(This article was written especially for this book by "Dent." - This disease may affect either the joints, in which cases the bones are often affected, or the muscles themselves. What is known as Lumbago, in which the back and hindquarters are affected, and the dog shows evidences of the most intense pain, being barely able to move, and drags his hind legs, is only a form of rheumatism.

The same can be said of those common diseases popularly referred to as kennel lameness, or chest-founder, in which the muscles connecting the shoulder blade to the chest are affected, and the animal is very stiff and sore in front, particularly noticeable when running down hill.

The cause of rheumatism is a poisonous acid in the blood, and this acid is produced and induced by a bad diet, exposure to cold winds, dampness, eeneral neglect and exposures.

Symptoms

Pain, stiffness, soreness, disordered stomach, difficulty in moving more or less fever, anxiety, and in some cases - swelling of the joint. The disease also shifts from one location to another, or may disappear for a day to reappear the next with increased severity.

Treatment

Give the animal warm, comfortable Quarters, and la most eases a warm bath will give relief, using care to see that the animal is carefully and thoroughly dried after bath. If it is still in great pain give a dose of Dover's Powders, and if necessary, open the bowels with one dose of the following:

Class 1. - (Adult dogs, 5 to 12 lbs.) - Olive oil, one teaspoonful; cascara sagrada, fluid ext., 3 to 10 drops.

Class 2. - (Adult dogs, 12 to 20 lbs.) - Olive oil, one tablespoonful; cascara sagrada, fluid ext., 10 to 15 drops.

Class 3. - (Adult dogs, 20 to 40 lbs.) - Olive oil, one ounce; cascara sagrada, fluid ext., 15 to 30 drops.

Class 4. - (Adult dogs, 40 lbs. and over.) - Olive oil, one or two ounces; cascara sagrada, fluid ext., 30 to 60 drops.

The above doses are for a purgative action. As a gentle laxative give one-half the above doses morning and evening. Puppies, two months old, of Classes 2, 3 and 4, take half dose of Class No. 1, and for puppies three to six months old give them as a dose half of Class No. 2.

These two drugs are both so gentle and harmless that no danger follows their use. A pup six months old can take nearly as much medicine as an adult, while, for instance, a two month old fox terrier will take nearly as much at a dose as would a mastiff or Great Dane of same age.

After having given above, now.treat patient with following three times a day:

Class 1. - (Adult dogs, 10 to 20 lbs.) - Salicylate of sodium, 3 grains; quinine, 1 grain; plienacetin. 1 grain.

Class 2. - (Adult dogs, 20 to 40 lbs.) - Salicylate' of sodium, 10 grains; quinine, 2 grains; phenaeetin, 3 grains.

Class 3. - (Adult dogs. 40 up to 150 lbs.) - Salicylate of sodium, 15 grains; quinine, 3 grains; phenaeetin, 5 grains.

Not generally used for pups under five months, but from five up to ten month pups use one-half above doses; over ten months, dogs of breeds of first two classes take an adult dose.

In some cases it is advisable to use a liniment. The best one for this purpose is a combination of compound camphor liniment, four ounces; and aconite liniment, two ounces. Rub it well irto the affected parts for at least half an hour, then wipe dry and muzzel the animal for a while, to prevent his licking himself, as this liniment is a powerful poison. If the joints are very severely affected, after applying the liniment, wrap them up in cotton wool.

Feed light, easily digested foods; vegetable soups with boiled rice, oatmeal or corn mush.

Here are a couple of cases that were prescribed for: "I have a dog, four years old, that seems to be affected in a peculiar manner. He seems stiff all over his body. On the slightest exert'on he shows great pain, and by simply touching him it seems to make him howl, and cry dreadfully. He has been showing this now for a month or six weeks and dont seem to be improving. Sometimes when he eats it is almost impossible for him to move his head up or down. I should be pleased to hear from you. Ans - Your dog has muscular rheumatism, and I would suggest the following treatment: Give interally tincture colchicum 15 dron doses three times dally. There bare been a number of anti-rheumatic agents recommended for affections of this kind, but so far some of them have not proved to he of much benefit. Also, in connection with the above treatment it would be well to use some stimulating embrocation, rubbing into the skin thoroughly with a woolen cloth. This should be used once daily. Spirits of camphor might be tried, or the aconite and camphor liniment prescribed by Dent - the poisonous one."

"Please prescribe for a dog, one hundred and fifty pounds weight, that has a bad case of rheumatism in the stifle joint, the third attack in the same joint. He has had it now for several weeks and is just beginning to walk on that leg very stiffly; cannot put it down when running. I am afraid the joint will be permanently stiffened. Advise me as to treatment, exercise and feeding. Ans. - Give ten grains of the. salicylate of soda and two .mains of quinine three times a day, hand rub the joint gently three times a day twenty minutes at a time; feed milk and stale bread and a very little meat; keep in warm quarters and do not expose to the weather; give walking exercise on pleasant days only."