140 Nursing vs. Dosing. 



of the old teachino^s that this trouble is 

 usually the result of an Impure state of the 

 blood or weakened condition of the bodily 

 health. That these conditions have even 

 a predisposing inlluence toward the forma- 

 tion of an abscess I do not believe ; that 

 they do, however, indirectly have much in- 

 fluence for evil In the case Is beyond doubt. 

 It Is undoubtedly true, in very many in- 

 stances, when the animal is out of condi- 

 tion, that slight disturbances eventuate in 

 the formation of an abscess, when, were 

 the doo- In vl^^orous health, the InOamma- 

 tion would subside naturally or the Incip- 

 ient formation become absorbed. Were 

 this old teaching grounded in truth, then 

 would feeble old ao^e become hideous in- 

 deed in its weakness ; but dogs of riper 

 years, in spite of impure blood and en- 

 feebled frame, are nearly exempt from this 

 trouble. Their thews and sinews, case- 

 hardened by the hand of time, bid defiance 

 to disturbances that would, in more tender 



