MODERN FARRIER. 487 



Lunar caustic, finely powdered, 2 grains. 

 Cobweb, - . - - 5 grains. 



Mix these with conserve of roses sufficient to 

 make nine, twelve, or fifteen balls, according to the 

 size of the dog, and give one every morning. 



Some dogs are so irritable, that whatever raises 

 any strong passion in their minds produces an epi- 

 leptic fit : hence, dogs much confined, on being suf- 

 fered to run out, frequently have an attack of this 

 nature. This violence of disposition often produces 

 fits in pointers and setters when hunting. The best 

 remedies, therefore, are to give the former more ex- 

 ercise, and to habituate the latter to a greater plenty 

 of game. Fear, in irritable dogs, also produces fits ; 

 therefore, such should be less threatened or chastised. 

 Fits also proceed from the repletion of the vessels in 

 the head; for which, bleeding, and an occasional 

 purgative, are necessary ; and whenever they be- 

 come habitual, a seton should be applied and kept 

 in some months. The immediate fit may be re- 

 moved at once by plunging the dog into cold water, 

 or throwing water on his head. A healthy dog- 

 may have a fit through simple costiveness, and, in 

 such case, an active purge should be administered ; 

 indeed, this remedy should be applied, though the 

 dog be not costive. 



Bitches, while suckling, if burthened by too 

 many puppies, are sometimes subject to very dan- 

 gerous fits, or convulsions, which frequently prove 

 fatal to them. No bitch should be allowed to rear 

 more than two at a time. 



Teething in puppies sometimes produces fits. — 

 Some sportsmen, aware of this, are apt to consider 

 all the fits of puppies to proceed from this cause 

 alone ; though they may be the precursors of the 

 distemper, or the effect of worms. 



