KIDNEY, BLADDER, AND SKIN DISEASES. 341 



at the same time giving the aperient (12), (15), or (16). For piles, 

 give every morning to a dog of average size as much brimstone a.k 

 will lie on a quarter of a dollar. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 



The former of these affections, which may be known by a great 

 scantiness of urine, and evident pain in the loins, is not very com- 

 mon in the dog, but it does occasionally occur. The only treat- 

 ment likely to be of service, is the administration of carbonate of 

 soda (5 grs.), with 30 drops of sweet spirit of nitre, in a little 

 water twice a day. The bladder, and the urethra leading from it 

 for the passage of the urine, are often subject to a mucous inflam- 

 mation characterized by pain and constant irritation in passing 

 water, and by a gradual dropping of a yellowish discharge from the 

 organ. This is generally the result of cold, and may be treated by 

 giving full doses of nitre (10 grs.), with Epsom salts (half an ounce), 

 in some water twice a week. If the discharge and pain are very 

 severe, balsam of copaiba may be administered, the best form being 

 the " capsules " now sold, of which two form a dose for an aver- 

 age-sized dog. If the discharge has spread to the exterior of the 

 organ, the wash (20) will be of service. 



SKIN DISEASES. 



Nearly all skin diseases are due to neglect in some form. In the 

 dog, they arise either from improper management, as in the case 

 of '* blotch,*' or " surfeit," or from the presence of parasites, as in 

 mange. These three names are all that are applied to skin diseases 

 in the dog, though there can be no doubt that they vary greatly, 

 and mange itself is subdivided by different writers so as to compre- 

 hend several varieties. Fleas, ticks, etc., likewise irritate the skin, 

 and all will therefore be included here, the inflammation produced 

 by them being entitled to be considered a skin disease as much 

 as mange itself. 



