Glasgow University Library

T HE DOG.

reunion': printed ut

SPOTTISWOODO AND CO., NEW-STRHBT SQUARH
AND PARLIAMENT STREET

UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE
DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE

THE DOG

BY WILLIAM YOUATT

LONDON

LONGMAN S, GREEN, AND CO.

1871

c

COMMITTEE.

Chairman —LORD BROUGHAM, F.R.S., Member of the National Institute of France
Vice-Cliairman-KAKL SPENCER.
Treasurer SIR I. L. GOLDSMID, Bart., F.R. and R.A.S.

Captain Beaufort, R.N., F.R. and R.A.S.

Lord Campbell.

Professor Carey, A.M.

John Conolly, M.D.

William Coulson, Esq.

The Bishop of St. Davi. 's.

Sir Henry De la Beche, F.R.S.

Professor De Morgan, F.R.A.S.

Lord Denman.

T. F. Ellis, Esq., A.M., F.R.A.S.

Thomas Falconer, Esq.

John Forbes, M.D., F.R.S.

F. II. Goldsmid, Esq.

B. Gompertz, Esq., F.R. and R.A.S.

J. T. Graves, Esq., A.M., F.R.S

M. D. Hill, Esq. Q.C.

Rt. Hon. Sir J. 0. Hobhouse, Bart., M .P.

Thos. Hodgkin.M.D.

Henry B. Ker, Esq.

Professor Key, A.M.

John G. S. Lefevre, Esq., A.M.

Sir Denis Le Marchant, Bart.

Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., M.P

George C. Lewis, Esq., A.M.

Professor Long, A.M.

Right Hon. S. Lushington, D.C.L.

Professor Maiden, A.M.

A. T. Malkin, Esq., A.M.

Mr. Serjeant Manning.

Lord Nugent.

Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart.
Professor Quain.
Professor Thomson, M.D..F.L.S
Thomas Vardon, Esq.
Jacob Walev, Esq., A.M.
James Walker, Esq., F.R.S.
Thos. Webster, Esq., A.M.
Lord Wrottesley, A.M., F.R.A.S.

THOMAS COATES, Euq., Secretary, No. 42, Bedford Square.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

I.-THE EAELY HISTORY AND ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
OF THE DOG ....

II.-THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG.-FIRST DIVISION . . 13

III. -THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG—SECOND DIVISION .. . 43

IV. -THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG.-THIRD DIVISION . . 98
V.-THE GOOD QUALITIES OF THE DOG; THE SENSE OF

SMELL; INTELLIGENCE; MORAL QUALITIES; DOG-
CARTS; CROPPING; TAILING; BREAKING-IN ; DOG-
PITS; DOG-STEALING 105

^* DESCRIPTION OF THE SKELETON. DISEASES OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM :-FITS ; TURNSIDE ; EPILEPSY;
CHOREA ; RHEUMATISM AND PALSY . 116
VII.— RABIES ....

VIII.-THE EYE AND ITS DISEASES I55

IX.— THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES 160

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; PHLEG-
MONOUS TUMOUR ... ,,.Q

XL— ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE CHEST: THE DIA-
PHRAGM; THE PERICARDIUM; THE HEART; PLEU-
RISY; PNEUMONIA ; SPASMODIC COUGH . . m

CONTENTS.

OHAPTKR PAOK

XII. — ANATOMY OF THE GULLET, STOMACH, AND INTESTINES:
TETANUS; ENTERITIS; PERITONITIS; COLIC; CAL-
CULUS IN THE INTESTINES; INTUSSUSCEPTION;
DIARRHEA; DYSENTERY; COSTIVENESS ; DROPSY;
THE LIVER ; JAUNDICE ; THE SPLEEN AND PANCREAS ;
INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY : CALCULUS ; IN-
FLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER j RUPTURE OF THE
BLADDER ; WORMS ; FISTULA IN THE ANUS . .194

XIII. — BLEEDING; TORSION; CASTRATION; PARTURITION; AND

SOME DISEASES CONNECTED WITH THE ORGANS OF
GENERATION ........ .223

XIV. — THE DISTEMPER ... 231

XV. — SMALL-POX ; MANGE; WARTS; CANCER; FUNGUS HiEMA-

TODES; SORE FEET 243

XVI. — FRACTURES 250

XVII.— MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF THE DISEASES

OF THE DOG 255

APPENDIX.— NEW LAWS OF COURSING » 260

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 in-
telligence, 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." 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.

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 chace.

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 connexion
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 prin-
cipally, 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 chace as
much as does his rider ; and, when contending for victory on the course,
he feels the full influence of emulation. Remembering the pleasure lie
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.

» den. iv. 2.

B

2

EAJtLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

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 lie 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.

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 do<»
were not harnessed to the sledge, and the Laplander, and the Greenlander,
and the Kamtchatkan 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.

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 particidar, as the preserver of human
life, the history of the dog will be most interesting. The writer of this
work has seen a Newfoundland clog who, on five distinct occasions, pre-
served 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 pro-
tect him from the abuses to which he is exposed, and to mitigate or remove
some of the diseases which his connexion with man has entailed upon
him ; if any of these purposes be accomplished, we shall derive consider-
able " useful knowledge " as well as pleasure from the perusal of the
present volume.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

3

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 essen-
tial points; that the dog and wolf will readily breed with each other, and
that their progeny, thus obtained, will again mingle with the dog. 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 possi-
bility 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, how-
ever, 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-remem-
bered 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.

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

i

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

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.»

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 Egyp-
tians, from whose tyranny the Israelites had just escaped. Figures of
them appeared on the friezes of most of the temples,b 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." c

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 — Sirids.
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 preva-
lent 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.

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 govern-
ment was conducted. These indications of his will were implicitly
obeyed, or rather, perhaps, were translated by his worshippers as their
own caprice or interest dictated.

Even a thousand years after this period the dog was highly esteemed in
•^gyP*- f°r 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, lie taught, with the Egyptian philosophers,
that, at the death of the body, the soul entered into that of different ani-
mals. 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 preserve the Israelites from errors and follies like

" Deut. xxiii. 18. an(l broad muzzle, not unlike the old Tnl-

6 In some of Relzoni's beautiful sketches bot hound
of the frieze-wi rk of the old Egyptian tern- » Herodotus, lib. ii. c. G6.
pies, the dog appears, with his long ears

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

5

these, and to prevent the possibility of this species of idolatry being esta-
blished, that the dog was afterwards regarded with utter abhorrence
among the Je\vs.a 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 ; b and it
is said in The Revelations that " without are dogs and sorcerers," &c.c
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." d 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 par-
ticular owner, but protecting the street e 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 exist-
ence. If by chance a dog rmssed 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!"f

This accounts for the singular fact that in the whole of the Jewish his-
tory 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 pur-
suit 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 be-
come the companion, the friend, and the defender of man and his home.
So late as the second century of the Christian sera, 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 en-

* No dog was suffered to come -within
the precincts of the Temple at Jerusalem.
E{&> Kvvts was a prevalent expression
among the Jews. Bryant's Mythology
vol. ii. p. 42.

b Phil. iii. 2.

° Rev. xxii. 15

d Job. xxx. I. See also Isaiah Ivi. 10,
II.

0 Psalm lix. C.

f Carpenter's Scripture Natural His-
tory, 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 so 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 ab-
horrence as the common scavenger of the
streets.

6

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

snaring 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." The first hint of the employ-
ment 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 pro-
mulgation 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 skilful artists of ancient times. It differs but little from the New-
foundland 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.

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*pr< y

» Ar rian's Cynegeticus, cap. '2t'<

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

7

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.* Of the stronger and more ferocious dogs there is, however, occa-
sional 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 (fight-
ing) 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 Geltic nations.

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 Bri-
tons, who call them agascei. 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
agasaus is of good nose and most excellent in following scent." b

Among the savage dogs of ancient times were the Hyrcanian, said, on
account of their extreme ferocity, to have been crossed with the tiger, —
the Locrian, chiefly employed in hunting the boar, — the Pannonian, used
in war as well as in the chace, 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 chace.
This last breed had one redeeming quality — an inviolable attachment to
their owners. This attachment was reciprocal ; for it is said that the Mo-
lossi used to weep over their faithful quadruped companions slain in war.

JElian 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

« New Sporting Magazine, vol. xiv. p. 97.
" Oppian's Cynegeticus, lib. i. v. 408 — 480.

? EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

the house, or to follow the owner on any excursion of business or of plea-

. -^V ST °f these do»8' that they have no pretensions to the

deceitful commendation of form; but, at the time of need, when count J X
required of them, most excellent mastifFs are not to be preferred to them

Ihe 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 doffs 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 dis-
covered 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,
1 he 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 bis garments how oft didst thou start?
How many long days and long weeks didst thou number

Lre 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 do»;s of various descriptions formed a necessary part of
ns 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 him-
self 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 life disre-

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

9

gard 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, how-
ever, 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 sacri-
ficed had he been known, stood at the entrance of his palace-door. There
he met with an old dependent, 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 con-
versing; 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 his 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."

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.

W e 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 occu-
pies 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 most 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

" Pope's Odyssey, xvii.

10

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG.

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 Cards — 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 Button, " and sub-
missively 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 wor-
ships 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 con-
nexion 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 ex-
pressly 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 constraint, 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 power-
ful 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
whicli 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 gentlemen at Shrewsbury, had been companions for many years, until
one of them died of old age. The survivor immediately began to manifest
In extraordinary degree of restless anxiety, searching for his old associate
in all his former haunts, and refusing every kind of food. He gradually

ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE DOG,

1 1

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,' 2nd 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 the 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 con-
sider 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 Avith 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 sprung from one common source, but
climate, food, and cross-breeding caused variations of form, which sug-
gested particular uses; and these being either designedly or accidentally
perpetualed, the various breeds of dogs thus arose, and they have be-
come numerous in proportion to the progress of civilization. Among the
ruder, or savage tribes, they possess but one form ; but the ingenuity of
man lias 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, where-
ever 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 do-
mesticated 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

12

ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE DOG.

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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG. ]3

CHAPTER II.

THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG

THE THIBET DOO.

FIRST DIVISION.

The head more or less elongated, the parietal bones toidcst at the base
ami gradually approaching to each other as they ascend, and the condyls
of the lower jaw being on the same line with the upper molar teeth.

To this division belong the greater number of the

WILD DOGS.

The wild do"-, 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 the character of the
wild race from which they had descended, abandoning their state of
domestication, and reasserting their native independence. A black grey-
hound bitch, belonging to a gentleman in Scarisbrick, in Lancashire, though

14

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

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 twelvemonth 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 Northum-
berland. He soon began to worry the sheep for his subsistence, and did
so much mischief that he caused very considerable alarm. He was fre-
quently 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 ap-
proached, 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 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.b

" Annals of Sporting, vol, vi. p. 99.

b The superstition of the Arabians and
Turks with regard to dogs is somewhat
singular: neither have they much affec-
tion 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 de-
votion 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 ex-
cepted from the general rule, because when
not running these dogs are tied up where
nothing unclean can reach them, aud 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

15

Mr. Hodgson has favoured the Zoological Society with an account of

THE WILD DOG OF NEPAL,

the budnsu, and, rinding 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 chace 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 follow-
ing 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." a

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.h

The wild Nepal dogs caught when at an adult age make no approach
towards domestication ; 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."

Captain T. Williamson gives an interesting account of the ferocious
character of some of these wild dogs. " They have considerable resem-
blance 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 chace 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 be-
come, after every successive generation, more and more similar to the

he should injure purposely, or destroy one
of them, the law would punish him. Che-
valier Darvieux's Travels in Arabia De-
serta, 1718, p. 155.
» Heber's Narrative, p. 500.

b Histoire du Chicn, par Elzear Blaze,
p. 54.

c Proceedings of the Zoological Society,
Part I. 183:5.

IG FIRST DIVISION OF THE

pariah, or indigenous dog of that country. The hounds are the most
rapld in their decline, and, except in the form of their they a^e
very much like many of the village curs. Greyhounds and pointers also
rapmly 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 mastitis, and they do not
possess sufficient stamina ; but, crossed by the East Indian greyhound thev
are invaluable in hunting the hog." ' y

Colonel Sykes, at one of the meetings of the Zoological Society, pro-
duced a specimen of Jf r

THE WILD DOG OF DAKHUK,
or Deccan, a part of India far to the south of Nepal, and gave the fol-
lowing description of this supposed primitive dog:— "Its head is com
pressed 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 inter-
mediate between the wolf and the jackal. The neck long, the body
elongated and the entire dog of a red-brown colour. None of the do-
mesticated dogs of Dakhun are common in Europe, but those of Dakhun
and JSepal are very similar in all their characters. There is also a doo-
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, ihere 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
JUahratta frontier towards Maghore, is

DHOLE,

the Ctiryseus 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 Midna-
pnre to Chamu, and even there are not often to be met with. They are
ot the size of a small greyhound. Their countenance is enlivened by
unusually brilliant eyes. Their body, which is slender and deep-chested,
is thin Ly covered by a coat of hair of a reddish-brown or bay colour. The
toil is dark towards its extremity. The limbs are light, compact, and

- Williamson's Oriental Field Sports.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

17

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 demonstrate 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 as 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 fre-
quently 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 pro-
bable 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 approach-
ing 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 chace.
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 the por-
trait at the head of this chapter 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.

c

18

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

It is said, however, that the Thibet dog rapidly degenerates v. hen
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 mas-
tiff, 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 wander-
ing about, and picking up a living in any way that he can. He is, how-
ever, 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 Moham-
medans 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 fre-
quently 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. " 1 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,

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

19

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 to 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 home, 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 " pos-
sessing 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 pro-
bably 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 con-
tinues 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. lie 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

0 2

20

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

than usual in clogs, 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 shep-
herds' 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.

THE DINGO. ♦

He does, however, occasionally bark, and has the same kind of snarling
voice which the larger dogs generally have. The Australasian do~s that
Have been brought to Europe have usually been of a savage and untrace-
able 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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 21

Every domesticated dog coming within their reach was immediately
destroyed. One that was brought to England broke his chain— scoured
the surrounding countiy — and, before dawn, had destroyed several sheep ;
and another attacked, and would have destroyed, an ass, if lie 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 1 200 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 pros-
perity 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 ATJSTKALIS KARARAHE, 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 com-
panions. 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 paved 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 occa-
sionally 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

22

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

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, wlien
the gun of the hunter is heard. The habit of selecting large, open,
sandy plains, and burrowing there, extends to the greater part of the
American wild dogs.

In some parts of North America wdiole 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
ins companions.

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 Ame-
rican wild dogs, as do also the Aguara dogs of every kind. These wan-
derers of the woods are, howrever, 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. 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
they are nearly exterminated.

The history of the

WILD DOG OF AFRICA

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 deal,
He is of considerable size, with a round muzzle, large head, small erect
ears, and long and hairy tail, spotted witli 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 Poiret, in his Travels in Barbary, as-
serts 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 ap-
pearance revoltiug ; carrion, filth, any-
thing 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 23

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 neigh-
bourhood of the Cape, and particularly the Karroo or Wilderness. It is
smaller than either of the others, and lives among bushes or under pro-
minent rocks. Others, although not identified with the jackal, yet asso-
ciating 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 subsist-
ence, 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 re-
sounded with their hideous bowlings 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

anlMany of the Greek and Roman epicures were strangely fond of the
flesh of the dog, and those who ought to have known much better encou-
raged 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

and would tear him to pieces if he did lively and honest courtier He is here a

not seek his safety in r!ight."-Vol. i. p. gloomy egotist, and cut ofi from all human

3.V3 intercourse without being the less a slave.

Denon when in the city of Alexandria, He does not know him whose house he

in Eevpt! says, " I have no longer recog- protects, and devours his corpse without

nised the dog, that friend of man, the repugnance."— Travels in Lower Egypt,

attached and faithful companion — the p. 32.

24

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

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.

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 eveiy 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.*

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 socie-
ties 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 j 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.

As a counterpart to much of this, the ancient Hyrcanians may be men-
tioned, who lived near the Caspian Sea, and who deemed it one of the

• Histoire du Chicn, p. 200. The Voyage of Dumont d'Urville, vol. ii. p 474.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

25

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 cer-
tain number of these animals, as a living tomb for himself at some future
period, and these dogs were remarkable for their fierceness.

DOMESTICATED DOGS OF THE FIRST DIVISION.

THE HAKE INDIAN DOG.

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 be-
longing 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
liiver and of the Great Bear Lake in North America. They appear to
!)•; good-tempered and easily manageable, and soon become familiar even

26

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

with strangers. They are most valuable to the Indians, who live almost
entirely on the produce of the chace. 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 vari-
ous breeds around it.

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 pre-
sented 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 grey-
hound. 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.

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 gene-

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

27

rally white, marked with numerous small round black or reddish-brown
spots. The Dalmatian is said to be used in his native country for the
chace, 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.

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 em-
ployed as a house-dog. He discharges his duty most faithfully ; and, not-
withstanding his flat forehead, shows himself to possess a very high degree
of intelligence.

THE GBEYHOTJND.

"We find no mention of this dog in the early Grecian records. The
pugnaces and the sagaces are mentioned; but the ccleres — 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 se-
lect 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" 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 uvoydes 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 coteb 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."c

• Greyhound. b Overcast, or overrun. c Ovid, Mctamorph., lib. i. v. 353.

28

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

• ; i

THE GREYHOUND.

The English, Scotch, and Irish greyhounds were all of Celtic deriva-
tion, and their cultivation and character corresponded 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 nf
the progress of these dogs, which seems to be evidently founded on truth.
" Scotland, a northern locality, has long been celebrated for its grey-
hounds, 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."

Mr. Richardson, in his History of the Greyhound, gives a different de-
rivation of the name of this dog. He says that the greyhound was
of Grecian origin — canis Grcecus, — that Greecus was not unfrequently
written Grains, and thence was derived the term greyhound. This de-
rivation, 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

•29

Elfric King of Mercia. There are paintings of him that can be satisfac-
torily 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, derived its
name from its having been, at this period, the receptacle of the grey-
hounds 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."

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 L 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."

° A singular story is told of Richard 1 1.,
and one of these dogs. It is given in the
language of Froissart. "A grayhounde
called Mithe, who always wayted upon
the kynge, and woulde 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 Erie of Derby talked togyder in
the courte, the grayhounde, who was
wonte to leape uppon the kynge, left the
kynge and came to the Erie of Derhy,
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 gray-
hounde wolde do? 'Cousin,' quod 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
acknowledged you here this daye as
Kynge of England, as ye shal he, and I
sha] he deposed; the grayhounde hath
this knowledge naturally : therefore take
hym to you, he wyll followe you and
forsake me.' The duke understood well
those words, and cheryshed the gray-
hounde, who wolde never after followe
kynge Richarde, but followed the Duke of
Lancastre."

30

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

On most of the old tombs in the sculpture of which the dog is in-
troduced, 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
Gelert, the favourite greyhound of Llewellyn Prince of Wales, and son-
in-law to King John, will be 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 he blew a louder blast,

And gave a louder cheer,
" Come, Gelert ! why art thou the last

Llewellyn's horn to hear ?"

" Oh, where does faithful Gelert roam ?

The flower of all his race !
So true, so brave ; a lamb at home,

A lion in the chace ?"

'T was only at Llewellyn's board

The faithful Gelert 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 Gelert could be found,

And all the chace 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 chace of hart or hare ;
And scant and small the booty proved,

For Gelert was not there.

Unpleased Llewellyn homeward hied.

When near the portal seat
His truant Gelert he espied,

Bounding his lord to greet.

But when he gained the castle-door

Aghast the chieftain 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 Gelert 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 de-
voured !'

The frantic father cried ;
And to the hilt his vengeful sword

He plunged in Gelert's side.

His suppliant, as to earth he fell,

No pity could impart ;
But still his Gelert's dying yell

Passed heavy o'er his heart.

Aroused by Gelert'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 M-olf 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 Gelert's bones protect.

Here never could the spearman pass,

Or forester, unmoved ;
Here oft the tear-besprinkled grass

Llewllyn's sorrow proved.

And here he hung his horn and spear ;

And oft, as evening fell,
In fancy's piercing sounds would hear

Poor Gelert's dying yell !

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

31

It will he 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 Gelerts now
to combat successfully with the wolf, if these ferocious animals were yei
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 Gelert 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 per-
teynynge to Hawkynge, Huntynge, &c, emprynted at Westniestre, by
Wynkyn de Worde, 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 none 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 be-
yond 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 per-
severance. 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 bull-dog ; but
his courage and his indomitable perseverance remained, and, having once
started after his game, he did not relinquish chace until he fell exhausted
or perhaps died. This cross is now almost universally adopted. It is
one of the secret3 in the breeding of the greyhound.

Of the stanchness of the well-bred greyhound, the following is a satis-
factory 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 the each other. A labouring

32

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

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 dis-
played 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 grey-
hound, 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 Malton 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 Don-
caster course, her competitor having been withdrawn, was joined by a grey-
hound 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 consi-
derably declined before his death.

In 1797 a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a chalk-
pit at Offliam, in Sussex. The have and both the dogs were found dead
at the bottom of the pit.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

33

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 alto-
gether 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 unex-
pected 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 mouth. 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 develop-
ment 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 ever}
other animal of speed. It must be capacious : this capacity must be ob-
tained 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 (he 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 por-
tion of the leg which is between the elbow and the knee, should be longj
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.

v

31

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

With regard to the form of the back and sides of the greyhound, Mr.
Thacker says, with much truth, that "It is the strengtli of the back which
is brought into requisition, in particular, in running over hilly ground.
Here may bo 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

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 muscu-
larly 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 form-
ing 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.b

As to the individual attachment which the greyhound may form, he lias
not always or often the opportunity to acquire or to exhibit it. The
keeper exercises over him a tyrannical power, and the owner seldom no-
tices 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.

" Thacker on Sporting.

b 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, and
tied to the 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 apply-
ing 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 w;is sure
they were devils, and not dogs.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

35

" 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
aw ay 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 Horme, possessed of the
greatest speed, and intelligence, and fidelity, and excellent in every point."

The greyhound has within the last fifty years assumed a somewhat dif-
ferent character from that which he once possessed. He is distinguished
by a beautiful symmetry of form, of which he once could not boast, and
lie 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 the breeding and entering 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 breed-
ing. 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 pos-
sessing 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 pro.
duced during the spring, because at that time there will often be oppor-
tunity 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, how-
ever, to be agreed that no dog or bitch can qualify for a puppy cup after
two years of age.

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 abun-
dantly 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 ;

u 2

36

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

great care, however, being taken that they are not over-gorged. Regular
and proper feeding, with occasional exercise, will constitute the best pre-
paration 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 impos-
sible 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 cunning. 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, pro-
bably, 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 pos-
sibly he will never afterwards prove a game dog. In the course of his
training he should be allowed every advantage and experience every en-
couragement. His courses should be twice or thrice a-week, according to
their severity, and as often as it can be effected he should be rewarded with
some mark of kindness.

In the ' Sportsman' for April, 1840, is an interesting account of the
chace 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 him-
self, 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 turn-
ing, and, attacked 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 reason-
able 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
leached the cover and escaped.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

37

The isle of Cyprus has for many years been celebrated for its breed of
tho greyhound. On grand days, or when the governor is present, the
sport is conducted in a curious manner. "When the hare is ready to be-
come 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 grey-
hounds is then let loose. He pursues the hare, and, having come up with
it, carries it backhand, 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."

The following, according to Mr. Blaine, an ardent courser in his youth,
is the best mode of feeding greyhounds at regular work :— 1 1 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 meal
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 pre-
vious to coursing, if we intended anything like an exhibition of our doga
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." b

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 be 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 an old dog 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

• Scott's Sportsman's Repository, p. 97. b Blaine's Kncyclopedia of Sporting.

38

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

coursing must reckon upon incurring considerable expense; but, if lie
ioves the sport, he will be amply remunerated by the speed and stoutness
01 Ins 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 pro-
duces the desired effect, leaves no exhaustion behind. a

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 per-
mitted to be entered for a sweepstakes, because, instead of depending on
his speed alone, as does the English greyhound, he has recourse to occa-
sional artifices in order to intercept the hare. In sporting lanonao-e 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 par-
ticularly 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 stand-
ing up and holding out, they got diverse both dogs and bitches of the best

• For a set i>f laws for Coursing Matches, see Appendix.

VARIETIES OE THE DOG. 39

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
niaister 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 hunt-
ing, 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 occasion-
ally 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

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.b

THE GASEHOUND,

the agasceus 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 ?" 0

There is no dog possessed of this quality at present known in Europe ;
but the translator of Arriar. thinks that it might be produced between the
Irish greyhound and the bloodhound.

- • Sportsman, vol. xi. p. 314. b Bell> British Quadrupeds, p. 241.

r « Tickell's Miscellanies.

40

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

THE IRISH WOLF-DOG.

Tins animal is nearly extinct, or only to be met with at the mansions of
) e or two persons by whom he is kept more for show than use, he wild
animals which he seemed powerful enough to conquer having long- dis-
appeared.from the kingdom. The beauty of his appearance and the an-
tiquity of his race are his only claims, as lie disdains the chaceof stag- fox
or hare, although he is ever ready to protect the person and the property"
ot his master IIis size is various, some having attained the height of
four feet, and Dr Go dsmith states that he saw one as large as a yearling
calf. He is shaped like a greyhound, but stouter ; and the only do- 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. Ihe same writer says that his grandfather had an Irish wolf-doo-
which saved his mother's life from a wolf as she was paying a visit at-
tended 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.8

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 appear-

Tu- ,I?eJllunts bv scent as weI1 as °y sight, and, therefore, small packs
ot this kind are sometimes kept, against which the wolf, or even the bear,
would stand little chance. He is principally used for the chace 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 dexterit v.
He is met with in most parts of Russia, where his breed is carefully pre-
served 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 clog 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 com-
panion of the heroes of Greece in her ancient glory.

■ Sporting Mag. 1837, p. 15G.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

41

THE GRECIAN GREYHOUND.

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. lie is
never tised 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 bow-
string. 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

42

FIRST DIVISION OF THE

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 chace, however, in which the Persians chiefly delight,
and for which these greyhounds are mostly valued, is that of the ghoo-
hhan, 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 grey-
hounds 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 chace. Such, however, is the speed and en-
durance of the ghoo-khan that it is seldom fairly run down by the grey-
hounds, its death being usually achieved by the rifle of some horseman.
The Persians evince great skill and courage in this dangerous sport, gal-
loping 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."

The Persian greyhound, carried to Hindoostan, is not always to be de-
pended 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 drawing-room ; but, like the large grey-
hound, it is inferior in intelligence. It has no strong individual attach-
ment, 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 ex-
posed to unnecessary danger. It is bred along the coasts of Italy, prin-
cipally 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 in-
creased, 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 Aus-
trian 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 mu-
tual danger. When it died, it was buried in the gardens of the palace at
Berlin, and a suitable inscription placed over its grave.

■ New Sports. Map. xiii. 124.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

43

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.

KING CHARLES'S AXD BLENHEIMS.

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 do- and
every variety distinguished for intelligence and fidelity, have more or less
ot his blood in them.

THE SPANIEL

is probably of Spanish origin, and thence his name. The ears are lame
and pendent the tail elevated, the fur of a different length in differed
parts of the body, but longest about the ears, under the nick, be I the

K in colour' but raost ~y ^

BpalielsT" many VarietieS °f 8pa"ieL The 8rpaHest of the land

44

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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,
Iu quest of feathered game my spaniels beat,
Puzzling the entangled copse, and from the brake
Push forth the whirring pheasant."

The cocker is here veiy useful, although he is occasionally an exceed-
ingly 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 sports-
man 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 eveiy 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 sports-
man 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 correc-
tion, 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 per-
severance, 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.

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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

45

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.

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 un-
happy 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.

THE BLACK AND TAN SPANIEL,
the cross of the terrier being nearly or quite got rid of, is often a beau-
tiful 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 inha-
bitant of the drawing-room than the field ; but it occasionally breaks out,
and shows what nature designed it for. Some of these carpeted pets ac-
quit 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 be distinguished by
the length and silkinessof 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 how-
ever, being ordinarily preferable. Whatever be his general size strength
and compactness of form are requisite. His head is Ion-, his face smooth

46

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

and His limbs, more developed than those of the springer, should be mus-
cular, his carcase round, and his hair long and closely curled. Good
breaking is more necessary here than even with the land-spaniel, and, for-
tunately, 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 ;

THE WATER-SPANIEL.

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 lie
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 import-
ant 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 ol

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

47

attachment to which the more lively land-spaniel cannot always lay jusf
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 suf-
fered 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. lie 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 suc-
ceeded, 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 neigh-
bouring town to purchase gunpowder. A man, in a drunken frolic, had
[•iished 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 or thirty yards towards the shore, when the drunken fellow clasped
the flog 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 m
liis arms, thus dragging him to the bottom. ' Poor Bagsman ! thy worth
deserves to be thus chronicled.' "

48

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 clog, and the frontal sinuses fully developed, and exhibiting
every indication of the intellectual class to which it belongs.

THE POODLK.

Tt was originally a water-dog, as its long and curly hair, and its pro-
pensities 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 recog-
nised by its owner.

These dogs have far more courage than the water-spaniel, all the saga
y of the Newfoundland, more general talent, if the expression may be

city

V / Q J - — » ~ » • «•» » * r-%J

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 accompa-
nymg his demonstrations of friendship.

VAltlETIES OF THE DOG.

49

This dog, however, possesses a very peculiar kind of intelligence. 1 1
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; lie would next simulate the convulsive
throbs of departing life, and then stretch out his limbs and thus seem as if
lie had expired. In this situation he would remain motionless, until he had
his master's command to rise.

The portrait of Saucho, 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
this 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, lie 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 bo
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 be 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 clege
nerating into palsy, as the well-trimmed poodle.

THE BAB BEX

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.

50

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 Melitmi. 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 under-
standing 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 interme-
diate 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 considerably 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
became very early diseased, and drop from the gums. That eminent zo-
ologist, Mr. Yarrell, examining, with the author of this work, one that had
died, certainly not more than five years old, found that ?t had neither

VARIETIES OP TIIE DOG.

51

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 remark-
ably 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 BEPvNARDINE DOG

is a breed almost peculiar to the Alps, and to the district between Switzer-
land and Savoy. The passes over these mountains are exceedingly dan-
gerous 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 dozen snow or ice. in many places the path is
overhung wit h huge musses 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 ho escape these dangers, the path is now become track-
less, and he wanders amid the dreary solitudes until night overtakes hiraj

e 2

52

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 con-
tinually 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 moun-
tain, 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 clog, one of which
was the remarkable creature whose services had been so valuable. Descend-
ing 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 Balsorc, and
cherished, and warmed, and induced to climb upon 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 clas-^i s
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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 53

their companions, prowl about preying on the neighbouring flocks, or

absolutely starving. , , , e

Mr. Macgregoi, however, states that "in almost every other part of
British America they are valuable and useful. They are remarkably do-
cile 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

THE N EWTOUNDI^ND DOU.

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 oidcr 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.""

That which most recommends the Newfoundland dog is his fearlessness
of wat."!'. and particularly as connected with the preservation of human
life. The writer of the present work knows one of these animals that
lias preserved from drowning four human beings.

* Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America, by J. Macgregor.

54 SECOND DIVISION OF THE

A native of Germany was travelling one evening on foot through Hoi-

one side ot 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 reco
very 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 m the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushina-
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 oppol
site 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 lickin-
Ihe 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 Ire had been enabled to sup-
port the head out of water ; and in this way he had conveyed him nearly
a quarter of a mile before lie 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 do°-
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 M ere beneath his notice ; but one little cur was particularly trou-
blesome, and at length carried his impudence so far as to bite the New-
foundland dog in the leg. This was a degree of wanton insult beyond
what lie 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 car-
ried 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 comple tely in
character. Indeed, if it were fully analyzed, an ample commentarv might
be written in order to show what a variety of comparisons and motives
and generous feelings entered into the composition of this act."

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

55

No one ever drew more legitimate consequences from certain existing

premises. '

One other story should not be omitted of this noble breed of water-
do<*s. 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 Ma-
gazine. " 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
on shore, rope and all, became the saviour of the creAv."

Some of the true Newfoundland dogs have been brought to Europe and
have been used as retrievers. They are principally valuable for the fear-
less 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 New-
foundland 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."

THE ESQUIMAUX DOG

is a beast, of burden and of draught, usefully employed by the inhabitants
of t he extreme parts of North America and the neighbouring islands.

56"

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

* hen the Esqmmaux Indian goes in pursuit of the seal, the rein-deer or
5^2^X57?/ Uiateria,1S °f hiS ^'"Po-ry' Imt, and the C
3? famHv full 21 1 .e ,; °r' y0ked tU the Sle(^e' °ften draw him a'"J
reiionT y A fY ^ *vvt. the Fr0zen Plains of these inhospitable
E™ -/ ^her times they assist in the chace, and run down and
destioy the bear and the rein-deer on land, and the seal on the coast

THE ESQUIMAUX DOG.

rheir 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 destroy-
ing 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 ex-
peditions. " 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 chace 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 tails upon and worries his neighbour,
and he, in his turn attacks a third, and there is a scene of universal
confusion, or the clogs 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 (log put into his proper place, and the
traces re-adjusted. This frequently happens several times in the course

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

57

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
driftirio- 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.

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 chace 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 esta-
blished 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 re-
quired, or any very heavy goods are to be conveyed, more than treble or
quadruple that number are harnessed to the vehicle. M. de Lesseps" 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
tarnished 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

Journal Historiqne du Voyage de M. de Lcsseps. Paris, 1790. 2 vols. — tome 1.

58

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

escapes ; and the more they felt the warmth the closer they crept, and then,
through mere feebleness, losing their equilibrium, they rolled into the the
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 de-
spair. 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 ban-
dages 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 sub-
mitted to a reduction of the fracture, and the bandaging of the limb, with-
out 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 frac-
ture 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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

59

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."

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, it 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 whither-
soever 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 ca-
resses, 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 character-
istics, 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

" Clarke's Scandinavia, vol. i. p. 432.

60

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

that it discharges in the most admirable way : there is evidently a kind
and wise design m this. J

_ This account of the French sheep-dog, or of tl.e sheep-dog everywhere
™ ™e 35 14 » beautiful. One age succeeds to another, we pis ft£
one climate to another, and everything varies and changes, but the shep-
herd 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
trrognier 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" In Great
Britain, where he has principally to guide and not to guard the flock he is

Jrtw,-.*e

THE ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG.

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 en-
closed districts, and where strength is often needed to turn an obstinate
sheep, he is crossed with some larger dog, as the rough terrier, or some-
times the pointer, or now and then the bull-dog: in fact, almost any
variety that has strength and stoutness may be employed. Tims 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 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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

61

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 other country the dog is used, partly or principally to pro-
tect the flock from the ravages of the wolf, he is as gentle as a lamb, ex-
cept 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 be some-
what 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 uever
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 en-
tirely 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 pro-
tect 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 un-
observed 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 acci-
dentally 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.""

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

• Trimmer on the Merinos, p. 50. See also the Society's work on Sheep.

62 SECOND DIVISION OF THE

the dog, and the consequent interference with the cropping and the dW
lon of the food he will attach more importance to the |ood tempefof
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, in-
stead of collecting round the dog, and placing themselves under his pro-
tection on any sudden alarm, uniformly fly from him with terror, the farmer
theyflockSSUr there ^ SOmethinS radicallY wrong in the management of
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 pre-
disposition for the office he has to discharge, which it requires little
trouble or skill to develop and perfect.

It is no impleading 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-do°-, were made'
and almost perfected, by nature chiefly for one office alone, although they
may be 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 as 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 Black-
wood'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 per-
ceived a sort of sullen intelligence in his countenance, notwithstanding ins
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 Shep-
herd s care, frightened by something, scampered away in three different

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

directions across the hills, in spite of all that he could do to keep them
together. " Sirrah," said the shepherd, " they're a' awa I"

It was too dark for the dog and his master to see each other at any con-
siderable distance, but Sirrah understood him, and set off after the fugi-
tives. 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 him-
self 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 as I did to my honest Sirrah that
morning."

THE SCOTCH 8HF,F,l>-DOO.

A sh°pherd, 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.

CI

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 de-
parted as usual with his piece of cake. The animal led the way to a ca-
taract 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 "he
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. lie
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."

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 of 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. b

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

" Annals of Sporting, vol. viii. p. 83.

b " 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 Shep-
herd's Calendar, vol. ii. p. 308.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

65

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 Hock
stopped at the various roads and lanes he passed in their way to the neigh-
bourhood of London.

In the next year the same shepherd, accompanied by the same dog,
brought up another flock for the gentleman 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."

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 compara-
tively 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 asto-
nishes 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." >>

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 Lincoln-
shire ; 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 Ettriek
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

" Jesse's Gleanings, vol. i. p. 93. h BnfTon's Natural History vol. v. \>. 31 J

F

66

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

a lot of sheep before her, he took a pride in leaving then) 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 5 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 winch 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 veiy yard to which he was used to drive
them when with his master, he significantly delivered them up to the per-
son appointed to receive them by barking at his door. When the path
which he travelled lay through grounds in which others Avere 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 ser-
vices are not required there, but he is useful in various parts of the Con-
tinent, 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,

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

67

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
w itli 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 cer-
tainly 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 pro-
visions 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 capa-
city is exerted and exhausted in it ; and he is of little avail in miscella-
neous matters ; whereas a very indifferent cur bred about the house, and
accustomed to assist in everything, will olten 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. Olavc's
in Southwark, was a cur.

The following story is strictly authentic i— " Not long ago a youno- 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

f 2

b'8

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 do°-'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." *

THE LURCHER.

This dog was originally a cross between the greyhound and the shep-
herd's dog, retaining all the speed and fondness for the chace 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 distin-
guishes 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.b

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 (in a

" Travels in Scotland, by the Kev. J. Hall, vol. ii. p. 395.
'' Annals of Sporting, vol. v. p. 137.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

6.9

horse's back ; often an object of ridicule at an early period of the chace,
but rarely failing to accomplish their object ere the day closed, "the
puzzling pack unravelling wile by wile, maze within maze." It wa.«
often the work of two or three hours to accomplish this ; but it was seldom,
ia 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 Wind-
sor, 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 arid
better dog.

THE BEAGLE.

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. J

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 <o send his dogs in panniers, and they had a little barn for their

70

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

kennel. The door was one night broken open, and every hound, panniers
and all, stolen. The thief was never discovered, nor even suspected.

The use of beagles was soon afterwards nearly abandoned by the intro-
duction of the harrier, and by his yielding in his turn »o the fox-hound ;
but the beagles of Colonel Thornton and Colonel Molyneux will not be
soon forgotten."

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 chace. 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-iiorse, that
served him alike for the road and the chace ; 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
fanner's boys, knowing the country and the usual doublings of the hare,
could see the greater part of the chace, 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 chace.

The character and speed of the hound much depend on the nature of
the country. The smaller harrier w ill best suit a deeply enclosed country ;
but where there is little cover, and less doubling, greater size and fleet -
ness are requisite. The harrier, nevertheless, let him be as tall and as

a Mr. Beckford at one time determined kennel for several weeks before. They

to try how he should like the use of bea- were consequently so riotous that they ran

gles, and, having heard of a small pack of after everything they saw, sheep, cur dogs,

them, he sent Ins coachman, the person he birds of all sorts, as well as hares and deer

could best spare, to fetch them. It was a However, he lost but one hound ; and, when

long journey, and, although he had some Mr. Beckford asked him what he thought

assistance, yet not being used to hounds, of them, he said, that they could not fail of

he had some trouble in getting them along, being good hounds, for they would hunt

especially as they had not been out of Uie everything.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

71

speedy as he may, should never be used for the fox ; but eveiy dog should
be strictly confined to his own game. >

Mr Beckford, in his Thoughts upon Hunting, gives an account,
unrivalled, of the chace 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. , ,, ~n ■,

He says that the sportsman should never have more than 20 couple
in the field, because it would be 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 acknow-
ledges 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.

THE HARRIER.

He anticipates the present improvement of the chace 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,

72 SECOND DIVISION OF THE

return to their proper work. The difference in the scent, and the eao-er-
ness 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." a

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 light-
ness 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 chace. 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 : there-
fore 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 stout-
ness 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

Beckford on Hunting, p. 150.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

73

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

TUB FOX-HOUNJ).

N imrod very properly observes, that " Mr. Beckford has omitted a
point much thought of by the modern sportsmen, namely, the back-ribs,
winch 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
m him. Nor is he sufficiently descriptive of the hinder le"-s of the
hound ; for there is a lengtli 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
" The Horse and the Hound, by Nimrod, p. 340.

74 SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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." »

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 .b

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 con-
fined to one sex. In consequence of the separation of the two. the do°-s
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 per-
formances in the field, opinions vary, and each sex has its advocates. The
bitch, with a good fox before her, is decidedly more oft* hand at her work ;
but she is less patient, and sometimes overruns the scent. Sir Bellingham
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 ob-
server ; but there is nothing to lead to the conclusion that, hi the natural
endowments of the senses, any superiority exists.0

The bitch should not be allowed to engage in any long and severe
chace 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 Horse and the Hound, hy Nimrod, p. 332. b Daniel's Fox-hound, p. 205.

c The Horse and the Hound, by Nimrod, p. 355.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

75

The puppino- 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

rGJ6Ct6Cl.

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 in-
tervals 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 conse-
quence of this, distemper soon appears, and many of them are lost.

Whelps tvalked, or taken care of at butchers' houses, soon grow to a con-
siderable 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 possessing equal 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

76 SECOND DIVISION OF TILE

quarrels. When these do occur, the feeder hears, and sometimes, but „ol
so frequently as he ought, endeavours to discover the cause of the disturb-
ance, and visits the culprits with deserved punishment ; too often how
ever, 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 punish-
ment : it spoils the temper of the dog, and makes him careless and indif-
ferent as long as he lives.

Mr Beckford very properly remarks, that "Young hounds are, anc
must be awkward at first, and should be taken out, a few at a time with
couples not too oose. They are thus accustomed to the usual occurrences
of the road, and this is most easily accomplished when a youm? 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
held, 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 pos-
sible 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 scat-
tered 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 orass
countries, somewhat sooner ; and, in woodlands, as soon as we please. Fre-
quent 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
fur 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 hunts-
men, should be held in utter abhorrence, and, if carried to a considerable
excess, is a disgrace to humanity. Generally speaking, none but the sports-
man 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

hungry enough, will go through the gate in the precise order in which

lie is called by the feeder ; and, in a well-broken pack, to chop at, or to
t 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
I fox-hound may, possibly, mistake the scent of a hare for that of a fox, and
igive tongue. In too many hunts he will be unmercifully flogged for this,
I and some have almost died under the lash. Mercy is a word totally un-
I known to a great proportion of whippers-in, and even to many who call
: themselves gentlemen. There can be no occasion or excuse for barbarity :
I 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
t following anecdote will furnish sufficient proof. In drawing a strong
I cover, a young bitch gave tongue very freely, while none of the other
1 hounds challenged. The whipper-in railed to no purpose ; the huntsman
i 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
l 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
i and cold hunting, the pack hit off the same scent.

At some distance a farmer informed the sportsmen, that they were a
1 long way behind the fox, for he had seen a single hound, very bloody about
i 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 length
(overtake her.

The same bitch once more hit off the scent, and the fox was killed, after
ia long and severe mn. The eye of the poor animal, that had hung pen-
( dent through the chace, 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 ken-
nel to habituate them to their names, and walked out among the sheep and
> deer, in order that they may be 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 obsti-
nate 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 on alternate days. Properly speaking, the

78

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

sport cannot be said to begin until October, but the two preceding months
are important and busy ones." S montns

" It would appear, then," says Nimrod, « that the breeding of a pack
01 tox-hounds, bordering on perfection, is a task of no ordinary difficulty
1 he best proof of it is to be found in the few sportsmen that have succeeded
m it. Not only is every good quality obtained if possible, but every im-
perfection 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 chace. 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 statp
there are no dogs like the English fox-hound for speed, scent, and con-
tinuance. 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
c heered 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.1'

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 tilings, and the hounds and the field should understand the
language. We have heard some persons blowing the horn all the day long,
a nd 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 puck of
fox-hounds cost 2,000 guineas, and the late Lord Middleton gave the same
to Mr. Osbaldeston for ten couples of his hounds.

a Beck ford's Thoughts on Hunting, p. 95.

h Mr. Beck ford gives the following ex-
cellent account of what a huntsman should
be: — "A huntsman should be attached
to the sport, and indefatigable, young,
strong, active, bold, and ci.terprising 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 dis-
tinguish the leading hounds when he does
not see them. He should be quiet, pa-
tient, 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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

79

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 Avails should be
wainscoted to the height of three feet at least. This will tend very con-
siderably 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 hound's 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 ap-
proached 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 chimneys of the boiling-house, it must
also 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.

"VVe 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 con-
trary 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 referrible to some peculiarity in the breed or management
of the hounds ; but, agreeably to a later opinion, it is dependent on situ-

80

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

ation and subsoil, and may be aggravated or increased by circumstances
over which we have no control. Some kennels are in low and damp situ-
ations, 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. E. 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 inju-
dicious and unfortunate selection of the spot for building. The kennel is
generally built on a sandbed, 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 im-
pervious 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 stones, and yet little or 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.

Kimrod, in his excellent treatise on Kennel Lameness, asks, whether it
does not appear that this disease is on the increase. He asks, " How
it is that neither Beckford nor Somerville says one word that clearly applies
to the disease ; and no one, however learned he might be in canine patho-
logy, 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 im-
portant 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 pre-
sents 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
do«- without affecting- the bowels. There will be inflammation or painful

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

81

torpor through the whole of the intestinal canal. It is only in some pecu-
liar 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." ■ . -

Ninirod took a most important view of the matter, and to lum 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 un-
healthy 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 FITZHARDlNGE'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 : b

He states that the kennel should be built on a dry and warm situa-

" Blaine on the Diseases of the Dog, h See Hints to Young Masters of Fox-
p. 140. hounds — New Sport. Mag., vol. viii. p.

174-29(1.

82 SECOND DIVISION OF TI1E

ation. Of this there can be no doubt : the comfort and almost the exist-
ence 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 ex-
halation over the whole of the building. There must be no fluid oozin«-
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 thick-
ness 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 be boiled every second or third
day. Too great a proportion of soup would render the mixture of a heat-
ing nature.

Mr. Delme Radclifle 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.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

83

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 con-
stitution might be tempted with a little additional flesh, and with the
thickest and best of the trough, but they required to be watched, aud often
to be coaxed to eat.

The dog possesses the power of struggling against want of food tor an
almost incredible period. One of these animals, six years old, was miss-
ing 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 lie 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. »

MANAGEMENT OF THE PACK.

Sixty-five couples 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.b 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 ap-
pearances 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 accord-
ing to their respective letters, that they may be always recognised. When
the time comes, the ears of the clog 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 .

* Traite de la Folie des Animaux, torn. ii. 39. b Mr. D. Radclifie.

G 2

84

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

no animal is more grateful for kindness than a hound ; the peculiarities of
tas temper will soon be learned, and when he begins to love his master, he
wall 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 occa-
sionally 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 wiM, 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 dis-
played, 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 en-
couragement 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 iK

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 appear-
ance of the building.

Tlie entrance to the kennel is delineated in the centre with a flight of

•8tJ SECOND DIVISION OF THE

steps leading above. The huntsman's rooms, four in number, first present
hemselves, and are marked in the plan before us by the letter C eS of
them is fifteen feet fourteen inches! by fourteen feet six ind.es ' °f
At each end of the side towards the court is one of the feeding-rooms
wenty-nine feet by fourteen feet four inches, and nobly constructed r S
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 and at
either extremity ,s another lodging-room, thirty-two feet six inches in
englh and fourteen feet six inches in width: this is also marked by the

Coming into the court we find the store-room twenty-four feet bv four-
teen and a half, marked by the letter D, and the stable, of the same dimen-
sions, 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 incon-
venience 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. 1

THE STAG-HOUND.

The largest of the English hounds that has been lately used, is de-
voted, as his name implies, to the chace 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 huntiii°--doo-s.
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
chace, 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 con fined
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 main-
tained a royal establishment for the continuance of this noble sport; but,
unless better supported than it lias of late years been, it will gradually
decline.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

87

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 suffi-
cient 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 at Hayes Common. The chace was continued
nearly four hours without a check, when, being almost run down, the ani-
mal 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 chace.

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 ciy of the hounds, he runs with the swift-
ness 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.u

a The late Lord Orford 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
urpose. He was one day exercising
is 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 chace of the frightened
6tags. In vain his grooms exerted them-

selves to the utmost, the terrified animals
bounded away with the swiftness of light-
ning, 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 fortu-
nately entered the yard without any acci-
dent, the stable-keepers huddled his lord-
ship, the phaeton, and the deer into a large
barn, just in time to save them from tSte
hounds, who came into the yard in full
cry a few seconds afterwards.— Annals of
Sporting, vol. iii. 1823.

88

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

THE SOUTHERN HOUND.

There used to be in the south of Devon a pack or cry of the centime
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 chace 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 Shakspere,—

"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."

Tilli SOUTHERN HOUND.

It was the slowness of the breed which occasioned its disuse. Several of
them, however, remained not long ago at a village called Aveton Gil-
ford, 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 chace 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

89

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 chace
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 ena-
bled 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 (leer-
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 un-
erringly 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, how-
ever, 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 detec-
tion 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 chace 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 coun-
try 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 w as

90

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

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 hunts
man, who had followed him on a fleet horse, rushed up after him.

Somerville thus describes the use to which he was generally put in pur-
suit 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 crouch-
ing. 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

VARIETIES OE THE DOG.

91

effectually to teach a spaniel to sit partridges and pheasants. 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, gene-
rally 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 premises, 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 sports-
men 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.

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 accom-
panies, 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 lie

92

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

does not soon become foot-sore. He may even answer the purpose of a
springer for pheasants and woodcocks, and may be valuable i Zverin
a wounded bird His scent may frequently be superior to Zt lT l
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 when the weather
is not, the pointer will have a decided advantage.

Of the difference between the old English sitter and the setters of the
present day we confess that we are ignorant, except that the first was the
pure spanie improved, and the latter the spaniel crossed too frequently
with the pointer. 4 '

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 e^es atten-
tively on her, and make an effort to crawl across the bed towards her
J his he accomplished, evidently for the sole purpose of licking her hand
after which he immediately expired.

THE POINTER

The pointer is evidently descended from the hound. It is the fox-hound
searching for game by the scent, but more perfectly under the control of

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

93

the sportsman, repressing his cry of joy when lie 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 re-
mains 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 sup-
posed 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."

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 natur-
ally 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 nose, unequalled in any other
kind of dog.

THE PORTUGUESE 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

" 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 ex-
quisite 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 as-
sumed the same attitude as other pointers,
holding up one of his feet.— The Field
Book, p. :i99.

91

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

either the Spanish or Portuguese dog, and capable of longer continued
exertion ; but he is apt to be quarrelsome, and is too fond of chasin"- tlie
hare.

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 qua 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.

Nn long time probably passes ere the dog commits some little fault,
lie is careless, or obstinate, or cross. The owner puts on a serious counte-
nance, 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 re-
quired. 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 Maga-
zine for 1833, gives an interesting account of the schooling of the pointer
or setter, thus commenced. A short abstract from it may not be unac-
ceptable : —

" 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 sup-
pose the clog 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 pro-
cess 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 re-
course 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 feed-

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

95

iiig 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 castiga-
ting 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
alloived*

" 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 ex-
perience. 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 stand steadily behind
another dog, pointing. 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
i dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few hours be-
fore ; 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,
Iboth in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by means of frequent
i correction. The less the sportsman has to do with them the better. Others

" Another writer in the same volume gives also an interesting account of the
i management of the setter.

S6

SECOND DIVISION OF THE

will not endure the least correction, but become either ferocious or sulkv.
They should be disposed of as soon as possible. The majority of do»-s are
exceedingly sagacious. They possess strong reasoning powers ; they un-
derstand, 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.
AVhen the old dog makes a point, the master calls out, 1 Toho !' 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 per-
sists, the puzzle-peg may be resorted to. Some persons fire over the
dog for running at hares : but this is wrong ; for, beside the danger of
wounding or even killing the animal, he will for some time afterwards be
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,
lie 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 for-
ward 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. Pro-
bably he will be too eager, and spring his game. Make him down imme-
diately, and take him to the place where the birds rose. Chide him with
' Steady !' 1 How dare you !' Use no whip ; but scold him well, and be
assured that lie will be more cautious. If possible, kill on the next chance.
The moment the bird is down, lie will probably rush in and seize it. He
must be met with the same rebuff, ' Down charge !' If he does not obey, he

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

97

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 clog ' 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 ex-
tent. 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 im-
portant, and occasionally a difficult affair; the pleasure of the sportsman,
however, depends upon 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 amuse-
ment in several parts of Great Britain. Many of our streams then abounded
with this destructive animal ; but, since the population of our country has
become more dense, and game-keepers 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

There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit.

ii

98 THIRD DIVISION OF THE

CHAPTER IV.

THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG THIRD DIVISION.

The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, ami 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 in-
truder. 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

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

99

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 hp,
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 gene-
rally 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 fur-
row. 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.

ii 2

100

THIRD DIVISION OF THE

Captain Brown states that, " notwithstanding his commanding appear-
ance and the strictness with whicli 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 thino-
with which he is intrusted with the most scrupulous care, and, bv repeated
barkings, warns the household or the depredator that he is at the' post of
duty."" r

THE MASTIFF.

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 neigh-
bours, indulging in an irreconcilable hatred of the Spaniards, and deter-
mined 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

• Brown's Biographical Sketches, p. 425.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

101

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 re-
solved 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 neigh-
bouring 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 imme-
diately 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 accompani-
ment 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 accom-
panying 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 pos-
sibly 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

102

THIRD DIVISION OF THE

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 tjie lower teeth are for-
cibly 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 cruelty 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 per-
mitted. The government, to a certain extent, has interfered, and a noble
society lias 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 or destroying 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 em-
ployed, 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 be 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 rail-
ing. 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 com-
paratively little bulk, he can keep up with the foxhound.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

103

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 origi-
nated in some ricketty 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 consider-
able 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 counte-
nance— 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 ob-
tained 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

104 THIRD DIVISION OF THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

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 some-
what concealed by its long and curly hair, the tail curved and bent
forward. The muzzle resembles that of the pug. It is of a 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 attach-
ment 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 AND ALUSI AN , 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 moveable, 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 cli-
mates, 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 con-
struction. Transported into various climates, they are necessarily sub-
mitted 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.

GOOD QUALITIES OF THE DOG

105

CHAPTER V.

the good qualities of the dog ; the sense of smell ; intelli-
gence ; moral qualities ; dog-carts j cropping ; tailing ;
breaking-in; dog-pits; dog-stealing.

In out 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 ser-
vice, 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 con-
sciousness 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 kind-
ness 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 com-
panion 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 tilings 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 : —

" Bat looking towards the grassy mound
Where calm the Douglas 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.

106

GOOD QUALITIES OF THE DOG.

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 l-30th part of the body. In the
Newfoundland dog it does not amount to l-60th part, or to l-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, spring-
ing from a prolongation of the brain, and yet within the skull, wanders to
different parts of the frame, for important purposes connected with respira-
tion 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 desti-
tute 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 ren-

INTELLIGENCE.

107

tiers 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 us. A certain impression is made on the outward fibres of a sen-
sitive nerve. That impression, in some mysterious way, is conveyed to the
brain ; and there it is received — registered — stored — and compared ; there
its connexions 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 me-
chanism 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 per-
ceive 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 acutenes? of whose
scent is so connected with our pleasure.

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 art even sus-
ceptible 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 illustra-
tion 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 every thing 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 mean*

108

GOOD QUALITIES OF THE DOG.

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 deter-
mines 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 lb
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 examina-
tion 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 hav ing
heard that a French gentleman (M. Leonard), who had for some time
been engaged in instructing two dogs in various performances that re-
quired 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 extraordi-
nary 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. Brae (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. Le'onard then gave a lively description of the means he had employed
to develop the eerebral system in these animals — how, from having been
fond of the chace, 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.

INTELLIGENCE.

109

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. Le'onard 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, Avhich they performed as promptly and
correctly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go
through the usual exercises of the manege, 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.
Leonard said, " Philax, take the red card and give it to Brae ; and, Brae,
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 Brae, 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 Brae, and then Brae 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 for-
bade 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. Le'onard snapped
a whip violently, to prove that the animals were so completely under disci-
pline, that they would not heed any interruption.

After many other performances, M. Leonard 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.
Leonard 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
i all the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were then given to each.
. and the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog looked sur-
prised, stared very earnestly at the writer, growled, and finally barked
; angrily. Finding that no notice was taken of his remonstrances, he
i pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, and took up a suitable one
tfrom his own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then played
(correctly; the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest inti-
imation could have been given by M. Leonard to the dog. This mode of
;play must have been entirely the result of his own observation and iudtr
i merit. It should be added that the performances were strictly private
The owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune and the

no

MORAL QUALITIES OF THE DOG.

instruction of his dogs had been taken up merely as a curious and amusing
investigation."

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 articu-
late 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 reproduc-
tion. 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

" Plutarch relates that, at the theatre of tore with astonishment. He first exhi-
Marcellus, a dog was exhibited before the bited various symptoms of pam ; he then
emperor Vespasian, so well instructed as fell down as if dead, and, afterwards seem-
to exercise in every kind of dance. He ing to revive, as if waking from a pro-
afterwards feigned illness in a most sin- found sleep, and then sported about ana
gular manner, so as to strike the specta- showed various demonstrations of joy.

DOG-CARTS.

Ill

—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 atten-
tion carried in the dog to a very considerable extent. The terrier eagerly
watching for vermin — the sporting dog standing stanch to his point,
however he may be annoyed by the blunders of his companion or the un-
skilfulness 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 — tliese 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 witli
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 im-
pressed on the memory in a way not altogether pleasant.

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 ex-
posed, 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
I not be any great sum. We would have the cart licensed for the carrying
i of goods only ; or a separate licence taken out if it carried or drew a
I human being.

It is here that the cruelty principally exists. Before the dog-carts were
I put down in the metropolis, we then saw a man and a woman in one of
i these carts, drawn by a single dog, and going at full trot. Every passenger

112

CROPPING — TAILING.

execrated them, and the trot was increased to a gallop, in order the mom
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 wit-
nessed 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 non-
sensical 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 brothers. 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.

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.

DEW-CLAWS.

Next comes the depriving of the dog of his dew-claws — the supplemen-
tary toes a little above the foot. They are supposed to interfere with hunt-
ing 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 un-
necessarily 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.

BREAKING-IN.

113

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 cor-
rection. 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 atten°
tion 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 after-
wards. " 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
i is sometimes shown to the fox or stag hounds. The moment that any of
I them open, they are tied up to the whipping-post, and flogged, while the
i keepers at every stroke call out " Ware hare !" A sheep has also been
i shown to them, or still is, after which another unmerciful flogging is ad-
ministered, amidst cries of " Ware sheep !" If this is not sufficient, some
i of the wool is dipped in train oil, and put into the dog's mouth, which is
i sewed up for many hours in order to cure him of sheep-biting. There was
i an almost similar punishment for killing poultry ; and there was the puzzle
I and the check-collar, cruelly employed, for killing other dogs.

There is a great deal of truth, and there may occasionally be some ex-
aggeration, in these accounts ; but the sportsman who is indebted for the
ipleasures 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,
tto defend them from all wanton and useless cruelty. There is a do«-, and
fa faithful and valuable one, that powerfully demands the assistance of the
1 humane— the yard or watch-dog. He is not onlv for the most part de-
prived of his liberty, but too often neglected and made unnecessarily to
ssufter. How seldom do we see him in the enjoyment of a good bed of
sstraw or, rather, how frequently is everything about his kennel in a
rmost filthy and disgusting state ! The following hint not only relates to
thim, but to every dog that is tied up out of doors. " Their cribs or their
kkennels, as they are called, should be constructed so as to turn, in order to
rprevent their inmates from being exposed to the cutting blasts of winter
Where they have no other refuge, all animals seek shelter from the weather
hby turning their backs to the wind ; but, as the dog thus confined cannot
ddo so, his kennel should be capable of turning, or at least should be placed
wo as not to face the weather more than is necessary. The premises would

i

114

DOG-STEALING.

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 ten 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 what-
ever 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 fre-
quented 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 bane-
ful 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 licence 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 va-
rious 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

DOG-STEALING-.

115

sh uck 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 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 prrehase one : I wns shown my

own dog. I seized it ; but there were se-
veral scoundrels present who professed to
belong to it, and threatened to kill the dog
if I did not pay for it, I proceeded to de-
scribe 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 be-
fore they would let me take it away ; but,
in consequence of the injuries it had re-
ceived, it died a few days afterwards."

i 2

116

THE SKELETON.

CHAPTER VI.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SKELETON.

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: FITS; TURNSIDE J EPILEPSY ;

CHOREA ; RHEUMATISM AND PALSY.

THE SKELETON OF THE DOG.

HIE HEAD.

1. The intermaxillary bone.

2. Nasal bone.

3. Maxilla superior.

4. Lachrymal bone.

5. Zygomatic boDC.

6. Orbit.

7. Frontal hone.

8. Parietal bone.

9. 9. Occipital bone.

10. 10. 10. Temporal bone.

11. 11. 11. Inferior maxillary or jaw-
bone.

12. 12. Seven inferior maxillary molar
teeth.

13. 13. Six molar teeth of the superior
jaw.

14. Canine teeth of the superior and in-
ferior jaws.

15. Three incisor teeth of the superior
maxillary bone.

16. The three inferior ditto.

THE TRUNK.

a. a. a. The ligamentum nuchse.
i. ii. rrr. rv. v. vi. vn. The seven ver-
tebral of the neck.
1 3. The thirteen dr-'s-'l vertebra).

7. The seven lumbar vertebrae.
21. Os sacrum, or rump-bone.

22. 22. Twenty caudal vertebrae — verte-
brae of the tail.

23. The left os innominatum.

24. Right ditto. .

The nine true ribs, with their cartilages.
The four false ribs, with their cartilages.
o. o. The sternum.

FITS.

117

THE LEFT ANTERIOR EXTREMITY.

1. The scapula, or shoulder-blade.

2. Os humeri, or arm-bone.

3. Radius — the lesser bone of the arm.

4. The elbow, or olecranon process of
the ulna.

7. Os pisiformc, or pisiform bone.
10. Os metacarpi digiti tcrtii — the third
metacarpal bone.

11. Os metacarpi digiti quarti — fourth
metacarpal.

12. Os metacarpi digiti quinti.

13. 13. 13. 13. The first phalanges of
the fore-feet.

14. 14. 14. 14. The second ditto.

15. The third ditto.

16. The sesamoid bone.

TUB RIGHT ANTERIOR EXTREMITY.

7. Radius.

2. Ulna.

3. Os triquetrum— the triangular bone.

5. Os semilnnare — the semilunar bone.

6. Os multangulum majus — the larger
multangular bone.

7. Os multangulum minus — the small
multangular bone.

8. Os metacarpi pollicis — the thumb.

9. Ossa metacarpi digitoram qu'atuor —
the four bones of the metacarpus.

10. Phalanx prima pollicis — first pha-
lange of the thumb.

11. Phalanx tertia pollicis — third pha-
lange of ditto.

12. Digiti quatuor — phalanges of the
four toes.

THE LEFT POSTERIOR EXTREMITY.

1 . 1 . Os femoris — thigh-bone. 9.

2. Patella — the knee-pan. 10.

3. 3. Tibia— the shank of the leg. 11.

4. 4. Pibula — the small bone of ditto. 12.

5. Os calcis — the heel. I X

6. Astragalus — one of the seven bones 1 4,
of the tarsus. 15.

7. Os naviculare — the navicular bone. 16.

8. Os cuboideum — or cubic bone. 17.

Os cunciforme tertium ct maximum.

Os metatarsi digiti quarti.

Os metatarsi digiti tertii.

Os metatarsi digiti secundi.

Os metatarsi digiti primi.

Phalanges primas digitorum pedis.

Phalanges secundse.

Phalanges tertite.

Os scsamoideum — the sesamoid.

THE RIGHT POSTERIOR EXTREMITY.

1. Os femoris — the thigh-bone.

2. Patella — the knee-pan.

•3. Tibia — the shank of the leg.

4. Os calcis — the heel.

5. Astragalus — one of the seven bones
of the tarsus.

7. Os naviculare — the navicular bone.

8. Os cuneiforme primum et medium.

9. Os cuboideum, or cubic bone.

110. Os cuneiforme tertium et maximum.

11. Os cuneiforme secundum et minimum.

12. Rudimentum ossis metatarsi hallucis.

13. Os metatarsi digiti primi.

14. Os metatarsi digiti secundi.

15. Os metatarsi digiti tcrtii.

16. Phalanges primse digitorum pedis.

17. Phalanges secundai.

18. Phalanges tertise.

19. Os sesamoideum — the sesamoid.

DISEASES OF TIIE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

FITS.

21 Ih 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.
ITo-day the young man purposely blew the shrillest sound that he could.
TTlie dog, after "
and over

nmore than an hour.

When I saw him all consciousness of surrounding objects was gone.
J He was still running feebly, but barking might and main.

nv, ;i/ui.6 .iin.il |;ui|juooy won Llic Sill lllCHL BUUllU \jlVM lie COUlCl.

after howling three or four times, began to run round the room,
the tables and chairs, barking incessantly. This he continued

118

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

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 expira-
tion 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 for 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 peram-
bulation incessantly, until he was fairly worn out and died in con-
vulsions.

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 1
have found spicula projecting from the inner plate of the skull, and press-
in^ 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.

EPILEPSY.

119

EPILErSY

in the dog assumes a most fatal character. It is an accompaniment, or
a consequence, of almost every other disease. When the puppy is under-
going 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 punish-
ment which he was conscious that he had deserved. Then, too, I can under-
stand 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 pur-
gative 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 it 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 dis-
charge, 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 suc-
ceeded 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

120 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

excitation, I expose my patient more cautiously to the influence of those
tilings which make so much impression on his little but susceptible mind.

11 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 con-
sequence of sudden surprise and irritation. If I had the means I should
see whether I could not break the charm j 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 ex-
citation 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 con-
trary 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, spas-
modic 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 exist-
ence, 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 convolutions were much less deep than those of
the other side. The red vessels wliich ran in the fissures were of smaller
size, and in some places could scarcely be discovered.

CHOREA.

This is an irregular reception or distribution of nervous power — a con-
vulsive involuntary twitching of some muscle or set of muscles. It is an

CHOREA.

121

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.

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 depres-
sion 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 irri-
table 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 dis-
temper ; and it seems to depend on a certain degree of primary or sympa-
thetic 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 irre-
gular 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 ex-
cessive action, and which was best combated by complete muscular ex-
haustion ; but the foundation of this disease is palpable debility.

In the treatment of chorea there must be no bleeding, no excessive
purgation, but aperients or alteratives, merely sufficient to keep the faeces

122

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

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 clog, 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 dis-
temper, 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, clam-
bering, 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 con-
tracted, 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
btate 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 re-

CHOREA. 123

turning, and the spasms being considerably less. The distemper-ball was

C01AthnTanuarv 1841.— The spasms were better; but the vision did not
imp ovf She afternoon he fell into a momentary fit. He almost im-
mediately rose again, and proceeded as if nothing had happened. An ounce
of Epsom salts was given, and then the tonic balls as before

2*nd. The spasms were lessened, the clambering gait nearly ceased but
the vision was not improved. The seton was removed, and only an addi-
tional dose of salts given.

21th The spasms suddenly and very considerably increased ±ne lelt
side appeared now to be particularly affected. The left leg before and be-
hind 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.

2$th 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.

2nd. The spasms were fully as violent, and no amendment in the vision
Eio-ht ounces more of blood were subtracted without benefit. A fever-
ball was ordered to be given.

3rd. 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 affec-
tion 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 quan
tity of undigested food. A strong purging-ball was given to him in the
evening.

\3th. 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.

124

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

A strong dose of sulphate of magnesia was given every third day. After
four doses had been given it was impossible to force anymore upon him.
The syrup of buckthorn was tried, but the fourth dose of that it was im-
possible to give. The dog was then sent into the country ; no fit occurred,
but there were occasional spasms.

23rd 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 w as
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 lie 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 lie 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.

RHEUMATISM AND PALSi.

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.
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 t lie 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 suffi-
ciently 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 pro-
voking muscular affection. His advice will comprise— dryness, atten-
tion to the bowels, attention to the exercise-ground, and perhaps, occa-
sionally, 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

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125

what is called chest-foundered. From his veiy make it is evident that,
in lonf-continued and considerable exertion, the subscapular muscles will
be liable to sprain and inflammation. There will be inflammation of the
fascise, induration, loss of power, loss of nervous influence and palsy.
Cattle, driven far and fast to the market, suffer from the same cause.
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 be-
tween intestinal irritation and palsy than does 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 dis-
ease 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 clog 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 fasces in the quadruped.
It therefore shares more in the effect, whatever that may be, which is pro-
duced by the retention of faeces 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 vertebrae, 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 sympathise 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.

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 evei
affected through the whole of its course.

126

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

2. That the dorsal and lumbar regions are the parts oftenest a fleeted.

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.

PALSY MANGE.

11th February, 1836. — A Persian bitch, at the Zoological Gardens, who
was well yesterday, now staggers as she walks, and lias 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.

2nd March. — She does improve, although slowly ; the charge is there-
fore postponed. Continue treatment. 30lh. 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 lame-
ness, 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.

lAth June. — Mange quite gone, but palsy continues to a very con-
siderable 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 to 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.

23rd 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 mammas
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 secre-
tion of milk continues. There is slight enlargement and some heat of the
niammce ; 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 longi-
tudinal incision through the integuments of the abdomen, a considerable
quantity of milky fluid, mingled with blood, followed the knife. There

PALSY.

127

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 stiychnia were powerless.

I consider the following case as exceedingly valuable, at least with re-
ference to the power of stiychnia in removing palsy : —

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. 2\st. He lias
perfectly lost the use of every limb. He has also amaurosis, perfect blind-
ness, which had not appeared the clay 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. 23rd. 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. 24</«. Little change. 27th. No change, except
that he is rapidly losing flesh. Continue the treatment. 31st. 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.

2nd September. — He can move his head a little, and has some slight
motion in his limbs. Ath. 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 mix-
ture. 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 be-
fore. \4th. Improving, but not so fast as before. Still continue the
treatment. 2bth. Going on slowly, but satisfactorily. Remove the seton,
but continue the other treatment.

1 3th October. — Quite well.

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RABIES.

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, com-
promised. Here also, however other portions of the chain may be over-
looked 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
post 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 clog, 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, con-
trary 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 inflamma-
tory 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 deatli of the infant, and
the dog bit the child at the very period when the malady first began to
develope 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 after-

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129

wards 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 con-
siderable quantity of coagulated blood. I happened to be particularly
busy at the moment, and not observing anything peculiar in his counte-
nance 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 affec-
tionate dog, and was accustomed to this abominable and inexcusable
nonsense.

I insisted on detaining the dog, and gave the man a letter to the sur-
geon, 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 ns
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

K

130

RABIES.

himself with the bed-clothes. She remarked, one morning, that he had
torn the covering of his bed, and, although he eat 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, lie 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 agita-
tion, 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."

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 sonre 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 re-
opened 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 continual 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

* La Folie des Animaux, by M. Perquin.

RABIES.

131

him, and dash himself on the floor ; there, freed from all control, lie
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 per-
ceived 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 con-
tinual 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 disposi-
tion 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 con-
vulsively 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 fre-
quently simulating 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 re-
tort : " 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 con-
sideration, perhaps, justified me in going so far as I did.

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132

RABIES.

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 appro-
priate to our present purpose : " I observed that he frequently fixed bis
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 bowlings and
scratchings. On being answered in the negative, he suddenly threw him-
self 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 that 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, dis-
tress, 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 occasion-
ally 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 a 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 Boating
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 characterise 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 nivin^
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,

RABIES.

133

and he rushes to the extent of his chain, prepared to meet his imagi-
nary 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 influ-
ence. 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 con-
junctiva 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.

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 with-
out 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 sub-
ject, 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 lie 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 in-
creasing 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 ques-

134

RABIES.

tion as to the length of time that an animal lias 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, t he
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 gentle-
man's stable — the Dalmatian or coach dog. Pie has, perhaps, less affec-
tion 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 cer-
tainly 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 3ee the affray ; no suspicion has
been excited. The horse rubs his muzzle on the dog, and the dog licks
the face of the horse, and in a great number of cases the disease is com-
municated 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 expres-
sion 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

RABIES.

135

for every thing 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 gene-
rally, and there is a considerably perverted appetite. The dog also feels
the same propensity that influences the child, that of taking hard sub-
stances 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, stick, 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 certainty, 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 un-
wearied 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 vascu-
larity. 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 mo-
ment 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 mis-
taken 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

136 RABIES.

{CkoL0Tn/t , g,reatGSt Vi0le"Ce' °r Utters the fal^7 suppose,]
bark of a oog, in his attempts to force it from his mouth This W,

torn occurs m the human being, when the disease is Sy JrtlSSf
his paws ^ Pen0d °f [t ThG d°g furi°USl^ attemPts t0 deta^tthli

him ^Wl S-yT!T iD ??g' and h can scarcely b« ™^aken 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 per-
manent y open instead of closing when the animal for a moment d^conti
nues his efforts If after a while he loses his balance andtmbl ov "
there can be no onger any mistake. It is the saliva becoming more and
more glutinous, irritating the fauces and threatening suffocation.

lo this naturally and rapidly succeeds an insatiable thirst. The do-
that still has full power over the muscles of his jaws continues to 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 paral-
ysed 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 do-, it is
marked by a thirst often perfectly unquenchable. Twenty years alo, this
assertion wou d have been peremptorily denied. Even at the present daV
we occasiona ly meet with those who ought to know better, and who will

ratid * d°g Whi°h fail*ly' °r Perlmps 6ager1^' drinks' can be

January 22nd, 1815.-A Newfoundland dog belonging to a gentleman
o'L, A 7 WaS suPP°sed t0 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. 2Ut. He became restless and panting
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 the chamber-pot.
lie was afterwards seen lapping his own urine. His restlessness and pant-
ing increased. He would neither eat nor drink, and made two or three
attempts to vomit. 22nd. 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 Ins mouth. _ He was extremely restless and did not remain in one posi-
tion 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 wander-
ing again. He had previously been under my care, and immediately re-
cognised 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. 23rd, 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

RABIES.

137

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
I bed. Two minutes afterwards he would take them out again, and look

I 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
i remain in the same posture two seconds. He was continually running to
i 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
I his chain. He drank frequently, yet but little at a time, and that without
i difficulty or spasm. 12 p.m. The thirst strangely increased. He had
i drunk or spilled full three quarts of water. There was a peculiar eager-
i ness 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
i the drinking. He took two or three pieces from my hand, but immediately
i dropped them from want of power to hold them. Yet he was able for a
rmoment suddenly to close his jaws. "When not drinking he was barking
i with a harsh sound, and frequently started suddenly, watching, and catch-
i ing at some imaginary object. 24th, a.m. He was more furious, yet weaker.
' The thirst was insatiable. He was otherwise diligently employed in shat-
t tering and tearing everything within his reach. He died about three
i o'clock.

It is impossible to say what was the origin of this disease in him. It is
i not connected with any degree or variation of temperature, or any parti-
i cular state of the atmosphere. It is certainly more frequent in the summer
i or the beginning of autumn than in the winter or spring, because it is a
1 highly nervous and febrile disease, and the degree of fever, and irrita-
! bility, and ferocity, and consequent mischief are augmented by increase of
i temperature. In the great majority of cases the inoculation can be dis-
! tinctly proved. In very few can the possibility be denied. The injury is
i inflicted in an instant. There is no contest, and before the injured party
i can prepare to retaliate, the rabid dog is far away.

It can easily be believed that when a favourite dog has, but for a mo-
rnient, lagged behind, he may be bitten without the owner's knowledge
< or suspicion. A spaniel belonging to a lady became rabid. The dog was
lher companion in her grounds at her country residence, and it was rarely
i out of her sight except for a few minutes in the morning when the servant

I I took it out. She was not conscious of its having been bitten, and the ser-
j i vant stoutly denied it. The animal died. A few weeks afterwards the
: t 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

i its having been bitten, but that it had been made sadly dirty, and he had
n 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
Ijlhave remained about the coat of the spaniel, by which the servant was

f fatally inoculated.

138

RABIES.

Another case of this fearful disease must not be passed over. A do"-
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 im-
mediately 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 watch-
ing 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 dis-
ease, 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 com-
mencement. 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 practi-
tioner 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 eleva-
tion 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 termi-
nate 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,

RABIES.

139

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 accompani-
ment 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 affec-
tion 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
tlie brightening countenance and the wagging tail as some pleasing vision
has passed before him ; but, oftener has the countenance indicated the min-
gled 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 re-
turned. 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 clog suddenly darted at him, and dropped and
died.

140

RABIES.

A terrier, ten years old, had been ill, and refused all food for three daj s.
On the fourth day he bit a cat of which he had been unusually fond, and
tie 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 other-
wise 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 him-
self 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 Avood work that is within their reach. They are re-
gardless 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 hit
impotent rage, the burning coals as they fell, and crushed them with hk
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 £'om his attack. A rabid dog running
down Park-lane, in 1 825, bit no fewer than five horses, and fully as many
clogs. He was seen to steal treacherously upon some of his victims, and in-
flict the fatal wound. Sometimes he seeks the more distant pasturage. He

RABIES.

HI

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 sur-
rounding objects. His open mouth, and protruded 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 dis-
turb 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 por
tion 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 insuperable 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 re-
specting a supposed case of rabies. There was protrusion and discolora-
tion 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 disco-
loured 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 clingy purple, or almost black. In ferocious
madness it is usually torn and bruised, or it is discoloured by the dirt and

142

RABIES.

filth with which it has been brought into contact, and, not unfrequently, its
anterior portion is coated with some disgusting matter. The papilla?, 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 fraenum 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 usu-
ally most intense either towards the palatine arch or the larynx. Some-
times an inflammatory character is diffused through its whole extent, but
occasionally it is more or less intense towards one or both of the termina-
tions 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 en-
large 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 thick-
ening.

Inflammation of the edges of the glottis, and particularly of the mem-
brane 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 occa-
sionally 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 oesopha-
gus ; 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 cessation of life.

RABIES.

143

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 extra-
neous 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
uresence of rabies. When, also, there are in the duodenum and jejunum
small portions of indigesta, the detection of the least quantity will be deci-
sive. 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 ruga? there are effusions of
bloody matter, or spots of ecchymosis, presenting an appearance almost
like crushed black currants. There may be only a fewof them ; but they
are indications of the evil that has been effected.

From appearances that present themselves in the intestines, the blad-
der, 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 sur-
face. In horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and the human being, it is caused
by inoculation alone ; but, according to some persons, it is produced spon-
taneously 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 indefi-
nite 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 assi-
milated 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
i on the other hand, relates a case in which twelve years elapsed between

144

RABIES.

the bite and the disease. If the virus may lurk so long as this in the con-
stitution, 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 dc
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 every-
thing around; whatever else is useless, or would be 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.

BABIES.

145

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, attack-
ing 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 hydro-
phobia, 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 state of the imagination. Those who are ac-
quainted 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 per-
severance in the use of remedial measures.

It has then been proved, and I hope demonstratively, that rabies is pro-
pagated 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 how-
ever, could never be enforced either in the sporting-world or amono- 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. J'

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

146

RABIES.

from this tax, unless, perhaps, it is the truck-dog, and his owner should
be compelled to take out a licence ; 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 arc
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 liga-
ture 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, how-
ever, 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.*

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 un-
decided 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 iies 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 gene-
rally 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 diffi-
cult 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 em-
poisoned, 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."

» The physician Apollonius, having other dog to lick the -wound, " at ld<
been bitten by a rabid dog, induced an- medicus esset qui vulnens auctor fuit.

RABIES.

147

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 at 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 cauteiy. I could, perhaps, ex
cuse 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 ineffi-
cient protection. The rabid dog in Park Lane has already been men-
tioned. 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 shquld 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 per-
fectly 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 sus-
pended, 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

l2

M8

RABIES.

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, Mairch 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 oi
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 after
wards. A surgeon excised the bitten part, and the disease disappeared.
After a period of six days the symptoms returned. The wound was ex-
amined ; considerable fungus was found sprouting from its bottom. This
was extirpated. The hydrophobic symptoms M ere again removed, and the
man did well. This is a most instructive case.

In the Journal Pratique de Medecine Veterinaire, 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 Col-
mar, 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 sur-
geon 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.

Jtabies 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

RABIES.

149

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 exten-
sive 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 j 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 fero-
cious 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 pro-
gress 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 dan-
gerous 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
lias 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 1 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

160 H ABIES.

of this demon, for she looked like one, I was foolishly, inexcusably im-
prudent. 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 with-
out 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 bloodshot. 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 hydro-
phobous, 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. — Eabies is ushered in by nearly the same symptoms,
and pursues the same course in the wolf as in the dog, with this differ-
ence, 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, fre-
quently turns out of his way to avoid the human being, and seldom attacks
him without provocation. The wolf, on the coutraiy, although he com-
mits fearful ravages among the sheep and cattle, searches out the human
being as his favourite prey. lie 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 agree-

EABIES.

151

inent 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 affected
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 conta-
gious 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 inocu-
lated 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 been 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
likeVise 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 in-
capable 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 doubted that the disease is produced by the wound
itself, as was supposed by M. Girard of Lyons, not by the fright of the in-
dividual, 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.

152 RABIES.

will" n?Uring ^e ?Gn0d of inc»bation of the virus there are no morbid
locator general alterations of structure or function to be "seenT t

fert IrTcf f5 tneT" t0 be P^-dS the £

eithf; ScST iS %6D!rf y at ;ts.he%ht at «.e end of fifty days after

he|h L en£ ffffl,^ ^ »m3, inS^
&fec5?T refUSG thdr f°°d Whe" mixGd ^ith the secretions oTthose

hyd^SSr^^ the 0f * child by

.W v. Parry.— The plaintiff is a labourer, who gets only fourteen shil-
lings a-week to support himself and his family. The defendants 1 s

StS? " ^ a Public-hous- Th* -as'an action brought by the
plaintiff to recover damages against the defendant for the loss of his son
even years of age who was bitten by the defendant's dog, and afterward
became affected with rabies, of which disease he died ^ruards
It appeared in the evidence that the defendant's dog had, some time atro

thTcSarbS TeT S*J £ C°nSeqTnCe °f Whid? this do^ ™ Sffi
to Int . ' Sn?h °f the r°pe Which Avas 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 f&tened, who
lushed 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
tor, 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 that 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/. 6*. 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
61. 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

• Journal Pratique dc Med. Vc't.

RABIES. 153

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 prin-
ciple. 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 situ-
ation 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 pre-
caution to prevent mischief : he ought to have made it impossible that
mischief could happen ; and, therefore, as soon as there was any reason-
able 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 indi-
vidual 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, <scc, 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 injuiy. 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

154 RABIES.

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 ope-
rate in terrorem on the offending parties.
Verdict for the plaintiff— damages 36/.1

A if CUJvvf bitt6v bAa r^bid d0g at York' and becarae hydrophobons.
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
tound 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.1"

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.

8 Snorting Magazine, vol. xviii. p. 186. > Daniel's Rural Sports, vol. i. p. 220.

THE EYE AND ITS DISEASES.

155

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 clog 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 granu-
lations 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 mus-
cular power, and a consequent contraction of the temporal muscle, are re-
quisite, but for which the imperfect socket of the orbit does not seem to
afford sufficient scope and room. There is an admirable provision for
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 substitu-
tion of an elastic cartilage. This cartilage momentarily yields to the
swelling of the muscles ; and then, by its inherent elasticity, the external
riflge 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 re-
quires 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 for-
ward than those of cattle, sheep, or swine. That which Mr. Percivall
states of the horse is true of our other domesticated animals:—" The

THE EYE

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 pro-
minence 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 pro-
trudes 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-liga-
mentous 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 some-
what 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 im-
patient 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
a 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 witli 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 con-
tinued 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 ITS DISEASES.

157

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 im-
patience 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 whe-
ther 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 intro-
duced 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 case 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.

158

THE EYE

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 ra°-
should be procured. The blunt end of the needle should be 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 fre-
quently 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 medicines, 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 acci-
dent, or occasionally disease, may, although seldom, be reinstated, espe-
cially 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 accumu-
lation 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

AND ITS DISEASES.

159

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, occa-
sionally 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 lucidwm. The shining, however, never takes place
in complete darkness. It is neither produced voluntarily, nor in conse-
quence of any moral emotion, but solely from the reflection that fails on
the eyo.

1 60

THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES.

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
mtegumental 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 un-
usual determination of blood to those parts, and consequent distension of
the vessels and a predisposition to inflammation. A Newfoundland do»-,
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 red-
ness 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 t lie
dog, will then close the ear, and mould it gently until the liquid has in-
sinuated 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 j
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

CANKER.

161

follow. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can only bo
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 ex-
coriation 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 thick-

• ening 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
i 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,
I long continue tender, and, if it should be much beaten, by the shaking ot
the head, the ulcer will reappear. This must be obviated by occasionally

• confining the ears, and not over-feeding 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
i 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
I 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
i 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 con-
stant flapping and beating of the ear. there is sometimes a considerable

M

162

THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES.

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 docoction of white
poppies, and to this should follow the Goulard lotion ; and, afterthat, 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 oint-
ment may be applied. In some cases, portions of the thickened skin, pro-
jecting 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 Avound 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 dis-
appear, 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 thicken-
ing of the edges of the ear, apparently attended by considerable itching or
pain. The dog is continually flapping his ear, and beating it violently

CANKER .

163

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 Ihe 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 invete-
racy 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 con-
tinually 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.

22nd. 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, jj.
cerus. acet.3j., 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.

\1th. One ear well, the other nearly so.

2Ath. Both ears were apparently well. Omit the lotion.

28th. One ear was again ulcerated. Applied the aerugo Eeris.

3\st. 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 applica-
tions 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 bai-k, 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 re-
course 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., Wiirtemburg, has lately introduced, and witli much
success, the use of creosote for the cure of canker in the ear.

M 2

164

THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES.

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 pro-
ducing a cure. Herr Maassen prescribed creosoti 3ss. et spirit, vini rec-
tificat. 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 aLo 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 clog 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.) — Produc-
tions 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 fol-
lowed 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 dis-
appeared, 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 reach-
ing 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 ex-
hibited. 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.

CROPPING.

1C5

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 imme-
diately 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 dis-
position to heal, and the dog gradually sunk under the continued discharge
and died.

Violent Affection of the Ear. 20th May, 1828. — 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 22nd 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 plunibi acetatis and infusion of digi-
talis. 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 complete]} 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 en-
largement, 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 <^cuse for 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 them-
selves 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. *

166

THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES.

If the ears of dogs must be cropped, it should not be done too earlv
bour, five, or six weeks should first pass ; otherwise, they will growa«aiii
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 auditorius 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 previ-
ously 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
haematoid polypus, and the other the chondromatous. The dog suffer-
ing 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 vas-
cular 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.

rOIATUS.

167

Any ulcer or carious condiion of the meatus should be immediately

removed. in, j i

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 chondroma-
tous 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
possesses 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, wbich 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
iexture, 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, exercised 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 be 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 de-
stroyed, 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 it is difficult to explain.

A bitch, ten years old, was brought to the author on the 20th Decem-
ber, 1 843, with an oval substance, as large as a thrush's egg, occasionally

168 THE EAR AND ITS DISEASES.

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 con-
sented 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. 3rd Jan,
—The circulation is evidently cut off, and the tumour is assumino- 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 ao-ain
tightened the ligature. 5th. The tumour not appearing disposed to sepa-
rate, 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.

THE ETHMOID BONES.

169

CHAPTER X.

ANATOMY OF THE NOSE AND MOUTH J AND DISEASES OF THE NOSE

AND OTHER PARTS OF THE FACE. THE SENSE OF SMELL; THE

TONGUE ; THE LIPS ; THE TEETH ; THE LARYNX J BRONCHOCELE ;
PHLEGMONOUS TUMOUR.

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 thin-
ness, 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 termi-
nating at length in a kind of apex, which passes under the superior turbi-
nated 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 cor-
rect 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 in-
ferior turbinated bone in the dog is very small, but it is curiously com-
plicated.

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.

170

THE NASAL BOXES.

The lachrymal duct is the channel through which the superfluous tears
are conveyed to the lower parts of the nostril. A long canal here com-
mences, 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 acri-
monious 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 lacrymalis, 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 veiy peculiar way, with his head protrud-
ing, and the inspiration as forcible as the expiration. An emetic will
usually afford relief, or grain doses of the sulphate of copper.

Tfte Nasal Bones. — The nasal bones of the dog (see fig. 2, in the
head of the dog, page 116) 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
seue 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 diniinu-

THE NASAL BONES.

171

tion 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 lengthened processes of the frontal bone on either
side. In some 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 maxil-
lary quite effaced.

As the nasal bones proceed downward they become somewhat wider.
Tliey 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 them-
selves, on the processes of the anterior maxillary, they complete, supe-
riorly 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 ex-
pect 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 depen-
dent 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

172

THE SENSE OF SMELL.

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 tar. It w like the portio mollis of the seventh pair, eluding the eve
functbnslng m SUffident substance for the Performance of its important

We have frequent cases of ozmna in old dogs, and sometimes in those
that are younger. The discharge from the nostril is abundant and con-
stant 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 sub-
ject to ozaena. 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
Irontal 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 lace 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,
lne 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 do"-
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 instance 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.

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 sports-
men 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

THE SENSE OF SMELL.

173

a provision wisely and kindly made, in order to guide them to their pro-
per food, or to fit them for our service. It may possibly be the medium
through which much evil is communicated. Certain particles of a delete-
rious 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 smell-
ing, 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 im-
pression 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 persons 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 Chace, 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 clay 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 nighi
often produces the best chaces. In heathy countries, where the game

174 THE SENSE OF SMELL.

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 re t
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
01 tne 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.
I here is not only a constant appropriation of new matter to repair the
losses that animals are continually sustaining, but there is a constant elabo-
ration of gaseous or fluid matter maintaining the balance of the different
systems, and essential to the continuance of life. This effluvium, as the
annual moves from place to place, is attracted and detained for a while
l)y 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 chace.

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 per-
spiring 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 cessa- J
tion of the rain is preceded by the return and increased power of scent, i
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 i
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. j
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
anil gravity with the atmosphere. Although it spreads over the level, it 1
rises not far above the ground, and, being breast high, enables the hound, j
^coping his muzzle in the midst of it, to run at his greatest speed. The '

THE TONGUE.

175

different manners or attitudes in which the clog 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 or 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 John-
son's Shooting Companion, a work that is justly and highly approved.

Mr. Delme 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 inflamma-
tion 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 ton<nie
from the mouth and exposing its under surface, a cuticular fold or rido-e
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 honed
that this practice wiil speedily cease.

176

BLAIN.

77ie 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
unf requent occurrence, or peculiarly fatal result, has not been sufficiently
noticed by veterinary authors. In the horse and the dog it is often unac-
companied by any previous indisposition, or by other disease; but sud-
denly 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 dis-
charge 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 cel-
lular substance of the neighbouring parts, and the head and neck are con-
siderably, 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 integu-
ment of the part. As the sublingual glands stretch along the under
part of the tongue, and their ducts open on the side of the fraenum, it is
possible that this disease may proceed from, or be connected with, obstruc-
tion 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 anil 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 coecum, colon, and rectum.

The blain is more frequent in spring and summer than at other sea-
sons 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 inflam-
matory 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 to 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 imperfeclly organised, or of such a glassy or inspissated nature
as not readily to escape. It will, however, soon disappear ; and in four-and-
twcnly 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 be-
come so and heal. If there have been any previous ulcerations, or the

TEE LIPS — THE TEETH

177

slightest fetor, the mouth should be 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 wa+er, 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 at-
tending 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 calumba 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.

THE LIPS

of the dog discharge, with somewhat less efficiency, the same office as ir.
the horse, cattle, and sheep ; and are usefully employed in gathering to-
gether 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
tartarou3 matter, which is scaled off with a greater or less degree of diffi-
culty. 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 swel-
ling to subside, and the pellicle to be detached. The lip, however, will
generally remain slightly thickened. A little soreness will sometimes re-
turn, but be easily reduced.

THE TEETH

next claim attention.

According to the dentition of the dog by M. Girard and Linnaeus,
the following is the acknowledged formula : —

Incisore, — ; Canines, — ; Molars, !z!, =42.

6 1-1 1-78)

The following cuts exhibit the front teeth of the dog in various stagea
of growth and decay :

N

THE TEETH.
Fig. 7.

179

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 inci-
sors 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 indi-
cation 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 in-
wards 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 in-
terior 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 appear-
ance of notches cut on either side of the principal lobe ; and the union of
the three resembles the fieur de lis, which, however, is in the process of
time effaced by the wearing out of the teeth, (figs. 3 & 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 de-

n 2

180

THE TEETH.

veloped 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 mastica-
tion ; 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 in-
sufferable 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 A ery
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 alter-
nated 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 clog 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 ob-
served, with blood from the mouth, apparently proceeding from the cavity
whence one of the teeth had, been extracted. The dog -is _ exceeding y
thirsty, and walks round and round the water-dish but is afraid to lap. lie

THE LARYNX. 181

has not eaten for two days. Use the lotion as before, and force him with
strong soup.

15^. 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.

3lst. 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 respir-
atory 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 oeso-
phagus, 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 particu-
larly 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 acutenass 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 w,th 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 per-
horse t0 t0 theS6' Whin"ying °f the colt and the neighing of the

Each animal has his peculiar and intelligible language. He who ln«
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, anc line
elevated yet melodious token of sudden recognition. I could cany on a

182

BRONCHOCELE.

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 occur-
rence ; 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 organised, the membrane is thickened, perhaps permanently
so, and the whole of the submucous cellular tissue becomes cedematous.

The clog 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 any-
thing. His mouth is generally open, and contains a spumy matter exhal-
ing 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.

BRONCHOCELE OR GOITRE

in the dog is almost daily forced upon our notice. If a spaniel or pug-
puppy is mangy, pot-bellied, ricketty, or deformed, lie 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 integument, fearfully en-
larged, 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,
jet the gland has still preserved its characteristic structure. Although

BRONCHO CELE.

183

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 has had mange badly, and especially if mange was closely fol-
lowed by distemper, that did not soon exhibit goitre. Puppies half-
starved, and especially if dirtily kept, are thus affected ; and it is gene-
rally 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 cer-
tainly 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 after-
wards, 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 that was produced ; and,
although the gland, when dissected 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 iodide 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
clog, and rapidly increase it to half a grain, morning and night. A lamer
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.

184

PHLEGMONOUS TUMOUR.

PHLEGMONOUS TUMOUR.

A phlegmonous tumour under the throat, and accompanied by constitu-
tional 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.

ANATOMY OF THE CHEST.

185

CHAPTER XI.

ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE CHEST : THE DIAPHRAGM ; THE
PERICARDIUM ; THE HEART ; PLEURISY J PNEUMONIA ; SPAS-
MODIC 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 parti-
tion, 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 mem-
brane 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 con-
vexity 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 dia-
phragm, 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 dia-
phragm 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, and
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 sti-
mulated. Notwithstanding the confinement of the pericardium, the heart,

186

ANATOMY OF DISEASES

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 tact, 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 invest-
ing membrane of the heart, is frequently liable to inflammation, indicated
by a quickened and irregular respiration, and an action of the heart, bound-
ing 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 calcu-
lated by Mr. Vatel, in his excellent work on Veterinary Pathology, to be
nearly as follows : —

In the horse,

from

32

to

38

»

ox or cow,

»

35

ii

42

tt

ass,
sheep,

h

48

ii

54

n

u

70

it

79

n

goat,

it

72

ii

76

it

dog,

»

90

ii

100

n

cat,

n

110

ii

120

u

rabbit

120

tt

guinea-pig

•

140

it

crow

136

n

duck .

•

•

136

it

hen ■

•

140

11

heron

•

•

200

II
>»
It
It
II
11

tt
»
ii

The pulse of the dog maybe 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. Ancemia is the term
used to designate a deficiency in quantity ; pletlwra 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.

OF THE CHEST.

187

Incisions were made through the skin, but in opening them no blood
flowed. The venae cavae 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 any-
thing remarkable, except the paleness and flaccidity of their tissue. The
great fatigues of the chace, 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 anaemia was remarked in two dogs that died
there ; one of them had lately undergone a considerable hemorrhage, and
in the other anaemia had developed itself spontaneously.

It is in fact among dogs that this extreme anaemia 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 subcutane-
ous blood-vessels ; and the extreme feebleness of the animal, are the princi-
pal 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, reunion 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

188 DISEASES OF THE CHEST.

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 beatino-
of the heart were irregular and convulsive. She was sent to the infirmar\°
in order to be cured of an attack of mange ; but during her stay in tile
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 clog, 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 veiy thin in this place. The size of the heart was very
small considering the height and bulk of the dog. The walls of the ven-
tricles, 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 evi-
dently 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 symp-
toms 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

PNEUMONIA.

189

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
intrusted 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 treat-
ment 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. 22nd, 1820. A black pointer bitch that had been used to 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 con-
stantly 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. Sviij. Emet. Fever-ball twice in the
day. 23rd. Breathing not quite so laborious. "Will not eat. Medicine
as before. Apply a blister on the chest. 24th. Nearly the same. V. S.
?vj. Bol. utheri, 26th. Decided amendment. She breathes with much

190

DISEASES OF THE CHEST.

less difficulty. Less discharge both from eyes and nose. Bol. utlieri
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 tiying 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 f'c-ver-
ball, composed of digitalis, nitre, and tartrate of antimony, on each inter-
mediate 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 consider-
ably 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 j
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, j
seldom requires anything more for its cure than the exhibition of a few j
gentle emetics, consisting of equal portions of calomel and emetic tartar, j
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 j
depletive system must be adopted here. A loud and harsh cough will 1
yield only to the lancet and to purgatives, assisted by sedative medicines I
composed of nitre, antimonial powder, and digitalis, or small doses of syrup J
of poppies, or more minute doses of the hydrocyanic acid ; this last medi- I
cine, however, should be carefully watched, and only given under surgical j
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 I

SPASMODIC COUGH

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 3rd, 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
j given, and the balls resorted to as before.

7th. He appeared to be much relieved by the emetic. The cough was
I better, the dog ate well, and had regained his usual spirits. The ball as
i 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
roil, 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 per-
i mitted to subtract four ounces of blood ; but blood had been mingling with
tthe expectorated mucus before I was permitted to have recourse to the
1 lancet. 13th. The dog is better, and we again have recourse to the fever
rmixture, to which, on the 14th, I added a very small portion of the car-
ibonate of iron, for the dog was evidently getting weak. The sickness has
rreturned, and the cough is decidedly worse. 16th. Rub a small quantity
'of rheumatic embrocation, and tincture of cantharides. 17th. The first
aapplication of the blister had not much effect ; but this morning it began
tto act. The dog ran about the house as cross as he could be for more
ithan an hour ; there was considerable redness on the throat and ciiest.
TThe cough, however, was decidedly better. 1 8th. The cough is better!
jAgain apply the embrocation. 19(h. The cough and huskiness have
rreturned. Employ an emetic, and continue the embrocation. 20th. The
ccough is decidedly worse. Continue the embrocation, and give the'fever

192

DISEASES OF THE CIIEST.

mixture. 23rd. The embrocation and medicine have been dailv used ; but
the cough is as bad as ever. Balls of assafoctida, 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 dis°
continued. 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 a°-ain
worse.

Dec. 2nd. Very little change. 5th. The cough appears to be station-
ary. Again have recourse to the antimony, digitalis, and nitre. 8th. The
cough is certainly better. Try once more the assafoetida. It again pro-
duced sickness, but of a very mild character. 12th. The assafoetida
was again 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. 19///.
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 fall ;
air expired of the natural temperature.
Cough unfrequent, faint, short, and with-
out expectoration. Artery full. Pulsequick,
small, and wiry.

Auscultation. — A respiratory murmur,
feeble, or accompanied by a slight rub-
bing through the whole extent of the
chest, or in some parts only.

Percussion. — Slight, dead, gratingsound.
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. Re-
turn of the natural respiratory murmur
and resonance. The walls of the chest
cease to exhibit increased sensibility.

Effusion, false Membranes. — Inspira-
tion more and more full.

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 con-
gested ; feebleness of that sound in the
inflamed parts, with humid crepitating
wheezing. The respiratory murmur in-
creased 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. Tempera-
ture of the skin moderate. Sometimes
profuse partial sweats. Laborious respi-
ration subsiding; inspiration less deep.
Artery less full. Pulse yielding. Breath
less hot. Gradual and progressive disap-
pearance of the crepitating rule. Slow
return of the resonance.

lied Hepatization. — Respiration irre-
gular and interrupted.

PLEURISY — PN EUMONIA.

193

PLEURISY.

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 mid-
dle 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 effu-
sion. Inspiration becomes more and more
prolonged. Breath always cold. Cough
not existing, or rarely, and always sup-
pressed and interrupted. Exercise pro-
ducing much difficulty of respiration.

Besolution, or He-absorption of the ef-
fused Fluid, and Organization of false
Membrane, the consequence of Pleurisi/. —
Slow but progressive re-appearance of the
respiratory murmur, and disappearance of
the sounds produced by the fluid. Dimi-
nution of the force of the respiratory mur-
mur 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 re-
turning to its natural state.

Chronic Pleurisi/, with Hydrothorax. —
Inspiration always deep, expiration short.
Cough dry, sometimes with expectoration ;
frequent or capricious ; always absence of
complete respiratory murmur in the in-
ferior 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; serou6 infil-
tration 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.

Auscultation and Percussion. — Circum-
scribed absence of the respiratory murmur,
without any determined place, 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
lungs, or in the sound lung if one is in-
flamed.

Passage to a State of Gray Indura-
tion.— The absence of respiratory mur-
mur indicates extensive hepatization of
one lung; a circumstance, however, of
rare occurrence. When the induration is
of both lungs, and equally so, the respi-
ratory murmur and the inspiration remain
the same, except that they become irregu-
lar. The cough dry or humid, frequent,
and sometimes varying. Exercise accom-
panied by difficulty of respiration, without
dyspnoea.

Resolution or Re- absorption of the
Products of Inflammation of the Paren-
chymatous Substance of the lungs. — Di-
minution 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 Indura-
tion.)— Inspiration or expiration inter-
rupted. Cough unfrequent; suppressed;
rarely with expectoration ; always inter-
rupted. Complete absence of respiratory
murmur.

(Softening of the Induration, Ulcerations,
Vomica-, Sfc.) — Mucous and wheezing;
mucous rale in the bronchial ; discharge
from the nostrils of purulent matter,
white, gray, or black, and sometimes
fetid. Paleness of the mucous mem-
branes. The animal seldom lies down,
and never long at a time. Death by suf-
focation, when the matter proceeding from
the vomica?, or abscesses, obstructs the
bronchial passages, or by the development
of an acute inflammation engrafted upon
the chronic one.

0

194

ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE

CHAPTER XII.

ANATOMY OF THE GULLET, STOMACH, AND INTESTINES : TETANUS ;
ENTERITIS J PERITONITIS ; COLIC ; CALCULUS IN THE INTES-
TINES ; INTUSSUSCEPTION ; DIARRHC3A ; DYSENTERY ; COSTIYE-
NESS ; DROPSY ; THE LIVER ; JAUNDICE ; THE SPLEEN AND
PANCREAS ; INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY ; CALCULUS ; IN-
FLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER ; ROPTURE 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 mus-
cular 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 con-
vert 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 in-
testines.

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 in-
terrupted 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 exces-
sive; 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

GULLET, STOMACH, AND INTESTINES.

195

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 he 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 23rd 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 out-
wardly, 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 im-
mediately 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 sul-
phuric 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 ex-
hibit 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 durino-
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.

o 2

196

DISEASES OF THE STOMACH.

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 oc-
casionally found, and lead, and sponge. Various species of polypus irri-
tate 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 de-
scend 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 back-
wards 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 intro-
duced 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 meso-
colon, 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.

TETANUS.

197

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 ccecum 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 caecum 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 com-
mences at the caecum 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 caecum, until it has completed its second flexure, where
it grows so small as scarcely to exceed in calibre one of the small intes-
tines ; 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 caecum 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 feculent 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 chace, 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 countenance, 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

198

TETANUS.

liniment, and balls of tonic and purging medicine to be given twice in the
day. Ihe dog gradually recovered, and was dismissed cured on the ?Oth

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 to 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 to 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. De-
beaux, of the Royal French Chasseurs :

A favourite dog was missing. Four days had passed, and no intelli-
gence 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 excre-
ment 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 in-
termissions until the 14th day, when the muscles began to be a little re-
laxed ; 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.*

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

• Tetanus observed on a Dog, by M. Debeaux,— Pract. Mc'd, Vet 1829, p. 543.

ENTERITIS.

199

more than three cases of it among many thousands of diseased dogs. 1 wo
of these cases were idiopathic ; one being apparently occasioned by exposure
to cold air all night ; in 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 par-
tially locked. Both warm and cold bathings were tried. Large doses of
opium and camphor were given by the mouth, and also thrown up m
clysters. The spine of one was blistered. Stimulating frictions were ap-
plied to all, but in neither case with any salutary effect." a

ENTERITIS.

Enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines, 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 inflam-
matory 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 con-
junctiva 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 be 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, or lying on the wet stones or grass. Kow
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 faeces that may have accumu-
lated there, and the cautious use of enemata, neither too stimulating nor too

» Blaine's Canine Pathology, p. 151.

200 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES.

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 white 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 re-
petition 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 treat-
ment 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 intes-
tines it would act as a powerful drastic purgative." a

In our treatment of the horse we have got rid of a great proportion ot
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 labori-
ous ; 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 3x. 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 jiij., and
an opiate enema to allay the irritation of the rectum. This was about 8
o'clock A.M.

* Proceedings of the Veterinary Medical Association, 1839-40.

ENTERITIS.

201

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 faeces. Enemata, composed of mag. sulphas and warm water,
were frequently thrown into the intestines ; as soon as one came awaj
another was thrown up.

4. p.m. — No better : gave him pulv. aloes 3j. ; calomel, gr. vj. et pulv.
opii gr. viij. The fomentations to be continued, and the abdomen rubbed
with a lin. terebinthinae.

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 labo-
rious 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 ab-
domen did not show the slightest appearance of disease.

September 2nd, 1843. — A black pug-bitch, 18 months old, was yester-
day 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 un-
manageable for anything else, I produced a physic-ball, in givin"- which
I was bitten.

Six hours afterwards I again went : no fasces had passed : I administered
two enemas, the second of which was returned with a small quantity of
hardened faeces and an intolerable smell. I ordered the water to be re-
moved, 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, anil 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. 1

202

DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES.

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 examina-
tion 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 :

CALCULUS — INTUSSUSCEPTION.

203

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 acce-
lerated, there was distension of the abdomen with evident tenderness on
pressure, the extremities were cold, no faeces were voided, and he occa-
sionally 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 intc
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
Lichfield. She presented a very emaciated appearance, and had done so
for four or five months. Her evacuations for a day or two were verj
thin and copious, and afterwards for several days nothing was passed.
When pressing the abdomen with both hands, a hard substance was dis-
tinctly 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 lien's egg, the nucleus of which was a
portion of hair. The coats of the intestines were considerably thickenea
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 oi a 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 mus-
cular 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. Immedi-
ately posterior to this collapsed portion, it is widened to a considerable

204

DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES.

extent. The peristaltic motion of the intestine goes on, and the conse-
quence 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.

4

DIARItHCEA

is the discharge of faeces 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
faeces no 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 sepa-
rated 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 teuesmus.

COSTIVENESS.

205

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 faeces passing over this denuded
surface causes a considerable degree of pain, and there is much straining,
and a very small bit or portion of faeces 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 ad-
minister 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 secre
tions. 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 re-
sorted 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 diffi-
culty broken down : small doe;es of castor-oil should be afterwards resorted
to, and recourse be occasionally 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 con-
sist 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 con-
sequence 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 pre-
disposing 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

206

DROPSY.

swellings of the lower limbs, effusion of fluid into the integuments or amoi«
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 oreat ex-
tent 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 o'f ac-
customed secretions and discharges, all are exciting causes of dropsy.

The animal has suffered materially from mange, which has been appa-
rently 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 unfavour-
able. 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 7 th, 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 ami
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 ob-
struction 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 de-
crease of the abdomen. 18th. I cannot detect any effusion in the abdo-
men. Give a pill every alternate day for a fortnight. At the expiration
of this period the dog was apparently well.

April 23rd, 1822. — A terrier, ten years old, had cough and mange,
which ceased. The belly for the first time began to enlarge, and on feel-
ing 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.
22nd. Much thinner, the belly very considerably diminished : a slight fine

DROPSY.

207

tuation 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 M as
ordered to be repeated. August 6th. — The medicine has once more pro-
duced its proper effect, and the fluid has disappeared. On the 16th, how-
ever, 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. That 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 pro-
portional 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 dis-
tinguished from pregnancy by the teats enlarging, in the latter
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 parti-
cular 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 un-
quiet, 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 admi-
nistered, 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 un-
able to rise for the last twelve hours, and lay panting. I punctured
the abdomen, and four quarts of fluid were evacuated. 14th. The pant-
ing continues. The dog will not eat, but he can lie down in any pos-
ture, loth. The panting is diminished, the appetite is returning, and

208

DROPSY.

water continues to ooze from the wound. \1th. The wound htaled on
the night of the 15th, and already the fluid begins to collect. The medi-
cine 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. R Crem
tart., ferri tart. 3ij., pulv. flor. anthemid. 3iiij., 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. 30^. 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. R Ferr. tart. t)j., opii. gr. £ , pulv. gentianae 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. 22nd. 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 appealed to be re-
vived, but almost immediately began again to fill. Aug. 2nd. — 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, how-
ever, 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 com-
bined 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 be-
came as much distended with the effused serum as before.

He was then put under a course of iodine, which soon began to show its

THE LIVER.

209

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 symp-
toms 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 to 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 han^s
from the moutli ; 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 v/ith-
draws 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

210

DISEASES OF THE LIVER.

behind him. The fever increases, the skin becomes of a dark yellow
colour, the mucous membrance 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 is 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 over-feeding. 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 doubt-
ful ; 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 lias
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, cam-
phor, 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 after it is hurtful.

This is an account of hepatitis as it occasionally appears, and particu-
larly on the Continent ; but it does not often assume so virulent a character I
in our country. There is often restlessness, thirst, and sickness, accom-
panied 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

JAUNDICE.

211

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 re-
medy 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 mo-
derate 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 dis-
coloration 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 diarrhoea, 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 swal-
lowing 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 chace, 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, what-
ever 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 diarrhoea, the faeces 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 compli-
cated 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

r 2

212

JAUNDICE.

the back ; an insatiable thirst, accompanied by the refusal of all food ; lose
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 treat-
ment. 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 pow-
ders, 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 mag-
nesia 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 faeces 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 abun-
dant 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
maybe 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."

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY.

'213

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 treat-
ment 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 dis-
appearing, 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 secre-
tions 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 im-
prudent use of stimulating substances employed as aphrodisiacs ; the pre-
sence of calculi in the kidney, and the arrest of the urine in the bladder.
The whole of the kidney may be affected with antenna 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 aflect 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 con-
sequence of violence or disease.

Hydatids, although seldom met with in the human kidney, are not (in-
frequently found in that of the dog. All these are circumstances that have
not received sufficient attention.

214

CALCULUS.

CALCULOUS CONCRETIONS

are of far 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 evacua-
tion, 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 occa-
sionally voided his urine with some difficulty, and had walked slowly and
with evident pain. August 20, 1827, a sudden exacerbation came on,
and the dog was dreadfully agitated. He barked and rolled himself on
the ground almost every minute ; he 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 faeces. 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 treat-
ment 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 oc-
cupies 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 re-
moved ; 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.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.

215

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 mor-
tification. „,,„,. . , ,

"With much pleasure I refer to the details of Mr. Blame 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 do°- in passing the bladder proceeds nearly in a direct line back-
wards, °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 gene-
rally 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 very 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

216

DISEASES OF

complete stoppage of it. The belly hot, swelled, and tender to the touch ;
the dog becoming strangely irritable, and ready to bite even Ids 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. el gum. arab.,'
were administered morning, noon, and night. On the 5th the urine still
passed involuntarily. Cold lotions were employed, and tonic and astrin-
gent 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. 2nd. 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. 3rd. 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 ob-
served 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 abdo-
men. 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 mid-
night, 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 fearful state of in-
flammation.

THE BLADDER.

217

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 perinseum. 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 in-
flammation. 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. lOth
January. — She is now considerably better, and only a few drops are ob-
served. 2nd February. — The disease which had seemingly been conquered
began again to re-appear ; the medicine had been neglected. Again have
recourse to it. 4th 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
till 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 fre-
quent 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 brouoh*-
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 dis-
turbed, 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 froiu

218

WORMS.

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. Ex-
tending 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 ch ronic 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 diffi-
culty 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 younguiogs, 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 tcenia,
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

WORMS.

219

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 appe-
tite, 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
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.

The means of expelling or destroying worms in the intestines of the dog
are twofold : the first and apparently the most natural mode of proceed-
ing, is the administration of purgatives, and usually of drastic ones ; but
there is much danger connected with this ; not merely the faeces 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 pene-
trates 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 interest-
ing. 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
Lis 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
taeniae lanceolatae 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

220

WORMS.

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."

There is a worm inhabiting the stomach of young dogs, the Ascarin
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 cesophagus, but rarely into
the larger intestines. A dog had a severe cough, which could not be sub-
dued 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 under-
stand. 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 re-
monstrances 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 that 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 con-
tents of the stomach. In the larynx was found one of those worms occa-
sionally 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 muscles 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

* Prat. Mud. Vdt. 1824, p. 14.

FISTULA IN THE ANUS.

221

in the left bronchia, and a still smaller one among the mucus of the trachea :
there were also four others in the nose.

Several years ago I found some worms of thefilacia species in the right
ventricle of the heart of a dog, which had produced sudden death by in-
terrupting the action of the \al\es.

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 from 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
( hem on potatoes, &c. ; and, in eight or ten days, after voiding several feet
cf 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. Seon, 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. Seon, after having tried in vain to abate the irri-
tation, 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 stror.gylus, four and a half inches long. It was living, and
moving about. M. Seon could not ascertain its species. The worm be-
ing extracted, the urine flowed, and the dog soon recovered.3

FISTULA IN THE ANUS.

This is a too frequent consequence of piles. It is often the result of the
stagnation of hardened faeces 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 opera-
tion for its cure, it will require the assistance of a skilful surgeon to effect
a cure in this case.

a Prat. Med. V6t., F6v. 1828.

222

BLEEDING.

CHAPTER XIII.

BLEEDING J TORSION ; CASTRATION J PARTURITION J 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 ma-
jority 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 wit h
a little tow.

When no lancet is at hand, the inside of the flap of the ear may be punc-
tured 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 \ ein
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 iis
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

TORSION.

223

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 sur-
face 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 secu-
rity against the danger of consecutive hemorrhage will not be perfect.

Mr. W. B. Costello, of London, was present when the operation was per-
formed 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 becom-
ing more irregular in its form, and on one of its tuberculous prominencies
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 mammae of the bitch. Having
also been taught that the ultimate success of the excision of these enlarge-
ments depended on their removal before suppuration had taken place, and
the neighbouring parts had been inoculated by the virus which so plenti-
fully 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 these imperfect instruments beautifully established the
power of torsion in arresting hemorrhage.

Two elliptical incisions were made on the face of the tumour, and pro-
longed 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 Mas fed, at its anterior extremity, and not far from the spot
where the suppuration seemed to be preparing : therefore, beginning pos-

224

CASTRATION.

teriorly, 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 oozin"-
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 hu-
manity, 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 vio-
lence 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 he 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 deferens 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, en-
gorgement, 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

FARTUMTION.

225

in tne 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 much to be 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 liga-
ture. 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 essen-
tially 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 place 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.-

PAKTURITION.

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

226

PARTURITION.

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 fetus, 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 com-
mencement, 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 ge-
neral symptoms of febrile derangement, arising, doubtless, from her pro-
tracted 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, morn-
ing 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 Mas 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 appear-
ance in the mother's eye betrayed at once that she had devoured it. I im-
mediately 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 suc-
ceed in expelling another foetus, in consequence of Which I was sent for

PARTURITION.

227

about three o'clock p.m. I found lier very uneasy, breathing laboriously ;
the mouth hot, and the bowels costive ; but I could not discover any trace
of another fetus. 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.

2nd. She is still very ill ; she evinces great pain when pressed upon the
abdomen ; and it is manifest that she has another fetus 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.\, 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
fetus, compared with her own size. On passing my finger as high as
possible, I felt another fetus 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 fetus 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 detrun-
cating the fetus. 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 con-
siderable difficulty that I could introduce my finger. A third fetus
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 toother 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 b\

Q2 ' '

228

PARTURITION.

forcibly pressing back the labia pudendi, I could just grasp it with the
finger and thumb of the right hand. Holding it there, ! introduced the
linger 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 easre
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 clay 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 com-
fortable 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 dis-
charge 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 fcetus 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 ex-
ception 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 M ater 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 tiy 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

PUERPERAL FITS.

229

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 parturi-
tion. This medicine possesses a very great power over the uterus, rousing
its dormant or debilitated contractility, and stimulating it to an extra per-
formance 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 ex-
hausted 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 parturi-
tion 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° of Fahrenheit, and covered
with the water, her head excepted. It will be 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

230 PUERPERAL FITS.

stSedand at len§th aWakeS Somewhat weak' but to » cer^in degree re-
If, then, all her puppies except one or two are taken from her, and her
food is, tor a day or two, somewhat restricted, and after that given a^ain
of its usual quantity and kind, she will live and do well ; but a bleedin*
at the time of her fit, or suffering all her puppies to return to her, wifi
inevitably destroy her. '

A bitch that was often brought to my house was suckling a litter of
puppies, bhe was foolishly taken up and thrown into the Serpentine in
the month of April. The suppression of milk was immediate and com-
plete. 1 here was also a determination to the head, and attacks resembling
epilepsy. Ihe 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 Pupjnng. 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
tunes. 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 M*ould lick notwithstanding all our
efforts to prevent it. The general health of the animal did not seem to be
in the slightest degree affected. We continued our aromatic infusion and
our regimen.

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 sho
is perfectly well.

DISTEMPER,

231

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 dis-
temper 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 insuffi-
cient 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
ricketty, 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 do^
can seldom, for many days, be kept with another that labours under dis°
temper 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 ha has not become diseased.

232 DISTEMPER.

Inocula ion with the matter that flows from the nose, either limpid or
purulent, and m an early or advanced stage of the dis emper will i
few excepts produce the disease; yet fhave failed to™ommunL7e
even by this method Inoculation used to be recommended as TZcbt a

httert^f1 ^ S° ^ - "* — - 'hetnS;

Distemper is also epidemic. It occurs more frequently in the sprino
and autumn than in the winter and summer. If one^or two dogs in a cer-
tain 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" thnes
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 ffreat
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. J °

It varies much with different breeds. The shepherd's do°-, trenerallv
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 conies the pug; and it is most fatal of all with the
N ewfoundland 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 dis-
temper^ and declare that they seldom lose a dog. This hereditary pre-
disposition 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 dis-
temper. 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 im-
possible 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, per-
haps, be a little indurated mucus at the inner corner of the eye. This
may continue two or three weeks without serious or scarcely recognisable
illness. Then a peculiar husky cough is heard, altogether different
from the sonorous cough of catarrh, or the wheezing of asthma. It is an

DISTEMPER.

233

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 particu-
larly 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 dis-
appear, 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 unna-
tural 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, ai*e 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 tlie fire. He will more evidently and rapidly lose
flesh. The huskiness will be more frequent and troublesome, and the dis-
charge 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 consi-
derable 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 tiling. 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.

234 DISTEMPER.

xuteiy Aoracious. Nature seems to be providing for the ereat exnen
diture of power which epilepsy will soon occasion. The n!ucuS almo st
entirely disappears from the eyes, although the discharge fiL Te nose v
continue unabated , and for an hour or more before the fit there wil e

TtaZlng ° f thJ ?T JaW' fr°thing at the m0uth> and discharge of saliva!
ti l t ?TnS f lorr,jaW Wil1 be seen at least twelve hours before
the fir t fit, and will a little while precede every other. There will also

or e^e idmgIttSoTe ^ ^ ^ °f the ™*Tch tl,

01 eyelid. It is of some consequence to attend to these, as enabling us

to distinguish between fits of distemper and those of teething! worm? or

unusual excitement. The latter come on suddenly. The doo l appa-

ZXr&f^™^^ M] °f Spidts' -^without agm3s
warning he falls inio violent convulsions

cvZuZ7 \v?' HkeWiSe' be enabl^d t0 distinSu5sh between rabies and
distemper. When a person, unacquainted with dogs, sees a dog stiwfflin°-
in a fit, or runmng along unconscious of every surrounding object or
snapping at every thing in his way, whether it be a human bein- or a
stone, he raises the cry of " mad dog," and the poor brute is often sacri-
ficed. The very existence of a fit is proof positive that the dog is not mad.
JNo 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 Ihe feces vary from white with a slight tinge of gray, to a dark
slate or olive colour. By degrees mucus begins to mingle with the
fecal discharge, and then streaks of blood. The fecal 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 pro-
ceeds from the mouth. A singular, half-fetid smell arising from the do°\
is the almost invariable precursor of death.

When the disease first visited the continent it was regarded as a hu-
moral disease. Duhamel, who was one of the earliest to study the cha-
racter 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

DISTEMPER.

235

possessed a character of peculiar malignity, and he gave it a name expres-
sive 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 un-
known. 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 de-
gree, 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 pro-
gress 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 from
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 ap-
prehended. 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 affec-
tion 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 vio-
lent, they are accompanied by constant and dreadful moans and cries.

In the pointer and the hound, and particularly when there is little dis-
charge 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 lias died in fits, we have inflam-
mation of the brain or its membranes, and particularly at the base of the
brain, with considerable effusion of a serous or blooily fluid. If the pre-

236

DISTEMPER.

vail .ingsymp torn, have led our attention to the lungs, we find inflammation
of the bronchial passages, or, in a few instances,^ the substance of 2
lungs, or the submucous tissue of the cells. We rarely have inflammat on
I W P^^'P1--' and »evf to any exten/of the
been found lmSennS cases> tubercles and vomicae of the lungs have

If the bowels have been chiefly attacked, we have intense inflammation
/ ' r/^n 'nemburane> ^ 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, includinff
even the stomach, and sometimes considerable enlargement of the meseif-
tGric g\l<inus.

The membrane of the nose will always exhibit marks of inflammation,
and particularly in the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal cells j and I have
observed the portion of membrane on the septum, or cartilaginous division
oi 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 winch 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 occa-
sionally 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 dis-
turbance 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, per-
haps, 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 sup-

a 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
castor-oil administered. — 3\st. 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.— \0th. The
purging is at last overcome, but the huski-
ness has rapidly increased, accompanied
by laborious and hurried respiration.
Bleed to the extent of three ounces. — 1 1 th.
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 ap-
pearance of inflammation on the thoracic
viscera, nor in any part of the alimen-
tary canal. The intestines are contracted
through their whole extent. — Veterina-
rian, ii. 290.

DISTEMPER.

237

posed infallible nostrum. Nothing can be more absurd. A disease attacks
ing 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 alter 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 in-
fluence, 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, theantimonial
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

238 DISTEMPER.

.should be pursued in usual cases until two or three emetics have been
given and a ball morning and night on the intermediate dZs Should
the huskiness not diminish after the first two or three days, i/tl e do- his
not rapxdly lost flesh, I should be disposed to take a littkn o e lod°; id

"aSng fT ear teaf ' * * *— «— » ^3

when the animal is already losing ground, and is violently purging 'shall
only hasten Ins 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 mistake^ The
quick and laborious breathing, the disinclination or inability to lie down
the elevated position of the head, and the projection of the muzzle w i
clearly mark it. More blood must be subtracted, a seton inserted, le
bowels opened with Epsom salts, and the digitalis, nitre, and James's po -!
der given more frequently and in larger doses than before.

Little aid is to be deriv ed from observation of the pulse of the -do- • it
differs materially in the breed, and size, and age of the animal. Many

fZSiraT.Ce ^ m/"abulin& !ne t0 dr™ 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'

It the pneumonia is evidently conquered, or we have proceeded thus
tar 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 all 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 com-
mencement ; but it may have existed several days before we were con-
sulted, 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 discharo-e
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 experi-
ence 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 ;

DISTEMPER.

239

but mild and wholesome food, and country or good air, will be tlie 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 admi-
nistered 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 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 of
a 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 pro-
bably 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 ; Ave 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 mem-
brane 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

240 DISTEMPER.

good dose of Epsom salts, in order to carry away any thing that may offend
and then to ply the animal with mingled absorbents andwtrin^ nts A
scruple of powdered chalk, ten grains of catechu, and five of gifJer 'vdt
a qnarterof a grain of opium, made into a ball with palm oi^y e
given to a middle-sized dog twice or thrice every day. To this mav
opium injeCti°ns of &rue1' with the compound chalk mixture and

m When the tvvitchings which I have described begin to appear, a seton
is necessary whatever may be the degree to which the animal is reduced
home stimulating embrocation, such as tincture of cantharides, may be
rubbed along the whole course of the spine; and the medicine which has
ottenest 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 doffs
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 i«
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 pre-
served 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 disap-
peared ; 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 Avriters have copied very
closely from him.

" That disease among clogs which has familiarly been called the 1 dis-
temper,' has not hitherto, I believe, been much noticed by medical men.
My situation in the country favouring my wishes to make some observa-
tions on this singular malady, I availed myself of it, during several suc-
cessive years, among a large number of foxhounds belonging to the Karl
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 lias since spread uni-
versally. 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

DISTEMPER.

241

health into a kennel, where others have gone through the distemper,
seldom escape it. I have endeavoured to destroy the contagion by order-
ing every part of a kennel to be carefully washed with water, then white-
washed, 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, aud 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 gene-
rally 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 expi-
rations 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 any thing 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 de
scription ; 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 sense-
less 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 tins 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 de-
gree of violence), or expires. During convalescence, he has sometimes,
though rarely, profuse haemorrhage from the nose.

" When the inflammation of the lungs is very severe, he frequently dies
on the third day. I knew 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

it

242

DISTEMPER.

tinged yellow, though I did not observe any thing 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 hydrophobic 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 uncontrol-
lable 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." *

Palsy, more or less complete, is sometimes the termination of the dis-
temper 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.

1 Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, 21st March, 1809.

BMALL-POX.

243

CHAPTER XV.

SMALL-POX J MANGE ; WARTS ; CANCER ; FUNGUS HjEMATODES ;

SORE FEET.

SMALL-POX.

In 1809, there was observed, at the Eoyal 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 desicca-
tion 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 dura-
tion of the serous eruption, which is about foar days, if it has been dis-

a 2

244

SMALL-POX.

tmefly 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

llie eruption terminates when desiccation commences in the first pus
tules ; and, if some red spots show themselves at that period of the maladv
they disappear without being followed by the development of pustules'
I hey 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. Ihe eruption runs through its different stages with
mucn more rapidity m 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 un-
favourable 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 favour-
able 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 labour ing
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 diy 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 faeces. In this stale there is a disposition which is rapidly dev e-
loped 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 rale 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, ster-
torous, guttuial 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, Gales, a pupil in

MANGE.

245

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
Gale's for those seen by Bonomo.

Professor Her twig, of Berlin, has given a graphic sketch of these in-
sects (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, pro-
duce 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 tran-
spiration and faecal discharges will often be productive of mange veiy diffi-
cult 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 pecu-
liar 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 ex-
tensive. 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 pre-
parations. 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 alteratives, as iEthiop's mineral
with cream of tartar and nitre. The external applications require con-
siderable 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 appli-
cation. They must be applied to the actual skin, not over the hair. In
oid 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 com-
pletely 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

246 MANGE — WARTS.

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
tnan 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.

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 be 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' consti-
tutional 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 unfa-
vourable 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 gentle-
man and his wife who had been in the habit of fondling a mangy pug clog,
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. sub-corrosivi 3j\, acidi mur. 3, alcoholis
3iiij., aqua? 3ij. 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

WARTS — CANCER.

247

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 apolications 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 occa-
sionally seen in the male. Its symptoms, local and general, are various.
They are usually very obscure in their commencement ; they increase with-
out 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 inflamma-
tion 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 ex-
ceeding 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 enlarge-
ments 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 tha
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 sub-
stance alone, no difficulty will be experienced in detaching the whole of it.
The operation will be speedily performed, and there will be end of the
matter ; but, if the tumour has been neglected, and the muscular, the cel-
lular, 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 immediate part, when
the operation has been judiciously performed, yet, when the constitution lias
been long affected with this ulcerative action, it is very apt to show itself in
some neighbouring part soon after."

248

FUNGUS ILEMATODES — SOKE FEET.

FUNGUS HjEMATODES.

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 hsematodes 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 ex-
piration of three days he removed the tumour with the knife. There was
a full discharge of healthy matter from the wound. Durino- 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
favourably ; 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 ex-
tremities. 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 dia-
phragm, 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 con-
siderably. There was dropsy of the abdomen.

SORE FEET

constitute a frequent and troublesome complaint. It consists of inflamma-
tion 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 chace
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 re-acts 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 epider«
mis, which is a perfect mass of serosity.

SORE FEET.

249

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 inflamma-
tion 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 nailis apt to grow very rapidly,
and curve round and penetrate into the foot. The forceps should be ap-
plied, 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 3j., et aq. calcis jiiij., should be 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.

250

FRACTUEES.

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 con-
cerning 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.

FRACTURES.

251

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 com-
pound 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 clay,
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 con-
siderable 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 suffi-
ciently 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 ban-
dage 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

252 FRACTURES.

and gnawing it. The splints were removed ; but the adhesive plaster an-
pearing even and firm was suffered to remain. 26th. Everything appeared
to be going on well, when he again leaped from his bed. tS°3 iS»
much more bowed, and was tender and hot. Simple lint and a Z™L 5"
bandage were had recourse to. 21th. He is unable to put his fooMo the
ground and the joint is certainly enlarging. An adhesive plaster, mlde
by a Frenchman was applied at the owner's request, over which was
placed a splint. The dog soon began to gnaw th7plaster, which form
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 frac-
tured 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 might 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 unim-
paired. 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

FRACTURES.

253

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 be 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
<*ood 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, with-
out being taken out, save for the purpose of having his bed cleansed or
renewedT 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 con-
finement 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 suffi-
ciently 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,

254 FRACTURES.

m hi L- ft °f them Was struck on the head by a q^it, and supposed

?fi, I i * °-W.ner t00k him UP' and found that he was not dead,

although dreadfully injured. It being near the Thames, his owner took

inm 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 oc-
curred, 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 mv operation "

" The hair was clipped from the head, and an incision carried imme-
diately 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 por-
tion of the bone had been depressed on the brain, and it would be neces-
sary, 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 pa-
rietal bone was depressed, and that the fracture extended along the sa-
gittal 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 tins 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. II i
still requires care and attention, and proper medicinal agents to be admi-
nistered 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

* Trans. Vet. Med. Assoc., i. 51.

MEDICINES.

255

CHAPTER XVII.

MEDICINES USED IN THE TKEATMENT 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 occa-
sionally 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 conve-
niently 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 con-
sistence, 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 in-
stantly leave the dog by soothing notice of him.

Aeidum Acetum ( Vinegar). — This is useful for sprains, bruises, and fo-
mentations.

Acidum Nitricum {Nitric Acid; Aqua Fortis). — This may be used wi( h
advantage to destroy warts or fungous excrescences. A little of the acid
should be dropped on the part and bound tightly down. The protube-

256

MEDICINES.

ranee 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 appli-
cation tor the purpose of allaying irritation of the skin in dogs ; but it must
* Y watched- 1 have seen a drachm of it diluted with a pint

oi distilled water, rapidly allay cuticular inflammation. The dreadful de-
gree 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-rotatin<>-
motion between the thumb and fore-finger, 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
it 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 took 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 do^s.
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 with-
out 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 taste-
less, inodorous, and free from eveiy 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 aperi-
ents 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 im-
punity 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 dis-
eased action of certain parts, without interfering with the food or work.

MEDICINES.

257

The most useful consist of five parts of sublimed sulphur, one of nitre, one
of linseed meal, and two of lard or palm oil.

A lum is a powerful astringent, whether employed externally or inter-
nally. It is occasionally administered in doses of from 10 to 15 grains in
obstinate diarrhoea. In some obstinate cases, alum whey has been em-
ployed 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 deter-
mination 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 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 de-
scription, 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 those 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 cha-
racter, 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 of the greatest con-
sequence 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.

s

258 MEDICINES.

" An infusion of two ounces of the cantharicles in a pint of oil of turn, „.
tine, for several days is occasionally used as a languid blister; and when
sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a sweating oil, for
maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflammation on the skin, vet
not sufficient to blister ; and thus gradually abates or removes some old or
deep inflammation, or cause of lameness." a

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 larcre
doses it will to a certain extent produce vomiting; and, if it finds its wax
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 prin-
ciple 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 faeces : 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 ope-
rate 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 pur-
pose 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 nou-
rishing 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 sul-
phate 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 aegyptiacum 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.

■ The Horse, p. 501.

MEDICINES.

259

Creta Preparata ( Chalk), in combination with ginger, caiechu, 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 com-
plaint.

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 ape-
rient ; 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 calo-
mel, and combined with aloes, but in very small doses, never exceeding
three grains. It is also useful in farcy and jaundice. The corrosive sub-
limate 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 parti-
cularly 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.

260

LAWS OF COURSING.

APPENDIX.

11ULES OF THE NATIONAL COURSING CLUB.

As Revised and Enlarged at a Meeting, held in London, on Saturday,
July 31, by a Committee appointed at the Great Waterloo Meeting,
held at Liverpool, in 1858.

I. Every course shall be decided according to the judge's estimate of
the balance of points in favour of either greyhound. The value of the
points in a course, viz., the cote, go-bye, wrench, turn, trip, or kill, as
well as allowances or penalties, to be for the present considered as settled
by Thacker's rules.

II. The judge shall deliver his decision aloud, immediately the course
is ended, and shall render an explanation of such decision (when called
in question) to the stewards of a meeting. His decisions once given
shali not be liable to be reversed ; but complaints against him mav be
lodged with the National Club, who, upon proof of gross mistakes, shall
record their censure, and recommend his non-employment for such a
period as may seem fitting.

III. If a greyhound be unsighted in going from the slips, or afterwards,
it shall be at the discretion of the judge to decide what allowance, if any,
is to be made under the circumstances.

IV. If a second hare be started during a course, and one of the dogs
follow her, the course to end there.

V. A " no course " is where sufficient has not been done to show su-
periority in either greyhound, and must be run again immediately. An
" undecided course " is when the judge considers the merits of the dogs
so equal that he cannot decide. This need not be run again if one
greyhound be drawn, but the owners must at the time declare to the
secretary which dog remains in. If they decide to run again, they must
do so after two courses. If the last course of the day, fifteen minutes
shall be allowed after both dogs are taken up.

VI. The control of all matters connected with slipping the greyhounds
shall rest with the stewards of a meeting.

VII. When two greyhounds drawn together are of the same colour,
they shall each wear a collar, and shall be subject to a penalty of 10*.
for non-observance of this rule ; the colour of the collar to be red for
the left-hand side, and white for the right-hand side of the slips.
After the first round, the upper dog on the card for the day will be
placed upon the left hand, and the lower dog on the right hand in the
slips.

VIII. If through accident one greyhound gets out of slips, the

LAAVS OF COURSING.

261

slipper shall not let the other go. If the slips break and the dogs get
away coupled together, the judge shall decide whether it is to be a no-
course, or whether enough has been done to constitute it an undecided
course. In any case of slips breaking and either or both dogs getting
away in consequence, the slipper may be fined not exceeding 1/. at the
discretion of the steward.

IX. If any subscriber or his servant shall ride over his opponent':,
greyhound while running a course, the owner of the dog so ridden ovei
shall, although the course be given against him, be deemed the winner
of it, or shall have the option of allowing the other dog to remain in and
run out the stake, and in such case shall be entitled to half his winnings,
if any.

X. Any person allowing a greyhound to get loose, and join in a course
which is being run, shall forfeit 1/. If the loose greyhound belongs to
either of the owners of the dogs engaged in the particular course, such
owner shall forfeit his chance of the stake with the dog then running ;
unless it can be proved to the satisfaction of the stewards that the loose
greyhound had not been able to be taken up after running its own
course. The course not to be considered as necessarily ending when the
third dog joins in.

XI. If any subscriber openly impugns the decision of the judge
on the ground, he shall forfeit not more than five nor less than two
sovereigns, at the discretion of the stewards. Any complaint which
he has to make shall be notified to the secretary or one of the
stewards, who shall take steps to bring the matter before the proper
authorities.

XII. The secretary of any proposed open meeting shall associate with
himself a committee of not less than three members to settle prelimi-
naries. The management of the meeting shall be entrusted to stewards
and field-stewards (in conjunction with this committee), who shall be
elected by the subscribers present the first evening of a meeting. The
secretary shall declare as soon as possible how the prizes are to be
divided; and a statement of expenses may be called for by subscribers
after a meeting- if they think proper.

XIII. The appointment of the judge shall be determined by the votes
of the subscribers taking nominations, but each subscriber shall have
only one vote, whatever the number of his nominations ; it shall be
open to subscribers, within a fortnight of the judge's name being de-
clared, to withdraw from their nominations, paying half forfeit. The
appointment of the judge to be published at least one month before the
meeting, and the number of votes in favour of each judge to be declared,
if required.

XIV. If a meeting appointed to take place upon a certain day be
interfered with by frost, the committee shall have power to postpone it,
but not beyond the week. If, through a continuance of frost, the meet-
ing be void, the subscribers shall be liable to their quota of expenses.
This rule not to apply to produce meetings.

XV. Immediately before the greyhounds are drawn at any open
meeting, the place and time of putting the first brace of dogs into the
slips on the following morning shall be declared, and the owner of
any dog which shall not be ready to be put into slips at such ap-

262

LAWS OF COURSING.

pointed time and place, or in proper rotation afterwards, shall be fined
u 11 i ^J^y within ten minutes from such time the absent greyhound
shall be adjudged to have lost its course, and the opponent shall run a
bye. it both dogs be absent at the expiration of ten minutes, the stew-
ards shall have power to disqualify both dogs, or to fine their .owners
any sum not exceeding 51. each.

XVI. No entry by a subscriber shall be valid unless the amount of
stake be paid m full, when a card or counter bearing a corresponding
number shall be assigned to each entry. These numbered cards or
counters shall then be placed together in a bowl and drawn out in-
discriminately. This classification once made shall not be disturbed
throughout a meeting, except for the purpose of guarding, or on account
of byes. °

XVII. When more than one nomination is taken in the name of one
person, his greyhounds shall be guarded, but not exceeding two do^s in
a 16 dog stake, four in a 32, and eight in a 64 dog stake, except by
special agreement. In Produce Stakes any number may be guarded if
bond fide and exclusively the property of the nominator. This guarding
is not, however, to deprive any dog of a natural bye to which he may in
running through a stake, be entitled.

XVIII. No greyhound shall run more than one natural bye in any stake,
and this bye shall be given to the lowest available dog on the list in
each round. In Puppy Stakes each bye must be run with a puppy or
single-handed.

XIX. If any subscriber shall enter a greyhound by a different name
from that in which it shall last have run for any stake or piece of plate,
without giving notice to the secretary of the alteration, such greyhound
shall be disqualified.

XX. Any subscriber taking an entry in a stake, and either prefixing
the word " Names " to a greyhound bond fide his own property, or not
prefixing the word " Names " to a dog which is not his own property,
shall forfeit that dog's chance of the stake. He shall likewise be com-
pelled to deliver in writing to the secretary of the meeting the name of
the bond fide owner of the dog named by him. This communication to
be produced should any dispute arise in the matter. Greyhounds which
belong to confederates, and are sometimes entered in one, sometimes in
another owner's name, shall have a cross prefixed to their names.

XXI. For Produce Stakes, the names, ages, colours, and distinguishing
marks of the puppies shall be detailed in writing to the secretary at the
time of entering them. The subscriber must also state in writing the
name of the sire, or sires, the dam, and their owners, together with the
names and addresses of the parties who bred and reared the puppies, and
where they are kept at the time of entry ; and any puppy whose marks
and pedigree shall not correspond with the entry as thus given shall be
disqualified, and the whole of its stakes forfeited. No greyhound shall
be allowed to run in any puppy stake whose description is not properly
given as above, and it must be capable of being proved, if required by
the secretary or committee. No greyhound to be considered a puppy
which was whelped before the 1st January of the year preceding the
season of running.

XXII. An objection may be made at any time within a month, upon the

LAWS 01T COUKSING.

263

objector lodging a sum of not less than 51., as may be required, in the
hands of the secretary, which shall be forfeited if the objection prove
frivolous; and the owner of the greyhound objected to shall be com-
pelled to deposit a like amount, and to prove the correctness of his
entry. The cost of the expenses incurred in consequence of the objection
to fall upon the party against whom the decision is given.

XXIII. Should an objection be made which cannot at the time be sub-
stantiated or disproved, the greyhound may be allowed to run under
protest, and should the objection be afterwards substantiated, and if the
winnings have been paid over to the owner of a greyhound who will
thus be disqualified, he shall return the money, or be declared a defaulter.
The money returned shall be divided equally among the greyhounds
beaten by the dog thus disqualified.

XXIV. If two greyhounds belonging to the same owner or to confede-
rates remain in for the deciding course, the stake shall be considered
divided, as also if the owner of one dog induce the owner of the other
to draw him for any payment or consideration ; but if one greyhound be
drawn from lameness, or from any cause clearly affecting his chance of
winning, the other may be declared the winner — the facts of the case being
proved to the satisfaction of the stewards.

XXV. When more than two prizes are given, the greyhound beaten by
the winner in the last class but one shall have precedence of thai beaten
by the runner-up. When only three dogs run in this class, then the
greyhound first beaten of these three shall have the third prize; and the
fourth prize shall be given to the greyhound beaten by the winner in
the previous class, unless the winner had a bye in that class — in which
case the fourth prize shall be awarded to the dog beaten by the runner-
up in that class.

XXVI. If two greyhounds shall each win a stake, and have to run
together for a final prize or challenge cup, should they not have run an
equal number of ties in their respective stakes, the greyhound not having
run the sufficient number of courses must run a bye or byes to put itself
upon an equality in this respect with its opponent.

XXVII. !No person shall be allowed to enter or run a greyhound
in his own or any other person's name who is a defaulter for stakes or
bets.

XXVIII. If a judge or slipper be in any way interested in the winnings
of a greyhound or greyhounds, the nominator of these dogs, unless he can
prove satisfactorily that such interest was without his cognizance, shall
forfeit all claim to the winnings.

XXIX. All bets upon an individual course to stand, unless one of the
greyhounds be drawn. All bets upou a dog running further than
another in the stake, or upon the event, to be p.p., whatever accident
may happen..

XXX. Where money has been laid against a dog winning a stake, and
he divides it, the two sums must be put together, and divided in tho
same proportion as the stakes.

[ 265 J

I N D E X.

Acupunctubation, used in neuralgic af-
fections, 256 ; mode of performing, 256
Adam, Mr., on fungus nematodes, 248
Adeps, the basis of all ointments, 256
African wild dog, description of the, 22
Agassei, British hunting dogs, description
of, 7

Age, the indications of, 180
Albanian dog, description of the, 26
Alcohol, only used in tinctures, 256
Alicant dog, description of the, 104
Aloes, JBarbadoes, the best purgative, 256
Alpine spaniel, description of the, 51
Alteratives, the most useful, 256
Alum, a powerful astringent, 257
Amaurosis, symptoms of, 158
American wild dogs, description of the, 22
Anaemia, description of, 186 ; causes of,

187 ; post-mortem appearances, 187
Anasarca, nature of, 207
Audalusian dog, description of the, 104
Angina, nature of, 182
Antimony, the oxide of, a sudorific, 257;
the black sesquisulphuret of, an altera-
tive, 257

Anubis, an Egyptian deity with the head

of a dog, 4
Anus, polypus in the, 167 ; fistula in the,

221

Aquafortis, a caustic, 255

Argus, the dog of Ulysses, 9.

Arrian on hunting, 5

Artois dog, description of the, 104

Ascarides, a species of worms, 218

Ascites, see Dropsy

Attention, an important faculty, 111

Auscultation, use of, 188, 189

Australasian dog, description of the, 19

Barbaby dog, description of the, 104

Barbet, description of the, 49

Bark, Peruvian, a valuable tonic, 257

Barry, a celebrated Bernardine dog, anec-
dote of, 52

Bath, use of in puerperal fits, 229

Beagle, description of the, 68

Bell, Professor, opinion on the origin of
the dog, 3

Bernardine dog, description of the, 51

Billy, a celebrated terrier, 102

Bladder, inflammation of the, 215; rup-
ture of the, 217

Blain, nature, causes, treatment, and post-
mortem appearances of, 176

Blaine, Mr., opinion on kennel lameness,
80; on tetanus, 198; ou dropsy, 207;

on calculus, 215; on distemper, 238;
on mange, 246

Bleeding, best place for, 222 ; directions
for, 222 ; useful in epilepsy, 120 ; useful
in distemper, 237

Blenheim spaniel, description of the, 45

Blisters, uses of, 257 ; composition, 257;
mode of applying and guarding, 257

Bloodhound, description of the, 89

Brain, comparative bulk of in different
animals, 106 ; description of the, 106

Brealting-in of hounds, 76 ; cruelty dis-
advantageous, 113

Breeding of greyhounds, 35 ; should al-
ways be permitted, 225

British hunting-dogs, Agasa;i, description
of, 7

Bronchocele, nature of, 182 ; causes and

treatment of, 183
Buansu, or Nepal dog, description of, 1 5
Biiflbn, opinion as to the origin of the

dog, 104

Bull-dog, description of the, 98 ; crossed

with the greyhound, 31
Bull terrier, description of the, 99

Cecum, description of the, 197
Calculus, nature, causes, and treatment of,

214; in the intestines, causes of, 202;

cases, 203

Calomel, a dangerous medicine, 258 ;

should not be used in enteritis, 200
Cancer, symptoms of, 247; treatment of,

247

Canis, genus, 1 1

Canker in the ear, causes, symptoms, and
treatment of, 160; cases of, 162

Canute, laws concerning greyhounds by,
29

Cardia, description of the, 194
Castor oil, a valuable purgative, 258
Castration, proper time for, 224 ; mode of

performing, 224 ; not recommended, 225
Cataract in the eye, 158
Catarrh, a cause of distemper, 231 ; nasal,

235

Catechu, an astringent, 258
Caustic, lunar, the best, 257
Cayotte, description of the, 22
Chabert, anecdote of the dog of, 58
Chalk, an astringent, 259
Charles I., anecdote of the dog of, 29
Charles II.'s spaniel, description of, 44
Chest, anatomy and diseases of the, 1 85 ;

proper form of, in the greyhound, 33;

in tiie fox-hound, 72

2G6

INDEX.

Chest-founder, nature, causes, and treat-
ment of, 124

Chloride of lime, uses of, 259

Chorea, nature of, 120 ; causes, 121 ; treat-
ment, 121; cases, 122; in distemper,
240, 242

Chryseus scylex, or dhole, description of
the, 16

Claret, a celebrated greyhound, 32
Classification, zoological, 11
Climate, effect of, 1 1
Clysters, uses of, 258.
Coach-dog, description of the, 26
Cocker, description of the, 44
Colic, causes, symptoms, and treatment of,
202

Colon, the, 197; rupture of the, 200
Colour of the greyhound, 34 ; of the

pointer, 93
Constipation, causes and treatment of, 204,

205

Copper, preparations of, and their uses,
258

Coryza, the early stage of distemper, 236
Costiveness, causes and treatment of, 204,

205 ; means of preventing, 205
Cough, spasmodic, nature and treatment

of, 190

Coursing, Ovid's description of, 27 ; anec-
dotes of, 31, 32; laws of, 260; general
rules for the guidance of judges, 261 ;
local rules, 262

Creosote, a dangerous medicine, 258 ; use-
ful in canker, 163

Creta, an astringent, 259

Cropping of the ears, 112; deafness fre-
quently caused by, 1 12 ; disapproved of,
105; proper method of, 166

Cross-breeding, efiFect of, 1 1

Cuba, mastiff of, 100

Cur, description of the, 67

Cyprus, greyhounds of, described, 37

Cynosurus cristatus, an useful emetic,
195

Czarina, a celebrated greyhound, 32

Dakhun wild dog, description of the, 16
Dalmatian dog, description of the, 26
Danish sacrifices of dogs, description of,

24 ; dog, description of the, 26
Deab, description of the, 22
Deafness frequently caused by cropping,

112

Deer-hound, description of the, 38
Delafond, Professor, his table of the diag-
nostic symptoms of pleurisy and pneu-
monia, 192
Dentition, formula of, 1 77
Dew-claws, 112; their removal unneces-
sary, 112
Dhole, description of the, 16
Diaphragm, description of the, 185
Diarrhoea, causes, nature, and treatment
of, 204 ; habitual, 204

Dick, Professor, on rabies, 145; on the
use of the ergot of rye, 228

Digestion, the process of, 194, 196

Digitalis, the uses of, 259

Digitigrade, an order of animals, 11

Dingo, description of the, 19

Distemper, origin of the name, 231 ; is a
new disease, 231 ; causes of, 231 ; is
contagious, 231; is epidemic, 232;
effects on different breeds, 232 ; symp-
toms, 232 ; nature of, 234, 236 ; dura-
tion, 235 ; post-mortem appearances,
235 ; treatment, 237 ; a cause of epi-
lepsy, 119; sometimes terminates in
palsy, 242

Dog, early history of the, 1 ; used as a
beast of draught, 2; for food, 2, 23;
uses of the skin of the, 2 ; origin of, 3,
1 1 ; mention of, in the Old and New
Testaments, 4, 5 ; anecdotes of the saga-
city and fidelity of, 8 ; changes produced
in, by breeding and climate, 1 1 ; zoolo-
gical description of, 11; natural divi-
sions of, 11; sacrificed by the Greeks
and Romans, 23 ; by the Danes and
Swedes, 24; African wild, 22; Alba-
nian, 26 ; Alicant, 104 ; Alpine spaniel,
51; American wild, 22; Andalusian,
104; Artois, 104; Australasian, 19;
Barbary, 104; barbet, 49; beagle, 68;
black and tan spaniel, 45 ; Blenheim
spaniel, 45 ; blood-hound, 89 ; British,
7 ; bull, 98 ; bull terrier, 99 ; coach,
26; cocker, 44; cur, 67; Dakhun, 16;
Dalmatian, 26; Danish, 26; drover's,
65 ; Egyptian, 104 ; Esquimaux, 55 ; fox-
hound, 72 ; French matin, 27 ; French
pointer, 93 ; gasehound, 39 ; Grecian, 6 ;
Grecian greyhound, 40 ; greyhound, 27 ;
Hare Indian, 25 ; harrier, 70 ; Highland
greyhound, 38 ; Hyrcanian, 7 ; Iceland,
101 ; Irish greyhound, 39 ; Italian grey-
hound, 42 ; Italian wolf, 66 ; Javanese,
19; King Charles's spaniel, 44; Lap-
land, 59 ; lion, 50 ; Locrian, 7 ; lurcher,
68; Mahratta, 16; Maltese, 50; mastiff,
99 ; Molossian, 7 ; Nepal, 15 ; New-
foundland, 52 ; New Zealand, 21 ; otter,
97 ; Pannonian, 7 ; pariah, 18 ; Persian
greyhound, 41 ; pointer, 92 ; Polugar,
1 6 ; poodle, 48 ; Portuguese pointer, 93 ;
Russian greyhound, 40 ; Russian pointer,
94 ; Scotch greyhound, 38 ; Scotch ter-
rier, 103 ; setter, 90 ; sheep, 59 ; shock,
104 ; southern hound, 88 ; spaniel, 43 ;
Spanish pointer, 93 ; springer, 45; stag-
hound, 86; Sumatran wild, 19; terrier,
101 ; Thibet, 17 ; Turkish, 50 ; Turkish
greyhound, 41 ; Turnspit, 97 ; water-
spaniel, 45; wild, 13; wolf, 40
Dog-carts, prohibition of, disapproved, 2 ;

should be licensed, 1 1 1
Dog-pits, 1 14
Dog-stealing, 114

INDEX.

267

Dog's-tail grass, the use of, 195
Dogs, Isle of, origin of the name, 29
Dropsy, 205 ; causes of, 205 ; cases of, 20G ;

treatment of, 207
Drover's dog, description of the, 65
Duodenum, the, 194

Dupuy, M., on diseases of the spinal

marrow, 125
Dysentery, nature of, 204 ; treatment of,

205

Ear, diseases of the, 160; vegetating ex-
crescences in the, 164 ; eruptions in the,
1 64 ; cropping of the, 165; polypi in the,
nature and treatment of, 166 ; pain of,
^ an early symptom of rabies, 133
Egyptian worship of the dog, 4 ; dog, de-
scription of the, 104
Elfric, King of Mercia, possessed grey-
hounds, 29
Emetic tartar, uses of, 257
Emetics, useful in distemper, 237
Enteritis, causes, symptoms, and treatment
of, 199

Epiglottis, description of the, 181
Epilepsy, causes of, 1 1 9 ; treatment of, 1 1 9 ;
cases, 120; puerperal, 229; in distem-
per, 233, 239
Epsom salts, a purgative, 259
Ergot of rye, use of, in parturition, 226, 228
Esquimaux dog, description of the, 55
Ethiopia, a dog elected king of, 4
Ethmoid bones, description of the, 169
Extremities, bones of the, 117
Eye, distinctive form of the, 3, 1 1 ; diseases
of the, 155; construction of the, 155;
cases of disease of the, 156; congenital
blindness, 157; ophthalmia, 1 58 ; cata-
ract, 158; amaurosis, 158; appearance
of in rabies, 138; appearance of in dis-
temper, 233

Famlliaris, sub-genus, 11
Feet, sore, 248
Femur, fracture of the, 251
Fighting-pits, 114
First division of varieties, 13
Fistula in the anus, causes and treatment
of, 221

Fits, symptoms of, 1 1 7 ; treatment of, 1 18 ;

distemper, 233, 239; puerperal, 229.
Fitzhardinge, Lord, his management of

hounds, 81
Flogging hounds, disapproved of, 76
Food, the dog used for, 2, 23, 24 ; of the

greyhound, 3G ; of the foxhound, 83;

insufficient, a cause of distemper, 231
Fore-arm, fracture of the, 251
Foxhound, description of the, 72 ; size and

proper conformation of, 72; pupping,

74 ; treatment of whelps, 75 ; breaking

in, 76 ; management in the field, 78 ;

general management and food of, 83 ;

Lord Fitzhardinge's management, 81

Fractures, most frequent in young dogs,
250; of the humerus, 250; of the thigh,
251 ; of the femur, 251 ; of the radius,
251; of the fore-arm, 251; of the shoul-
der, 252 ; of the pelvis, 253 ; of the skull,
253

French pointer, description of the, 93
Fungus ha?matodes, a case of, 248 ; post-
mortem, appearances, 248

Gasehound, description of the, 39
Gelert, the dog of Llewellyn, poem on the

death of, 30
Gentian, a stomachic and tonic, 259
Ghookhan, or wild ass, hunted by Per-
sian greyhounds, 42
Giddiness, nature and treatment of, 118
Ginger, a cordial and tonic, 259
Glass, powdered, the best vermifuge, 219,
237

Goitre, nature of, 182; cause and treat-
ment of, 183

Good qualities of the dog, 105

Goodwood kennel, description of, 84 : plan
of, 85 r

Grecian dogs, description of, 6 ; sacrifices
of dogs, 23 ; greyhound, description of
the, 40. *

Greyhound, description of the, 27 ; pup-
pies, cut of, 6 ; origin of, 28; known in
England in the Anglo-Saxon period, 28 ;
old verses describing the, 31; cross
with the bull-dog, 31 ; proper conform-
ation of, 33 ; colour of, 34 ; breeding,
35 ; rules for age, 35; food, 36;
training, 36; laws for coursing with,
260 ; English, 27 ; Grecian, 40 ; High-
land, 38; Irish, 39; Italian, 42; Per-
sian, 41; Kussian, 40; Scotch, 38:
Turkish, 41 '

Grognier, Professor, description of the
French sheep-dog, 59

Gullet, description of the, 194

Hake Indian dog, description of the, 25

Harrier, description of the, 70

Head, bones of the, 116; form of in the

foxhound, 72
Heart, description of the, 186 ; action of

the, 186; rupture of the, 187
Hecate, dogs sacrificed to, 23
Hepatitis, causes, symptoms and treatment

of, 210

Hertwich, Professor, on rabies, 151
Highland greyhound, description of the,38
Hindoos regard the dog unclean, 5
Hogg, James, anecdotes of his dog, 62
Hog's lard, the basis of all ointments, 256
Hound, the various kinds of, 68; blood 8')-

fox, 72 ; otter, 97 ; southern, 88; stafL 86
Humerus, fracture of the, 250
Hunting with dogs first mentioned by

Oppian, 6 '
Hunting-kennels, 70

268

INDEX.

Huntsman, the requisites of a, 78
Hydatids in the kidney, 213
Hydrocyanic acid, useful in cases of irri-
tation of the skin, 25G
Hydrophobia, see Babies
Hyrcanian dog, description of the, 7

Iceland dog, description of the, 101

Ileum, description of the, 197

Incontinence of urine, 217

India, degeneration of dogs in, 15

Inflammation of the lungs, 189; of the
stomach, 194; of the intestines, 199 ; of
the peritoneal membrane, 202 ; of the
liver, 209; of the kidney, 213; of the
bladder, 215 ; of the feet, 249

Intelligence of the dog, 107; anecdotes
illustrative of the, 108

Intestines, description of the, 197 ; inflam-
mation of the, 199

Intussusception, nature and causes of, 203 ;
treatment, 204

Iodine, a valuable medicine in goitre, 183 ;
in dropsy, 208

Irish greyhound, description of the, 39 ;
wolf-dog, 40 ; setter, 91

Italian greyhound, description of the, 42 ;
wolf-dog, 66

James's powder, a sudorific, 257
Jaundice, causes, symptoms, and treat-
ment of, 211
Javanese dog, description of the, 19
Jejunum, description of the, 197
Jenner, Dr., on distemper, 240
Jews regard the dog with abhorrence, 4
John, kept many dogs, 29 ; received grey-
hounds in lieu of fines, 29

Kamtchatka, uses of the dog as a beast
of draught in, 2

Kararahe or New Zealand dog, descrip-
tion of the, 21

Kennel, description of, 79 ; Goodwood,
84; plan of Goodwood, 85; for watch-
dog, construction of, 113; hare, use of,
113; lameness, nature of, 79; causes of
80 ; means of prevention, 81

Kidney, inflammation of the, 213 ; hyda-
tids in the, 213

King Charles's spaniel, description of, 44

Lachrymal duct, description of the, 1 70
Lapland dog, description of the, 59
Lard, the basis of all ointments, 256
Larynx, description of the, 181 ; inflam-
mation of the, 1 82
Laws of coursing, 260
Leblanc, M., on jaundice, 211
Leonard, M„ his exhibition of dogs, 108
Lime, chloride of, the uses of, 259
Lion dog, description of the, 50
Lips, functions of the, 177; swellings of the,
177

Liver, description of the, 209 ; functions

of the, 209 ; inflammation of the, 209
Llewellyn, poem on the dog of, 30
Locrian dog, description of the, 7
Lunar caustic, the best, 257; recommend

ed for bites of rabid dogs, 147
Lungs, inflammation of the, 189; con-
gestion of the, 189
Lurcher, description of the, 68

Madness, canine, see Rabies
Magnesia, sulphate of, a purgative, 259
Mahratta dog, description of the, 16
Majendie, his experiments on the olfactory

nerves, 173
Major, a celebrated greyhound, 32
Maltese dog, description of the, 50
Mammalia, a class of animals, 11
Management of the pack, 83
Mange, nature of, 244 ; is hereditary, 245 ;

the scabby, 245 ; treatment, 245 ; causes

of, 246 ; frequently causes goitre, 183
Mastiff, description of the, 99 ; used in

Cuba to hunt the Indians, 100
Matin, description of the, 27
Maxillary bones, description of the, 170
Meatus, description of the, 169
Medicines, a list of the most useful, 255 ;

mode of administering, 255
Medullary substance of the brain, 106
Memory of the dog, 111
Mercury, preparations of, 259 ; uses of, 259
Milk, accumulation of, in the teats, 225

secretion of, connected with cancer, 247
Mohammedan abhorrence of dogs, 5
Molossian dog, description of the, 7
Moral qualities of the dog, 1 10

Nasal bones, description of the, 170

catarrh, nature of, 235

cavity, polypus in the, 167

Neck, should be long in the greyhound, 33
Nepal dog, description of the, 15
Nerves, description of the, 106
Nervous system, diseases of, 117
Newfoundland dog, description of the, 52
New Holland dog, description of the, 19
New Zealand dog, description of the, 21
Nimrod, opinion on kennel lameness, 81
Nitrate of potash, a useful diuretic, 259
Nitrate of silver, a caustic, 257 ; recom-
mended for the bites of rabid dogs, 147
useful in chorea, 122 ; in canker, 161
Nitric acid, a caustic, 255
Norfolk spaniel, description of the, 45
Nose, anatomy of the, 169; diseases of the,
172 ; discharge from the, in distemper,
234

Olfactory nerves, size of, in different
animals, 107 ; development of the, 169 ;
description of the, 171

Ophthalmia, symptoms of, 155; causes of,
158; treatment of, 158

INDEX.

269

Oppian, the first who mentions hunting
•with dogs, 6 ; description of British dogs
by, 7

Orbit of the eye, form of the, 155
Orford, Lord, first crossed greyhounds

with the bull-dog, 31 ; death of, 32
Otter-hound, description of the, 97
Ovaries, removal of the, 225
Ovid, description of coursing by, 27
Ozsena, nature and treatment of, 172

Palate, veil of the, 170 ; inflammation of
the, 170

Palsy, causes of, 125 ; treatment of, 125 ;
a consequence of chorea, 121 ; a conse-
quence of distemper, 242

Palm oil, an emollient, 259

Pancreas, functions of the, 213

Pannonian dog, description of the, 7

Pariah, description of the, 18

Parry, Captain, description of the Esqui-
maux dogs, 56

Parturition, time of, 225 ; management
during, 226 ; use of the ergot of rye,
226, 228 ; inversion of the uterus after,
230

Pelvis, fracture of the, 253
Percivall, Mr., on fractures, 252
Pericardium, description of the, 185; case

of a wound in the, 187
Peritonitis, symptoms and treatment of,

202

"Persian greyhound, description of the, 41

Peruvian bark, a valuable tonic, 257

Phlegmonous tumour, nature and treat-
merit of, 184

Pleurisy, nature of, 188 ; diagnostic symp-
toms of, 192

Pneumonia, nature and treatment of, 189 ;
diagnostic symptoms of, 1 92 ; in distem-
per, 238; a consequence of small-pox, 244

Pointer, compared with the setter, 91 ;
early training of, 94 ; breaking-in, 96 ;
English, 92 ; French, 93 ; Portuguese,
93 ; Russian, 94 ; Spanish, 93.

Pollux, the introduction of hunting with
dogs attributed to, 6

Polugar dog, description of the, 16

Polypus in the ear, 166 ; in the nasal and
anal cavities, 167; in the vagina, 167

Pomeranian wolf-dog, description of, 66

Poodle, description of the, 48

Portuguese pointer, description of the, 93

Potash, the nitrate o£ a useful diuretic, 259

Prussic acid, useful in cases of irritation of
the skin, 256

Puerperal fits, causes, nature, and treat-
ment of, 229

Pulse of various animals, 186

Pupping, see Parturition

Purging in distemper, 234; should be
avoided, 239

Pythagoras, his high opinion of the virtues
of the dog, 4

Rabies, 128 ; cases, 129 ; early symptoms,
131 ; progress, 135 ; post mortem appear-
ances, 141; causes, 143; period of incu-
bation, 143 ; duration, 144 ; nature of the
virus, 144 ; nature of the disease, 145 ;
treatment of persons bitten, 146 ; in the
horse, 148; in the rabbit, 148; in the
guinea-pig, 149 ; in the cat, 149 ; in the
fowl, 150; in the badger, 150; in the
wolf, 150; trials concerning the death of
persons by, 152

Radius, fracture of the, 251

Ratcliffe, D., on scent, 175

Rectum, the, 197

Retriever, Newfoundland dog used as, 55
Rheumatism, nature, causes, and treatment
of, 124

Richard II., anecdote of the dog of, 29
Richmond, the third Duke of, built Good-
wood kennel, 84
Roman sacrifices of dogs, description of, 23
Rounding the ear in canker, disapproved,
161

Rottenness of the lungs, 189

Rupture of the heart, case of, 187 ; post-
mortem appearances, 188 ; of the colon,
200; of the bladder, 217

Russian greyhound, description of the, 40 ;
pointer, description of the, 94

Saliva, state of in rabies, 135
Salts, a purgative, 259
Scabby mange, nature and treatment of,
245

Scent, the term, 173; description of, 173;
influence of the atmosphere upon, 173

Scotch greyhound, description of the, 38 ;
terrier, description of the, 103

Scott, Sir Walter, anecdote of the dog of,
99 ; verses on the dogs of, 105

Second division of varieties, 43

Seton, useful in epilepsy, 119

Setter, description of the, 90 ; early train-
ing of, 94 ; compared with the pointer,
91

Sheep-dog, description of the, 59 ; anec-
dotes of the, 59, 63 ; supposed by Buffon
to be the original type, 104 ; French,
description of the, 59
Shock dog, description of the, 104
Shoulder, fracture of the, 252 ; proper form

of the, in the greyhound, 33
Siberian dog, description of the, 57
Simonds, Professor, on fractures, 253
Simpson, Mr., on the use of the ergot of rye,

229 *
Skeleton, description of the, 116
Skin, uses of the, 2

Skull, form of, adopted as the arrangement
of the varieties of the dog, 11 ; fracture
of the, 253

Small-pox, symptoms of, 243 ; causes of,

244 ; treatment, 244
Smell, the sense of, 107, 172

270

INDEX.

Snowball, a celebrated greyhound, 32
Sore feet, causes of, 248 ; treatment, 249
Southern hound, description of the, 88
Spaniel, origin of the, 43 ; description of

the, 43 ; Blenheim, 45 ; King Charles's,

44 ; Norfolk, 45 ; water, 45
Spanish pointer, description of the, 93
Spasmodic cough, nature and treatment

of, 190

Spaying, mode of performing, 225
Spleen, functions of the, 213; diseases of

the, 213
Springer, description of the, 45
Staghound, description of the, 86 ; anec-

dotes»of the, 87
Staling, profuse, 217
Starch bandage, -useful in fractures, 253
Stealing of dogs, 1,14

Stomach, anatomy and diseases of the, 1 94 ;
case of . the retention of a sharp instru-
ment in the, 195

Strychnia, a valuable medicine in palsj',
127

Sulphur, the basis of applications for mange,

259 ; a good alterative, 259
Sumatra, description of the wild dog of, 1 9
Surfeit, an eruption resembling mange, 245
Swedish sacrifices of dogs, description of, 24
Sympathetic nerves, 106

TiENiA, a species of Worm, 218
Tailing, 112
Tape-worm, the, 218
Tapping in cases of dropsy, 207
Tartar emetic, a useful medicine, 257
Teeth, distinctive arrangement of the, 11;
description of the, 177; cuts showing
various stages of growth and decay, 1 78, .
179; supernumerary, 179; diseases of
the, 180; very early lost by the Turkish
dog, 50

Teres, a species of worm, 218

Terrier, description of the, 101 ; training

of the, 102 ; anecdotes of the, 102 ;

Scotch, description of the, 103
Tetanus, causes of, 197; symptoms and

treatment of, 198
Thibet dog, description of the, 17 ; cut of

the, 13
Thigh, fracture of the, 25.
Third division of varieties, 98
Thyroid cartilage, description of the, 181
Toes, sore, 249 ; number of, 249
Tongue, description of the, 175; mode of

drinking, 175; worming, 175; blain,

176

Torsion, mode of performing, 222 ; for-
ceps, 222

Training of the greyhound, 36 ; of the fox-
hound, 77 ; of the pointer or setter, 94

Trimmer, Mr., description of the Spanish
sheep-dog, 61

Trunk, bones of the, 116

Tumour, phlegmonous, nature and treat-
ment of, 184

Turkish dog, description of the, 50 ; grey-
hound, description of the, 41

Turnside, nature and treatment of, 118

Turnspit, description of the, 97

Turpentine, uses of, 259

Unguents, use of, in mange, 245
Unguiculata, a tribe of animals, 1 1
Uterus, case of inversion of the, 230 ; ex-
tirpation and cure, 230

Vagina, polypus in the, 167
Van Diemen Land, ravages of wild dogs
in, 21

Varieties, three divisions of, 12; first
division of, 13; second division of, 43 ;
third division of, 98

Vatel, his observations on the pulse of dif-
ferent animals, 186

Vegetating excrescences in the ear, nature
and treatment of, 164

Vermifuge, glass the most effectual, 219,
237

Vertebrated animals, what, 11
Vinegar, useful for fomentations, 255
Voice, change of in rabies, 138
Vyner, Mr., opinion on kennel lameness 80

"Waists, treatment of, 246
Washing of hounds disapproved of, 8 1
Watch-dog, frequent ill-usage of the, 113
Water-spaniel, description of the, 45 ; anec-
dotes of the, 47
Wild dog, description of the, 13; of Africa,
22; of Australia, 19; of Van Diemen
Land, 21

Williamson, Captain, account of the wild
dogs of Nepal, 15 ; on the degeneration
of dogs in India, 15 ; description of the
dhole, 16

Wolf, supposed to be the origin of the dog,

3 ; anecdotes of the, 3
Wolf-dog, Irish, 40; Italian, 66
Worming the tongue, a useless practice,

175

Worms, vai'ieties of, 218; symptoms of,
219; means of expelling, 219 ; cases of,
219; a cause of sudden death, 220,
causes of, 221 ; a cause of epilepsy, 119;
a cause of distemper, 237

Yellow distemper, nature of, 235 ; treat-
ment of, 239
Yellows, the, 211

Zinc, sulphate of, a valuable excitant, 259
Zoological classification of the dog, 1 1

PJtlNTKD BY Sl'UTTISWOODK AND CO., NIlW-STRKKT SUUAKK, LONDON.