The Dog

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Such are the results of the best observations on scent; but, after all,
we have much to learn concerning it. Many a day that predicated to be a
good one for scent has turned out a very bad one, and 'vice versa'. An
old or experienced sportsman, knowing this, will never presume to make
sure of his scent.

We shall be forgiven if we pursue this subject a little at length.

There is not only a constant appropriation of new matter to repair the
losses that animals are continually sustaining, but there is a constant
elaboration of gaseous or fluid matter maintaining the balance of the
different systems, and essential to the continuance of life. This
effluvium, as the animal moves from place to place, is attracted and
detained for a while by the substances with which it comes into contact,
or it remains floating in the atmosphere.

There is a peculiar smell or scent belonging to each individual, either
generally or under peculiar circumstances.

The sportsman takes advantage of this; and, as most species of dogs
possess great acuteness of olfactory power, they can distinguish, or
are readily taught to distinguish, not only the scent of the hare from
that of the fox, but that of the hare or fox which they are pursuing
from that of half a dozen others that may be started during the chase.

The dogs that are selected for this purpose are those the conformation
of whose face and head gives ample room for the development of the
olfactory apparatus, and these are the different species of hounds; but
a systematic education, and too often a great deal of unnecessary
cruelty, is resorted to, in order to make them perfect in their work.
The distinction between the scent of the fox and that of the hare is
soon learned by the respective packs; and, when it is considered that
the hunted hare is perspiring at every pore, and her strength being
almost exhausted, she is straining every limb to escape from her
pursuers, the increasing quantity of vapour which exudes from her will
prevent every other newly started animal from being mistaken for her.

It has been well observed that when the atmosphere is loaded with
moisture, and rain is at hand, the gas is speedily dissolved and mingles
with the surrounding air. A storm dissipates it at once, while the
cessation of the rain is preceded by the return and increased power of
scent. A cold, dry easterly wind condenses and absorbs it, and this is
even more speedily and irretrievably done by superabundant moisture. On
fallows and beaten roads the scent rarely lies well, for there is
nothing to detain it, and it is swept away in a moment; while over a
luxuriant pasture, or by the hedge-row, or on the coppice, it lingers,
clinging to the grass or the bushes. In a sunshiny day the scent is
seldom strong; for too much of it is evaporated by the heat. The most
favourable period is a soft southerly wind without rain, the scent being
of the same temperature and gravity with the atmosphere. Although it
spreads over the level, it rises not far above the ground, and, being
'breast high', enables the hound, keeping his muzzle in the midst of it,
to run at his greatest speed. The different manners or attitudes in
which the dog runs afford pleasing and satisfactory illustrations of the
nature of the scent. Sometimes they will be seen galloping with their
noses in the air, as if their game had flown away, and, an hour or two
afterwards, every one of them will have his muzzle on the ground. The
specific gravity of the atmosphere has changed, and the scent has risen
of fallen in proportion.

A westerly wind stands next to a southerly one, for a hunting morning.
This is all simple enough, and needs not the mystification with which it
has been surrounded. A valuable account of this may be found in
Johnson's Shooting Companion, a work that is justly and highly approved.

Mr. 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
inflammation of the tongue, to enlargement of that organ, and to a
considerable or constant flow of saliva over it.

Extending from the base to the tip of the tongue there is on either side
a succession of tendons, which help to retain the tongue in the mouth,
and to curve the edge of it, so as to convey the food or the water to
the posterior part of the mouth. These all spring from one central cord,
and ramify over the membrane of the tongue. On opening the mouth, and
keeping it open by means of two pieces of tape, one behind the upper
canine teeth, and the other behind the lower ones, and drawing the
tongue from the mouth and exposing its under surface, a cuticular fold
or ridge will present itself, occupying a middle line from the base of
the tongue to its very point. If this is opened with a lancet, a minute
fibrous cord will be exposed through its whole extent. It is the cord
which governs the motions of the tongue.

This cord is, sometimes, foolishly and uselessly detached from its
adhesions, so far as we can effect it, and drawn forward with a
tenaculum and divided. There is one abominable course pursued in
effecting this. The violence used in stripping down the tendon is so
great, and the lacerated fibrous substance is put so much on the stress,
and its natural elasticity is so considerable, that it recoils and
assumes the appearance of a dying worm, and the dog is said to have been
wormed. For the sake of humanity, as well as to avoid the charge of
ignorance, it is to be hoped that this practice will speedily cease.

THE BLAIN.

The blain is a vesicular enlargement on the lateral and under part of
the tongue in horses, oxen, and dogs, which, although not of unfrequent
occurrence, or peculiarly fatal result, has not been sufficiently
noticed by veterinary authors. In the horse and the dog it is often
unaccompanied by any previous indisposition, or by other disease; but
suddenly there is a copious discharge of saliva, at first limpid and
without smell, but soon becoming purulent, bloody, and exceedingly
fetid. On examination, the tongue is found apparently enlarged. It is
elevated from its base between the maxillary bones, and on the side and
towards the base of it are seen large vesicles, pellucid, red, livid, or
purple; and, if the discharge is fetid, having near their bases ulcers,
irregular, unhealthy, and gangrenous.

In the horse and the dog the progress of the disease is slow, and seldom
extends beyond the sides of the tongue. The vesicles are not of such
magnitude as to interfere with respiration, and the ulcers are neither
many nor foul.

In cattle it is sadly different. The vesicles attain an enormous size.
They quickly break and form deep ulcerations, which are immediately
succeeded by other vesicles still larger. The whole membrane of the
mouth becomes affected; the inflammation and swelling extend to the
cellular substance of the neighbouring parts, and the head and neck are
considerably, and sometimes enormously, enlarged; the respiratory
passages are obstructed; the animal breathes with the greatest
difficulty, and is, in some cases, literally suffocated.

The primary seat of blain, is the cellular substance beneath the
integument of the part. As the sublingual glands stretch along the under
part of the tongue, and their ducts open on the side of the fraenum, it
is possible that this disease may proceed from, or be connected with,
obstruction or inflammation of these ducts. Dissection, however, has not
proved this; and the seat of the disease, when the swellings are first
discovered, is chiefly the cellular tissue between the integument and
the lateral parts of the tongue, and also that between the membrane of
the mouth and the sublingual glands.

'Post-mortem' examination shows intense disease: the small intestines
are highly inflamed with red and black patches, which are also found in
the c3/4cum, colon, and rectum.

The blain is more frequent in spring and summer than at other seasons of
the year. These are the times when the animal is debilitated by the
process of moulting, and is then more than usually disposed to
inflammatory complaints. It is usually an epidemic disease. Many cases
of it occur about the same time in certain districts, and over a great
extent of country. When it appears in towns, the country is rarely
exempt from it. I am not prepared lo say that it is contagious either in
the horse or the dog. I have not seen any instance of it. At all events,
it is not so virulent in these animals as it is in cattle.

The vesicles should be freely lanced from end to end. There will not,
perhaps, be much immediate discharge; for the vesicle will be distended
by a substance imperfectly organised, or of such a glassy or inspissated
nature as not readily to escape. It will, however, soon disappear; and
in four-and-twenty hours, in the majority of cases, the only vestige of
the disease will be an incision, not, perhaps, looking very healthy, but
that will soon become so and heal. If there have been any previous
ulcerations, or the slightest fetor, the mouth should he frequently
washed with a diluted solution of the chloride of lime; one part of the
saturated solution, and eleven of water. This will act as a powerful and
useful stimulus to the foul and indolent ulcer. When all unpleasant
smell is removed, the mouth should be bathed with a lotion composed of
equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water, or half an ounce of alum
dissolved in a quart of water, and two ounces of the tincture of catechu
added to the solution. I do not recollect a case in the horse or dog, in
which these medicines were not employed with advantage. In cattle,
before there has been fetor attending the discharge, or the constitution
has been materially affected, these simple means will perfectly succeed.

If the practitioner is consulted somewhat too late, when the
constitution has become affected, and typhoid fever has ensued, he
should still lance the tumours, and apply the chloride of lime and the
tincture of myrrh, and give a gentle aperient. He should endeavour to
rouse and support the system by tonic medicines, as gentian and colomba
with ginger, adding to two drachms of the first two, and one drachm of
the last, half an ounce of nitre; but he should place most dependence on
nourishing food. Until the mouth is tolerably sound, it is probable that
the animal will not be induced to eat; but it will occasionally sip a
little fluid, and, therefore, gruel should be always within its reach.
More should occasionally be given, as thick as it will flow, with a
spoon or small horn.

[INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE.

Glossitis or inflammation of the tongue is not an unfrequent disease,
but is occasionally met with in its simple form or in connexion with
inflammatory affections of the throat. Under all and any circumstances
this affection must be considered a dangerous malady, as it not
unfrequently proves fatal in the course of a few hours from suffocation,
occasioned by the swelling of the organ itself and other portions of the
throat. The disease comes on suddenly with fever, heat, swelling and
redness of the tongue. The tongue protrudes from the mouth and exhibits
a dry, hot, inflammatory appearance, the respiration is hurried, and the
animal expresses great uneasiness, and constant desire to lap water,
which he can with difficulty accomplish. If not arrested, the
inflammation may terminate in suppuration, by which process the swelling
is relieved, and a cure often effected.

'Causes'.--Independent of the natural agents before referred to in the
production of inflammatory affections, there are some few causes to
which we can especially attribute this disease. Direct injuries done to
the member itself, either by wounds or stings of insects, the taking of
poisonous or irritating substances into the mouth, want of water while
hunting in hot weather, &c.

Several years ago we witnessed the death of a very valuable pointer,
suffering from this disease produced by poison maliciously administered.
He was affected so suddenly and violently with inflammation of the
throat and tongue that his owner, Mr. F--, was lead to believe that a
bone had lodged in the throat, which was the occasion of all the
trouble. After proper examination and considerable delay, he was forced
to abandon this erroneous idea, but not in time to save the poor animal,
who soon died from strangulation or congestion of the lungs. This
valuable dog might have been saved if promptly and energetically treated.

The stings of wasps or bees may also produce this affection.

'Treatment'.--Nothing can be done with this malady without the use of
the lancet, by which six or eight ounces of blood should be drawn at the
commencement of the disease. If the tongue is much swollen and very
tender, longitudinal incisions should be made in it, extending as far
back as possible, and their bleeding assisted by sponging the mouth out
with tepid water. Astringent applications may then be used as washes,
such as alum water, strong vinegar, infusions of oak bark or solutions
of nitrate of silver, four or six grains to the ounce, to be applied
once or twice a day. A large blister may also be placed under the
throat, and when the inflammation is sufficiently reduced to allow the
introduction of articles into the stomach, a powerful purge of aloes
should be given. Nothing, however, can be done without copious
bleeding.--L.]

THE LIPS

of the dog discharge, with somewhat less efficiency, the same office as
in the horse, cattle, and sheep; and are usefully employed in gathering
together the food, and conveying it to the mouth. The lips also secrete
the saliva, a fluid that is indispensably necessary for the proper
comminution of the food.

Swellings on the inside of the cheek or upper lip, and extending nearly
to the angle of the lip, are of frequent occurrence. A superficial sore
spreads over it, slightly covered by a yellowish, mattery pellicle; and
on the teeth, and extending down the gums, there is a deposition of
hardened tartarous matter, which is scaled off with a greater or less
degree of difficulty. It must be removed, or the sore will rapidly
spread over the cheek. A lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and
water, with a few drops of the tincture of cantharides, will be usually
sufficient to cause the swelling to subside, and the pellicle to be
detached. The lip, however, will generally remain slightly thickened. A
little soreness will sometimes return, but be easily reduced.

THE TEETH

next claim attention.

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

Incisors, 5/6; Canines, (1-1)/(1-1); Molars, (6-6)/(7-7),=42.

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

[Seven illustrations, shown in full in the html version of this text.]

The full-grown dog has usually 20 teeth in the upper, and 22 in the
lower jaw, with two small supernumerary molars. All of them, with the
exception of the tushes, are provided with a bony neck covered by the
gums, and separating the body of the tooth from the root. The projecting
portion of the teeth is more or less pointed, and disposed so as to tear
and crush the food on which the dog lives. They are of a moderate size
when compared with those of other animals, and are subject to little
loss of substance compared with the teeth of the horse. In most of them,
however, there is some alteration of form and substance, both in the
incisors and the tushes; but this depends so much on the kind of food on
which the animal lives, and the consequent use of the teeth, that the
indication of the age, by the altered appearance of the mouth, is not to
be depended upon after the animal is four or five years old. The incisor
teeth are six in number in each jaw, and are placed opposite to each
other. In the lower jaw, the pincers, or central teeth, are the largest
and the strongest; the middle teeth are somewhat less; and the corner
teeth the smallest and the weakest. In the upper jaw, however, the
corner teeth are much larger than the middle ones; they are farther
apart from their neighbours, and they terminate in a conical point
curved somewhat inwards and backwards.

As long as the teeth of the full-grown dog are whole, and not injured by
use, they have a healthy appearance, and their colour is beautifully
white. The surface of the incisors presents, as in the ruminants, an
interior and cutting edge, and a hollow or depression within. This edge
or border is divided into three lobes, the largest and most projecting
forming the summit or point of the tooth. The two lateral lobes have the
appearance of notches cut on either side of the principal lobe; and the
union of the three resembles the 'fleur de lis', which, however, is in
the process of time effaced by the wearing out of the teeth. (Figs. 3
and 4.)

While the incisor teeth are young, they are flattened on their sides,
and bent somewhat backwards, and there is a decided cavity, in which a
pulpy substance is enclosed. This, however, is gradually contracted as
the age of the dog increases.

M. F. Cuvier speaks of certain supernumerary teeth occasionally
developed in each of the jaws. There is much irregularity accompanying
them; and they have even been supposed to have extended to seven or
eight in number.

THE INDICATIONS OF AGE.

The dog displays natural indications of age. The hair turns gray to a
certain extent as in the human being. This commences about the eyes, and
extends over the face, and weakens the sight; and, at ten years old, or
earlier, in the majority of dogs, this can scarcely be mistaken. At
fifteen or sixteen years the animal is becoming a nuisance, yet he has
been known to linger on until he has reached his two-and-twentieth year.

Among the diseases from which the dog suffers, there are few of more
frequent occurrence than decayed teeth, especially in towns, or in the
habitations of the higher classes of society: the carious teeth, in
almost every case, becoming insufferably fetid, or so loose as to
prevent mastication; or an immense accumulation of tartar growing round
them.

The course which the veterinary surgeon pursues is an exceedingly simple
one. If any of the teeth are considerably loose, they must be removed.
If there is any deposit of tartaric acid, it must be got rid of by means
of the proper instruments, not very different from those which the human
surgeon employs. The teeth must be perfectly cleaned, and every loose
one taken away. Without this the dog will be an almost insufferable
nuisance. The decayed and loose teeth being removed, chlorinated lime
diluted with 15 or 20 times its bulk of water should be applied to the
gums. By the use of this the ulcers will quickly heal; the fetor will be
removed, and the deposition of the tartar prevented. Mr. Blaine first
introduced the chlorinated lime for the accomplishment of these
purposes.

Two little histories out of a great number will sufficiently illustrate
these cases. A terrier had scarcely eaten during more than a week. He
dropped his meat after attempting to chew it, and the breath was very
offensive. Several of the teeth were loose, and the rest were thickly
encrusted with tartar. The gums had receded from the teeth, and were
red, sore, and ulcerated.

I removed all the loose teeth; for experience had taught me that they
rarely or never became again fixed. I next, with the forceps and knife,
cleaned the others, and ordered the diluted chlorinated lime to be
alternated with tincture of myrrh and water. The extraction of the loose
teeth, and the removal of the tartar from those that were sound,
occupied a full hour; for the dog resisted with all his might. He,
however, soon began to eat; the lotions were continued; and five months
afterwards, the mouth of the dog was not in the slightest degree
offensive.

An old dog should not be quite abandoned. A pug had only four teeth
remaining beside the canines. They were all thickly covered with tartar,
and two of them were very loose. The gums and lips were in a dreadfully
cankerous state, and the dog was unable to eat. All that he could do was
to lap a little milk or broth.

I extracted the two loose teeth, cleaned the others, and ordered a
lotion of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water to be applied.

'13th August', 1842.--A very considerable discharge of pus was observed,
with blood from the mouth, apparently proceeding from the cavity whence
one of the teeth had been extracted. The dog is exceedingly thirsty, and
walks round and round the water-dish, but is afraid to lap. He has not
eaten for two days. Use the lotion as before, and force him with strong
soup.

'15th.' The dog has not voluntarily eaten, but is still forced with
soup. He is very costive. Give two grains of calomel and an equal
quantity of antimonial powder.

'18th.' He has eaten a very little, but gets thinner and weaker.
Continue the lotion.

'27th.' The ulcers are nearly healed, and the discharge of pus has
ceased.

'31st.' The mouth is clean, the gums are healed, and there is no longer
anything offensive about the dog.

THE LARYNX

is placed at the top of the windpipe, the exit from the lungs, and is
also connected with the Schneiderian membrane. At its upper part is the
epiglottis, the main guard against the passage of the food into the
respiratory tubes, and, at the same time, of the instrument of the
voice. It consists of five cartilages united together by a ligamentous
substance, and, by distinct and perfect articulations, adapting itself
to every change of the respiratory process and the production of the
voice.

At the base is the 'cricoid cartilage,' the support and bond of union of
the rest. Above are the 'arytenoid cartilages,' resting on the 'chorda
vocales' and influencing their action. The 'epiglottis' is placed at the
extremity of the opening into the windpipe, with its back opposed to the
pharynx, so that when a pellet of food passes from the pharynx in its
way to the oesophagus, the epiglottis is applied over the glottis, and by
this means closes the aperture of the larynx, and prevents any portion
of the food from passing into it. The food having passed over the
epiglottis, that cartilage, from its elastic power, again rises and
resumes its former situation.

The 'thyroid cartilage' envelopes and protects all the rest, and
particularly the lining membrane of the larynx, which vibrates from the
impulse of the air that passes. The vibrations spread in every direction
until they reach the delicate membrane of the tympanum of the ear. That
membrane responds to the motion without, and the vibration is carried on
to the pulp of the auditory nerve, deep in the recesses of the ear. The
loudness of the tone--its acuteness or graveness--depends on the force
of the expired air and the shortening or lengthening of the chord. Hence
it is, that the tone of the bark of the dog, or the neighing of the
horse, depends so much on the age or size of the animal. Thus we compare
the shrill bark of the puppy with the hoarse one of the adult dog; the
high-toned but sweet music of the beagle with the fuller and lower cry
of the fox-hound, and the deep but melodious baying of the mastiff. I
may, perhaps, be permitted to add to these, the whinnying of the colt
and the neighing of the horse.

Each animal has his peculiar and intelligible language. He who has long
lived among them will recognise the tone of delight at meeting, rising
into and terminating in a sharper sound; the strong and elevated tone
when they are calling to or challenging each other at a distance; the
short expression of anger--the longer, deeper, hoarser tone of fear; the
murmur almost as deep, but softer, of habitual attachment, and the
elevated yet melodious token of sudden recognition. I could carry on a
conversation with a dog that I once possessed for several minutes, and
one perfectly intelligible to both.

Inflammation of the larynx is a frequent and dangerous complaint. It
usually commences with, and can scarcely be distinguished from, catarrh,
except that it is attended by cough more violent and painful, and the
dog expectorates considerably. Acute laryngitis is not so frequent an
occurrence; but there is much danger attending it. Blood must be
abstracted to as great an extent as the pulse will bear, or until it
becomes evidently affected. To this must follow digitalis, nitre, tartar
emetic, and aloes, and to these must be added a powerful blister. A
considerable quantity is effused and organized, the membrane is
thickened, perhaps permanently so, and the whole of the submucous
cellular tissue becomes oedematous.