, unless it is complicated with muscular sprains, or other lesions, +such as the <i>chest-founder</i> of kennels.<br> +<br> +This chest-founder is a singular complaint, and often a pest in kennels +that are built in low situations, and where bad management prevails. +Where the huntsman or whippers-in are too often in a hurry to get home, +and turn their dogs into the kennel panting and hot; where the beds are +not far enough from the floor, or the building, if it should be in a +sufficiently elevated situation, has yet a northern aspect and is +unsheltered from the blast, chest-founder prevails; and I have known +half the pack affected by it after a severe run, the scent breast-high, +and the morning unusually cold. It even occasionally passes on into +palsy.<br> +<br> +The veterinary surgeon will be sometimes consulted respecting this +provoking muscular affection. His advice will comprise — dryness, +attention to the bowels, attention to the exercise-ground, and perhaps, +occasionally, setons — not where the huntsman generally places them, on +the withers above, but on the brisket below, and defended from the teeth +of the dog by a roller of a very simple construction, passing round the +chest between the fore legs and over the front of the shoulders on +either side.<br> +<br> +The pointer, somewhat too heavy before, and hardly worked, becomes what +is called chest-foundered. From his very make it is evident that, in +long-continued and considerable exertion, the subscapular muscles will +be liable to sprain and inflammation. There will be inflammation of the +fasciæ;, induration, loss of power, loss of nervous influence and +palsy. Cattle, driven far and fast to the market, suffer from the same +causes.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">By <a name="I209">palsy</a>, we mean a partial or complete loss of the powers of motion or +sensation in some portion of the muscular system: this affection is very +common to the canine race, and very few of them reach an advanced age +without having at some time in their life experienced an attack of this +malady.<br> +<br> +The loins and hind legs suffer oftener than other parts, in fact we do +not recollect ever meeting with paralysis of the fore limbs alone. +Although the limbs become perfectly powerless, and are only dragged +after the animal by the combined efforts of the fore legs and back, it +is seldom that they lose their sensibility. — L.</span><br> +<br> +Palsy is frequent, as in the dog. However easy it may be to subdue a +rheumatic affection, in its early stage, by prompt attention, yet if it +is neglected, it very soon simulates, or becomes essentially connected +with, or converted into, palsy.<br> +<br> +No animal presents a more striking illustration of the connexion between +intestinal irritation and palsy than the dog. He rarely or never has +enteritis, even in its mildest form, without some loss of power over the +hinder extremities. This may at first arise from the participation of +the lumbar muscles with the intestinal irritation; but, if the disease +of the bowels continues long, it will be evident enough that it is not +pain alone that produces the constrained and incomplete action of the +muscles of the hind extremities, but that there is an actual loss of +nervous power. A dog is often brought to the veterinary surgeon, with no +apparent disease about him except a staggering walk from weakness of the +hind limbs. He eats well and is cheerful, and his muzzle is moist and +cool; but his belly is tucked up, and there are two longitudinal cords, +running parallel to each other, which will scarcely yield to pressure. +The surgeon orders the castor-oil mixture twice or thrice daily, until +the bowels are well acted upon, and, as soon as that is accomplished, +the dog is as strong and as well as ever. Perhaps his hind limbs are +dragged behind him; a warm bath is ordered, he is dosed well wilh the +castor-oil mixture, and, if it is a recent case, the animal is well in a +few days. In more confirmed palsy, the charge, or plaster on the loins, +is added to the action of the aperient on the bowels. The process may be +somewhat slow, but it is seldom that the dog does not ultimately and +perfectly recover.<br> +<br> +It is easy to explain this connexion, although we should have scarcely +supposed that it would have been so intimate, had not frequent +experience forced it on our observation. The rectum passes through the +pelvis. Whatever may be said of that intestine, considering its vertical +position in the human being, it is always charged with fæces in the +quadruped. It therefore shares more in the effect, whatever that may be, +which is produced by the retention of fæces in the intestinal canal, and +it shares also in the inflammatory affection of other parts of the +canal. Almost in contact with this viscus, or at least passing through +the pelvis, are the crural nerves from the lumbar vertebræ, the +obtusator running round the rim of the pelvis, the glutal nerve +occupying its back, and the sciatic hastening to escape from it. It is +not difficult to imagine that these, to a certain degree, will +sympathize with the healthy and also the morbid state of the rectum; and +that, when it is inert, or asleep, or diseased, they also may be +powerless too. Here is something like fact to establish a very important +theory, and which should be deeply considered by the sportsman and the +surgeon.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Loss of the contractile power of the sphincters of the bladder and +rectum, sometimes attends this disease, and involuntary evacuations are +constantly taking place, or costiveness and retention are the +consequences. — L.</span><br> +<br> +<a name="I119">Mr</a>. Dupuy has given a valuable account of the knowledge we possess of +the diseases of the spinal marrow in our domestic quadrupeds.<br> +<br> +He has proved: +<ol type="1"> + +<li>That in our domestic animals the spinal marrow is scarcely ever +affected through the whole of its course.</li> + +<li>That the dorsal and lumbar regions are the parts oftenest affected.</li> + +<li>That inflammation of the spinal marrow of these regions always +produces palsy, more or less complete, of the abdominal members.</li> + +<li>That, in some cases, this inflammation is limited to the inferior or +superior parts of the spinal marrow, and that there is loss only of +feeling or of motion.</li> + +<li>That sometimes animals die of palsy without any organic lesion.</li> +</ol> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Blows on the head, producing effusion on the brain, poisoning by lead, +inflammation of the spinal marrow, affections of the nerves, caries of +the spine, costiveness and affections of the bowels, are all productive +of palsy. <a name="I210">If</a> the disease proceeds from rheumatism, or other inflammatory +affections, independent of any organic lesion, the disease, if taken +early, is not difficult to overcome in the young subject. Warm baths, +bleeding, purging, and stimulating applications to the parts and along +the spine, will answer. Castor oil and turpentine is a good purge: where +the malady depends upon costiveness, purges of aloes should be +administered in connexion with warm enemata, stimulating frictions along +the spine, and hot baths. Croton oil dropped on the tongue will also be +of great benefit: if there should be effusion or compression from +fracture of the bones of the cranium, nothing but trephining will be of +any service, as we can hardly hope for the absorption of the matter, and +the removal of the spicula of bone can alone afford relief to the +patient. Paralysis arising from poisoning should be treated as described +under the head of mineral poisons. Chronic cases of paralysis arising +from want of tone of the nerves and spinal marrow, repeated blistering, +introduction of the seton along the spine, electricity, &c., have all +been tried with some success.<br> +<br> +<a name="I273">Strychnia</a>, from its peculiar effects upon the animal economy, and its +almost exclusive direction to the nerves of motion, makes it a medicine +particularly applicable to the treatment of this disease. It may be +given in all stages of the malady, but is most serviceable after the +reduction of inflammatory action, and when we are convinced that the +disease depends upon want of tone in the motor muscles.<br> +<br> +Great care should be had in its administration, as it is a powerful +poison in too large doses, to a large dog; commence with a quarter of a +grain in pill, three times daily, and gradually increase to a half grain +or more if the animal seems to bear it well. But it should be +discontinued immediately on the appearance of any constitutional +symptoms, such as spasmodic twitchings of the eyelids or muzzle. — L.</span> + + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="mange"></a><h3>Palsy — Mange</h3> + +<i>11th February, 1835</i>. — A Persian bitch, at the Zoological Gardens, +who was well yesterday, now staggers as she walks, and has nearly lost +the use of her hind legs. Gave a good dose of the castor-oil mixture.<br> +<br> +<i>18th</i>. She is materially worse and drags her hind legs after her. +I would fain put on a charge, but the keeper does not like that her +beautiful coat should be spoiled, and wishes to try what gentle exercise +will do. She certainly, after she has been coaxed a great deal, will get +on her legs and stagger on fifty yards or more. Gave the castor-oil +mixture daily.<br> +<br> +<i>19th.</i> She is a little stronger, and walks a little better. +Continue the mixture. Embrocate well with the rheumatic mixture — sp. +tereb., sp. camph., liq. ammon., et tinct. opii — and give gentle +exercise.<br> +<br> +<i>2d March.</i> — She does improve, although slowly; the charge is +therefore postponed. Continue treatment. <br> +<br> +<i>30th.</i> She is +considerably better. Continue the mixture, and use the embrocation every +second day.<br> +<br> +<i>10th April</i> — She has mange in the bend of her arm, and on her +chest. Use the sulphur ointment and alterative balls, and omit the +embrocation and mixture. In less than a week she nearly recovered from +her lameness, and ran about almost as well as ever. <br> +<br> +<i>30th.</i> She +runs about very fairly, but the mange has assumed that character of +scurvy which I do not know how to grapple with. Continue the alterative +balls, and the ointment.<br> +<br> +<i>18th May.</i> — The mange has disappeared, but the palsy is returning; +she staggers slightly, and droops behind. Give the castor-oil mixture +and use the embrocation.<br> +<br> +<i>14th June.</i> — Mange quite gone, but palsy continues to a very +considerable degree. I want to use the plaster; but the keeper pleads +for a little delay. Continue the treatment.<br> +<br> +<i>1st July.</i> — I have at length determined to have recourse to the +charge. A piece of thick sheep's leather was fitted lo her loins and +haunches. <br> +<br> +<i>18th.</i> She appears to be improving, but it is very +slowly. <br> +<br> +<i>31st.</i> Very little change. The plaster keeps on well: she +has no power over her hind limbs; but she eats and drinks as well as +ever.<br> +<br> +<i>23d August.</i> — No change. Give her half a grain of strychnia, +morning and night. <br> +<br> +<i>26th</i> That singular secretion of milk, to which +the bitch is subject nine weeks after œstrum, is now appearing. Her +mammæ are enlarged, and I can squeeze a considerable quantity of milk +out of the teats. Give an aloetic pill, and continue the strychnia.<br> +<br> +<i>31st</i>. The secretion of milk continues. There is slight +enlargement and some heat of the mammæ; but she feeds as well as ever. +Increase the dose of strychnia to three-quarters of a grain.<br> +<br> +On the following day she was found dead. In making the usual +longitudinal incision through the integuments of the abdomen a +considerable quantity of milky fluid, mingled with blood, followed the +knife. There was very slight enlargement of the teats, but intense +inflammation of the whole of the mammary substance. The <i>omentum</i>, and +particularly the portion opposite to the external disease, was also +inflamed. Besides this there was not a vestige of disease.<br> +<br> +This is an interesting case and deserves record. I fear that justice was +not done to the animal at the commencement of the paralytic affection. +In nineteen cases out of twenty in the dog, the constant but mild +stimulus of a charge over the lumbar and sacral regions removes the +deeper-seated inflammation of the spinal cord or its membranes, when the +palsy is confined to the hind extremities, and has not been sufficiently +long established to produce serious change of structure. The charge +should have been applied at first. The almost total disappearance of the +palsy during the cutaneous disease, which was attended with more than +usual inflammation of the integument, is an instructive illustration of +the power of counter-irritation, and of what might possibly have been +effected in the first case; for much time was lost before the +application of the charge, and when at length it was applied, it and the +strychnia were powerless.<br> +<br> +I consider the following case as exceedingly valuable, at least with +reference to the power of strychnia in removing palsy:<br> +<br> +<i>19th August, 1836</i>. — A fine Alpine dog was suddenly attacked with +a strange nervous affection. He was continually staggering about and +falling. His head was forcibly bent backward and a little on one side, +almost to his shoulder. A pound of blood was abstracted, a seton +inserted from ear to ear, and eight grains of calomel administered.<br> +<br> +<i>21st</i>. He has perfectly lost the use of every limb. He has also +amaurosis. perfect blindness, which had not appeared the day before. He +hears perfectly, and he eats, and with appetite, when the food is put +into his mouth. Gave him two large spoonfuls of the castor-oil mixture +daily; this consists of three parts of castor-oil, two of syrup of +buck-thorn, and one of syrup of white poppies.<br> +<br> +<i>23d</i>. A little better; can lift his head and throw it upon his +side, and will still eat when fed. Continue the mixture, and give half a +grain of strychnia daily.<br> +<br> +<i>24th</i>. Little change.<br> +<br> +<i>27th</i>. No change, except that he is rapidly losing flesh. Continue +the treatment.<br> +<br> +<i>31th</i>. The strychnia increased to three-fourths of a grain morning +and night. The castor-oil mixture continued in its full quantity. He +was fed well, but there was a sunken, vacant expression of countenance.<br> +<br> +<i>2d September.</i> — He can move his head a little, and has some slight +motion in his limbs.<br> +<br> +<i>4th.</i> He can almost get up. He recognises me for the first time. +His appetite, which was never much impaired, has returned: this is to be +attributed to strychnia, or the seton, or the daily aperient mixture. +They have all, perhaps, been serviceable, but I attribute most to the +strychnia; for I have rarely, indeed, seen any dog recover from such an +attack. Continue the treatment.<br> +<br> +<i>6th.</i> Fast recovering. Medicine as before.<br> +<br> +<i>14th.</i> Improving, but not so fast as before. Still continue the +treatment.<br> +<br> +<i>28th.</i> Going on slowly, but satisfactorily. Remove the seton, but +continue the other treatment.<br> +<br> +<i>13th October.</i> — Quite well.<br> + + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section7">Chapter VII — Rabies</a></h2> +<br> +We are now arrived at one of the most important subjects in veterinary +pathology. In other cases the comfort and the existence of our quadruped +patients are alone or chiefly involved, but here the lives of our +employers, and our own too, are at stake, and may be easily, and too +often are, compromised. Here also, however other portions of the chain +may be overlooked or denied, we have the link which most of all connects +the veterinary surgeon with the practitioner of human medicine; or, +rather, here is the circumscribed but valued spot where the veterinary +surgeon has the vantage-ground.<br> +<br> +In describing the nature, and cause and treatment of rabies, it will be +most natural to take the animal in which it oftenest appears, by which +it is most frequently propagated; the time at which the danger +commences, and the usual period before the death of the patient.<br> +<br> +<a name="I222">Some</a> years ago a dog, naturally ferocious, bit a child at Lisson Grove. +The child, to all appearance previously well, died on the third day, and +an inquest was to be held on the body in the evening. The Coroner +ordered the dog to be sent to me for examination The animal was, +contrary to his usual habit, perfectly tractable. This will appear to be +of some importance hereafter. I examined him carefully. No suspicious +circumstance could be found about him. There was no appearance of +rabies. In the mean time the inquest took place, and the corpse of the +child was carefully examined. One medical gentleman thought that there +were some suspicious appearances about the stomach, and another believed +that there was congestion of the brain.<br> +<br> +The owner of the dog begged that the animal might not be taken from him, +but might accompany him home. He took him home and destroyed him that no +experiments might be made.<br> +<br> +With great difficulty we procured the carcass, and from some +inflammatory appearances about the tongue and the stomach, and the +presence of a small portion of indigestible matter in the stomach, we +were unanimously of opinion that the dog was rabid.<br> +<br> +I do not mean to say that the child died hydrophobous, or that its death +was accelerated by the nascent disease existing in the dog. There was +probably some nervous affection that hastened the death of the infant, +and the dog bit the child at the very period when the malady first began +to develop itself. On the following day there were morbid lesions enough +to prove beyond doubt that he was rabid.<br> +<br> +This case is introduced because I used afterwards to accompany every +examination of supposed or doubtful rabies with greater caution than I +probably had previously used.<br> +<br> +It is occasionally very difficult to detect the existence of rabies in +its nascent state. In the year 1813, a child attempted to rob a dog of +its morning food, and the animal resisting the theft, the child was +slightly scratched by its teeth. No one dreamed of danger. <i>Eight days +afterwards</i> symptoms of rabies appeared in the dog, the malady ran +its course, and the animal died. A few days afterwards the child +sickened — undoubted characteristics of rabies were observed — they ran +their course and the infant was lost.<br> +<br> +There are other cases — fortunately not numerous — in the records of human +surgery, resembling this. A person has been bitten by a dog, he has paid +little or no attention to it, and no application of the caustic has been +made. Some weeks, or even months, have passed, he has nearly or quite +forgotten the affair, when he becomes languid and feverish, and full of +fearful apprehensions, and this appearing perhaps during several days, +or more than a week. The empoisonment has then ceased to be a local +affair, the virus has entered into the circulation, and its impression +is made on the constitution generally. Fortunately the disposition to +bite rarely develops itself until the full establishment of the disease, +otherwise we might sometimes inquire whether it were not our duty to +exterminate the whole race of dogs.<br> +<br> +The following case deserves to be recorded. On the 21st of October, +1813, a dog was brought to me for examination. He had vomited a +considerable quantity of coagulated blood. I happened to be particularly +busy at the moment, and not observing anything peculiar in his +countenance or manner, I ordered some astringent sedative medicine, and +said that I would see him again in the afternoon.<br> +<br> +In the course of the afternoon he was again brought. The vomiting had +quite ceased. His mouth seemed to be swollen, and, on examining him, I +found that some of his incisor teeth, both in the upper and lower jaw, +had been torn out. This somewhat alarmed me; and, on inquiring of the +servant, I was told that he suspected that they had had thieves about +the house on the preceding night, for the dog had torn away the side of +his kennel in attempting to get at them. I scolded him for not having +told me of this in the morning; and then, talking of various things, in +order to prolong the time and to be able closely to watch my patient, I +saw, or thought I saw, but in a very slight degree, that the animal was +tracing the fancied path of some imaginary object. I was then truly +alarmed, and more especially since I had discovered that in the giving +of the physic in the morning the man's hand had been scratched; a youth +had suffered the dog to lick his sore finger, and the animal had also +been observed to lick the sore ear of an infant. He was a remarkably +affectionate dog, and was accustomed to this abominable and inexcusable +nonsense.<br> +<br> +I insisted on detaining the dog, and gave the man a letter to the +surgeon, telling him all my fears. He promptly acted on the hint, and +before evening, the proper means were taken with regard to all three.<br> +<br> +I watched this dog day after day. He would not eat, but he drank a great +deal more water than I liked. The surgeon was evidently beginning to +doubt whether I was not wrong, but he could not dispute the occasional +wandering of the eye, and the frequent spume upon the water. On the 26th +of October, however, the sixth day after his arrival, we both of us +heard the rabid howl burst from him: he did not, however, die until the +30th. I mention this as another instance of the great difficulty there +is to determine the real nature of the case in an early stage of the +disease.<br> +<br> +M. Perquin relates an interesting case. A lady had a greyhound, nine +years old, that was accustomed to lie upon her bed at night, and cover +himself with the bed-clothes. She remarked, one morning, that he had +torn the covering of his bed, and, although he ate but little, drank +oftener, and in larger quantity, than he was accustomed to do. She led +him to a veterinary surgeon, who assured her that there was nothing +serious the matter. On the following day, he bit her fore-finger near +the nail, as she was giving him something to eat. She led him again to +the veterinary surgeon, who assured her that she needed not to be under +the least alarm, and as for the little wound on her finger, it was of no +consequence. On the following day, the 27th of December, the dog died. +He had not ceased to drink most abundantly to the very last.<br> +<br> +On the 4th of February, as the lady was dining with her husband, she +found some difficulty in deglutition. She wished to take some wine, but +was unable to swallow it.<br> +<br> +On the 5th, she consulted a surgeon. He wished her to swallow a little +soup in his presence. She attempted to do it, but could not accomplish +her object after many an effort. She then fell into a state of violent +agitation, with constriction of the pharynx, and the discharge of a +viscid fluid from the mouth.<br> +<br> +On the 7th, she died, four days after the first attack of the disease, +and in a state of excessive loss of flesh.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr81">There</a> can be no doubt that both the dog and his mistress died rabid, the +former having communicated the disease to the latter; but there is no +satisfactory account of the manner in which the dog became diseased<a href="#f81"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +Joseph Delmaire, of Looberghe, twenty-nine years old, was, on the 6th of +October, 1836, bitten in the hand by a dog that he met with in the +forest, and that was evidently rabid. On the following morning, he went +to a medical man of some repute in the country, who washed the wound, +and scarified it, and terminated the operation by tracing a bloody cross +on the forehead of the patient.<br> +<br> +He returned home, but he was far from being satisfied. The image of the +dog that had attacked him was always before him, and his sleep was +troubled with the most frightful dreams. So passed four-and-twenty days, +when Delmaire, rising from his bed, felt the most dreadful trepidation; +he panted violently; it seemed as if an enormous weight oppressed his +chest, and from time to time there was profound sighing and sobbing. He +complained every moment that he was smothered. He attempted to drink, +but it was with great difficulty that a few drops of barley-water were +swallowed. His mouth was dry, his throat burning, his thirst excessive, +and all that he attempted to swallow was rejected with horror.<br> +<br> +At nine o'clock at night he was largely bled. His respiration was more +free, but the dread of every fluid remained. After an hour's repose, he +started and felt the most fearful pain in every limb — his whole body was +agitated with violent convulsions. The former place of bleeding was +reopened, and a great quantity of blood escaped. The pulse became small +and accelerated. The countenance was dreadful — the eyes were starting +from their sockets — he continually sprung from his seat and uttered the +most fearful howling. A quantity of foam filled his mouth, and compelled +a continued expectoration. In his violent fits, the strength of six men +was not sufficient to keep him on his bed. In the midst of a sudden +recess of fury he would disengage himself from all that were attempting +to hold him, and dash himself on the floor; there, freed from all +control, he rolled about, beat himself, and tore everything that he +could reach. In the short intervals that separated these crises, he +regained possession of his reasoning powers: he begged his old father to +pardon him, he talked to him and to those around with the most intense +affection, and it was only when he felt that a new attack was at hand, +that he prayed them to leave him. At length his mental excitation began +to subside; his strength was worn out, and he suffered himself to be +placed on his bed. The horrible convulsions from time to time returned, +but the dread of liquors had ceased. He demanded something to drink. +They gave him a little white wine, but he was unable to swallow it; it +was returned through his nostrils. The poor fellow then endeavoured to +sleep; but it was soon perceived that he had ceased to live.<br> +<br> +<a name="I223">The</a> early symptoms of rabies in the dog are occasionally very obscure. +In the greater number of cases, these are sullenness, fidgetiness, and +continual shifting of posture. Where I have had opportunity, I have +generally found these circumstances in regular succession. For several +consecutive hours perhaps he retreats to his basket or his bed. He shows +no disposition to bite, and he answers the call upon him laggardly. He +is curled up and his face is buried between his paws and his breast. At +length he begins to be fidgety. He searches out new resting-places; but +he very soon changes them for others. He takes again to his own bed; but +he is continually shifting his posture. He begins to gaze strangely +about him as he lies on his bed. His countenance is clouded and +suspicious. He comes to one and another of the family and he fixes on +them a steadfast gaze as if he would read their very thoughts. "I feel +strangely ill," he seems to say: "have you anything to do with it? or +you? or you?" Has not a dog mind enough for this? If we have observed a +rabid dog at the commencement of the disease, we have seen this to the +very life.<br> +<br> +There is a species of dog — the small French poodle — the essence of whose +character and constitution is fidgetiness or perpetual motion.<br> +<br> +If this dog has been bitten, and rabies is about to establish itself, he +is the most irritative restless being that can be conceived of; starting +convulsively at the slightest sound; disposing of his bed in every +direction, seeking out one retreat after another in order to rest his +wearied frame, but quiet only for a moment in any one, and the motion of +his limbs frequently stimulating chorea and even epilepsy.<br> +<br> +A peculiar delirium is an early symptom, and one that will never +deceive. A young man had been bitten by one of his dogs; I was requested +to meet a medical gentleman on the subject: I was a little behind my +time; as I entered the room I found the dog eagerly devouring a pan of +sopped bread. "There is no madness here," said the gentleman. He had +scarcely spoken, when in a moment the dog quitted the sop, and, with a +furious bark sprung against the wall as if he would seize some imaginary +object that he fancied was there. "Did you see that?" was my reply. +"What do you think of it?" "I see nothing in it," was his retort: "the +dog heard some noise on the other side of the wall." At my serious +urging, however, he consented to excise the part. I procured a poor +worthless cur, and got him bitten by this dog, and carried the disease +from this dog to the third victim: they all became rabid one after the +other, and there my experiment ended. The serious matter under +consideration, perhaps, justified me in going so far as I did.<br> +<br> +This kind of delirium is of frequent occurrence in the human patient. +<a name="I224">The</a> account given by Dr. Bardsley of one of his patients is very +appropriate to on profit purpose: + +<blockquote>"I observed that he frequently fixed +his eyes with horror and affright on some ideal object, and then, with a +sudden and violent emotion, buried his head beneath the bed-clothes. The +next time I saw him repeat this action, I was induced to inquire into +the cause of his terror. He asked whether I had not heard howlings and +scratchings. On being answered in the negative, he suddenly threw +himself on his knees, extending his arms in a defensive posture, and +forcibly threw back his head and body. The muscles of the face were +agitated by various spasmodic contractions; his eye-balls glazed, and +seemed ready to start from their sockets; and, at the moment, when +crying out in an agonizing tone, 'Do you not see that black dog?' his +countenance and attitude exhibited the most dreadful picture of +complicated horror, distress, and rage that words can describe or +imagination paint."</blockquote> + +I have again and again seen the rabid dog start up after a momentary +quietude, with unmingled ferocity depicted on his countenance, and +plunge with a savage howl to the end of his chain. At other times he +would stop and watch the nails in the partition of the stable in which +he was confined, and fancying them to move he would dart at them, and +occasionally sadly bruise and injure himself from being no longer able +to measure the distance of the object. In one of his sudden fits of +violence a rabid dog strangled the Cardinal Crescence, the Legate of the +Pope, at the Council of Trent in 1532.<br> +<br> +M. Magendie has often injected into the veins of an hydrophobous dog as +much as five grains of opium without producing any effect; while a +single grain given to the healthy dog would suffice to send him almost +to sleep.<br> +<br> +<a name="I225">One</a> of Mr. Babington's patients thought that there was a cloud of flies +about him. "Why do you not kill those flies!" he would cry; and then he +would strike at them with his hand, and shrink under the bed-clothes, in +the most dreadful fear.<br> +<br> +There is also in the human being a peculiarity in this delirium which +seems to distinguish it from every other kind of mental aberration. + +<blockquote>"The +patient," in Mr. Lawrence's language, "is pursued by a thousand phantoms +that intrude themselves upon his mind; he holds conversation with +imaginary persons; he fancies himself surrounded with difficulties, and +in the greatest distress. These thoughts seem to pass through his mind +with wonderful rapidity, and to keep him in a state of the greatest +distress, unless he is quickly spoken to or addressed by his name, and, +then, in a moment the charm is broken; every phantom of imagination +disappears, and at once he begins to talk as calmly and as connectedly +as in perfect health."</blockquote> + +So it is with the dog, whether he is watching the motes that are +floating in the air, or the insects that are annoying him on the walls, +or the foes that he fancies are threatening him on every side — one word +recalls him in a moment. Dispersed by the magic influence of his +master's voice, every object of terror disappears, and he crawls towards +him with the same peculiar expression of attachment that used to +characterize him.<br> +<br> +Then comes a moment's pause — a moment of actual vacuity — the eye slowly +closes, the head droops, and he seems as if his fore feet were giving +way, and he would fall: but he springs up again, every object of terror +once more surrounds him — he gazes wildly around — he snaps — he barks, and +he rushes to the extent of his chain, prepared to meet his imaginary +foe.<br> +<br> +The expression of the countenance of the dog undergoes a considerable +change, principally dependent on the previous disposition of the animal. +If he was naturally of an affectionate disposition, there will be an +anxious, inquiring countenance, eloquent, beyond the power of resisting +its influence. It is made up of strange suppositions as to the nature of +the depression of mind under which he labours, mingled with some passing +doubts, and they are but passing, as to the concern which the master has +in the affair; but, most of all, there is an affectionate and confiding +appeal for relief. At the same time we observe some strange fancy, +evidently passing through his mind, unalloyed, however, by the slightest +portion of ferocity.<br> +<br> +<a name="I131">In</a> the countenance of the naturally savage brute, or him that has been +trained to be savage, there is indeed a fearful change; sometimes the +conjunctiva is highly injected; at other times it is scarcely affected, +but the eyes have an unusually bright and dazzling appearance. They are +like two balls of fire, and there is a peculiar transparency of the +hyaloid membrane, or injection of that of the retina.<br> +<br> +A very early symptom of rabies in the dog, is an extreme degree of +restlessness. Frequently, he is almost invariably wandering about, +shifting from corner to corner, or continually rising up and lying down, +changing his posture in every possible way, disposing of his bed with +his paws, shaking it with his mouth, bringing it to a heap, on which he +carefully lays his chest, or rather the pit of his stomach, and then +rising up and bundling every portion of it out of the kennel. If he is +put into a closed basket, he will not be still for an instant, but turn +round and round without ceasing. If he is at liberty, he will seem to +imagine that something is lost, and he will eagerly search round the +room, and particularly every corner of it, with strange violence and +indecision.<br> +<br> +In a very great portion of cases of hydrophobia in the human being, +there is, as a precursory symptom, uneasiness, pain, or itching of the +bitten part. A red line may also be traced up the limb, in the direction +of the lymphatics. In a few cases the wound opens afresh.<br> +<br> +The poison is now beginning fatally to act on the tissue, on which it +had previously lain harmless. When the conversation has turned on this +subject, long after the bitten part has been excised, pain has darted +along the limb. I have been bitten much oftener than I liked, by dogs +decidedly rabid, but, proper means being taken, I have escaped; and yet +often, when I have been over-fatigued, or a little out of temper, some +of the old sores have itched and throbbed, and actually become red and +swollen.<br> +<br> +<a name="I120">The</a> dog appears to suffer a great deal of pain in the ear in common +canker. He will be almost incessantly scratching it, crying piteously +while thus employed. The ear is, oftener than any other part, bitten by +the rabid dog, and, when a wound in the ear, inflicted by a rabid dog, +begins to become painful, the agony appears to be of the intensest kind. +The dog rubs his ear against every projecting body, he scratches it +might and main, and tumbles over and over while he is thus employed.<br> +<br> +The young practitioner should be on his guard there. Is this dreadful +itching a thing of yesterday, or, has the dog been subject to canker, +increasing for a considerable period? Canker both internal and external +is a disease of slow growth, and must have been long neglected before it +will torment the patient in the manner that I have described. The +question as to the length of time that an animal has thus suffered will +usually be a sufficient guide.<br> +<br> +The mode in which he expresses his torture will serve as another +direction. He will often scratch violently enough when he has canker, +but he will not roll over and over like a football except he is rabid. +If there is very considerable inflammation of the lining membrane of the +ear, and engorgement and ulceration of it, this is the effect of canker; +but if there is only a slight redness of the membrane, or no redness at +all, and yet the dog is incessantly and violently scratching himself, it +is too likely that rabies is at hand.<br> +<br> +In the early stage of rabies, the attachment of the dog towards his +owner seems to be rapidly increased, and the expression of that feeling. +He is employed, almost without ceasing, licking the hands, or face, or +any part he can get at. Females, and men too, are occasionally apt to +permit the dog, when in health, to indulge this filthy and very +dangerous habit with regard to them. The virus, generated under the +influence of rabies, is occasionally deposited on a wounded or abraded +surface, and in process of time produces a similar disease in the person +that has been so inoculated by it. Therefore it is that the surgeon so +anxiously inquires of the person that has been bitten, and of all those +to whom the dog has had access, "Has he been accustomed to lick you? +have you any sore places about you that can by possibility have been +licked by him?" If there are, the person is in fully as much danger as +if he had been bitten, and it is quite as necessary to destroy the part +with which the virus may have come in contact. A lady once lost her life +by suffering her dog to lick a pimple on her chin.<br> +<br> +<a name="I226">There</a> is a beautiful species of dog, often the inhabitant of the +gentleman's stable — the Dalmatian or coach dog. He has, perhaps, less +affection for the human species than any other dog, except the greyhound +and the bull-dog; he has less sagacity than most others, and certainly +less courage. He is attached to the stable; he is the friend of the +horse; they live under the same roof; they share the same bed; and, when +the horse is summoned to his work, the dog accompanies every step. They +are certainly beautiful dogs, and it is pleasing to see the thousand +expressions of friendship between them and the horse; but, in their +continual excursions through the streets, they are exposed to some +danger, and particularly to that of being bitten by rabid dogs. It is a +fearful business when this takes place. The coachman probably did not +see the affray; no suspicion has been excited. The horse rubs his muzzle +to the dog, and the dog licks the face of the horse, and in a great +number of cases the disease is communicated from the one to the other. +The dog in process of time dies, the horse does not long survive, and, +frequently too, the coachman shares their fate. I have known at least +twenty horses destroyed in this way.<br> +<br> +A depraved appetite is a frequent attendant on rabies in the dog. He +refuses his usual food; he frequently turns from it with an evident +expression of disgust; at other times, he seizes it with greater or less +avidity, and then drops it, sometimes from disgust, at other times +because he is unable to complete the mastication of it. This palsy of +the organs of mastication, and dropping of the food, after it has been +partly chewed, is a symptom on which implicit confidence may be placed.<br> +<br> +Some dogs vomit once or twice in the early period of the disease: when +this happens, they never return to the natural food of the dog, but are +eager for everything that is filthy and horrible. The natural appetite +generally fails entirely, and to it succeeds a strangely depraved one. +The dog usually occupies himself with gathering every little bit of +thread, and it is curious to observe with what eagerness and method he +sets to work, and how completely he effects his object. He then attacks +every kind of dirt and filth, horse-dung, his own dung, and human +excrement. Some breeds of spaniels are very filthy feeders without its +being connected with disease, but the rabid dog eagerly selects the +excrement of the horse, and his own. Some considerable care, however, +must be exercised here. At the period of dentition, and likewise at the +commencement of the sexual affection, the stomach of the dog, and +particularly that of the bitch, sympathises with, or shares in, the +irritability of the gums, and of the constitution generally, and there +is a considerably perverted appetite. The dog also feels the same +propensity that influences the child, that of taking hard substances +into the mouth, and seemingly trying to masticate them. Their pressure +on the gums facilitates the passage of the new teeth. A young dog will, +therefore, be observed gathering up hard substances, and, if he should +chance to die, a not inconsiderable collection of them is sometimes +found in the stomach. They are, however, of a peculiar character; they +consist of small pieces of bone, slick, and coal.<br> +<br> +The contents of the stomach of the rabid dog, are often, or generally, +of a most filthy description. Some hair or straw is usually found, but +the greater part is composed of horse-dung, or of his own dung, and it +may be received as a certainly, that if he is found deliberately +devouring it, he is rabid.<br> +<br> +Some very important conclusions may be drawn from the appearance and +character of the urine. The dog, and at particular times when he is more +than usually salacious, may, and does diligently search the urining +places; he may even, at those periods, be seen to lick the spot which +another has just wetted; but, if a peculiar eagerness accompanies this +strange employment, if, in the parlour, which is rarely disgraced by +this evacuation, every corner is perseveringly examined, and licked with +unwearied and unceasing industry, that dog cannot be too carefully +watched, there is great danger about him; he may, without any other +symptom, be pronounced to be decidedly rabid. I never knew a single +mistake about this.<br> +<br> +<a name="I255">Much</a> has been said of the profuse discharge of saliva from the mouth of +the rabid dog. It is an undoubted fact that, in this disease, all the +glands concerned in the secretion of saliva, become increased in bulk +and vascularity. The sublingual glands wear an evident character of +inflammation; but it never equals the increased discharge that +accompanies epilepsy, or nausea. The frothy spume at the corners of the +mouth, is not for a moment to be compared with that which is evident +enough in both of these affections. It is a symptom of short duration, +and seldom lasts longer than twelve hours. The stories that are told of +the mad dog covered with froth, are altogether fabulous. The dog +recovering from, or attacked by a fit, may be seen in this state; but +not the rabid dog. Fits are often mistaken for rabies, and hence the +delusion.<br> +<br> +The increased secretion of saliva soon passes away. It lessens in +quantity; it becomes thicker, viscid, adhesive, and glutinous. It clings +to the corners of the mouth, and probably more annoyingly so to the +membrane of the fauces. The human being is sadly distressed by it, he +forces it out with the greatest violence, or utters the falsely supposed +bark of a dog, in his attempts to force it from his mouth. This symptom +occurs in the human being, when the disease is fully established, or at +a late period of it. The dog furiously attempts to detach it with his +paws.<br> +<br> +It is an early symptom in the dog, and it can scarcely be mistaken in +him. When he is fighting with his paws at the corners of his mouth, let +no one suppose that a bone is sticking between the poor fellow's teeth; +nor should any useless and dangerous effort be made to relieve him. If +all this uneasiness arose from a bone in the mouth, the mouth would +continue permanently open instead of closing when the animal for a +moment discontinues his efforts. If after a while he loses his balance +and tumbles over, there can be no longer any mistake. It is the saliva +becoming more and more glutinous, irritating the fauces and threatening +suffocation.<br> +<br> +To this naturally and rapidly succeeds an insatiable thirst. The dog +that still has full power over the muscles of his jaws continues lo lap. +He knows not when to cease, while the poor fellow labouring under the +dumb madness, presently to be described, and whose jaw and tongue are +paralysed, plunges his muzzle into the water-dish to his very eyes, in +order that he may get one drop of water into the back part of his mouth +to moisten and to cool his dry and parched fauces. Hence, instead of +this disease being always characterised by the dread of water in the +dog, it is marked by a thirst often perfectly unquenchable. Twenty years +ago, this assertion would have been peremptorily denied. Even at the +present day we occasionally meet with those who ought to know better, +and who will not believe that the dog which fairly, or perhaps eagerly, +drinks, can be rabid.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I227">January</a> 22d</i>, 1815. — A Newfoundland dog belonging to a gentleman +in Piccadilly was supposed to have swallowed a penny-piece on the 20th. +On the evening of that day he was dull, refused his food, and would not +follow his master.<br> +<br> +<i>21st</i>. He became restless and pouting, and continually shifting +his position. He would not eat nor would he drink water, but followed +his mistress into her bed-room, which he had never done before, and +eagerly lapped the urine from her chamber-pot. He was afterwards seen +lapping his own urine. His restlessness and panting increased, He would +neither eat nor drink, and made two or three attempts to vomit.<br> +<br> +<i>22d</i>. He was brought to me this evening. His eyes were wild, the +conjunctiva considerably inflamed, and he panted quickly and violently. +There was a considerable flow of saliva from the corners of his mouth. +He was extremely restless and did not remain in one position half a +minute. There was an occasional convulsive nodding motion of the head. +The eyes were wandering, and evidently following some imaginary object; +but he was quickly recalled from his delirium by my voice or that of his +master. In a few moments, however, he was wandering again. He had +previously been under my care, and immediately recognised me and offered +me his paw. His bark was changed and had a slight mixture of the howl, +and there was a husky choking noise in the throat.<br> +<br> +I immediately declared that he was rabid, and with some reluctance on +the part of his master, he was left with me.<br> +<br> +<i>23d</i>, 8 A. M. The breathing was less quick and laborious. The +spasm of the head was no longer visible. The flow of saliva had stopped +and there was less delirium. The jaw began to be dependent: the +rattling, choking noise in his throat louder. He carried straw about in +his mouth. He picked up some pieces of old leather that lay within his +reach and carefully concealed them under his bed. Two minutes afterwards +he would take them out again, and look at them, and once more hide them. +He frequently voided his urine in small quantities, but no longer lapped +it. A little dog was lowered into the den, but he took no notice of it.<br> +<br> +10 P. M. Every symptom of fever returned with increased violence. He +panted very much, and did not remain in the same posture two seconds. He +was continually running to the end of his chain and attempting to bite. +He was eagerly and wildly watching some imaginary object. His voice was +hoarser — more of the howl mixing with it. The lips were distorted, and +the tongue very black. He was evidently getting weaker. After two or +three attempts to escape, he would sit down for a second, and then rise +and plunge to the end of his chain. He drank frequently, yet but little +at a time, and that without difficulty or spasm.<br> +<br> +12 P. M. The thirst strangely increased. He had drunk or spilled full +three quarts of water. There was a peculiar eagerness in his manner. He +plunged his nose to the very bottom of his pan, and then snapped at the +bubbles which he raised. No spasm followed the drinking. He took two or +three pieces from my hand, but immediately dropped them from want of +power to hold them. Yet he was able for a moment suddenly to close his +jaws. When not drinking he was barking with a harsh sound, and +frequently started suddenly, watching, and catching at some imaginary +object.<br> +<br> +<i>24th</i>, A. M. He was more furious, yet weaker. The thirst was +insatiable. He was otherwise diligently employed in shattering and +tearing everything within his reach. He died about three o'clock.<br> +<br> +It is impossible to say what was the origin of this disease in him. It +is not connected with any degree or variation of temperature, or any +particular state of the atmosphere. It is certainly more frequent in the +summer or the beginning of autumn than in the winter or spring, because +it is a highly nervous and febrile disease, and the degree of fever, and +irritability, and ferocity, and consequent mischief are augmented by +increase of temperature. In the great majority of cases, the inoculation +can be distinctly proved. In very few can the possibility be denied. The +injury is inflicted in an instant. There is no contest, and before the +injured party can prepare to retaliate, the rabid dog is far away.<br> +<br> +It can easily be believed that when a favourite dog has, but for a +moment, lagged behind, he may be bitten without the owner's knowledge or +suspicion. A spaniel belonging to a lady became rabid. The dog was her +companion in her grounds at her country residence, and it was rarely out +of her sight except for a few minutes in the morning, when the servant +took it out. She was not conscious of its having been bitten, and the +servant stoutly denied it. The animal died. A few weeks afterwards the +footman was taken ill. He was hydrophobous. In one of his intervals of +comparative quietude he confessed that, one morning, his charge had been +attacked and rolled over by another dog; that there was no appearance of +its having been bitten, but that it had been made sadly dirty, and he +had washed it before he suffered it again to go into the drawing-room. +The dog that attacked it must have been rabid, and some of his saliva +must have remained about the coat of the spaniel, by which the servant +was fatally inoculated.<br> +<br> +<a name="I228">Another</a> case of this fearful disease must not be passed over. A dog that +had been docile and attached to his master and mistress, was missing one +morning, and came home in the evening almost covered with dirt. He slunk +to his basket, and would pay no attention to any one. His owners thought +it rather strange, and I was sent for in the morning. He was lying on +the lap of his mistress, but was frequently shifting his posture, and +every now and then he started, as if he heard some strange sound. I +immediately told them what was the matter, and besought them to place +him in another and secure room. He had been licking both their hands. I +was compelled to tell them at once what was the nature of the case, and +besought them to send at once for their surgeon. They were perfectly +angry at my nonsense, as they called it, and I took my leave, but went +immediately to their medical man, and told him what was the real state +of the case. He called, as it were accidentally, a little while +afterwards, and I was not far behind him. The surgeon did his duty, and +they escaped.<br> +<br> +<a name="I229">In</a> May, 1820, I attended on a bitch at Pimlico. She had snapped at the +owner, bitten the man-servant and several dogs, was eagerly watching +imaginary objects, and had the peculiar rabid howl. I offered her water. +She started back with a strange expression of horror, and fell into +violent convulsions that lasted about a minute. This was repeated a +little while afterwards, and with the same result. She was destroyed.<br> +<br> +The horrible spasms of the human being at the sight of, or the attempt +to swallow, fluids occur sufficiently often to prove the identity of the +disease in the biped and the quadruped; but not in one in fifty cases is +there, in the dog, the slightest reluctance to liquids, or difficulty in +swallowing them.<br> +<br> +<a name="I290">In</a> almost every case in which the dog utters any sound during the +disease, there is a manifest change of voice. In the dog labouring under +ferocious madness, it is perfectly characteristic. There is no other +sound that it resembles. The animal is generally standing, or +occasionally sitting, when the singular sound is heard. The muzzle is +always elevated. The commencement is that of a perfect bark, ending +abruptly and very singularly, in a howl, a fifth, sixth, or eighth +higher than at the commencement. Dogs are often enough heard howling, +but in this case it is the perfect bark, and the perfect howl rapidly +succeeding to the bark.<br> +<br> +Every sound uttered by the rabid dog is more or less changed. The +huntsman, who knows the voice of every dog in his pack, occasionally +hears a strange challenge. He immediately finds out that dog, and puts +him, as quickly as possible, under confinement. Two or three days may +pass over, and there is not another suspicious circumstance about the +animal; still he keeps him under quarantine, for long experience has +taught him to listen to that warning. At length the disease is manifest +in its most fearful form.<br> +<br> +There is another partial change of voice, to which the ear of the +practitioner will, by degrees, become habituated, and which will +indicate a change in the state of the animal quite as dangerous as the +dismal howl; I mean when there is a hoarse inward bark, with a slight +but characteristic elevation of the tone. In other cases, after two or +three distinct barks, will come the peculiar one mingled with the howl. +Both of them will terminate fatally, and in both of them the rabid howl +cannot possibly be mistaken.<br> +<br> +There is a singular brightness in the eye of the rabid dog, but it does +not last more than two or three days. It then becomes dull and wasted; a +cloudiness steals over the conjunctiva, which changes to a yellow tinge, +and then to a dark green, indicative of ulceration deeply seated within +the eye. In eight and forty hours from the first clouding of the eye, it +becomes one disorganised mass.<br> +<br> +There is in the rabid dog a strange embarrassment of general +sensibility — a seemingly total loss of feeling.<br> +<br> +Absence of pain in the bitten part is an almost invariable accompaniment +of rabies. I have known a dog set to work, and gnaw and tear the flesh +completely away from his legs and feet. At other times the penis is +perfectly demolished from the very base. Ellis in his <i>Shepherd's Sure +Guide</i>, asserts, that, however severely a mad dog is beaten, a cry is +never forced from him. I am certain of the truth of this, for I have +again and again failed in extracting that cry. Ellis tells that at the +kennel at Goddesden, some of the grooms heated a poker red hot, and +holding it near the mad hound's mouth, he most greedily seized it, and +kept it until the mouth was most dreadfully burned.<br> +<br> +In the great majority of cases of furious madness, and in almost every +case of dumb madness, there is evident affection of the lumbar portion +of the spinal cord. There is a staggering gait, not indicative of +general weakness, but referable to the hind quarters alone, and +indicating an affection of the lumbar motor nerve. In a few cases it +approaches more to a general paralytic affection.<br> +<br> +In the very earliest period of rabies, the person accustomed to dogs +will detect the existence of the disease.<br> +<br> +The animal follows the flight, as has been already stated, of various +imaginary objects. I have often watched the changing countenance of the +rabid dog when he has been lost to every surrounding object. I have seen +the brightening countenance and the wagging tail as some pleasing vision +has passed before him; but, oftener has the countenance indicated the +mingled dislike and fear with which the intruder was regarded. As soon +as the phantom came within the proper distance he darted on it with true +rabid violence.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I230">spaniel</a>, seemingly at play, snapped, in the morning, at the feet of +several persons. In the evening he bit his master, his master's friend, +and another dog. The old habits of obedience and affection then +returned. His master, most strangely, did not suspect the truth, and +brought the animal to me to be examined. The animal was, as I had often +seen him, perfectly docile and eager to be caressed. At my suggestion, +or rather entreaty, he was left with me. On the following morning the +disease was plain enough, and on the following day he died. A +<i>post-mortem</i> examination took place, and proved that he was +unequivocally rabid.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I231">lady</a> would nurse her dog, after I had declared it to be rabid, and +when he was dangerous to every one but herself, and even to her from the +saliva which he plentifully scattered about. At length he darted at +every one that entered the room, until a footman keeping the animal at +bay with the poker, the husband of the lady dragged her from the room. +The noise that the dog made was then terrific, and he almost gnawed his +way through the door. At midnight his violence nearly ceased, and the +door was partially opened. He was staggering and falling about, with +every limb violently agitated. At the entreaty of the lady, a servant +ventured in to make a kind of bed for him. The dog suddenly darted at +him, and dropped and died.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I232">terrier</a>, ten years old, had been ill, and refused all food for three +days. On the fourth day he bit a cat of which he had been unusually +fond, and he likewise bit three dogs. I was requested to see him. I +found him loose in the kitchen, and at first refused to go in, but, +after observing him for a minute or two, I thought that I might venture. +He had a peculiarly wild and eager look, and turned sharply round at the +least noise. He often watched the flight of some imaginary object, and +pursued with the utmost fury every fly that he saw. He searchingly +sniffed about the room, and examined my legs with an eagerness that made +me absolutely tremble. His quarrel with the cat had been made up, and +when he was not otherwise employed he was eagerly licking her and her +kittens. In the excess or derangement of his fondness, he fairly rolled +them from one end of the kitchen to another. With difficulty I induced +his master to permit me to destroy him.<br> +<br> +<a name="I233">It</a> is not every dog, that in the most aggravated state of the disease +shows a disposition to bite. The finest Newfoundland dog that I ever saw +became rabid. He had been bitten by a cur, and was supposed to have been +thoroughly examined in the country. No wound, however, was found: the +circumstance was almost forgotten, and he came up to the metropolis with +his master. He became dull, disinclined to play, and refused all food. +He was continually watching imaginary objects, but he did not snap at +them. There was no howl, nor any disposition to bite. He offered himself +to be caressed, and he was not satisfied except he was shaken by the +paw. On the second day I saw him. He watched every passing object with +peculiar anxiety, and followed with deep attention the motions of a +horse, his old acquaintance; but he made no effort to escape, nor +evinced any disposition to do mischief. I went to him, and patted and +coaxed him, and he told me as plainly as looks and actions, and a +somewhat deepened whine could express it, how much he was gratified. I +saw him on the third day. He was evidently dying. He could not crawl +even to the door of his temporary kennel; but he pushed forward his paw +a little way, and, as I shook it, I felt the tetanic muscular action +which accompanies the departure of life.<br> +<br> +On the other hand there are rabid dogs whose ferocity knows no bounds. +If they are threatened with a stick, they fly at, and seize it, and +furiously shake it. They are incessantly employed in darting to the end +of their chain, and attempting to crush it with their teeth, and tearing +to pieces their kennel, or the wood work that is within their reach. +They are regardless of pain. The canine teeth, the incisor teeth are +torn away; yet, unwearied and insensible to suffering, they continue +their efforts to escape. A dog was chained near a kitchen fire. He was +incessant in his endeavours to escape, and, when he found that he could +not effect it, he seized, in his impotent rage, the burning coals as +they fell, and crushed them with his teeth.<br> +<br> +If by chance a dog in this state effects his escape, he wanders over the +country bent on destruction. He attacks both the quadruped and the +biped. He seeks the village street, or the more crowded one of the town, +and he suffers no dog to escape him. The horse is his frequent prey, and +the human being is not always safe from his attack. A <a name="I234">rabid</a> dog running +down Park-lane, in 1825, bit no fewer than five horses, and fully as +many dogs. He was seen to steal treacherously upon some of his victims, +and inflict the fatal wound. Sometimes he seeks the more distant +pasturage. He gets among the sheep, and more than forty have been +fatally inoculated in one night. A rabid dog attacked a herd of cows, +and five-and-twenty of them fell victims. In July, 1813, a mad dog broke +into the menagerie of the Duchess of York, at Oatlands, and although the +palisades that divided the different compartments of the menagerie were +full six feet in height, and difficult, or apparently almost impossible +to climb, he was found asleep in one of them, and it was clearly +ascertained that he had bitten at least ten of the dogs.<br> +<br> +At length the rabid dog becomes completely exhausted, and slowly reels +along the road with his tail depressed, seemingly half unconscious of +surrounding objects. His open mouth, and protruding and blackened +tongue, and rolling gait sufficiently characterise him. He creeps into +some sheltered place and then he sleeps twelve hours or more. It is +dangerous to disturb his slumbers, for his desire to do mischief +immediately returns, and the slightest touch, or attempt to caress him, +is repaid by a fatal wound. This should be a caution never to meddle +with a sleeping dog in a way-side house, and, indeed, never to disturb +him anywhere.<br> +<br> +In an early period of the disease in some dogs, and in others when the +strength of the animal is nearly worn away, a peculiar paralysis of the +muscles of the tongue and jaws is seen. The mouth is partially open, and +the tongue protruding. In some cases the dog is able to close his mouth +by a sudden and violent effort, and is as ferocious and as dangerous as +one the muscles of whose face are unaffected. At other times the palsy +is complete, and the animal is unable to close his mouth or retract his +tongue. These latter cases, however, are rare.<br> +<br> +A dog must not be immediately condemned because he has this open mouth +and fixed jaw. Bones constitute a frequent and a considerable portion of +the food of dogs. In the eagerness with which these bones are crushed, +spicula or large pieces of them become wedged between the molar teeth, +and form an inseparable obstacle to the closing of the teeth. The tongue +partially protrudes. There is a constant discharge of saliva from the +mouth, far greater than when the true paralysis exists. The dog is +continually fighting at the corners of his mouth, and the countenance is +expressive of intense anxiety, although not of the same irritable +character as in rabies.<br> +<br> +I was once requested to meet a medical gentleman in consultation +respecting a supposed case of rabies. There was protrusion and +discoloration of the tongue, and fighting at the corners of the mouth, +and intense anxiety of countenance. He had been in this state for +four-and-twenty hours. This was a case in which I should possibly have +been deceived had it been the first dog that I had seen with dumb +madness. After having tested a little the ferocity or manageableness of +the animal, I passed my hand along the outside of the jaws, and felt a +bone wedged between two of the grinders. The forceps soon set all right +with him.<br> +<br> +It is <a name="I235">time</a> to inquire more strictly into the <i>post-mortem</i> +appearances of rabies in the dog.<br> +<br> +In dumb madness the unfailing accompaniment is, to a greater or less +degree, paralysis of the muscles of the lower jaw, and the tongue is +discoloured and swollen, and hanging from the mouth; more blood than +usual also is deposited in the anterior and inferior portion of it. Its +colour varies from a dark red to a dingy purple, or almost black. In +ferocious madness it is usually torn and bruised, or it is discoloured +by the dirt and filth with which it has been brought into contact, and, +not unfrequently, its anterior portion is coated with some disgusting +matter. The papillæ, or small projections on the back of the tongue, +are elongated and widened, and their mucous covering evidently reddened. +The orifices of the glands of the tongue are frequently enlarged, +particularly as they run their course along the frœnum of the tongue.<br> +<br> +The fauces, situated at the posterior part of the mouth, generally +exhibit traces of inflammation. They appear in the majority of cases of +ferocious madness, and they are never deficient after dumb madness. They +are usually most intense either towards the palatine arch or the larynx. +Sometimes an inflammatory character is diffused through its whole +extent, but occasionally it is more or less intense towards one or both +of the terminations of the fauces, while the intermediate portion +retains nearly its healthy hue.<br> +<br> +There is one circumstance of not unfrequent occurrence, which will at +once decide the case — the presence of indigestible matter, probably +small in quantity, in the back part of the mouth. This speaks volumes as +to the depraved appetite of the patient, and the loss of power in the +muscles of the pharynx.<br> +<br> +Little will depend on the tonsils of the throat. They occasionally +enlarge to more than double their usual size; but this is more in quiet +than in ferocious madness. The insatiable thirst of the rabid dog is +perhaps connected with this condition of them.<br> +<br> +The epiglottis should be very carefully observed. It is more or less +injected in every case of rabies. Numerous vessels increase in size and +multiply round its edge, and there is considerable injection and +thickening.<br> +<br> +Inflammation of the edges of the glottis, and particularly of the +membrane which covers its margin, is often seen, and accounts for the +harsh guttural breathing which frequently accompanies dumb madness. The +inflammatory blush of the larynx, though often existing in a very slight +degree, deserves considerable attention.<br> +<br> +The appearances in the trachea are very uncertain. There is occasionally +the greatest intensity of inflammation through the whole of it; at other +times there is not the slightest appearance of it. There is the same +uncertainty with regard to the bronchial tubes and the lungs; but there +is no characteristic symptom or lesion in the lungs.<br> +<br> +Great stress has been laid on the appearance of the heart; but, +generally speaking, in nine cases out of ten, the heart of the rabid dog +will exhibit no other symptoms of disease than an increased yet variable +deepness of colour in the lining membrane of the ventricles. +No +dependence can be placed on any of the appearances of the œsophagus; +and, when they are at the worst, the inflammation occupies only a +portion of that tube.<br> +<br> +With regard to the interior of the stomach, if the dog has been dead +only a few hours the true inflammatory blush will remain. If +four-and-twenty hours have elapsed, the bright red colour will have +changed to a darker red, or a violet or a brownish hue. In a few hours +after this, a process of corrosion will generally commence, and the +mucous membrane will be softened and rendered thinner, and, to a certain +extent, eaten through. The examiner, however, must not attribute that to +disease which is the natural process of the cession of life.<br> +<br> +Much attention should be paid to the appearance of the stomach and its +contents. If it contains a strange mingled mass of hair, and hay, and +straw, and horse-dung, and earth, or portions of the bed on which the +dog had lain, we should seldom err if we affirmed that he died rabid; +for it is only under the influence of the depraved appetite of rabies +that such substances are devoured. It is not the presence of every kind +of extraneous substance that will be satisfactory: pieces of coal, or +wood, or even the filthiest matter, will not justify us in pronouncing +the animal to be rabid; it is that peculiarly mingled mass of straw, and +hair, and filth of various kinds, that must indicate the existence of +rabies.<br> +<br> +When there are no solid indigesta, but a fluid composed principally of +vitiated bile or extravasated blood, there will be a strong indication +of the presence of rabies. When, also, there are in the duodenum and +jejunum small portions of indigesta, the detection of the least quantity +will be decisive. The remainder has been ejected by vomit; and inquiry +should be made of the nature of the matter that has been discharged.<br> +<br> +<a name="I164">The</a> inflammation of rabies is of a peculiar character in the stomach. It +is generally confined to the summits of the folds of the stomach, or it +is most intense there. On the summits of the rugæ there are effusions +of bloody matter, or spots of ecchymosis, presenting an appearance +almost like crushed black currants. There may be only a few of them; but +they are indications of the evil that has been effected.<br> +<br> +From appearances that present themselves in the intestines, the bladder, +the blood-vessels, or the brain, no conclusion can be drawn; they are +simply indications of inflammation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I236">We</a> now rapidly, and for a little while, retrace our steps. What is the +cause of this fatal disease, that has so long occupied our attention? It +is the saliva of a rabid animal received into a wound, or on an abraded +surface. In horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and the human being, it is +caused by inoculation alone; but, according to some persons, it is +produced spontaneously in other animals.<br> +<br> +I will suppose that a wound by a rabid dog is inflicted. The virus is +deposited on or near its surface, and there it remains for a certain +indefinite period of time. The wound generally heals up kindly; in fact, +it differs in no respect from a similar wound inflicted by the teeth of +an animal in perfect health. Weeks and months, in some cases, pass on, +and there is nothing to indicate danger, until a degree of itching in +the cicatrix of the wound is felt. From its long-continued presence as a +foreign body, it may have rendered the tissue, or nervous fibre +connected with it, irritable and susceptible of impression, or it may +have attracted and assimilated to itself certain elements, and rabies is +produced.<br> +<br> +The virus does not appear to have the same effect on every animal. Of +four dogs bitten by, or inoculated from, one that is rabid, three, +perhaps, would display every symptom of the disease. Of four human +beings, not more than one would become rabid. John Hunter used to say +not more than one in twenty; but that is probably erroneous. Cattle +appear to have a greater chance of escape, and sheep a still greater +chance.<br> +<br> +The <a name="I237">time</a> of incubation is different in different animals. With regard to +the human being, there are various strange and contradictory stories. +Some have asserted that it has appeared on the very day on which the +bite was inflicted, or within two or three days of that time. Dr. +Bardsley, on the other hand, relates a case in which twelve years +elapsed between the bite and the disease. If the virus may lurk so long +as this in the constitution, it is a most lamentable affair. According +to one account, more than thirty years intervened. The usual time +extends from three weeks to six or seven months.<br> +<br> +In the dog I have never seen a case in which plain and palpable rabies +occurred in less than fourteen days after the bite. The average time I +should calculate at five or six weeks. In three months I should consider +the animal as tolerably safe. I am, however, relating my own experience, +and have known but two instances in which the period much exceeded three +months. In one of these five months elapsed, and the other did not +become affected until after the expiration of the seventh month.<br> +<br> +The quality and the quantity of the virus may have something to do with +this, and so may the predisposition in the bitten animal to be affected +by the poison. If it is connected with œstrum, the bitch will probably +become a disgusting, as well as dangerous animal; if with parturition, +there is a strange perversion of maternal affection — she is incessantly +and violently licking her young, continually shifting them from place to +place; and, in less than four-and-twenty hours, they will be destroyed +by the reckless manner in which they are treated. In both cases the +development of the disease seems to wait on the completion of her time +of pregnancy. It appears in the space of two months after the bite, if +her parturition is near at hand, or it is delayed for double that time, +if the period of labour is so far distant.<br> +<br> +The duration of the disease is different in different animals. In man it +has run its course in twenty-four hours, and rarely exceeds seventy-two. +In the horse from three to four days; in the sheep and ox from five to +seven; and in the dog from four to six.<br> +<br> +Of <a name="I238">the</a> real nature of the rabid virus, we know but little. It has never +been analysed, and it would be a difficult process to analyse it. It is +not diffused by the air, nor communicated by the breath, nor even by +actual contact, if the skin is sound. It must be received into a wound. +It must come in contact with some tissue or nervous fibre, and lie +dormant there for a considerable, but uncertain period. The absorbents +remove everything around; whatever else is useless, or would he +injurious, is taken away, but this strange substance is unchanged. It +does not enter into the circulation, for there it would undergo some +modification and change, or would be rejected. It lies for a time +absolutely dormant, and far longer than any other known poison; but, at +length, the tissue on which it has lain begins to render it somewhat +sensible, and assimilates to itself certain elements. The cicatrix +begins to be painful, and inflammation spreads around. The absorbents +are called into more powerful action; they begin to attack the virus +itself, and a portion of it is taken up, and carried into the +circulation, and acquires the property of assimilating other secretions +to its own nature, or it is determined to one of the secretions only; it +alters the character of that secretion, envenoms it, and gives it the +power of propagating the disease.<br> +<br> +Something like this is the history of many animal poisons. In variola +and the vaccine disease the poison is determined to the skin, in +glanders to the Schneiderian membrane, and in farcy to the superficial +absorbents. Each in its turn becomes the depôt of the poison. So it is +with the salivary glands of the rabid animal; in them it is formed, or +to them it is determined, and from them, and them alone, it is +communicated to other animals.<br> +<br> +<a name="I93">Professor</a> Dick, in his valuable <i>Manual of Veterinary Science</i>, states +some peculiar views, and those highly interesting, respecting the +disease of rabies. He holds it to be essentially an inflammatory +affection, attacking peculiarly the mucous membrane of the nose, and +extending thence through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bones to +the interior part of the brain, and so giving rise to a derangement of +the nervous system as a necessary consequence. This train of symptoms +constitutes mainly, if not wholly, the essence of an occasional epidemic +not unlike some forms of influenza or epizootic disease, and the bite of +a rabid animal is not always, to an animal so bitten, the exciting cause +of the disease, but merely an accidental concomitant in the prevailing +disorder. Also the disease hydrophobia, produced in man, is not always +the result of any poison introduced into his system, but merely the +melancholy, and often fatal result of panic fear, and of the disordered +slate of the imagination. Those who are acquainted with the effects of +sympathy, and imitation, and panic, in the production of nervous +disorders, will readily apprehend the meaning of the Professor.<br> +<br> +Some of these diseases speedily run their course and exhaust themselves. +Cowpox and farcy, in many instances, have this character. Perhaps, to a +certain degree, this may be affirmed of all of them. I have seen cases, +which I could not mistake, in which the symptoms of rabies were one +after another developed. The dog was plainly and undeniably rabid, and I +had given him up as lost; but, after a certain period, the symptoms +began to be less distinct; they gradually disappeared, and the animal +returned to perfect health. This may have formed one ground of belief in +the power of certain medicines, and most assuredly it gives +encouragement to perseverance in the use of remedial measures.<br> +<br> +It has then been proved, and I hope demonstratively, that rabies is +propagated by inoculation. It has also been established that although +every animal labouring under this disease is capable of communicating +it, yet, with very few exceptions, it can be traced to the bite of the +dog. <a name="I239">It</a> has still further been shown that the malady, generally appears +at some period between the third and seventh month from the time of +inoculation. At the expiration of the eighth month, the animal may be +considered to be safe; for there is only one acknowledged case on +record, in which the disease appeared in the dog after the seventh month +from the bite had passed.<br> +<br> +<a name="I348">Then</a> it would appear that if a species of quarantine could be +established, and every dog confined separately for eight months, the +disease would be annihilated in our country, or could only reappear in +consequence of the importation of some infected animal. Such a course of +proceeding, however, could never be enforced either in the sporting +world or among the peasantry. Other measures, however, might be resorted +to in order to lessen the devastations of this malady; and that which +first presents itself to the mind as a powerful cause of rabies is the +number of useless and dangerous dogs that are kept in the country for +the most nefarious and, in the neighbourhood of considerable towns, the +most brutal purposes; without the slightest hesitation, I will affirm +that rabies is propagated, nineteen times out of twenty, by the cur and +the lurcher in the country, and the fighting-dog in towns.<br> +<br> +A tax should be laid on every useless dog, and doubly or trebly heavier +than on the sporting-dog. No dog except the shepherd's should be exempt +from this tax, unless, perhaps, it is the truck-dog, and his owner +should be compelled to take out a license; to have his name in large +letters on his cart; and he should be heavily fined if the animal is +found loose in the streets, or if he is used for fighting.<br> +<br> +The disease is rarely propagated by petted and house-dogs They are +little exposed to the danger of inoculation; yet, we pity, or almost +detest, the folly of those by whom their favourites are indulged, and +spoiled even more than their children.<br> +<br> +<a name="I248">We</a> will now suppose that a person has had the misfortune to be bitten by +a rabid dog: what course is he to pursue? What preventive means are to +be adopted? Some persons, and of no mean standing in the medical world, +have recommended a ligature. The reply would be, that this ligature must +be worn during a very inconvenient and dangerous period of time. The +virus lies in the wound inert during many successive weeks and months.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr82">Dr</a>. Haygarth first suggested that a long-continued stream of warm water +should be poured upon the wound from the mouth of a kettle. He says that +the poison exists in a fluid form, and therefore we should suppose that +water would be its natural solvent. Dr. Massey adds to this, that if the +wound is small, it should be dilated, in order that the stream may +descend on the part on which the poison is deposited. We are far, +however, from being certain that this falling of water on the part, may +not by possibility force a portion of the virus farther into the +texture, or cause it to be entangled with other parts of the wound<a href="#f82"><sup>2</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +There is a similar or stronger objection to the cupping-glass of Dr. +Barry. The virus, forced from the texture with which it lies in contact +by the rush of blood from the substance beneath, is too likely to +inoculate, or become entangled with, other parts of the wound.<br> +<br> +There is great objection to suction of the wound; for, in addition to +this possible entanglement, the lips, or the mouth, may have been +abraded, and thus the danger considerably aggravated. There also remains +the undecided question as to the absorption of the virus through the +medium of a mucous surface.<br> +<br> +Excision of the part is the mode of prevention usually adopted by the +human surgeon, and to a certain extent it is a judicious practice. If +the virus is not received into the circulation, but lies dormant in the +wound for a considerable time, the disease cannot supervene if the +inoculated part is destroyed.<br> +<br> +This operation, however, demands greater skill and tact than is +generally supposed. It requires a determination fully to accomplish the +desired object; for every portion of the wound with which the tooth +could possibly have come into contact, must be removed. This is often +exceedingly difficult to accomplish, on account of the situation and +direction of the wound. The knife must not enter the wound, or it will +be likely to be itself empoisoned, and then the mischief and the danger +will be increased instead of removed. Dr. Massey was convinced of the +impropriety of this when he advised that, + +<blockquote>"should the knife by chance +enter the wound that had been made by the dog's tooth, the operation +should be recommenced with a clean knife, otherwise the sound parts will +become inoculated."</blockquote> + +If the incision is made freely and properly round the wound, and does +not penetrate into it, yet the blood will follow the knife, and a +portion of it will enter into the wound caused by the dog, and will come +in contact with the virus, and will probably be contaminated, and will +then overflow the original wound, and will be received into the new +incision, and will carry with it the seeds of disease and death: +therefore it is, that scarcely a year passes without some lamentable +instances of the failure of incisions. It has occurred in the practice +of the most eminent surgeons, and seems scarcely or not all to impeach +the skill of the operator.<br> +<br> +Aware of this, there are very few human practitioners who do not use the +caustic after the knife. Every portion of the new wound is submitted to +its influence. They do not consider the patient to be safe without this +second operation. But has the question never occurred to them, that if +the caustic is necessary to give security to the operation by incision, +the knife might have been spared, and the caustic alone used?<br> +<br> +The veterinary surgeon, when operating on the horse, or cattle, or the +dog, frequently has recourse to the actual cautery. I could, perhaps, +excuse this practice, although I would not adopt it, in superficial +wounds; but I do not know the instrument that could be safely used in +deeper ones. If it were sufficiently small to adapt itself to the +tortuous course of little wounds, it would be cooled and inert before it +could have destroyed the lower portions of them. If it were of +sufficient substance long to retain the heat, it would make a large and +fearful chasm, and probably interfere with the future usefulness of the +animal. The result of the cases in which the cautery has been used +proves that in too many instances it is an inefficient protection. The +rabid dog in Park Lane has already been mentioned. He bit several horses +before he could be destroyed. Caustic was applied to one of them, and +the hot iron to the others. The first was saved, almost all the others +were lost. A similar case occurred last spring; the caustic was an +efficacious preventive; the cautery was perfectly useless. What caustic +then should be applied? Certainly not that to which the surgeon usually +has recourse — a liquid one. Certainly not one that speedily deliquesces; +for they are both unmanageable, and, what is a more important +consideration, they may hold in solution, and not decompose the poison, +and thus inoculate the whole of the wound. <a name="I176">The</a> application which +promises to be successful, is that of the <i>lunar caustic</i>. It is +perfectly manageable, and, being sharpened to a point, may be applied +with certainty to every recess and sinuosity of the wound.<br> +<br> +Potash and nitric acid form a caustic which will destroy the substances +with which they come in contact, but the combination of this caustic and +the animal fibre will be a soft or semi-fluid mass. In this the virus is +suspended, and with this it lies or may be precipitated upon the living +fibre beneath. Then there is danger of re-inoculation; and it would seem +that this fatal process is often accomplished. The eschar formed by the +lunar caustic is dry, hard, and insoluble. If the whole of the wound has +been fairly exposed to its action, an insoluble compound of animal fibre +and the metallic salt is produced, in which the virus is wrapped up, and +from which it cannot be separated. In a short time the dead matter +sloughs away, and the virus is thrown off with it.<br> +<br> +Previous to applying the caustic it will sometimes be necessary to +enlarge the wound, in order that every part may be fairly got at; and +the eschar having sloughed off, it will always be prudent to apply the +caustic a second time, but more slightly, in order to destroy any part +that may not have received the full influence of the first operation, or +that, by possibility, might have been inoculated during the operation.<br> +<br> +Mr. Smerdon, in the <i>Medical and Physical Journal</i>, March 1820, thus +reasons: + +<blockquote>"All the morbid poisons that require to lie dormant a certain +time before their effects are manifested, pass into the system through +the medium of the absorbents," (we somewhat differ from Mr. Smerdon +here, but his reasoning is equally applicable to the nervous system,) +"and if the absorbents are excited, their action is increased. I am +satisfied that even in a venereal sore the application of a caustic, +instead of destroying the disease, causes its rapid extension. Then," +asks he, "if the virus on a small venereal sore is rendered more active +by the caustic, is it not highly probable that the same law holds good +with respect to the poison of rabies?"</blockquote> + +The sooner the caustic is applied the better; but I should not hesitate +to have recourse to it even after the constitution has become affected. +It is <a name="I240">related</a> in the <i>Medico-Chirurgical Annals</i> of Altenburg (Sept. +1821), that two men were bitten by a rabid dog. One became hydrophobous +and died; the other had evident symptoms of hydrophobia a few days +afterwards. A surgeon excised the bitten part, and the disease +disappeared. After a period of six days the symptoms returned. The wound +was examined; considerable fungus was found sprouting from its bottom. +This was extirpated. The hydrophobia symptoms were again removed, and +the man did well. This is a most instructive case.<br> +<br> +In <a name="I241">the</a> <i>Journal Pratique de Médecine Vétérinaire</i>, M. Damalix gives an +interesting account of the effect of a bite of a rabid dog on a horse. +On the 8th of July, 1828, a fowl-merchant, proceeding to the market of +Colmar, was attacked by a dog, who, after some fruitless efforts to get +into the cart, bit the horse on the left side of the face, and fled +precipitately. A veterinary surgeon was sent for, who applied the +cautery to the horse, gave him some populeum ointment, and bled him. +Everything appeared to go on well, and on the 16th the wounds were +healed.<br> +<br> +On the 25th a great alteration took place. The horse was careless and +slow; he sometimes refused to go at all, and would not attend in the +least to the whip, which had never occurred before. In the evening the +wounds opened spontaneously, an ichorous and infectious pus run from +them; there was salivation and utter loss of appetite: strange fancies +seemed to possess him; he showed a desire to bite his master. The +veterinary surgeon might approach him with safety; but the moment his +owner or the children appeared, he darted at them, and would have torn +them in pieces. The disease now took on the appearance of acute +glanders; livid and fungous wounds broke out; the stable was saturated +with an infectious smell, the horse refused his food, or was unable to +eat. The mayor at last interfered, and the animal was destroyed. In the +<i>Treatises on The Horse, Cattle, and Sheep</i>, in former volumes, accounts +are fully given of this dreadful malady in these animals. It may not be +uninteresting to give a hasty sketch of it in some of the inferior +classes.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I242">Rabies</a> in the Rabbit.</i> — I very much regret that I never instituted +a course of experiments on the production and treatment of rabies in +this animal. It would have been attended with little expense or danger, +and some important discoveries might have been made. Mr. Earle, in a case +in which he was much interested, inoculated two rabbits with the saliva +of a dog that had died rabid. They were punctured at the root of the +ears. One of the rabbits speedily became inflamed about the ears, and +the ears were paralysed in both rabbits. The head swelled very much, and +extensive inflammation took place around the part where the virus was +inserted. One of them died without exhibiting any of the usual symptoms +of the disease; the other, after a long convalescence, survived, and +eventually recovered the use of his ears. Mr. Earle very properly +doubted whether this was a case of rabies.<br> +<br> +Dr. Capello describes, but in not so satisfactory a manner as could be +wished, a case of supposed rabies in one of these animals. A rabbit and +a dog lived together in a family. They were strange associates; but such +friendships are not unfrequent among animals. The dog became rabid, and +died. A man bitten by that dog became hydrophobous, and died. No one +dreamed of the rabbit being in danger, and he ran about the house as +usual; but, one day, he found his way to the chamber of the mistress of +the house, with a great deal of viscid saliva running from his mouth, +furiously attacked her, and left the marks of his violence on her leg. +He then ran into a neighbouring stable, and bit the hind-legs of a horse +several times. Finally, he retreated to a corner of the stable, and was +there found dead. Neither the lady nor the horse eventually suffered.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I243">Rabies</a> in the Guinea-pig</i>. — A man suspected of being hydrophobous +was taken to the Middlesex Hospital. He was examined before several of +the medical students; one of whom, in order to make more sure of the +affair, inoculated a guinea-pig with the saliva taken from the man's +mouth. The guinea-pig had been usually very playful, and fond of being +noticed; but, on the eleventh day after this inoculation, he began to be +dull and sullen, retiring into his house, and hiding himself as much as +he could in a corner. On the following day he became out of temper, and +even ferocious in his way; he bit at everything that was presented to +him, gnawed his cage, and made the most determined efforts to escape. +Once or twice his violence induced convulsions of his whole frame; and +they might be produced at pleasure by dashing a little water at him. In +the course of the night following he died.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I244">Rabies</a> in the Cat</i>. — Fortunately for us, this does not often +occur; for a mad cat is a truly ferocious animal. I have seen two cases, +one of them to my cost; yet, I am unable to give any satisfactory +account of the progress of the disease. The first stage seems to be one +of sullenness, and which would probably last to death; but from that +sullenness it is dangerous to rouse the animal. It probably would not, +except in the paroxysm of rage, attack any one; but during that paroxysm +it knows no fear, nor has its ferocity any bounds.<br> +<br> +A cat, that had been the inhabitant of a nursery, and the playmate of +the children, had all at once become sullen and ill-tempered. It had +taken refuge in an upper room, and could not be coaxed from the corner +in which it had crouched. It was nearly dark when I went. I saw the +horrible glare of her eyes, but I could not see so much of her as I +wished, and I said that I would call again in the morning.<br> +<br> +I found the patient, on the following day, precisely in the same +situation and the same attitude, crouched up in a corner, and ready to +spring. I was very much interested in the case; and as I wanted to study +the countenance of this demon, for she looked like one, I was foolishly, +inexcusably imprudent. I went on my hands and knees, and brought my face +nearly on a level with hers, and gazed on those glaring eyes, and that +horrible countenance, until I seemed to feel the deathly influence of a +spell stealing over me. I was not afraid, but every mental and bodily +power was in a manner suspended. My countenance, perhaps, alarmed her, +for she sprang on me, fastened herself on my face, and bit through both +my lips. She then darted down stairs, and, I believe, was never seen +again. I always have nitrate of silver in my pocket, even now I am never +without it; I washed myself, and applied the caustic with some severity +to the wound; and my medical adviser and valued friend, Mr. Millington, +punished me still more after I got home. My object was attained, +although at somewhat too much cost, for the expression of that brute's +countenance will never be forgotten.<br> +<br> +The later symptoms of rabies in this animal, no one, perhaps, has had +the opportunity of observing: we witness only the sullenness and the +ferocity.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I245">Rabies</a> in the Fowl</i>. — Dr. Ashburner and Mr. King inoculated a hen +with the saliva from a rabid cow. They made two incisions through the +integument, under the wings, and then well rubbed into these cuts the +foam taken from the cow's mouth. She was after this let loose among +other fowls in the poultry-yard. The incisions soon healed, and their +places could with difficulty be discovered. Ten weeks passed over, when +she was observed to refuse her food, and to run at the other fowls. She +had a strange wild appearance, and her eyes were blood-shot. Early on +the following morning her legs became contracted, so that she very soon +lost the power of standing upright. She remained sitting a long time, +with the legs rigid, refusing food and water, and appearing very +irritable when touched. She died in the evening, immediately after +drinking a large quantity of water which had been offered to her.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I246">Rabies</a> in the Badger</i>. — Hufeland, in his valuable <i>Journal of +Practical Medicine</i>, relates a case of a rabid female badger attacking +two boys. She bit them both, but she fastened on the thigh of one of +them, and was destroyed in the act of sucking his blood. The poor fellow +died hydrophobous, but the other escaped. This fact, certainly, gives us +no idea of the general character of the disease in this animal; but it +speaks volumes as to its ferocity.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I247">Rabies</a> in the Wolf</i>. — Rabies is ushered in by nearly the same +symptoms, and pursues the same course in the wolf us in the dog, with +this difference, which would be readily expected, that his ferocity and +the mischief which he accomplishes are much greater. The dog hunts out +his own species, and his fury is principally directed against them; +although, if he meets with a flock of sheep, or a herd of cattle, he +readily attacks them, and, perhaps, bites the greater part of them. The +dog, however, frequently turns out of his way to avoid the human being, +and seldom attacks him without provocation. The wolf, on the contrary, +although he commits fearful ravages among the sheep and cattle, searches +out the human being as his favorite prey. He conceals himself near the +entrance to the village, and steals upon and wounds every passenger that +he can get at. There are several accounts of more than twenty persons +having been bitten by one wolf; and there is a fearful history of +sixteen persons perishing from the bite of one of these animals. This is +in perfect agreement with the account which I have given of the +connexion between the previous temper and habits of the rabid dog, and +the mischief that he effects under the influence of this malady. The +wolf, as he wanders in the forest, regards the human being as his +persecutor and foe; and, in the paroxysm of rabid fury, he is most eager +to avenge himself on his natural enemy. Strange stories are told of the +arts to which he has recourse in order to accomplish his purpose. In the +great majority of cases he steals unawares upon his victim, and the +mischief is effected before the wood-cutter or the villager is conscious +of his danger.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr83">The</a> following observations and experiments respecting rabies, by Dr. +Hertwich, Professor at the Veterinary School at Berlin, are well worthy +of attention. +<ol type="1"> +<li>Out of fifty dogs that had been inoculated with virus taken from a +rabid animal of the same species, fourteen only were infected.</li> + +<li>In the cases where inoculation had been practised without effect, no +reason could be assigned why the disease should not have taken place. +This consequently proves that the malady is similar to others of a +contagious nature, and that there must exist a predisposition in the +individual to receive the disease before it can occur. In one +experiment, a mastiff dog, aged four years, was inoculated without +exhibiting any symptoms of the malady, while seven others, who had been +inoculated at the same time and place, soon became rabid. Several of +these animals had been inoculated several times before any symptoms +showed themselves, while in others, on the contrary, once was +sufficient.</li> + +<li>It appears that in a state of doubtful rabies, one or two accidental +or artificial inoculations are not sufficient to create a negative proof +of its existence.</li> + +<li>This disease has never ben communicated to an individual from one +infected by means of the perspirable matter; this, therefore, is a proof +that the contagious part of the disease is not of a volatile nature.</li> + +<li>It does not only exist in the saliva and the mucus of the mouth, but +likewise in the blood and the parenchyma of the salivary glands; but not +in the pulpy substance of the nerves.</li> + +<li>The power of communicating infection is found to exist in all stages +of the confirmed disease, even twenty-four hours after the decease of +the rabid animal.</li> + +<li>The morbid virus, when administered internally, appears to be +incapable of communicating this disease; inasmuch as of twenty dogs to +whom was given a certain quantity, not one exhibited the least symptom +of rabies.</li> + +<li>The application of the saliva upon recent wounds appears to have been +as often succeeded by confirmed rabies as when the dog had been bitten +by a rabid animal.</li> + +<li>It cannot now be doubled that the disease is produced by the wound +itself, as was supposed by M. Girard of Lyons, not by the fright of the +individual, according to the opinion of others, but only from the +absorption of the morbid virus from its surface.</li> + +<li>Several experiments have proved to me the little reliance there is +to be placed on the opinions of Baden and Capello, who believe that, in +those dogs who become rabid after the bite of an animal previously +attacked with this disease, the contagious properties of the saliva is +not continued, but only exists in those primarily bitten.</li> + +<li>During the period of incubation of the virus there are no morbid, +local, or general alterations of structure or function to be seen in the +infected animal; neither are there any vesicles to be perceived on the +inferior surface of the tongue, nor any previous symptoms which are +found in other contagious diseases.</li> + +<li><a name="I249">This</a> disease is generally at its height at the end of fifty days +after either artificial or accidental inoculation; and the author has +never known it to manifest itself at a later period.</li> + +<li>It is quite an erroneous idea to suppose that dogs in a state of +health are enabled to distinguish, at first sight, a rabid animal, +inasmuch as they never refuse their food when mixed with the secretions +of those infected<a href="#f83"><sup>3</sup></a>.</li> +</ol> +<a name="I250">The</a> following singular trial respecting the death of a child by +hydrophobia is worth quoting:<br> +<br> +<i>Jones v. Parry.</i> — The plaintiff is a labourer, who gets only +fourteen shillings a week to support himself and his family. The +defendant is his neighbour, and keeps a public-house. This was an action +brought by the plaintiff to recover damages against the defendant for +the loss of his son, who was bitten by the defendant's dog, and +afterwards became affected with rabies, of which disease he died.<br> +<br> +It appeared in the evidence that the defendant's dog had, some time ago, +been bitten by another dog; in consequence of which this dog was tied in +the cellar, but the length of the rope which was allowed him enabled him +to go to a considerable distance. The plaintiff's child knew the dog, +having often played with him when he was at large. Some time ago the +child crossed the street, near to the place where the dog was fastened, +who rushed out of the place in which he was confined to where the child +stood, sprung upon him, and bit him sadly in the face, and afterwards +violently shook him. The child being thus wounded, a surgeon was sent +for, who, after having dressed him, and attended him for a certain time, +gave directions that he should be taken to the sea-side, and bathed in +the salt water.<br> +<br> +This having been continued for some time, the child was brought home, +and, at the expiration of a month from the day on which he was bitten, +became evidently and strangely ill. The surgeon proved beyond all +shadow of doubt thai the child laboured under rabies; that he had the +never-failing symptoms of that dreadful affliction; and that a little +while before he expired, he even barked like a dog. The surgeon's charge +to the father for his attendance was<i>£1. 6s. 6d.</i>, which, together +with the charge of the undertaker for the funeral of the child, amounted +to between six and seven pounds. Application was made to the defendant +to defray this expense, which at first he expressed a willingness to +comply with, but afterwards refused; upon which this action was brought.<br> +<br> +After some time the defendant offered to pay the plaintiff the sum of +<i>£6. 3s. 6d.</i>, and the expense of the funeral and the surgeon, +provided the plaintiff would bear the expenses of the lawsuit, which he +was not in a condition to do, as probably it would amount to more than +that money. On this account, therefore, the action was now brought into +court. There was no proof that the defendant knew or suspected his dog +to be mad, previously to his attacking the boy; but an animal known to +have been bitten by a mad dog, ought either to have been at once +destroyed, or so secured that it was impossible for him to do mischief.<br> +<br> +Lord Kenyon observed to the jury, that this was one of those causes +which came home to the feelings of all, yet must not be carried farther +than justice demanded. A cause like this never, perhaps, before occurred +in a court of justice; but there had been many resembling it in point of +principle. If a dog, known to be ill-tempered and vicious, did any +person an injury without provocation, there could be no question that +the owner of the dog was answerable, in a court of justice, for the +injury inflicted. Here was a worse case. The dog by whom the child was +bitten had been attacked by another that was undeniably rabid. His +master was aware of this, and placed him in a state of partial +confinement — a confinement so lax, and so inefficient, that this poor +child had broken through it, and was bitten and died. What other people +would have done in such a situation he could not tell; but, if he were +asked what he would do, he answered, he certainly would kill the dog, +however much of a favourite he had been, because no atonement was within +the reach of his fortune to make to the injured party for such a +dreadful visitation of Providence as this. It was not enough for the +owner of such a dog to say, he took precaution to prevent mischief: he +ought to have made it impossible that mischief could happen; and, +therefore, as soon as there was any reasonable suspicion that the dog +was rabid, he ought to have destroyed him.<br> +<br> +But, if the owner wished to save the animal, until he was satisfied of +the actual state of the case, he ought to have secured him, so that +every individual might be safe. Whether the defendant thought he had +done all that was necessary, his lordship did not know; but this he +knew, that the dog was not perfectly secured, otherwise this misfortune +could not have happened.<br> +<br> +The care which the defendant took in this case was not enough, and, +therefore, he had no doubt that this action was maintainable. The jury +would judge what damages they ought to give. He would refer this to +their feelings. They could not avoid commiserating the distress of the +family of this poor man. He should, however, observe to the jury, that +they must not give vindictive damages; but still he did not think that +damages merely to the amount of <i>£6</i>. or <i>£7</i>., which was +stated to be the expense of the funeral, &c., would at all meet the +justice of the case. He was inclined to advise them to go beyond that, +although he did not plead vindictive damages. There would be costs to be +defrayed by the plaintiff, well known in the profession under the head +of "extra costs," even although he had a verdict. If the verdict had +been at his disposal, he would have taken care that these costs should +have been borne by the party that had been the cause of the injury. That +appeared to him to be the justice of the case.<br> +<br> +He trusted that none who heard him would doubt his sincerity, when he +said, he lamented the misfortune which had given birth to this action; +and, with that qualification of the case, he must say that he was not +sorry that this action had been brought. He thanked the plaintiff for +bringing it; for it might be of public benefit. It would teach a lesson +that would not soon be forgotten, "That a person, who knowingly keeps a +vicious, dangerous animal, should be considered to be answerable for all +the acts of that animal." There were instances in which very large +damages had been given to repair such injuries. He did not say that the +present case called for large damages; but, if other cases of the same +kind should be brought into court after this had been made public, he +hoped the jury would go beyond the ordinary limits, and give verdicts +which might operate <i>in terrorem</i> on the offending parties.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr84">Verdict</a> for the plaintiff — damages £36<a href="#f84"><sup>4</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr85">A</a> child was bitten by a rabid dog at York, and became hydrophobous. All +possibility of relief having vanished, the parents, desirous of putting +an end to the agony of their child, or fearful of its doing mischief, +smothered it between two pillows. They were tried for murder, and found +guilty. They were afterwards pardoned; but the intention of the +prosecutor was that of deterring others from a similar practice, in a +like unfortunate situation<a href="#f85"><sup>5</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="I251">In</a> 1821, a physician, at Poissy, was sentenced to pay 8000 francs (£320) +to a poor widow whose husband died of hydrophobia, in consequence of a +bite from the physician's dog, he knowing that the dog had been bitten, +yet not confining him.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Our <a name="I349">author</a> having written so extensively upon the subject of rabies, it +would seem superfluous in us to attempt to add anything more upon a +subject so ably and practically handled by one having so great +opportunities to make personal observations. However, to allay the +feelings of many of our dogkilling citizens, we will not hesitate to +assert that we do not place as much credence in the frequency of rabies +as is generally done; but, on the other hand, are strongly led to +believe that the accounts of this much-dreaded malady are greatly +exaggerated both in this country and in England.<br> +<br> +That there may be a few cases of rabies in our country in the course of +a year, we do not doubt; but, at the same time, we are satisfied that +the affection in its genuine form is quite rare, and that the great hue +and cry made every season about mad dogs, is more the result of +ignorance and fright than of reality.<br> +<br> +Our limits in this publication would not allow us sufficient space to +enlarge upon the many pathological questions naturally arising from a +minute examination of this subject, more particularly as our views are +somewhat at variance with the generally received opinion, and which, of +course, we would be forced to express with considerable diffidence, +owing to the impossibility of collecting such evidence as might seem +necessary to substantiate any peculiar doctrine.<br> +<br> +That tetanus, hysteria, and other spasmodic affections have often been +mistaken for rabies, there is no doubt, and we can easily imagine the +mental effect produced upon an individual of a highly nervous +temperament, by the knowledge of his being bitten by an animal known to +be hydrophobic; and we can, without difficulty, reconcile with our best +judgment the belief <i>that the workings of such an individual's +imagination, occasioned by the never-ceasing dread of the horrid malady +to which he is now exposed, might be sufficient to produce a train of +symptoms somewhat resembling the actual state of rabies.</i><br> +<br> +For the benefit of these nervous unfortunates, we might say to them, +that the statistics of this affection show a very considerable ratio in +favour of escape from inoculation when bitten, or of entire recovery +even after the development of the disease, and that there are many +other ills in the catalogue of medicine that they should take equal +pains to provide against as <i>lyssa canina.</i> We doubt not that the minds of +many will be relieved, when informed that John Hunter mentions an +instance, in which, out of twenty persons bitten by a rabid dog, only +one suffered from the malady; and that of fifty-nine dogs inoculated by +Professor Hertwick at the veterinary school of Berlin, only fourteen +were affected; and of eleven patients entrusted to the care of M. Blaise +of Cluny, seven recovered after exhibiting greater or less degrees of +spasmodic symptoms.<br> +<br> +It <a name="I252">may</a> prove interesting to our readers, to insert in these pages an +account of the first two cases of rabies known in Philadelphia, and as +related to us by a venerable and much-esteemed citizen, who is well +known in the scientific world as a gentleman of deep research, and we +agree with him in opinion, that this much-dreaded disease is most +frequently the result of like causes, or rather that like symptoms often +induce the belief of the presence of this malady, when, in fact, no such +disease does exist.<br> +<br> +Towards the close of the last century, there lived a tailor in Front +street, near Market, in the midst of the most respectable people of that +period; among the number was our esteemed friend Mr. Hembel, as also +Judge Tilghman. This tailor possessed an ill-tempered little spaniel, +who, lounging about the street-door, attacked every one that passed by, +snapping and snarling in the most worrisome manner, more particularly at +every little urchin that invaded his "right of pavement," and not +unfrequently biting them or tearing their clothes from their back. The +owner of the dog was appealed to on many occasions by the neighbours, +begging that the quarrelsome brute should either be disposed of or kept +within doors. To all these solicitations and warnings the little tailor +paid no heed, but continued stitching his breeches and cribbing his +customers' goods, while the ugly little spaniel, without interruption, +amused himself by snapping at and biting the heels of the passers-by.<br> +<br> +The nuisance at last became insufferable, and Judge Tilghman applied to +Mr. Hembel to assist him in getting rid of this troublesome brute; the +latter gentleman advised the administration of a small quantity of +strychnia, concealed in a portion of meat, which proposition was agreed +upon and immediately carried into execution. A short time after the +administering of this dose the spaniel sickened, and retired from his +post to the kitchen, which was in the basement, and where an Irish +domestic was engaged in washing; the dog appeared uneasy for a time, and +suddenly, being taken with the involuntary muscular convulsions that +so frequently follow the administration of this powerful drug, ran +around the kitchen yelping and howling at a most terrible rate, and +ultimately, to the no small discomfiture and amazement of the maid, +sprang up into the wash-tub, at which unceremonious caper, on the part +of the dog, the woman became greatly alarmed and ran out into the +street, followed by the whole household, crying mad dog, which soon +produced an uproar in the neighbourhood, no one daring to satisfy +himself as to the correctness of the report, and all, perhaps, too +ignorant of the subject to discern the real cause of the animal's +singular behaviour. The tailor, still bearing a strong attachment to his +unfortunate favourite, and being somewhat more daring than his +neighbours, ventured, at length, to peep into the kitchen to see the +state of affairs, and seeing the dog still convulsed and foaming at the +mouth, was more than ever confirmed in the belief of hydrophobia, and +knowing full well the biting propensities of the animal, independent of +rabies, concluded, much to the relief of every one, to shoot him. The +next step in the programme was the dragging out and consigning of the +patient to a watery grave, which was accomplished by placing, with a +pair of tongs, a noose over the head of the animal, and thus hauling him +out of the basement window amid the cheers of the assembled populace who +soon cast him into the Delaware.<br> +<br> +The second case of rabies as related to us by Mr. Hembel was as +follows: — In 1793 the barbers of the city were in the habit of going +around to the various boarding-houses for the purpose of shaving the +visitors in their apartments, instead of accommodating them, as at the +present time, in their own establishments.<br> +<br> +One of these knights of the razor, living also in Front street, when +going to and from a fashionable boarding-house in the vicinity, was not +unfrequently assailed by a small cur who often took him by the heels +when hurrying along.<br> +<br> +To get rid of this annoying little animal as speedily and secretly as +possible, he had recourse to the powers of strychnia, which produced in +a very short time similar effects upon the poor victim, and the result +was another great hue and cry about mad dogs.<br> +<br> +These authentic and remarkable cases of hydrophobia were heralded in all +the papers of the day, which, from that time forward, were filled with +notes of caution to all dog-owners.<br> +<br> +Of the <i>treatment</i> of rabies we will make but a few remarks, as of +the immense number of specifics proposed for this disease, amounting in +all to several hundred, few or none can be relied on to the exclusion of +the others; but those medicines, perhaps, known as opiates or +anti-spasmodics, claim a larger share of attention than any others in +combating the disease after its development. In <a name="I337">looking</a> over the very +original works of Jacques Du Fouilloux, a worthy cynegetical writer of +the sixteenth century, we find a prescription that was supposed by many +to be an infallible specific for this disease, and as it appears to us +quite as certain in its effects on the animal economy as many others of +the inert substances that have been lauded to the skies both in our +country and in other parts of the world as antidotes, we take the +liberty of transcribing it, as also of adding a translation of his +quaint French.</span> + +<blockquote><i>Autre recepte par mots preservants la rage.</i><br> +<br> +'Ay appris vne recepte d'vn Gentil-homme, en Bretaigne, lequel faisoit +de petits escriteaux, où n'y auoit seulement que deux lignes, lesquels +il mettoit en vne omellette d'oeufs, puis les faisoit aualer aux chiens +qui auorient esté mords de chiens enragez, et auoit dedans l'escriteau, +<i>Y Ran Quiran Cafram Cafratrem, Cafratrosque</i>. Lesquels mots disoit +estre singuliers pour empescher les chiens de la rage, mais quant à moi +ie n'y adiouste pas foy.<br> +<br> +I have learned a recipe from a nobleman of Brittany, which is composed +of a written charm, in which there are only two lines; these he put in +an omelet of eggs, he then made the dogs that had been bitten by a rabid +animal swallow them. There was on the paper "<i>Y Ran Quiran Cafram +Cafratrem, Cafratrosque</i>". These words were said to be singularly +efficacious in preventing madness in dogs, but for my part I do not +credit it.<br> +<br> +Although our quaint author considered the above charm even too +marvellous for his belief, we give below his own prescription in which +he placed implicit confidence, but, no doubt, on trial it would prove +<i>"as singularly efficacious" as the other</i>.<br> +<br> +Baing pour lauer, les chiens, quand ils ont esté mords des chiens +enragez, de peur qu'ils enragent.<br> +<br> +Quand les chiens sont mords ou desbrayez de chiens enragez, il faut +incontinent emplir vne pippe d'eau, puis prendre quatre boisseaux de sel +et les ietter dedans, en meslaut fort le sel auec vn baston pour le +faire fondre soudainement: et quand il sera fondu, faut mettre le chien +dedans, et le plonger tout, sans qu'il paroisse rien, par neuf fois: +puis quand il sera bien laué, faut le laisser aller, celà l'empeschera +d'enrager.<br> +<br> +When a dog has been bitten or scratched by another affected with +madness, we must immediately take a tub of water and throw into it four +bushels of salt, stirring it briskly with a stick to make it dissolve +quickly. When the salt shall be dissolved, put the dog into the bath, +and plunge him well nine times, so that the bath shall cover him each +time; now that he is well washed you may let him go, as this will +prevent his becoming rabid.</blockquote> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Having given publicity to the two preceding valuable receipts, we must +be pardoned for adding our own views upon this point, as a caution to +those who may not feel sufficient faith in the remedies above mentioned.<br> +<br> +The wound should be thoroughly washed and cleansed as soon as possible +after the bite is inflicted: no sucking of the parts, as is advised by +many, for the purpose of extracting the poison, as the presence of a +small abrasion of the lips or interior of the mouth would most assuredly +subject the parts to inoculation. If the wound be ragged, the edges may +be taken off with a pair of sharp scissors; the wound must then be +thoroughly cauterized with nitrate of silver (lunar caustic), being sure +to introduce the caustic into the very depths of the wound, so that it +will reach every particle of poison that may have insinuated itself into +the flesh. If the wound is too small to admit of the stick of caustic, +it may be enlarged by the knife, taking care, however, not to carry the +poison into the fresh cut, which can be avoided by wiping the knife at +each incision. Should the wound be made on any of the limbs, a bandage +may be placed around it during the application of these remedies, the +more effectually to prevent the absorption of the virus. Nitrate of +silver is a most powerful neutralizer of specific poisons, and the +affected parts will soon come away with the slough, no dressings being +necessary, except perhaps olive oil, if there should be much +inflammation of the parts. If the above plan be pursued, the patient +need be under no apprehension as to the result, but make his mind +perfectly easy on the point. This is the course generally pursued by the +veterinary surgeons of Europe, and there are but few of them who have not, +some time in their practice, been bitten and often severely lacerated by +rabid animals; nevertheless, we never hear of their having suffered any +bad effects from such accidents. If caustic be not at hand, the wound +may be seared over with red-hot iron, which will answer as good a +purpose, although much more painful in its operation. Mr. Blaine, in +closing his able and scientific article on this subject, very justly +remarks,</span> + +<blockquote> "Would I could instil into such minds the <i>uncertainty</i> of +the disease appearing at all; that is, even when no means have been +used; and the <i>perfect security</i> they may feel who have submitted +to the preventive treatment detailed. I have been bitten several times, +Mr. Youatt several also; yet in neither of us was any dread occasioned: +our experience taught us the <i>absolute certainty</i> of the +<i>preventive</i> means; and such I take on me to pronounce they always +prove, when performed with dexterity and judgment." We acknowledge +ourselves a convert to this gentleman's doctrine; and feel satisfied +that if the above course be adopted, there need be no fear whatever of +the development of this frightful affection. — L</blockquote><br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f81"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>La Folie des Animaux</i>, by M. Perquin.<br> +<a href="#fr81">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f82"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> The physician Apollonius, having been bitten by a rabid +dog, induced another dog to lick the wound, + + <blockquote> "ut idem medicus esset qui vulneris auctor fuit."</blockquote> +<a href="#fr82">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f83"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 3:</span></a> <i>Journal Pratique de Méd. Vét.</i><br> +<a href="#fr83">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f84"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 4:</span></a> <i>Sporting Magazine</i>, vol. xviii. p. 186.<br> +<a href="#fr84">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f85"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 5:</span></a> Daniel's <i>Rural Sports</i>, vol. i. p. 220.<br> +<a href="#fr85">return</a><br> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section8">Chapter VIII — The Eye and its Diseases</a></h2> +<br> +The diseases that attack the same organ are essentially different, in +different animals, in their symptoms, intensity, progress, and mode of +treatment. In periodic ophthalmia — that pest of the equine race and +opprobrium of the veterinary profession — the cornea becomes suddenly +opaque, the iris pale, the aqueous humour turbid, the capsule of the +lens cloudy, and blindness is the result. After a time, however, the +cornea clears up, and becomes as bright as ever; but the lens continues +impervious to light, and vision is lost.<br> +<br> +Ophthalmia in the dog presents us with symptoms altogether different. +The conjunctiva is red; that portion of it which spreads over the +sclerotica is highly injected, and the cornea is opaque. As the disease +proceeds, and even at a very early period of its progress, an ulcer +appears on the centre; at first superficial, but enlarging and deepening +until it has penetrated the cornea, and the aqueous humour has escaped. +Granulations then spring from the edges of the ulcer, rapidly enlarge, +and protrude through the lids. Under proper treatment, however, or by a +process of nature, these granulations cease to sprout; they begin to +disappear; the ulcer diminishes; it heals; scarcely a trace of it can be +seen; the cornea recovers its perfect transparency, and vision is not in +the slightest degree impaired.<br> +<br> +<a name="I129">There</a> is a state of the orbit which requires some consideration. It is +connected with the muscles employed in mastication. Generally speaking, +the food of the dog requires no extraordinary degree of mastication, nor +is there usually any great time employed in this operation. That muscle +which is most employed in the comminution of the food, namely, the +temporal muscle, has its action very much limited by the position of the +bony socket of the eye; yet sufficient room is left for all the force +that can be required. In some dogs, either for purposes of offence or +defence, or the more effectual grasping of the prey, a sudden violent +exertion of muscular power, and a consequent contraction of the temporal +muscle, are requisite, but for which the imperfect socket of the orbit +does not seem to afford sufficient scope and room. There is an admirable +provision for this in the removal of a certain portion of the orbital +process of the frontal bone on the outer and upper part of the external +ridge, and the substitution of an elastic cartilage. This cartilage +momentarily yields to the swelling of the muscles; and then, by its +inherent elasticity, the external ridge of the orbit resumes its +pristine form. The orbit of the dog, the pig, and the cat, exhibits this +singular mechanism.<br> +<br> +The horse is, to a certain extent, also an illustration of this. He +requires an extended field of vision to warn him of the approach of his +enemies in his wild state, and a direction of the orbits somewhat +forward to enable him to pursue with safety the headlong course to which +we sometimes urge him; and for this purpose his eyes are placed more +forward than those of cattle, sheep, or swine. That which Mr. Percivall +states of the horse is true of our other domesticated animals: + +<blockquote>"The eyeball is placed within the anterior or more capacious part of + the orbit, nearer to the frontal than to the temporal side, with a + degree of prominence peculiar to the individual, and, within certain + limits, variable at his will."</blockquote> + +In many of the carnivorous animals the orbit encroaches on the bones of +the face. A singular effect is also produced on the countenance, both +when the animal is growling over his prey and when he is devouring it. +The temporal muscle is violently acted upon; it presses upon the +cartilage that forms part of the external ridge; that again forces +itself upon and protrudes the eye, and hence the peculiar ferocity of +expression which is observed at that time. The victims of these +carnivorous animals are also somewhat provided against danger by the +acuteness of sight with which they are gifted. Adipose matter also +exists in a considerable quantity in the orbit of the eye, which enables +it to revolve by the slightest contraction of the muscles.<br> +<br> +We should scarcely expect to meet with cases of fracture of the orbital +arch in the dog, because, in that animal, cartilage, or a +cartilago-ligamentous substance, occupies a very considerable part of +that arch; but I have again and again, among the cruelties that are +practised on the inferior creation, seen the cartilage partly, or even +entirely, torn asunder. I have never been able satisfactorily to +ascertain the existence of this during life; but I have found it on +those whom I have recommended to be destroyed on account of the brutal +usage which they had experienced. Blows somewhat higher, or on the thick +temporal muscle of this animal, will very rarely produce a fracture.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I130">few</a> cases of disease in the eye may be interesting and useful.<br> +<br> +<i>Case</i> I. — The eyes of a favourite spaniel were found inflamed and +impatient of light. Nothing wrong had been perceived on the preceding +day. No ulceration could be observed on the cornea, and there was but a +slight mucous discharge. An infusion of digitalis, with twenty times the +quantity of tepid water, was employed as a collyrium, and an aloetic +ball administered. On the following day the eyes were more inflamed, The +collyrium and the aloes were employed as before, and a seton inserted in +the poll.<br> +<br> +Three or four days afterwards the redness was much diminished, the +discharge from the eye considerably lessened, and the dog was sent home. +The seton, however, was continued, with an aloetic ball on every third +or fourth day.<br> +<br> +Two or three days after this the eyes were perfectly cured and the seton +removed.<br> +<br> +<i>Case</i> II. — The eye is much inflamed and the brow considerably +protruded.<br> +<br> +This was supposed to be caused by a bite. I vainly endeavoured to bring +the lid over the swelling. I scarified the lid freely, and ordered the +bleeding to be encouraged by the constant application of warm water, and +physic-ball to be given.<br> +<br> +On the following day the brow was found to be scarcely or at all +reduced, and the eye could not be closed. I drew out the haw with a +crooked needle, and cut it off closely with sharp scissors. The excised +portion was as large as a small-kidney-bean. The fomentation was +continued five days afterwards, and the patient then dismissed cured.<br> +<br> +<i>Case</i> III. — A pointer was brought in a sad state of mange. +Redness, scurf, and eruptions were on almost every part. Apply the mange +ointment and the alterative and physic balls. On the following day there +was an ulcer on the centre of the cornea, with much appearance of pain +and impatience of light. Apply an infusion of digitalis, with the liquor +plumbi diacetatis. He was taken away on the twelfth day, the mange +apparently cured, and the inflammation of the eye considerably lessened. +A fortnight afterwards this also appeared to be cured.<br> +<br> +<i>Case</i> IV. — A spaniel had been bitten by a large dog. There was no +wound of the lids, but the eye was protruded from the socket. I first +tried whether it could be reduced by gentle pressure, but I could not +accomplish it. I then introduced the blunt end of a curved needle +between the eye and the lid; and thus drawing up the lid with the right +hand, while I pressed gently on the eye with the left hand, I +accomplished my object. I then subtracted three ounces of blood and gave +a physic-ball. On the following day the eye was hot and red, with some +tumefaction. The pupil was moderately contracted, but was scarcely +affected by any change of light. The dog was sent home, with some +extract of goulard, and a fortnight afterwards was quite well.<br> +<br> +<i>Case</i> V. — A dog received a violent blow on the right eye. +Immediate blindness occurred, or the dog could apparently just discern +the difference between light and darkness, but could not distinguish +particular objects. The pupil was expanded and immovable. A +pink-coloured hue could be perceived on looking earnestly into the eye. +A seton was introduced into the poll, kept there nearly a month, and +often stimulated rather sharply. General remedies of almost every kind +were tried: depletion was carried to its full extent, the electric fluid +was had recourse to; but at the expiration of nine weeks the case was +abandoned and the dog destroyed. Permission to examine him was refused.<br> +<br> +I have, in two or three instances, witnessed decided cases of dropsy of +the eye, accumulation of fluid taking place in both the anterior and +posterior chambers of the eye; there was also effusion of blood in the +chambers, but in one case only was there the slightest benefit produced +by the treatment adopted, and in that there was gradual absorption of +the effused fluid.<br> +<br> +About the same time there was another similar case. A pointer had +suddenly considerable opacity of one eye, without any known cause: the +other eye was not in the least degree affected. The dog had not been out +of the garden for more than a week. The eye was ordered to be fomented +with warm water.<br> +<br> +On the following day the inflammation had increased, and the adipose +matter was protruded at both the inner and outer canthus. The eye was +bathed frequently with a goulard lotion. On the fourth day the eyeball +was still more inflamed, and the projections at both canthi were +increased. A curved needle was passed through both eyes, and there was +considerable bleeding. On the following day the inflammation began to +subside. At the expiration of a week scarcely any disease remained, and +the eye became as transparent as ever.<br> +<br> +A curious ease of congenital blindness was brought to my infirmary. A +female pointer puppy, eight weeks old, had both her eyes of their +natural size and formation, but the inner edge of the iris was strangely +diseased. The pupil was curiously four-cornered, and very small. There +hung out of the pupil a grayish-white fibrous matter, which appeared to +be the remainder of the pupillary membrane.<br> +<br> +Six months afterwards we examined her again, and found that the pupil +was considerably enlarged, and properly shaped, and the white skin had +vanished. In the back-ground of the eye there was a faint yellow-green +light, and the dog not only showed sensibility to light, but some +perception of external objects. At this period we lost sight of her.<br> +<br> +A very considerable improvement has taken place with regard to the +treatment of the enlarged or protruded ball of the eye. A dog may get +into a skirmish, and have his eye forced from the socket. If there is +little or no bleeding, the case will probably be easily and successfully +treated.<br> +<br> +The eye must, first, be thoroughly washed, and not a particle of grit +must be left. A little oil, a crooked needle, and a small piece of soft +rag should be procured. The blunt end of the needle should he dipped +into the oil, and run round the inside of the lid, first above and then +below. The operator will next — his fingers being oiled — press upon the +protruded eye gently, yet somewhat firmly, changing the pressure from +one part of the eye to the other, in order to force it back into the +socket.<br> +<br> +If, after a couple of minutes' trial, he does not succeed, let him again +oil the eye on the inside and the out, and once more introduce the blunt +end of the needle, attempting to carry it upwards under the lid with two +or three fingers pressing on the eye, and the points of pressure being +frequently changed. In by far the greater number of cases, the eye will +be saved.<br> +<br> +If it is impracticable to cause the eye to retract, a needle with a +thread attached must be passed through it, the eye being then drawn as +forward as possible and cut off close to the lids. The bleeding will +soon cease and the lids perfectly close.<br> +<br> +<i>Ophthalmia</i> is a disease to which the dog is often liable. It is +the result of exposure either to heat or to cold, or violent exertion; +it is remedied by bleeding, purging, and the application of sedative +medicine, as the acetate of lead or the tincture of opium. When the eye +is considerably inflamed, in addition to the application of tepid or +cold water, either the inside of the lids or the white of the eye may be +lightly touched with the lancet. From exposure to cold, or accident or +violence, inflammation often spreads on the eye to a considerable +degree, the pupil is clouded, and small streaks of blood spread over the +opaque cornea. The mode of treatment just described must be pursued.<br> +<br> +The crystalline lens occasionally becomes opaque. There is cataract. It +may be the result of external injury or of internal predisposition. Old +dogs are particularly subject to cataract. That which arises from +accident, or occasionally disease, may, although seldom, be reinstated, +especially in the young dog, and both eyes may become sound; but, in the +old, the slow-growing opacity will, almost to a certainty, terminate in +cataract.<br> +<br> +There is occasionally an enlargement of the eye, or rather an +accumulation of fluid within the eye, to a very considerable extent. No +external application seems to have the slightest effect in reducing the +bulk of the eye. If it is punctured, much inflammation ensues, and the +eye gradually wastes away.<br> +<br> +In <i>amaurosis</i>, the eye is beautifully clear, and, for a little +while, this clearness imposes upon the casual observer; but there is a +peculiar pellucid appearance about the eye — a preternatural and +unchanging brightness. In the horse, the sight occasionally returns, but +I have never seen this in the dog.<br> +<br> +The occasional glittering of the eyes of the dog has been often +observed. The cat, the wolf, some carnivora, and also sheep, cows, and +horses, occasionally exhibit the same glittering. Pallas imagined that +the light of these animals emanated from the nervous membrane of the +eye, and considered it to be an electrical phenomenon. It is found, +however, in every animal that possesses a <i>tapetum lucidum</i>. The +shining, however, never takes place in complete darkness. It is neither +produced voluntarily, nor in consequence of any moral emotion, but +solely from the reflection that falls on the eye.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">The eye and its diseases being so concisely treated by Mr. Youatt, we +are emboldened to add a more full and particular treatise on this +interesting subject, couched in language the most simple, and we trust +sufficiently plain to be understood by the most unscientific patron of +the canine race. +</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="nict"></a><h3>The Nictitating Membrane</h3> + +It is somewhat astonishing that an organ, so delicate and so much +exposed as the eye of the hunting dog necessarily is, should not more +frequently be attacked with disease, or suffer from the thorns, +poisonous briars, and bushes that so constantly oppose their progress +while in search of game. Nature, ever wise in her undertakings, while +endowing this organ with extreme sensibility, also furnished it with the +means of protecting itself in some measure against the many evils that +so constantly threaten its destruction.<br> +<br> +The <i>plica semilunaris</i>, haw or nictitating membrane, though not as +largely developed in the dog as in some other animals, is, nevertheless, +of sufficient size to afford considerable protection to the ball of the +eye, and assists materially in preventing the accumulation of seeds and +other minute particles within the conjunctiva. This delicate membrane is +found at the inner canthus of the eye, and can be drawn at pleasure over +a portion of the globe, so as to free its surface from any foreign +substances that might be upon it. Although the eye of the dog is +attacked by many diseases, almost as numerous as those of the human +being, still they are much less frequent and far more tractable. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="opth"></a><h3>Opthamalia — Simple Inflammation of the Eye</h3> + +In its mild form this disease is frequently met with, and easily yields +to the administration of the proper remedies, but when it appears as an +epidemic, in a kennel, it proves more stubborn. The discharge in epidemic +ophthalmia, when carried from one dog to the eyes of another, no doubt +is contagious, and, therefore, it is necessary to separate dogs as much +from each other as possible during any prevalent epidemic of this +nature.<br> +<br> +The disease announces itself by slight redness of the conjunctiva, +tenderness to light, and increased flow of the secretions.<br> +<br> +The eyeball appears retracted in its socket, and more moist and +transparent than usual. The infected vessels of the conjunctiva form a +species of net-work, and can be moved about with this membrane, showing +that the inflammation is entirely superficial, and not penetrating the +other coverings of the eye. Extravasation of blood within the +conjunctiva, (bloodshot,) is also not an uncommon appearance, but is +frequently the first symptom that draws our attention to the malady.<br> +<br> +As the disease progresses, the conjunctiva becomes more vascular, the +photophobia intolerable, the cornea itself becomes opaque, and sometimes +exhibits a vascular appearance. There is considerable itching of the +ball, as evinced by the disposition of the dog to close the eye. If the +disease progresses in its course, unchecked by any remediate means, the +cornea may lose its vitality, ulceration commence, and the sight be for +ever destroyed by the bursting and discharge of the contents of the eye.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I205">Causes</a>.</i> — Simple canine opthalmia proceeds from many causes, +distinct in their character, but all requiring pretty much the same +treatment. Bad feeding, bad lodging, want of exercise, extremes of heat, +and cold, are the most active agents in producing this affection.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I206">Treatment</a>.</i> — The disease in its mild form is very tractable, and +requires but little attention; soothing applications, in connexion with +confinement to an obscure apartment and low diet, will generally correct +the affection in its forming stage.<br> +<br> +In all inflammations of the eye, tepid applications we consider +preferable to cold, the latter producing a temporary reaction, but no +permanent good, while the former exerts a soothing and relaxing +influence over the tissues and parts to which they are applied.<br> +<br> +Weak vinegar and water, with a small proportion of laudanum, we have +frequently seen used with advantage as a wash in this complaint.<br> +<br> +When there is fever, it will be necessary to bleed, and purge. +Scarifying the conjunctiva with the point of a lancet, has been resorted +to by some veterinary surgeons with success. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="copth"></a><h3>Chronic Ophthalmia</h3> + +When the disease assumes this form, the discharge from the eyes is +lessened, and becomes more thick, the conjunctiva is not of such a +bright arterial red, but more of a brick-dust colour, and the inner side +of the lids when exposed will present small prominences and ulcerations.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment.</i> — More <a name="I321">stimulating</a> collyria will now be necessary, as +solutions of sulphate of zinc, copper, acetate of lead, &c. See No. 1, +2, 3, of the <i>Collyria</i>. The direct application of sulphate of copper, or +nitrate of silver, will often be of great benefit in changing the action +of the parts.<br> +<br> +The lids should be turned down and brushed over two or three times with +the above articles in substance, and the dog restrained for a few +moments to prevent him from scratching during the temporary pain +inflicted upon him by the application.<br> +<br> +Laudanum dropped in the eye will also prove very beneficial, allaying +the itching and pain, at the same time stimulating the organs to renewed +action. If the disease does not succumb under this treatment, a seton +placed in the pole will generally conquer it. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="topth"></a><h3>Traumatic Ophthalmia</h3> + +is produced by wounds of poisoned briars, stings of insects, bites of +other dogs, the scratching of cats, or the actual presence of foreign +bodies in the eye itself, which latter cause frequently occurs, and is +often overlooked by the sportsman.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — This species of ophthalmia is best subdued by the +application of emollient poultices, depletion, purgation and cooling +washes. If a seed, small briar, or other substance has got in under the +lids, or inserted itself in the globe of the eye, the dog keeps the eye +closed, it waters freely, and in a short time becomes red and inflamed. +The removal of the article alone, will generally produce a cure; +sometimes it is necessary to use a cooling wash and administer a purge +or two. Great care should he had for the extraction of extraneous +substances from the eyes of dogs, as their presence often causes great +suffering to the animal even while diligently employed in the field. The +writer has seen dogs more than once rendered useless while hunting, by +grass, cloverseeds, or other small particles burying themselves under +the lids.<br> +<br> +<i>Ophthalmia of Distemper</i>. — This species of inflammation will be +spoken of when treating of this latter affection. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="sopth"></a><h3>Sympathetic Ophthalmia</h3> + +arises from the presence of some other disease located in another +portion of the body, as derangement of the stomach, mange, surfeit, &c. +The presence of one of these affections will indicate the cause of the +other.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — Soothing applications to the organ itself, and +remedies for the removal of the primary affection. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="hopth"></a><h3>Hydrophthalmia</h3> + +though not a common affection in the canine race, is occasionally met +with; several cases have come under the observation of the writer, and +no doubt there are but few dog-fanciers who have not seen the eyeballs +of some dog suffering with this malady, ready to start from their +sockets.<br> +<br> +This affection depends upon a superabundance of the humours of the eye, +occasioned by over-secretion, or a want of power in the absorbent +vessels to carry off the natural secretions of the parts.<br> +<br> +Old dogs are more apt to suffer from this disease than young dogs: +nevertheless, the latter are not by any means exempt; we once saw a pup, +a few days old, with the globe of the eye greatly extended by this +affection.<br> +<br> +As the disease progresses, the eye becomes more hard and tender, the +sight is greatly impaired, and ultimately, if not arrested, the eye +bursts, discharges its contents, and total blindness ensues, greatly to +the relief of the poor animal.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — This disease is very intractable, and is to be +combated by saline purges, bleeding, and stimulating application to the +organ itself. Mercurial ointment, rubbed over the eyebrow, will assist +in stimulating the absorbents.<br> +<br> +When the disease has progressed for a long time, and the pain, as is +often the case, seems intense, it will save the animal great suffering, +by opening the ball and allowing the humours to escape. This may be done +by puncturing the cornea or the sclerotic coat with a needle. Setons +introduced along the spine would have a good effect. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cblind"></a><h3>Congenital Blindness</h3> + +occasionally occurs throughout a whole litter, no doubt being entailed +upon the progeny of those dogs who have defective vision, or who are old +and infirm at the time of copulation. The best and only remedy is speedy +drowning. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cataract"></a><h3>Cataract</h3> + +consists in the partial or complete opacity of the crystalline lens; it +results from numerous causes, and is more frequent in the old than the +young subject. In old dogs both eyes are usually attacked, producing +absolute blindness, while in young animals one eye alone is generally +attacked.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes.</i> — Old age, hard work, and bad feeding, are the agents most +active in the production of this affection; it generally comes on +slowly, but sometimes very quickly.<br> +<br> +When the disease occurs in young dogs, it is generally the result of +wounds or blows over the head, convulsions and falls.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment.</i> — Little can be accomplished towards curing this +disease either in the old or young dog, as the disease, in spite of all +our efforts, will run its course, and terminate in total opacity of the +lens. Mild purging, blistering on the neck, introduction of the seton, +and blowing slightly stimulating powders into the eye, will sometimes +arrest the progress of the disease in the young dog. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="ulccor"></a><h3>Ulcerations on the Cornea</h3> + +are sometimes very troublesome, and if not put a stop to, will often +cause opacity and blindness, if not total destruction of the eye.<br> +<br> +Slightly stimulating washes and purges are useful; the careful +application of nitrate of silver will often induce the ulcer to heal; it +must be put on very nicely and gently. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="spotcor"></a><h3>Spots on the Cornea</h3> + +are the result of ulcers and inflammation. If they do not materially +interfere with vision, they had better be left alone.<br> +<br> +Powdered sugar and a small quantity of alum blown into the eye daily +through a quill, we have seen used with much success. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="amaur"></a><h3>Amaurosis — Gutta Serena or Glass Eye</h3> + +A partial or complete paralysis of the optic nerves of either side is +not a frequent disease. It usually comes on gradually, but sometimes may +appear in the course of a few hours from the effects of wounds or +convulsions. When the paralysis is complete, total blindness of course +ensues. The intimate connection, or sympathy, existing between the +nerves of either eye, is so peculiar that disease of one is quickly +followed by a corresponding disease in the other.<br> +<br> +Amaurosis, therefore, ordinarily ends in total blindness. The disease is +characterized by a dilated stage of the pupil, which seldom contracts +under the effect of any degree of light thrown upon it. The coats and +humours of the eye are perfectly transparent, in fact appear to be more +pellucid than natural.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I307">Causes</a>.</i> — This affection is produced in many different ways; among +the most common causes may be mentioned wounds on the head, or of the +parts surrounding the nerve, strains, falls, disease of the bone, +convulsions, and epileptic fits.<br> +<br> +We have seen a case produced by a tumour, which occupied the posterior +portion of the orbit, and caused the organ to be somewhat protruded from +its proper position, giving the eye the appearance of hydrophthalmia, +for which it was taken, the existence of the tumour never for a moment +being suspected. In this case there was partial amaurosis in both sides, +although nothing of disease could be discovered in the left eye.<br> +<br> +Amaurosis is a very deceptive disease, the nerves alone being affected; +the humours and coverings of the eye remaining perfectly transparent and +natural, imposes upon the inexperienced observer, but is easily detected +by those who have witnessed the disease in others. There is a singular +watery appearance and vacant stare about the eye of the dog that cannot +be mistaken. This peculiarity is owing, no doubt, to the enlargement of +the pupil, as before observed.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — When proceeding from blows, convulsions, or +inflammation of the nerve itself, bleeding will be serviceable, as also +purging and blistering. If the disease should appear without any +symptom, or other cause, to lead us to believe that there is any local +affection, the antiphlogistic course should be laid aside, and resort be +had to local and constitutional tonic applications, and revulsive +frictions to the nape of the neck and spine. A seton may also be +applied; and electricity has been recommended in such cases, no doubt +arising from want of tone in the general system.<br> +<br> +This affection, in spite of every effort, is very unmanageable, and but +seldom yields to any course of treatment. Strychnia has been used +lately, both internally and externally, in the cure of this complaint; +it may be sprinkled over a blistered surface immediately above the eye, +in the proportion of a grain morning and evening; it may also be +administered inwardly at the same time, in doses from the half a grain +to a grain twice a day. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="exeye"></a><h3>Extirpation Of The Eye</h3> + +It sometimes becomes necessary, from the diseased state of this organ, +that it should be taken completely from its socket. This operation, +though frightful, perhaps, to consider, is very simple in its +application, and may be performed without difficulty by any one +accustomed to the use of the knife. The animal is to be held firmly, as +before directed, and an assistant to keep the lids widely extended.<br> +<br> +If the lids cannot be drawn well over the eye, owing to enlargement of +the ball caused by disease, they may be separated by an incision at the +external angle. A curved needle armed with a thread is now to be passed +entirely through the eye, being careful to include sufficient of the +sound parts within its grasp to prevent its tearing out. This finished, +the needle may be detached, and the ends of the thread being united, the +movements of the eye can be governed by means of this ligature: then +proceed as follows:<br> +<br> +<i>1st.</i> The assistant keeping the lids well separated, the operator draws +the eye upward and outward, and then inserting the scalpel at the inner +and lower angle of the eye, with a gentle sweep separates the ball from +the lids, extending the incisions through to the external canthus.<br> +<br> +<i>2d.</i> The ball is now to be drawn inwardly and downward, while the +scalpel, continuing the circular movement as far as the internal +canthus, separates the upper lid.<br> +<br> +<i>3d.</i> The muscles and optic nerves still bind this organ to the orbit, +which attachments can easily be destroyed by the scalpel, by pulling the +eye forward sufficiently to reach them. If the eye has been extirpated +on account of any malignant disease, it is necessary to remove every +particle of muscle from the orbit; and when the disease has extended +itself to the lids, it will also be proper to remove that portion of +them included in the affection.<br> +<br> +The hemorrhage from the operation is trifling, and may generally be +arrested by the pressure of the fingers, or the insertion of a conical +ball of lint within the socket, which may be allowed to remain two or +three days if necessary. If there is nothing to apprehend from +hemorrhage, it is only necessary to draw the lids together, and unite +that portion which has been separated by a suture, and place a hood over +the whole.<br> +<br> +We do not recommend the stuffing of the orbit with lint, except in case +of hemorrhage, as its presence will sometimes produce violent +inflammation, which may extend to the brain. The cavity of the eye will, +in a measure, be filled up by newly formed matter. The dog must be +restricted to a low cooling diet, and have administered two or three +saline purges. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="ulceye"></a><h3>Ulcerations of the Eyelids</h3> + +are often met with in old mangy, ill-fed animals, and are difficult to +overcome, except by curing the the primary affection, which is often no +easy task. The lids become enlarged, puffy, and tender, the lashes fall +out, and the edges present an angry reddish appearance.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i> — Must be directed, in the first place, to the curing +of the old affection, by which, in connection with blisters, purging, +stimulating washes, &c., a cure may be effected. When the swelling of +the lids is considerable, scarifying them with the point of a lancet +will often be of much service. Ointment of nitrate of silver may also be +smeared on the edges. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="warteye"></a><h3>Warts on the Eyelids</h3> + +sometimes make their appearance; they may be lifted up with the forceps, +and excised with a knife or scissors, and the wound touched with nitrate +of silver. The same treatment will answer for those warts, or little +excrescences, that sometimes come on the inside of the lids. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp4">Detailed Contents, p. 4</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="enteye"></a><h3>Entropium — Inversion of the Eyelids</h3> + +This disease we do not find mentioned by any of the writers on canine +pathology: nevertheless, we are led to believe that it is not an +uncommon form of ophthalmia; and we must express our surprise that it +should have escaped the attention of such close observers as Blaine and +Youatt.<br> +<br> +The acute form of the disease resulting from, or attending, simple +ophthalmia, we have often witnessed, but the chronic form, of which we +more particularly speak, is more rare. We have seen three cases of the +latter, and, no doubt, might have found many more if our opportunities +of studying canine pathology were equal to those of the English writers. +The inversion of the eyelids upon the globe is accompanied with pain and +irritation, swelling and inflammation, both of the lids and eye, which +ultimately renders the dog almost useless, if not entirely blind.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes</i>. — Neglected chronic ophthalmia was, no doubt, the cause of +the disease in two cases, a setter and a pointer, while the other, in a +hound, was the result of an acute attack of ophthalmia brought on by +scalding with hot pitch thrown upon the animal. Some of this substance +entered the eye, while a large portion adhered to the muzzle and lids. +The eye, as well as the lids, became inflamed; the latter, being puffed +up and contracted on their edges, were necessarily drawn inwards from +the tension of the parts, and double entropium was thus produced. The +inflammation and tumefaction of the parts continued for a considerable +time, and when ultimately reduced by the application of tepid +fomentations, the skin appeared greatly relaxed; and the muscular fibres +having lost their power of support or contractility, owing to their long +quiescence, seemed no longer able to keep their lids in their proper +situation; the edges therefore remained in the abnormous position +previously assumed.<br> +<br> +By this strange condition of the parts, the eyeball continued greatly +irritated by the constant friction of the lashes; water was continually +flowing over the lids, and from its irritating character produced +considerable excoriation of the face and muzzle. The conjunctiva +remained inflamed, the cornea in due course became ulcerous, and the eye +was ultimately destroyed by the discharge of its contents. This was the +course and final termination of the disease in the case of the hound +above referred to, all of which disastrous results might have been +prevented by proper management.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment.</i> — When in England, we sent to the United States a fine +bred pointer dog, designed as a present for one of our sporting friends. +This animal travelled from Leeds to Liverpool, chained on top of the +railroad cars; the journey occupied several hours, daring which the +weather was cold and boisterous, and we noticed on his arrival at the +latter place that his eyes were watering and somewhat inflamed. On +examining them more particularly, we were enabled to extract several +pieces of cinder from under the lids, which seemed to relieve him +somewhat. He went to sea, in the care of the steward, on the following +day; and remained on deck exposed to the inclemency of the weather +during a long voyage. When he arrived in Philadelphia, the inflammation, +we were informed, was very considerable, occasioned by the presence of +some other small particles of cinder that may have escaped our attention +before shipping him. The presence of these foreign substances in the +eye, in connection with the salt spray and irritating atmosphere, +greatly aggravated the ophthalmia, and resolved it into a chronic +affection, which ultimately resulted in entropium.<br> +<br> +"Fop" was hunted during the same autumn, which no doubt increased the +malady to a considerable extent; and before the hunting season was over, +the dog was rendered almost useless: the lids becoming so much swollen +and the irritation so considerable, that it was deemed cruel to allow +him to go into the field.<br> +<br> +When we saw him some time in the course of the same winter, the lower +lids of both eyes were completely inverted on their globes, and the +conjunctival inflammation and flow of tears considerable.<br> +<br> +The eyes seemed contracted within their sockets, and at times were +nearly hidden from view, the corneas were somewhat opaque, the +photophobia intolerable, and the animal showed evident signs of extreme +pain, by his restless anxiety and constant efforts at scratching and +rubbing the eyes.<br> +<br> +Under the judicious application of cooling astringent collyria, and +other remediate means, the irritation and pain of the parts were +relieved, and the lids somewhat retracted.<br> +<br> +"Fop" remained in this condition till the following autumn, suffering at +times considerably from the increased inflammation and tumefaction of +the lids, which continued obstinately to persist, insomuch that when +turned out by the pressure of the fingers on them, they immediately +contracted, and were forced inwards on the ball when freed from the +fingers.<br> +<br> +<table summary="headbox" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<br> +Finding that no external application was of any permanent benefit, we +resolved to have resort to the same operation we saw practised in ihe +Parisian hospitals for the cure of a similar malformation in the human +subject.<br> +<br> +To insure quiet we enclosed the body of the dog in a case, made +stationary and sufficiently small to prevent struggling, with the head +firmly fixed by a sliding door, as represented in the accompanying +drawing.<br> +<br> +The mouth was kept closed by a small strap passed around the muzzle. +This method of fixing a strong dog, we consider the best ever adopted +for all nice operations on the face. The first step in the operation was +to pinch up a portion of the lax skin of the diseased lid and pass three +needles, armed with silk ligatures, successively through the base of the +upraised integuments.</td> +<td><img src="images/headbox.gif" width="292" height="359" align="right" border="2" alt="Dog's body restrained in box, head out."> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +<table summary="Beagle" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<br> +<img src="images/stitcheye.gif" width="310" height="237" align="left" border="2" alt="how to stitch the eye in entropium"></td><td>One needle approximating the external canthus, another the internal, and +a third midway between these two points, as represented in the annexed +drawing.<br> +<br> +The next step was lo raise up the integuments included in the ligature, +and, by means of a pair of sharp scissors, cut off the super-abundant +skin as near to the ligatures as possible; having care however to leave +sufficient substance included in the ligatures, to prevent their +sloughing out before adhesion has taken place. The next and last step of +the operation was, to draw the edges of the wound together by tying each +ligature, which procedure immediately secured the lid and held it firmly +in its natural position. The ligatures were now cut short, and a large +wire muzzle, covered over with some dark substance on the operated eye, +being put on him, and his legs hobbled with a piece of strong twine, +more effectually to prevent his scratching the head, "Fop" was then set +at liberty, and soon became reconciled to this eye-shade.</td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> +The hemorrhage was trifling, the wound healed up by the first intention +and the ligatures were drawn away in a few days, when a perfect cure was +effected — the conjunctiva having lost its inflammatory appearance, and +the cornea having again become quite transparent.<br> +<br> +The other eye was operated on in the same way and with like success. In +the first operation we cut away the loose flaccid integuments only; +whereas, in the second, we snipped small longitudinal fibres from the +cartilage itself, and the operation consequently was more perfect, if +possible, than in the first instance.<br> +<br> +The eyes were now perfectly restored, and remained well during the whole +of the shooting season, after which we lost sight of our patient, he +having accompanied one of our friends as a "compagnon de voyage" on a +commercial expedition to Santa Fe, and, when on his return, had the +misfortune to lose "Fop," who was carried off into captivity by some +prowling Camanches, who no doubt have long since sacrificed him to the +Great Spirit in celebrating the buffalo or wolf dance. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="proteye"></a><h3>Protrusion of the Eye</h3> + +The eye may be forced from its orbit by wounds or the bites of other +animals.<br> +<br> +If not materially injured, the ball should be cleaned with a little +tepid water, or by wiping off with a fine silk or cambric handkerchief, +and immediately replaced within its socket; otherwise the inflammation +and swelling of the lids will soon prevent its easy admission. When +handling the protruded eye, the fingers should be dipped in olive oil or +warm water.<br> +<br> +When sufficient time has elapsed from the occurrence of the accident to +prevent the ball being replaced, owing to the swelling and contraction +of the lids, an incision may be made at the external angle of the eye, +so as to divide the lids, which will then admit the eye into its natural +position. If not, the lid itself can be raised up and slit far enough to +allow its being drawn over the globe. As considerable inflammation +generally follows this accident, it will be prudent to bleed the animal +and confine him.<br> +<br> +We have seen eyes replaced, that have been out of their sockets for +several hours, perfectly recover their strength and brilliancy. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="weakeye"></a><h3>Weak Eyes</h3> + +Some dogs, particularly several breeds of spaniels, have naturally weak +eyes, attended by an over-secretion and constant flow of tears, more +particularly when exposed to the sun. When there is no disease of the +lachrymal duct, the secretion may be diminished and the eyes +strengthened by the daily application of some slightly tonic wash, as +No. 1, 2, 3, &c. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="fisteye"></a><h3>Fistula Lachrymalis</h3> + +The lachrymal duct is a small canal, leading from the internal angle of +the eye to the nostrils, and is the passage through which the tears +escape from the eye. This duct may become closed by inflammation of the +lining membrane of the nose, caries of the bone, ulcers, fungous +growths, or by the presence of some extraneous substance impacted in it. +The tears, no longer having a natural outlet, are necessarily forced +over the lids, accompanied, not unfrequently, by a good deal of purulent +matter.<br> +<br> +This canal, when thus obstructed from some one of the above causes, +often forms an ulcerous opening at its upper extremity, just below the +internal canthus, for the escape of the pus that usually collects in a +sac at that point. This perforation is called "Fistula Lachrymalis." The +tears, entering the canal at its punctum, are carried along till they +pass out at the fistulous opening.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — This is a very troublesome affection, and has been +pronounced incurable by some writers. However, we would not hesitate +making an attempt at relieving a favourite or valuable dog of this +disagreeable deformity. We should first endeavour to clear out the nasal +canal, either by means of a minute flexible probe, or by directing a +stream of water from a suitable syringe through its course. A small +silver or copper style may then be placed in the canal to keep it open, +as also to direct the tears through the natural route. This being done, +and the dog confined in such a way as not to be able to scratch or rub +the eye, the fistulous opening might close up in a short time. However, +it might be necessary to wear the style for many months. In such a case, +we see no reason why a wire muzzle, such as used by us after the +operation for Entropium, might not be worn for an indefinite period, +without any inconvenience to the animal. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="haweye"></a><h3>Caruncula Lachrymalis and Plica Semilunaris, or Haw</h3> + +<table summary="haweye" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<br> +The <i>caruncula lachrymalis</i> is a small glandular body situated at the +internal commissure of each eye. This little gland often becomes greatly +enlarged from inflammation or fungous growths — old dogs are much more +subject to the disease than young ones.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — The application of cooling collyria and a weak +solution of nitrate of silver, will generally suppress the further +growth of this gland. If, however, it continues much swollen and runs on +to suppuration, it may be punctured with a lancet and poultices applied. +If the affection be of a malignant character, the gland may be drawn out +by passing a ligature through its base, and then excised.<br> +<br> +The haw is most frequently concerned in the disease, and may also be +removed.<br> +<br><br> +<br> +<br> + +<b><i>Collyria</i></b> <b>No. 9:</b><br> +<br> +Infusions of slippery elm bark, sassafras or elder pith, infusions of +green tea, flaxseed, &c., are all excellent emollient applications — L. + +</td><td><img src="images/Rx2.gif" width="369" height="470" align="right" border="2" alt="Rx for Collyria"><img src="images/Rx3.gif" width="369" height="126" align="right" border="2" alt="Rx for Collyria cont."></td> +</tr> +</table> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p.5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h2><a name="section9">Chapter IX — The Ear and its Diseases</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="cankear"></a><h3>Canker in the Ear (1)</h3> + +All water-dogs, and some others, are subject to a disease designated by +this name, and which, in fact, is inflammation of the integumental +lining of the inside of the ear. When the whole of the body, except the +head and ears, is surrounded by cold water, there will be an unusual +determination of blood to those parts, and consequent distension of the +vessels and a predisposition to inflammation. A Newfoundland dog, or +setter, or poodle, that has been subject to canker, is often freed from +a return of the disease by being kept from the water.<br> +<br> +The earliest symptom of the approach of canker is frequent shaking of +the head, or holding of the head on one side, or violent scratching of +one or both ears. Redness of the integument may then be observed, and +particularly of that portion of it which lines the annular cartilage. +This is usually accompanied by some enlargement of the folds of the +skin. As soon as any of these symptoms are observed, the ear should be +gently but well washed, two or three times in the day, with lukewarm +water, and after that a weak solution of the extract of lead should be +applied, and a dose or two of physic administered.<br> +<br> +If the case is neglected, the pain will rapidly increase; the ear will +become of an intenser red; the folds of the integument will enlarge, and +there will be a deposition of red or black matter in the hollow of the +ear. The case is now more serious, and should be immediately attended +to. This black or bloody deposit should be gently but carefully washed +away with warm water and soap; and the extract of lead, in the +proportion of a scruple to an ounce of water, should be frequently +applied, until the redness and heat are abated. A solution of alum, in +about the same quantity of alum and water as the foregoing lotion, +should then be used.<br> +<br> +Some attention should be paid to the method of applying these lotions. +Two persons will be required in order to accomplish the operation. The +surgeon must hold the muzzle of the dog with one hand, and have the root +of the ear in the hollow of the other, and between the first finger and +the thumb. The assistant must then pour the liquid into the ear; half a +tea-spoonful will usually be sufficient. The surgeon, without quitting +the dog, will then close the ear, and mould it gently until the liquid +has insinuated itself as deeply as possible into the passages of the +ear. Should not the inflammation abate in the course of a few days, a +seton should be inserted in the poll, between the integument and the +muscles of the occiput, reaching from ear to ear. The excitement of a +new inflammation, so near to the part previously diseased, will +materially abate the original affection. Physic is now indispensable. +From half a drachm to a drachm of aloes, with from one to two grains of +calomel, should be given every third day.<br> +<br> +Should the complaint have been much neglected, or the inflammation so +great as to bid defiance to these means, ulceration will too often +speedily follow. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can +only be detected by moulding the ear; the effused pus will occasionally +occupy the inside of the ear to its very tip. However extensive and +annoying the inflammation may be, and occasionally causing so much +thickening of the integument as perfectly to close the ear, it is always +superficial. It will generally yield to proper treatment, and the +cartilage of the ear may not be in the slightest degree affected. Still, +however, the animal may suffer extreme pain; the discharge from the +ulcer may produce extensive excoriation of the cheek; and, in a few +cases, the system may sympathise with the excessive local application, +and the animal may be lost.<br> +<br> +The treatment must vary with circumstances. If the ulceration is deep in +the ear, and there is not a very great degree of apparent inflammation, +recourse may be had at once to a stimulating and astringent application, +such as alum or the sulphate of zinc, and in the proportion of six +grains of either to an ounce of water. If, however, the ulceration +occupies the greater part of the hollow of the ear, and is accompanied +by much thickening of the integument, and apparent filling up of the +entrance to the ear, some portion of the inflammation must be first +subdued.<br> +<br> +The only chance of getting rid of the disease is to confine the ear. A +piece of strong calico must be procured, six or eight inches in width, +and sufficiently long to reach round the head and meet under the jaw. +Along each side of it must be a running piece of tape, and a shorter +piece sewed at the centre of each of the ends. By means of these the cap +may be drawn tightly over the head, above the eyes, and likewise round +the neck behind the ears, so as perfectly to confine them.<br> +<br> +<a name="I200">After</a> all, no mild ointment will dispose such an ulcer to heal, and +recourse must be had at once to a caustic application. A scruple of the +nitrate of silver must be rubbed down with an ounce of lard, and a +little of it applied twice every day, and rubbed tolerably hard into the +sore until it assumes a healthy appearance; it may then be dressed with +the common calamine ointment.<br> +<br> +If the discharge should return, the practitioner must again have +recourse to the caustic ointment.<br> +<br> +The cartilage will never close, but the integument will gradually cover +the exposed edges, and the wound will be healed. The ear will, however, +long continue tender, and, if it should be much beaten, by the shaking +of the head, the ulcer will reappear. This must be obviated by +occasionally confining the ears, and not overfeeding the dog.<br> +<br> +Some sportsmen are accustomed to <i>round</i> the ears, that is to cut +off the diseased part. In very few instances, however, will a permanent +cure be effected, while the dog is often sadly disfigured. A fresh ulcer +frequently appears on the new edge, and is more difficult to heal than +the original one. Nine times out of ten the disease reappears.<br> +<br> +The Newfoundland dog is very subject to this disease, to remedy which +recourse must be had to the nitrate of silver.<br> +<br> +Spaniels have often a mangy inflammation of the edges of the ear. It +seldom runs on to canker; but the hair comes off round the edges of the +ear, accompanied by much heat and scurfiness of the skin. The common +sulphur ointment, with an eighth part of mercurial ointment, will +usually remove the disease.<br> +<br> +From the irritation produced by canker in or on the ear, and the +constant flapping and beating of the ear, there is sometimes a +considerable effusion of fluid between the integument and the cartilage +occupying the whole of the inside of the flap of the ear. The only +remedy is to open the enlarged part from end to end, carefully to take +out the gossamer lining of the cyst, and then to insert some bits of +lint on each side of the incision, in order to prevent its closing too +soon. In a few days, the parietes of the cyst will begin to adhere, and +a perfect cure will be accomplished<br> +<br> +If the tumour is simply punctured, the incision will speedily close, and +the cyst will fill again in the space of four-and-twenty hours. A seton +may be used, but it is more painful to the dog, and slower in its +operation.<br> +<br> +The ear should be frequently fomented with a decoction of white poppies, +and to this should follow the Goulard lotion; and, after that, if +necessary, a solution of alum should be applied. To the soreness or +scabby eruption, which extends higher up the ear, olive oil or +spermaceti ointment may be applied. In some cases, portions of the +thickened skin, projecting and excoriated, and pressing on each other, +unite, and the opening into the ear is then mechanically filled. I know +not of any remedy for this. It is useless to perforate the adventitious +substance, for the orifice will soon close; and, more than once, when I +have made a crucial incision, and cut out the unnatural mass that closed +the passage, I have found it impossible to keep down the fungous +granulations or to prevent total deafness.<br> +<br> +<a name="I53">The</a> following is a singular case of this disease:<br> +<br> +<i>1st July, 1820</i>: a dog +was sent with a tumour, evidently containing a fluid, in the flap of the +ear. A seton had been introduced, but had been sadly neglected. The hair +had become matted round the seton, and the discharge had thus been +stopped. Inflammation and considerable pain had evidently followed, and +the dog had nearly torn the seton out. I removed it, washed the ear +well, and applied the tincture of myrrh and aloes. The wound soon +healed. On the 14th the ear began again to fill. On the 17th the tumour +was ripe for the seton, which was again introduced, and worn until the +9th of August, when the sides of the abscess appeared again to have +adhered, and it was withdrawn. Canker had continued in the ear during +the whole time; and, in defiance of a cold lotion daily applied, the ear +was perceived again to be disposed to fill. The seton was once more +inserted, and the cyst apparently closed. The seton was continued a +fortnight after the sinus was obliterated, and then removed. Six weeks +afterwards the swelling had disappeared, and the canker was quite +removed. This anecdote is an encouragement to persevere under the most +disheartening circumstances.<br> +<br> +All dogs that are foolishly suffered to become gross and fat are subject +to canker. It seems to be a natural outlet for excess of nutriment or +gross humour; and, when a dog has once laboured under the disease, he is +very subject to a return of it. The fatal power of habit is in few cases +more evident than in this disease. When a dog has symptoms of mange, the +redness or eruption of the skin, generally, will not unfrequently +disappear, and bad canker speedily follow. The habit, however, may be +subdued, or at least may be kept at bay, by physic and the use of +Goulard lotion or alum.<br> +<br> +Sportsmen are often annoyed by another species of canker Pointers and +hounds are particularly subject to it.<br> +<br> +This species of canker commences with a scurfy eruption and thickening +of the edges of the ear, apparently attended by considerable itching or +pain. The dog is continually flapping his ear, and beating it violently +against his head. The inflammation is thus increased, and the tip of the +ear becomes exceedingly sore. This causes him to shake his head still +more violently, and the ulcer spreads and is indisposed to heal, and at +length a fissure or crack appears on the tip of the cartilage, and +extends to a greater or less distance down the ear.<br> +<br> +<a name="I54">The</a> narration of one or two cases may be useful, as showing the +inveteracy of the disease.<br> +<br> +8<i>th Feb.</i> 1832. — A Newfoundland dog, very fat, had dreadful canker +in both ears, and considerable discharge of purulent matter. He was +continually shaking his ears, lying and moaning. Apply the canker +lotion, and give the alterative balls.<br> +<br> +13<i>th.</i> The discharge considerably lessened from one ear, but that +from the other has increased. Continue the lotion and apply a seton.<br> +<br> +22<i>d.</i> The dog, probably neglected at home, was sent to me. Both +ears were as bad as ever.<br> +<br> +25<i>th.</i> The dog is perfectly unmanageable when the lotion is poured +into the ear, but submits when an ointment is applied. Use <i>ung. sambuci, +[Symbol: ounce] j. cerus, acet. [Symbol: ounce] j</i>., mix well together. Continue the alteratives.<br> +<br> +30<i>th.</i> Slowly amending; the whining has ceased, and the animal +seldom scratches. Continue the lotion, alteratives, and purgatives.<br> +<br> +10<i>th Oct.</i> — Slowly improving. Continue the treatment.<br> +<br> +17<i>th.</i> One ear well, the other nearly so.<br> +<br> +24<i>th.</i> Both ears were apparently well. Omit the lotion.<br> +<br> +28<i>th.</i> One ear was again ulcerated. Applied the <i>aerugo aeris</i>.<br> +<br> +31<i>st.</i> This has been too stimulating, and the ulceration is almost +as great as at first. Return to the <i>ung. sambuci</i> and <i>cerusa acetata</i>.<br> +<br> +From this time to the 24th February, 1833, we continued occasionally +taking out the seton, but returning to it every two or three days; +applying the canker lotion until we were driven from it, mixing with it +variable quantities of <i>tinctura opii</i>, having recourse to mercurial +ointment, and trying a solution of the sulphate of copper. With two or +three applications we could keep the disease at bay; but with none could +we fairly remove the evil. The sulphate of zinc, the acetate of lead, +decoctions of oak bark, a very mild injection of the nitrate of +silver, — all would do good at times; but at other times we were set at +complete defiance.<br> +<br> +Another gentleman brought his dog about the same time. This was also a +Newfoundland dog. He had always been subject to mangy eruptions, and had +now mange in the feet, the inside of the ear covered with scaly +eruptions, the skin red underneath, considerable thickening of the ear, +and a slight discharge from its base. A seton was inserted and a +physic-ball given every second day. The canker lotion had little good +effect. Some calamine ointment, with a small portion of calomel, was +then had recourse to.<br> +<br> +In ten days the dog had ceased to scratch himself or shake his head, and +the ear was clean and cool. The seton was removed; but the animal being +confined, a little redness again appeared in the ear, which the lotion +soon removed.<br> +<br> +At the expiration of a month he was dismissed apparently cured; but he +afterwards had a return of his old mangy complaints, which bade defiance +to every mode of treatment.<br> +<br> +<a name="I86">Herr</a> Maassen, V. S., Wümemburg, has lately introduced, and with much +success, the use of creosote for the cure of canker in the ear.<br> +<br> +The first experiment was on a setter with canker in his ear. The owner +of the dog had ordered it to be hanged, as all remedies had failed in +producing a cure. Herr Maassen prescribed <i>creosoti 3ss. et spirit, vini +rectificat. 3ij</i>. This mixture was applied once in every day to the +diseased part. In a few weeks the dog was completely cured, and has +since had no return of the complaint. In a terrier, and also in three +spaniels, the effect of this application was equally satisfactory. In +some cases, where the disease showed itself in a less degree, the +creosote was dissolved in water, instead of spirit of wine. It is always +necessary to take away the collar while the dog is under treatment, in +order that the flap of the ear may not be injured by striking against it. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="vegear"></a><h3>Vegetating Excrescences in the Ear</h3> + +(By F. J. J. Rigot.)<br> +<br> +Productions of this kind, which he had the opportunity of observing only +once, are sometimes united in masses, and completely close the auditive +canal. The surface is granulated and black, and there escapes from it an +unctuous fetid discharge. On both sides the animal is exceedingly +susceptible of pain, and the excrescences bleed if the slightest +pressure is brought to bear upon them.<br> +<br> +He thought it right to cut away these excrescences bodily, which he +found to be composed of a strong dense tissue, permitting much blood to +escape through an innumerable quantity of vascular openings. They were +reproduced with extreme promptitude after they had been cut off or +cauterized. Some of them appeared no more after being destroyed by the +nitrate of mercury.<br> +<br> +Sometimes, however, twenty-four hours after a simple incision, not +followed by cauterization, these productions acquire an almost +incredible size. It seemed, in M. Rigot's case, to be impossible to +conquer the evil, and the patient was destroyed. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="eruptear"></a><h3>Eruptions in the Ear</h3> + +A Newfoundland dog had long been subject to mangy eruptions on the back +and in the feet. They had suddenly disappeared, and the whole of the +inside of the ear became covered with scaly eruptions. The skin was red; +there was considerable thickening of the ear, and a discharge from the +base of it. The canker-lotion was used, a physic-ball given every second +day, and a seton inserted in the poll reaching from ear to ear. No +apparent benefit resulted. A little calamine ointment, to which was +added one-eighth part of mercurial ointment, was then tried, and +considerable benefit immediately experienced. The dog no longer +continued to scratch himself or to shake his head, and the ear became +clean and cool. The seton was removed, and nothing remained but a little +occasional redness, which the lotion very soon dispersed.<br> +<br> +The owner, however, became ultimately tired of all this doctoring, and +the animal was destroyed.<br> +<br> +A poodle had had exceedingly bad ears during several months. There was +considerable discharge, apparently giving much pain. The dog was +continually shaking his head and crying. A seton was introduced, the +canker-lotion was resorted to, and alterative and purgative medicines +exhibited. On the 29th of December the discharge from the ear ceased; +but, owing to the neglect of the servant, it soon broke out again, and +there was not only much excoriation under the ear, but, from the matting +of the hair, deep ulcers formed on either side, the edges of the wound +were ragged, and the skin was detached from the muscular parts beneath. +Probes were introduced on each side, which passed down the neck and +nearly met. The smell was intolerably offensive, and the dog was reduced +almost to a skeleton. I was, for the second time, sent for to see the +case. I immediately recommended that the animal should be destroyed; but +this was not permitted. I then ordered that it should daily be carefully +washed, and diluted tincture of myrrh be applied to the wounds. They +showed no disposition to heal, and the dog gradually sunk under the +continued discharge and died. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="violear"></a><h3>Violent Affection of the Ear</h3> + +<i>20th May, 1928</i>. — A spaniel screamed violently, even when it was not +touched, and held its head permanently on one side, as if the muscles +were contracted. The glands beneath the ear were enlarged, but the +bowels were regular; the nose was not hot; there was no cough. A warm +bath was ordered, with aperient medicine.<br> +<br> +On the 22d she was no better. I examined the case more carefully. The +left ear was exceedingly hot and tender: she would scarcely bear me to +touch it. I continued the aperient medicine, and ordered a warm lotion +to be applied, consisting of the <i>liquor plumbi acetatis </i>and infusion of +digitalis. She improved from the first application of it, and in a few +days was quite well. A fortnight afterwards the pain returned. The +lotion was employed, but not with the same success. A seton was then +applied. She wore it only four days, when the pain completely +disappeared.<br> +<br> +I have an account in my records of the conduct of a coward, who, coming +from such a breed, was not worthy of the trouble we took with him. He +was a Newfoundland dog, two years old, with considerable enlargement, +redness, and some discharge from both ears. He was sent to our hospital +for treatment. When no one was near him, he shook hia head and scratched +his ears, and howled dreadfully. Many times in the course of the day he +cried as if we were murdering him. We sent him home thoroughly well, and +glad we were to get rid of him. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cropear"></a><h3>Cropping of the Ears</h3> + +I had some doubt, whether I ought not to +omit the mention of this cruel practice. Mr. Blaine very properly says, +that + +<blockquote>"it is one that does not honour the inventor, for nature gives +nothing in vain. Beauty and utility appear in all when properly +examined, but in unequal degrees. In some, beauty is pre-eminent; while, +in others, utility appears to have been the principal consideration. +That must, therefore, be a false taste, that has taught us to prefer a +<i>curtailed</i> organ to a perfect one, without gaining any convenience +by the operation." He adds, and it is my only excuse saying one word +about the matter, that "custom being now fixed, directions are proper +for its performance."</blockquote> + +The owner of the dog commences with maiming him while a puppy. He finds +fault with the ears that nature has given him, and they are rounded or +cut into various shapes, according to his whim or caprice. It is a cruel +operation. A great deal of pain is inflicted by it, and it is often a +long time before the edge of the wound will heal: a fortnight or three +weeks at least will elapse ere the animal is free from pain.<br> +<br> +It has been pleaded, and I would be one of the last to oppose the plea, +that the ears of many dogs are rounded on account of the ulcers which +attack and rend the conch; because animals with short ears defend +themselves most readily from the attacks of others: because, in their +combats with each other, they generally endeavour to lay hold of the +neck or the ears; and, therefore, when their ears are shortened, they +have considerable advantage over their adversary. There is some truth in +this plea; but, otherwise, the operation of cropping is dependent on +caprice or fashion.<br> +<br> +If the ears of dogs must be cropped, it should not be done too early. +Four, five, or six weeks should first pass; otherwise, they will grow +again, and the second cropping will not produce a good appearance. The +scissors are the proper instruments for accomplishing the removal of the +ear; the tearing of the cartilages out by main force is an act of +cruelty that none but a brute in human shape would practise; and, if he +attempts it, it is ten to one that he does not obtain a good crop. If +the conch is torn out, there is nothing remaining to retain the skin +round the auricular opening: it may be torn within the auditory canal, +and as that is otherwise very extensible in the dog, it is prolonged +above the opening, which may then probably be closed by a cicatrix. The +animal will in this case always remain deaf, at least in one ear. In the +mean time, the mucous membrane that lines the <i>meatus auditorias</i> +subsists, the secretion of the wax continues; it accumulates and +acquires an irritating quality; the irritation which it causes produces +an augmentation of the secretion, and soon the whole of the subcutaneous +passage becomes filled, and seems to assume the form of a cord; and it +finishes by the dog continuing to worry himself, shaking his head, and +becoming subject to fits.<br> +<br> +Mr. Blaine very naturally observes, that, + + <blockquote>"it is not a little surprising +that this cruel custom is so frequently, or almost invariably, practised +on pug-dogs, whose ears, if left alone to nature, are particularly +handsome and hang very gracefully. It is hardly to be conceived how the +pug's head — which is not naturally beautiful except in the eye of +perverted taste — is improved by suffering his ears to remain."</blockquote> + +If the cropping is to be practised, the mother should have been +previously removed. It is quite erroneous, that her licking the wounded +edges will be serviceable. On the contrary, it only increases their +pain, and deprives the young ones of the best balsam that can be +applied — the blood that flows from their wounds. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="polypear"></a><h3>Polypi in the Ears</h3> + +Dr. Mercer, in <i>The Veterinarian</i>, of July, 1844, gives an interesting +account of the production of polypi in the <i>meatus</i> of the ear. He +considers that there are two kinds of polypi — first, the soft, vascular +and bleeding polypus, usually produced from the fibro-cartilaginous +structure of the outer half of the tube; and, secondly, the hard and +cartilaginous polypus or excrescence produced from the lining membrane +of its inner half. The first is termed the hæmatoid polypus, and the +other the chondromatous. The dog suffering under either generally has a +dull, heavy, and rather watery eye. He moans or whines at intervals. If +his master ia present he feels a relief in pressing and rubbing his +aching ear against him. At other times he presses and rubs his ear +against the ground, in order to obtain a slight relief, flapping his +ears and shaking his head; the mouth being opened and the tongue +protruded, and the affected ear pointing to the ground. Then comes a +sudden, and often a profuse, discharge of fetid pus. The local discharge +of pus and blood becomes daily more and more fetid, and the poor animal +becomes an object of disgust.<br> +<br> +In the first variety of polypus, where it is practicable, the soft and +vascular excrescence should be excised with a pair of scissors or a +small knife, or it may be noosed by a ligature of silk or of silver +wire, or twisted off with a pair of forceps. Immediately after its +removal, the base of the tumour should be carefully destroyed by the +nitrate of silver, and this should be repeated as long as there is any +appearance of renewed growth. Any ulcer or carious condition of the +<i>meatus</i> should be immediately removed.<br> +<br> +In order to protect the diseased parts, a soft cap should be used, and +within the ear a little cotton wadding may defend the ear from injury.<br> +<br> +Dr. Mercer very properly remarks that, in the second or chondromatous +variety of polypus of the <i>meatus</i>, the treatment must depend upon the +concomitant circumstances. If the tumour is seated close to the <i>membrana +tympani</i>, and has a broad and sessile base, then it cannot be excised or +noosed with any degree of success. It must therefore be treated by the +daily application of the solid nitrate of silver, applied exactly to its +surface; and, in the intervals of application, the use of any collyria +may be had recourse to. If the substance of the growth be firm and +solid, and possess little sensibility, then a very speedy mode of +getting rid of it is to divide its substance with a small knife; and +afterwards, by applying the solid nitrate of silver, the tumour will +soon be sloughed away. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="polypother"></a><h3>Polypi in Other Orifices</h3> + +The dog is liable to polypi in the nasal cavity, in the anus, and in the +vagina, which it will not be out of place to mention here.<br> +<br> +The polypi of the nasal and of the anal cavities often show themselves +under the form of rounded bodies, projecting from the nose or anus. +Their size and consistence are variable — sometimes soft, tearing with +the greatest facility, and bleeding at the slightest touch; at other +times, solid and covered with pituitary membrane. They are generally the +result of ulcerations, wounds, fractures, perforations of the turbinated +bones, sinuses,&c. These polypous productions obstruct the passage of +the air, and more or less impede the breathing. They are best extirpated +by means of a ligature, or circular compression, on the pedicle of the +polypus, and tightened every second day.<br> +<br> +We may discover the presence of a tumour of this nature in one of the +nasal passages, when, on putting our hand to the orifice of the nostril, +there issues little or no air; or when we sound the nostril with the +finger or a probe, or examine it on a bright day.<br> +<br> +The methods of destroying polypi in the nasal cavity vary with the +texture, size, form, and position of these excrescences. Excision with +the bistoury, or with scissors, may be tried when the polypus is near +the orifice of the nostril, and particularly when it is not large at the +base. Excision should be followed by cauterization with the red-hot +iron, by which a portion of the base of the tumour is destroyed, and +which could not be reached by a sharp instrument. To succeed in these +operations, it is frequently necessary to cut through the false nostril. +The edges of the wound may afterwards be united by a suture.<br> +<br> +The ligature, or circular compression, excised immediately on the +pedicle of the polypus, by means of a wire or waxed string, and directed +into the nasal cavity by means of a proper instrument, may he tried when +the polypus is deeply situated, and particularly when its base is +narrow. But, for this operation, which is difficult to perform, and +which may be followed by a new polypous production, when the base is not +perfectly destroyed, we may substitute the forcible detachment, +especially when we have to act on vascular and soft excrescences.<br> +<br> +The Italian greyhound is strangely subject to these polypi in the matrix +or vagina. The reason for it is difficult to explain.<br> +<br> +A bitch, ten years old, was brought to the author on the 20th December, +1843, with an oval substance, as large as a thrush's egg, occasionally +protruding from the vagina. I advised that it should be removed by means +of a ligature; but the owner was afraid, and a fortnight was suffered to +pass before she was brought again. The tumour had rapidly increased; it +was as large as a pigeon's egg, considerably excoriated, and the pedicle +being almost as large as the tumour itself. The operation was now +consented to. I passed a ligature as firmly round the pedicle and as +high up as I could. The bitch scarcely seemed to suffer any pain.<br> +<br> +<i>3d Jan.</i> — The circulation is evidently cut off, and the tumour is +assuming a thoroughly black hue, but it appears to cause no +inconvenience to the dog. I tightened the ligature. <br> +<br> +4th. The tumour is +now completely black, considerably protruded, and apparently destitute +of feeling. I again tightened the ligature.<br> +<br> +5th. The tumour not appearing disposed to separate, and the uterus +seeming to be drawn back by its weight, I cut off the tumour close to +the ligature. Not the slightest pain seemed to be given, and the tumour +was hard and black. There was, however, a very little oozing of bloody +fluid, which continuing to the 8th, I injected a slight solution of alum +into the vagina, and three days afterwards the discharge was perfectly +stopped.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">Although our author has given us several interesting and practical +pages upon the diseases of the ear and its appendages, it seems to us +that the arrangement of the matter is rather objectionable, and not +sufficiently explicit to be easily comprehended by sportsmen, not before +familiar with the subject; we therefore add a concise resumé or epitome +of these troublesome affections, which we trust will be found of +practical utility to the reader.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="simotor"></a><h3>Simple Otorrhœa</h3> + +<table summary="otorhhæa" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><span style="color: #663300;">or running from the ear, produced by inflammation of the mucous membrane +of the external auditory canal, is of frequent occurrence. The dog +should be purged with salts, and the ear washed with castile soap and +tepid water. The solution opposite may be introduced several times a +day:<br> +<br> +This affection in old dogs is very troublesome, and in most cases +impossible to cure. Alum, zinc, copper, lead, and other astringent +applications may be used in powder, as a local application in these +cases. A seton and blisters will also be serviceable</span>.</td> +<td><img src="images/RX4.gif" width="397" height="152" align="right" border="2" alt="Rx for otorrhæa"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="tumflap"></a><h3>Tumors of the Flap</h3> + +<table summary="tumours of the flap" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><span style="color: #663300;">A tumour, particularly in old dogs, is often seen extending from the tip +of the flap even to the base of the ear. It progresses slowly but +surely, if not interfered with in its career, and will become eventually +enormously large and very painful. These tumours are most common in old +setters, Newfoundlands, and hounds.</span> +</td> +<td><img src="images/Rx5.gif" width="352" height="54" align="right" border="2" alt="Rx for tumours of the ear flap"><img src="images/Rx6.gif" width="352" height="57" align="right" border="2" alt="Rx for tumours of the ear flap cont."></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span style="color: #663300;"><i>Treatment</i>. — The tumour, at its commencement, may be discussed by +the application of astringent washes, as warm vinegar, water, and +laudanum, or sugar of lead. When, however, it has become more extensive, +the only remedy is opening it through its whole extent, and pressing out +its purulent content. A poultice may then be applied, and tepid +fomentations used for several days. It is often extremely difficult to +heal up the abscess, or arrest the fetid discharge that is constantly +collecting: a seton placed in the poll, in connexion with washes of a +stimulating character, will, however, effect a cure, if patiently +persevered in. Either of the above will answer this purpose:<br> +<br> +We used on one occasion tincture of iodine with perfect success +in an old and obstinate case.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cankear2"></a><h3>Canker in the Ear (2)</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">This is a rather indefinite term, as applied to the diseased ear of a +dog; in fact, any malignant corroding sore may be called a canker, no +matter where situated. Some writers describe, under the head of canker, +a violent chronic otitis, attended by a purulent sanguinoid discharge. +Others understand by canker a species of erysipelatous inflammation, +that makes its appearance on the inside of the flap, and extends itself +to the interior of the ear. What we understand by canker, is an acute +inflammation of the lining membrane of the ear, destroying the tympanum +or drum, and producing total deafness. The secretion is often +considerable, and if not removed, will soon fill up the cavity of the +ear with a dark reddish deposit, which greatly increases the irritation +and inflammation of the parts. Mr. Blaine states that he has seen this +disease take a very malignant character, and extend its ravages over the +face, destroying the soft parts, and even penetrating through the bone +into the interior of the head.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes</i>. — This disease may he excited by any of those causes that +produce a general or local inflammatory action; exposure to cold, the +presence of malignant diseases on other portions of the body, high +living, heat, confinement, or extraneous substances lodged in the organ +itself.<br> +<br> +Water-dogs are most subject to this affection, owing, no doubt, to the +frequent afflux of blood to these parts, while the remainder of the body +is immersed in the water. A tendency to this peculiar inflammation may +also be produced in these animals by the action of the water upon the +delicate membranes of the ear, which occasions a violent shaking of the +head and beating of the flaps, which not unfrequently bruises them +considerably. Dogs that seldom or never go into the water are not, +however, by any means exempt from the disease; as we have often seen it +developed in terriers, mastiffs, and every species of mongrel.</span> + +<table summary="rx7" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><span style="color: #663300;"><i>Treatment</i>. — When the disease appears in its acute form, and +without any apparent cause beyond luxurious living and confinement, +bleeding, purging, low diet, and regular exercise, together with tepid +and soothing washes, will generally relieve the inflammatory action of +the parts. The ear should be carefully and tenderly washed out with +castile soap, and a small quantity of the following solution poured into +it two or three times daily, and the ear worked about gently in the hand +to secure the percolation of the fluid through its structure.</span></td> +<td><img src="images/Rx7.gif" width="385" height="162" align="right" border="2" alt="for canker"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span style="color: #663300;">The above mixtures should be warmed before using, otherwise the dog may +resist their introduction.<br> +<br> +When the disease from bad treatment or neglect has subsided into the +chronic form, and ulceration and suppuration have commenced, it will be +necessary to pursue a somewhat different treatment, and remain more +patient, awaiting the result.<br> +<br> +At this time the auditory passage is filled with a dark purulent +secretion, which forms a thick and irritating crust.</span> + +<table summary="rx8" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><span style="color: #663300;">This deposit should first be removed by washing with castile soap and +tepid water, and the daily application of a hop poultice. If there be +much inflammatory action of the parts, the dog may be bled, and +alterative or purgative balls administered. The wash opposite must be +used two or three times daily.</span></td> +<td><img src="images/Rx8.gif" width="359" height="65" align="right" border="2" alt="for canker 2"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table summary="rx9" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><img src="images/Rx9.gif" width="333" height="48" align="right" border="2" alt="for canker 3"></td><td><span style="color: #663300;">As the discharge is usually very offensive, the solution opposite will +correct its fetor, and should be injected or poured in the ear.</span> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table summary="rx10" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><span style="color: #663300;">If granulations have sprung up, touch them with a camel's hair brush, +dipped in the mixture opposite:</span></td><td><img src="images/Rx10.gif" width="329" height="48" align="right" border="2" alt="for canker 3"></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span style="color: #663300;">If, however, the excrescences continue to sprout from the cartilage, and +the discharge continues unabated and offensive, they may be excised and +the parts brushed over with nitrate of silver in substance. After this +operation the flap often becomes extremely tender and much swollen; +poultices of poppy-heads or hops will often afford much relief.<br> +<br> +Setons are of much value in the treatment of obstinate cases, and should +be placed in the poll, and kept open till a cure is effected, or the +case abandoned.</span> + +<table summary="Beagle" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><br> +<br> +<img src="images/Rx11.gif" width="323" height="50" align="right" border="2" alt="for canker 5"></td><td><span style="color: #663300;">All greasy applications to the parts should be discarded; the only one +we consider allowable would be a very nice preparation of fresh butter, +alum, and laudanum, smeared over the surface of the ulcers when very +indolent and painful.<br> +<br> +The wash opposite will be found very soothing in the same case:</span></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span style="color: #663300;">If the disease has progressed far enough to destroy a considerable +portion of the cartilages, and perforate the tympanum, more care is +necessary in using ihe above washes, as the fluid will enter the +internal ear through this opening, and cause much uneasiness to the +animal, if not fatal consequences.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="woundear"></a><h3>Wounds of the ear</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Wounds of the flap are often occasioned by the tearing of poisonous +briars, while hunting in close cover, or in conflict with other dogs.<br> +<br> +The former will generally heal up without much trouble, but the latter, +when extensive, sometimes two or three inches in length, by requiring +uniting by one or more sutures, to prevent deformity.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="wartear"></a><h3>Warts</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">When these little excrescences appear on the external or internal +portions of the flap, they may be taken off with the knife, and caustic +applied to the wound, to induce them to heal, and keep down further +granulations.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cankflap"></a><h3>Canker of the Edge of the Flap</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">When a corroding sore of this nature attacks the edges of the ear, and +refuses to yield to the application of a few stimulating washes, such as +sulphate of copper, alum, borax, nitrate of silver, &c., the diseased +edges may be pared off, and the actual cautery applied to the parts. +This will frequently arrest its further progress.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="polear"></a><h3>Polypus of the Ear (2)</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Polypi often spring up from the interior of the ear; they may be cut off +with the scissors, or by the application of a fine wire, or horse-hair +ligature. The wound should be touched with caustic, tincture of iodine, +or the actual cautery.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="mangedg"></a><h3>Diseases of the Ear — Mangy Edges</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">This affection generally accompanies the same disease in other portions +of the body, but may occasionally make its appearance independent of +this cause. The edges of the flap become rough, thickened, and furrowed, +the itching intolerable; and the dog perpetually shaking and scratching +the head, occasions a constant oozing of blood from the wound. +Smooth-haired dogs are most subject to this disease, such as pointers, +hounds, and terriers.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i> — Slightly stimulating washes, such as castile soap, +alum-water, or infusion of oak-bark, will, in the majority of cases, +induce these sores to heal up. If these do not answer, it will be +necessary to use the mange ointment, keeping the animal hobbled to +prevent him from scratching. Old inveterate cases are best cured by +trimming off the affected parts. — L.</span> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + + +<h2><a name="section10">Chapter X — Anatomy and Diseases of the Facial Features</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="ethmoid"></a><h4>The Ethmoid Bones</h4> + +There is some difficulty in describing the ethmoid bones; but we shall +not, however, deviate far from the truth if we give the following +account:<br> +<br> +A great number of small hollow pedicles proceed from and form around the +cribriform plate; as they move downwards, they project into distinct +vesicles or cavities, smaller and more numerous behind, fewer in number +and larger in front; and each of them not a simple cavity, but more or +less convoluted, while the long walls of those cells are of gossamer +thinness, and as porous as gauze. They even communicate, and are lined, +and externally wrapped together, by the same membrane; the whole +assuming a pear-like form, attached by its base or greater extremity, +and decreasing in size as it proceeds downwards; the cells becoming +fewer, and terminating at length in a kind of apex, which passes under +the superior turbinated bone, and forms a valve between the nasal cavity +and the maxillary sinuses. <a name="I203">If</a> to this is added, that the olfactory or +first pair of nerves abut on these cribriform plates, and pass through +their minute openings, and spread themselves over every one of these +cells, we have a tolerably correct picture of this portion of the +ethmoid bones. This nerve has different degrees of development in +different animals, in proportion to their acuteness of smell. There is +comparatively but little necessity for acuteness in the horse. The ox +has occasion for somewhat more, especially in the early part of the +spring, when the plants are young, and have not acquired their peculiar +scent. In the sheep it is larger, and fills the superior portion of the +nasal cavity; but in the dog it seems to occupy that cavity almost to +the exclusion of the turbinated bones. It is also much more fragile in +the dog than in the ox, and the plates have a considerably thinner +structure.<br> +<br> +The ethmoid bone of the horse or the ox may be removed from its +situation with little injury; but that of the dog can scarcely be +meddled with without fracture. Below it are the two turbinated bones; +but they are reduced to insignificance by the bulk of the ethmoid bone. +The inferior turbinated bone in the dog is very small, but it is +curiously complicated.<br> +<br> +<a name="I189">The</a> <i>meatus</i> contains three distinct channels; and the air, +loitering, as it were, in it, and being longer in contact with the +sensitive membrane by which it is lined, contributes to the acuter sense +of smell. The larger cavity is along the floor of the nasal duct. It is +the proper air-passage; and because it has this important function to +discharge, it is out of the way of violence or injury.<br> +<br> +The <i>lachrymal duct</i> is the channel through which the superfluous +tears are conveyed to the lower parts of the nostril. A long canal here +commences, and runs down and along the maxillary bone. It is very small, +and terminates in the cuticle, in order that the highly sensitive +membrane of the nose may not be excoriated by the tears occasionally +rendered acrimonious in inflammation of the eye. The oval termination of +this duct is easily brought into view by lifting the nostril.<br> +<br> +From some occasional acrimony of the tears, the lining of this duct may +be inflamed and thickened, or some foreign body, or some unctuous matter +from the ciliary glands, may insinuate itself into the duct, and the +fluid accumulates in the sac and distends it, and it bursts; or the +ulcer eats through the integument, and there is a small fistulous +opening beneath the inner canthus of the eye, or there is a constant +discharge from it. It is this constant discharge that prevents the wound +from healing. In some cases the lachrymal bone is involved in the +ulcerative process and becomes carious. In the dog, and particularly in +the smaller spaniel, the watery eye, <i>fistula lachrymalis</i>, is of no +unusual occurrence. The fistula will be recognised by a constant, +although perhaps slight, discharge of pus.<br> +<br> +<a name="I208">The</a> structure and office of the <i>velum palati</i>, or veil of the +palate, is in the horse a perfect interposed section between the cavity +of the mouth and the nose, and cutting off all communication between +them. In the dog, who breathes almost entirely through the mouth, the +<i>velum palati</i> is smaller; the tensor muscle, so beautifully described by +Mr. Percivall, is weak, but the circumflex one is stronger and more +developed. When <i>coryza</i> in the dog runs on to catarrh, and the +membrane of the pharynx partakes of the inflammation, the <i>velum palati</i> +becomes inflamed and thickened, but will not act as a perfect +communication between the mouth and the nose. When there is a defluxion +from the nose, tinged by the colour of the food, and particles of food +mingle with it, we have one of the worst symptoms that can present +itself, because it proves the extent and violence of the inflammation.<br> +<br> +In inflammatory affections of the membrane of the nose in the dog, we +often observe him snorting in a very peculiar way, with his head +protruding, and the inspiration as forcible as the expiration. An emetic +will usually afford relief, or grain doses of the sulphate of copper. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="nasbone"></a><h3>The Nasal Bones</h3> + +<table summary="skhead" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td>The nasal bones of the dog, as seen opposite, are very small, as they are in all carnivorous animals. Instead of +constituting the roof, and part of the outer wall of the cavity, as in +other animals, the nasal bones form only a portion, and a small one, of +the roof.<br> +<br> +[N. B. This image does not enlarge well, but a magnifying glass may serve. html Ed.]</td><td><img src="images/skelhead.gif" width="175" height="114" align="right" border="2" alt="canine skeletal head"></td> +</tr> +</table> +The <i>superior maxillaries</i> here swell into importance, and +constitute the whole of the outer wall, and, sometimes, a part of the +roof. The jaws are the weapons of offence and defence; and as much space +as possible is devoted to the insertion of those muscles that will +enable the animal to seize and to hold his prey. One of the most +powerful of them, the <i>masseter</i>, rises from the superior maxillary +bone, and spreads over its whole extent: therefore, that bone is +developed, while the nasal bone is compressed into a very small space. +The substitution of a portion of cartilage, instead of bone, at the +posterior part of the orbital ring, in order to give more play for the +coracoid process of the posterior maxillary, round which the temporal +bone is wrapped, is a contrivance of the same nature.<br> +<br> +The scent of the dog is not sacrificed or impaired by the apparent +diminution of the nasals; for the cavity enlarges considerably upward, +and is occupied chiefly by the <i>ethmoid bone</i>, which, having the +greater portion of nervous pulp spread on it, seems to have most to do +with the sense of smell.<br> +<br> +The nasal bones of the dog are essentially different from those of the +horse, cattle, and sheep. They commence, indeed, as high up in the face +as those of the horse, their superior extremities being opposite to the +lachrymal gland; but that commencement is an apex or point varying +materially in different breeds. They form, altogether, one sharp +projection, and are received within breeds these processes extend nearly +one-third of the length of the nasals.<br> +<br> +The superior maxillary (3.3.) takes the situation of the nasal (2.), +pushes the lachrymal bone (4.) out of its place, and almost annihilates +it, reaches the frontal bone (7.) and expands upon it, and forms with it +the same denticulated suture which is to be seen in the nasal. The +action of the muscle between these bones, and for the development of +which all this sacrifice is made, is exceedingly powerful. The strength +of this muscle in a large dog is almost incredible: the sutures between +these bones must possess corresponding strength; and so strong is the +union between them, that, in many old dogs, the suture between the +superior maxillary and frontal bones is nearly obliterated, and that +between the nasal and frontal maxillary quite effaced.<br> +<br> +As the nasal bones proceed downward they become somewhat wider. They +unite with a long process of the anterior maxillary for the purpose of +strength, and then terminate in a singular way. They have their apexes +or points on the outer edge of the bone; and these apexes or points are +so contrived, that, lying upon, and seemingly losing themselves, on the +processes of the anterior maxillary, they complete, superiorly and +posteriorly, that elliptical bony opening into the nose which was +commenced by the maxillary anteriorly and inferiorly. The nasal cavity +of the dog, therefore, and of all carnivorous animals, terminates by a +somewhat circular opening, more or less in the form of an ellipse. This +bony aperture varies in size in different dogs, and, as we should expect +from what we have seen of the adaptation of structure to the situation +and wants of the animal, it is largest in those on whom we are most +dependent for speed and stoutness.<br> +<br> +<a name="I204">The</a> <i>olfactory</i>, or first pair of nerves, have a double origin, +namely, from the <i>corpus striatum</i> and the base of the <i>corpus +callosum</i>. They are prolongations of the medullary substance of the +central portion of the brain. They are the largest of the cerebral +nerves. Their course is exceedingly short; and they have not a single +anastomosis, in order that the impression made on them may be conveyed +undisturbed and perfect to the brain.<br> +<br> +The olfactory nerve is a prolongation of the substance of the brain, and +it abuts upon the cribriform bone, of which mention has been made. I +will not speak of the singular cavities which it contains, nor of their +function; this belongs to the sensorial system: but its pulpy matter has +already been traced to the base of the ethmoid bone, and the under part +of the septum, and the superior turbinated bone. Although we soon lose +it in the mucous membrane of the nose, there is little doubt that in a +more filmy form it is spread over the whole of the cavity, and probably +over all the sinuses of the face and head. It is, however, so mingled +with the mucous membrane, that no power of the lens has enabled us to +follow it so far. It is like the <i>portio mollis</i> of the seventh +pair, eluding the eye, but existing in sufficient substances for the +performance of its important functions.<br> +<br> +We have frequent cases of <i>ozæna</i> in old dogs, and sometimes in +those that are younger. The discharge from the nostril is abundant and +constant, and sometimes fetid. The Schneiderian membrane, of more than +usual sensibility in this animal, is exposed to many causes of +irritation, and debilitated and worn out before its time. Pugs are +particularly subject to ozæna. I scarcely ever knew a very old pug that +had it not to a greater or less degree. The peculiar depression between +the nasal and frontal bones in this breed of dogs, while it almost +totally obliterates the frontal sinuses, may narrow the air-passage at +that spot, and cause greater irritation there from the unusual rush of +the air, and especially if the membrane becomes inflamed or any foreign +body insinuates itself.<br> +<br> +Little can be done in these cases, except to encourage cleanliness about +the face and nostrils. It is, in the majority of these cases, a disease +of old age, and must take its course.<br> +<br> +A terrier uttered a continual loud stertorous sound in breathing, which +could be plainly heard in our parlour when the dog was in the hospital. +The animal was evidently much oppressed and in considerable pain. He +made continual, and generally ineffectual, efforts to sneeze. When he +did succeed, a very small quantity of pus-like fluid was discharged; the +dog was then considerably relieved, but a quarter of an hour afterwards +he was as bad as ever. I ordered a slight emetic every third day. There +was some relief for seven or eight hours, and then he was as bad as +ever. I could neither feel nor see any cause of obstruction. The owner +became tired, and the dog was taken away; but we could not learn what +became of it.<br> +<br> +Another terrier was occasionally brought for consultation. The dog +breathed with considerable difficulty, and occasionally snorted with the +greatest violence, and bloody purulent matter was discharged; after +which he was somewhat relieved; but, in the course of a few days, the +obstruction was as great as ever. I am not aware of a single instances +of this affection of the pug being completely removed. The discharge +from the nostrils of the bull-dog is often considerable, and, once being +thoroughly established, is almost as obstinate as in the pug. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="ozaena"></a><h3>Ozæna</h3> + +Ozæna, or fetid discharge from the nose, is, perhaps, the most +troublesome and frequent affection that this organ is subject to; it is +attended, at first, with slight fever, swelling of the parts, and a +fetid discharge from the nostrils, which, if not corrected in the early +stage of the disease, subsides into a chronic purulent secretion, that +not only weakens the dog, but renders him peculiarly offensive. Caries +and destruction of the bones of the nose will ultimately take place. + +<table summary="Beagle" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><i>Causes</i>. — Inflammation of the lining membrane of the nose, either +idiopathic, or arising from distemper, or other morbid disturbance of +the system. It may also be a symptom, or the produce, of polypi in this +organ.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — In commencing the treatment of this disease, it will +be necessary first to prescribe some alterative medicines, as balls of +aloes and rhubarb, and protect the animal from all severe atmospherical +vicissitudes. This precaution, in connexion with mild astringent +injections into the seat of the disorder, will generally effect a cure.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;"><a name="I346">Any</a> of the injections opposite will answer a good purpose. No. 3 is +particularly useful to correct the fetidness of the discharge. When the +disease is an old chronic affection, it should not be arrested too +suddenly by astringent injections; in such cases it will be better to +insert a seton in the poll, and thus keep up a drain from the system +after the suppression of the other. — L.</span></td> +<td><br> +<img src="images/Rx12.gif" width="370" height="286" align="right" border="2" alt="injections for ozæna"></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="smell1"></a><h3>The Sense of Smell</h3> + +In the dog we trace the triumph of <i>olfactory power</i>. How indistinct +must be that scent which is communicated to, and lingers on, the ground +by the momentary contact of the foot of the hare, the fox, or the deer; +yet the hound, of various breeds, recognises it for hours, and some +sportsmen have said for more than a day. He also can not only +distinguish the scent of one species of animal from another, but that of +different animals of the same species. The fox-hound, well broken-in, +will rarely challenge at the scent of the hare, nor will he be imposed +upon when the crafty animal that he pursues has taken refuge in the +earth, and thrusts out a new victim before the pack.<br> +<br> +The sense of smelling is, to a certain degree, acute in all dogs. It is +a provision wisely and kindly made, in order to guide them to their +proper food, or to fit them for our service. It may possibly be the +medium through which much evil is communicated. Certain particles of a +deleterious nature may be, and doubtless are, arrested by the mucous +membrane of the nose, and there absorbed, and the constitution, to a +considerable degree, becomes affected. Hence appears the necessity for +attention to ventilation, and especially to prevent the membrane of the +nose from being habitually stimulated and debilitated by the effluvia +generated in a close and hot kennel.<br> +<br> +M. <a name="I178">Majendie</a> instituted some curious experiments on the sense of +smelling, and he was led to believe that it depended more on the fifth +pair of nerves than on the olfactory nerve. He divided the fifth pair, +and from that moment no odour, no puncture, produced the slightest +apparent impression on the membrane of the nose. In another dog he +destroyed the two olfactory nerves, and placed some strong odours +beneath the nostrils of the animal. The dog conducted himself as he +would have done in his ordinary state. Hence he concluded it probable +that the olfactory nerve was not that of smelling.<br> +<br> +The simple fact, however, is, that there are two species of nerves here +concerned — those of common and of peculiar sensation. The olfactory +nerve is the nerve of smelling, the fifth pair is that of common +sensation. They are to a certain degree necessary to each other.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I256">Scent</a></i>. — This leads us to the consideration of the term "scent." It +expresses the odour or effluvium which is constantly issuing from every +animal, and especially when that animal is in more than usual exercise. +In a state of heat or excitement, the pores of the skin appear relaxed, +and a fluid or aqueous vapour is secreted, which escapes in small or +large quantities, adheres to the persona or substances on which it +falls, and is, particularly, received on the olfactory organs. The +hound, at almost the earliest period, begins to comprehend the work +which he has to perform. The peculiar scent which his nostrils imbibe +urges him eagerly to pursue but the moment he ceases to be conscious of +the presence of the effluvium, he is at a perfect loss.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I257">Daniel</a>, in his work on the <i>Chase</i>, very properly observes, that + +<blockquote>"the +scent most favourable to the hound is when the effluvium, constantly +perspired from the game as it runs, is kept by the gravity of the air at +the height of his breast. It is then neither above his reach nor does he +need to stoop for it. This is what is meant when the scent is said to be +breast-high."</blockquote> + +When the leaves begin to fall, the scent does not lie well in the cover. +It frequently alters materially in the same day. This depends +principally on the condition of the ground and the temperature of the +air, which should be moist but not wet. When the ground is hard and the +air dry, there will seldom be much scent. The scent rarely lies with a +north or east wind. A southerly wind without rain is the best. Sudden +storms are sure to destroy the scent. A fine sunshiny day is not good; +but a warm day without sun is always a good one. If, as the morning +advances, the drops begin to hang on the bushes, the scent will not lie. +During a white frost the scent lies high, and also when the frost is +quite gone; but at the time of its going off the scent never lies. In a +hard rain, if the air is mild, the scent will sometimes be very good. A +wet night often produces the best chases. In heathy countries, where the +game brushes the grass or the boughs as it goes along, the scent seldom +fails. It lies best on the richest soils; but the countries that are +favourable to horses are not always so to hounds. The morning usually +affords the best scent, and the game is then least able to escape. The +want of rest, added perhaps to a full belly, gives the hounds a decided +superiority over an early-found fox; and the condition of the ground and +the temperature of the air are circumstances of much importance.<br> +<br> +Such are the results of the best observations on scent; but, after all, +we have much to learn concerning it. Many a day that predicated to be a +good one for scent has turned out a very bad one, and <i>vice versa</i>. An +old or experienced sportsman, knowing this, will never presume o make +sure of his scent.<br> +<br> +We shall be forgiven if we pursue this subject a little at length.<br> +<br> +There is not only a constant appropriation of new matter to repair the +losses that animals are continually sustaining, but there is a constant +elaboration of gaseous or fluid matter maintaining the balance of the +different systems, and essential to the continuance of life. This +effluvium, as the animal moves from place to place, is attracted and +detained for a while by the substances with which it comes into contact, +or it remains floating in the atmosphere.<br> +<br> +There is a peculiar smell or scent belonging to each individual, either +generally or under peculiar circumstances.<br> +<br> +The sportsman takes advantage of this; and, as most species of dogs +possess great acuteness of olfactory power, they can distinguish, or +are readily taught to distinguish, not only the scent of the hare from +that of the fox, but that of the hare or fox which they are pursuing +from that of half a dozen others that may be started during the chase.<br> +<br> +The dogs that are selected for this purpose are those the conformation +of whose face and head gives ample room for the development of the +olfactory apparatus, and these are the different species of hounds; but +a systematic education, and too often a great deal of unnecessary +cruelty, is resorted to, in order to make them perfect in their work. +The distinction between the scent of the fox and that of the hare is +soon learned by the respective packs; and, when it is considered that +the hunted hare is perspiring at every pore, and her strength being +almost exhausted, she is straining every limb to escape from her +pursuers, the increasing quantity of vapour which exudes from her will +prevent every other newly started animal from being mistaken for her.<br> +<br> +It has been well observed that when the atmosphere is loaded with +moisture, and rain is at hand, the gas is speedily dissolved and mingles +with the surrounding air. A storm dissipates it at once, while the +cessation of the rain is preceded by the return and increased power of +scent. A cold, dry easterly wind condenses and absorbs it, and this is +even more speedily and irretrievably done by superabundant moisture. On +fallows and beaten roads the scent rarely lies well, for there is +nothing to detain it, and it is swept away in a moment; while over a +luxuriant pasture, or by the hedge-row, or on the coppice, it lingers, +clinging to the grass or the bushes. In a sunshiny day the scent is +seldom strong; for too much of it is evaporated by the heat. The most +favourable period is a soft southerly wind without rain, the scent being +of the same temperature and gravity with the atmosphere. Although it +spreads over the level, it rises not far above the ground, and, being +'breast high', enables the hound, keeping his muzzle in the midst of it, +to run at his greatest speed. The different manners or attitudes in +which the dog runs afford pleasing and satisfactory illustrations of the +nature of the scent. Sometimes they will be seen galloping with their +noses in the air, as if their game had flown away, and, an hour or two +afterwards, every one of them will have his muzzle on the ground. The +specific gravity of the atmosphere has changed, and the scent has risen +of fallen in proportion.<br> +<br> +A westerly wind stands next to a southerly one, for a hunting morning. +This is all simple enough, and needs not the mystification with which it +has been surrounded. A valuable account of this may be found in +Johnson's <i>Shooting Companion</i>, a work that is justly and highly approved.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I252">Delmé</a> Radcliffe has also, in his splendid work on "the noble +science," some interesting remarks on the scent of hounds. He says that +there ia an idiosyncracy, a peculiarity, in their several dispositions. +Some young hounds seem to enter on their work instinctively. From their +first to their last appearance in the field they do no wrong. Others, +equally good, will take no notice of anything; they will not stoop to +any scent during the first season, and are still slack at entering even +at the second; but are ultimately distinguished at the head of the pack; +and such usually last some seasons longer than the more precocious of +the same litter. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="tongue"></a><h3>The Tongue</h3> + +The manner of drinking is different in the different animals. The horse, +the ox, and the sheep do not plunge their muzzles into the water, but +bring their lips into contact with it and sip it gradually. The dog, +whose tongue is longer, plunges it a little way into the fluid, and, +curving its tip and its edges, laps, in the language of Johnson, with a +"quick reciprocation of the tongue." The horse sucks the water that is +placed before him, the dog laps it; and both of them are subject to +inflammation of the tongue, to enlargement of that organ, and to a +considerable or constant flow of saliva over it.<br> +<br> +Extending from the base to the tip of the tongue there is on either side +a succession of tendons, which help to retain the tongue in the mouth, +and to curve the edge of it, so as to convey the food or the water to +the posterior part of the mouth. These all spring from one central cord, +and ramify over the membrane of the tongue. On opening the mouth, and +keeping it open by means of two pieces of tape, one behind the upper +canine teeth, and the other behind the lower ones, and drawing the +tongue from the mouth and exposing its under surface, a cuticular fold +or ridge will present itself, occupying a middle line from the base of +the tongue to its very point. If this is opened with a lancet, a minute +fibrous cord will be exposed through its whole extent. It is the cord +which governs the motions of the tongue.<br> +<br> +This <a name="I284">cord</a> is, sometimes, foolishly and uselessly detached from its +adhesions, so far as we can effect it, and drawn forward with a +tenaculum and divided. There is one abominable course pursued in +effecting this. The violence used in stripping down the tendon is so +great, and the lacerated fibrous substance is put so much on the stress, +and its natural elasticity is so considerable, that it recoils and +assumes the appearance of a dying worm, and the dog is said to have been +wormed. For the sake of humanity, as well as to avoid the charge of +ignorance, it is to be hoped that this practice will speedily cease. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="blain"></a><h3>The Blain</h3> + +The blain is a vesicular enlargement on the lateral and under part of +the tongue in horses, oxen, and dogs, which, although not of unfrequent +occurrence, or peculiarly fatal result, has not been sufficiently +noticed by veterinary authors. In the horse and the dog it is often +unaccompanied by any previous indisposition, or by other disease; but +suddenly there is a copious discharge of saliva, at first limpid and +without smell, hut soon becoming purulent, bloody, and exceedingly +fetid. On examination, the tongue is found apparently enlarged. It is +elevated from its base between the maxillary bones, and on the side and +towards the base of it are seen large vesicles, pellucid, red, livid, or +purple; and, if the discharge is fetid, having near their bases ulcers, +irregular, unhealthy, and gangrenous.<br> +<br> +In the horse and the dog the progress of the disease is slow, and seldom +extends beyond the sides of the tongue. The vesicles are not of such +magnitude as to interfere with respiration, and the ulcers are neither +many nor foul.<br> +<br> +In cattle it is sadly different. The vesicles attain an enormous size. +They quickly break and form deep ulcerations, which are immediately +succeeded by other vesicles still larger. The whole membrane of the +mouth becomes affected; the inflammation and swelling extend to the +cellular substance of the neighbouring parts, and the head and neck are +considerably, and sometimes enormously, enlarged; the respiratory +passages are obstructed; the animal breathes with the greatest +difficulty, and is, in some cases, literally suffocated.<br> +<br> +The primary seat of blain, is the cellular substance beneath the +integument of the part. As the sublingual glands stretch along the under +part of the tongue, and their ducts open on the side of the frænum, it +is possible that this disease may proceed from, or be connected with, +obstruction or inflammation of these ducts. Dissection, however, has not +proved this; and the seat of the disease, when the swellings are first +discovered, is chiefly the cellular tissue between the integument and +the lateral parts of the tongue, and also that between the membrane of +the mouth and the sublingual glands.<br> +<br> +<i>Post-mortem</i> examination shows intense disease: the small intestines +are highly inflamed with red and black patches, which are also found in +the cæcum, colon, and rectum.<br> +<br> +The blain is more frequent in spring and summer than at other seasons of +the year. These are the times when the animal is debilitated by the +process of moulting, and is then more than usually disposed to +inflammatory complaints. It is usually an epidemic disease. Many cases +of it occur about the same time in certain districts, and over a great +extent of country. When it appears in towns, the country is rarely +exempt from it. I am not prepared lo say that it is contagious either in +the horse or the dog. I have not seen any instance of it. At all events, +it is not so virulent in these animals as it is in cattle.<br> +<br> +The vesicles should be freely lanced from end to end. There will not, +perhaps, be much immediate discharge; for the vesicle will be distended +by a substance imperfectly organised, or of such a glassy or inspissated +nature as not readily to escape. It will, however, soon disappear; and +in four-and-twenty hours, in the majority of cases, the only vestige of +the disease will be an incision, not, perhaps, looking very healthy, but +that will soon become so and heal. If there have been any previous +ulcerations, or the slightest fetor, the mouth should he frequently +washed with a diluted solution of the chloride of lime; one part of the +saturated solution, and eleven of water. This will act as a powerful and +useful stimulus to the foul and indolent ulcer. When all unpleasant +smell is removed, the mouth should be bathed with a lotion composed of +equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water, or half an ounce of alum +dissolved in a quart of water, and two ounces of the tincture of catechu +added to the solution. I do not recollect a case in the horse or dog, in +which these medicines were not employed with advantage. In cattle, +before there has been fetor attending the discharge, or the constitution +has been materially affected, these simple means will perfectly succeed.<br> +<br> +If the practitioner is consulted somewhat too late, when the +constitution has become affected, and typhoid fever has ensued, he +should still lance the tumours, and apply the chloride of lime and the +tincture of myrrh, and give a gentle aperient. He should endeavour to +rouse and support the system by tonic medicines, as gentian and colomba +with ginger, adding to two drachms of the first two, and one drachm of +the last, half an ounce of nitre; but he should place most dependence on +nourishing food. Until the mouth is tolerably sound, it is probable that +the animal will not be induced to eat; but it will occasionally sip a +little fluid, and, therefore, gruel should be always within its reach. +More should occasionally be given, as thick as it will flow, with a +spoon or small horn. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="inflamtong"></a><h3>Inflammation of the Tongue</h3> + +<span style="color: #663300;">Glossitis or inflammation of the tongue is not an unfrequent disease, +but is occasionally met with in its simple form or in connexion with +inflammatory affections of the throat. Under all and any circumstances +this affection must be considered a dangerous malady, as it not +unfrequently proves fatal in the course of a few hours from suffocation, +occasioned by the swelling of the organ itself and other portions of the +throat. The disease comes on suddenly with fever, heat, swelling and +redness of the tongue. The tongue protrudes from the mouth and exhibits a +dry, hot, inflammatory appearance, the respiration is hurried, and the +animal expresses great uneasiness, and constant desire to lap water, +which he can with difficulty accomplish. If not arrested, the +inflammation may terminate in suppuration, by which process the swelling +is relieved, and a cure often effected.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes</i> — Independent of the natural agents before referred to in the +production of inflammatory affections, there are some few causes to +which we can especially attribute this disease. Direct injuries done to +the member itself, either by wounds or stings of insects, the taking of +poisonous or irritating substances into the mouth, want of water while +hunting in hot weather, &c.<br> +<br> +Several years ago we witnessed the death of a very valuable pointer, +suffering from this disease produced by poison maliciously administered. +He was affected so suddenly and violently with inflammation of the +throat and tongue that his owner, Mr. F — , was led to believe that a +bone had lodged in the throat, which was the occasion of all the +trouble. After proper examination and considerable delay, he was forced +to abandon this erroneous idea, but not in time to save the poor animal, +who soon died from strangulation or congestion of the lungs. This +valuable dog might have been saved if promptly and energetically +treated.<br> +<br> +The stings of wasps or bees may also produce this affection.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — Nothing can be done with this malady without the use of +the lancet, by which six or eight ounces of blood should be drawn at the +commencement of the disease. If the tongue is much swollen and very +tender, longitudinal incisions should be made in it, extending as far +back as possible, and their bleeding assisted by sponging the mouth out +with tepid water. Astringent applications may then be used as washes, +such as alum water, strong vinegar, infusions of oak bark or solutions +of nitrate of silver, four or six grains to the ounce, to be applied +once or twice a day. A large blister may also be placed under the +throat, and when the inflammation is sufficiently reduced to allow the +introduction of articles into the stomach, a powerful purge of aloes +should be given. Nothing, however, can be done without copious +bleeding. — L.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="lips"></a><h3>The Lips</h3> + +of the dog discharge, with somewhat less efficiency, the same office as +in the horse, cattle, and sheep; and are usefully employed in gathering +together the food, and conveying it to the mouth. The lips also secrete +the saliva, a fluid that is indispensably necessary for the proper +comminution of the food.<br> +<br> +Swellings on the inside of the cheek or upper lip, and extending nearly +to the angle of the lip, are of frequent occurrence. A superficial sore +spreads over it, slightly covered by a yellowish, mattery pellicle; and +on the teeth, and extending down the gums, there is a deposition of +hardened tartarous matter, which is scaled off with a greater or less +degree of difficulty. It must be removed, or the sore will rapidly +spread over the cheek. A lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and +water, with a few drops of the tincture of cantharides, will be usually +sufficient to cause the swelling to subside, and the pellicle to be +detached. The lip, however, will generally remain slightly thickened. A +little soreness will sometimes return, but be easily reduced. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="teeth"></a><h3>The Teeth</h3> + +next claim attention. + +According to the dentition of the dog by M. Girard and Linnæus, the +following is the acknowledged formula:<br> +<br> + + +<table summary="dentition" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"><td><img src="images/teeth.gif" width="408" height="478" align="left" border="2" alt="canine teeth in various stages"></td><td><img src="images/teeth2.gif" width="410" height="454" align="right" border="2" alt="canine teeth in various stages, cont."></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +The full-grown dog has usually 20 teeth in the upper, and 22 in the +lower jaw, with two small supernumerary molars. All of them, with the +exception of the tushes, are provided with a bony neck covered by the +gums, and separating the body of the tooth from the root. The projecting +portion of the teeth is more or less pointed, and disposed so as to tear +and crush the food on which the dog lives. They are of a moderate size +when compared with those of other animals, and are subject to little +loss of substance compared with the teeth of the horse. In most of them, +however, there is some alteration of form and substance, both in the +incisors and the tushes; but this depends so much on the kind of food on +which the animal lives, and the consequent use of the teeth, that the +indication of the age, by the altered appearance of the mouth, is not to +be depended upon after the animal is four or five years old. The incisor +teeth are six in number in each jaw, and are placed opposite to each +other. In the lower jaw, the pincers, or central teeth, are the largest +and the strongest; the middle teeth are somewhat less; and the corner +teeth the smallest and the weakest. In the upper jaw, however, the +corner teeth are much larger than the middle ones; they are farther +apart from their neighbours, and they terminate in a conical point +curved somewhat inwards and backwards.<br> +<br> +As long as the teeth of the full-grown dog are whole, and not injured by +use, they have a healthy appearance, and their colour is beautifully +white. The surface of the incisors presents, as in the ruminants, an +interior and cutting edge, and a hollow or depression within. This edge +or border is divided into three lobes, the largest and most projecting +forming the summit or point of the tooth. The two lateral lobes have the +appearance of notches cut on either side of the principal lobe; and the +union of the three resembles the <i>fleur de lis</i>, which, however, is in +the process of time effaced by the wearing out of the teeth. (Figs. 3 +and 4.)<br> +<br> +While the incisor teeth are young, they are flattened on their sides, +and bent somewhat backwards, and there is a decided cavity, in which a +pulpy substance is enclosed. This, however, is gradually contracted as +the age of the dog increases.<br> +<br> +M. F. Cuvier speaks of certain supernumerary teeth occasionally developed +in each of the jaws. There is much irregularity accompanying them; and +they have even been supposed to have extended to seven or eight in +number. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp5">Detailed Contents, p. 5</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="ageind"></a><h3>The Indications of Age</h3> + +The dog displays natural indications of age. The hair turns gray to a +certain extent as in the human being. This commences about the eyes, and +extends over the face, and weakens the sight; and, at ten years old, or +earlier, in the majority of dogs, this can scarcely be mistaken. At +fifteen or sixteen years the animal is becoming a nuisance, yet he has +been known to linger on until he has reached his two-and-twentieth year.<br> +<br> +Among the diseases from which the dog suffers, there are few of more +frequent occurrence than decayed teeth, especially in towns, or in the +habitations of the higher classes of society: the carious teeth, in +almost every case, becoming insufferably fetid, or so loose as to +prevent mastication; or an immense accumulation of tartar growing round +them.<br> +<br> +The course which the veterinary surgeon pursues is an exceedingly simple +one. If any of the teeth are considerably loose, they must be removed. +If there is any deposit of tartaric acid, it must be got rid of by means +of the proper instruments, not very different from those which the human +surgeon employs. The teeth must be perfectly cleaned, and every loose +one taken away. Without this the dog will be an almost insufferable +nuisance. The decayed and loose teeth being removed, chlorinated lime +diluted with 15 or 20 times its bulk of water should be applied to the +gums. By the use of this the ulcers will quickly heal; the fetor will be +removed, and the deposition of the tartar prevented. Mr. Blaine first +introduced the chlorinated lime for the accomplishment of these +purposes.<br> +<br> +Two little histories out of a great number will sufficiently illustrate +these cases. A terrier had scarcely eaten during more than a week. He +dropped his meat after attempting to chew it, and the breath was very +offensive. Several of the teeth were loose, and the rest were thickly +encrusted with tartar. The gums had receded from the teeth, and were +red, sore, and ulcerated.<br> +<br> +I removed all the loose teeth; for experience had taught me that they +rarely or never became again fixed. I next, with the forceps and knife, +cleaned the others, and ordered the diluted chlorinated lime to be +alternated with tincture of myrrh and water. The extraction of the loose +teeth, and the removal of the tartar from those that were sound, +occupied a full hour; for the dog resisted with all his might. He, +however, soon began to eat; the lotions were continued; and five months +afterwards, the mouth of the dog was not in the slightest degree +offensive.<br> +<br> +An old dog should not be quite abandoned. A pug had only four teeth +remaining beside the canines. They were all thickly covered with tartar, +and two of them were very loose. The gums and lips were in a dreadfully +cankerous state, and the dog was unable to eat. All that he could do was +to lap a little milk or broth.<br> +<br> +I extracted the two loose teeth, cleaned the others, and ordered a +lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water to be applied.<br> +<br> +<i>13th August, 1842</i>. — A very considerable discharge of pus was observed, +with blood from the mouth, apparently proceeding from the cavity whence +one of the teeth had been extracted. The dog is exceedingly thirsty, and +walks round and round the water-dish, but is afraid to lap. He has not +eaten for two days. Use the lotion as before, and force him with strong +soup.<br> +<br> +<i>15th</i>. The dog has not voluntarily eaten, but is still forced with +soup. He is very costive. Give two grains of calomel and an equal +quantity of antimonial powder.<br> +<br> +<i>18th.</i> He has eaten a very little, but gets thinner and weaker. +Continue the lotion.<br> +<br> +<i>27th</i>. The ulcers are nearly healed, and the discharge of pus has +ceased.<br> +<br> +<i>31st.</i> The mouth is clean, the gums are healed, and there is no longer +anything offensive about the dog. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="larynx"></a><h3>The Larynx</h3> + +is placed at the top of the windpipe, the exit from the lungs, and is +also connected with the Schneiderian membrane. At its upper part is the +<i>epiglottis</i>, the main guard against the passage of the food into the +respiratory tubes, and, at the same time, of the instrument of the +voice. It consists of five cartilages united together by a ligamentous +substance, and, by distinct and perfect articulations, adapting itself +to every change of the respiratory process and the production of the +voice.<br> +<br> +At the base is the <i>cricoid cartilage</i>, the support and bond of union of +the rest. Above are the <i>arytenoid cartilages</i>, resting on the <i>chorda +vocales</i> and influencing their action. The <i>epiglottis</i> is placed at the +extremity of the opening into the windpipe, with its back opposed to the +pharynx, so that when a pellet of food passes from the pharynx in its +way to the œsophagus, the epiglottis is applied over the glottis, and by +this means closes the aperture of the larynx, and prevents any portion +of the food from passing into it. The food having passed over the +epiglottis, that cartilage, from its elastic power, again rises and +resumes its former situation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I281">The</a> <i>thyroid cartilage</i> envelopes and protects all the rest, and +particularly the lining membrane of the larynx, which vibrates from the +impulse of the air that passes. The vibrations spread in every direction +until they reach the delicate membrane of the tympanum of the ear. That +membrane responds to the motion without, and the vibration is carried on +to the pulp of the auditory nerve, deep in the recesses of the ear. The +loudness of the tone — its acuteness or graveness — depends on the force +of the expired air and the shortening or lengthening of the chord. Hence +it is, that the tone of the bark of the dog, or the neighing of the +horse, depends so much on the age or size of the animal. Thus we compare +the shrill bark of the puppy with the hoarse one of the adult dog; the +high-toned but sweet music of the beagle with the fuller and lower cry +of the fox-hound, and the deep but melodious baying of the mastiff. I +may, perhaps, be permitted to add to these, the whinnying of the colt +and the neighing of the horse.<br> +<br> +Each animal has his peculiar and intelligible language. He who has long +lived among them will recognise the tone of delight at meeting, rising +into and terminating in a sharper sound; the strong and elevated tone +when they are calling to or challenging each other at a distance; the +short expression of anger — the longer, deeper, hoarser tone of fear; the +murmur almost as deep, but softer, of habitual attachment, and the +elevated yet melodious token of sudden recognition. I could carry on a +conversation with a dog that I once possessed for several minutes, and +one perfectly intelligible to both.<br> +<br> +<a name="I175">Inflammation</a> of the larynx is a frequent and dangerous complaint. It +usually commences with, and can scarcely be distinguished from, catarrh, +except that it is attended by cough more violent and painful, and the +dog expectorates considerably. Acute laryngitis is not so frequent an +occurrence; but there is much danger attending it. Blood must be +abstracted to as great an extent as the pulse will bear, or until it +becomes evidently affected. To this must follow digitalis, nitre, tartar +emetic, and aloes, and to these must be added a powerful blister. A +considerable quantity is effused and organized, the membrane is +thickened, perhaps permanently so, and the whole of the submucous +cellular tissue becomes œdematous.<br> +<br> +<a name="I6">The</a> dog is subject to sudden attacks of <i>angina</i>. It has been imagined, +from the appearances that are manifested, that some strange body is +arrested in the windpipe or the throat. There is no dread of water or of +the usual fluids; the dog will lap once or twice from that fluid which +is placed before him, and turns slowly away from it; and this +circumstance gives rise to what is called dumb madness. The dog barks in +a particular manner, or rather howls like a rabid dog: he is out of +spirits, has a strange, anxious, altered countenance, and is alternately +cold and hot. Frequently added to this is redness of the buccal and +nasal membranes. He refuses all solid food, and either will not drink or +finds it difficult to swallow anything. His mouth is generally open, and +contains a spumy matter exhaling an offensive smell. His tongue, charged +with a great quantity of saliva, protrudes from his mouth, and the +submaxillary glands are enlarged. To these appearances are added a +yellow tint of the eyes, constipation, and a small quantity of urine, +surcharged with a deep yellow colour. At this period the disease has +generally reached a considerable degree of virulence. Often the +inflammation extends to the back part of the mouth and larynx; and in +this last case the respiration is attended by a hoarse, hissing kind of +sound.<br> +<br> +The progress of the disease is rapid, and, in a few days, it reaches its +highest degree of intensity. It is always fatal when it is intense; and, +when its influence is widely spread, it is a very dangerous complaint.<br> +<br> +Somewhat rarely the subjects of it recover. After death we find great +redness and injection in all the affected nervous surfaces, and +indications of abscesses in which suppuration was not fully established. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="forbodth"></a><h3>Foreign Articles in the Throat</h3> + +When a substance, such as a bone, has become impacted in the throat, the +better plan is to attempt to push it downwards into the stomach, as +there is but little hope of extracting it.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">A portion of sponge may be securely tied on the end of a piece of +ratan, whalebone, or other flexible material, and inserted in the mouth, +may be carried over the tongue down the throat against the foreign +article, which may then be gently pushed before it. If this should not +succeed, and the substance appears firmly imbedded in the throat, an +incision may be made in the œsophagus and the bone extracted. — L.</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="goître"></a><h3>Bronchocele or Goître</h3> + +in the dog is almost daily forced upon our notice. If a spaniel or +pug-puppy is mangy, pot-bellied, rickety, or deformed, he seldom fails +to have some enlargement of the thyroid gland. The spaniel and the pug +are most subject to this disease. The jugular vein passes over the +thyroid gland; and, as that substance increases, the vein is sometimes +brought into sight, and appears between the gland and the integuement, +fearfully enlarged, varicose, and almost appearing as if it were +bursting. The trachea is pressed upon on either side, and the œsophagus +by the left gland, and there is difficulty of swallowing. The poor +animal pants distressingly after the least exertion, and I have known +absolute suffocation ensue. In a few cases ulceration has followed, and +the sloughing has been dreadful, yet the gland has still preserved its +characteristic structure. Although numerous abscesses have been formed +in the lower part of it, and there has been considerable discharge, +viscid or purulent, the upper part has remained as hard and almost as +scirrhous as before.<br> +<br> +<i><a name="I45">Cause</a> of goître.</i> — In many cases, this enlargement of the thyroid +glands is plainly connected with a debilitated state of the constitution +generally, and more particularly with a disposition to rickets. I have +rarely seen a puppy that had had mange badly, and especially if mange +was closely followed by distemper, that did not soon exhibit goître. +Puppies half-starved, and especially if dirtily kept, are thus affected; +and it is generally found connected with a loose skin, flabby muscles, +enlarged belly, and great stupidity. On the other hand, I have seen +hundreds of dogs, to all appearance otherwise healthy, in whom the +glands of the neck have suddenly and frightfully enlarged. I have never +been able to trace this disease to any particular food, whether solid or +liquid; although it is certainly the frequent result of want of +nutriment.<br> +<br> +Some friends, of whom I particularly inquired, assured me, that it is +not to any great extent prevalent in those parts of Derbyshire where +goître is oftenest seen in the human being.<br> +<br> +It is periodical in the dog. I have seen it under medical treatment, and +without medical treatment, perfectly disappear for a while, and soon +afterwards, without any assignable cause, return. There is a breed of +the Blenheim spaniel, in which this periodical goître is very +remarkable; the slightest cold is accompanied by enlargement of the +thyroid gland, but the swelling altogether disappears in the course of a +fortnight. I am quite assured that it is hereditary; no one that is +accustomed to dogs can doubt this for a moment.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — I am almost ashamed to confess how many inefficient and +cruel methods of treatment I many years ago adopted. I used mercurial +friction, external stimulants, and blisters; I have been absurd enough +to pass setons through the tumours, and even to extirpate them with the +knife. The mercury salivated without any advantage, the stimulants and +the blisters aggravated the evil; the setons did so in a tenfold degree, +so that many dogs were lost in the irritative fever that was produced; +and, although the gland, when directed out, could not be reproduced, yet +I have been puzzled with the complication of vessels around it, and in +one case lost my patient by hemorrhage, which I could not arrest.<br> +<br> +<a name="I167">When</a> the power of iodine in the dispersion of glandular tumours was +first spoken of, I eagerly tried it for this disease, and was soon +satisfied that it was almost a specific. I scarcely recollect a case in +which the glands have not very materially diminished; and, in the +decided majority of cases, they have been gradually reduced to their +natural size. I first tried an ointment composed of the iodine of +potassium and lard, with some, but not a satisfactory result. Next I +used the tincture of iodine, in doses of from five to ten drops, and +with or without any external local application; but I found, at length, +that the simple iodine, made into pills with powdered gum and syrup, +effected almost all that I could wish. It is best to commence with the +eighth of a grain for a small dog, and rapidly increase it to half a +grain, morning and night. A larger dog may take from a quarter of a +grain to a grain. In a few instances, loss of appetite and slight +emaciation have been produced; but then, the medicine being suspended +for a few days, no permanent ill effect has ever followed the exhibition +of iodine. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="phlegtum"></a><h3>Phlegmonous Tumour</h3> + +A phlegmonous tumour under the throat, and accompanied by constitutional +disturbance, with the exception of there being little or no cough, often +appears in the dog. Comparing the size of the animals, these tumours are +much larger than in either the horse or ox; but they are situated higher +up the face, and do not press so much upon the windpipe, nor is there +any apparent danger of suffocation from them. The whole head, however, +is sometimes enlarged to a frightful degree, and the eyes are completely +closed. More than a pint of fluid has sometimes escaped from a +middle-sized dog at the first puncture of the tumour.<br> +<br> +The mode of treatment is, to stimulate the part, in order to expedite +the suppuration of the tumour, and to lance it freely and deeply, as +soon as matter is evidently formed. The wound should be dressed with +tincture of aloes, and a thick bandage placed round the neck, to prevent +the dog from scratching the part, which often causes dreadful +laceration.<br> +<br> +These tumours in the throat of the dog are not always of a phlegmonous +character. They are cysts, sometimes rapidly formed, and of considerable +size, and filled with a serous or gelatinous fluid. + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section11">Chapter XI — Anatomy and Diseases of the Chest</a></h2> +<br> +The chest is the superior, or in quadrupeds the anterior, cavity of the +trunk of the body: it is divided into two cavities by a membranous +partition, termed <i>mediastinum</i>; and separated from the abdomen, or +cavity which contains the liver, spleen, pancreas, and other abdominal +viscera, by the <i>diaphragm</i>, which is of a musculo-membranous nature. +This membrane may be described, as it is divided, into the main circular +muscle, with its central tendinous expansion forming the lower part, and +two appendices, or <i>crura</i>, as they are termed from their peculiar +shape, constituting its superior portion. We trace the fleshy origin of +the grand muscle, laterally and inferiorly, commencing from the +cartilage of the eighth rib anteriorly, and following somewhat closely, +as we proceed backward, the union of the posterior ribs with their +cartilages, excepting, however, the two last. The attachment is +peculiarly strong. It is denticulated: it encloses the whole of the +latter and inferior part of the chest as far as the sternum, where it is +connected with the ensiform cartilage.<br> +<br> +The diaphragm is the main agent, both in ordinary and extraordinary +respiration. In its quiescent state it presents its convex surface +towards the thorax, and its concave one towards the abdomen. The +anterior convexity abuts upon the lungs; the posterior concavity is +occupied by some of the abdominal viscera.<br> +<br> +Thus far we have described the diaphragm as found in the horse, ox, and +sheep. There is some difference with regard to the dog. The muscular +part of the diaphragm is thick and strong in every species of dog, while +the aponeurotic expansion is comparatively smaller. From the smaller +expanse of the thorax of the dog, and the consequent little expansion of +the diaphragm, the action, although occasionally rapid and violent — for +he is an animal of speed — is not so extensive, and more muscle and less +tendon may be given to him, not only without detriment, but with evident +advantage. Therefore, although we have occasional rupture of the heart +of the dog, oftener perhaps than in the horse, there is no case of +rupture of the diaphragm on record.<br> +<br> +The cavity of the thorax is lined by a membrane, termed <i>pleura</i>, which +covers the surface of the lungs.<br> +<br> +<a name="I215">The</a> lungs on either side are enclosed in a separate and perfect bag, +anil each lung has a distinct pleura. The heart lies under the left +lung; and, more perfectly to cut off all injurious connexion or +communication of disease between the lungs and the heart, the heart is +enclosed in a distinct pleura or bag, termed the <i>pericardium</i>. This +membrane closely invests the heart, supports it in its situation, +prevents too great dilatation when it is gorged with blood, and too +violent action when it is sometimes unduly stimulated. Notwithstanding +the confinement of the pericardium, the heart, when under circumstances +of unusual excitation, beats violently against the ribs, and, were it +not thus tied down, would often bruise and injure itself, and cause +inflammation in the neighbouring parts.<br> +<br> +<a name="I155">The</a> <i>heart</i> is composed of four cavities; two above, called <i>auricles</i>, +from their shape, and two below, termed <i>ventricles</i>, occupying the bulk +of the heart. In point of fact, there are two hearts — the one on the +left side propelling the blood through the frame, and the other on the +right side conveying it through the pulmonary system; but, united in the +manner in which they are, their junction contributes to their mutual +strength, and both circulations are carried on at the same time.<br> +<br> +The beating of the heart in the dog is best examined behind the elbow on +the left side. The hand, applied flat against the ribs, will give the +number and character of the pulsations. The pericardium, or outer +investing membrane of the heart, is frequently liable to inflammation, +milked by a quickened and irregular respiration, and an action of the +heart, bounding at an early period of the disease, but becoming scarcely +recognisable as the fluid increases. The patient is then beginning +gradually to sink. A thickening of the substance of the heart is +occasionally suspected, and, on the other hand, an increased capacity of +the cavities of the heart; the parietes being considerably thinner, and +the frame of the animal emaciated.<br> +<br> +<a name="I288">The</a> pulse of the greater part of our domestic animals has been +calculated by Mr. Vatel, in his excellent work on <i>Veterinary Pathology</i>, +to be nearly as follows (measuring pulsations per minute):<br> +<br> + + +<table summary="animal pulses" width="60%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td width="20%"><b>In the</b></td> + <td width="20%"><b>From</b></td> + <td width="20%"><b>To</b></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>horse</td> + <td>32</td> + <td>38</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>ox or cow</td> + <td>35</td> + <td>49</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>ass</td> + <td>48</td> + <td>54</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>sheep</td> + <td>70</td> + <td>79</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>goat</td> + <td>72</td> + <td>76</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>dog</td> + <td>90</td> + <td>100</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>cat</td> + <td>110</td> + <td>120</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>rabbit</td> + <td></td> + <td>120</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>guinea-pig</td> + <td></td> + <td>140</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>crow</td> + <td></td> + <td>136</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>duck</td> + <td></td> + <td>136</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>hen</td> + <td></td> + <td>140</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td>heron</td> + <td></td> + <td>200</td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> +The pulse of the dog may be easily ascertained by feeling at the heart +or the inside of the knee, and it varies materially, according to the +breed, as well as the size of the animal. This is very strikingly the +case with some of the sporting dogs, with whom the force as well as the +rapidity of the pulse vary materially according to the character and +breed of the dog.<br> +<br> +There is, occasionally, in the dog as in the human being, an alteration +of the quantity, as well as of the quality, of the blood. <i>Anæmia</i> <a name="I12">is</a> +the term used to designate a deficiency in quantity; <i>plethora</i> is the +opposite state of it. M. D'Arbor relates a very curious account of the +former:<br> +<br> +Two dogs were sent into the hospital of the veterinary school at Lyons. +They did not appear to suffer any considerable pain. Their skin and +mucous membranes that were visible had a peculiar appearance. They had +also comparatively little power over their limbs; so little, indeed, +that they rested continually on one side, without the ability to shift +their posture. When they were placed on their feet, their limbs gave +way, and they fell the moment they were quitted. In despite of the care +that was taken of them, they died on the second day.<br> +<br> +<a name="I3">Incisions</a> were made through the skin, but in opening them no blood +flowed. The <i>venæ cavæ </i>themselves did not contain any — there were only +two clots of blood in the cavities of their hearts. One of them, of the +size of a small nutmeg, occupied the left ventricle; the other, which +was still smaller, was found at the base of the right ventricle. The +chest of one of them enclosed a small quantity of serosity; a similar +fluid was between the <i>dura mater</i> and the arachnoid membrane, and the +same was the case in the larger ventricles of the encephalon. The other +viscera did not offer anything remarkable, except the paleness and +flaccidity of their tissue. <a name="I4">The</a> great fatigues of the chase, and the +immersion of these animals in water at the time that they were very much +heated, appeared to have been the causes of this singular disease. In +the report of the labours of the School of Alfort, in the year 1825, the +same anæmia was remarked in two dogs that died there; one of them had +lately undergone a considerable hemorrhage, and in the other anæmia had +developed itself spontaneously.<br> +<br> +It is in fact among dogs that this extreme anæmia has been principally +observed, and is ordinarily fatal. It has been remarked by M. Crusal in +a bullock attacked with gastro-enteritis.<br> +<br> +This disease, according to M. Vatel, is generally the symptom of a +chronic malady, or the instantaneous effect of an excessive hemorrhage. +It is rarely primary. The extreme discoloration of the tissues, and of +the mucous membrane more particularly, the disappearance of the +subcutaneous blood-vessels, and the extreme feebleness of the animal, +are the principal symptoms. There also often exists considerable +swelling of the limbs.<br> +<br> +<a name="I216">The</a> following singular case of a wound penetrating into the chest and +pericardium of a dog, is recorded by Professor Delafond:<br> +<br> +A mastiff dog fighting with another was stabbed in the chest by the +master of his antagonist. Five hours after the accident, the Professor +was sent for. On the exterior of the sternum was a laceration an inch +and a half in length, covered by a spumy fluid, from the centre of which +was heard a gurgling noise, showing that a wound had penetrated into the +sac of the pleura. The respiration was quick, and evidently painful; the +beating of the heart was also strong and precipitate. The finger being +introduced into the wound, penetrated between the fourth and fifth rib +on the left side. + +<span style="color: #663300;">"Having arrived at the pleuritic sac," says the +Professor, "I gently tapped the surface of the lung, in order to assure +myself that it was not injured; my finger penetrated into the +pericardium, and the point of the heart beat against it."</span> + +He bathed the wound with a little diluted wine, and brought the edges of +it as near together as he could, and confined them with a suture, +administering a mild aperient.<br> +<br> +On the following day, the animal walked slowly about, seeking for +something to eat; he gave him some milk. On changing the dressing, he +tried whether he could again introduce any sound into the wound; but it +would only penetrate a very little way; indeed, re-union by adhesion had +already taken place.<br> +<br> +On the fifth day, the animal was in good spirits; the wound had a +healthy red appearance, and all tended to a speedy cure.<br> +<br> +On the eighth day he was sent home to his master, a distance of two +leagues from his house. He saw the dog eighteen months afterwards, and +he was as eager as ever after his game.<br> +<br> +The <a name="I156">following</a> is a case of <i>rupture of the heart</i>: — A black pointer, of +the Scotch breed, had every appearance of good health, except that she +frequently fell into a fit after having run a little way, and sometimes +even after playing in the yard. She was several times bled during and +after these fits. When I examined her, I could plainly perceive +considerable and violent spasmodic motion of the heart, and the sounds +of the beating of the heart were irregular and convulsive. She was sent +to the infirmary, in order to be cured of an attack of mange; but during +her stay in the hospital she had these fits several times: the attack +almost always followed after she had been playing with other dogs. She +appeared as if struck by lightning, and remained motionless for several +minutes, her gums losing their natural appearance and assuming a bluish +hue. After the lapse of a few minutes, she again arose as if nothing had +been the matter. She was bled twice in eight days, and several doses of +foxglove were administered to her. The fits appeared to become less +frequent; but, playing one day with another dog, she fell and expired +immediately.<br> +<br> +<a name="I254">The</a> <i>post mortem</i> examination was made two hours after death. The cavity +of the pericardium contained a red clot of blood, which enveloped the +whole of the heart; it was thicker in the parts that corresponded with +the valve of the heart; and on the left ventricle, and near the base of +the left valve of the heart, and on the external part of that viscus, +was an irregular rent two inches long. It crossed the wall of the valve +of the heart, which was very thin in this place. The size of the heart +was very small, considering the height and bulk of the dog. The walls of +the ventricles, and particularly of the left ventricle, were very thick. +The cavity of the left ventricle was very small; there was evidently a +concentric hypertrophy of these ventricles; the left valve of the heart +was of great size.<br> +<br> +The immediate cause of the rupture of the valve of the heart had +evidently been an increase of circulation, brought on by an increase of +exercise; but the remote cause consisted in the remarkable thinness of +the walls of the valve of the heart. This case is remarkable in more +than one respect; first, because examples of rupture of the valve of the +heart are very rare; and, secondly, because this rupture had its seat in +the left valve of the heart, while, usually, in both the human being and +the quadruped, it takes place in the right; and this, without doubt, +because the walls and the valves of the right side are thinner.<br> +<br> +Diseases of the investing membrane of the lungs, and the pleura of the +thoracic cavity, and of the substance of the lungs, are more frequent +than those of the heart. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="pleurisy"></a><h3>Pleurisy</h3> +<br> +or inflammation of the membrane of the chest and the lungs of the dog, +is not unfrequent. There are few instances of inflammation of the lungs, +or pneumonia, that do not ultimately become connected with or terminate +in pleurisy. The tenderness of the sides, the curious twitching that is +observed, the obstinate sitting up, and the presence of a short, +suppressed, painful cough, which the dog bears with strange impatience, +are the symptoms that principally distinguish it from pneumonia. The +exploration of the chest by <a name="I23">auscultation</a> gives a true picture of it in +pleurisy; and, by placing the dog alternately on his chest, his back, or +his side, we can readily ascertain the extent to which effusion exists in +the thoracic cavity; and, if we think proper, we can get rid of the +fluid. It is not a dangerous thing to attempt, although it is very +problematical whether much advantage would accrue from the operation. +With a favourite dog it may, however, be tried; and, to prevent all +accidents, a veterinary surgeon should be entrusted with the case. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="pneumonia"></a><h3>Pneumonia</h3> + +or inflammation of the substance of the lungs, is a complaint of +frequent occurrence in the dog, and is singularly marked. The extended +head, the protruded tongue, the anxious, bloodshot eye, the painful +heaving of the hot breath, the obstinacy with which the animal sits up +hour after hour until his feet slip from under him, and the eye closes, +and the head droops, through extreme fatigue, yet in a moment being +roused again by the feeling of instant suffocation, are symptoms that +cannot be mistaken.<br> +<br> +Here, from the comparative thinness of the integument and the parietes, +we have the progress of the disease brought completely under our view. +The exploration of the chest of the dog by <a name="I24">auscultation</a> is a beautiful +as well as wonderful thing. It at least exhibits to us the actual state +of the lungs, if it does not always enable us to arrest the impending +evil.<br> +<br> +Mr. Blaine and myself used cordially to agree with regard to the +treatment of pneumonia, materially different from the opinions of the +majority of sportsmen. Epidemic pneumonia was generally fatal, if it was +not speedily arrested in its course. The cure was commenced by bleeding, +and that to a considerable extent, when not more than four-and-twenty or +six-and thirty hours had passed; for, after that, the progress of the +disease could seldom be arrested. Blistering the chest was sometimes +resorted to with advantage; and the cantharides ointment and the oil of +turpentine formed one of the most convenient as well as one of the most +efficacious blisters. A purgative was administered, composed of mutton +broth with Epsom salts or castor oil; to which followed the +administration of the best sedatives that we have in those cases, +namely, nitre, powdered foxglove, and antimonial powder, in the +proportion of a scruple of the first, four grains of the second, and two +grains of the third.<br> +<br> +<a name="I177">Congestion</a> of the lungs is a frequent termination of pneumonia; and in +that congestion the air-cells are easily ruptured and filled with +blood. That blood assumes a black pulpy appearance, commonly indicated +by the term of <i>rottenness</i>, an indication or consequence of the +violence of the disease, and the hopelessness of the case. A different +consequence of inflammation of the lungs is the formation of tubercles, +and, after that, of suppuration and abscess, when, generally speaking, +the case is hopeless. A full account of this is given in the work on the +Horse.<br> +<br> +Two cases of pneumonia will be useful:<br> +<br> +<i>Oct. 22d, 1820</i>. A black pointer bitch that had been used lo a warm +kennel, was made to sleep on flat stones without straw. A violent cough +followed, under which she had been getting worse and worse for a +fortnight. Yesterday I saw her. The breathing was laborious. The bitch +was constantly shifting her position, and, whether she lay down or sat +up, was endeavouring to elevate her head. Her usual posture was sitting, +and she only lay down for a minute. The eyes were surrounded, and the +nose nearly stopped with mucus. <i>V. S. ounce viij. Emet</i>. Fever-ball twice +in the day.<br> +<br> +<i>23d. </i>Breathing not quite so laborious. Will not eat. Medicine as +before. Apply a blister on the chest. <br> +<br> +<i>24th.</i> Nearly the same. <i>V. S. ounce vj. Bol. utheri.</i><br> +<br> +<i>26th.</i> Decided amendment. She breathes with much less difficulty. Less +discharge both from eyes and nose. <i>Bol. utheri.</i><br> +<br> +<i>Nov. 7th.</i> Sent home well.<br> +<br> +A singular and not uninstructive case came before me. A lady in the +country wrote to me to say, that her terrier was thin, dull, husking, +and perpetually trying to get something from the throat; that her coat +stared, and she frequently panted, I replied, that I apprehended she had +caught cold; and recommended bleeding to the extent of four ounces, a +grain each of calomel and emetic tartar to be given every fourth +morning, and a fever-ball, composed of digitalis, nitre, and tartrate of +antimony, on each intermediate day.<br> +<br> +A few days after this I received another letter from her, saying, that +the dog was bled as ordered, and died on the following Thursday. That +another veterinary surgeon had been called in, who said that the first +one had punctured the <i>vena cava</i> in the operation, and that the dog had +bled to death internally; and she wished to know my opinion. I replied, +that the charge proceeded from ignorance or malice, or both. That in one +sense he was right — the jugular, which the other had probably opened, +runs into the vena cava, and may, with some latitude, be considered a +superior branch of it; therefore, thus far the first man had punctured +the <i>vena cava</i>, which I had done many hundred times; but that the point +of union of the four principal veins that form the <i>vena cava</i> was too +securely seated in the upper part of the thorax for any lancet to reach +it. That the rupture of some small arterial vessel might have caused +this lingering death, but that the puncture of a vein would either have +been speedily fatal, or of no consequence; and that, probably, the +animal died of the disease which she had described. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="spascou"></a><h3>Spasmodic Cough</h3> + +is a troublesome disease to manage. Dogs, and especially those +considerably petted, are subject to frequent cough, requiring a material +difference in the treatment. Sometimes there is a husky cough, not to so +great a degree as in distemper, but followed by the same apparent effort +to get something from the throat, the same attempt to vomit, and the +ejection of mucus, frothy or adhesive, and occasionally discoloured with +bile. It proceeds from irritability or obstruction in some of the +air-passages, and oftenest of the superior ones. An emetic will clear +the fauces, or at least force out a portion of the adhesive matter which +is clogging the bronchial tubes.<br> +<br> +A cough of this kind, and attended in its early stages by little fever, +seldom requires anything more for its cure than the exhibition of a few +gentle emetics, consisting of equal portions of calomel and emetic +tartar, given in doses varying from half a grain to one grain and a half +of each.<br> +<br> +A harsh hollow cough is attended by more inflammatory action. The +depletive system must be adopted here. A loud and harsh cough will yield +only to the lancet and to purgatives, assisted by sedative medicines +composed of nitre, antimonial powder, and digitalis, or small doses of +syrup of poppies, or more minute doses of the hydrocyanic acid; this +last medicine, however, should be carefully watched, and only given +under surgical advice.<br> +<br> +<i>28th October, 1842</i>. A spaniel was apparently well yesterday, but +towards evening a violent cough suddenly came on. It was harsh and +hollow, and terminated in retching. There was a discharge of water from +the eyes; but the nose was cool and moist. Give an emetic, and then two +grains of the James's powder.<br> +<br> +<i>29th</i> The animal coughed almost the whole of the night. There was more +watery discharge from the eyes, which appeared to be red and impatient +of light; the nose continued cool, and the dog did not refuse his food. +An aperient ball was given; and twice afterwards in the day, the nitre, +antimonial powder, and digitalis.<br> +<br> +<i>30th</i>. The cough is as frequent, but not very loud. Give a mixture of +syrup of poppies and prussic acid morning and night, and the ball as +yesterday.<br> +<br> +<i>31st</i>. Nearly in the same state as yesterday, except that he is not so +thirsty, and does not eat so well. Give the mixture three times daily.<br> +<br> +<i>Nov. 1st.</i> He had an emetic in the morning, which produced a large +quantity of phlegm, but the cough is no better. No evacuation during the +two last days. Give an aperient ball, and the mixture as before in the +evening.<br> +<br> +The prussic acid has been fairly tried; it has not in the least +mitigated the cough, but begins to make the dog sick, and altogether to +destroy his appetite. Give three times in the day a mixture consisting +of two-thirds of a drachm of syrup of poppies, and one-third of syrup of +buckthorn. The sickness ceased, and the cough remained as before, I then +gave twice in the day half a grain of calomel, the same of opium, two +each of pulvis antimonialis and digitalis, and four grains of nitre, +morning and noon, with six grains of the Dovers powder at night. This +was continued on the <i>3d, 4th</i> and <i>5th</i> of November, when there were longer +intervals of rest, and the dog did not cough so harshly when the fit was +on him.<br> +<br> +On the <i>6th</i>, however, no medicine was given; but towards evening the dog +coughed as much as ever, and a decided mucous discharge commenced from +the nose and the eyes, with considerable snorting. An emetic was given, +and the balls resorted to as before.<br> +<br> +<i>7th</i>. He appeared to be much relieved by the emetic. The cough was +better, the dog ate well, and had regained his usual spirits. The ball +as before.<br> +<br> +<i>9th</i>. Slight <i>tenesmus</i> now appeared. It quickly became frequent and +violent. The dog strained very much; but the discharge was small in +quantity, and consisted of adhesive mucus. Give two drachms of castor +oil, and the fever ball with opium. The cough is worse, and the dog still +continues to strain, no blood, however, appearing.<br> +<br> +<i>11th</i>. The opium and oil have had their desired effect, and the cough +is better. <br> +<br> +<i>12th</i>, Except the animal is kept under the influence of opium, +the cough is dreadfully troublesome. I have, however, obtained one +point. I have been permitted to subtract four ounces of blood; but blood +had been mingling with the expectorated mucus before I was permitted to +have recourse to the lancet.<br> +<br> +<i>13th</i>. The dog is better, and we again have recourse to the fever +mixture, to which, on the 14th, I added a very small portion of the +carbonate of iron, for the dog was evidently getting weak. The sickness +has returned, and the cough is decidedly worse.<br> +<br> +<i>16th</i>. Rub a small quantity of rheumatic embrocation, and tincture of +cantharides.<br> +<br> +<i>17th</i>. The first application of the blister had not much effect; but +this morning it began to act. The dog ran about the house as cross as he +could be for more than an hour; there was considerable redness on the +throat and chest. The cough, however, was decidedly better.<br> +<br> +<i>18th</i>. The cough is better. Again apply the embrocation.<br> +<br> +<i>19th</i>. The cough and huskiness have returned. Employ an emetic, and +continue the embrocation.<br> +<br> +<i>20th</i>. The cough is decidedly worse. Continue the embrocation, and give +the fever mixture.<br> +<br> +<i>23d</i>. The embrocation and medicine have been daily used; but the cough +is as bad as ever. Balls of assafoetida, squills, and opium were had +recourse to.<br> +<br> +<i>25th</i>. The second ball produced the most distressing sickness, but the +cough was evidently relieved. The assafoetida was discontinued.<br> +<br> +<i>28th</i>. The cough, during the last two days, has been gradually getting +worse. It is more laborious and longer, and the intervals between it are +shorter. Give another emetic and continue the other medicine.<br> +<br> +<i>30th</i>. The effect of the emetic was temporary, and the cough is again +worse.<br> +<br> +<i>Dec. 2d.</i> Very little change.<br> +<br> +<i>5th</i>. The cough appears to be stationary. Again have recourse to the +antimony, digitalis, and nitre.<br> +<br> +<i>8th</i>. The cough is certainly better. Try once more the assafoetida. It +again produced sickness, but of a very mild character.<br> +<br> +<i>12th</i>. The assafoetida was again used used morning and night. The cough +continues evidently to abate. + +<i>14th</i>. The dog coughs very little, not more than half-a-dozen times in +the day. Notwithstanding the quantity of medicine that has been taken, +the appetite is excellent, and the spirits good.<br> +<br> +<i>16th.</i> The cough is still less frequent, but when it occurs it is +attended with retching.<br> +<br> +<i>19th</i>. The cough is daily getting better, and is not heard more than +three or four times in the four-and-twenty hours, and then very slight.<br> +<br> +<i>30th</i>. At length I can say that the cough has ceased. It is seldom that +so much trouble would have been taken with a dog. It is the neglect of +the medical attendance which is often the cause of death. + + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="pptable"></a><h3>A Table of the Usual Diagnostic Symptoms of Pleurisy and Pneumonia</h3> + +Professor +Delafond, of Alfort, gives a most interesting and complete table of the +usual diagnostic symptoms of <b>pleurisy</b> and <b>pneumonia</b>.<br> +<br> + + +<table summary="PP table" border="0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Pleurisy</b></td> + <td><b>Pneumonia</b></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td width="50%"><i>Commencement of the Inflammation</i>.<br><br> + + Shivering, usually accompanied by +slight colicky pains, and followed by general or partial sweating. +Inspiration always short, unequal, and interrupted; expiration full; air +expired of the natural temperature. Cough unfrequent, faint, short, and +without expectoration. Artery full. Pulse quick, small, and wiry. +</td> + <td width="50%"><i>Commencement of the Inflammation</i><br><br> + + General shivering, rarely accompanied by colicky pains, followed by +partial sweats at the flanks and the inside of the thighs. Inspiration +full, expiration short. Air expired hot. Cough frequently followed by +slight discharge of red-coloured mucus. Artery full. Pulse accelerated, +strong, full, and soft. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i><a name="I25">Auscultation</a></i> <br><br> + + A respiratory murmur, feeble, or accompanied by a slight +rubbing through the whole extent of the chest, or in some parts only.</td> + <td><i>Auscultation</i> <br><br> + + Absence of respiratory murmur in places where the lung is congested; +feebleness of that sound in the inflamed parts, with humid crepitating +wheezing. The respiratory murmur increased in the sound parts. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Percussion</i>. <br><br> + + Slight, dead, grating sound. Distinct resonance through +the whole of the chest, and pain expressed when the sides are tapped or +compressed.</td> + <td><i>Percussion</i>. <br><br> + + The dead grating sound confined to the inflamed parts. Distinct +resonance at the sound parts; increased sensibility of the walls of the +chest slight, or not existing at all.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Terminations</i><br><br> + + Delitescence. Cessation of pain; moderate temperature of the skin; +sometimes profuse general perspiration. Respiration less accelerated; +inspiration easier and deeper. Pulse fuller and softer. Breath of the +natural temperature. Return of the natural respiratory murmur and +resonance. The walls of the chest cease to exhibit increased +sensibility.</td> + <td><i>Terminations</i><br><br> + + Resolution. Temperature of the skin moderate. Sometimes profuse partial +sweats. Laborious respiration subsiding; inspiration less deep. Artery +less full. Pulse yielding. Breath less hot. Gradual and progressive +disappearance of the crepitating 'râle'. Slow return of the resonance.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Effusion, false Membranes</i><br><br> + + Inspiration more and more full.</td> + <td><i>Red Hepatization</i><br> + <br> + Respiration irregular and interrupted. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i><a name="I26">Auscultation</a> and Percussion</i><br><br> + + Complete absence of the respiratory murmur, with the crepitating +wheezing always at the bottom of the chest; sometimes a gurgling noise. +Vesicular respiration very strong in the upper region of the chest, or +in the sac opposite to the effusion.</td> + <td><i>Auscultation and Percussion</i><br><br> + + Circumscribed absence of the respiratory murmur, in one point, or in +many distinct parts of the lung. The respiratory murmur increased in one +or more of the sound parts of the lung, or in the sound lung if one is +inflamed.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Continuance of the Effusion</i><br><br> + + Absence of the respiratory murmur gains the middle region of the chest, +following the level of the fluid. These symptoms may be found on only +one side; a circumstance of frequent occurrence in the dog, but rare in +other animals. The respiratory murmur increases in the superior region +of the chest, or on the side opposite to the effusion. Inspiration +becomes more and more prolonged. Breath always cold. Cough not existing, +or rarely, and always suppressed and interrupted. Exercise producing much +difficulty of respiration.</td> + <td><i>Passage to a State of Gray Induration</i><br> + <br> + The absence of respiratory murmur indicates extensive hepatization of +one lung; a circumstance, however, of rare occurrence. When the +induration is of both lungs, and equally so, the respiratory murmur and +the inspiration remain the same, except that they become irregular. The +cough dry or humid, frequent, and sometimes varying. Exercise +accompanied by difficulty of respiration, without dyspnœa. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Resolution or Re-absorption of the effused fluid, and Organization of +false Membrane, the consequence of Pleurisy</i><br> +<br> +Slow but progressive reappearance of the respiratory murmur, and +disappearance of the sounds produced by the fluid. Diminution of the +force of the respiratory murmur in the superior part of the chest, or of +the lung opposite to the sac in which the effusion exists. Gradual +return of the respiratory murmur to the inferior part of the chest. +Inspiration less deep, and returning to its natural state. +</td> + <td><i>Resolution or Re-absorption of the Products of Inflammation of the +Parenchymatous Substance of the Lungs</i><br> +<br> +Diminution of the force of the respiratory murmur in the sound parts. +Cessation of the crepitating wheezing. Slow return of the respiratory +murmur where it had ceased. Respiration ceases to be irregular or +interrupted, and returns slowly to its natural state, or it remains +interrupted. This indicates the passage from red to gray induration.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><i>Chronic Pleurisy, with Hydrothorax</i><br> + <br> + Inspiration short. Cough dry, sometimes with expectoration; frequent or +capricious; always absence of complete respiratory murmur in the +inferior portion of the chest. Sometimes the gurgling noise during +inspiration and expiration. Strong respiratory murmur in the superior +portion. In dogs these symptoms sometimes have existence only on one +side of the chest. The mucous membranes are infiltrated; serous +infiltration on the lower part of the chest and belly; sometimes of the +scrotum or the inferior extremities; generally of the fore legs. The +animal lies down frequently, and dies of suffocation. +</td> + <td><i>Chronic Pneumonia — (Gray Induration.)</i><br> + <br> + Inspiration or expiration interrupted, cough unfrequent; suppressed; +rarely with expectoration; always interrupted. Complete absence of +respiratory murmur.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td></td> + <td><i>Softening of the Induration, Ulcerations, Vomicæ, &c.</i><br> + <br> + Mucous and wheezing; mucous râle in the bronchia; discharge from the +nostrils of purulent matter, white, gray, or black, and sometimes fetid. +Paleness of the mucous membranes. The animal seldom lies down, and never +long at a time. Death by suffocation, when the matter proceeding from +the vomicæ, or abscesses, obstructs the bronchial passages, or by the +development of an acute inflammation engrafted upon the chronic one.</td> +</tr> +</table> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h2><a name="section12">Chapter XII — Anatomy and Diseases of the Gullet, Stomach, and Intestines</a></h2> +<br> +The <b><i>œsophagus</i></b>, or gullet, of the dog, is constructed in nearly the +same manner as that of the horse. It consists of a similar muscular tube +passing down the neck and through the chest, and terminating in the +stomach, in which the process of digestion is commenced. The orifice by +which the gullet enters the stomach is termed the <i><b>cardia</b></i>, probably on +account of its neighbourhood to the heart or its sympathy with it. It is +constantly closed, except when the food is passing through it into the +stomach.<br> +<br> +The <i><b>stomach</b></i> has three coats: the outermost, which is the common +covering of all the intestines, called the <i>peritoneum</i>; the second or +<i>muscular</i> coat, consisting of two layers of fibres, by which a constant +motion is communicated to the stomach, mingling the food, and preparing +it for digestion; and the <i>mucous or villous</i>, where the work of digestion +properly commences, the mouths of numerous little vessels opening upon +it, which exude the gastric juice, to mix with the food already +softened, and to convert it into a fluid called the <i>chyme</i>. It is a +simpler apparatus than in the horse or in cattle. It is occasionally the +primary seat of inflammation: and it almost invariably sympathises with +the affections of the other intestines.<br> +<br> +The successive contractions of each portion of the stomach, expose by +turns every portion of the alimentary mass to the influence of the +gastric juice, and each is gradually discharged into the alimentary +canal.<br> +<br> +<a name="I118">As</a> the chyme is formed, it passes out of the other orifice of the +stomach, and enters the first intestine or <b><i>duodenum</i></b>.<br> +<br> +It may be naturally supposed that this process will occasionally be +interrupted by a variety of circumstances. Inflammation of the stomach +of the dog is very difficult to deal with. It is produced by numerous +different causes. There is great and long-continued sickness; even the +most harmless medicine is not retained on the stomach. The thirst is +excessive; there are evident indications of excessive pain, expressed by +the countenance and by groans: there is a singular disposition in the +animal to hide himself from all observation; an indication that should +never be neglected, nor the frequent change from heat to cold, and from +cold to heat.<br> +<br> +The mode of treatment is simple, although too often inefficient. The +lancet must be immediately resorted to, and the bleeding continued until +the animal seems about to fall; and to this should quickly succeed +repeated injections. Two or three drops of the croton oil should be +injected twice or thrice in the day, until the bowels are thoroughly +opened. The animal will be considerably better, or the disease cured, in +the course of a couple of days.<br> +<br> +<a name="I89">There</a> is a singular aptitude in the stomach of the dog to eject a +portion of its contents; but, almost immediately afterwards, the food, +or a portion if not the whole of it, is swallowed again. This is a +matter of daily occurrence. There is a coarse rough grass, ihe +<i>cynosaurus cristatus</i>, or crested dog's-tail. It is inferior for the +purposes of hay, but is admirably suited for permanent pastures. It +remains green after most other grasses are burnt by a continuance of dry +weather. The dog, if it be in his power, has frequent recourse to it, +especially if he lives mostly in a town. The dry and stimulating food, +which generally falls to his share, produces an irritation of his +stomach, from which lie is glad to free himself; and for this purpose he +has recourse to the sharp leaves of the cynosurus. They irritate the +lining membrane of the stomach and intestines, and cause a portion of +the food to be occasionally evacuated; acting either as an emetic or a +purgative, or both. They seem to be designed by nature to be substituted +for the calomel and tartar emetic, and other drugs, which are far too +often introduced.<br> +<br> +An <a name="I272">interesting</a> case of the retention of a sharp instrument in the +stomach is related by Mr. Kent of Bristol.<br> +<br> +On the 23d of February, Mr. Harford, residing in Bristol, when feeding a +pointer-dog, happened to let the fork tumble with the flesh, and the dog +swallowed them both. On the following morning, Mr. Kent was desired to +see the animal; and, although he could feel the projection of the fork +outwardly, which convinced him that the dog had in reality swallowed it, +yet, as he appeared well, and exhibited no particular symptoms of pain +or fever, Mr. Kent gave it as his opinion that there was a possibility +that he might survive the danger, and the animal was sent to him, in +order to be more immediately under his care. The treatment he adopted +was, to feed him on cow's liver, with a view to keep the stomach +distended and the bowels open; and he gave him three times a day half a +pint of water, with sufficient sulphuric acid to make it rather strongly +sour to the human tongue, with the intention of assisting the stomach in +dissolving the iron.<br> +<br> +On the following Sunday, the skin, at the projecting point, began to +exhibit some indication of ulceration; and on Monday a prong of the fork +might be touched with the point of the finger, when pressed on the +ulcer. Mr. Kent then determined on making an effort to extract the fork +on the following morning, which he accordingly did, and with but little +difficulty, assisted by a medical friend of the owner. The dog was still +fed on cow's liver; his appetite remained good, and with very little +medical treatment the external wound healed. The animal improved rapidly +in flesh during the whole time. He left the infirmary in perfect health, +and remained so, with one inconvenience only, a very bad cough, and his +being obliged to lie at length, being unable to coil himself up in his +usual way.<br> +<br> +The fork was a three-pronged one, six and a half inches long. The +handle, which was of ivory, was digested: it was quite gone; and either +the gastric fluid or the acid, or both conjointly, had made a very +apparent impression on the iron.<br> +<br> +Dogs occasionally swallow various strange and unnatural substances. +Considerable quantities of hair are sometimes accumulated in the +stomach. Half-masticated pieces of straw are ejected. Straw mingled with +dung is a too convincing proof of rabies. Dog-grass is found irritating +the stomach, or in too great quantities to be ejected, while collections +of earth and dung sometimes threaten suffocation. Pieces of money are +occasionally found, and lead, and sponge. Various species of polypus +irritate the coats of the stomach. Portions of chalk, or stone, or +condensed matters, adhere to each other, and masses of strange +consistence and form are collected. The size which they assume increases +more and more. M. Galy relates an extraordinary account of a dog. It was +about three years old when a tumour began to be perceived in the flank. +Some sharp-pointed substance was felt; the veterinary surgeon cut down +upon it, and a piece of iron, six inches in length, was drawn out.<br> +<br> +The following fact was more extraordinary: it is related by M. Noiret. A +hound swallowed a bone, which rested in the superior part of the œsophagus, behind the pharynx, and caused the most violent efforts to +get rid of it. The only means by which it could be made to descend into +the stomach was by pushing it with the handle of a fork, which, escaping +from the hand of the operator, followed the bone into the stomach. Two +months afterwards, on examining the stomach, the fork was plainly felt +lying in a longitudinal direction, parallel with the position of the +body; the owner of the dog wishing mechanically to accelerate the +expulsion of this body, endeavoured to push it backwards with his hands. +When it was drawn as far back as possible, he inserted two fingers into +the anus, and succeeded in getting hold of the handle, which he drew out +nearly an inch; but, in order to be enabled fully to effect his object, +it was necessary to make an incision into the rectum, and free the +substance from every obstacle that could retain it. This he did not +venture to do, and he was therefore compelled to allow the fork to pass +back into its former position.<br> +<br> +About three months after the accident, M. Noiret made an incision, three +inches from above to below, and the same from the front backwards. He +also made an incision through the muscular tissue. Having arrived at the +peritoneum, he made another incision, through which he drew from the +abdomen a part of the floating portion of the large intestines, and +introduced his fingers into the abdominal cavity. He seized the handle +of the fork, which was among the viscera, and free about half-way down, +and drew it carefully towards the opening made in the flank. The other +half of the fork was found to be closely enveloped by the origin of the +mesocolon, which was red, hard, and inflamed. The operator freed it by +cutting through the tissues which held the fork, and then drew it easily +out. The animal was submitted to a proper course of treatment, and in +three weeks afterwards was perfectly cured.<br> +<br> +The food, having been converted into chyme by the digestive power of the +stomach, soon undergoes another and very important change. It, or a +portion of it, is converted into <i>chyle</i>. It is mixed with the bile and a +secretion from the pancreas in the duodenum. The white thick liquid is +separated, and contains the nutritive part of the food, and a yellow +pulpy substance is gradually changed into excrement. As these substances +pass on, the separation between them becomes more and more complete. The +chyle is gradually taken up by the lacteals, and the excrement alone remains.<br> +<br> +<a name="I169">The</a> next of the small intestines is the <i><b>jejunum</b></i>, so called from its +being generally empty. It is smaller in bulk than the duodenum, and the +chyme passes rapidly through it.<br> +<br> +<a name="I162">Next</a> in the list is the <i><b>ileum</b></i>; but it is difficult to say where the +jejunum terminates and the ileum commences, except that the latter is +usually one-fifth longer than the former.<br> +<br> +<a name="I47">At</a> the termination of the ileum the <i><b>cæcum</b></i> makes its appearance, with +a kind of valvular opening into it, of such a nature that everything +that passes along it having reached the blind or closed end, must return +in order to escape; or rather the office of the cæcum is to permit +certain alimentary matters and all fluids to pass from the ileum, but to +oppose their return.<br> +<br> +The <i><b>colon</b></i> is <a name="I74">an</a> intestine of very large size, being one of the most +capacious, as well as one of the longest, of the large intestines. It +commences at the <i>cæsum caput coli,</i> and soon expands into a cavity of +greater dimensions than even that of the stomach itself. Having attained +this singular bulk, it begins to contract, and continues to do so during +its course round the cæcum, until it has completed its second flexure, +where it grows so small as scarcely to exceed in calibre one of the +small intestines; and though, from about the middle of this turn, it +again swells out by degrees, it never afterwards acquires its former +capaciousness; indeed, previously to its junction with the rectum, it +once more materially differs in size.<br> +<br> +At the upper part of the margin of the pelvis the colon terminates in +the <i><b>rectum</b></i>, which differs from the cæcum and colon by possessing only +a partial peritoneal covering, and being destitute of bands and cells. +It enlarges towards its posterior extremity, and is furnished with a +circular muscle, the <i>sphincter ani</i>, adapted to preserve the <i><b>anus</b></i> closed, +and to retain the fæculent matter until so much of it is accumulated in +the rectum as to excite a desire to discharge it. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="tetanus"></a><h3>Tetanus</h3> + +a disease of great fatality, often depends upon the condition of the +stomach; but it is not frequent in dogs.<br> +<br> +Why the dog is so little subject to <i>tetanus</i>, or lock-jaw, I am unable +to explain. Sportsmen say that it sometimes attacks him when, being +heated in the chase, he plunges into the water after the stag. The +French give it the name of <i>mal de cerf</i>, from stags being supposed to +be attacked in a similar way, and from the same cause. In the course of +nearly forty years' practice, I have seen but four cases of it. The +first arose from a wound in the foot. The cause of the second I could +not learn. In both the spasmodic action was dreadful as well as +universal. The dogs lay on their sides, the neck and legs stretched out, +and the upper legs kept some inches from the ground by the intensity of +the spasm. They might be taken up by either leg, and not a portion of +the frame change its direction. At the same time, in their countenances, +and by their hoarse cries, they indicated the torture which they +endured.<br> +<br> +In the third case, which occurred 12th June, 1822, the head was drawn +permanently on one side, and the whole body formed a kind of bow, the +dog walking curiously sideways, often falling as it walked, and +frequently screaming violently. I ordered him to be well rubbed with an +ammoniacal liniment, and balls of tonic and purging medicine to be given +twice in the day. The dog gradually recovered, and was dismissed cured +on the 20th.<br> +<br> +On the 16th November, in the same year, a bull-terrier had a similar +complaint. He had been tried in the pit a fortnight before, and severely +injured, and the pain and stiffness of his joints were increasing. The +head was now permanently drawn on one side. The dog was unable to stand +even for a moment, and the eyes were in a state of spasmodic motion. He +was a most savage brute; but I attempted to manage him, and, by the +assistance of the owner, contrived lo bleed him, and to give him a +physic-ball. At the same time I advised that he should be destroyed.<br> +<br> +His master would not consent to this; and, as the dog occasionally ate a +little, we contrived to give a grain each of calomel and opium every +sixth hour. In the course of three days he was materially recovered. He +could stand, but was exceedingly weak, I ordered the calomel lo be +omitted, but the opium to be continued. Three days aflerwards he was +sent into the country, and, as I heard, perfectly recovered.<br> +<br> +The following is a very interesting case of tetanus, detailed by M. +Debeaux, of the Royal French Chasseurs:<br> +<br> +A favourite dog was missing. Four days had passed, and no intelligence +could be obtained with regard to him until he returned home, fatigued +and half-starved. He had probably been stolen. In the excess of their +joy, the owners crammed him with meat until he became strangely ill. His +throat was filled with froth, the pupils of his eyes were dilated, the +conjunctiva was strongly injected, his neck was spasmodically +contracted, and the spine of the back was bowed, and most highly +sensible to the touch. M. Debeaux was sent for; it was an hour before he +could attend. The dog was lying on his belly; the four limbs were +extended and stiff. He uttered the most dreadful and prolonged howling +every two or three minutes. The surgeon ordered the application of a +dozen leeches to the chest and belly; laxative medicines were given, and +embrocations applied to the spine and back.<br> +<br> +Three days passed, and the symptoms evidently augmented. The excrement +was dark and fetid, and the conjunctiva had a strong yellow tint. +Leeches were again employed; emollient lotions and aperient medicines +were resorted to. The sensibility of the spine and back was worse than +ever; the animal lay on his belly, stretching out his four limbs, his +neck fixed, his jaws immovable, his voice hoarse, and he was utterly +unable to move.<br> +<br> +The bathings, lotions, and aperients were continued, with very few +intermissions, until the 14th day, when the muscles began to be a little +relaxed; but he cried whenever he was touched. On the 15th, for the +first time, he began to eat a little, and his natural voice returned; +still, however, the spasms occasionally appeared, but very much +mitigated, and on the 20th the pain had entirely ceased.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr91">On</a> the 5th of the next month he travelled two leagues with his master. +It was cold, and the snow fell. On his reaching home, all the horrible +spasms returned, and it was eleven days before he was completely cured<a href="#f91"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr92">Mr</a>. Blaine gives the following account of his experience of this disease: + +<blockquote>"It is remarkable, that although dogs are subject to various spasmodic + affections, yet they are so little subject to lock-jaw that I never + met with more than three cases of it among many thousands of diseased + dogs. Two of these cases were <i>idiopathic</i>; one being apparently + occasioned by exposure to cold air all night; the other the cause was + obscure. The third was of that kind called <i>sympathetic</i>, and arose + from extreme injury done to one of the feet. In each of these cases + the convulsive spasm was extreme, and the rigidity universal but not + intense. In one case the jaw was only partially locked. Both warm and + cold bathings were tried. Large doses of opium and camphor were given + by the mouth, and also thrown up in clysters. The spine of one was + blistered. Stimulating frictions were applied to all, but in neither + case with any salutary effect."<a href="#f92"><sup>2</sup></a></blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="enteritis"></a><h3>Enteritis</h3> + +<i>Enteritis</i>, or inflammation of the intestine, is a disease to which +dogs are very liable. It may be produced by the action of several +causes. The intestines of the dog are peculiarly irritable, and subject +to take on inflammatory action, and this tendency is often much +increased by the artificial life which they lead. It is a very frequent +complaint among those dogs that are much petted. A cold temperature is +also a common cause of disease in these dogs.<br> +<br> +I was consulted with regard to a dog who was hiding himself in a cold, +dark corner, paved with stone. Every now and then he lifted his head and +uttered a howl closely resembling that of a rabid dog. He fixed his gaze +intently upon me, with a peculiarity of expression which many would have +mistaken for rabid. They, however, who have had the opportunity of +seeing many of these cases, will readily perceive the difference. The +conjunctiva is not so red, the pupil is not so dilated, and the dog +appears to implore pity and not to menace evil.<br> +<br> +In this state, if the dog is approached, he will not permit himself to +be touched until he he convinced that no harm is intended. A peculiar +slowness attends each motion; his cries are frequent and piteous; his +belly hot and tender; two cords, in many cases, seem to run +longitudinally from the chest to the pubis, and on these he cannot bear +the slightest pressure. He abhors all food; but his thirst for water, +and particularly cold water, is extreme; he frequently looks round at +his flanks, and the lingering gaze is terminated by a cry or groan. In +the majority of cases there is considerable costiveness; but, in others, +the bowels are freely opened from the beginning.<br> +<br> +<a name="I165">The</a> peritoneal inflammation is sometimes pure, but oftener involves the +muscular coat of the intestines. Its prevailing cause is exposure to +cold, especially after fatigue, of lying on the wet stones or grass. Now +and then it is the result of neglected rheumatism, especially in old and +petted dogs.<br> +<br> +The treatment is simple. Bleed until the pulse falters, put the animal +in a warm bath, and let the belly be gently rubbed while the dog is in +the water, and well fomented afterwards; the drink should consist of +warm broth, or warm milk and water. The bleeding should be repeated, if +little or unsatisfactory relief is obtained; and the examination of the +rectum with the finger, and the removal of any hardened faeces that may +have accumulated there, and the cautious use of enemata, neither too +stimulating nor too forcibly injected, should be resorted to. No +medicine should be employed until the most urgent symptoms are abated. +Castor oil, the mildest of our purgatives — syrup of buckthorn assisting +the purgative property of the oil, and containing in its composition as +much stimulating power as is safe — and the spirit of while poppies — the +most convenient anodyne to mingle with the other medicines — will +generally be successful in allaying the irritation already existing, and +preventing the development of more. Even this must not be given in too +large quantities, and the effect must be assisted by a repetition of the +enemata every fifth or sixth hour. On examination after death the nature +of the disease is sufficiently evident: the peritoneum, or portions of +it, is highly injected with blood, the veins are turgid, the muscular +membrane corrugated and hardened, while often the mucous membrane +displays not a trace of disease. In violent cases, however, the whole of +the intestines exhibit evidence of inflammation.<br> +<br> +<a name="fr93">I</a> was much gratified a few years ago in witnessing the decided manner in +which Professor Spooner expressed himself with regard to the treatment +of enteritis in the dog. + +<blockquote>"I should deem it advisable," said he, "to +administer a purgative; but of what would that consist? Calomel? +Certainly not. I was surprised to hear one gentleman assert that he +should administer it to the extent of from five to ten grains, and +another to say that he should not hesitate to exhibit a scruple of +calomel to a dog, and to all carnivorous animals. I should never think +of exhibiting it as a cathartic. I should only administer it in small +doses, and for the purpose of producing its specific effect on the +liver, which is the peculiar property of this drug. Given in larger +doses it would not be retained, and if it got into the intestines it +would act as a powerful drastic purgative."<a href="#f93"><sup>3</sup></a></blockquote> + +In our treatment of the horse we have got rid of a great proportion of +the destructive urine-balls and drastic purgatives of the farrier. The +cow is no longer drenched with half-a-dozen deleterious stimulants. A +most desirable change has been effected in the medical treatment of +these animals. Let us not, with regard to the dog, continue to pursue +the destructive course of the keeper or the huntsman.<br> +<br> +<a name="I75">The</a> following case of enteritis, with rupture of the colon, may be +useful:<br> +<br> +On <i>March 15, 1840</i>, I was requested to attend a large dog of the bull +breed, three years old, who had not appeared to be well during the last +four or five days.<br> +<br> +I had scarcely arrived ere I recognised it to be a case of enteritis. He +had a dreadful shivering fit, to which succeeded heat of the skin and +restlessness. The muzzle was dry and hot, as also was the tongue. The +eyes were sunken and redder than usual; the breathing was accelerated, +but not very laborious; the extremities were cold, while the surface of +the body was hot and painful to the touch. The bowels were constipated, +and had been so during the last week; some dung however was evacuated, +but it was hard and dry, and in small quantities. The pulse was quick, +but full; and there was a slight pain and considerable irritation in the +rectum. I took from him [Symbol: ounce] x. of blood before the desired effect was +produced, and then gave him<i> tinct. opii gr. xiv., et spt. ether, nit. +gutt. viij., cum ol. ricini</i> [Symbol: ounce]<i> iij</i>., and an opiate enema to allay the +irritation of the rectum. This was about <i>8 o'clock, A.M</i>.<br> +<br> +<i>11 A.M</i>. — The bowels have not been moved, and the pain is more intense; +his countenance expresses great anxiety; he frequently lies on his +stomach, and the pulse is small but quick. I gave him a little broth, +and ordered the abdomen to be fomented with hot flannels.<br> +<br> +<i>2 P.M.</i> — He has had distressing sickness, and is extremely anxious for +water. I introduced my finger into the rectum, but could not discover +any hardened fæces. Enemata, composed of <i>mag. sulphas</i> and warm water, +were frequently thrown into the intestines; as soon as one came away +another was thrown up.<br> +<br> +<i>4 P.M</i>. — No better: gave him <i>pulv. aloes</i> [Symbol: ounce] j.;<i> calomel, gr. vj. et pulv. +opii gr. viij.</i> The fomentations to be continued, and the abdomen rubbed +with a <i>lin. terebinthinæ</i> .<br> +<br> +<i>5 P.M</i>. — A great change has taken place within the last hour; the hind +extremities are paralysed; the mouth and ears are cold; the pulse is +more hurried and irregular, and almost imperceptible; the respiration is +laborious and irregular, as is the pulse; and the dog is frequently +sick. To be kept quiet.<br> +<br> +<i>6 P.M.</i> — Another change: he lies panting and groaning piteously; his +limbs are bathed in sweat, with convulsive struggles. At twenty minutes +past six he died.<br> +<br> +A post-mortem examination presented general marks of inflammation; the +small intestines were extremely red, while the large ones were in a +gangrenous state and most offensive, with a rupture of the colon. I did +not expect to meet with the rupture, and am at a loss to account for it. +The liver was of a pale ashen colour, and very light. I put a piece of +it into some water, and it floated on the surface. The other contents of +the abdomen did not show the slightest appearance of disease.<br> +<br> +<i>September 2d, 1843</i>. — A black pug-bitch, 18 months old, was yesterday +taken violently sick; the vomiting continued at intervals the greater +part of the day, and she had not eaten during the last 24 hours. I could +not possibly get at her, on account of her ferocity: as she had not had +the distemper, and as I was misled by her age and the watery discharge +from her eyes, and as she had had several motions yesterday, I imagined +that the attack might be the beginning of that disease. Learning that she +was fond of sweet things, I prepared an emetic containing a grain of +calomel and a grain of tartar emetic: she took it readily, and I +promised to call on the following day.<br> +<br> +<i>Sept. 3</i>. — The weakness at the eyes had disappeared, but there had been +no motion. On getting at her by main force I found her belly very tense +and rather hot: she had again been sick, was very eager for water, and +still refused to eat. The disease was now evident. As she appeared too +unmanageable for anything else, I produced a physic-ball, in giving +which I was bitten.<br> +<br> +Six hours afterwards I again went: no fæces had passed: I administered +two enemas, the second of which was returned with a small quantity of +hardened fæces and an intolerable smell. I ordered the water to be +removed, and broth to be substituted.<br> +<br> +<i>Sept. 4.</i> — The dog is in good spirits, has eaten heartily, and had no +motion, probably because it was habitually cleanly, and had not been +taken out of doors. Her owner considered her as quite well, and +dismissed me. Three days afterwards a servant came to say that all was +going on very well. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="peritonitis"></a><h3>Peritonitis</h3> + +Chronic inflammation of the <i>peritoneal membrane</i> is a frequent disease +among dogs. The animal loses his appetite and spirits; he sometimes eats +a little and sometimes not; he becomes thin, his belly is tucked up, and +when we closely examine him we find it contracted and hard, and those +longitudinal columns of which I have already spoken are peculiarly dense +and almost unyielding. He now and then utters a half-suppressed whine, +and he occasionally seeks to hide himself. In the greater number of +cases he after a while recovers; but he too often pines away and dies. +On examination after death the case is plain enough. There is +inflammation of the peritoneal membrane, more indicated by undue +congestion of the bowels than by the general blush of the membrane. The +inflammation has now spread to the muscular coat, and the whole of the +intestine is corrugated and thickened.<br> +<br> +There is another peritoneal affection, aggravated by combination with a +rheumatic tendency, to which the dog is more disposed than any other +domesticated animal. It has its most frequent origin in cold, or being +too much fed on stimulating and acrid food, and probably from other +causes which have not yet been sufficiently developed.<br> +<br> +Here also no drastic purgative is to be admitted; it would be adding +fuel to fire: not a grain of calomel should be used, if the life of the +animal is valued. The castor oil mixture will afford the most certain +relief, a drop or two of the oil of peppermint being added to it + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="colic"></a><h3>Colic</h3> + +The dog is also subject to fits of <i>colic</i>, principally to be traced to +improper food, or a sudden change of food, or exposure to cold. This is +particularly the case with puppies. There is no redness of the eye, no +heat of the mouth, no quickened respiration; but the animal labours +under fits of pain. He is not quiet for a minute. He gets into one +corner and another, curling himself closely up, but he does not lie +there more than a minute or two; another fit of pain comes on; he utters +his peculiar yelp, and seeks some new place in which he may possibly +find rest.<br> +<br> +It is with considerable diffidence that I offer an opinion on this +subject contrary to that of Mr. Blaine. He states that the treatment of +this species of colic is seldom successful, and that which has seemed +the most efficacious has been mercurial purgatives; namely, calomel one +grain, aloes a scruple, and opium a quarter of a grain, until the bowels +are opened. I have seldom found much difficulty in relieving the patient +suffering under this affection; and I gave no aloes nor calomel, but the +oleaginous mixture to which I have so often referred. I should not so +much object to the aloes, for they constitute an excellent purgative for +the dog; nor to a dog that I was preparing for work, or that was +suffering from worms, should I object to two or three grains of calomel +intimately mixed with the aloes: from the combined effect of the two, +some good might be obtained. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="calintest"></a><h3>Calculus in the Intestines</h3> + +Many persons have a very foolish custom of throwing stones, that their +dogs may dive or run after them, and bring them to their owner's feet: +the consequence is, that their teeth are soon worn down, and there are +too many cases on record in which the stone has been swallowed. It has +been impeded in its progress through the intestinal canal, inflammation +has ensued, and the animal has been lost, after having suffered the most +dreadful torture.<br> +<br> +<a name="I48">Professor</a> Simonds relates a case in which a dog was thus destroyed. The +animal for some days previous to his admission into the hospital had +refused his food, and there was obstinate constipation of the bowels, to +remove which aperient medicine had been given. The pulse was +accelerated, there was distension of the abdomen with evident tenderness +on pressure, the extremities were cold, no fæces were voided, and he +occasionally vomited. Some aperient medicine was given, which was +retained on the stomach, and enemas and external stimulants were +resorted to, but two days afterwards he died.<br> +<br> +The intestines were examined, and the offending body was found to be a +common pebble. The dog had long been accustomed to fetch stones out of +the water. One of these stones had passed through the stomach into the +intestines, and, after proceeding some distance along them, had been +impacted there. The inflammation was most intense so far as the stone +had gone; but in the part of the intestine to which it had not reached +there was not any. This was an interesting and instructive case, and +should make its due impression.<br> +<br> +Another account of the strange contents of the intestines of a bitch may +be here introduced.<br> +<br> +A valuable pointer-bitch was sent to the infirmary of Mr. Godwin of +Litchfield. She presented a very emaciated appearance, and had done so +for four or five months. Her evacuations for a day or two were very thin +and copious, and afterwards for several days nothing was passed. When +pressing the abdomen with both hands, a hard substance was distinctly +felt in the inferior part of the umbilical region. She was destroyed, +and, upon <i>post-mortem</i> examination, a calculus was discovered in the +ileum about the size and shape of a hen's egg, the nucleus of which was +a portion of hair. The coats of the intestines were considerably +thickened and enlarged, so as to form a kind of sac for its retention. +Anterior to this was another substance, consisting of a ball of hair, +covered with a layer of earthy matter about the eighth of an inch thick, +and next to this another ball of hair of less dimensions, intermixed +with a gritty substance. The stomach contained a large quantity of hair, +and a portion of the omentum, about the size of n crown piece, was +thickly studded with small white calculi, the largest about the size of +a pea, and exceedingly hard. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="intussusception"></a><h3>Intussusception</h3> + +If <i>peritonitis</i> — inflammation — is neglected, or drastic purgatives are +too often and too plentifully administered, a peculiar contraction of +the muscular membrane of the intestine takes place, and one portion of +the bowel is received within another — there is <i>intussusception</i>. In +most cases, a portion of the anterior intestine is received into that +which is posterior to it. Few of us have opened a dog that had been +labouring under this peculiar affection without being struck with the +collapsed state of the canal in various parts, and in some much more +than in others. Immediately posterior to this collapsed portion, it is +widened to a considerable extent. The peristaltic motion of the +intestine goes on, and the consequence is, that the constricted portion +is received into that which is widened, the anterior portion is +invaginated in the posterior: obstruction of the intestinal passage is +the necessary consequence, and the animal dies, either from the general +disturbance of the system which ensues, or the inflammation which is set +up in the invaginated part.<br> +<br> +I will say nothing of medical treatment in this case; for I do not know +the symptoms of intussusception, or how it is to be distinguished from +acute inflammation of the bowels. Acute inflammation will not long exist +without producing it; and, if its existence should be strongly +suspected, the treatment would be the same as for inflammation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I78">The</a> domesticated dog, from the nature of his food, more than from any +constitutional tendency, is liable to constipation. This should never be +neglected. If two or three days should pass without an evacuation, the +case should be taken in hand; otherwise inflammation will be very soon +established. In order to procure an evacuation, the aloetic ball, with +one or two grains of calomel, should be given. Beyond that, however, I +should not dare to go; but, if the constipation continued, I should have +recourse to the castor-oil mixture. I should previously examine and +empty the rectum, and have frequent recourse to the enema-syringe; and I +should continue both. It would be my object to evacuate the intestinal +canal with as little increased action as possible. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="diarrhoea"></a><h3>Diarrhœa</h3> + +is the discharge of fæces more frequently than usual, and thinner than +their natural consistence, but otherwise not materially altered in +quality; and the mucous coat of the intestines being somewhat congested, +if not inflamed. It is the consequence of over-feeding, or the use of +improper food. Sometimes it is of very short continuance, and disappears +without any bad consequence; the health being unaffected, and the +character of the fæces not otherwise altered than by assuming a fluid +character. It may not be bad practice to wait a day, or possibly two, as +it is desirable for the action of the intestines to be restored without +the aid of art. I should by no means give a physic-ball, or a grain of +calomel, in simple diarrhœa. I should fear the establishment of that +species of purging which is next to be described. The castor-oil mixture +usually affords the best hope of success.<br> +<br> +Habitual diarrhœa is not an unfrequent disease in petted dogs: in some +it is constitutional, in others it is the effect of neglected +constipation. A state of chronic inflammation is induced, which has +become part of the constitution of the dog; and, if repressed in the +intestines, it will appear under a more dangerous form in some other +place. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="dysentery"></a><h3>Dysentery</h3> + +is a far more serious complaint. In most cases a considerable degree of +inflammation of the mucous coat exists, and the mucus is separated from +the membrane beneath, and discharged <i>per anum</i>. The mucus thus separated +from the intestinal membrane assumes an acrid character. It not only +produces inflammation of the membrane, dangerous and difficult to treat, +but it excoriates the anus and neighbouring parts, and produces pain and +<i>tenesmus</i>.<br> +<br> +This disease has sometimes been fatally misunderstood. A great deal of +irritation exists in the intestinal membrane generally, and in the lower +part of the rectum particularly. The fæces passing over this denuded +surface cause a considerable degree of pain, and there is much +straining, and a very small bit or portion of faces is evacuated. This +has often been seen by the careless observer; and, as he has taken it as +an indication of costiveness, some drastic purgative has been +administered, and the animal quickly killed.<br> +<br> +No one that had ascertained the real nature of the disease would +administer calomel in any form or combination; but the anodyne mixture +as an enema, and also administered by the mouth, is the only medicine +from which benefit can be expected. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="costent"></a><h3>Costiveness</h3> + +is a disease when it becomes habitual. It is connected with disease of +the intestinal canal. Many dogs have a dry constipated habit, often +greatly increased by the bones on which they are too frequently fed. +This favours the disposition to mange and to many diseases depending on +morbid secretions. It produces indigestion, encourages worms, blackens +the teeth, and causes fetid breath. The food often accumulates in the +intestines, and the consequence is inflammation of these organs. A dog +should never be suffered to remain costive more than a couple of days. +An aloetic ball or some Epsom salts should then be administered; and +this failing to produce the desired effect, the castor-oil mixture, with +spirits of buckthorn and white poppies, should be administered, and the +use of the clyster-pipe resorted to. It may be necessary to introduce +the finger or the handle of a spoon when the faecal matter is more than +usually hard, and it is with difficulty broken down; small doses of +castor-oil should be afterwards resorted to, and recourse occasionally +be had to boiled liver, which the dog will rarely refuse. The best +means, however, of preventing costiveness in dogs, as well as in men, is +regular exercise. A dog who is kept chained up in a kennel should be +taken out and have a certain quantity of exercise once in the +twenty-four hours. When this cannot be done, the food should consist +chiefly of well-boiled farinaceous matter. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="dropsy"></a><h3>Dropsy</h3> + +Another disease, which is not confined to the abdominal cavity, is +dropsy: but, as in the dog it most commonly assumes that form which is +termed <i>ascites</i>, or <i>dropsy of the abdomen</i>, it may be noticed in this +place. It is seldom an idiopathic or primary affection, but is +generally the consequence of some other disease, most commonly of an +inflammatory kind.<br> +<br> +Dropsy is a collection of fluid in some part of the frame, either from +increased exhalation, or from diminished absorption, the consequence +of inflammation. The divisions of dropsy are into active and passive, or +acute and chronic. The causes are also very properly arranged as +predisposing and exciting. The diseases on which dropsy most frequently +supervenes are fevers and visceral inflammations and obstructions. The +dog is peculiarly subject to <i>ascites</i> or <i>dropsy of the belly</i>, and the +quantity of fluid contained in the abdomen is sometimes almost +incredible. It is usually accompanied or characterised by a weak, +unequal, small, and frequent pulse — paleness of the lips, tongue, and +gums — flaccidity of the muscles, hurried breathing on the least +exertion, feebleness of the joints, swellings of the lower limbs, +effusion of fluid into the integuments or among the muscles, before +there is any considerable effusion into the thorax or the abdomen, and +an unhealthy appearance of the cutaneous surface. The urine seldom +coagulates. This form of dropsy is usually seated in the abdomen or +cellular tissue.<br> +<br> +The treatment of ascites is seldom perfectly successful. The great +extent of the peritoneum, the number and importance of the viscera with +which it is connected, and of the absorbent glands which it encloses, +the number and weakness of the veins which transmit their blood to the +portal vessels, and the absence of valves, in some measure account for +the frequent accumulation of fluid in this cavity. It appears in both +sexes from the usual causes of inflammatory disease. Unwholesome diet, +the drastic operation of purgatives, external injuries, the suppression +of accustomed secretions and discharges, all are exciting causes of +dropsy.<br> +<br> +The animal has suffered materially from mange, which has been apparently +cured: the itchiness and eruption altogether disappear, but many weeks +do not elapse ere ascites begins to be seen, and the abdomen is +gradually distended with fluid. When this appears in young and healthy +animals, it may be conquered; but when there has been previous disease +of almost any kind, comparatively few patients permanently recover. +Irritability of the stomach, and a small and accelerated pulse, are +unfavourable. <a name="I278">If</a> the operation of tapping has taken place, at all times +there is danger; but, if there is a thick, brown, albuminous or fetid +discharge, it is very unlikely that any permanent advantage will result +from the operation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I116">We</a> will introduce a few cases as they occur in our clinical records.<br> +<br> +<i>November 7th, 1821</i>. — A spaniel, nine years old, had been, during four +months, alternately asthmatic or mangy, or both. Within the last few +days she had apparently increased in size. I was sent for. The first +touch of the abdomen betrayed considerable fluctuation. She likewise had +piles, sore and swelled. I ordered an alterative ball to be given +morning and night.<br> +<br> +<i>8th.</i> One of the balls has been given, and two doses of castor oil; but +no effect has been produced. An injection was administered.<br> +<br> +<i>9th</i>. A small evacuation of water has been produced, and the bowels +have been slightly opened. Give a dose of the castor-oil mixture.<br> +<br> +<i>10th.</i> The obstruction has been removed; the enlargement is somewhat +diminished; much water has passed. Give an alterative ball every +morning.<br> +<br> +<i>14th.</i> The alteratives have been continued, and there is a slow but +evident decrease of the abdomen.<br> +<br> +<i>18th.</i> I cannot detect any effusion in the abdomen. Give a pill every +alternate day for a fortnight. At the expiration of this period the dog +was apparently well.<br> +<br> +<i>April 23d, 1822.</i> — A terrier, ten years old, had cough and mange, which +ceased. The belly for the first time began to enlarge, and on feeling +the dog considerable fluctuation was evident. He would not eat, but he +drank immoderately. Give daily a ball consisting of tonic and physic +mist., with powdered digitalis and tartrate of iron.<br> +<br> +<i>May 6th.</i> — He is in better spirits, feeds tolerably well, but is rather +increased in size. Give daily a ball of tartrate of iron, digitalis, +ginger, and a grain of calomel.<br> +<br> +<i>22d.</i> Much thinner, the belly very considerably diminished: a slight +fluctuation is still to be perceived. Continue medicine, with a +half-grain only of calomel.<br> +<br> +<i>July 17th.</i> — The medicine has been regularly given, and the water of +the abdomen has rapidly disappeared, until a fortnight ago: since that +time it has been once more filling. The medicine was ordered to be +repeated.<br> +<br> +<i>August 6th</i>. — The medicine has once more produced its proper effect, +and the fluid has disappeared.<br> +<br> +On the <i>16th,</i> however, the fluctuation was again too plainly felt, and +the owner determined to have nothing more to do with the case. The +animal was never brought again, nor could I trace it. The dog might have +been saved if the owner had done it justice.<br> +<br> +<a name="I117">As</a> soon as dropsy appears to be established, proper medicines must be +resorted to. Foxglove, nitre, and ginger should be first tried in the +proportional doses of one, ten, and eight grains, given morning and +night. If this does not succeed, iodine from half-a-grain to a grain may +be given morning and night, and a weak solution of iodine rubbed on the +belly.<br> +<br> +This being ineffectual, recourse may be had to tapping, taking care that +the trocar is not plunged sufficiently deep to wound the intestines. The +place for the operation is directly on the <i>linea alba</i>, or middle line +of the belly, and about midway between the pubis and the navel. The +whole of the intestinal fluid may be suffered to escape. A bandage +should then be applied round the belly, and retained there a week or +more.<br> +<br> +Mr. <a name="I">Blaine</a> very properly states, that the difference between fatness and +dropsy is, that the belly hangs pendulous in dropsy, while the back bone +stands up, and the hips are protruded through the skin; while the hair +is rough, and the feeling of the coat is peculiarly harsh. It may be +distinguished from pregnancy by the teats enlarging, in the latter case, +as gestation advances, and the young ones may occasionally be felt to +move. In addition to this it may be stated, that the presence of water +is readily and unerringly detected. If the right hand is laid on one +side of the belly, and the other side is gently struck with the left +hand, an undulating motion will be readily perceived.<br> +<br> +<a name="I15">In</a> old dogs, dropsy, under the title of <i>anasarca</i>, is an unfrequent but +occasional accompaniment of ascites. If pressure is made on any +particular parts, they yield and continue depressed for a longer or +shorter period of time, and slowly and by degrees regain their natural +form. The skin is dry and distended, and with no natural action; the +circulation is languid and small, the muscular powers are diminished, +the animal is unquiet, the thirst is great, the tongue is pale, the +appetite diminished, and the limbs are swelled. The best mode, of +treatment is the infliction of some very small punctures in the +distended skin, and the application of gentle friction. The majority of +cases of this kind are usually fatal, and so is almost every case of +encysted dropsy.<br> +<br> +A dog had cough in <i>February, 1825</i>. Various medicines were administered, +and at length the cough almost suddenly ceased, and evident ascites +appeared. The thirst was insatiable, the dog would not touch food, and +he was unable to lie down more than two minutes at a time.<br> +<br> +Digitalis, cream of tartar, and <i>hydrarg. submur</i>. were given on the <i>9th +April.</i><br> +<br> +On the <i>13th</i> he was much worse, and apparently dying. He had been unable +to rise for the last twelve hours, and lay panting. I punctured the +abdomen, and four quarts of fluid were evacuated.<br> +<br> +<i>14th.</i> The panting continues. The dog will not eat, but he can lie down +in any posture.<br> +<br> +<i>15th.</i> The panting is diminished, the appetite is returning, and water +continues to ooze from the wound,<br> +<br> +<i>17th.</i> The wound healed on the night of the <i>15th</i>, and already the fluid +begins to collect. The medicine still continued.<br> +<br> +<i>20th.</i> The spirits good, and strength improving; but the belly is +evidently filling, and matter is discharged from both the nose and eyes.<br> +<br> +<i>26th.</i> The swelling a little diminished, respiration easy, and the dog +walking comfortably about, and feeding well.<br> +<br> +<i>May 13th.</i> — The swelling, which for some days past diminished, is now +again increasing; but the dog is strong and breathes easily. Medicine as +before.<br> +<br> +<i>24th. </i>The dog is thinner, weaker, filling fast, and the thirst +excessive. [Symbol: Rx]: <i>Crem. tart., ferri tart</i>. [Symbol: ounce]<i> ij., pulv. flor. anthemid.</i> +[Symbol: ounce]<i> iiij., conser. ros. q. s.: divide in bol. xii.: cap. in dies.</i><br> +<br> +<i>27th.</i> During two days he has been unable to lie down more than a +minute at a time. Again tapped: fully as much fluid was evacuated as +before; but there is now blood mingling with it.<br> +<br> +<i>30th.</i> Much relieved by the tapping, and breathes with perfect ease; +but, now that the enormous belly is reduced, the dog is very thin. <i>Bol</i>. +continued.<br> +<br> +June 8th. Within the last three days the animal has filled again with +extraordinary rapidity. [Symbol: Rx;]: <i>Ferr. tart.</i> [Symbol: scruple] j., <i>opii. gr. 1/4, pulv. +gentianæ</i> [Symbol: scruple] j., <i>cons. ros. q. s.: f. bol. capiend. in dies.</i><br> +<br> +<i>13th.</i> Is again strangely distended; I advised, or rather solicited, +that it might be destroyed; but this not being granted, I once more +tapped him. At least a gallon of dark-coloured fluid was evacuated.<br> +<br> +<i>22d.</i> Again rapidly filling, but not losing either flesh or strength.<br> +<br> +<i>July 4th.</i> — Once more punctured, and a gallon of dark-coloured fluid +evacuated.<br> +<br> +<i>12th.</i> Again filling and rapidly losing flesh and strength.<br> +<br> +<i>26th.</i> Once more tapped: immediately after which he appeared to be +revived, but almost immediately began again to fill.<br> +<br> +<i>Aug. 2d.</i> — He had eaten tolerably; appeared to have nothing more than +usual the matter with him, when, being missed for an hour, he was found +dead. No examination was permitted.<br> +<br> +In 1824 a spaniel, six years old, was brought to the infirmary. It had +had an asthmatic cough, which had left it. It was now hollow in the +flanks, the belly pendulous, and an evident fluctuation of water. The +owner would not consent to any operation. An aloetic physic-ball, +however, was given every fifth day, and a ball, composed of tartrate of +iron, digitalis, nitre, and antimonial powder, on every intermediate +morning and night. The water evidently accumulated; the dog was sent +for, and died in the course of a week.<br> +<br> +There are a few medicines that may be useful in arresting the effusion +of the fluid; but they too often fail in producing any considerable +benefit. The fox-glove is, perhaps, possessed of the greatest power, +combined with nitre, squills, and bitartrate of potash. At other times +chamomile, squills, and spirit of nitrous ether, may be tried.<br> +<br> +The following case, treated by the administration of iodine, by +Professor Dick, is important:<br> +<br> +A black and tan coloured retriever was sent to me labouring under +ascites. He was tapped, and two quarts of fluid abstracted. Tonics, +combined with diuretics were given, but the fluid continued to +accumulate, and in three weeks he was again tapped, and another two +quarts drawn away. The disease still went on, and a fortnight afterwards +a similar quantity was withdrawn. Various remedies were tried in order +to check the power of the disease, but without effect, and the abdomen +again became as much distended with the effused serum as before.<br> +<br> +He was then put under a course of iodine, which soon began to show its +beneficial influence by speedily allaying his excessive thirst; and in +about a month the whole of the effused fluid was absorbed, although from +the size of the abdomen it must have amounted to a similar quantity to +that drawn off on the previous occasions. The dog's appetite soon +returned; he gained flesh rapidly, and has continued quite well, and, +from being a perfect skeleton, soon became overloaded with fat.<br> +<br> +Induced by the great benefit derived in this case from the iodine, I +took the opportunity of trying it on a Newfoundland dog similarly +affected. He was put on a course of iodine, and the quantity of the drug +was gradually increased. As absorption rapidly commenced, the fluid was +completely taken up; but, partly in consequence of pushing the medicine +too far, and partly from extensive disease in the liver, unfavourable +symptoms took place, and he sunk rather unexpectedly. Still, however, +from the obvious and decided advantage derived from the medicine, I have +no doubt that iodine will be found one of the most efficient remedies in +dropsy in dogs.<br> +<br> +Iodine is a truly valuable drug. When first introduced into veterinary +practice it was observed that it readily accomplished the reduction of +the enlarged glands that frequently remain after catarrh; but it was +presently evident that it reduced almost every kind of tumour, even the +growth of tubercles in the lungs. Professor Morton, in his <i>Manual of +Pharmacy</i>, has admirably described the different combinations of iodine. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="liver"></a><h3>The Liver</h3> + +of the dog seems to follow a law of comparative anatomy, that its bulk +shall be in an inverse proportion of that of the lungs. The latter are +necessarily capacious; for they need a large supply of arterial blood, +in order to answer to their rapid expenditure when the utmost exertion +of strength and speed is required. The liver is, therefore, restricted +in its size and growth. Nevertheless, it has an important duty to +fulfil, namely, to receive the blood that is returned from the +intestines, to separate from the blood, or to secrete, by means of it, +the bile; and then to transmit the remaining portion of it to the lungs, +where it undergoes the usual process of purification, and is changed to +arterial blood. In the performance of this office, the liver often +undergoes a state of inflammation, and disease ensues, inveterate, and +setting at defiance every means of cure. Both the skin and the urine +become tinged with a yellow effusion. The animal is dull, and gradually +wastes away.<br> +<br> +In a few days the yellow hue becomes more intense, and particularly on +the cuticle, the conjunctiva, the iris, the gums, and the lips. A state +of fever becomes more and more perceptible, and there are alternations +of cold and heat. The pulse varies from 80 to 120; the dry tongue hangs +from the mouth; the appetite ceases, but the animal is peculiarly +desirous of cold water. The dog becomes restless; he seeks to hide +himself; and he groans, if the parts in the neighbourhood of the liver +are pressed upon.<br> +<br> +Frequent vomitings now appear, slimy, and evidently containing gall. The +animal becomes visibly thinner, obstinately refuses all solid food, and +only manifests thirst. He begins to stagger as he walks; he withdraws +himself from observation; he anxiously seeks some dark place where he +may lay himself with his chest and belly resting on the cold ground, his +fore legs stretched out before him, and his hind legs almost as far +behind him. The fever increases, the skin becomes of a dark yellow +colour, the mucous membrane of the mouth and conjunctiva is of a dirty +red, the expired air is evidently hot, the gaze is anxious, the urine is +of a saffron yellow, or even darker: in short, there now appears every +symptom of inflammation of the liver, with jaundice.<br> +<br> +As the disease proceeds the animal begins to vomit masses of a yellowish +green substance, occasionally mixed with blood. He wastes away to a +skeleton, he totters in his walk, he is half unconscious, the pulse +becomes weak and interrupted, the temperature sinks, and death ensues.<br> +<br> +The duration and course of the disease are deceptive. It occasionally +proceeds so insidiously that several days are suffered to pass before +the owner perceives any marks of disease, or seeks any aid. The duration +of the disease is usually from ten to twelve days. It terminates in +congestion of blood in the liver, or a gradual restoration to health. +The latter can only take place in cases where the inflammation has +proceeded very slowly; where the commencement and progress of the +disease could be discovered by debility and slight yellowness of the +skin, and especially where speedy recourse has been had to medical aid.<br> +<br> +The predisposing causes of this disease are often difficult to discover. +The dog, in warm climates, seems to have a natural disposition to it. As +exciting causes, atmospheric influence may be reckoned, sultry days, +cold nights, and damp weather. Other occasional causes may be found in +violent falls, bruises, and overfeeding. Fat petted dogs that are easily +overheated by exertion are often attacked by this disease. The result of +the disease depends on its duration, course, and complication. If it is +attended to early, it can generally be cured. If it has existed for +several days, and the fever has taken on a typhoid character — if the +yellow hue is perceptible — the appetite failing, and vomiting ensuing, +the cure is doubtful; and, if inflammation of the stomach has taken +place, with high fever, vomiting of blood, wasting away, and fits +occurring, there is no chance of cure.<br> +<br> +When simple jaundice alone is visible, a moderate laxative of sulphate +of magnesia and tartaric acid, in conjunction with some aromatic and +mucilaginous fluid, or, quite in the beginning of the disease, an +emetic, will be found of considerable service; but, when the yellow +colour has become more intense, and the animal will no longer eat, and +the fever and weakness are increased, it is necessary to give calomel, +tartar-emetic, camphor, and opium, in the form of pills, and to rub some +strong liniment on the region of the liver: the doses of calomel, +however, must be very small. If inflammation of the stomach appears, +mucilaginous fluids only must be given. Bleeding may be of service in +the commencement of the disease, but afterward it is hurtful.<br> +<br> +This is an account of hepatitis as it occasionally appears, and +particularly on the Continent; but it does not often assume so virulent +a character in our country. There is often restlessness, thirst, and +sickness, accompanied by much prostration of strength; or general heat +and tenderness. Occasionally there is purging; but much oftener +constipation, that bids defiance to almost every medicine. The principal +or almost only hope of cure consists in bleeding, physicking, and +blistering on the right side.<br> +<br> +<a name="I302 +">Of</a> bilious disease, assuming the character of inflammation, we have too +many cases. It may be spontaneous or brought on by the agency of other +affections. Long-continued and inveterate mange will produce it. It is +often connected with, or produced by, distemper, or a dull inflammatory +disease of the liver, and it is generally accompanied by pustular +eruption on the belly. The skin is usually tinged of a yellow hue, and +the urine is almost invariably impregnated with bile. The suffusion +which takes place is recognised among sportsmen by the term "yellows." +The remedy should be some mercurial, with gentian and aloes given twice +in the day, and mercurial ointment well rubbed in once in the day. If +this treatment is steadily pursued, and a slight soreness induced in the +mouth, the treatment will usually be successful. Mr. Blaine observes, + +<blockquote>"A +moderate soreness of the mouth is to be encouraged and kept up. I have +never succeeded in removing the complaint without it."</blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="jaun"></a><h3>Jaundice</h3> + +M. W. Leblanc, of Paris, has given an interesting account of the causes +and treatment of <i>jaundice</i> in the dog.<br> +<br> +The prevailing symptom of this disease in the dog is a yellow +discoloration of the skin and the mucous membranes of greater or less +intensity. It generally announces the existence of very serious disease, +as inflammation of the liver and its excretory ducts, or of the +gall-bladder, or the stomach, or small intestines, or contraction or +<i>obliteration</i> of the excretory ducts of the liver, in consequence of +inflammation of these vessels, or the presence of concrete substances +formed from the bile. The dogs in which he found the most decided traces +of this disease laboured under diarrhœa, with stools of a reddish brown +or black colour for one, two or three days.<br> +<br> +The causes of jaundice are chiefly over-fatigue (thus, greyhounds are +more subject to it than pointers), immersions in water, fighting, +emetics or purgatives administered in over-doses, the repeated use of +poisonous substances not sufficiently strong at once to destroy the +animal, the swallowing of great quantities of indigestible food, and +contusions of the abdominal viscera, especially about the region of the +liver. The most serious, if not the most common cause, is cold after +violent and long-continued exercise; and especially when the owners of +dogs, seeing them refuse their food after a long chase, give them +powerful purgatives or emetics.<br> +<br> +The treatment should have strict relation to the real or supposed cause +of jaundice, and its most evident concomitant circumstances. Some of +these symptoms are constant and others variable. Among the first, +whatever be the cause of the disease, we reckon acceleration of the +pulse; fever, with paroxysms of occasional intensity; and a yellow or +reddish-yellow discoloration of the urine. Among the second are +constipation, diarrhœa, the absence or increase of colour in the fæcal +matter, whether solid or fluid. When they are solid, they are usually +void of much colour; when, on the contrary, there is diarrhœa, the fæces +are generally mingled with blood more or less changed. Sometimes the +dejections are nearly black, mixed with mucus. It is not unusual for a +chest affection to be complicated with the lesions of the digestive +organs, which are the cause of jaundice.<br> +<br> +With these leading symptoms there are often others connected that are +common to many diseases; such as dryness and heat of the mouth, a fetid +smell, a staggering gait, roughness of the hair, and particularly of +that of the back; an insatiable thirst, accompanied by the refusal of +all food; loss of flesh, which occasionally proceeds with astonishing +rapidity; a tucked-up flank, with hardness and tenderness of the +anterior part of the belly.<br> +<br> +The jaundice which is not accompanied with fever, nor indeed with any +morbid change but the colour of the skin, will require very little +treatment. It will usually disappear in a reasonable time, and M. +Leblanc has not found that any kind of treatment would hasten that +disappearance.<br> +<br> +When any new symptom becomes superadded to jaundice, it must be +immediately combated. Fever, injection of the vessels of the +conjunctiva, constipation, diarrhœa, or the discoloration of the urine, +require one bleeding at least, with some mucilaginous drinks. Purgatives +are always injurious at the commencement of the disease. + +<blockquote>"I consider," +says M. Leblanc, "this fact to be of the utmost importance. Almost the +whole of the dogs that have been brought to me seriously ill with +jaundice, have been purged once or more; and either kitchen salt, or +tobacco, or jalap, or syrup of buckthorn, or emetic tartar, or some +unknown purgative powders, have been administered.<br> +<br> + "Bleeding should be resorted to, and repeated if the fever continues, + or the animal coughs, or the respiration be accelerated. When the pulse + is subdued, and the number of pulsations are below the natural + standard — if the excrements are still void of their natural colour — if + the constipation continues, or the animal refuses to feed — an ounce of + manna dissolved in warm water should be given, and the dog often + drenched with linseed tea. If watery diarrhœa should supervene, and + the belly is not hot nor tender, a drachm or more, according to the + size of the dog, of the sulphate of magnesia or soda should be + administered, and this medicine should be repeated if the purging + continues; more especially should this aperient be had recourse to + when the fæces are more or less bloody, there being no fever nor + peculiar tenderness of the belly.<br> +<br> + "When the liquid excrement contains much blood, and that blood is of a + deep colour, all medicines given by the mouth should be suspended, and + frequent injections should be thrown up, consisting of thin starch, + with a few drops of laudanum. Too much cold water should not be + allowed in this stage of the disease. Injections, and drinks composed + of starch and opium, are the means most likely to succeed in the black + diarrhœa, which is so frequent and so fatal, and which almost always + precedes the fatal termination of all the diseases connected with + jaundice.<br> +<br> + "In simple cases of jaundice the neutral salts have seldom produced + much good effect; but I have obtained considerable success from the + <i>diascordium</i>, in doses of half a drachm to a drachm.<br> +<br> + "Great care should be taken with regard to the diet of the dog that + has had jaundice, with bloody or black diarrhœa; for the cases of + relapse are frequent and serious and almost always caused by improper + or too abundant food. A panada of bread, with a little butter, will + constitute the best nourishment when the dog begins to recover his + appetite. From this he may be gradually permitted to return to his + former food. Most especially should the animal not be suffered to take + cold, or to be left in a low or damp situation. This attention to the + food of the convalescent dog may be thought to be pushed a little too + far; but experience has taught me to consider it of the utmost + importance, and it is neither expensive nor troublesome."</blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="spanc"></a><h3>The Spleen and Pancreas</h3> + +The <i>spleen</i> is generally regarded as an appendage to the absorbent +system. Tiedemann and Gmelin consider that its specific function is to +secrete from the blood a fluid which possesses the property of +coagulation, and which is carried to the thoracic duct, and then, being +united with the chyle, converts it into blood, and causes an actual +communication between the arterial and absorbent systems. According, +however, to Dr. Bostock, there is a fatal objection to this, namely, +that animals have been known to live an indefinite length of time after +the removal of the spleen, without any obvious injury to their +functions, which could not have been the case if the spleen had been +essentially necessary for so important a process.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I269">knowledge</a> of the diseases of the spleen in the dog appears to be less +advanced than in any other animal. In the cases that I have seen, the +earliest indications were frequent vomiting, and the discharge of a +yellow, frothy mucus. The animal appeared uneasy, shivering, the ears +cold, the eyes unnaturally protuberant, the nostrils dilated, the flanks +agitated, the respiration accelerated, and the mucous membranes pale. +The best treatment I know is the administration, twice in the day, of a +ball composed of a grain of calomel and the same quantity of aloes, and +five grains of ginger. The dog frequently cries out, both when he is +moved and when he lies on his bed. In the course of three days the +yellow mucus is generally disappearing, and the expression of pain is +materially diminished.<br> +<br> +If the bowels are much constipated after two days have passed, two +scruples of aloes may be given, and a grain of calomel; frequent +injections may also be administered.<br> +<br> +We are almost totally ignorant of the functions of the <i>pancreas</i>. It +probably is concerned in assimilating the food, and converting the chyme +of the stomach into chyle. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="kidinf"></a><h3>Inflammation of the Kidney</h3> + +is a serious and dangerous malady. This organ is essentially vascular in +its texture; and although it is small in volume, yet, on account of the +quantity of blood which it contains, and the rapidity with which its +secretions are performed, it is disposed to frequent and dangerous +inflammation. The immediate causes of inflammatory action in this viscus +are blows and contusions in the lumbar region; hard work long continued, +and the imprudent use of stimulating substances employed as +aphrodisiacs; the presence of calculi in the kidney, and the arrest of +the urine in the bladder. The whole of the kidney may be affected with +anæmia or defect of blood, or this may be confined to the cortical +substance, or even to the tubular. The kidneys are occasionally much +larger than usual, without any other change of structure; or simple +hypertrophy may affect but one of them. They are subject to atrophy, +which may be either general or partial; or one of the kidneys may be +completely wanting, and this evidently the consequence of violence or +disease.<br> +<br> +Hydatids, though seldom met with in the human kidney, are not +unfrequently found in that of the dog. All these are circumstances that +have not received sufficient attention. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="calcon"></a><h3>Calculous Concretions</h3> + +are of more frequent occurrence than is generally imagined, but they are +not confined to the kidneys; there is scarcely a portion of the frame in +which they have not been found, particularly in the brain, the glandular +substance, and the coats of the intestines.<br> +<br> +I cannot say with Mr. <a name="I">Blaine</a> that I have seen not less than 40 or 50 +calculi in my museum; but I have seen too many fearful examples of the +complaint. There has been usually great difficulty in the urinary +evacuation; and at length one of the calculi enters the urethra, and so +blocks up the flow of the urine that mortification ensues.<br> +<br> +M. <a name="I49">Lautour</a> relates a case of renal calculus in a dog. He had +occasionally voided his urine with some difficulty, and had walked +slowly and with evident pain. August 30, 1827, a sudden exacerbation +came on, and the dog was dreadfully agitated. He barked and rolled +himself on the ground almost every minute; be made frequent attempts to +void his urine, which came from him drop by drop. When compelled to +walk, his hind and fore legs seemed to mingle together, and his loins +were bent into a perfect curve; his flanks were drawn in; he could +scarcely be induced to eat; and he evidently suffered much in voiding +his fæces. Mild and demulcent liquids were his only food. Warm baths and +injections were applied almost unceasingly, and in eight days he seemed +to have perfectly gained his health.<br> +<br> +In March, in the following year, the symptoms returned with greater +intensity. His hind limbs were dragged after him; he rapidly lost flesh, +and his howlings were fearful and continuous. The same mode of treatment +was adopted without any good effect, and, his cries continuing, he was +destroyed.<br> +<br> +The stomach and intestines were healthy. The bladder was enlarged from +the thickness and induration of its parietes; the mucous membrane of it +was covered with ecchymoses; the kidneys were three or four times their +natural size; and the pelvis contained a calculus weighing 126 grains, +composed of 58 grains of uric acid and 58 of ammonia, with 10 grains of +phosphate of lime.<br> +<br> +Of the nature and causes of urinary calculi in the bladder we know very +little. We only know that some solid body finds its way or is formed +there, gradually increases in size, and at length partially or entirely +occupies the bladder. Boerhaave has given a singular and undeniable +proof of this. He introduced a small round pebble into the bladder of a +dog. The wound perfectly healed. A few months afterwards the animal was +killed, and there was found a calculus of considerable size, of which +the pebble was the nucleus.<br> +<br> +Occasionally the pressure of the bladder on the calculus which it +contains is exceedingly great, so much so, indeed, as to crush the +calculus. A small calculus may sometimes be forcibly extracted, or cut +down upon and removed; but when the calculus is large, a catheter or +bougie must be passed up the penis as far as the curve in the urethra, +and then somewhat firmly held with the left hand, and pressing against +the urethra. A scalpel should be taken, and an incision made into the +urethra. The catheter being now withdrawn, and the finger or a pair of +forceps introduced into the bladder, the calculus may be grasped and +extracted.<br> +<br> +There are some instances in which as many as 20 or 30 small calculi have +been taken from the bladder of a dog. Twice I have seen calculi +absolutely crushed in the bladder of a dog; and Mr. Blaine says that he +found no fewer than 40 or 50 in the bladder of a Newfoundland dog. One +of them had passed out into the urethra, and had so blocked up the +passage that the flow of urine was prevented, and the animal died of +mortification.<br> +<br> +With much pleasure I refer to the details of Mr. Blaine with regard to +the management of <i>vesical calculi.</i> + +<blockquote>"When a small calculus," says he, "obstructs the urethra, and can be + felt, it may be attempted to be forced forward through the urethra to + the point of the penis, whence it may be extracted by a pair of + forceps. If it cannot be so moved, it may be cut down upon and removed + with safety; but when one or more stones are within the bladder, we + must attempt lithotomy, after having fully satisfied ourselves of + their existence there by the introduction of the sound; to do which it + must be remembered that the urethra of the dog in passing the bladder + proceeds nearly in a direct line backwards, and then, making an acute + angle, it passes again forwards to the bladder. It must be therefore + evident, that when it becomes necessary to introduce a catheter, + sound, or bougie, it must first be passed up the penis to the + extremity of this angle; the point of the instrument must then be cut + down upon, and from this opening the instrument may be readily passed + forward into the bladder. The examination made, and a stone detected, + it may, if a very small one, be attempted to be pushed forward by + means of a finger passed up the anus into the urethra; but, as this + could be practicable only where the dog happened to be a large one, it + is most probable that nothing short of the operation of lithotomy + would succeed. To this end, the sound being introduced, pass a very + small gorget, or otherwise a bistoury, along its groove into the + bladder, to effect an opening sufficient to admit of the introduction + of a fine pair of forceps, by which the stone may be laid up and + extracted."<br> + <i>Blaine's Canine Pathology</i>, p. 180.</blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="bladinf"></a><h3>Inflammation of the Bladder</h3> + +is of frequent occurrence in the dog; it is also occasionally observed +in the horse and the ox. It sometimes appears as an epizootic. It is +generally announced by anxiety, agitation, trembling of the hinder +limbs, frequent attempts to urinate, vain efforts to accomplish it, the +evacuation small in quantity, sometimes clear and aqueous, and at other +times mucous, laden with sediment, thick and bloody, escaping by jets, +painfully and with great difficulty, and then suddenly rushing out in +great quantity. To this list of symptoms colic may often be added. The +animal drinks with avidity, but seldom eats much, unless at the +commencement of the complaint. The skin is hard and dry, he looks at his +flanks, and his back and flanks are tender when pressed upon.<br> +<br> +During the latter portion of my connexion with Mr. Blaine, this disease +assumed an epidemic character. There was a great drought through almost +every part of the country. The disease was characterised by general +uneasiness; continual shifting of the posture; a tucked-up appearance; +an anxious countenance; a quick and noisy pulse; continued panting; the +urine voided in small quantities, sometimes discharged drop by drop, or +complete stoppage of it. The belly hot, swelled, and tender to the +touch; the dog becoming strangely irritable, and ready to bite even his +master.<br> +<br> +<i>1st May, 1824</i>. — Two dogs had been making ineffectual attempts to void +their urine for nearly two days. The first was a terrier, and the other +a Newfoundland. The terrier was bled, placed in a warm bath, and an +aloetic ball, with calomel, administered. He was bled a second time in +the evening, and a few drops of water were discharged. On the following +day, the urine slowly passed involuntarily from him; but when he +attempted to void any, his efforts were totally ineffectual. Balls +composed of camphor, <i>pulv. uva ursi, tinct. ferri mur., mass purg.</i>, and +<i>pulv. lini. et gum. arab.</i>, were administered morning, noon, and night.<br> +<br> +On the <i>5th</i> the urine still passed involuntarily. Cold lotions were +employed, and tonic and astringent medicines administered, with castor +oil. He gradually got well, and no trace of the disease remained until +<i>June the 6th</i>, when he again became thin and weak, and discharged much +bloody urine, but apparently without pain. The <i>uva ursi</i>, oak bark, and +powdered gum-arabic were employed.<br> +<br> +On the 12th he had become much better, and so continued until the <i>1st of +July</i>, when he again exhibited the same complaint more violently than +before. He was exceedingly tender on the loins, and screamed when he +was touched. He was bled, returned to his <i>uva ursi</i> and powdered gum, and +recovered. I saw him two years afterwards apparently well.<br> +<br> +The Newfoundland dog exhibited a similar complaint, with nearly the same +accompaniments.<br> +<br> +<i>May 1.</i> — He was disinclined to move; his belly was hard and hot, and he +was supposed to be costive. Gave an aloetic ball with iron.<br> +<br> +<i>2d.</i> He has endeavoured, in vain, several times to void his urine. He +walks stiffly with his back bound. Subtract eight ounces of blood; give +another physic-ball, and apply cold affusion to the loins.<br> +<br> +<i>3d.</i> He frequently attempts to stale, and passes a little urine at each +time; he still walks and stands with his back bound. <i>Syr. papav. et +rhamni</i>, with <i>tinct. ferr. mur.</i>, a large spoonful being given morning and +night.<br> +<br> +<i>4th.</i> He again tries, ineffectually, to void his urine. <i>Mist. et pulv</i>.<br> +<br> +<i>5th.</i> Unable to void a drop of urine; nose hot; tongue hangs down; pants +considerably; will not eat; the countenance has an anxious character. +Bleed to twelve ounces; apply cold affusion. Medicine as before, with +cold affusion.<br> +<br> +<i>6th.</i> Appears to be in very great pain; not a drop of water has passed +from him. Medicine and other treatment as before. In the evening he lay +down quietly. On the next morning he was found dead. All the viscera +were sound except the bladder, which was ruptured; the abdomen contained +two quarts of bloody fluid. The mucous membrane of the bladder appeared +to be in the highest state of inflammation. It was almost black with +extravasated blood. On the neck of the bladder was an enlargement of the +size of a goose's egg, and almost filling the cavity of the pelvis. On +cutting into it, more than two ounces of pus escaped.<br> +<br> +On June 29, 1833, a poodle was brought to me. He had not been observed +to pass any urine for two days. He made frequent attempts to void it, +and cried dreadfully. The bladder could be felt distended in the +abdomen. I put him into a warm bath, and took from him a pound of blood. +He seemed to be a little relieved. I did not leave him until after +midnight, but was soon roused by his loud screams, and the dog was also +retching violently. The cries and retching gradually abated, and he +died. The bladder had burst, and the parietes were in a dreadful state +of inflammation.<br> +<br> +A <a name="I163">dog</a> had laboured under incontinence of urine more than two months. The +water was continually dropping from him. The servant told me that, three +months before, he had been shut into a room two days, and, being a +cleanly animal, would not stale until he was liberated. Soon after that +the incontinence of urine was observed. I gave the usual tonic balls, +with a small portion of opium, night and morning, and ordered cold water +to be frequently dashed on the perinæum. A month afterwards he was quite +well.<br> +<br> +<a name="I270">Comparatively</a> speaking, <i>profuse staling</i> is not a common disease, +except when it is the consequence of bad food, or strong diuretics, or +actual inflammation. The cause and the result of the treatment are often +obscure. Bleeding, purging, and counter irritation, would be indicated +to a certain extent, but the lowering system must not be carried too +far. The medicine would probably be catechu, <i>uva ursi</i>, and opium.<br> +<br> +At times blood mingles with the urine, with or without coagulation. The +cause and the source of it may or may not be determined. Generally +speaking it is the result of some strain or blow.<br> +<br> +A terrier bitch, in <i>January, 1820</i>, had incontinence of urine. No +swelling or injury could be detected. I used with her the simple tonic +balls.<br> +<br> +<i>10th January</i>. — She is now considerably better, and only a few drops +are observed.<br> +<br> +<i>2d February.</i> — The disease which had seemingly been conquered began +again to reappear; the medicine had been neglected. Again have recourse +to it.<br> +<br> +<i>4th March</i>. — The disease now appears to be quite checked by the cold +lotion and the balls. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="rupblad"></a><h3>A Case of Rupture of the Bladder</h3> + +This is a singular account, and stands almost alone.<br> +<br> +The patient was a valuable spaniel belonging to that breed known as "The +Duke of Norfolk's," and now possessed in its full perfection by the Earl +of Albemarle. Professor Simonds shall give his own account:<br> +<br> +I was +informed that almost from a puppy to the time when he was two years old, +the dog had always been delicate in his appearance, and was observed to +void his urine with difficulty; but there were not sufficient +indications of disease for the owner to suppose that medical attendance +was necessary until within a few days of his death, and then, finding +that the act of staling was effected with increased difficulty, and +accompanied with extreme pain; that the dog refused his food, was +feverish; that at length there were frequent or ineffective efforts to +expel the urine, the dog crying out from extremity of pain, and it was +sufficiently evident that great mischief was going on, he was placed +under my care; and even then he was walked a mile and a half to my +infirmary.<br> +<br> +My attention was immediately directed to him; the man who brought him +informing me that he seemed much easier since he left home. On +examination, I at once pronounced that he could not recover; in fact, +that he was rapidly sinking; but, from his then state, I could give no +opinion with regard to the precise nature or extent of his disease. He +was placed upon a bed in an appropriate apartment, with directions not +to be disturbed, and in a few hours he died.<br> +<br> +The <i>post-mortem</i> appearances were the abdomen containing from four to +five pints of fluid, having much the character of, but more bloody than, +that found in cases of ascites. The peritoneum seemed to be dyed from +its immersion in this fluid, as it showed a general red hue, not +apparently deeper in some parts than in others. There was an absence, to +a great extent, of that beautiful appearance and well-marked course of +the minute blood-vessels which accompany many cases of original +peritonitis. Extending the examination, I found the bladder to be +ruptured, and that the fluid of which I have spoken was to a large +extent composed of urine, mingled with some other secretion from the +peritoneal investure of the abdomen and its viscera, probably produced +from the presence of an irritant, the urine being brought into direct +contact with the membrane. Farther research showed that this rupture of +the bladder was caused in the manner which I have stated. The +<i>post-mortem</i> examination displayed a chronic enlargement of the +prostate gland of a considerable size, causing by its pressure a +mechanical obstruction to the passage of the urine. Death in this +instance was not immediately brought about by the abnormal state of the +original organ affected; but the prostate gland, having early in the +life of the animal become diseased, and, being gradually increased in +size, became a cause of still more serious disease, attacking more +important organs. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="worms"></a><h3>Worms</h3> + +There are various kinds of worms to which the dog is subject; they have +occasionally been confounded with each other; but they are essentially +different in the situations which they occupy, and the effects which +they produce.<br> +<br> +The <i>ascarides</i> are small thread-like worms, generally not more than six +or ten lines in length, of a white colour, the head obtuse, and the tail +terminating in a transparent prolongation. They are principally found in +the rectum. They seem to possess considerable agility; and the itching +which they set up is sometimes absolutely intolerable. To relieve this, +the dog often drags the fundament along the ground.<br> +<br> +All the domesticated animals are subject to the annoyance which these +worms occasion. They roll themselves into balls as large as a nut, and +become entangled so much with each other that it is difficult to +separate them. Sometimes they appear in the stomach, and in such large +masses that it is almost impossible to remove them by the act of +vomiting. It has been said that packets of ascarides have been collected +in the stomach containing more than one hundred worms. These collections +are rarely or never got entirely rid of. Enormous doses of medicine may +be given, and the worms may not be seen again for several weeks; but, at +length, they reappear as numerous as ever.<br> +<br> +Young dogs are exceedingly subject to them, and are with great +difficulty perfectly freed from their attacks. <a name="I279">Another</a> species of worm +is the <i>teres</i>. It would resemble the earth-worm in its appearance, were +it not white instead of a red colour. They are very common among dogs, +especially young dogs, in whom they are often attended by fits. +Occasionally they crawl into the stomach, and there produce a great deal +of irritation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I277">Another</a>, and the most injurious of the intestinal worms, is the +<i>tænia</i>, or 'tape-worm'. It is many inches in length, almost flat in +the greater part of its extent, and its two extremities are nearly or +quite equal. Tape-worms associate in groups like the others, but they +are not so numerous; they chiefly frequent the small intestines. They +are sometimes apt to coil themselves, and form a mechanical obstruction +which is fatal to the dog.<br> +<br> +The presence of all these worms is readily detected. There is generally +a dry, short cough, a staring coat, a hot and fetid breath, a voracious +appetite, and a peculiar state of the bowels; alternately constipated to +a great degree, or peculiarly loose and griping. In young dogs the +emaciated appearance, stinted growth, fetid breath, and frequent fits, +are indications not to be mistaken.<br> +<br> +At other times, however, the dog is filled with worms with scarcely any +indication of their presence. Mr. Blaine very properly remarks that it +does not follow, because no worms are seen to pass away, that there are +none: neither when they are not seen does it follow even that none pass; +for, if they remain long in the intestines after they are dead, they +become digested like other animal matter.<br> +<br> +<a name="I296">The</a> means of expelling or destroying worms in the intestines of the dog +are twofold: the first and apparently the most natural mode of +proceeding, is the administration of purgatives, and usually of drastic +ones; but there is much danger connected with this; not merely the fæces +will be expelled, but a greater or less portion of the mucus that lines +the intestinal canal. The consequence of this will be griping and +inflammation to a very dangerous extent. Frequent doses of Epsom salts +have been given; but not always with success, and frequently with +griping. Mercurial medicines have been tried; but they have not always +succeeded, and have often produced salivation. <a name="I147">One</a> method of expelling +the worm has been adopted which has rarely failed, without the slightest +mischief — the administration of glass finely powdered. Not a particle of +it penetrates through the mucus that lines the bowels, while it destroys +every intestinal worm. The powdered glass is made into a ball with lard +and ginger.<br> +<br> +<a name="I297">The</a> following account of the symptoms caused by tænia may be +interesting. A dog used to be cheerful, and particularly fond of his +master; but gradually his countenance became haggard, his eyes were red, +his throat was continually filled with a frothy spume, and he stalked +about with an expression of constant inquietude and suffering. These +circumstances naturally excited considerable fear with regard to the +nature of his disease, and he was shut up in a court, with the intention +of his being destroyed. Thus shut up, he furiously threw himself upon +every surrounding object, and tore them with his teeth whenever he could +seize them. He retired into one of the corners of the court, and there +he was continually rubbing his nose, as it were to extract some foreign +body; sometimes he bit and tore up the earth, barking and howling +violently; his hair stood on end, and his flanks were hollow.<br> +<br> +During the whole of his disease he continued to recognise his master. He +ran to him at the slightest word. He refused nothing to drink; but he +would not eat. He was killed on account of the fear excited among the +neighbours.<br> +<br> +The veterinary surgeon who attended him suspected that there was some +affection of the head, on account of the strange manner in which he had +rubbed and beaten it. The superior part of the nose was opened, and two +<i>tæniæ lanceolatæ</i> were found: it was plain enough that they were the +cause of all the mischief.<br> +<br> +The proprietor of the dog nevertheless believed that it was a case of +rabies; he had the caustic applied to his hands, and could not persuade +himself that he was safe until he had been at the baths of Bourbonne<a href="#f94"><sup>4</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +There is a worm inhabiting the stomach of young dogs, the <i>Ascaris +Marginata</i>, a frequent source of sickness and occasionally of spasmodic +colic, by rolling itself into knots. It seems occasionally to take a +dislike to its assigned residence, and wanders into the œsophagus, but +rarely into the larger intestines. A dog had a severe cough, which could +not be subdued by bleeding or physic, or sedative or opiate medicines. +He was destroyed, and one of these ascarides was found in the trachea. +Others find their way into the nasal cavity; and a dreadful source of +irritation they are when they are endeavouring to escape, in order to +undergo one of the changes of form to which they are destined, or when +they have been forced into the nostril in the act of vomiting.<br> +<br> +I once had a dog as a patient, whose case, I confess, I did not +understand. He would sneeze and snort, and rub his head and nose along +the carpet. I happened to say that the symptoms in some respects +resembled those of rabies, and yet, that I could not satisfy myself that +the dog was rabid. The mention of rabies was sufficient, and in defiance +of my remonstrances the animal was destroyed.<br> +<br> +The previous symptoms led me to examine the nasal cavity, and I found +two of these ascarides, one concealed in the middle and the other in the +upper <i>meatus</i>, through neither of which could any strong current of air +be forced, and from which the ascarides could not be dislodged.<br> +<br> +<a name="I298">Worms</a> may be the cause of sudden death in a dog. The following case, +communicated by Professor Dick, illustrates this fact:<br> +<br> +I lately had the body of a dog sent to me: his owner sent the following +letter by the same conveyance. + +<blockquote> "My keeper went out shooting yesterday morning with the dog which I + now send to you. He was quite lively, and apparently well, during the + former part of the day; but towards evening he was seized with violent + vomiting. When he came home he refused to eat, and this morning about + eight o'clock he died. As I have lost all my best dogs rather + suddenly, I will thank you to have him examined, and the contents of + his stomach analyzed; and have the kindness to inform me whether he + has been poisoned, or what was the cause of his death."</blockquote> + +On opening the abdomen, the viscera appeared quite healthy: the stomach +was removed, and the contents were found to be more decidedly acid than +usual. The acids were the muriatic and acetic: the finding of an +increased quantity of these is far from being unusual. There was not a +trace of arsenical, mercurial, nor any other metallic poison present. Of +the vegetable poisons, I can only say there was not the slightest trace +of the morbid effects of any of them. The pericardium and the left side +of the thorax contained a small quantity of bloody serous fluid, and the +heart was full of black blood. The left lung was a little inflamed. The +trachea contained some frothy yellow mucous matter, similar to the +contents of the stomach. In the larynx was found one of those worms +occasionally inhabiting the cavities of the nose, and which had probably +escaped from the nose while the dog had been hunting; and, lodging in +the larynx, had destroyed the animal by producing spasms of the larynx. +The worm was about one inch and a half in length, and had partly +penetrated through the <i>rima glottidis.</i> Another worm about the same size +was found in the left bronchia, and a still smaller one among the mucus +of the trachea: there were also four others in the nose.<br> +<br> +Some years ago I found some worms of the <i>filacia</i> species in the right +ventricle of the heart of a dog, which had produced sudden death by +interrupting the action of the valves.<br> +<br> +The following is a curious case of tape-worm, by Mr. Reynold:<br> +<br> +On an estate where a great quantity of rabbits are annually destroyed in +the month of November, we have observed that several dogs that were +previously in good health and condition soon became weak, listless, and +excessively emaciated, frequently passing large portions of the +tape-worm. This induced us to examine the intestines of several hares +and rabbits; and, with, very few exceptions, we found each to contain a +perfect tape-worm three to four feet in length. We then caused two of +the dogs whose cases appeared the worst to be separated from the others, +feeding them on potatoes, &c.; and, in eight or ten days, after voiding +several feet of the worms, they were perfectly restored to their former +strength and appearance. The worm disease, hitherto so formidable to the +spaniel and pointer, may in a great measure be fairly attributed to the +custom of giving them the intestines of their game, under the technical +appellation of "the paunch." The facts above stated, in explaining the +cause of the disease, at the same time suggest the remedy.<br> +<br> +<i>A worm in the urethra of a dog</i><br> +<a name="fr95">M</a>. Séon, veterinary surgeon of the Lancers of the Body Guard, was +requested to examine a dog who strained in vain to void his urine, often +uttering dreadful cries, and then eagerly licking his penis. M. Séon, +after having tried in vain to abate the irritation, endeavoured to pass +an elastic bougie. He perceived a conical body half an inch long +protruding from the urethra with each effort of the dog to void his +urine, and immediately afterwards returning into the urethra. He crushed +it with a pair of forceps, and drew it out. It proved to be a worm +resembling a <i>strongylus</i>, four and a half inches long. It was living, and +moving about. M. Séon could not ascertain its species. The worm being +extracted, the urine flowed, and the dog soon recovered<a href="#f95"><sup>5</sup></a>. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="fistanus"></a><h3>Fistula in the anus</h3> + +This is a too frequent consequence of piles. It is often the result of +the stagnation of hardened fæces in the rectum, which produces +inflammation and ulceration, and frequently leaves a fistulous opening. +If we may judge what the quadruped suffers by the sufferings of human +beings, it is a sadly painful affair, whether the fistula is external or +internal. Whether it may be cured by a mild stimulant daily inserted to +the bottom of the abscess, or whether there is a communication with the +opening of the rectum which buries itself in the cellular tissues around +it, and requires an operation for its cure, it will require the +assistance of a skilful surgeon to effect a cure in this case.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="f91"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> Tetanus observed on a Dog, by M. Debeaux. — <i>Pract. Med. Vet.</i> +1829, p. 543<br> +<a href="#fr91">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f92"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> <i>Blaine's Canine Pathology</i>, p. 151.<br> +<a href="#fr92">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f93"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 3:</span></a> <i>Proceedings of the Veterinary Medical Association,</i> 1839-40<br> +<a href="#fr93">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f94"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 4:</span></a> <i>Prat. Méd. Vét.</i> 1824, p. 14.<br> +<a href="#fr94">return</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="f95"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 5:</span></a> <i>Prat. Méd. Vét., Fév. </i>1828.<br> +<a href="#fr95">return</a><br> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp6">Detailed Contents, p. 6</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> +<br> + +<h2><a name="section13">Chapter XIII — Bleeding; Reproduction</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="bleed"></a><h3>Bleeding</h3> + +This operation is exceedingly useful in many accidents and diseases. It +is, in fact, as in the horse, the sheet-anchor of the practitioner in +the majority of cases of an inflammatory character. There is some +difference, however, in the instrument to be used. The lancet is the +preferable instrument in the performance of this operation. The fleam +should be banished from among the instruments of the veterinary surgeon.<br> +<br> +A ligature being passed round the lower part of the neck, and the head +being held up a little on one side, the vein will protrude on either +side of the windpipe. It will usually be advisable to cut away a little +of the hair over the spot designed to be punctured. When a sufficient +quantity of blood is abstracted, it will generally be necessary, and +especially if the dog is large, to pass a pin through both edges of the +orifice, and secure it with a little tow.<br> +<br> +When no lancet is at hand, the inside of the flap of the ear may be +punctured with a pen-knife, the course of a vein being selected for this +purpose. In somewhat desperate cases a small portion of the tail may be +amputated.<br> +<br> +<a name="I38">The</a> <i>superficial brachial vein</i>, the <i>cephalic</i> vein of the human +subject, and the <i>plat</i> vein of the farrier, may be resorted to in all +lamenesses of the fore limb, and especially in all shoulder-wrenches, +strains of the loins, and of the thigh and the leg, and muscular and +ligamentous extensions of any part of the hind limbs; the <i>vena saphena +major</i>, and the <i>anterior tibial</i> vein may be punctured in such cases.<br> +<br> +The quantity of blood to be abstracted must be regulated according to +the size and strength of the dog and the degree of inflammation.<br> +<br> +One or two ounces may be sufficient for a very small dog, and seven or +eight for a large one. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="torsion"></a><h3>Torsion</h3> + +To M. Amusat, of Paris, we are indebted for the introduction of the +artery-forceps for the arresting of hemorrhage. I shall do but justice +to him by describing his mode of proceeding. He seizes the divided +vessel with a pair of torsion-forceps in such a manner as to hold and +close the mouth of the vessel in its teeth. The slide of the forceps +then shuts its blade, and the artery is held fast. The artery is then +drawn from out of the tissues surrounding it, to the extent of a few +lines, and freed, with another forceps, from its cellular envelope, so +as to lay bare its external coat. The index and thumb of the left hand +are then applied above the forceps, in order to press back the blood in +the vessel. He then begins to twist the artery. One of the methods +consists in continuing the torsion until the part held in the forceps is +detached. When, however, the operator does not intend to produce that +effect, he ceases, after from four to six revolutions of the vessel on +its axis for the small arteries, and from eight to twelve for the large +ones. The hemorrhage instantly stops. The vessel which had been drawn +out is then replaced, as the surrounding parts give support to the knot +which has been formed at its extremities. The knot becomes further +concealed by the retraction of the artery, and this retraction will be +proportionate to the shortening which takes place by the effect of the +twisting, so that it will be scarcely visible on the surface of the +stump. It is of the utmost importance to seize the artery perfectly, and +to make the stated number of twists, as otherwise the security against +the danger of consecutive hemorrhage will not be perfect.<br> +<br> +Mr. W. B. Costello, of London, was present when the operation was +performed at Paris. He brought back a full account of it as performed +there, and availed himself of an early opportunity of putting it to the +test before some of our metropolitan surgeons. A dog was placed on the +table, the forceps were applied, and the operation perfectly succeeded.<br> +<br> +A few days afterwards a pointer bitch was brought to my infirmary, with +a large scirrhous tumour near the anterior teat on the left side. It had +been gradually increasing during the last five months. It was becoming +more irregular in its form, and on one of its tuberculous prominences +was a reddish spot, soft and somewhat tender, indicating that the +process of suppuration was about to commence.<br> +<br> +I had often, or almost uniformly, experienced the power of iodine in +dispersing glandular enlargements in the neck of the dog, and also those +indurated tumours of various kinds which form about the joints of some +domesticated animals, particularly of cattle; but frequent +disappointment had convinced me that it was, if not inert, yet very +uncertain in its effect in causing absorption of tumours about the mammæ +of the bitch. Having also been taught that the ultimate success of the +excision of these enlargements depended on their removal before +suppuration had taken place, and the neighbouring parts had been +inoculated by the virus which so plentifully flowed from the ulcer, I +determined on an immediate operation; and, as the tumour was large, and +she was in high condition, I thought it a good case for <i>the first trial +of torsion</i>. She was well physicked, and on the third day was produced +before my class and properly secured. I had not provided myself with the +<i>torsion forceps</i>, but relied on the hold I should have on the vessel by +means of a pair of common artery forceps; and the effect of imperfect +instruments beautifully established the power of torsion in arresting +hemorrhage.<br> +<br> +Two elliptical incisions were made on the face of the tumour, and +prolonged anteriorly and posteriorly about an inch from it. The portion +of integument that could be spared was thus enclosed, while the opposed +edges of the wound could be neatly and effectually brought together +after the operation. The dissection of the integument from the remaining +part of the face of the tumour was somewhat slow and difficult, for it +was in a manner identified with the hardened mass beneath; but the +operation soon proceeded more quickly, and we very soon had the scirrhus +exposed, and adhering to the thorax by its base. About two ounces of +venous blood had now been lost.<br> +<br> +I was convinced that I should find the principal artery, by which the +excrescence was fed, at its anterior extremity, and not far from the +spot where the suppuration seemed to be preparing: therefore, beginning +posteriorly, I very rapidly cut through the cellular texture, elevating +the tumour and turning it back, until I arrived at the inner and +anterior point, and there was the only source of supply; the artery was +plainly to be seen. In order to give the experiment a fair chance, I +would not enclose it in the forceps, but I cut through it. A jet of +blood spirted out. I then seized the vessel as quickly as I could, and +began to turn the forceps, but before I could effect more than a turn +and a half I lost my hold on the artery. I was vexed, and paused, +waiting for the renewed gush of blood that I might seize the vessel +again; but to my surprise not a drop more blood came from the arterial +trunk. That turn and a half, considerable pressure having been used, had +completely arrested the hemorrhage. I can safely say that not more than +four drachms of arterial blood were lost.<br> +<br> +The wound was sponged clean: there remained only a very slight oozing +from two or three points; the flaps were brought together, secured by +the ordinary sutures, and the proper bandages applied. The weight of the +tumour was twenty-two ounces; there was no after-bleeding, no unpleasant +occurrences; but the wound, which had been nearly six inches in length, +was closed in little more than three weeks.<br> +<br> +He will essentially promote the cause of science, and the cause of +humanity, who will avail himself of the opportunity which country +practice affords of putting the effect of torsion to the test: and few +things will be more gratifying than the consciousness of rescuing our +patients from the unnecessary infliction of torture.<br> +<br> +In docking, it will be found perfectly practicable: our patients will +escape much torture, and tetanus will often be avoided. The principal +danger from castration has arisen from the severity with which the iron +has been employed. The colt, the sheep, and the dog will be fair +subjects for experiment. The cautery, as it regards the first, and the +brutal violence too frequently resorted to in operating upon the others, +have destroyed thousands of animals. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="castrat"></a><h3>Castration</h3> + +This operation is performed on a great portion of our domestic animals. +It renders them more docile, and gives them a disposition to fatten. It +is followed by fewest serious accidents when it is performed on young +animals. The autumn or spring should, if possible, be chosen for the +operation, for the temperature of the atmosphere is then generally +uniform and moderate. <a name="I57">It</a> should be previously ascertained that the +animal is in perfect health; and he should be prepared by a mash diet +and bleeding, if he is in a plethoric state, or possessed of +considerable determination. If it is a young animal that is to be +operated upon, an incision may be made into the scrotum, the testicle +may be protruded, and the cord cut without much precaution, for the +blood will soon be stayed; but for older animals it will be advisable to +use a ligature, applied moderately tightly round the spermatic cord a +little more than an inch beyond its insertion into the testicle; the +scalpel is then used, and a separation effected between the ligature and +the testis. The <i>vas derens</i> needs not to be included; a great deal of +pain will then be spared to the animal.<br> +<br> +The ordinary consequences of castration are pain, inflammation, +engorgement, and suppuration. The pain and suppuration are inevitable, +but generally yield to emollient applications. The engorgement is often +considerable at first, but soon subsides, and the suppuration usually +abates in the course of a few days. <a name="I58">It</a> has been said that the castrated +dog is more attached and faithful to his master than he who has not been +deprived of his genital powers: this, however, is to be much doubted. He +has, generally speaking, lost a considerable portion of his courage, his +energy, and his strength. He is apt to become idle, and is disposed to +accumulate fat more rapidly. His power of scent is also very +considerably diminished and he is less qualified for the sports of the +field. Of this there can be no doubt. It has been said that he is more +submissive: I very much doubt the accuracy of that opinion. He may not +be so savage as in his perfect state; he may not be so eager in his +feeding; but there is not the devotion to his master, and the quickness +of comprehension which belongs to the perfect dog.<br> +<br> +<a name="I207">The</a> removal of the ovaries, or spaying of the female, used to be often +practised, and packs of spayed bitches were, and still are, occasionally +kept. In performing this operation, an opening is made into the flank on +one side, and the finger introduced — one of the ovaries is laid hold of +and drawn a little out of the belly; a ligature is then applied round +it, just above the bifurcation of the womb, and it is cut through, the +end of the ligature being left hanging out of the wound. The other ovary +is then felt for and drawn out, and excised and secured by a ligature. +The wound is then sewed up, and a bandage is placed over the incision. +Some farriers do not apply any ligature, but simply sew up the wound, +and in the majority of cases the edges adhere, and no harm comes of the +operation, except that the general character of the animal is +essentially changed. She accumulates a vast quantity of fat, becomes +listless and idle, and is almost invariably short-lived.<br> +<br> +<a name="I44">The</a> female dog, therefore, should always be allowed to breed. Breeding +is a necessary process; and the female prevented from it is sure to be +affected with disease sooner or later; enormous collections and +indurations will form, that will inevitably terminate in scirrhus or +ulceration.<br> +<br> +<a name="I194">A</a> troublesome process often occurs when the female is not permitted to +have young ones; namely, the accumulation of milk in the teats, +especially if at any previous time, however distant, she may have had +puppies once. The foundation is laid for many unpleasant and +unmanageable complaints. If she is suffered to bring up one litter after +another, she will have better health than those that are debarred from +intercourse with the male.<br> +<br> +The temporary union which takes placed between the male and female at +the period at which they are brought together is a very singular one. +The <i>corpora cavernosa</i> of the male and the <i>clitoris</i> of the female being +suddenly distended with blood, it is impossible to withdraw either of +them until the turgescence of the parts has entirely ceased. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="birth"></a><h3>Parturition</h3> + +The pupping usually takes place from the sixty-second to the +sixty-fourth day; and the process having commenced, from a quarter to +three quarters of an hour generally takes place between the production +of each puppy.<br> +<br> +Great numbers of bitches are lost every year in the act of parturition: +there seems to be a propensity in the females to associate with dogs +larger than themselves, and they pay for it with their lives. The most +neglected circumstance during the period of pregnancy is the little +exercise which the mother is permitted to take, while, in point of fact, +nothing tends more to safe and easy parturition than her being permitted +or compelled to take a fair quantity of exercise.<br> +<br> +When the time of parturition has arrived, and there is evident +difficulty in producing the fœtus, recourse should be had to the ergot +of rye, which should be given every hour or half hour, according to +circumstances. If after a certain time some, although little, progress +has been made, the ergot must be continued in smaller doses, or perhaps +suspended for a while; but, if all progress is evidently suspended, +recourse must be had to the hook or the forceps. By gentle but continued +manipulation much may be done, especially when the muzzle of the puppy +can be brought into the passage. As little force as possible must be +used, and especially the fœtus little broken. Many a valuable animal is +destroyed by the undue application of force.<br> +<br> +If the animal seems to be losing strength, a small quantity of laudanum +and ether may be administered. + +<blockquote>"The patience of bitches in labour is +extreme," says Mr. Blaine; "and their distress, if not removed, is most +striking and affecting. Their look is at such time particularly +expressive and apparently imploring." </blockquote> + +When the pupping is protracted, +and the young ones are evidently dead, the mother may be saved, if none +of the puppies have been broken. In process of time the different +puppies may, one after another, be extracted; but when violence has been +used at the commencement, or almost at any part of the process, death +will assuredly follow.<br> +<br> +<i>June 15, 1832.</i> — A spaniel bitch was brought to my infirmary to-day, +who has been in great and constant pain since yesterday, making repeated +but fruitless efforts to expel her puppies. She is in a very plethoric +habit of body; her bowels are much confined, and she exhibits some +general symptoms of febrile derangement, arising, doubtless, from her +protracted labour. This is her first litter. Upon examination, no young +could be distinctly felt.<br> +<br> +Place her in a warm bath, and give her a dose of castor oil, morning and +evening.<br> +<br> +<i>June 16</i>. — The bitch appears in the same state as yesterday, except +that the medicine has operated freely upon the bowels, and the febrile +symptoms have somewhat decreased. Her strainings are as frequent and +distressing as ever. Take two scruples of the ergot of rye, and divide +into six doses, of which let one be given every half hour.<br> +<br> +In about ten minutes after the exhibition of the last dose of this +medicine, she brought forth, with great difficulty, one dead puppy, upon +taking which away from her, she became so uneasy that I was induced to +return it to her. In about a quarter of an hour after this I paid her +another visit: the puppy could not now be found; but a suspicious +appearance in the mother's eye betrayed at once that she had devoured +it. I immediately administered an emetic; and in a very short time the +whole fœtus was returned in five distinct parts, <i>viz</i>., the four +quarters and the head. After this, the bitch began to amend very fast; +she produced no other puppy; and as her supply of milk was small, she +was soon convalescent.<br> +<br> +Twelve months afterwards she was again taken in labour, about eleven +o'clock in the morning, and after very great difficulty, one puppy was +produced. After this the bitch appeared in great pain, but did not +succeed in expelling another fœtus, in consequence of which I was sent +for about three o'clock, P.M. I found her very uneasy breathing +laboriously; the mouth hot, and the bowels costive; but I could not +discover any trace of another fœtus. She was put into a warm bath, and +a dose of opening medicine was administered.<br> +<br> +About five o'clock she got rid of one dead and two living puppies.<br> +<br> +<i>2d.</i> She is still very ill; she evinces great pain when pressed upon +the abdomen; and it is manifest that she has another fœtus within her. +I ordered a dose of the ergot, and in about twenty minutes a large puppy +was produced, nearly dying. She survived with due care.<br> +<br> +I cannot refrain from inserting the following case at considerable +length.<br> +<br> +<i>Sept. 4, 1820</i>. — A very diminutive terrier, weighing not 5 lbs. was +sent to my hospital in order to lie in. She was already restless and +panting. About eight o'clock at night the labour pains commenced; but +until eleven scarcely any progress was made. The <i>os uteri</i> would not +admit my finger, although I frequently attempted it.<br> +<br> +At half-past eleven, the membranes began to protrude; at one the head +had descended into the pelvis and the puppy was dead. In a previous +labour she had been unable to produce her young, although the ergot of +rye had been freely used. I was obliged to use considerable force, and +she fought terribly with me throughout the whole process. At half-past +one, and after applying considerable force, I brought away a large +fœtus, compared with her own size. On passing my finger as high as +possible, I felt another fœtus living, but the night passed and the +whole of the following day, and she ate and drank, and did not appear to +be much injured.<br> +<br> +Several times in the day I gave her some strong soup and the ergot. Some +slight pains now returned, and by pressing on the belly the nose of the +foetus was brought to the superior edge of the pelvis. The pains again +ceased, the pudenda began to swell from frequent examination, the bitch +began to stagger, and made frequent attempts to void her urine, with +extreme difficulty in accomplishing it. I now resorted to the crotchet; +and after many unsuccessful attempts, in which the superior part of the +vagina must have been considerably bruised, I fixed it sufficiently +firmly to draw the head into the cavity of the pelvis. Here for a while +the shoulder resisted every attempt which I could make without the +danger of detruncating the fœtus. At length by working at the side of +the head until my nails were soft and my fingers sore, I extracted one +fore leg. The other was soon brought down; another large puppy was +produced, but destroyed by the means necessary for its production. This +was the fruit of two hours' hard work.<br> +<br> +She was completely exhausted, and scarcely able to stand. When placed on +the ground she staggered and fell at almost every step. Her efforts to +void her urine were frequent and ineffectual.<br> +<br> +At four o'clock I again examined her; the external pudenda were sore and +swelled, and beginning to assume a black hue. It was with considerable +difficulty that I could introduce my finger. A third fœtus irregularly +presented was detected. I could just feel one of the hind legs. No time +was to be lost. I introduced a small pair of forceps by the side of my +finger, and succeeded in laying hold of the leg without much difficulty, +and, with two or three weak efforts from the mother, — I could scarcely +call them pains, — I brought the leg down until it was in the cavity of +the pelvis. I solicited it forward with my finger, and, by forcibly +pressing back the <i>labia pudendi</i>, I could just grasp it with the finger +and thumb of the right hand. Holding it there, I introduced the finger +of the right hand, and continued to get down the other leg, and then +found little difficulty until the head was brought to the superior edge +of the pelvis. After a long interval, and with considerable force, this +was brought into the pelvis, and another puppy extracted. This fully +occupied two hours.<br> +<br> +The bitch now appeared almost lifeless. As she was unable to stand, and +seemed unconscious of every thing around her, I concluded that she was +lost: I gave her one or two drops of warm brandy and water, covered her +up closely, and put her to bed.<br> +<br> +To my surprise, on the following morning, she was curled round in her +basket; she licked my hands, and ate a bit of bread and butter; but when +put on her legs staggered and fell. The pudendum was dreadfully swollen, +and literally black. In the afternoon she again took a little food: she +came voluntarily from her basket, wagged her tail when spoken to, and on +the following day she was taken in her basket a journey of 70 miles, and +afterwards did well; no one could be more rejoiced than was her master, +who was present at, and superintended the greater part of the +proceedings. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="ergotbirth"></a><h3>The beneficial effect of Ergot of Rye in difficult Parturition</h3> + +The +following case is from the pen of Professor Dick:<br> +<br> +On the 10th instant, a pointer bitch produced two puppies; and it was +thought by the person having her in charge that she had no more. She was +put into a comfortable box, and with a little care was expected to do +well. On the next morning, however, she was sick and breathed heavily, +and continued rather uneasy all the day.<br> +<br> +On the forenoon of the following day I was requested to see her. I found +her with her nose dry, breath hot, respiration frequent, mouth hot and +parched, coat staring, back roached, pulse 120, and a black fetid +discharge from the vagina. Pressure on the abdomen gave pain. A pup +could be obscurely felt; the secretion of milk was suppressed, and the +skin had lost its natural elasticity.<br> +<br> +Tepid water with a little soap dissolved in it was immediately injected +into the uterus, which in a considerable degree excited its action; and +this injection was repeated two or three times with the same effect.<br> +<br> +After waiting for half an hour, the fœtus was not discharged nor brought +forward; therefore a scruple of the ergot of rye was then made into an +infusion with two ounces of water, and one-third of it given as a dose; +in half an hour, another one-third of it; the injections of warm water +and soap being also continued. Soon after the second dose of the +infusion, a dead puppy was expelled; the bitch rapidly recovered, and, +with the exception of deficiency of milk, is now quite well.<br> +<br> +This case would seem to prove the great power of the ergot of rye over +the uterus; but, until more experiments are made, it is necessary to be +cautious in ascribing powers to medicines which have not been much tried +in our practice. It is not improbable that the warm water and soap might +have roused the uterus into action without the aid of the ergot; and it +is therefore necessary that those who repeat this experiment should try +the effects of the medicine unaided by the auxiliary.<br> +<br> +The Professor adds, that the great power which this drug is said to have +on the human being, and the apparent effect in the case just given, +suggest the propriety of instituting a further trial of it, and of our +extending our observations to cattle, amongst which difficult cases of +calving so frequently occur.<br> +<br> +<a name="I265">Mr</a>. Simpson thus concludes some remarks on ergot in difficult +parturition. This medicine possesses a very great power over the uterus, +rousing its dormant or debilitated contractility, and stimulating it to +an extra performance of this necessary function after its natural energy +has been in some measure destroyed by forcible but useless action. The +direct utility of the ergot was manifested in cases where the uterus +appeared quite exhausted by its repeated efforts; and certainly it is +but fair to ascribe the decidedly augmented power of the organ to the +stimulus of the ergot, for no other means were resorted to in order to +procure the desired effect. Its action, too, is prompt. Within ten +minutes of the administration of a second or third dose, when nature has +been nearly exhausted, the parturition has been safely effected. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="fitsbirth"></a><h3>Puerperal Fits</h3> + +Nature, proportions the power and resources of the mother to the wants +of her offspring. In her wild undomesticated state she is able to suckle +her progeny to the full time; but, in the artificial state in which we +have placed her, we shorten the interval between each period of +parturition, we increase the number of her young ones at each birth, we +diminish her natural powers of affording them nutriment, and we give her +a degree of irritability which renders her whole system liable to be +excited and deranged by causes that would otherwise be harmless: +therefore it happens that, when the petted bitch is permitted to suckle +the whole of her litter, her supply of nutriment soon becomes exhausted, +and the continued drain upon her produces a great degree of +irritability. She gets rapidly thin; she staggers, is half unconscious, +neglects her puppies, and suddenly falls into a fit of a very peculiar +character. It begins with, and is sometimes confined to, the respiratory +apparatus: she lies on her side and pants violently, and the sound of +her laboured breathing may be heard at the distance of twenty yards. +Sometimes spasms steal over her limbs; at other times the diaphragm and +respiratory muscles alone are convulsed. In a few hours she is certainly +lost; or, if there are moments of remission, they are speedily succeeded +by increased heavings.<br> +<br> +The practitioner unaccustomed to this fearful state of excitation, and +forgetful or unaware of its cause, proceeds to bleed her, and he seals +her fate. Although one system is thus convulsively labouring, it is +because others are suddenly and perfectly exhausted; and by abstraction +of the vital current he reduces this last hold of life to the helpless +condition of the rest. There is not a more common or fatal error than +this.<br> +<br> +The veterinary practitioner is unable to apply the tepid bath to his +larger patients, in order to quiet the erythism of certain parts of the +system, and produce an equable diffusion of nervous influence and +action; and he often forgets it when he has it in his power to save the +smaller ones. Let the bitch in a fit be put into a bath, temperature 96° +Fahrenheit, and covered with the water, her head excepted. It will he +surprising to see how soon the simple application of this equable +temperament will quiet down the erythism of the excited system. In ten +minutes, or a quarter of an hour, she may be taken out of the bath +evidently relieved, and then, a hasty and not very accurate drying +having taken place, she is wrapped in a blanket and placed in some warm +situation, a good dose of physic having been previously administered. +She soon breaks out in a profuse perspiration. Everything becomes +gradually quiet, and she falls into a deep and long sleep, and at length +awakes somewhat weak, but to a certain degree restored.<br> +<br> +If, then, all her puppies except one or two are taken from her, and her +food is, for a day or two, somewhat restricted, and after that given +again of its usual quantity and kind, she will live and do well; but a +bleeding at the time of her fit, or suffering all her puppies to return +to her, will inevitably destroy her.<br> +<br> +A bitch that was often brought to my house was suckling a litter of +puppies. She was foolishly taken up and thrown into the Serpentine in +the month of April. The suppression of milk was immediate and complete. +There was also a determination to the head, and attacks resembling +epilepsy. The puppies that were suffered to remain with the mother, were +very soon as epileptic as she was, and were destroyed. A seton was +inserted on each side of her neck. Ipecacuanha was administered; and +that having sufficiently worked, a small quantity of diluted sulphuric +acid was given. A fortnight afterwards she was perfectly well. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="invertwomb"></a><h3>Inversion of the Uterus in a Bull Bitch after Pupping: Extirpation and Cure</h3> + +By M. Cross, M. V., Milan. — In July, 1829, I was desired to attend a +small bull bitch six years old, and who had had puppies four times. The +uterus was completely inverted, and rested all its weight on the vaginal +orifice of the urethra, preventing the discharge of the urine, and thus +being the cause of great pain when the animal endeavoured to void it, or +the fæcal matter. The uterus was become of almost a black colour, +swelled, softened, and exhaling an insupportable odour. Judging from +this that the preservation of the uterus was impossible, and reckoning +much on the good constitution of the patient, I warned the proprietor of +the danger of its reduction, even supposing that it was practicable, and +proposed to him the complete extirpation of the uterus as the only means +that remained of saving the bitch.<br> +<br> +Armed with his consent, I passed a ligature round the neck of the +uterus, at the bottom of the vagina, and drew it as tight as I possibly +could. On the following day I again tightened the ligature, in order to +complete the mortification of the part, and the separation of the womb. +On the third day I extirpated the womb entirely, close to the haunch. +There was very slight loss of blood, but there ran from the walls of the +vagina a small quantity of ichorous fluid, with a strong fetid smell. +The operation was scarcely completed ere she voided a considerable +quantity of urine, and then searched about for something to eat and to +drink.<br> +<br> +The portion of the uterus that was removed weighed fourteen ounces. The +mucous membrane by which it was lined was in a highly disorganized +state. From time to time injections of a slight infusion of aromatic +plants were introduced into the vagina, and the animal was nourished +with liquid food of easy digestion.<br> +<br> +The first day passed without the animal being in the slightest degree +affected; but, on the following day, in despite of all our care, an +ichorous fluid was discharged, which the dog would lick notwithstanding +all our efforts to prevent it. The general health of the animal did not +seem to be in the slightest degree affected.<br> +<br> +On the fourth day after the operation, the cords that had served as a +ligature fell off, and all suppuration from the part gradually ceased.<br> +<br> +<i>October 20th.</i> — Three months have passed since the operation, and she +is perfectly well. + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section14">Chapter XIV — The Distemper</a></h2> +<br> +By this singular name is distinguished a prevalent disease now about to +come under our consideration, which was first observed on the continent. +The rapidity with which it spread, the strange protean appearances which +it assumed, and its too frequent fatal termination, surprised and +puzzled the veterinary surgeons; and they called it "la maladie des +chiens," the disease or distemper in dogs.<br> +<br> +<a name="I95">It</a> is comparatively a new disease. It was imported from France about one +hundred years since, although some French authors have strangely +affirmed that it is of British origin. Having once gained footing among +us, it has established itself in our country, to the vexation and loss +of the sportsman, and the annoyance of the veterinary surgeon. However +keepers, or even men of education, may boast of their specifics, it is a +sadly fatal disease, and destroys fully one-third of the canine race.<br> +<br> +Dogs of all ages are subject to its attack. Many, nine and ten years +old, have died of pure distemper; and I have seen puppies of only three +weeks fall victims to it; but it oftenest appears between the sixth and +twelfth month of the animal's life. If it occurs at an early period, it +proves fatal in the great majority of cases; and, if the dog is more +than four years old, it generally goes hard with him. It is undeniably +highly contagious, yet it is frequently generated. In this it bears an +analogy to mange, and to farcy and glanders in the horse.<br> +<br> +One attack of the disease, and even a severe one, is no absolute +security against its return; although the dog that has once laboured +under distemper possesses a certain degree of immunity; or, if he is +attacked a second time, the malady usually assumes a milder type. I +have, however, known it occur three times in the same animal, and at +last destroy him.<br> +<br> +<a name="I97">Violent</a> catarrh will often terminate in distemper; and low and +insufficient feeding will produce it. It frequently follows mange, and +especially if mercury has been used in the cure of the malady. When we +see a puppy with mange, and that peculiar disease in which the skin +becomes corrugated, and more especially if it is a spaniel, and +pot-bellied or rickety, we generally say that we can cure the mange, but +it will not be long before the animal dies of distemper; and so it +happens in three cases out of four. Whatever debilitates the +constitution predisposes it for the reception or the generation of +distemper. It, however, frequently occurs without any apparent exciting +cause.<br> +<br> +<a name="I96">That</a> it is highly contagious cannot admit of doubt. A healthy dog can +seldom, for many days, be kept with another that labours under distemper +without becoming affected; and the disease is communicated by the +slightest momentary contact. There is, however, a great deal of caprice +about this. I have more than once kept a dog in the foul-yard of my +hospital for several successive weeks, and he has not become diseased. +Inoculation with the matter that flows from the nose, either limpid or +purulent, and in an early or advanced stage of the distemper, will, with +few exceptions, produce the disease; yet I have failed to communicate it +even by this method. Inoculation used to be recommended as producing a +milder and less fatal disease. So far as my experience goes, the +contrary has been the result.<br> +<br> +<a name="I98">Distemper</a> is also epidemic. It occurs more frequently in the spring and +autumn than in the winter and summer. If one or two dogs in a certain +district are affected, we may be assured that it will soon extensively +prevail there; and where the disease could not possibly be communicated +by contagion. Sometimes it rages all over the country. At other times it +is endemic, and confined to some particular district.<br> +<br> +<a name="I217">Not</a> only is the disease epidemic or endemic, but the form which it +assumes is so. In one season, almost every dog with distemper has +violent fits; at another, in the majority of cases, there will be +considerable chest affection, running on to pneumonia; a few months +afterwards, a great proportion of the distempered dogs will be worn down +by diarrhœa, which no medicine will arrest; and presently it will be +scarcely distinguishable from mild catarrh.<br> +<br> +It <a name="I99">varies</a> much with different breeds. The shepherd's dog, generally +speaking, cares little about it; he is scarcely ill a day. The cur is +not often seriously affected. The terrier has it more severely, +especially the white terrier. The hound comes next in the order of +severity; and after him the setter. With the small spaniel it is more +dangerous; and still more so with the pointer, especially if he has the +disease early. Next in the order of fatality comes the pug; and it is +most fatal of all with the Newfoundland dog. Should a foreign dog be +affected, he almost certainly dies. The greater part of the northern +dogs brought by Captain Parry did not survive a twelvemonth; and the +delicate Italian greyhound has little chance, when imported from abroad.<br> +<br> +Not only does it thus differ in different species of dogs, but in +different breeds of the same species. I have known several gentlemen who +have laboured in vain for many years, to rear particular and valuable +breeds of pointers and greyhounds. The distemper would uniformly carry +off five out of six. Other sportsmen laugh at the supposed danger of +distemper, and declare that they seldom lose a dog. This hereditary +predisposition to certain kinds of disease cannot be denied, and is not +sufficiently attended to. When a peculiar fatality has often followed a +certain breed, the owner should cross it from another kennel, and +especially from the kennel of one who boasts of his success in the +treatment of distemper. This has occasionally succeeded far beyond +expectation.<br> +<br> +<a name="I100">It</a> is time to proceed to the symptoms of this disease; but here there is +very considerable difficulty, for it is a truly protean malady, and it +is impossible to fix on any symptom that will invariably characterise +it.<br> +<br> +An early and frequent symptom is a gradual loss of appetite, spirits, +and condition: the dog is less obedient to his master, and takes less +notice of him. The eyes appear weak and watery; and there will be a very +slight limpid discharge from the nose. In the morning there will, +perhaps, be a little indurated mucus at the inner corner of the eye. +This may continue two or three weeks without serious or scarcely +recognizable illness. Then a peculiar husky cough is heard, altogether +different from the sonorous cough of catarrh, or the wheezing of asthma. +It is an apparent attempt to get something from the fauces or throat. By +degrees the discharge from the eyes and nose, and particularly the +former, will increase. More mucus will collect in the corners of the +eye; and the eye will sometimes be closed in the morning. The +conjunctiva and particularly that portion which covers the sclerotica, +will be considerably injected, but there will not be the usual intense +redness of inflammation. The vessels will be large and turgid rather +than numerous, and frequently of a darkish hue. + +Occasionally, however, the inflammation of the conjunctiva will be +exceedingly intense, the membrane vividly red, and the eye impatient of +light. An opacity spreads over the cornea, and this is quickly succeeded +by ulceration. The first spot of ulceration is generally found precisely +in the centre of the cornea, and is perfectly circular; this will +distinguish it from a scratch or other injury. The ulcer widens and +deepens, and sometimes eats through the cornea, and the aqueous humour +escapes. Fungous granulations spring from it, protrude through the lids, +and the animal evidently suffers extreme torture.<br> +<br> +A remarkable peculiarity attends this affection of the eye. However +violent may be the inflammation, and by whatever disorganization it may +be accompanied, if we can cure the distemper, the granulations will +disappear, the ulcer will heal, the opacity will clear away, and the eye +will not eventually suffer in the slightest degree. One-fourth part of +the mischief in other cases, unconnected with distemper, would +inevitably terminate in blindness; but permanent blindness is rarely the +consequence of distemper.<br> +<br> +It may not be improper here shortly to revert to the different +appearance of the eye in rabies. In the early stage of this malady there +is an unnatural and often terrific brightness of the eye; but the cornea +in distemper is from the first rather clouded. In rabies there is +frequent strabismus, with the axis of the eye distorted outwards. The +apparent squinting of the eye in distemper is caused by the probably +unequal protrusion of the <i>membrana nictitans</i> over a portion of the eye +at the inner canthus, in order to protect it from the light. In rabies, +the white cloudiness which I have described, and the occasional +ulceration with very little cloudiness, and the ulceration, are confined +to the cornea; but a dense green opacity comes on, speedily followed by +ulceration and disorganization of every part of the eye.<br> +<br> +The dog will, at this stage of distemper, be evidently feverish, and +will shiver and creep to the fire. He will more evidently and rapidly +lose flesh. The huskiness will be more frequent and troublesome, and the +discharge from the nose will have greater consistence. It will be often +and violently sneezed out, and will gradually become more or less +purulent. It will stick about the nostrils and plug them up, and thus +afford a considerable mechanical obstruction to the breathing.<br> +<br> +<a name="I125">The</a> progress of the disease is now uncertain. Sometimes fits come on, +speedily following intense inflammation of the eye; or the inflammation +of the nasal cavity appears to be communicated, by proximity, to the +membrane of the brain. One fit is a serious thing. If it is followed by +a second within a day or two, the chances of cure are diminished; and if +they rapidly succeed each other, the dog is almost always lost. These +fits seldom appear without warning; and, if their approach is carefully +watched, they may possibly be prevented.<br> +<br> +However indisposed to eat the dog may previously have been, the appetite +returns when the fits are at hand, and the animal becomes absolutely +voracious. Nature seems to be providing for the great expenditure of +power which epilepsy will soon occasion. The mucus almost entirely +disappears from the eyes, although the discharge from the nose may +continue unabated; and for an hour or more before the fit there will be +a champing of the lower jaw, frothing at the mouth, and discharge of +saliva. The champing of the lower jaw will be seen at least twelve hours +before the first fit, and will a little while precede every other. There +will also be twitchings of some part of the frame, and usually of the +mouth, cheek, or eyelid. It is of some consequence to attend to these, +as enabling us to distinguish between fits of distemper and those of +teething, worms, or unusual excitement. The latter come on suddenly. The +dog is apparently well, and racing about full of spirits, and without a +moment's warning he falls into violent convulsions.<br> +<br> +We <a name="I336">may</a> here, likewise, be enabled to distinguish between rabies and +distemper. When a person, unacquainted with dogs, sees a dog struggling +in a fit, or running along unconscious of every surrounding object, or +snapping at everything in his way, whether it be a human being or a +stone, he raises the cry of "mad dog," and the poor brute is often +sacrificed. The very existence of a fit is proof positive that the dog +is not mad. No epilepsy accompanies rabies in any stage of that disease.<br> +<br> +The inflammation of the membrane of the nose and fauces is sometimes +propagated along that of the windpipe, and the dog exhibits unequivocal +proofs of chest affection, or decided pneumonia.<br> +<br> +At other times the bowels become affected, and a violent purging comes +on. The fæces vary from white with a slight tinge of gray, to a dark +slate or olive colour. By degrees mucus begins to mingle with the fæcal +discharge, and then streaks of blood. The fæcal matter rapidly lessens, +and the whole seems to consist of mingled mucus and blood; and, from +first to last, the stools are insufferably offensive. When the mingled +blood and mucus appear, so much inflammation exists in the intestinal +canal that the case is almost hopeless.<br> +<br> +The discharge from the nose becomes decidedly purulent. While it is +white and without smell, and the dog is not too much emaciated, the +termination may be favourable; but when it becomes of a darker colour, +and mingled with blood, and offensive, the ethmoid or turbinated bones +are becoming carious, and death supervenes. This will particularly be +the case if the mouth and lips swell, and ulcers begin to appear on +them, and the gums ulcerate, and a sanious and highly offensive +discharge proceeds from the mouth. A singular, half-fetid smell arising +from the dog, is the almost invariable precursor of death.<br> +<br> +<a name="I101">When</a> the disease first visited the continent, it was regarded as a +humoral disease. Duhamel, who was one of the earliest to study the +character of the malady, contended that the biliary sac contained the +cause of the complaint; the bile assumed a concrete form, and its +superabundance was the cause of disease. Barrier, one of the earliest +writers on the subject, described it as a violent irregular bilious +fever. Others regarded it as a mucous discharge, or a depurative; and +others, as a salutary crisis, removing from the constitution that which +oppressed the different organs. Others had recourse to inoculation, in +order to give it a more benign character; and others, and among them +Chabert, considered that it possessed a character of peculiar malignity, +and he gave it a name expressive of its nature and situation — <i>nasal +catarrh</i>. It exhibited the ordinary symptoms of <i>coryza</i>: it was a +catarrhal affection in its early stage; but it afterwards degenerated +into a species of palsy. The causes were unknown. By some, they were +attributed to the natural voracity of the dog; by others, to his +occasional lasciviousness; by others, to his frequent feeding on +carrion, or the refuse of fat and soups.<br> +<br> +There is no doubt that nasal catarrh is, to a very considerable degree, +contagious on the continent. It often spreads over a wide extent of +country, and includes numerous animals of various descriptions. It is +complicated with various diseases; and particularly, at an early stage, +with ophthalmia. It may be interesting to the reader to trace the +progress of the disease among our continental neighbours. It commences +with a certain depression of spirits; a diminution of appetite; a +heaviness of the head; a heat of the mouth; an attempt to get something +from the throat; an insatiable thirst; an elevated temperature of the +body; a dry and painful suffocating cough; and all these circumstances +continue twenty to thirty days, until at length the dog droops and dies.<br> +<br> +<a name="I102">The</a> duration of distemper is uncertain. It sometimes runs its course in +five or six days; or it may linger on two or three months. In some cases +the emaciation is rapid and extreme: danger is then to be apprehended. +When the muscles of the loins are much attenuated, or almost wasted, +there is little hope; and, although other symptoms may remit, and the +dog may be apparently recovering, yet, if he continues to lose flesh, we +may be perfectly assured that he will not live. On the other hand, let +the discharge from the nose be copious, and the purging violent, and +every other symptom threatening, yet if the animal gains a little flesh, +we may confidently predict his recovery.<br> +<br> +When the dog is much reduced in strength and flesh, a spasmodic +affection or twitching of the muscles will sometimes be observed. It is +usually confined at first to one limb; but the most decisive treatment +is required, or these spasms will spread until the animal is altogether +unable to stand; and while he lies every limb will be in motion, +travelling, as it were, at the rate of twenty miles an hour, until the +animal is worn out, and dies of absolute exhaustion. When these spasms +become universal and violent, they are accompanied by constant and +dreadful moans and cries.<br> +<br> +I<a name="I300"></a>n the pointer and the hound, and particularly when there is little +discharge from the eyes or nose, an intense yellowness often suddenly +appears all over the dog. He falls away more in twenty-four hours than +it would be thought possible; his bowels are obstinately constipated; he +will neither eat nor move; and in two or three days he is dead.<br> +<br> +In the pointer, hound, and greyhound, there sometimes appears on the +whole of the chest and belly a pustular eruption, which peels off in +large scales. The result is usually unfavourable. A more general +eruption, however, either wearing the usual form of mange, or +accompanied by minute pustules, may be regarded as a favourable symptom. +The disease is leaving the vital parts, and expending its last energy on +the integument.<br> +<br> +<a name="I103">The</a> <i>post-mortem</i> appearances are exceedingly unsatisfactory: they do +not correspond with the original character of the disease, but with its +strangely varying symptoms. If the dog has died in fits, we have +inflammation of the brain or its membranes, and particularly at the base +of the brain, with considerable effusion of a serous or bloody fluid. If +the prevailing symptoms have led our attention to the lungs, we find +inflammation of the bronchial passages, or, in a few instances, of the +substance of the lungs, or the submucous tissue of the cells. We rarely +have inflammation of the pulmonary pleura, and never to any extent of +the intercostal pleura. In a few lingering cases, tubercles and vomicæ +of the lungs have been found.<br> +<br> +<a name="fra1">If</a> the bowels have been chiefly attacked, we have intense inflammation +of the mucous membrane, and, generally speaking, the small intestines +are almost filled with worms. If the dog has gradually wasted away, +which is often the case when purging to any considerable extent has been +encouraged or produced, we have contraction of the whole canal, +including even the stomach, and sometimes considerable enlargement of +the mesenteric glands<a href="#fa1"><sup>1</sup></a>.<br> +<br> +The membrane of the nose will always exhibit marks of inflammation, and +particularly in the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal cells; and I have +observed the portion of membrane on the septum, or cartilaginous +division of the nostrils, between the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal +cells, to be studded with small miliary tubercles. In advanced stages of +the disease, attended with much defluxion from the nose, the cells of +the ethmoidal bone and the frontal sinuses are filled with pus.<br> +<br> +Ulceration is sometimes found on the membrane of the nose, oftenest on +the spot to which I have referred — occasionally confined to that; and +now and then spreading over the whole of the septum, and even corroding +and eating through it; generally equal on both sides of the septum; in a +few instances extending into the fauces; seldom found in the larynx, but +occasionally seen in the bronchial passages. The other viscera rarely +present any remarkable morbid appearance.<br> +<br> +The distemper is clearly a disease of the mucous membranes, usually +commencing in the membrane of the nose, and resembling nasal catarrh. <a name="I80">In</a> +the early stage it is <i>coryza</i>, or nasal catarrh; but the affection +rapidly extends, and seems to attack the mucous membranes generally, +determined to some particular one, either by atmospheric influence or +accidental causes, or constitutional predisposition. The fits arise from +general disturbance of the system, or from the proximity of the brain to +the early seat of inflammation.<br> +<br> +This account of the nature and treatment of distemper will, perhaps, be +unsatisfactory to some readers. One thing, however, is clear, that for a +disease which assumes such a variety of forms, there can be no specific; +yet there is not a keeper who is not in possession of some supposed +infallible nostrum. Nothing can be more absurd. A disease attacking so +many organs, and presenting so many and such different symptoms, must +require a mode of treatment varying with the organ attacked and the +symptom prevailing. The faith in these boasted specifics is principally +founded on two circumstances — atmospheric influence and peculiarity of +breed. There are some seasons when we can scarcely save a dog; there are +others when we must almost wilfully destroy him in order to lose him. +There are some breeds in which, generation after generation, five out of +six die of distemper, while there are others in which not one out of a +dozen dies. When the season is favourable, and the animal, by hereditary +influence, is not disposed to assume the virulent type of the disease, +these two important agents are overlooked, and the immunity from any +fatal result is attributed to medicine. The circumstances most conducive +to success will be the recollection that it is a disease of the mucous +surfaces, and that we must not carry the depleting and lowering system +too far. Keeping this in view, we must accommodate ourselves to the +symptoms as they arise.<br> +<br> +<a name="I104">The</a> natural medicine of the dog seems to be an emetic. The act of +vomiting is very easily excited in him, and, feeling the slightest +ailment, he flies to the dog-grass, unloads his stomach, and is at once +well. In distemper, whatever be the form which it assumes, an emetic is +the first thing to be given. Common salt will do when nothing else is at +hand; but the best emetic, and particularly in distemper, consists of +equal parts of calomel and tartar emetic. From half a grain to a grain +and a half of each will constitute the dose.<br> +<br> +This will act first as an emetic, and afterwards as a gentle purgative. +<a name="I37">Then</a>, if the cough is urgent, and there is heaving at the flanks, and +the nose is hot, a moderate quantity of blood may be taken — from three +to twelve ounces — and this, if there has been previous constipation, may +be followed by a dose of sulphate of magnesia, from two to six drachms.<br> +<br> +In slight cases this will often be sufficient to effect a cure: but, if +the dog still droops, and particularly if there is much huskiness, the +antimonial or James's powder, nitre and digitalis, in the proportion of +from half a grain to a grain of digitalis, from two to five grains of +the James's powder, and from a scruple to a drachm of nitre, should be +administered twice or thrice in a day. If on the third or fourth day the +huskiness is not quite removed, the emetic should be repeated.<br> +<br> +<a name="I299">In</a> these affections of the mucous membranes, it is absolutely necessary +to avoid or to get rid of every source of irritation, and worms will +generally be found a very considerable one in young dogs. If we can +speedily get rid of them, distemper will often rapidly disappear; but, +if they are suffered to remain, diarrhœa or fits are apt to supervene: +therefore some worm medicine should be administered.<br> +<br> +I have said that vomiting is very easily excited in the dog; and that +for this reason we are precluded from the use of a great many medicines +in our treatment of him. Calomel, aloes, jalap, scammony, and gamboge +will generally produce sickness. <a name="I148">We</a> are, therefore, driven to some +mechanical vermifuge; and a very effectual one, and that will rarely +fail of expelling even the tape-worm, is tin filings or powdered glass. +From half a drachm to a drachm of either may be advantageously given +twice in the day. There may generally be added to them digitalis, +James's powder, and nitre, made into balls with palm oil and a little +linseed meal. This course should be pursued in usual cases until two or +three emetics have been given, and a ball morning and night on the +intermediate days. Should the huskiness not diminish after the first two +or three days, if the dog has not rapidly lost flesh, I should be +disposed to take a little more blood, and to put a seton in the poll. It +should be inserted between the ears, and reaching from ear to ear.<br> +<br> +When there is fever and huskiness, and the dog is not much emaciated, a +seton is an excellent remedy; but, if it is used indiscriminately, and +when the animal is already losing ground, and is violently purging, we +shall only hasten his doom, or rather make it more sure.<br> +<br> +It is now, if ever, that pneumonia will be perceived. The symptoms of +inflammation in the lungs of the dog can scarcely be mistaken. The quick +and laborious breathing, the disinclination or inability to lie down, +the elevated position of the head, and the projection of the muzzle, +will clearly mark it. More blood must be subtracted, a seton inserted, +the bowels opened with Epsom salts, and the digitalis, nitre, and +James's powder given more frequently and in larger doses than before.<br> +<br> +Little aid is to be derived from observation of the pulse of the dog; it +differs materially in the breed, and size, and age of the animal. Many +years' practice have failed in enabling me to draw any certain +conclusion from it. The best place to feel the pulse of the dog is at +the side. We may possibly learn from it whether digitalis is producing +an intermittent pulse, which it frequently will do, and which we wish +that it should do: it should then be given a little more cautiously, and +in smaller quantities.<br> +<br> +If the pneumonia is evidently conquered, or we have proceeded thus far +without any considerable inflammatory affection of the chest, we must +begin to change our plan of treatment. If the huskiness continues, and +the discharge from the nose is increased and thicker, and the animal is +losing flesh and becoming weak, we must give only half the quantity of +the sedative and diuretic medicine, and add some mild tonic, as gentian, +chamomile, and ginger, with occasional emetics, taking care to keep the +bowels in a laxative but not purging state. The dog should likewise be +urged to eat; and, if he obstinately refuses ail food, he should be +forced with strong beef jelly, for a very great degree of debility will +now ensue<br> +<br> +We have thus far considered the treatment of distemper from its +commencement; but it may have existed several days before we were +consulted, and the dog may be thin and husky, and refusing to eat. In +such case we should give an emetic, and then a dose of salts, and after +that proceed to the tonic and fever balls.<br> +<br> +Should the strength of the animal continue to decline, and the discharge +from the nose become purulent and offensive, the fever medicine must be +omitted, and the tonic balls, with carbonate of iron, administered. Some +veterinary surgeons are very fond of gum resins and balsams. Mr. <a name="I34">Blaine</a>, +in his excellent treatise on the distemper in his <i>Canine Pathology</i>, +recommends myrrh and benjamin, and balsam of Peru and camphor. I much +doubt the efficacy of these drugs. They are beginning to get into +disrepute in the practice of human medicine; and I believe that if they +were all banished from the veterinary <i>Materia Medica</i> we should +experience no loss. When the dog begins to recover, although not so +rapidly as we could wish, the tonic balls, without the iron, may be +advantageously given, with now and then an emetic, if huskiness should +threaten to return; but mild and wholesome food, and country or good +air, will be the best tonics.<br> +<br> +If the discharge from the nose become very offensive, the lips swelled +and ulcerated, and the breath fetid, half an ounce of yeast may be +administered every noon, and the tonics morning and night; and the mouth +should be frequently washed with a solution of chloride of lime.<br> +<br> +At this period of the disease the sub-maxillary glands are sometimes +very much enlarged, and a tumour or abscess is formed, which, if not +timely opened, breaks, and a ragged, ill-conditioned ulcer is formed, +very liable to spread, and very difficult to heal. It is prudent to +puncture this tumour as soon as it begins to point, for it will never +disperse. After the opening, a poultice should be applied to cleanse the +ulcer; after which it should be daily washed with the compound tincture +of benjamin, and dressed with calamine ointment. Some balls should be +given, and the animal liberally fed.<br> +<br> +<a name="I105">Should</a> the fits appear in an early stage, give a strong emetic; then +bleed, and open the bowels with five or six grains of calomel and a +quarter grain of opium: after this insert a seton, and then commence the +tonic balls.<br> +<br> +The progress of fits in the early stages of the disease may thus be +arrested. The occurrence of two or three should not make us despair; +but, if they occur at a later period, and when the dog is much reduced, +there is little hope. This additional expenditure of animal power will +probably soon carry him off. All that is to be done, is to administer a +strong emetic, obviate costiveness by castor oil, and give the tonic +balls with opium.<br> +<br> +<a name="I301 +">Of</a> the treatment of the yellow disease little can be said; we shall not +succeed in one case in twenty. When good effect has been produced, it +has been by one large bleeding, opening the bowels well with Epsom +salts, and then giving grain doses of calomel twice a day in a tonic +ball.<br> +<br> +<a name="I220">While</a> it is prudent to obviate costiveness, we should recollect that +there is nothing more to be dreaded, in every stage of distemper, than +diarrhœa. The purging of distemper will often bid defiance to the most +powerful astringents. This shows the folly of giving violent cathartics +in distemper; and, when I have heard of the ten, and twenty, and thirty +grains of calomel that are sometimes given, I have thought it fortunate +that the stomach of the dog is so irritable. The greater part of these +kill-or-cure doses is ejected, otherwise the patient would soon be +carried off by super-purgation. There is an irritability about the whole +of the mucous membrane that may be easily excited, but cannot be so +readily allayed; and, therefore, except in the earliest stage of +distemper, or in fits, or limiting ourselves to the small portion of +calomel which enters into our emetic, I would never give a stronger +purgative than castor-oil or Epsom salts. It is of the utmost +consequence that the purging of distemper should be checked as soon as +possible.<br> +<br> +In some diseases a sudden purging, and even one of considerable +violence, constitutes what is called the crisis. It is hailed as a +favourable symptom, and from that moment the animal begins to recover; +but this is never the case in distemper: it is a morbid action which is +then going on, and which produces a dangerous degree of debility.<br> +<br> +The proper treatment of purging in cases of distemper, is first to give +a good dose of Epsom salts, in order to carry away anything that may +offend, and then to ply the animal with mingled absorbents and +astringents. A scruple of powdered chalk, ten grains of catechu, and +five of ginger, with a quarter of a grain of opium, made into a ball +with palm oil, may be given to a middle-sized dog twice or thrice every +day. To this may be added injections of gruel, with the compound chalk +mixture and opium.<br> +<br> +When the twitchings which I have described begin to appear, a seton is +necessary, whatever may be the degree to which the animal is reduced. +Some stimulating embrocation, such as tincture of cantharides, may be +rubbed along the whole course of the spine; and the medicine which has +oftenest, but not always, succeeded, is castor-oil, syrup of buckthorn, +and syrup of white poppies, given morning and night, and a tonic ball at +noon. If the dog will not now feed, he should be forced with strong +soup. As soon, however, as the spasms spread over him, accompanied by a +moaning that increases to a cry, humanity demands that we put an end to +that which we cannot cure. Until this happens I would not despair; for +many dogs have been saved that have lain several days perfectly +helpless.<br> +<br> +<a name="I70">As</a> to the <i>chorea</i> which I have mentioned as an occasional sequel of +distemper, if the dog is in tolerable condition, and especially if he is +gaining flesh, and the spring or summer is approaching, there is a +chance of his doing well. A seton is the first thing; the bowels should +be preserved from constipation; and the nitrate of silver, in doses of +one-eighth of a grain, made into a pill with linseed meal, and increased +to a quarter of a grain, should be given morning and night.<br> +<br> +We should never make too sure of the recovery of a distempered dog, nor +commit ourselves by too early a prognosis. It is a treacherous disease; +the medicines should be continued until every symptom has fairly +disappeared; and for a month at least.<br> +<br> +<a name="I170">It</a> may be interesting to add the following account of the distemper in +dogs, by Dr. Jenner. Several of our modern writers have copied very +closely from him. + +<blockquote>"That disease among dogs which has familiarly been called the +<i>distemper</i>, has not hitherto, I believe, been, much noticed by medical +men. My situation in the country favouring my wishes to make some +observations on this singular malady, I availed myself of it, during +several successive years, among a large number of foxhounds belonging to +the Earl of Berkeley; and, from observing how frequently it has been +confounded with hydrophobia, I am induced to lay the result of my +inquiries before the Medical and Chirurgical Society. It may be +difficult, perhaps, precisely to ascertain the period of its first +appearance in Britain. In this and the neighbouring counties, I have not +been able to trace it back beyond the middle of the last century; but it +has since spread universally. I knew a gentleman who, about forty-five +years ago, destroyed the greater part of his hounds, from supposing them +mad, when the distemper first broke out among them; so little was it +then known by those most conversant with dogs. On the continent I find +it has been known for a much longer period; it is as contagious among +dogs as the small-pox, measles, or scarlet fever among the human +species; and the contagious <i>miasmata</i>, like those arising from the +diseases just mentioned, retain their infectious properties a long time +after separation from the distempered animal. Young hounds, for example, +brought in a state of health into a kennel, where others have gone +through the distemper, seldom escape it. I have endeavoured to destroy +the contagion by ordering every part of a kennel to be carefully washed +with water, then whitewashed, and finally to be repeatedly fumigated +with the vapour of marine acid, but without any good result.<br> +<br> +"The dogs generally sicken early in the second week after exposure to +the contagion; it is more commonly a violent disease than otherwise, and +cuts off at least one in three that are attacked by it. It commences +with inflammation of the substance of the lungs, and generally of the +mucous membrane of the <i>bronchi</i>. The inflammation at the same time seizes +on the membranes of the nostrils, and those lining the bones of the +nose, particularly the nasal portion of the ethmoid bone. These +membranes are often inflamed to such a degree as to occasion +extravasation of blood, which I have observed coagulated on their +surface. The breathing is short and quick, and the breath is often +fetid; the teeth are covered with a dark mucus. There is frequently a +vomiting of a glairy fluid. The dog commonly refuses food, but his +thirst seems insatiable, and nothing cheers him like the sight of water. +The bowels, although generally constipated as the disease advances, are +frequently affected with diarrhœa at its commencement. The eyes are +inflamed, and the sight is often obscured by mucus secreted from the +eyelids, or by opacity of the cornea. The brain is often affected as +early as the second day after the attack; ihe animal becomes stupid, and +his general habits are changed. In this state, if not prevented by loss +of strength, he sometimes wanders from his home. He is frequently +endeavouring to expel by forcible expirations the mucus from the trachea +and fauces, with a peculiar rattling noise. His jaws are generally +smeared with it, and it sometimes flows out in a frothy state, from his +frequent champing.<br> +<br> +"During the progress of the disease, especially in its advanced stages, +he is disposed to bite and gnaw anything within his reach; he has +sometimes epileptic fits, and a quick succession of general though +slight convulsive spasms of the muscles. If the dog survive, this +affection of the muscles continues through life. He is often attacked +with fits of a different description; he first staggers, then tumbles, +rolls, cries as if whipped, and tears up the ground with his teeth and +fore feet: he then lies down senseless and exhausted. On recovering, he +gets up, moves his tail, looks placid, comes to a whistle, and appears +in every respect much better than before the attack. The eyes, during +this paroxysm, look bright, and, unless previously rendered dim by +mucus, or opacity of the cornea, seem as if they were starting from +their sockets. He becomes emaciated, and totters from feebleness in +attempting to walk, or from a partial paralysis of the hind legs. In +this state he sometimes lingers on till the third or fourth week, and +then either begins to show signs of returning health (which seldom +happens when the symptoms have continued with this degree of violence), +or expires. During convalescence, he has sometimes, though rarely, +profuse hæmorrhage from the nose.<br> +<br> +"When the inflammation of the lungs is very severe, he frequently dies +on the third day. I know one instance of a dog dying within twenty-four +hours after the seizure; and in that short space of time the greater +portion of the lungs was, from exudation, converted into a substance +nearly as solid as the liver of a sound animal. In this case the liver +itself was considerably inflamed, and the eyes and flesh universally +were tinged with yellow, though I did not observe anything obstructing +the biliary ducts. In other instances I have also observed the eyes +looking yellow.<br> +<br> +"The above is a description of the disease in its several forms; but in +this, as in the diseases of the human body, there is every gradation in +its violence.<br> +<br> +"There is also another affinity to some human diseases, viz., that the +animal which has once gone through it very rarely meets with a second +attack. Fortunately this distemper is not communicable to man. Neither +the effluvia from the diseased dog nor the bite have proved in any +instance infectious; but, as it has often been confounded with canine +madness, as I have before observed, it is to be wished that it were more +generally understood; for those who are bitten by a dog in this state +are sometimes thrown into such perturbation that hydrophobia symptoms +have actually arisen from the workings of the imagination. Mr. John +Hunter used to speak of a case somewhat of this description in his +lectures.<br> +<br> +"<a name="fra2">A</a> gentleman who received a severe bite from a dog, soon after fancied +the animal was mad. He felt a horror at the sight of liquids, and was +actually convulsed on attempting to swallow them. So uncontrollable were +his prepossessions, that Mr. Hunter conceived he would have died had not +the dog which inflicted the wound been found and brought into his room +in perfect health. This soon restored his mind to a state of +tranquillity. The sight of water no longer afflicted him, and he quickly +recovered."<a href="#fa2"><sup>2</sup></a></blockquote> + +<a name="I211">Palsy</a>, more or less complete, is sometimes the termination of the +distemper in dogs.<br> +<br> +It is usually accompanied by chorea, and it is then, in the majority of +cases, hopeless. Setons should be inserted in the poll, being then, as +nearly as possible, at the commencement of the spinal cord. They should +be well stimulated and worn a considerable time. If they fail, a plaster +composed of common pitch, with a very small quantity of yellow wax and +some powdered cantharides, spread on sheep's-skin, should be placed over +the whole of the lumbar and sacral regions, extending half-way down the +thigh on either side. The bowels should be kept open by mild aperients, +in order that every source of irritation may be removed from the +intestinal canal. Some mild and general tonic will likewise be useful, +such as gentian and ginger.<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="fa1"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> The following is a very frequent and unexaggerated history +of distemper, when calomel has been given in too powerful doses:<br> +<br> +<i>August 30, 1828</i>. — A spaniel, six months old, has been ailing a +fortnight, and three doses of calomel have been given by the owner. He +has violent purging, with tenesmus and blood. Half an ounce of +caster-oil administered.<br> +<br> +<i>31st.</i> Astringents, morning, noon, and night.<br> +<br> +<i>Sept. 6.</i> The astringents have little effect, or, if the purging is +restrained one day, it returns with increased violence on the following +day. Getting rapidly thin. Begins to husk. Astringents continued.<br> +<br> +<i>10th.</i> The purging is at last overcome, but the huskiness has rapidly +increased, accompanied by laborious and hurried respiration. — Bleed to +the extent of three ounces.<br> +<br> +<i>11th.</i> The breathing relieved, but he obstinately refuses to eat, and +is forced several times in the day with arrow-root or strong soup.<br> +<br> +<i>18th.</i> He had become much thinner and weaker, and died in the evening. +No appearance of inflammation on the thoracic viscera, nor in any part +of the alimentary canal. The intestines are contracted through the whole +extent.<br> +<br> +<i>Veterinarian</i>, ii. 290.<br> +<a href="#fra1">return to footnote mark</a><br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="fa2"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 2:</span></a> <i>Medico-Chirurgical Transitions</i>, 31st March, 1809.<br> +<a href="#fra2">return</a><br> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section15">Chapter XV — Other Common Canine Ailments</a></h2> +<br> +<a name="smallpox"></a><h3>Small-pox</h3> + +In 1809, there was observed, at the Royal Veterinary School at Lyons, an +eruptive malady among the dogs, to which they gave the name of +<i>small-pox</i>. It appeared to be propagated from dog to dog by contagion. +It was not difficult of cure; and it quickly disappeared when no other +remedies were employed than mild aperients and diaphoretics. A sheep was +inoculated from one of these dogs. There was a slight eruption of +pustules formed on the place of inoculation, but nowhere else; nor was +there the least fever.<br> +<br> +At another time, also, at the school at Lyons, a sheep died of the +regular sheep-pox. A part of the skin was fastened, during +four-and-twenty hours, on a healthy sheep, and the other part of it on a +dog, both of them being in apparent good health. No effect was produced +on the dog, but the sheep died of confluent sheep-pox.<br> +<br> +The <i>essential symptoms</i> of small-pox in dogs succeed each other in the +following order: the skin of the belly, the groin, and the inside of the +fore arm, becomes of a redder colour than in its natural state, and +sprinkled with small red spots irregularly rounded. They are sometimes +isolated, sometimes clustered together. The near approach of this +eruption is announced by an increase of fever.<br> +<br> +On the second day the spots are larger, and the integument is slightly +tumefied at the centre of each.<br> +<br> +On the third day the spots are generally enlarged, and the skin is still +more prominent at the centre.<br> +<br> +On the fourth day the summit of the tumour is yet more prominent. +Towards the end of that day, the redness of the centre begins to assume +a somewhat gray colour. On the following days, the pustules take on +their peculiar characteristic appearance, and cannot be confounded with +any other eruption, On the summit is a white circular point, +corresponding with a certain quantity of nearly transparent fluid which +it contains, and covered by a thin and transparent pellicle. This fluid +becomes less and less transparent, until it acquires the colour and +consistence of pus. The pustule, during its serous state, is of a +rounded form. It is flattened when the fluid acquires a purulent +character, and even slightly depressed towards the close of the period +of suppuration, and when that of desiccation is about to commence, which +ordinarily happens towards the ninth or tenth day of the eruption. The +desiccation and the desquamation occupy an exceedingly variable length +of time; and so, indeed, do all the different periods of the disease. +What is the least inconstant, is the duration of the serous eruption, +which is about four days, if it has been distinctly produced and guarded +from all friction. If the general character of the pustules is +considered, it will be observed, that, while some of them are in a state +of serous secretion, others will only have begun to appear.<br> +<br> +The eruption terminates when desiccation commences in the first +pustules; and, if some red spots show themselves at that period of the +malady, they disappear without being followed by the development of +pustules. They are a species of abortive pustules. After the +desiccation, the skin remains covered by brown spots, which, by degrees, +die away. There remains no trace of the disease, except a few +superficial cicatrices on which the hair does not grow.<br> +<br> +<a name="I267">The</a> 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 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 elevated temperature singularly favours the eruption, and also +renders it confluent and of a serous character. A cold atmosphere is +unfavourable to the eruption, or 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 moderate 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; consequently close boxes or kennels should be altogether +avoided.<br> +<br> +<a name="I218">I</a> have often observed, that the perspiration or breath of dogs labouring +under <i>variola</i> emits a very unpleasant 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 pellicles, and permits the purulent +matter to escape; and the influence of this purulent matter is most +pernicious. The fever is increased, and also the unpleasant smell from +the mouth, and that of the fæces. In this state there is a disposition +which is rapidly developed in the lungs to assume the character of +pneumonia. This last complication is a most serious one, and almost +always terminates fatally. It has a peculiar character. It shows 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 characters of pneumonia being completely +developed. The respiration is accompanied by a mucous <i>râle</i> 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 +soon and plentifully developed. When he is lying quiet, and even when he +seems to be asleep, there is a loud, stertorous, guttural breathing. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="mange2"></a><h3>Mange</h3> + +The existence of certain insects found burrowing under the skin of the +human being, and of various tribes of animals, has been acknowledged +from the 12th century. In the 17th century, correct engravings of these +insects were produced. On the other hand many doubted their existence, +because it had not been their lot to see them. In 1812, Galés, a pupil +in the hospital of St. Louis, pretended to have found some of them. They +were put into the hands of M. Raspail, of Paris, who proved that they +were nothing more than the common cheese-mites; and substituted by Galés +for those seen by Bonomo.<br> +<br> +Professor Hertwig, of Berlin, has given a graphic sketch of these +insects (<i>Veterinarian</i>, vol. xi. pp. 373, 489).<br> +<br> +Mr. Holthouse states that, + +<blockquote>"placed on the skin of a healthy individual, +they excite a disease in the part to which they were confined, having +all the characters of scabies; that insects taken from mangy sheep, +horses, and dogs, and transplanted to healthy individuals of the same +species, produce in them a disease analogous to that in the animals from +which they were taken; and that there are too many well-attested cases +on record to permit us to doubt of scabies having been communicated from +animals to man.</blockquote> + +<a name="I179">Mange</a> may in some degree be considered as an hereditary disease. A mangy +dog is liable to produce mangy puppies, and the progeny of a mangy bitch +will certainly become affected sooner or later. In many cases a +propensity to the disease will be speedily produced. If the puppies are +numerous, and confined in close situations, the effluvia of their +transpiration and fæcal discharges will often be productive of mange +very difficult to be removed. Close confinement, salted food, and little +exercise, are frequent causes of mange.<br> +<br> +<b><i>The <a name="I180">Scabby</a> Mange</i></b> is a frequent form which this disease assumes. It +assumes a pustular and scabby form in the red mange, particularly in +white-haired dogs, when there is much and painful inflammation. A +peculiar eruption, termed <i>surfeit</i>, which resembles mange, is sometimes +the consequence of exposure to cold after a hot sultry day. Large +blotches appear, from which the hair falls and leaves the skin bare and +rough. Acute mange sometimes takes on the character of erysipelas; at +other times there is considerable inflammation. The animal exhibits heat +and restlessness, and ulcerations of different kinds appear in various +parts, superficial but extensive. <a name="I181">Bleeding</a>, aperient and cooling +medicines are indicated, and also applications of the subacetate of +lead, or spermaceti ointment. A weak infusion of tobacco may be resorted +to when other things fail, but it must be used with much caution. The +same may be said of all mercurial preparations. The tanner's pit has +little efficacy, except in slight cases. Slight bleedings may be +serviceable, and especially in full habits; setons may be resorted to in +obstinate cases. A change in the mode of feeding will often be useful. +Mild purgatives, and especially Epsom salts, are often beneficial, and +also mercurial alternatives, as Æthiop's mineral with cream of tartar +and nitre. The external applications require considerable caution. If +mercury is used, care must be taken that the dog does not lick it. The +diarrhœa produced by mercury often has a fatal effect.<br> +<br> +<a name="I286">Unguents</a> are useful, but considerable care must be taken in their +application. They must be applied to the actual skin, not over the hair. +In old and bad cases much time and patience will be requisite. Mr. +<a name="I35">Blaine</a> had a favourite setter who had virulent mange five years. He was +ordered to be dressed every day, or every second day, before the disease +was complete conquered.<br> +<br> +Cutaneous affections have lately been prevalent to an extent altogether +unprecedented on this and on the other side of the channel. In the +latter part of 1843 the disease assumed a character which had not been +known among us for many years. The common mange, which we used to think +we could easily grapple with, was now little seen: even the usual red +mange with the fox-coloured stain was not of more frequent occurrence +than usual, but an intolerable itchiness with comparatively little +redness of skin, and rarely sufficient to account for the torture which +the animal seemed to endure, and often with not the slightest +discoloration of the integument, came before us almost every day, and +under its influence the dog became ill-tempered, dispirited, and +emaciated, until he sunk under its influence. All unguents were thrown +away here. Lotions of corrosive sublimate, decoction of bark, infusion +of digitalis or tobacco, effected some little good; but the persevering +use of the iodide of potassium, purgatives, and the abstraction of blood +very generally succeeded.<br> +<br> +The sudden appearance of redness of the skin, and exudation from it, and +actual sores attending the falling off of the hair, and itching, that +seemed to be intolerable, have also been prevalent to an unprecedented +extent. This mange, however, is to a certain degree manageable. A dose +or two of physic should he given, with an application of a calamine +powder, and the administration of the iodide of potassium.<br> +<br> +Mr. Blaine gives a most valuable account of mange in the dog, part of +which I shall quote somewhat at length. Mange exerts a morbid +constitutional action on the skin; it is infectious from various +miasmata, and it is contagious from personal communication. In some +animals it may be produced by momentary contact; it descends to other +animals of various descriptions; there is no doubt that it is +occasionally hereditary: it is generated by effluvia of many various +kinds; almost every kind of rancid or stimulating food is the parent of +it. High living with little exercise is a frequent cause of it, and the +near approach of starvation is not unfavorable to it. The scabby mange +is the common form under which it generally appears. In red mange the +whole integument is in a state of acute inflammation; surfeit, or +blotches, a kind of cuticular eruption breaks out on particular parts of +the body without the slightest notice, and, worse than all, a direct +febrile attack, with swelling and ulceration, occurs, under which the +dog evidently suffers peculiar heat and pain. Last of all comes local +mange. Almost every eruptive disease, whether arising from the eye, the +ear, the scrotum, or the feet, is injurious to the quality as well as +the health of every sporting dog: the scent invariably becomes diseased, +and the general powers are impaired.<br> +<br> +There are several accounts of persons who, having handled mangy dogs, +have been affected with an eruption very similar to the mange. A +gentleman and his wife who had been in the habit of fondling a mangy pug +dog, were almost covered with an eruption resembling mange. Several of +my servants in the dog-hospital have experienced a similar attack; and +the disease was once communicated to a horse by a cat that was +accustomed to lie on his back as he stood in the stall. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="warts"></a><h3>Warts</h3> + +These are often unpleasant things to have to do with. A Newfoundland dog +had the whole of the inside of his mouth lined with warts. I applied the +following caustic: — <i>Hyd. suc-corrosivi </i>[Symbol: ounce] <i>j.</i>,<i> acidi mur.</i> +[Symbol: ounce], <i>alcoholis</i> [Symbol: ounce] <i>iiij</i>., <i>aquæ</i> [Symbol: ounce] +<i>ij</i>. The warts were touched twice every day, and in less than a fortnight +they had all disappeared.<br> +<br> +Another dog had its mouth filled with warts, and the above solution was +applied. In four days considerable salivation came on, and lasted a +week, but at the expiration of that time the warts had vanished. The +owner of the dog had applied the solution with the tip of her finger; +she experienced some salivation, which she attributed to this cause.<br> +<br> +The skin of the dog, from the feebleness of its perspiratory functions, +is little sensible to the influence of diaphoretics: therefore we trust +so much to external applications for the cure of diseases of the skin of +that animal. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="cancer"></a><h3>Cancer</h3> + +This is a disease too frequent among females of the dog tribe, and +occasionally seen in the male. Its symptoms, local and general, are +various. They are usually very obscure in their commencement; they +increase without any limit; they are exasperated by irritants of any +kind; and in the majority of cases their reproduction is almost +constant, and perfectly incurable.<br> +<br> +<a name="I195">With</a> regard to the female, it is mostly connected with the secretion of +milk. Two or three years may pass, and at almost every return of the +period of œstrum, there will be some degree of enlargement or +inflammation of the teats. Some degree of fever also appears; but, after +a few weeks have passed away, and one or two physic balls have been +administered, everything goes on well. In process of time, however, the +period of œstrum is attended by a greater degree of fever and +enlargement of the teats, and at length some diminutive hardened nuclei, +not exceeding in size the tip of a finger, are felt within one of the +teats. By degrees they increase in size; they become hard, hot, and +tender. A considerable degree of redness begins to appear. Some small +enlargements are visible. The animal evidently exhibits considerable +pain when these enlargements are pressed upon. They rapidly increase, +they become more hot and red, various shining protuberances appear about +the projection, and at length the tumour ulcerates. A considerable +degree of sanious matter flows from the aperture.<br> +<br> +<a name="I51">The</a> tumours, however, after a while diminish in size; the heat and +redness diminish; the ulcer partly or entirely closes, but, after a +while, and especially when the next period of œstrum arrives, the +tumour again increases, and with far greater rapidity than before, and +then comes the necessity of the removal of the tumour, or if not, the +destruction of the animal. In the great majority of cases, the removal +of the cancer does not destroy the dog, but lessens its torture. The +knife and the forceps must usually be resorted to, and in the hands of a +skilful surgeon the life of the animal will be saved.<br> +<br> +When the cancer is attached to the neighbouring parts by cellular +substance alone, no difficulty will be experienced in detaching the +whole of it. The operation will be speedily performed, and there will be +an end of the matter; but, if the tumour has been neglected, and the +muscular, the cellular, or even the superficial parts have been +attacked, the utmost caution is requisite that every diseased portion +shall be removed. Mr. Blaine adds to this that + +<blockquote>"it must also be taken into the account, that, although in the canine + cancer ulceration does not often reappear in the intermediate part, + when the operation has been judiciously performed, yet, when the + constitution has been long affected with this ulcerative action, it is + very apt to show itself in some neighbouring part soon after." +</blockquote> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="funghaem"></a><h3>Fungus Hæmatodes</h3> + +In the month of March, 1836, a valuable pointer dog was sent to <a name="I3">Mr. Adam</a> +of Beaufort, quite emaciated, with total loss of appetite and with a +large fungus hæmatodes about the middle of the right side of his neck. +It had begun to appear about five months before, and was not at first +larger than a pea. Mr. Adam gave him a purgative of Barbadoes aloes, +which caused the discharge of much fetid matter from the intestines. At +the expiration of three days he removed the tumour with the knife. There +was a full discharge of healthy matter from the wound. During the period +of its healing the animal was well fed, and ferruginous tonics were +given. In a little more than three weeks the wound had completely filled +up with healthy granulations, and the dog was sent home to all +appearance quite well.<br> +<br> +At the expiration of three months another tumour made its appearance +near the situation of the former one, growing fast; it had attained +nearly the size of the other. Mr. Adam removed it immediately, ordering +a system of nutritive feeding and tonics. It appeared at first to go on +favourable; but, five days after the removal of the second one, a third +made its appearance.<br> +<br> +This was removed at the expiration of another five days; but the animal +was totally unable to walk, with very laborious breathing and cold +extremities. A cathartic was given and the legs bandaged; but the wounds +made no progress towards healing, and at the end of three days he died. +On exposing the cavity of the thorax it was almost covered with +variously formed tumours, from the size of a pigeon's egg to that of a +small pea. The intercostal muscles had many of these adhering to them, +and a few small ones were developed on the heart. There were three on +the diaphragm, in the centre of which matter was formed. The +blood-vessels, kidneys, &c., were free from disease. These tumours were +white, or nearly so, rather hard, and of a glandular substance. The +external ones were soft, red, and almost destitute of blood-vessels, +except the first, which bled considerably. There was dropsy of the +abdomen. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="sorefeet1"></a><h3>Sore Feet (1)</h3> + +Sore feet constitute a frequent and troublesome complaint. It consists +of inflammation of the vascular substance, between the epidermis and the +parts beneath. It is the result of numerous slight contusions, produced +by long travelling in dry weather, or hunting over a hard and rough +country, or one covered with frost and snow. The irritation with which +it commences continues to increase and a certain portion of fluid is +determined to the feet, and tubercles are formed, hard, hot, and tender, +until the whole foot is in a diseased state, considerably enlarged. The +animal sadly suffers, and is scarcely able to stand up for a minute. +Sometimes the ardour of the chase will make him for a while forget all +this; but on his return, and when he endeavours to repose himself, it is +with difficulty that he can be got up again. The toes become enlarged, +the skin red and tender, and the horny sole becomes detached and drops. +Local fever, and that to a considerable extent, becomes established; it +reacts on the general economy of the animal, who scarcely moves from his +bed, and at length refuses all food. At other times a separation takes +place between the dermis and the epidermis, which is a perfect mass of +serosity.<br> +<br> +Still, however, it is only when all this has much increased, or has been +neglected, that any permanently dangerous consequences take place. When +violent inflammation has set in, the feet must be carefully attended to, +or the dog may be lamed for life. One or two physic-balls may be given; +all salted meat should be removed, and the animal supplied with food +without being compelled to move from his bed. The feet should be bathed +with warm water, and a poultice of linseed meal applied to them twice in +the day. If, as is too often the case, he should tear this off, the feet +should be often fomented. It is bad practice in any master of dogs to +suffer them to be at all neglected when there are any tokens of +inflammation of the feet. The neglect of even a few days may render a +dog a cripple for life. If there are evident appearances of pus +collecting about the claws, or any part of the feet, the abscess should +be opened, well bathed with warm water, and friar's balsam applied to +the feet.<br> +<br> +When the feet have been neglected, the nail is apt to grow very rapidly, +and curve round and penetrate into the foot. The forceps should he +applied, and the claws reduced to their proper size.<br> +<br> +If there are any indications of fever, or if the dog should be +continually lying down, or he should hold up his feet, and keep them +apart as much as he can, scarifications or poultices, or both, should be +resorted to.<br> +<br> +When the feet of a dog become sore in travelling, the foolish habit of +washing them with brine should never be permitted, although it is very +commonly resorted to. Warm fomentations, or warm pot-liquor, or +poultices of linseed meal should be applied, or, if matter is apparently +forming, the lancet may be resorted to.<br> +<br> +<a name="I283">Dogs</a> are frequently sent to the hospital with considerable redness +between the toes, and ichorous discharge, and the toes thickened round +the base of the nails, as if they were inclined to drop off. The common +alterative medicine should be given, and a lotion composed of <i>hydrarg. +oxym. gr. vi., alcohol</i> [Symbol: ounce]<i> j., et aq. calcis</i> [Symbol: ounce] <i>iiij.</i>, should he applied to +the feet three times every day. Leathern gloves should be sewn on them. +These cases are often very obstinate.<br> +<br> +<a name="I282">Generally</a> speaking, the dog has five toes on the fore feet, and four on +the hind feet, with a mere rudiment of a fifth metatarsal bone in some +feet; but, in others, the fifth bone is long and well proportioned, and +advances as far as the origin of the first phalanx of the neighbouring +toe.<br> +<br> +<span style="color: #663300;">The editor begs leave to add a more detailed and systematic treatise of +the affections generally attacking the feet and limbs of our dogs:</span> + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="disfeet"></a><h3>Diseases of the Feet</h3> + +<a name="sorefeet2"></a><h4>Sore Feet (2)</h4> + +Inflammation of the feet, a disease somewhat analogous to founder in +horses, and often attended with equally bad results, particularly in the +English kennels, is comparatively rare with us, although there are few +sportsmen but have met with some cases among their dogs. The feet become +tender, swollen, and hot, violent inflammatory action sets in, the toes +become sore, the claws diseased, and the balls very painful, and often +suppurate.<br> +<br> +The animal is thus speedily rendered useless; not being able to support +his body, owing to the intense pain, he remains in his house, and +employs the most of his time in temporarily assuaging his sufferings by +constantly licking the diseased members.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes</i>. — Running long distances over frozen or stony grounds, hunting +over a rough and ill-cleaned country, over-feeding, confinement, and +lazy habits, are all conducive in some measure to this affection.<br> +<br> +This form of disease is not uncommon among those dogs used in toling +ducks on the Chesapeake bay, these animals being obliged to run +incessantly to and fro over the gravel shores, in their efforts to +attract the canvass-back. We have seen many dogs that have been made +cripples by this arduous work, and rendered prematurely old while yet in +their prime. It would certainly be wise and humane on the part of those +who pursue this sport either for pleasure or gain, to provide suitable +boots for these sagacious animals, who in return would repay such +kindness by increased ardour and length of service. These articles might +be made of leather, or some other durable substance, in such a manner +that they could be laced on every morning before commencing their +labours.<br> +<br> +The claws should be allowed to project through openings in the boot, as +this arrangement will give much more freedom to the feet, and the boot +itself will not be destroyed so soon by the penetration of the toes +through its substance. Boots thus neatly made will neither interfere +with his locomotive nor swimming powers, but add greatly to the comfort +of the animal, and secure his services for many years.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — No stimulating applications to the feet are to be used, +such as salt water, ley, fish brine, or urine, but rather emollient +poultices and cooling washes. These last-mentioned remedies should be +carefully applied, and the dog confined to his house as much as +possible: in fact, there is little difficulty in restraining him in this +respect, as he has but little inclination or ability to move about.<br> +<br> +Purging balls should be administered every night, and blood abstracted +if there be much fever, as indicated in the heat, swelling, and pain of +the limbs.<br> +<br> +If the balls continue to swell, and there is a collection of pus within +them, they may be opened by the lancet, and the contents evacuated, +after which apply a linseed poultice. When the inflammation has +subsided, simple dressings of melted butter or fresh lard will generally +effect a cure. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="pustfeet"></a><h3>Pustular Affection of the Feet</h3> + +Dogs frequently have a pustular eruption between the toes, either +accompanying mange or some other skin disease, or entirely independent +of any other affection.<br> +<br> +<i>Causes</i>. — Want of cleanliness, bad housing, improper food, vermin, and +depraved constitution.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — Frequent washing with castile soap and water will correct +this disease; the feet and legs after washing should be rubbed dry, +particularly between the toes. When the pustules are large, they may be +opened with the lancet and a poultice applied. If the disease appears +complicated with mange, or dependent upon other general causes, the +primary affection must be removed by the proper remedies, which +generally carries off with the secondary disease. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="sprains"></a><h3>Sprains</h3> + +It is not an uncommon occurrence for dogs, while running, climbing +fences, or jumping ditches, to sprain themselves very severely in the +knee, or more frequently in the shoulder-joint; and if not properly +attended to, will remain cripples for life, owing to enlargement of the +tendon and deposition of matter.<br> +<br> +We once had a fine, large, powerful bull-dog, that sprained himself in +the shoulder while running very violently in the street after another +dog, and in some way, owing to the great eagerness to overtake the +other, tripped up when at the top of his speed, fell on his chest, and +when he arose commenced limping, and evidently suffered from +considerable pain. On taking him home, we examined his feet, limbs, and +chest very particularly, expecting to find a luxation or fracture of +some of the bones of the leg or feet, or perhaps the presence of a piece +of glass or other article deeply imbedded in the ball. None of the above +accidents, however, being brought to light by our examination, or that +of a medical friend who expressed a wish to see our patient, we +concluded that a simple sprain of some of the tendons had taken place.<br> +<br> +On the following day there was slight swelling and tenderness of the +shoulder-joint, accompanied by great unwillingness to put the foot to +the ground, owing to the pain that seemed to be produced by the +extension of the leg. The limb was fomented, and the dog confined for +several days, till the swelling and tenderness disappeared; but, greatly +to our astonishment and that of others, he still remained lame as +before.<br> +<br> +This lameness continued for several months, when we parted with him, +sending him to a relative in the country, who informed us that he never +recovered the use of his limb, but that it became shrivelled and +deformed for want of use.<br> +<br> +The cause of lameness in this dog is as unaccountable as some cases of +lameness we see in horses. We are convinced that there was neither +fracture nor luxation, nor any other unnatural displacement of the +parts, and can attribute it to nothing but enlargement of one of the +tendons of the shoulder-joint resulting from inflammation. If it had +been in our power, we should have liked to have examined this animal +after death.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — Hot fomentations to the part affected, together with +purging balls and bleeding, if there be great tenderness and swelling of +the limb. When the inflammation and tumefaction have disappeared, rub +the parts with opodeldoc, or other stimulating mixtures. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="woundfeet"></a><h3>Wounds of the Feet</h3> + +Dogs are apt to cut their feet by stepping upon sharp tools, bits of +oyster-shell, old iron, &c., or by the introduction of thorns, burrs, +nails, bits of glass, and other articles, into their balls.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — If the cut be very deep, or divides the ball, the foot +must be washed in tepid water, and the edges of the wound drawn together +and retained in their position by a couple of sutures or a strap or two +of adhesive plaster, and the animal confined.<br> +<br> +Where thorns or sand-burrs have pierced the foot, diligent search should +be made to extract them, or the wound will suppurate, and the dog +continue lame for a long time. This caution is particularly necessary +when minute particles of glass have entered the foot. A poultice in such +cases should be applied, after removing every particle within our reach, +and the, foot be wrapped up, or, what is better, enclosed in a boot of +some kind, sufficiently strong to protect it from the dirt or other +small particles which otherwise would enter the wound and prevent its +healing. In a case of great emergency, one of our friends hunted a +setter dog three successive days in a leather boot, which we instructed +a country cobbler to put on him to protect his foot from a recent and +deep cut, that he had received from treading upon some farming utensils. +The boot was taken off every night, the foot nicely cleaned, the leather +oiled and replaced ready for the following day. The wound afterwards +healed up, and no trace of the incision now remains. The boot should be +made of stout, flexible leather, and extend beyond the first joint; the +seam must be in front, so as not to interfere with the dog's tread. +There should be openings for the claws, and the sole large enough to +allow the expansion of the ball pads when in motion: a small layer of +tow had better be laid on the bottom of the foot before putting on the +boot.<br> +<br> +It is often very difficult to tell the exact spot where a briar or thorn +has entered the foot, owing to its penetrating so far into the substance +of the ball as to be entirely concealed under the skin, or by the +swelling of the parts surrounding it. In all such cases the bottom of +the foot should he gently pressed by the thumb, and the point where the +dog exhibits symptoms of must pain should be, particularly examined, +and, if necessary, cut down upon to extract the extraneous substance, no +matter what it may be. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="lclaws"></a><h3>Long Nails or Claws</h3> + +The nails of some dogs require occasional cutting, otherwise they grow +so long and fast that they turn in and penetrate the ball of the foot. +If we cut them, a strong, sharp knife is necessary for the purpose; +filing them off we consider far preferable. + +<br><p align="right"><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr width="50%" align="right"> +<br> + +<a name="lame"></a><h3>Lameness</h3> + +Dogs, as well as horses, become lame from stiff joints, splints, and +sprains. Stiff joints are occasioned by anchylosis, or the deposit of +calcareous or osseous matter within the ligament or around the head of +the bone, which latter defect is known as ring-bone in the horse.<br> +<br> +<i>Treatment</i>. — Stimulating friction to the parts, such as spirits of +camphor, or camphorated liniment, mercurial ointment, tincture of +iodine, opodeldoc, blistering, &c. — <span style="color: #663300;">L. <i>end of editorial addition</i></span> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h2><a name="section16">Chapter XVI — Fractures</a></h2> +<br> +These are of not unfrequent occurrence in the dog; and I once had five +cases in my hospital at the same time.<br> +<br> +In the human subject, fractures are more frequent in adults, and, +perhaps, in old men, than in infants; but this is not the case with the +smaller animals generally, and particularly with dogs. Five-sixths of +the fractures occur between the time of weaning and the animal being six +months old; not, perhaps, because of their chemical composition, that +the bones are more fragile at this age; but because young dogs are more +exposed to fall from the hands of the persons who carry them, and from +the places to which they climb; and the extremities of the bones, then +being in the state of <i>epiphysis</i>, are easily separated from the body of +the bone. When the fracture takes place in the body of the bone, it is +transverse or somewhat oblique, but there is scarcely any displacement.<br> +<br> +A simple bandage will be sufficient for the reduction of these +fractures, which may be removed in ten or twelve days, when the +preparatory <i>callus</i> has acquired some consistence. One only out of twenty +dogs that were brought to me with fractures of the extremities, in the +year 1834, died. Two dogs had their jaws fractured by kicks from horses, +and lost several of their teeth. In one of them the anterior part of the +jaw was fractured perpendicularly; in the other, both branches were +fractured. Plenty of good soup was injected into their mouths. Ten or +twelve days afterwards, they were suffered to lap it; and in a little +while they were dismissed cured.<br> +<br> +It will be desirable, perhaps, to describe our usual method of reducing +the greater part of the fractures which come under our notice. + +<ol type="I"> +<li><a name="I136">The</a> <i>humerus</i> was fractured just above the elbow and close to the +joint. The limb was enclosed in adhesive plaster, and supported by a +firm bandage. The bones were beginning to unite, when, by some means +concerning which I could never satisfy myself, the <i>tibia</i> was broken a +little above the hock. Nothing could well be done with this second +fracture; but great care was taken with regard to the former. The lower +head of the humerus remained somewhat enlarged; but the lameness became +very slight, and in three weeks had nearly or quite disappeared. Nothing +was done to the second fracture; in fact, nothing more than a slight, +annular enlargement, surrounding the part, remained — a proof of the +renovating power of nature.<br><br></li> + +<li>A spaniel was run over by a light carriage. It was unable to put +the left hind leg to the ground, and at the upper tuberosity of the +<i>ileum</i> some <i>crepitus</i> could be distinguished. I subtracted six ounces of +blood, administered a physic-ball, and ordered the patient to be well +fomented with warm water several times during the night. On the +following day no wound could be discovered, but there was great +tenderness. I continued the fomentation. Two or three days afterwards +she was evidently easier. I then had the hair cut close, and covered the +loins and back with a pitch-plaster. At the expiration of six days the +plaster was getting somewhat loose, and was replaced by another with +which a very small quantity of powdered cantharides was mingled. At the +expiration of the fifth week she was quite well.<br><br></li> + + + +<li><a name="I132">The</a> <i>thigh-bone</i> had been broken a fortnight. It was a compound +fracture: the divided edges of the bone protruded through the +integuments, and there was no disposition to unite. It is not in one +case in a hundred that an animal thus situated can be saved. We failed +in our efforts, and the dog was ultimately destroyed.<br><br></li> + + +<li>The <i>femur</i> was broken near the hip. I saw it on the third day, +when much heat and swelling had taken place. I ordered the parts to be +frequently bathed with warm water. The heat and tenderness to a +considerable degree subsided, and the pitch-plaster was carefully +applied. At the expiration of a week the plaster began to be loosened. A +second one was applied, and when a fortnight longer had passed, a slight +degree of tenderness alone remained.<br><br></li> + + +<li><a name="I140">The</a> following account is characteristic of the bull terrier. The +<i>radius</i> had been broken, and was set, and the bones were decidedly +united, when the dog, in a moment of frantic rage, seized his own leg +and crushed some of the bones. They were once more united, but his wrist +bent under him in the form of a concave semicircle, as if some of the +ligaments of the joint had been ruptured in the moment of rage. It was +evident on the following day that it was impossible to control him, and +he was destroyed.<br><br></li> + + +<li><a name="I141">A</a> spaniel, three months old, became fractured half-way between the +wrist and the <i>elbow</i>. A surgeon bound it up, and it became swollen to +an enormous size, from the adhesive plaster that had been applied and +the manner of placing the splints. I removed the splints. On the +following morning I had the arm frequently fomented: a very indistinct +<i>crepitus</i> could be perceived at the point of the <i>humerus</i>: I applied +another plaster higher up, and including the elbow. The hair not having +been cut sufficiently close, the plaster was removed, applied much more +neatly and closely, and the original fracture was firmly bound together. +No <i>crepitus</i> was now to be perceived.<br> +<br> +I saw no more of our patient for four days, when I found that he had +fallen, and that the elbow on the other side was fractured within the +capsular ligament. A very distinct <i>crepitus</i> could be felt, and the dog +cried sadly when the joint was moved. I would have destroyed him, but he +was a favourite with his master, and we tried what a few days more would +produce. I enclosed the whole of the limb in a plaster of pitch, and +bound it up without splints. Both the bandages remained on nearly a +fortnight, when the fractures were found to be perfectly united, and the +lameness in both legs gradually disappeared.<br><br></li> + + +<li><i>July 22, 1843</i>. A spaniel was frightened with something on the +bed, and fell from it, and cried very much. The instep, or wrist, of the +right leg, before was evidently bowed, and there was considerable heat +and tenderness. It was well fomented on the two following days, and then +set, and adhesive plaster was tightly applied, and a splint bound over +that. <br> +<br> +<i>24th.</i> The foot began to swell, and was evidently painful. The +outer bandage was loosened a little, but the inner bandage was not +touched. <br> +<br> +<i>Aug. 4.</i> The bandage, that had not been meddled with for +eleven days, now appeared to give him some pain. For the last two days +he has been gently licking and gnawing it. The splints were removed; but +the adhesive plaster appearing even and firm, was suffered to remain.<br> +<br> + +<i>26th. </i>Everything appeared to be going on well, when he again leaped +from his bed. The wrist was much more bowed, and was tender and hot. +Simple lint and a firm calico bandage were had recourse to. <br> +<br> +<i>27th. </i>He +is unable to put his foot to the ground, and the joint is certainly +enlarging. An adhesive plaster, made by a Frenchman, was applied at the +owner's request, over which was placed a splint. The dog soon began to +gnaw the plaster, which formed a sticky but not very adhesive mass. +Before night the pain appeared to be very great, and the dog cried +excessively. I was sent for. We well fomented the leg, and then returned +to our former treatment. There was evidently a great deal of pain, but +it gradually passed over, and a slight degree of lameness alone +remained.</li> +</ol> +I <a name="I214">have</a> great pleasure in adding the following accounts of the successful +treatment of fractures in dogs by Mr. Percivall: + +<blockquote>"Hopeless as cases of fracture in horses generally are, from the + difficulty experienced in managing the patient, they are by no means + to be so regarded in dogs. I have in several instances seen dogs + recover, and with very good use of the parts, if not perfect + restoration of them, when the accidents have been considered, at the + time they took place, of a nature so irremediable as to render it + advisable to destroy the animals.<br> +<br> + "<i>May 4, 1839</i>. A <a name="I142">valuable</a> Irish spaniel fell from a high wall, and + fractured his <i>off shoulder</i>. On examination, I found the <i>os humeri</i> + fractured about an inch above its radial extremity, causing the limb + to drop pendulously from the side, and depriving the animal of all use + of it. The arm, by which I mean the fore arm, was movable in any + direction upon the shoulder, and there was distinct <i>crepitus</i>: in a + word, the nature of the accident was too plain to admit of doubt; nor + was there any splinter or loose piece of bone discoverable. I directed + that the animal might be laid flat upon his sound side in a hamper, or + covered basket or box, of sufficient dimensions, but not large enough + to admit of his moving about; to have his hind legs fettered, his + mouth muzzled, and his injured parts covered with a linen cloth wetted + with a spirit lotion.<br> +<br> + <i>May 5.</i> The parts are tumefied, but not more, nor even so much as one + night have expected. Continue the lotion.<br> +<br> + <i> 6th.</i> At my request, Mr. Youatt was called in to give his opinion as + to the probability of effecting a cure. He thought from the + inconvenient situation of the fracture, that the chances of success + were doubtful; and recommended that a plaster, composed of thick + sheep-skin and pitch, cut to the shape of the parts, should be + applied, extending from the upper part of the shoulder down upon the + arm, and reaching to the knee; and that the whole should be enveloped + in well-applied bandages, one of them being carried over the shoulders + and brought round between the fore legs, to support the limb, and aid + in retaining the fractured ends in apposition. Prior to the + application of the pitch plaster the hair was closely shorn off. Thus + bound up, the dog was replaced in his hamper, and had some aperient + medicine given to him. <br> +<br> +<i>8th.</i> The medicine has operated; and he + appears going on well, his appetite continuing unimpaired.<br> +<br> + <i>10th.</i> He growls when I open the basket to look at him. On examining + him (while his keeper had hold of him), I found the plaster loosening + from its adhesion; I took it off altogether, and applied a fresh one, + composed of the stopping composition I use for horses' feet.<br> +<br> + <i> June 7</i>. Up to this time everything appears to have been going on + properly. The fracture feels as if it were completely united, and, as + the plaster continues to adhere firmly, I thought the bandages + enveloping it, as they were often getting loose, might now he + dispensed with, and that the dog might with benefit be chained to a + kennel, instead of being so closely confined as he has been. In + moving, he does not attempt to use the fractured limb, but hops along + upon the three other legs.<br> +<br> + <i>July</i>. He has acquired pretty good use of the limb. Being now at + liberty, he runs about a good deal; halting, from there being some + shortness of the limb, but not so much as to prevent him being + serviceable, as a <i>slow</i> hunter, in the sporting-field.<br> +<br> + "<a name="I143">About</a> a twelvemonth ago," continues Mr. Percivall, "I was consulted + concerning a blood-hound of great size and beauty, and of the cost of + £50, that had been a cripple in one of his hind limbs for some + considerable time past, owing, it was said or thought, to having + received some injury. After a very careful handling, and examination + of the parts about the hips, the places where he expressed pain, I + came to the conclusion that there had been, and still existed, some + fracture of <i>the ischial portion of the pelvis</i>, but precisely where, + or of what nature, I could not determine; and all the treatment I + could recommend was, that the animal should be shut up within a basket + or box of some, sort, of dimensions only sufficient to enable him to + lie at ease, and that he be kept there for at least six months, + without being taken out, save for the purpose of having his bed + cleansed or renewed. His owner had previously made up his mind to have + him destroyed; understanding, however, from me, that there still + remained a chance of his recovery, he ordered his groom to procure a + proper basket, and see that the dog's confinement was such as I had + prescribed. The man asked me to allow him to have his kennel, which, + being no larger than was requisite for him, I did not object to; and + to this he had an iron lattice-door made, converting it into a sort of + wild beast cage. After two months' confinement, I had him let out for + a short run, and perceived evident amendment. I believe altogether + that he was imprisoned five months, and then was found so much + improved that I had him chained to his kennel for the remaining month, + and this, I believe, was continued for another month. The issue was + the complete recovery of the animal, very much to the gratification + and joy of his master, by whom he is regarded as a kind of unique or + unobtainable production.<br> +<br> + "The fractures of dogs and other animals must, of course, be treated + in accordance with all the circumstances of their cases; but I have + always considered it a most essential part of their treatment that + such portable patients as dogs and cats, &c., should be placed and + kept in a state of confinement, where they either could not, or were + not likely to, use or move the fractured parts; and, moreover, I have + thought that failure, where it has resulted after such treatment, has + arisen from its not having been sufficiently long persisted in."</blockquote> + +<a name="I271">In</a> the opinion of Professor Simonds, when there is fracture of the bones +of the extremities, a starch bandage is the best that can be employed. +If applied wet, it adapts itself to the irregularities of the limbs; and +if allowed to remain on twelve hours undisturbed, it forms a complete +case for the part, and affords more equal support than anything else +that can possibly be used.<br> +<br> +<a name="I144">The</a> following case was one of considerable interest. It came under the +care of Professor Simonds. Two gentlemen were playing at quoits, and the +dog of one of them was struck on the head by a quoit, and supposed to be +killed. His owner took him up, and found that he was not dead, although +dreadfully injured. It being near the Thames, his owner took him to the +edge of the river, and dashed some water over him, and he rallied a +little. Professor Simonds detected a fracture of the skull, with +pressure on the brain, arising from a portion of depressed bone. The dog +was perfectly unconscious, frequently moaning, quite incapable of +standing, and continually turning round upon his belly, his straw, or +his bed. It was a case of coma; he took no food, and the pulsation at +the heart was very indistinct. + +<blockquote>"I told the proprietor that there was no chance of recovery except by + an operation; and, even then, I thought it exceedingly doubtful. I was + desired to operate, and I took him home.<br> +<br> + "The head was now almost twice as large as when the accident occurred, + proceeding from a quantity of coagulated blood that had been effused + under the skin covering the skull. I gave him a dose of aperient + medicine, and on the following morning commenced my operation.<br> +<br> + "The hair was clipped from the head, and an incision carried + immediately from between the eye-brows to the back part of the skull, + in the direction of the sagittal suture. Another incision was made + from this towards the root of the ear. This triangular flap was then + turned back, in order to remove the coagulated blood and make a + thorough exposure of the skull. I was provided with a trephine, + thinking that only a portion of the bone had been depressed on the + brain, and it would be necessary, with that instrument, to separate it + from its attachment, and then with an elevator remove it; but I found + that the greater part of the parietal bone was depressed, and that the + fracture extended along the sagittal suture from the coronal and + lamdoidal sutures. At three-fourths of the width of the bone, the + fracture ran parallel with the sagittal suture, and this large portion + was depressed upon the tunics of the brain, the <i>dura mater</i> being + considerably lacerated. The depressed bone was raised with an + elevator, and I found, from its lacerated edges and the extent of the + mischief done, that it was far wiser to remove it entirely, than to + allow it to remain and take the chance of its uniting.<br> +<br> + "<a name="frb1">In</a> a few days, the dog began to experience relief from the operation, + and to be somewhat conscious of what was taking place around him. He + still requires care and attention, and proper medicinal agents to be + administered from time to time; but with the exception of occasionally + turning round when on the floor, he takes his food well, and obeys his + master's call."<a href="#fb1"><sup>1</sup></a></blockquote><br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="fb1"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>Trans. Vet. Med. Assoc</i>., i. 51.<br> +<a href="#frb1">return to footnote mark</a> + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + +<h2><a name="section17">Chapter XVII — Medicines Used in the Diseases of the Dog</a></h2> +<br> +These are far more numerous and complicated than would, on the first +consideration of them, be imagined. The Veterinary Surgeon has a long +list of them, suited to the wants and dangers, imaginary or real, of his +patients; and he who is not scientifically acquainted with them, will +occasionally blunder in the choice of remedies, or the application of +the means of cure which he adopts. Little attention may, perhaps, be +paid to the medical treatment of the dog; yet it requires not a little +study and experience. I will endeavour to give a short account of the +drugs, and mode of using them, generally employed.<br> +<br> +<a name="I190">The</a> administering of medicines to dogs is, generally speaking, simple +and safe, if a little care is taken about the matter, and especially if +two persons are employed in the operation. The one should be sitting +with the dog between his knees, and the hinder part of the animal +resting on the floor. The mouth is forced open by the pressure of the +fore-finger and thumb upon the lips of the upper jaw, and the medicine +can be conveniently introduced with the other hand, and passed +sufficiently far into the throat to insure its not being returned. The +mouth should be closed and kept so, until the bolus has been seen to +pass down. Mr. Blaine thus describes the difference between the +administration of liquid and solid medicines: + +<blockquote>"A little attention will +prevent all danger. A ball or bolus should be passed completely over the +root of the tongue, and pushed some way backward and forward. When a +liquid is given, if the quantity is more than can be swallowed at one +effort, it should be removed from the mouth at each deglutition, or the +dog may be strangled. Balls of a soft consistence, and those composed of +nauseous ingredients, should be wrapped in thin paper, or they may +disgust the dog and produce sickness."</blockquote> + +Dogs labouring under disease should be carefully nursed: more depends on +this than many persons seem to be aware. A warm and comfortable bed is +of a great deal more consequence than many persons who are fond of their +dogs imagine. Cleanliness is also an essential point. Harshness of +manner and unkind treatment will evidently aggravate many of their +complaints. I have sometimes witnessed an angry word spoken to a healthy +dog produce instant convulsions in a distempered one that happened to be +near; and the fits that come on spontaneously in distemper, almost +instantly leave the dog by soothing notice of him.<br><br> +<br> + +<br> +<table summary="Canine medications heading" width="100%" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="20"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td width="20%"><b><i><a name="I191">Medication</a></i></b></td> + <td width="70%">Application</td> +</tr> +</table> +<table summary="Canine medications" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="20" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td width="20%"><b><i>Acidum Acetum (Vinegar)</i></b></td> + <td width ="80%"><a name="I289">This</a> is useful for <b>sprains, bruises, and fomentations</b>.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Acidum Nitricum (Nitric Acid; Aqua Fortis)</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I20">This</a> may be used with +advantage to destroy <b>warts or fungous excrescences.</b> A little of the acid +should be dropped on the part and bound tightly down. The protuberance +will slough off and healthy granulations will spring up. A surer +application, however, is the <b><i>nitrate of silver</i></b>.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Acidum Hydrocyanicum (Prussic Acid)</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I161">This</a> is an excellent application +for the purpose of allaying <b>irritation of the skin</b> in dogs; but it must +be very carefully watched. I have seen a drachm of it diluted with a +pint of distilled water, rapidly allay cuticular inflammation. The +dreadful degree of itching which had been observed during the last two +or three years yielded to this application alone; and to that it has +almost invariably yielded, a little patience being used.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i><a name="I2">Acupuncturation</a></i></b></td> + <td>is a practice lately introduced into veterinary +surgery. It denotes the insertion of a needle into the skin or flesh of +a person or animal suffering severely from some <b>neuralgic</b> affection. The +needle is small and sharp: it is introduced by a slight pressure and +semi-rotating motion between the thumb and forefinger, and afterwards +withdrawn with the same motion. This should always employ a quarter of +an hour at least, and in cases of very great pain it should continue two +hours; but when the object is to afford an exit to the fluid collected, +mere puncture is sufficient. It is attended with very little pain; and +therefore it may be employed at least with safety if not with advantage. +The operation was known and practised in Japan, many years ago; but it +was only in the seventeenth century that its singular value was +ascertained. In 1810 some trials of it were made in Paris, and M. Chenel +look the lead. He had a young dog that he had cured of distemper, except +that a spasmodic affection of the left hind leg remained. He applied a +needle, and with fair success. He failed with another dog; but M. +Prevost, of Geneva, relieved two mares from rheumatism, and an entire +horse that had been lame sixteen months. In the Veterinary School at +Lyons acupuncturation was tried on two dogs. One had chorea, and the +other chronic paralysis of the muscles of the neck. The operation had no +effect on the first; the other came out of the hospital completely +cured. In the following year acupuncturation was tried without success +in the same school. Four horses and two dogs were operated upon in vain. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i><a name="I4">Adeps</a> (Hog's Lard)</i></b></td> + <td>forms the basis of all our <b>ointments</b>. It is +tasteless, inodorous and free from every stimulating quality. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Alcohol (Rectified Spirit)</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I7">This</a> is principally used in <b>tinctures</b>, +and seldom or never administered to the dog in a pure state.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Aloes, Barbadoes</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I8">From</a> these are formed the safest and best <b>aperients</b> +for the dog — consisting of powdered aloes, eight parts; antimonial +powder, one part; ginger, one part; and palm oil, five parts; beaten +well together, and the size of the ball varying from half a drachm to +two drachms, and a ball administered every fourth or fifth hour. Mr. +Blaine considers it to be the safest general purgative. He says that +such is the peculiarity of the bowels of the dog, that while a man can +take with impunity as much calomel as would kill two large dogs, a +moderate-sized dog will take a quantity of aloes sufficient to destroy +two stout men. The smallest dog can take 15 or 20 grains; half a drachm +is seldom too much; but the smaller dose had better be tried first, for +hundreds of dogs are every year destroyed by temerity in this +particular. Medium-sized dogs usually require a drachm; and some large +dogs have taken two or even three drachms.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Alteratives</i></b></td> + <td>are <a name="I9">medicines</a> that effect some <b>slow change</b> in the diseased +action of certain parts, without interfering with the food or work. The +most useful consist of five parts of sublimed sulphur, one of nitre, one +of linseed meal, and two of lard or palm oil.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Alum</i></b></td> + <td>is a <a name="I10">powerful</a> <b>astringent</b>, whether employed externally or +internally. It is occasionally administered in doses of from 10 to 15 +grains in obstinate diarrhœa. In some obstinate cases, alum whey has +been employed in the form of a clyster. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Oxide of Antimony</i></b></td> + <td>in <a name="I17">the</a> form of a compound powder, and under the +name of James's powder, is employed as a <b>sudorific</b>, or to cause a +<b>determination to the skin</b>.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i><a name="I122">Antimonii</a> Potassio Tartras (Tartar Emetic)</i></b></td> + <td>besides its effect on +the <b>skin</b>, is a useful <b>nauseant</b>, and invaluable in <b>inflammation of the +lungs and catarrhal affections</b> of every kind. The <i>Black <a name="I18">Sesquisulphuret</a> +of Antimony</i> is a compound of sulphur and antimony, and an excellent +<b>alterative</b>.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Argenti Nitras — Nitrate of Silver (Lunar Caustic)</i></b></td> + <td>I <a name="I60">have</a> already +strongly advocated the employment of this caustic for <b>empoisoned wounds +and bites of rabid animals</b>. In my opinion it supersedes the use of every +other caustic, and generally of the knife. I have also given it +internally as a <b>tonic</b> to the dog, in cases of <b>chorea</b>, in doses from an +eighth to a quarter of a grain. A dilute solution may be employed as an +<b>excitant to wounds</b>, in which the healing process has become sluggish. +For this purpose, ten grains or more may be dissolved in a fluid ounce +of distilled water. A few fibres of tow dipped in this solution, being +drawn through the channel which is left on the removal of a seton, +quickly <b>excite the healing action</b>. Occasionally one or two drops of this +solution may be introduced into the eye for the purpose of removing +<b>opalescence of the cornea</b>. In cases of <b>fungoid matter </b>being thrown out +on the cornea, the fungus may be touched with a rod of nitrate of +silver, and little pain will follow. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i><a name="I27">Peruvian Bark</a></i></b></td> + <td>or its active principle the <b><i>disulphate of quina</i></b>, is +a valuable tonic in <b>distemper</b>, especially when combined with the <b><i>iodide +of iron</i></b>; the iron increasing with the general <b>tone</b> of the system, and +the iodine acting as a <b>stimulant</b> to the absorbents.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Blisters</i></b></td> + <td>are occasionally useful or indispensable in some of the +casualties and diseases to which the dog is liable. They are mostly of +the same description, and act upon the same principles as in the horse, +whether in the form of <b>plaster</b>, or <b>ointment</b>, or<b> stimulating fluid</b>. +<a name="I39">Blisters</a> can be kept on the dog with difficulty: nothing short of a wire +muzzle will suffice; Mr. Blaine says, that for very large dogs, he used +to be compelled to make use of a perforated tin one. The judgment of the +practitioner will determine in these cases, as well as with regard to +the horse, whether the desired effect should be produced by severe +measures or by those of a milder character, by active blisters or by +milder stimulants; the difficulty of the measures to be adopted, and the +degree of punishment that may be inflicted, being never forgotten by the +operator.<br> +<br> +<a name="frc1">We</a> have stated in our work on the Horse, that "the art of blistering +consists in cutting or rather shaving the hair perfectly close; then +well rubbing in the ointment, and afterwards, and, what is the greatest +consequence of all, plastering a little more of the ointment lightly +over the part, and leaving it. As soon as the vesicles have perfectly +risen, which will be in twenty or twenty-four hours, the torture of the +animal may be somewhat relieved by the application of olive or +neat's-foot oil, or any emollient ointment.<br> +<br> +"<a name="I40">An</a> infusion of two ounces of the cantharides in a pint of oil of +turpentine, for several days, is occasionally used as a languid blister; +and when sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a <i>sweating</i> +oil, for it maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflammation on +the skin, yet not sufficient to blister; and thus gradually abates or +removes some old or deep inflammation, or cause of lameness."<a href="#fc1"><sup>1</sup></a><br> +<br> +<b><i>Iodine</i></b> in various cases is now rapidly superseding the cantharides and +the turpentine.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Calomel</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I50">Sufficient</a> has been said of this <b>dangerous</b> medicine in the +course of the present work. I should rarely think of exhibiting it, +except in small doses for the purpose of producing that specific +influence on the <b>liver</b>, which we know to be the peculiar property of +this drug. In large doses it will to a certain extent produce vomiting; +and, if it finds its way into the intestines, it acts as a powerful +drastic purgative.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Castor Oil (Oleum Ricini)'</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I56">This</a> is a most valuable medicine. It is +usually combined with the <b><i>syrup of buckthorn and white poppies</i></b>, in the +proportions of three parts of the oil to two of the buckthorn and one of +the poppy-syrup; which form a combination of ingredients in which the +oleaginous, stimulant, and narcotic ingredients happily blend.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Catechu</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I59">This</a> is an extract from the wood of an acacia-tree <i>(Acacia +catechu)</i>, and possesses a powerful <b>astringent</b> property. It is given in +cases of <b>superpurgation</b>, united with <b><i>opium, chalk, and powdered gum</i></b>. A +<b>tincture</b> of it is very useful for the purpose of hastening the <b>healing</b> +principle of wounds. Professor Morton says, that he considers it as the +most valuable of the vegetable astringents.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Clysters</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I73">Professor</a> Morton gives an account of the use of clysters. +The objects, he says, for which they are administered, are: + +<ol type="1"> +<li>To empty +the bowels of fæces: thus they act as an <b>aperient</b>. Also, to induce a +<b>cathartic</b> to commence its operations, when, from want of exercise or due +preparation, it is tardy in producing the desired effect. Clysters +operate in a twofold way: first, by softening the contents of the +intestines; and, secondly, by exciting an irritation in one portion of +the canal which is communicated throughout the whole; hence they become +valuable when the nature and progress of the disease require a quick +evacuation of the bowels. The usual enema is warm water, but this may be +rendered more stimulating by the addition of salt, oil, or aloes.<br><br></li> + +<li>For +the purpose of <b>killing worms</b> that are found in the rectum and large +intestines: in this case it is usually of an oleaginous nature.<br><br></li> + +<li>For +<b>restraining diarrhœa</b>: sedatives and astringents being then employed.<br><br></li> + +<li> +For <b>nourishing</b> the body when food cannot be received by the mouth. Gruel +is generally the aliment thus given.<br><br></li> + +<li>For allaying <b>spasms</b> in the +stomach and bowels.</li> +</ol></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Copper</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I79">Both</a> the verdigris, or subacetate, and the blue vitriol of +sulphate of copper, are now comparatively rarely used. They are employed +either in the form of a fine powder, or mixed with an equal quantity of +the acetate of lead in order to <b>destroy proud flesh or stimulate old +ulcers</b>. They also form a part of the ægyptiacum of the farrier. There +are many better drugs to accomplish the same purpose.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Creosote</i></b></td> + <td>is <a name="I85">seldom</a> used for the dog. We have applications quite as +good and less dangerous. It may be employed as a very gentle <b>excitant +and antiseptic.</b></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Creta Preparata (Chalk)</i></b></td> + <td>in <a name="I63">combination</a> with <b><i>ginger, catechu, and +opium</i></b>, is exceedingly useful; indeed, it is our most valuable medicine +in all cases of <b>purging</b>, and particularly the purging of distemper.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Digitalis</i></b></td> + <td>is <a name="I94">an</a> exceedingly valuable drug. It is a direct and powerful +<b>sedative</b>, a mild <b>diuretic</b>, and useful in every <b>inflammatory and febrile</b> +complaint.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Gentian and Ginger</i></b></td> + <td>are <a name="I146">both</a> valuable; the first as a stomachic and +tonic, and the last as a cordial and tonic. It is occasionally +necessary, or at least desirable, to draw this distinction between them. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Chloride of Lime</i></b></td> + <td>is a <a name="I68">useful</a> application for <b>ill-conditioned wounds</b> +and for the frequent <b>cleansing</b> of the kennel.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Epsom Salts, or Sulphate of Magnesia</i></b></td> + <td>are <a name="I126">mild</a> yet effective in +their action: with regard to cattle and sheep, they supersede every +other <b>aperient</b>; for the dog, however, they must yield to the castor-oil +mixture.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Mercury</i></b></td> + <td>The <a name="I193">common</a> mercurial ointment is now comparatively little +used. It has given way to the different preparations of <b><i>iodine</i></b>. In +direct and virulent <b>mange</b>, it is yet, however, employed under the form +of calomel, and combined with <b><i>aloes</i></b>, but in very small doses, never +exceeding three grains. It is also useful in <b>farcy</b> and <b>jaundice</b>. The +corrosive sublimate is occasionally used for mange in the dog, and to +destroy vermin; but it is a very uncertain and dangerous medicine.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Palm Oil</i></b></td> + <td><a name="I212">would</a> be an excellent <b>emollient</b>, if it were not so frequently +adulterated with turmeric root in powder. It is far milder than the +common lard.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Nitrate of Potash</i></b></td> + <td>is a <a name="I198">valuable</a> cooling and mild <b>diuretic</b>, in doses of +eight or ten grains.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Sulphur</i></b></td> + <td>is <a name="I274">the</a> basis of ihe most effectual applications for <b>mange</b>. It +is a good <b>alterative</b>, combined usually with <b><i>antimonials and nitre</i></b>, and +particularly useful in mange, surfeit, grease, hide-bound, and want of +condition.</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>Turpentine</i></b></td> + <td> is an <a name="I285">excellent</a> <b>diuretic and antispasmodic</b>; it is also a +most effectual sweating blister and highly useful in strains. +</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><i>The Sulphate of Zinc</i></b></td> + <td> is <a name="I303">valuable</a> as an<b> excitant to wounds</b>, and +promotes <b>adhesion</b> between divided surfaces and the <i>radix</i>. +</td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> +<br> +<hr width="50%" align="left"><br> +<br> +<a name="fc1"><span style="color: #FF0000;">Footnote 1:</span></a> <i>The Horse</i>, p. 501.<br> +<a href="#frc1">return to footnote mark</a><br> + + +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h3><a name="appendix">Appendix — The New Laws of Coursing</a></h3> +<br> +'As Revised and Enlarged at a Meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen, held at +the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's Street, June 1, 1839'.<br> +<br> +<ol type="I"> + +<li>Two stewards shall be appointed by the members at dinner each day, to +act in the field the following day, and to preside at dinner. They shall +regulate the plan of beating the ground, under the sanction of the owner +or occupier of the soil.</li> + +<li>Three or five members, including the secretary for the time being, +shall form a Committee of Management, and shall name a person, for the +approbation of the members, to judge all courses — all doubtful cases +shall be referred to them.</li> + +<li>All courses shall be from slips, by a brace of greyhounds only.</li> + +<li>The time of putting the first brace of dogs in the slips shall be +declared at dinner on the day preceding. If a prize is to be run for, +and only one dog is ready, he shall run a by, and his owner shall +receive forfeit: should neither be ready, the course shall be run when +the Committee shall think fit. In a match, if only one dog be ready, his +owner shall receive forfeit; if neither be present, the match shall be +placed the last in the list.</li> + +<li>If any person shall enter a greyhound by a name different from that +in which he last appeared in public, without giving notice of such +alteration, he shall be disqualified from winning, and shall forfeit his +match.</li> + +<li>No greyhounds shall be entered as puppies unless born on or after +the 1st of January of the year preceding the day of running.</li> + +<li>Any member, or other person, running a greyhound at the meeting, +having a dog at large which shall join in the course then running, shall +forfeit one sovereign; and, if belonging to either of the parties +running, the course shall be decided against him.</li> + +<li>The judge ought to be in a position where he can see the dogs +leave the slips, and to decide by the colour of the dogs to a person +appointed for that purpose: his decision shall be final.</li> + +<li>If, in running for prizes, the judge shall be of opinion that the +course has not been of sufficient length to enable him to decide as to +the merits of the dogs, he shall inquire of the Committee whether he is +to decide the course or not; if in the negative, the dogs shall be +immediately put again into the slips.</li> + +<li>The judge shall not answer any questions put to him regarding a +course, unless such questions are asked by the Committee.</li> + +<li>If any member make any observation in the hearing of the judge +respecting a course, during the time of running, or before he shall have +delivered his judgment, he shall forfeit one sovereign to the fund; and, +if either dog be his own, he shall lose the course. If he impugn the +decision of the judge, he shall forfeit two sovereigns.</li> + +<li>When a course of an average length is so equally divided that the +judge shall be unable to decide it, the owners of the dogs may toss for +it; but, if either refuse, the dogs shall be again put in the slips, at +such time as the Committee may think fit; but, if either dog be drawn, +the winning dog shall not be obliged to run again.</li> + +<li>In running a match the judge may declare the course to be +undecided.</li> + +<li>If a member shall enter more than one greyhound, <i>bonâ fide</i> his +own property, for a prize, his dogs shall not run together, if it be +possible to avoid it; and, if two greyhounds, the property of the same +member, remain to the last tie, he may run it out or draw either, as he +shall think fit.</li> + +<li>When dogs engaged are of the same colour, the last drawn shall wear +a collar.</li> + +<li>If a greyhound stand still in a course when a hare is in his or her +sight, the owner shall lose the course; but, if a greyhound drops from +exhaustion, and it shall be the opinion of the judge that the merit up +to the time of falling was greatly in his or her favour, then the judge +shall have power to award the course to the greyhound so falling, if he +think fit.</li> + +<li>Should two hares be on foot, and the dogs separate before reaching +the hare slipped at, the course shall be undecided, and shall be run +over again at such time as the Committee shall think fit, unless the +owners of the dogs agree to toss for it, or to draw one dog; and if the +dogs separate after running some time, it shall be at the discretion of +the Committee whether the course shall be decided up to the point of +separation.</li> + +<li>A course shall end if either dog be so unsighted as to cause an +impediment in the course.</li> + +<li>If any member or his servant ride over his opponent's dog when +running, so as to injure him in the course, the dog so ridden over shall +be deemed to win the course.</li> + +<li>It is recommended to all union meetings to appoint a committee of +five, consisting of members of different clubs, to determine all +difficulties and cases of doubt.</li> +</ol><br> +<br> +<b>'<a name="I84">The</a> following general rules are recommended to judges for their +guidance:'</b><br> +<br> +The features of merit are:<br> +<br> +<ul> + +<li>The race from slips, and the first turn or wrench of the hare (provided +it be a fair slip), and a straight run-up.</li> + +<li>Where one dog gives the other a go-by when both are in their full speed, +and turns or wrenches the hare. (N. B. If one dog be in the stretch, and +the other only turning at the time he passes, it is not a fair go-by.)</li> + +<li>Where one dog turns the hare when she is leading homewards, and keeps +the lead so as to serve himself, and makes a second turn of the hare +without losing the lead.</li> + +<li>A catch or kill of the hare, when she is running straight and leading +homewards, is fully equal to a turn of the hare when running in the same +direction, or perhaps more, if he show the speed over the other dog in +doing it. If a dog draws the fleck from the hare, and causes her to +wrench or rick only, it is equal to a turn of the hare when leading +homewards.</li> + +<li>When a dog wrenches or ricks a hare twice following, without losing the +lead, it is equal to a turn.</li> +</ul><br> +<br> + +<i>N. B.</i> It often happens when a hare has been turned, and she is running +from home, that she turns of her own accord to gain ground homeward, +when both dogs are on the stretch after her; in such a case the judge +should not give the leading dog a turn.<br> +<br> +There are often other minor advantages in a course, such as one dog +showing occasional superiority of speed, turning on less ground, and +running the whole course with more fire than his opponent, which must be +led to the discretion of the judge, who is to decide on the merits.<br> +<br> +<br> +<b><a name="I83">LOCAL</a> RULES.</b><br> +<br> +<ol type="I"> + +<li>The number of members shall be regulated by the letters in the +Alphabet, and the two junior members shall take the letters X and Z, if +required.</li> + +<li>The members shall be elected by ballot, seven to constitute a +ballot, and two black balls to exclude.</li> + +<li>The name of every person proposed to be balloted for as a member, +shall be placed over the chimney-piece one day before the ballot can +take place.</li> + +<li>No proposition shall be balloted for unless put up over the +chimney-piece, with the names of the proposer and seconder, at or before +dinner preceding the day of the ballot, and read to the members at such +dinner.</li> + +<li>Every member shall, at each meeting, run a greyhound his own +property, or forfeit a sovereign to the Club.</li> + +<li>No member shall be allowed to match more than two greyhounds in the +first class, under a penalty of two sovereigns to the fund, unless such +member has been drawn or run out for the prizes, in which case he shall +be allowed to run three dogs in the first class.</li> + +<li>If any member shall absent himself two seasons without sending his +subscription, he shall be deemed out of the Society, and another chosen +in his place.</li> + +<li>No greyhound shall be allowed to start if any arrears are due to +this Society from the owner.</li> + +<li>Any member lending another a greyhound for the purpose of saving his +forfeit (excepting by consent of the members present) shall forfeit five +sovereigns.</li> + +<li>Any member running the dog of a stranger in a match shall cause the +name of the owner to be inserted after his own name in the list, under a +penalty of one sovereign.</li> + +<li>No stranger shall be admitted into the Society's room, unless +introduced by a member, who shall place the name of his friend over the +chimney-piece, with his own attached to it; and no member shall +introduce more than one friend.</li> + +<li> The members of the [erased] Clubs shall be honorary members of +this Society, and when present shall be allowed to run their greyhounds +on payment of the annual subscription.</li> + +<li>This Society to meet on the [erased] in [erased], and course on +the [erased] following days.</li> +</ol> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + +<h2><a name="index">Index (including the Editor's Additions)</a></h2> +<br> +<p> +<a href="#a">A</a> - +<a href="#b">B</a> - +<a href="#c">C</a> - +<a href="#d">D</a> - +<a href="#e">E</a> - +<a href="#f">F</a> - +<a href="#g">G</a> - +<a href="#h">H</a> - +<a href="#i">I</a> - +<a href="#j">J</a> - +<a href="#k">K</a> - +<a href="#l">L</a> - +<a href="#m">M</a> - +<a href="#n">N</a> - +<a href="#o">O</a> - +<a href="#p">P</a> - +<a href="#r">R</a> - +<a href="#s">S</a> - +<a href="#t">T</a> - +<a href="#u">U</a> - +<a href="#v">V</a> - +<a href="#w">W</a> - +<a href="#y">Y</a> - +<a href="#z">Z</a> + </p> + +<! — Use these named anchors as link targets to index the page: — > +<div id="targets"> + +<a name="a"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Acupuncturation</b></td> + <td><a href="#I1">used in neuralgic affections</a><br> + <a href="#I2">mode of performing</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Adam, Mr.</b></td> + <td><a href="#I3">on fungus hæmatodes</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Adeps</b></td> + <td><a href="#I4">the basis of all ointments</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Affection</b></td> + <td><a href="#I304">of dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>African wild dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#I5">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Agasæi</b></td> + <td><a href="#I6">British hunting dogs, description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Age</b></td> + <td><a href="#ageind">the indications of</a><br> + <a href="#I305">of the pointer</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Albanian dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#albanian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alcohol</b></td> + <td><a href="#I7">only used in tinctures</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alexander the Great</b></td> + <td><a href="#I306">dog sent to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alicant dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#andalusian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Aloes</b></td> + <td><a href="#I8">Barbadoes, the best purgative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alpine spaniel</b></td> + <td><a href="#bernardine">description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alteratives</b></td> + <td><a href="#I9">the most useful</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Alum</b></td> + <td><a href="#I10">a powerful astringent</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Amaurosis</b></td> + <td><a href="#amaur">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I307">causes and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>American wild dogs</b></td> + <td><a href="#I11">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Anæmia</b></td> + <td><a href="#I12">description of</a><br> + <a href="#I14">causes of</a><br> + <i>post-mortem</i> <a href="#I13">appearances</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Anasarca</b></td> + <td><a href="#I15">nature of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Andalusian dog,</b></td> + <td><a href="#andalusian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Angina</b></td> + <td><a href="#I16">nature of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Antimony</b></td> + <td> <a href="#I17">the oxide of</a>, a sudorific<br> + the black <a href="#I18">sesquisulphuret</a> of, an alterative</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Anubis</b></td> + <td><a href="#I19">an Egyptian deity with the head of a dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Anus</b></td> + <td><a href="#polypother">polypus in the</a><br> + <a href="#fistanus">fistula in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Aquafortis</b></td> + <td><a href="#I20">a caustic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Arctic</b></td> + <td><a href="#I308">fox</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Argus</b></td> + <td><a href="#I21">the dog of Ulysses</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Arrian</b></td> + <td><a href="#fr11">on hunting</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Artois dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#artois">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Ascarides</b></td> + <td><a href="#worms">a species of worms</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Ascites</b></td> + <td><i>see</i> <a href="#dropsy">Dropsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Attention</b></td> + <td><a href="#I22">an important faculty</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Auscultation <a href="#I23">(1</a>) (<a href="#I24">2</a>) (<a href="#I25">3</a>) (<a href="#I26">4</a>)</b></td> + <td>use of</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Australasian dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#dingo">description of the</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + +<a name="b"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Barbary dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#barbary">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Barbet</b></td> + <td><a href="#barbet">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bark</b></td> + <td><a href="#I27">Peruvian, a valuable tonic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Barry</b></td> + <td><a href="#I28">a celebrated Bernardine dog, anecdote of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bath</b></td> + <td><a href="#fitsbirth">use of in puerperal fits</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Beagle</b></td> + <td><a href="#beagle">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bell</b></td> + <td><a href="#I29">Professor, opinion on the origin of the dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bengal</b></td> + <td><a href="#I309">le braque de</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bernardine dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#bernardine">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Billy</b></td> + <td><a href="#I30">a celebrated terrier</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bladder</b></td> + <td><a href="#bladinf">inflammation of the</a><br> + <a href="#rupblad">rupture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Blain</b></td> + <td><a href="#blain">nature, causes, treatment, and 'post-mortem' appearances of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Blaine, Mr.</b></td> + <td>opinion <a href="#I31">on kennel lameness</a> + <a href="#fr92">on tetanus</a><br> + <a href="#I32">on dropsy</a><br> + <a href="#I33">on calculus</a><br> + <a href="#I34">on distemper</a><br> + <a href="#I35">on mange</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bleeding</b></td> + <td><a href="#I38">best place for</a><br> + <a href="#bleed">directions for</a><br> + <a href="#I36">useful in epilepsy</a><br> + <a href="#I37">useful in distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Blenheim spaniel</b></td> + <td><a href="#blenheim">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#spaniel">illustration of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Blindness</b></td> + <td><a href="#cblind">congenital</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Blisters</b></td> + <td>uses of (many and various)<br> + <a href="#I40">composition</a><br> + <a href="#I39">mode of applying and guarding</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bloodhound</b></td> + <td><a href="#blood">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Brain</b></td> + <td><a href="#I41">comparative bulk of in different animals</a><br> + <a href="#I42">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Brazen</b></td> + <td><a href="#I310">dog of Jupiter</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#earlytraining">Breaking-in of hounds</a></b></td> + <td><a href="#I43">cruelty disadvantageous</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Breeding of greyhounds</b></td> + <td><a href="#I44">should always be permitted</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>British hunting-dogs</b></td> + <td><a href="#I6">Agasæi, description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bronchocele</b></td> + <td><a href="#goître">nature of</a> <br> + <a href="#I45">causes and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Búánsú</b></td> + <td><a href="#Nepâl">or Nepâl dog, description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Buffon</b></td> + <td>opinion as to the origin of the dog (<a href="#turkish">1</a>) (<a href="#shockdog">2</a>) (<a href="#barbary">3</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bull-dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#bulldog">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I46"> crossed with the greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Bull terrier</b></td> + <td><a href="#bullterr">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Byron</b></td> + <td><a href="#I311">Lord, his opinion of the dog's memory</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="c"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cæcum</b></td> + <td><a href="#I47">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Calculus</b></td> + <td><a href="#calcon">nature, causes, and treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#calintest"> in the intestines, causes of</a><br> + cases (<a href="#I48">1</a>) (<a href="#I49">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Calomel</b></td> + <td>a dangerous medicine (<a href="#remed">1</a>) (<a href="#I50">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#fr93"> should not be used in enteritis</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cancer</b></td> + <td><a href="#cancer">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I51">treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Canine</b></td> + <td><a href="#pathintro">pathology, Introduction to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Canis</b></td> + <td><a href="#I52">genus</a><br> + <a href="#I308">Lagopus</a><br> + Latrans (<a href="#I312">1</a>) (<a href="#I313">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Canker in the ear</b></td> + <td>causes, symptoms and treatment of (<a href="#cankear">1</a>) (<a href="#cankear2">2</a>)<br> + cases of (<a href="#I53">1</a>) (<a href="#I54">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Canker</b></td> + <td><a href="#cankflap">of the flap</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Canute</b></td> + <td><a href="#I55">laws concerning greyhounds by</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Captain Lyon's</b></td> + <td><a href="#I314">account of the Esquimaux dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cardia</b></td> + <td><a href="#section12">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Castor oil</b></td> + <td><a href="#I56">a valuable purgative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Castration</b></td> + <td><a href="#castrat">proper time for</a><br> + <a href="#I57">mode of performing</a><br> + <a href="#I58">not recommended</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Catechu</b></td> + <td><a href="#I59">an astringent</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Catlin's</b></td> + <td><a href="#I315">remarks on the Indian dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Caustic</b></td> + <td><a href="#I60">lunar, the best</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cayotte</b></td> + <td><a href="#I61">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chabert</b></td> + <td><a href="#I62">anecdote of the dog of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chalk</b></td> + <td><a href="#I63">an astringent</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Charles I</b></td> + <td><a href="#I64">anecdote of the dog of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Charles II's spaniel</b></td> + <td><a href="#kcspaniel">description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chesapeake bay</b></td> + <td><a href="#I316">ducks of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chest</b></td> + <td><a href="#section11">anatomy and diseases of the</a><br> + <a href="#I65">proper form of, in the greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#I66"> in the fox-hound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chest-founder</b></td> + <td><a href="#I67">nature, causes, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chloride of lime</b></td> + <td><a href="#I68">uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chorea</b></td> + <td><a href="#chorea">nature of, causes, treatment</a><br> + <a href="#I69">cases</a><br> + <a href="#I70"> in distemper</a><br> +<a href="#I317">accidental cure of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chronic opthalmia</b></td> + <td><a href="#copth">causes and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Chryseus scylex</b></td> + <td><a href="#dhole">or dhole, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Claims</b></td> + <td><a href="#predis">of dogs upon us</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Claret</b></td> + <td><a href="#I71">a celebrated greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Classification</b></td> + <td><a href="#section1">zoological</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Climate</b></td> + <td><a href="#I72">effect of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Clysters</b></td> + <td><a href="#I73">uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Coach-dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#dalmatian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cocker</b></td> + <td><a href="#I318">description of the method of breaking the</a><br> + <a href="#I318">his style of hunting</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Colic</b></td> + <td><a href="#colic">causes, symptoms, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#I321">Collyria</a></b></td> + +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Colon</b></td> + <td><a href="#I74">the</a><br> + <a href="#I75">rupture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Colonel</b></td> + <td><a href="#I320">Hawker's account of dog-stealing</a><br> + <a href="#I319">Thornton's Spanish pointer</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Colour</b></td> + <td><a href="#I76">of the greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#I77"> of the pointer</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Congenital</b></td> + <td><a href="#cblind">blindness</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Constipation</b></td> + <td>causes and treatment of (<a href="#I78">1</a>) (<a href="#costent">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Copper</b></td> + <td><a href="#I79">preparations of, and their uses</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cornea</b></td> + <td><a href="#ulccor">ulceration of the</a><br> + <a href="#spotcor">spots on the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Coryza</b></td> + <td><a href="#I80">the early stage of distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Costiveness</b></td> + <td>causes and treatment of (<a href="#I78">1</a>) (<a href="#costent">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#costent">means of preventing</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cough</b></td> + <td><a href="#spascou">spasmodic, nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Coursing</b></td> + <td><a href="#I81">Ovid's description of</a><br> + <a href="#I82">anecdotes of</a><br> + <a href="#appendix">laws of</a><br> + <a href="#I84">general rules for the guidance of judges</a><br> + <a href="#I83">local rules</a><br> +<a href="#I322">ancient mode of</a><br> + <a href="#I323">Gay's poems descriptive of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Creosote</b></td> + <td><a href="#I85">a dangerous medicine</a><br> + <a href="#I86">useful in canker</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Creta</b></td> + <td><a href="#I63">an astringent</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#cropping">Cropping of the ears</a></b></td> + <td><a href="#cropping">deafness frequently caused by</a><br> + <a href="#cropear">disapproved of</a><br> + <a href="#cropear">proper method of</a><br> +<a href="#cropping">a barbarous fancy</a><br> + <a href="#I324"> recommended by Mr. Skinner</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cross-breeding</b></td> + <td><a href="#I87">effect of</a> + <p><a href="#I325">of dog with fox</a><br> + between the wolf and:<br> +<a href="#I326">opinions of the Cynegetical writers respecting</a><br> + <a href="#I29">opinions of the moderns</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cuba</b></td> + <td><a href="#I88">mastiff of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cur</b></td> + <td><a href="#cur">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cure</b></td> + <td><a href="#remed">of diseases, remedial means for</a><br> + <a href="#I317">of chorea, accidental</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cyprus</b></td> + <td><a href="#fr25">greyhounds of, described</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Cynosaurus cristatus</b></td> + <td><a href="#I89">an useful emetic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Czarina</b></td> + <td><a href="#I90">a celebrated greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="d"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dakhun wild dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#dakhun">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dalmatian dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#dalmatian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Daniel Lambert's dogs</b></td> + <td><a href="#I327">their price &c.</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Danish</b></td> + <td><a href="#fr18">sacrifices of dogs, description of</a><br> + <a href="#dalmatian">dog, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Deab</b></td> + <td><a href="#I91">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dead bodies</b></td> + <td><a href="#I328">dogs kept to devour</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Deafness</b></td> + <td><a href="#cropping">frequently caused by cropping</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Deer-hound</b></td> + <td><a href="#deerhound">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Delafond, Professor</b></td> + <td><a href="#pptable">his table of the diagnostic symptoms of pleurisy and pneumonia</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dentition</b></td> + <td><a href="#teeth">formula of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#dewclaws">Dew-claws</a></b></td> + <td><a href="#I92">their removal unnecessary</a><br> + <a href="#I329">removal of, Mr. Blaine's opinion in reference to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dhole</b></td> + <td><a href="#dhole">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Diana</b></td> + <td><a href="#I330">spotted dogs given by Pan to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Diaphragm</b></td> + <td><a href="#section11">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Diarrhœa</b></td> + <td><a href="#diarrhoea">causes, nature, and treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#diarrhoea">habitual</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dick, Professor</b></td> + <td><a href="#I93">on rabies</a><br> + <a href="#ergotbirth">on the use of ergot of rye</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Digestion</b></td> + <td><a href="#section12">the process of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Digitalis</b></td> + <td><a href="#I94">the uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Digitigrade</b></td> + <td><a href="#I52">an order of animals</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dingo</b></td> + <td><a href="#dingo">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Disease</b></td> + <td><a href="#predis">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#section8"> of the eye</a><br> + <a href="#section9">of the ear</a><br> + <a href="#tongue"> of the tongue</a><br> + <a href="#disfeet">of the feet</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Distemper</b></td> + <td><a href="#section14">origin of the name</a><br> + <a href="#I95">is a new disease</a><br> + <a href="#I97">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I96">is contagious</a><br> + <a href="#I98"> is epidemic</a><br> + <a href="#I99">effects on different breeds</a><br> + <a href="#I100">symptoms</a><br> + <a href="#I101">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#I102">duration</a><br> + <a href="#I103"><i>post-mortem</i> appearances</a><br> + <a href="#I104">treatment</a><br> + a cause of epilepsy (<a href="#epilepsy">1</a>) (<a href="#I105">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#I106">sometimes terminates in palsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#section1">early history of the</a><br> + <a href="#I107">used as a beast of draught</a><br> + for food (<a href="#I108">1</a>) (<a href="#I109">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#108">uses of the skin of the</a><br> + origin of (<a href="#I29">1</a>) (<a href="#I110">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#fr2">mention of, in the Old and New Testaments</a><br> + <a href="#I111">anecdotes of the sagacity and fidelity of</a><br> + <a href="#I72">changes produced in, by breeding and climate</a><br> + <a href="#I52">zoological description of</a><br> + <a href="#section2">natural divisions of</a><br> + <a href="#I109">sacrificed by the Greeks and Romans</a><br> + <a href="#fr18">by the Danes and Swedes</a><br> + <a href="#I5">African wild</a><br> + <a href="#albanian">Albanian</a><br> + <a href="#andalusian">Alicant</a><br> + <a href="#bernardine">Alpine spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#I11">American wild</a><br> + <a href="#andalusian">Andalusian</a><br> + <a href="#artois">Artois</a><br> + <a href="#dingo">Australasian</a><br> + <a href="#barbary">Barbary</a><br> + <a href="#barbet">barbet</a><br> + <a href="#beagle">beagle</a><br> + <a href="#btspaniel">black and tan spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#blenheim">Blenheim spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#blood">blood-hound</a><br> + <a href="#I112">British</a><br> + <a href="#bulldog">bull</a><br> + <a href="#bullterr">bull terrier</a><br> + <a href="#dalmatian">coach</a><br> + <a href="#cocker">cocker</a><br> + <a href="#cur">cur</a><br> + <a href="#dakhun">Dakhun</a><br> + <a href="#dalmatian">Dalmatian</a><br> + <a href="#dalmatian">Danish</a><br> + <a href="#drover">drover's</a><br> + <a href="#barbary">Egyptian</a><br> + <a href="#esquimaux">Esquimaux</a><br> + <a href="#fox">fox-hound</a><br> + <a href="#matin">French matin</a><br> + <a href="#frenpoint">French pointer</a><br> + <a href="#gasehound">gasehound</a><br> + <a href="#greciangrey">Grecian</a><br> + <a href="#greciangrey">Grecian greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#greyhound">greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#indian">Hare Indian</a><br> + <a href="#harrier">harrier</a><br> + <a href="#deerhound">Highland greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#I335">hospitals for</a><br> + <a href="#I113">Hyrcanian</a><br> + <a href="#iceland">Iceland</a><br> + <a href="#irishgrey">Irish greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#italiangrey">Italian greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#pom">Italian wolf</a><br> + <a href="#I114">Javanese</a><br> + <a href="#kcspaniel">King Charles's spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#lapland">Lapland</a><br> + <a href="#I29">length of intestines in the</a><br> + <a href="#liondog">lion</a><br> + <a href="#fr14">Locrian</a><br> + <a href="#lurcher">lurcher</a><br> + <a href="#mahrattas">Mahratta</a><br> + <a href="#maltese">Maltese</a><br> + <a href="#mastiff">mastiff</a><br> + <a href="#fr14">Molossian</a><br> + <a href="#Nepâl">Nepâl</a><br> + <a href="#newfoundland">Newfoundland</a><br> + <a href="#nz">New Zealand</a><br> + <a href="#I331">of Santa Fé and the Chihuahuas</a><br> + <a href="#I332">of the Mexicans, worthless</a><br> + <a href="#otterh">otter</a><br> + <a href="#fr14">Pannonian</a><br> + <a href="#pariah">pariah</a><br> + <a href="#persiangrey">Persian greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#pointer">pointer</a><br> + <a href="#dakhun">Polugar</a><br> + <a href="#poodle">poodle</a><br> + <a href="#portpoint">Portuguese pointer</a><br> + <a href="#I333">prophylactic properties of the</a><br> + <a href="#russiangrey">Russian greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#russpoint">Russian pointer</a><br> + <a href="#scotchgrey">Scotch greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#scotchterrier">Scotch terrier</a><br> + <a href="#setter">setter</a><br> + <a href="#sheepdog">sheep</a><br> + <a href="#shockdog">shock</a><br> + <a href="#I334">social invitations extended to</a><br> + <a href="#shound">southern hound</a><br> + <a href="#spaniel">spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#spanishp">Spanish pointer</a><br> + <a href="#springer">springer</a><br> + <a href="#stag">stag-hound</a><br> + <a href="#I115">Sumatran wild</a><br> + <a href="#terrier">terrier</a><br> + <a href="#thibet">Thibet</a><br> + <a href="#turkish">Turkish</a><br> + <a href="#turkishgrey">Turkish greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#waterspaniel">water-spaniel</a><br> + <a href="#wild">wild</a><br> + <a href="#wild">wolf</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dog-carts</b></td> + <td><a href="#dcarts">prohibition of, disapproved</a><br> + <a href="#dcarts">should be licensed</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><a href="#dogpits"><b>Dog-pits</b></a></td> + <td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><a href="#dogsteal"><b>Dog-stealing</b></a></td> + <td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dog's-tail grass</b></td> + <td><a href="#I89">the use of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dogs, Isle of</b></td> + <td><a href="#fr22">origin of the name</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#dropsy">Dropsy</a></b></td> + <td><a href="#dropsy">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I116">cases of</a><br> + <a href="#I117">treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Drover's dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#drover">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Duodenum</b></td> + <td><a href="#I118">the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dupuy, M.</b></td> + <td><a href="#I119">on diseases of the spinal marrow</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Dysentery</b></td> + <td><a href="#dysentery">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#dysentery">treatment of</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="e"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Ear</b></td> + <td><a href="#section9">diseases of the</a><br> + canker of the, causes and treatment of (<a href="#cankear">1</a>) (<a href="#cankear2">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#vegear">vegetating excrescences in the</a><br> + <a href="#eruptear">eruptions in the</a><br> + cropping of the (<a href="#cropear">1</a>) (<a href="#cropping">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#mangedg">mangy edges in the</a><br> + <a href="#polypear">polypi in the, nature and treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#I120">pain of, an early symptom of rabies</a><br> + <a href="#wartear">warts on the</a><br> + <a href="#woundear">wounds of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Egyptian</b></td> + <td><a href="#fr3">worship of the dog</a><br> + <a href="#barbary">dog, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Elfric</b></td> +<td><a href="#I121">King of Mercia, possessed greyhounds</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Emetic tartar</b></td> +<td><a href="#I122">uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Enteritis</b></td> +<td><a href="#enteritis">causes, symptoms, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#enteye">Entropium</a></b></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Epiglottis</b></td> +<td><a href="#larynx">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Epilepsy</b></td> +<td><a href="#epilepsy">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I123"> treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#I124">cases</a><br> + <a href="#fitsbirth">puerperal</a><br> + <a href="#I125"> in distemper</a><br> +<a href="#I336">mistaken for rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Epsom salts</b></td> +<td><a href="#I126">a purgative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ergot of rye</b></td> +<td><a href="#ergotbirth">use of, in parturition</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Esquimaux dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#esquimaux">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ethiopia</b></td> +<td><a href="#I127">a dog elected king of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ethmoid bones</b></td> +<td><a href="#ethmoid">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Extirpation</b></td> + <td><a href="#exeye">of the eye</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Extremities</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">bones of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Eye</b></td> +<td><a href="#I128">distinctive form of the</a><br> + <a href="#section8">diseases of the</a> <br> + <a href="#I129">construction of the</a><br> +<a href="#I130">cases of disease of the</a><br> + <a href="#cblind">congenital blindness</a><br> + <a href="#opth">ophthalmia</a><br> + <a href="#cataract">cataract</a><br> + <a href="#amaur">amaurosis</a><br> + <a href="#I131">appearance of in rabies</a><br> + <a href="#I100"> appearance of in distemper</a><br> +<a href="#opth">simple inflammation of</a><br> + <a href="#exeye">extirpation of the</a><br> + <a href="#proteye">protrusion of the</a><br> + <a href="#weakeye">weak</a><br> + <a href="#I321">washes for the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Eyelids</b></td> + <td><a href="#ulceye">ulceration of the</a><br> + <a href="#enteye"> inversion of the, operation for</a> </td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="f"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Familiaris</b></td> +<td><a href="#I52">sub-genus</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Feet</b></td> +<td>sore (<a href="#sorefeet1">1</a>) (<a href="#sorefeet2">2</a>)<br> +<a href="#disfeet">diseases of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Femur</b></td> +<td><a href="#I132">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b><a href="#dogpits">Fighting-pits</a></b></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b><a href="#domesticated">First division of varieties</a></b></td> +<td></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fistula </b></td> +<td><a href="#fistanus">in the anus, causes and treatment of</a><br> +<a href="#fisteye">lachrymalis</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fits</b></td> +<td><a href="#epilepsy">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I123"> treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#I125">distemper</a><br> + <a href="#fitsbirth">puerperal</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fitzhardinge</b></td> +<td><a href="#fitz">Lord, his management of hounds</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Flap</b></td> + <td><a href="#tumflap">tumours of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Flogging hounds</b></td> +<td><a href="#I133">disapproved of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Food</b></td> +<td>the dog used for (<a href="#I108">1</a>) (<a href="#I109">2</a>)<br> + of the greyhound (<a href="#I134">1</a>) (<a href="#fr26">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#I135">of the foxhound</a><br> + <a href="#I97">insufficient, a cause of distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fore-arm</b></td> +<td><a href="#I141">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Fouilloux</b></td> + <td><a href="#I337">Jacques du, his recipes for rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Foxhound</b></td> +<td><a href="#fox">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#fr44">size and proper conformation of</a><br> + <a href="#I137">pupping</a><br> + <a href="#I138">treatment of whelps</a><br> + <a href="#I139">breaking in</a><br> + <a href="#commence">management in the field</a><br> + <a href="#huntken">general management and food of</a><br> + <a href="#fitz">Lord Fitzhardinge's management</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fractures</b></td> +<td><a href="#section16">most frequent in young dogs</a><br> + <a href="#I136">of the humerus</a><br> + + <a href="#I132"> of the femur (thigh)</a><br> + <a href="#I140">of the radius</a><br> + <a href="#I141">of the fore-arm</a> <br> + <a href="#I142">of the shoulder </a><br> + <a href="#I143">of the pelvis</a><br> + <a href="#I144"> of the skull</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>French pointer</b></td> +<td><a href="#frenpoint">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Fungus hæmatodes</b></td> +<td><a href="#funghaem">a case of</a><br> + <a href="#funghaem"><i>post-mortem</i> appearances</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="g"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Gasehound</b></td> +<td><a href="#gasehound">description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Gêlert</b></td> +<td><a href="#I145">the dog of Llewellyn, poem on the death of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Gentian</b></td> +<td><a href="#I146">a stomachic and tonic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ghoo-khan</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr32">or wild ass, hunted by Persian greyhounds</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Giddiness</b></td> +<td><a href="#giddy">nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ginger</b></td> +<td><a href="#I146">a cordial and tonic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Glass</b></td> +<td>powdered, the best vermifuge (<a href="#I147">1</a>) (<a href="#I148">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Glossitis</b></td> + <td><a href="#inflamtong">causes and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Goître</b></td> +<td><a href="#goître">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#I45">cause and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Good qualities</b></td> +<td><a href="#section5">of the dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Goodwood kennel</b></td> +<td><a href="#Goodwood">description and plan of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Grecian</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr12">dogs, description of</a><br> + <a href="#I109">sacrifices of dogs</a> <br> + <a href="#greciangrey">greyhound, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Greyhound</b></td> +<td><a href="#greyhound">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I151">puppies, out of</a><br> + <a href="#greyhound">origin of</a><br> + <a href="#I121">known in England in the Anglo-Saxon period</a><br> + old verses describing the (<a href="#I81">1</a>) (<a href="#I82">2</a>) (<a href="#I145">3</a>)<br> + <a href="#I146">cross with the bull-dog</a><br> + <a href="#I149">proper conformation of</a><br> + <a href="#I150">colour of</a><br> + <a href="#I151">breeding</a><br> + <a href="#I152">rules for age</a><br> + <a href="#fr26">food</a><br> + <a href="#I153">training</a><br> + <a href="#appendix"> laws for coursing with</a><br> + <a href="#greyhound">English</a><br> + <a href="#greciangrey">Grecian</a><br> + <a href="#deerhound">Highland</a> <br> + <a href="#irishgrey">Irish</a><br> + <a href="#italiangrey">Italian</a><br> + <a href="#persiangrey">Persian</a> <br> + <a href="#russiangrey">Russian</a><br> + <a href="#scotchgrey">Scotch</a><br> + <a href="#turkishgrey">Turkish</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Grognier</b></td> +<td><a href="#I154">Professor, description of the French sheep-dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Gullet</b></td> +<td><a href="#section12">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Gutta</b></td> + <td><a href="#amaur">serena</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="h"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hare Indian dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#indian">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Harrier</b></td> +<td><a href="#harrier">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Head</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">bones of the </a><br> + <a href="#I66"> form of in the foxhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Heart</b></td> +<td><a href="#I155">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I155"> action of the</a><br> + <a href="#I156"> rupture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hecate</b></td> +<td><a href="#I157">dogs sacrificed to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Hembel</b></td> + <td><a href="#I252">Mr., his anecdotes of rabid dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hepatitis</b></td> +<td><a href="#liver">causes, symptoms, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hertwich</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr83">Professor, on rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Highland greyhound</b></td> +<td><a href="#deerhound">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hindoos</b></td> +<td><a href="#I158">regard the dog unclean</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Hippocrates</b></td> + <td><a href="#I333">prophylactic properties of the dog recommended by</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hogg</b></td> +<td><a href="#I159">James, anecdotes of his dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hog's lard</b></td> +<td><a href="#I4">the basis of all ointments</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Horse</b></td> + <td><a href="#I338">doctors</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Hospitals</b></td> + <td><a href="#I335">for dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hound</b></td> +<td><a href="#section3">the various kinds of</a><br> + <a href="#blood">blood</a><br> + <a href="#fox">fox</a><br> + <a href="#otterh">otter</a><br> + <a href="#shound">southern</a><br> + <a href="#stag">stag</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Humerus</b></td> +<td><a href="#I136">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hunting</b></td> +<td><a href="#I160">with dogs first mentioned by Oppian</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hunting-</b></td> +<td><a href="#huntken">kennels</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Huntsman</b></td> +<td><a href="#f49">the requisites of a</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hydatids</b></td> +<td><a href="#kidinf">in the kidney</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hydrocyanic acid</b></td> +<td><a href="#I161">useful in cases of irritation of the skin</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hydrophobia</b></td> +<td><a href="#section7"><i>see </i>Rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Hydrophthalmia</b></td> + <td><a href="#hopth">treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Hyrcanian dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#I113">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="i"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Iceland dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#iceland">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ileum</b></td> +<td><a href="#I162">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Incontinence</b></td> +<td><a href="#I163">of urine</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>India</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr16">degeneration of dogs in</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Inflammation</b></td> +<td><a href="#pneumonia">of the lungs</a><br> + <a href="#I164">of the stomach</a><br> + of the intestines (<a href="#I118">1</a>) (<a href="#enteritis">2</a>)<br> + of the peritoneal membrane (<a href="#I165">1</a>) (<a href="#peritonitis">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#liver">of the liver</a><br> + <a href="#kidinf"> of the kidney</a><br> + <a href="#bladinf">of the bladder</a><br> + of the feet (<a href="#sorefeet1">1</a>) (<a href="#sorefeet2">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b><a href="#iq">Intelligence of the dog</a></b></td> +<td><a href="#I166">anecdotes illustrative of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Intestines</b></td> +<td><a href="#section12">description of the</a><br> + inflammation of the (<a href="#I118">1</a>) (<a href="#enteritis">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Intussusception</b></td> +<td><a href="#intussusception">nature and causes of </a><br> + <a href="#I78">treatment</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Iodine</b></td> +<td>a valuable medicine:<br> +<a href="#I167"> in goître</a><br> + <a href="#I117">in dropsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Irish</b></td> +<td><a href="#irishgrey">greyhound, description of the</a><br> + <a href="#irishwolf">wolf-dog</a><br> + <a href="#I168">setter</a><br> +<a href="#I339">setter, inductive reasoning in an</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Italian</b></td> +<td><a href="#italiangrey">greyhound, description of the</a><br> + <a href="#pom"> wolf-dog</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="j"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>James's powder</b></td> +<td><a href="#I17">a sudorific</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Jaundice</b></td> +<td><a href="#jaun">causes, symptoms, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Javanese dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#I114">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Jejunum</b></td> +<td><a href="#I169">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Jenner</b></td> +<td><a href="#I170">Dr., on distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Jews</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr5">regard the dog with abhorrence</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>John</b></td> +<td><a href="#I171">kept many dogs</a><br> + <a href="#I171">received greyhounds in lieu of fines</a></td> +</tr> + + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="k"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Kamtschatka</b></td> +<td><a href="#I107">uses of the dog as a beast of draught in</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Karáráhé or New Zealand dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#nz">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Kennel</b></td> +<td><a href="#huntken">description of</a> <br> +<a href="#Goodwood">description and plan of Goodwood</a><br> + <a href="#I172">for watch-dog construction of</a><br> + <a href="#I173">hare, use of</a><br> + <a href="#kenlame">lameness, nature of</a><br> + <a href="#kenlame"> causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I174">means of prevention</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Keyworth</b></td> + <td><a href="#I340">Mr., springer belonging to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Kidney</b></td> +<td><a href="#kidinf">inflammation of the</a><br> + <a href="#kidinf">hydatids in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>King Charles's spaniel</b></td> +<td><a href="#kcspaniel">description of</a></td> +</table> +<br> +<br> + +<a name="l"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lachrymal duct</b></td> +<td><a href="#fisteye">description of the</a></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lapland dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#lapland">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Larynx</b></td> +<td><a href="#larynx">description of the</a> + <a href="#I175"> inflammation of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Laws</b></td> +<td><a href="#appendix">of coursing</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Leblanc</b></td> +<td><a href="#jaun">M., on jaundice</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Léonard</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr71">M., his exhibition of dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lime</b></td> +<td><a href="#I68">chloride of, the uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lion dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#liondog">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lips</b></td> +<td><a href="#lips">functions of the</a><br> + <a href="#lips">swellings of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Liver</b></td> +<td><a href="#liver">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#liver"> functions of the</a><br> + <a href="#liver">inflammation of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Llewellyn</b></td> +<td><a href="#I145">poem on the dog of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Locrian dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr14">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Louisiana</b></td> + <td><a href="#I313">marmot</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lunar caustic</b></td> +<td><a href="#I60">the best</a><br> + <a href="#I176">recommended for bites of rabid dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lungs</b></td> +<td><a href="#pneumonia">inflammation of the</a><br> + <a href="#I177">congestion of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Lurcher</b></td> +<td><a href="#lurcher">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="m"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Madness</b></td> +<td>canine, <a href="#rabies"><i>see</i> Rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Magnesia</b></td> +<td><a href="#I126">sulphate of, a purgative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mahratta dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#mahrattas">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Majendie</b></td> +<td><a href="#I178">his experiments on the olfactory nerves</a></td> +</tr><tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Major</b></td> +<td><a href="#I71">a celebrated greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Maltese dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#maltese">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mammalia</b></td> +<td><a href="#I52">a class of animals</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Management</b></td> +<td><a href="#packman">of the pack</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mange</b></td> +<td><a href="#mange">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#I179">is hereditary</a><br> + <a href="#I180">the scabby</a><br> + <a href="#I181">treatment</a><br> + <a href="#mange">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I45">frequently causes goître</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Mangy edges</b></td> + <td><a href="#mangedg">treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Marmot</b></td> + <td><a href="#I313">Lousiana</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mastiff</b></td> +<td><a href="#mastiff">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I88">used in Cuba to hunt the Indians</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Matin</b></td> +<td><a href="#matin">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Maxillary bones</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Meatus</b></td> +<td><a href="#I189">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Medicines</b></td> +<td><a href="#I191">a list of the most useful</a><br> + <a href="#I190">mode of administering</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Medullary</b></td> +<td><a href="#I42">substance of the brain</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Memory</b></td> +<td><a href="#I192">of the dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mercury</b></td> +<td><a href="#I193">preparations of</a><br> + <a href="#I193"> uses of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Mexico</b></td> + <td><a href="#I341">shepherd dogs of</a><br> + <a href="#I342">their introduction into this country</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Milk</b></td> +<td><a href="#I194">accumulation of, in the teats</a><br> + <a href="#I195"> secretion of, connected with cancer</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Mohammedan</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr9">abhorrence of dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Molossian dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr14">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Moral</b></td> +<td><a href="#moral">qualities of the dog</a></td> +</tr> + + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="n"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nasal</b></td> +<td><a href="#nasbone">bones, description of the</a><br> + <a href="#section14">catarrh, nature of</a><br> + <a href="#polypother">cavity, polypus in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Neck</b></td> +<td><a href="#I65">should be long in the greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nepâl dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#Nepâl">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nerves</b></td> +<td><a href="#I196">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nervous system</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">diseases of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Newfoundland dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#newfoundland">description of the</a><br> +<a href="#I253">as a retriever</a><br> + <a href="#I343"> two varieties of</a><br> + <a href="#I344">account of two imported into this country</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>New Holland dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#dingo">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>New Zealand dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#nz">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Nictitating membrane</b></td> + <td><a href="#nict">of the eye</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nimrod</b></td> +<td><a href="#I197">opinion on kennel lameness</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nitrate of potash</b></td> +<td><a href="#I198">a useful diuretic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nitrate of silver</b></td> +<td><a href="#I60">a caustic</a><br> + <a href="#I176">recommended for the bites of rabid dogs</a><br> + <a href="#I199">useful in chorea</a><br> + <a href="#I200">in canker</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nitric acid</b></td> +<td><a href="#I20">a caustic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Norfolk spaniel</b></td> +<td><a href="#I201">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Nose</b></td> +<td><a href="#section10">anatomy of the</a> <br> + <a href="#section10">diseases of the</a><br> + <a href="#I100">discharge from the, in distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Nux vomica</b></td> + <td><a href="#I345">effects of</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="o"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Olfactory nerves</b></td> +<td><a href="#I202">size of, in different animals</a><br> + <a href="#smell">development of the</a><br> + description of the (<a href="#I196">1</a>) (<a href="#I203">2</a>) (<a href="#I204">3</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ophthalmia</b></td> +<td><a href="#opth">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I205">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#I206"> treatment of</a><br> +<a href="#copth">chronic, treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#topth">traumatic</a><br> + <a href="#sopth">sympathetic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Oppian</b></td> +<td><a href="#I160">the first who mentions hunting with dogs</a><br> + <a href="#fr13">description of British dogs by</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Orbit of the eye</b></td> +<td><a href="#I129">form of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Orford, Lord</b></td> +<td><a href="#I46">first crossed greyhounds with the bull-dog</a><br> + <a href="#I90">death of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Otorrhœa</b></td> + <td><a href="#simotor">simple, treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Otter-hound</b></td> +<td><a href="#otterh">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ovaries</b></td> +<td><a href="#I207">removal of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ovid</b></td> +<td><a href="#I81">description of coursing by</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Ozæna</b></td> +<td><a href="#ozæna">nature and treatment of</a><br> +<a href="#I346">injection for</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="p"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Palate</b></td> +<td><a href="#I208">veil of the</a><br> + <a href="#I208">inflammation of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Palsy</b></td> +<td>causes of (<a href="#I209">1</a>) (<a href="#I119">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#I210">treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#I106"> a consequence of chorea</a><br> + <a href="#I211">consequence of distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Palm oil</b></td> +<td><a href="#I212">an emollient</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pancreas</b></td> +<td><a href="#spanc">functions of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pannonian dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr14">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pariah</b></td> +<td><a href="#pariah">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Parry</b></td> +<td><a href="#I213">Captain, description of the Esquimaux dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Parturition</b></td> +<td><a href="#birth">time of</a><br> + <a href="#birth"> management during</a><br> + <a href="#ergotbirth">use of the ergot of of rye</a><br> + <a href="#invertwomb">inversion of the uterus after</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Pathology</b></td> + <td><a href="#pathintro">Canine, Introduction to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pelvis</b></td> +<td><a href="#I143">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Percival</b></td> +<td><a href="#I214">Mr., on fractures</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pericardium</b></td> +<td><a href="#I215">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I216">case of a wound in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Peritonitis</b></td> +<td><a href="#peritonitis">symptoms and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Persian greyhound</b></td> +<td><a href="#persiangrey">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Peruvian bark</b></td> +<td><a href="#I27">a valuable tonic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Phlegmonous tumour</b></td> +<td><a href="#phlegtum">nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pleurisy</b></td> +<td><a href="#pleurisy">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#pptable"> diagnostic symptoms of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pneumonia</b></td> +<td><a href="#pneumonia">nature and treatment of</a><br> + <a href="#pptable"> diagnostic symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I217"> in distemper</a><br> + <a href="#I218">a consequence of small-pox</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Pointer</b></td> + <td><a href="#pointer">English, his size and appearance</a><br> + <a href="#settpoint">merits of, compared with those of the setter</a><br> + + <a href="#I347">origin of</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pollux</b></td> +<td><a href="#I160">the introduction of hunting with dogs attributed to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Polugar dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#dakhun">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Polypus</b></td> +<td>in the ear (<a href="#polypear">1</a>) (<a href="#polear">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#polypother"> in the nasal and anal cavities</a><br> + <a href="#polypother">in the vagina</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pomeranian wolf-dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#pom">description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Poodle</b></td> +<td><a href="#poodle">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Portuguese pointer</b></td> +<td><a href="#portpoint">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Potash</b></td> +<td><a href="#I198">the nitrate of, a useful diuretic</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Predisposition</b></td> + <td><a href="#predis">to disease in dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Preventative treatment</b></td> + <td><a href="#I348">for rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Prophylactic</b></td> + <td><a href="#I333">properties of the dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Protrusion</b></td> + <td><a href="#proteye">of the eye</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Prussic acid</b></td> +<td><a href="#I161">useful in cases of irritation of the skin</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Puerperal fits</b></td> +<td><a href="#fitsbirth">causes, nature, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pulse</b></td> +<td><a href="#I219">of various animals</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pupping</b></td> +<td><a href="#birth"><i>see</i> Parturition</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Purging in distemper</b></td> +<td><a href="#I220">should be avoided</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Pustular</b></td> + <td><a href="#pustfeet">affection of the feet</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Pythagoras</b></td> +<td><a href="#I221">his high opinion of the virtues of the dog</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + +<a name="r"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b><a href="#section7">Rabies</a></b></td> +<td>cases (<a href="#I222">1</a>) (<a href="#I224">2</a>) (<a href="#I225">3</a>) (<a href="#I227">4</a>) (<a href="#I228">5</a>) (<a href="#I229">6</a>) (<a href="#I230">7</a>) (<a href="#I231">8</a>) (<a href="#I232">9</a>) (<a href="#I233">10</a>) (<a href="#I240">11</a>) (<a href="#I252">12</a>)<br> + <a href="#I223"> early symptoms</a><br> + <a href="#section7">progress</a><br> + <a href="#I235"><i>post-mortem</i> appearances</a><br> + <a href="#I236">causes</a><br> + period of incubation (<a href="#I237">1</a>) (<a href="#I239">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#I249">duration</a><br> + <a href="#I238">nature of the virus</a><br> + <a href="#I93">nature of the disease</a><br> + <a href="#I248"> treatment of persons bitten</a><br> + in the horse (<a href="#I226">1</a>) (<a href="#I234">2</a>) (<a href="#I241">3</a>)<br> + <a href="#I242">in the rabbit</a><br> + <a href="#I243">in the guinea-pig</a><br> + <a href="#I244"> in the cat</a><br> + <a href="#I245"> in the fowl</a><br> + <a href="#I246">in the badger</a><br> + <a href="#I247">in the wolf</a><br> + trials concerning the death of persons by (<a href="#I250">1</a>) (<a href="#fr85">2</a>) (<a href="#I251">3</a>)<br> +<a href="#I336">epilepsy taken for</a><br> + <a href="#I349">editorial remarks on</a><br> + <a href="#I337">recipes for the cure of</a><br> + <a href="#I348">preventive treatment for</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Radius</b></td> +<td><a href="#I140">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Radcliffe</b></td> +<td><a href="#I252">D., on scent</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Rectum</b></td> +<td><a href="#I74">the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Remedial</b></td> + <td><a href="#remed">means for the cure of diseases</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Retriever</b></td> +<td><a href="#I253">Newfoundland dog used as</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Rheumatism</b></td> +<td><a href="#rheum">nature, causes, and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Richard II</b></td> +<td><a href="#f22">anecdote of the dog of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Richmond</b></td> +<td><a href="#Goodwood">the third Duke of, built Goodwood kennel</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Roman</b></td> +<td><a href="#I109">sacrifices of dogs, description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Rottenness</b></td> +<td><a href="#I177">of the lungs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Rupture</b></td> +<td><a href="#I156">of the heart, case of</a><br> + <a href="#I254"><i>post-mortem</i> appearances</a><br> + <a href="#I75">of the colon</a><br> + <a href="#rupblad">of the bladder</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Russian</b></td> +<td><a href="#russiangrey">greyhound, description of the</a><br> + <a href="#russpoint">pointer, description of the</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="s"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Saliva</b></td> +<td><a href="#I255">state of in rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Salts</b></td> +<td><a href="#I126">a purgative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Scabby mange</b></td> +<td><a href="#I180">nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Scent</b></td> +<td><a href="#I256">the term</a><br> + <a href="#smell">description of</a><br> + <a href="#I257">influence of the atmosphere upon</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Scotch</b></td> +<td><a href="#scotchgrey">greyhound, description of the</a><br> +<a href="#scotchterrier">terrier, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Scott, Sir Walter</b></td> +<td><a href="#I259">anecdote of the dog of</a><br> +<a href="#I258">verses on the dogs of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Second</b></td> +<td><a href="#section3">division of varieties</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Seton</b></td> +<td><a href="#I260">useful in epilepsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Setter</b></td> +<td><a href="#setter">description of the</a><br> + early training of (<a href="#I261">1</a>) (<a href="#I262">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#settpoint">compared with the pointer</a><br> +<a href="#I339">Irish, inductive reasoning in</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Sheep-dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#sheepdog">description of the</a><br> + anecdotes of the (<a href="#I159">1</a>) (<a href="#fr36">2</a>)<br> + <a href="#fr39">supposed by Buffon to be the original type</a><br> + <a href="#I154"> French, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Shepherd's dog</b></td> + <td><a href="#I350">importance of the, to our agriculturists</a><br> + <a href="#I341">of Mexico</a><br> + <a href="#I342"> their introduction into this country</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Shock-dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#shockdog">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Shoulder</b></td> +<td><a href="#I142">fracture of the</a><br> + <a href="#I65">proper form of the, in the greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Siberian dog</b></td> +<td>description of the (<a href="#I263">1</a>) (<a href="#I264">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Simpson</b></td> +<td><a href="#I265">Mr., on the use of the ergot of rye</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Skeleton</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Skin</b></td> +<td><a href="#I108">uses of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Skull</b></td> +<td><a href="#I266">form of, adopted as the arrangement of the varieties of the dog</a><br> + <a href="#I144">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Small-pox,</b></td> +<td><a href="#smallpox">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I267"> causes of</a><br> + <a href="#smallpox">treatment</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Smell</b></td> +<td>the sense of (<a href="#smell">1</a>) (<a href="#smell1">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Snowball</b></td> +<td><a href="#I71">a celebrated greyhound</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Sore feet</b></td> +<td>causes of (<a href="#sorefeet1">1</a>) (<a href="#sorefeet2">2</a>)<br> + treatment (<a href="#sorefeet1">1</a>) (<a href="#sorefeet2">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Southern hound</b></td> +<td><a href="#shound">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Sow</b></td> + <td><a href="#I351">account of one finding and standing game</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Spaniel</b></td> +<td><a href="#spaniel">origin of the</a><br> + <a href="#spaniel">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#blenheim">Blenheim</a><br> + <a href="#kcspaniel">King Charles's</a><br> + <a href="#I268">Norfolk</a><br> + <a href="#waterspaniel">water</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Spanish pointer</b></td> +<td><a href="#spanishp">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Spasmodic cough</b></td> +<td><a href="#spascou">nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Spaying</b></td> +<td><a href="#I207">mode of performing</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Spirits of turpentine</b></td> + <td><a href="#I352">effects of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Spleen</b></td> +<td><a href="#spanc">functions of the</a><br> + <a href="#I269">diseases of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Spots</b></td> + <td><a href="#spotcor">on the cornea</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b><a href="#sprains">Sprains</a></b></td> + +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Springer</b></td> +<td><a href="#springer">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Staghound</b></td> +<td><a href="#stag">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I173">anecdotes of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Staling</b></td> +<td><a href="#I270">profuse</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Starch</b></td> +<td><a href="#I271">bandage, useful in fractures</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Stealing</b></td> +<td><a href="#dogsteal">of dogs</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Stomach</b></td> +<td><a href="#section12">anatomy and diseases of the</a><br> + <a href="#I272">case of the retention of a sharp instrument in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Strychnia</b></td> +<td><a href="#I273">a valuable medicine in palsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Sulphur</b></td> +<td><a href="#I274">the basis of applications for mange</a><br> + <a href="#I274">a good alterative</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Sumatra</b></td> +<td><a href="#I115">description of the wild dog of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Surfeit</b></td> +<td><a href="#I180">an eruption resembling mange</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Swedish</b></td> +<td><a href="#I275">sacrifices of dogs, description of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Sympathetic</b></td> +<td><a href="#I276">nerves</a></td> +</tr> + +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="t"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tænia</b></td> +<td><a href="#I277">a species of worm</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b><a href="#tailing">Tailing</a></b><br></td> +<td><a href="#I353">objections to</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tape-worm</b></td> +<td><a href="#I277">the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tapping</b></td> +<td><a href="#I278">in cases of dropsy</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tartar emetic,</b></td> +<td><a href="#I122">a useful medicine</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Teeth</b></td> +<td><a href="#teeth">distinctive arrangement of the</a><br> + <a href="#teeth">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#teeth"> cuts showing various signs of growth and decay</a><br> + <a href="#teeth">supernumerary</a><br> + <a href="#ageind">diseases of the</a><br> + <a href="#turkish">very early lost by the Turkish dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Teres</b></td> +<td><a href="#I279">a species of worm</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Terrier</b></td> +<td><a href="#terrier">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I280">training of the</a><br> + <a href="#I30">anecdotes of the</a><br> + <a href="#scotchterrier">Scotch, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tetanus</b></td> +<td><a href="#tetanus">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#tetanus">symptoms and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Thibet dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#thibet">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Thigh</b></td> +<td><a href="#I132">fracture of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Third</b></td> +<td><a href="#section4">division of varieties</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Throat</b></td> + <td><a href="#forbodth">foreign articles in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Thyroid cartilage</b></td> +<td><a href="#I281">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Toes</b></td> +<td><a href="#I283">sore</a><br> + <a href="#I282">number of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Toling</b></td> + <td><a href="#I316">ducks</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tongue</b></td> +<td><a href="#tongue">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#tongue">mode of drinking</a><br> + <a href="#I284">worming</a><br> + <a href="#blain">blain</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Torsion</b></td> +<td><a href="#torsion">mode of performing</a><br> + <a href="#torsion">forceps</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Training</b></td> +<td><a href="#I153">of the greyhound</a><br> + <a href="#earlytraining">of the foxhound</a><br> + of the pointer or setter (<a href="#I261">1</a>) (<a href="#I262">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Traumatic</b></td> + <td><a href="#topth">ophthalmia, treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Trimmer. Mr.</b></td> +<td><a href="#fr35">description of the Spanish sheep-dog</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Trunk</b></td> +<td><a href="#section6">bones of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Tumour</b></td> +<td><a href="#phlegtum">phlegmonous, nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Turkish</b></td> +<td><a href="#turkish">dog, description of the</a><br> + <a href="#turkishgrey">greyhound, description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Turnside</b></td> +<td><a href="#giddy">nature and treatment of</a><br> +<a href="#giddy">uncommon in the country</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Turnspit</b></td> +<td><a href="#turnspit">description of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Turpentine</b></td> +<td><a href="#I285">uses of</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="u"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Ulceration</b></td> + <td><a href="#ulccor">of the cornea</a><br> + <a href="#ulceye">of the eyelids</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Unguents</b></td> +<td><a href="#I286">use of, in mange</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Unguiculata</b></td> +<td><a href="#I52">a tribe of animals</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Uterus</b></td> +<td><a href="#invertwomb">case of inversion of the</a><br> + <a href="#invertwomb">extirpation and cure</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="v"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vagina</b></td> +<td><a href="#polypother">polyps in the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Van Diemen Land</b></td> +<td><a href="#I287">ravages of wild dogs in</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Varieties</b></td> +<td><a href="#I266">three divisions of</a><br> + <a href="#section2"> first division of</a><br> + <a href="#section3">second division of</a><br> + <a href="#section4"> third division of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vatel</b></td> +<td><a href="#I288">his observations on the pulse of different animals</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vegetating excrescences in the ear</b></td> +<td><a href="#vegear">nature and treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vermifuge</b></td> +<td>glass the most effectual (<a href="#I147">1</a>) (<a href="#I148">2</a>)</td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vertebrated animals</b></td> +<td><a href="#I52">what</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vinegar</b></td> +<td><a href="#I289">useful for fomentations</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Voice</b></td> +<td><a href="#I290">change of in rabies</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Vyner</b></td> +<td><a href="#I291">Mr., opinion on kennel lameness</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="w"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Warts</b></td> +<td>treatment of (<a href="#warts">1</a>) (<a href="#warteye">2</a>) (<a href="#wartear">3</a>)<br> +<a href="#wartear">of the ear</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Washing</b></td> +<td><a href="#I292">of hounds disapproved of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Watch-dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#I172">frequent ill-usage of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Water-spaniel</b></td> +<td><a href="#waterspaniel">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#waterspaniel">anecdotes of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Weak</b></td> + <td><a href="#weakeye">eyes</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Wild dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#wild">description of the</a><br> + <a href="#I5">of Africa</a><br> + <a href="#dingo">of Australia</a><br> + <a href="#dingo">of Van Diemen Land</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Williamson, Captain</b></td> +<td><a href="#I293">account of the wild dogs of Nepâl</a><br> + <a href="#I294">on the degeneration of dogs in India</a><br> + <a href="#dhole">description of the dhole</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Wolf</b></td> +<td><a href="#I29">supposed to be the origin of the dog</a><br> + <a href="#I295">anecdotes of the</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Wolf-dog</b></td> +<td><a href="#irishwolf">Irish</a><br> + <a href="#pom">Italian</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Worms</b></td> +<td><a href="#worms">varieties of</a><br> + <a href="#worms">symptoms of</a><br> + <a href="#I296">means of expelling</a><br> + <a href="#I297"> cases of</a><br> + <a href="#I298"> a cause of sudden death</a><br> + <a href="#worms">causes of</a><br> + <a href="#epilepsy">a cause of epilepsy</a><br> + <a href="#I299">a cause of distemper</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> + <td><b>Wounds</b></td> + <td><a href="#woundear">of the ear</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + + +<a name="y"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Yellow distemper</b></td> +<td><a href="#I300">nature of</a><br> + <a href="#I301"> treatment of</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Yellows</b></td> +<td><a href="#I302">the</a></td> +</tr> +</table><br> +<br> + + +<a name="z"></a> +<table summary="Index a" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="1"> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Zinc</b></td> +<td><a href="#I303">sulphate of, a valuable excitant</a></td> +</tr> +<tr align="left" valign="top"> +<td><b>Zoological</b></td> +<td><a href="#I52">classification of the dog</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> +<br> +<br><p><a href="#toc">Contents</a>/<a href="#cp7">Detailed Contents, p. 7</a>/<a href="#index">Index</a></p> +<hr><br><br> + + + + + + + + + +<br> +<br> +<b><i>end of text</i></b> +<br> + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dog, by William Youatt + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOG *** + +This file should be named 9478-h.htm or 9478-h.zip + +Produced by Clytie Siddall, Joshua Hutchinson and Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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