CONSTIPATION. 71 



the finger must be well oiled and introduced into the rectum and the mass 

 be broken down, thereby insuring its passage. 



A radical change should then be made in the diet. Meat should be well 

 cooked with vegetables, the latter when well done to be crushed finely and 

 returned to the kettle; then with corn meal, wheat middlings, or oat- 

 meal be mixed and cooked thoroughly. These articles with their indigest- 

 ible constituents will slightly irritate the entire canal through which the 

 food passes, thereby stimulating it to increased activity- This means 

 must not be persisted in indefinitely, lest the digestive organs become 

 fatigued from the continued strain forced upon them. 



If the animal is poor in flesh, the addition of cod-liver oil to the food 

 will act beneficially. 



If medicinal remedies are demanded, this general rule is a wise one : 

 better give laxatives twice or three times daily in small doses, rather than 

 give the same in one large dose. Probably no better laxative can be 

 selected for repeated administration than the syrup of buckthorn, which 

 for a short time might be added to each feeding in one or two teaspoonful 

 doses as demanded. 



Laxative remedies, when the need of their persistent use is indicated, 

 should have some tonic added to counteract their depressing effect. When 

 it is remembered that habitual constipation in a measure results from a 

 paralysis of the lower bowel, the use of nux vomica and belladonna can 

 be appreciated. Both agents with colocynth are ingredients of the fol- 

 lowing pill.— 



R Ext. Colocynth. Comp. 3ss 

 Ext. Nucis Vomicae gr.iv 



Ext. Belladonnae gr.ij 



Ft. Pil. No. xx. Sig. Dose one pill at night. 



Sufficient exercise must be allowed, and this additional fact be remem- 

 bered that the mind has a powerful influence over intestinal activity. 

 Chain up for a short time each day a perfectly healthy dog and derange- 

 ment will follow ; not from the want of exercise, but from the mental 

 influence of the restraint, as he frets, feels neglected and grows surly 

 constipation will be observed. 



