Common Ailments. 97 



you considerable trouble and anxiety be- 

 fore he submits. You must not give in to 

 him, however, but firmly insist upon con- 

 ferring on him the wholesome appetite, in 

 spite of his repugnance ; and should he re- 

 fuse to eat when the food is offered, do not 

 fear, even if he persists in fasting, as there 

 is no record of any dog having starved 

 himself to death under such conditions. 



I once had a pet pug placed under my 

 care that was suffering from a multitude of 

 ills, chief of which were obesity and eczema. 

 He had for a long time been tlie pampered 

 pet of an indulgent mistress, who fed him 

 sw^eetmeats and dainties at all times of the 

 day and night, until he had become so 

 fat that he could scarcely waddle, and so 

 disgusting from the diseased condition of 

 his skin that even the great love of his mis- 

 tress could not tolerate his presence. With 

 tearful eyes and many injunctions to give 

 the dear creature plenty of cake and sweet- 

 meats, she at length placed him in my 



