146 ASCARIS MARGINATA. 



In giving medicines for the destruction of worms, certain precautions 

 in feeding should he observed. If but one, and a large dose of a drug is to 

 he depended upon, food should he withheld until after the howels have 

 moved freely. If the drug has to he given three or four days, the diet 

 should he simple and as limited as the condition of the animal will permit, 

 and as long an interval as possible between the feeding and the adminis- 

 tration of the medicine be allowed. 



Other drugs, among them areca nut, are to a certain extent active in the 

 destruction of the round-worm ; they are however more deadly to the tape- 

 worm and will he considered among the remedies advised for the removal 

 of that pest. 



Considering the great fatality among puppies caused by worms, not 

 alone of the greatest importance is the treatment after their existence is 

 obvious, but a means preventive is equally as urgently demanded. 



Charcoal is an agent easily obtained, perfectly harmless, and of value 

 not only as a vermifuge but as a preventive. The digestive organs of very 

 young puppies are easily disordered, but few drugs can be well borne 

 without discomfort, or temporary derangement, and undoubtedly many 

 are sacrificed to injudicious dosing. 



Charcoal in a reasonable quantity is not only incapable of injuring even 

 the weakest stomach, but is an admirable agent in indigestion and intes- 

 tinal irritation. As these disorders are commonly induced by the presence 

 of worms ; had charcoal no other action than to merely allay irritation and 

 promote digestion, its administration would be advisable. It has however 

 another and decided action on intestinal worms in young puppies, causing 

 their expulsion and exerting a preventive influence as well. In what 

 manner this agent acts is unexplained, it may be through its known 

 power as a disorganizcr of animal and vegetable bodies, or by destroying 

 the conditions that favor the propagation of the ova. 



Of its action on worms in matured animals, the writer has not from 

 experience a knowledge. It has long been his custom to use powdered 

 charcoal in the treatment of very young puppies, mixing it with their food 

 several times a week ; dose immediately after weaning, from one fourth 

 to one half a teaspoonful ; for matured animals, the dose is two teaspoons- 

 ful. The granular form is advised for older dogs. 



Charcoal is much less active in immediately expelling worms than many 

 other agents, and where their presence is indicated by marked symptoms, 

 the more powerful remedies should be used. When this urgent need is 

 not manifest and yet the existence of worms is suspected, the adminis- 

 tration of charcoal every day for a week or longer, can do no harm and 

 may be productive of much benefit. As a preventive it should be given 

 with the food two or three times a week. 



