RICKETS — ROOFS 



Rickets consists of diseased bones of the legs, and 

 is usually the result of puppies being improperly reared, 

 though the offspring of aged or unhealthy parents may 

 suffer from it. The joints swell and the legs become 

 crooked, the appearance of the dog being generally emaci- 

 ated. Good feeding and fresh air, combined with a course 

 of Parrishes' Food and Spratt's Patent Cod Liver Oil 

 Biscuits, may possibly accomplish a cure ; but this is 

 doubtful, as when once limbs become twisted or out of 

 shape, they very rarely ever come right. 



Ringworm, fortunately for owners, does not often 

 attack dogs, as it is most contagious ; and if a case occurs 

 in a large kennel, and its presence is not detected in time, 

 every animal may become affected. It takes the form of 

 a round patch, or patches, which form scabs. The latter 

 in turn peel off, and leave unsightly bare spots. The 

 treatment is to wash the dog well, and paint the patches 

 twice a day with tincture of iodine. Care should be taken 

 to thoroughly disinfect the kennel and every article which 

 the dog has touched, and its bed should be burned. (See 

 Contagious Diseases ^ Disinfectants.^ 



Roach Back. — An arched back which drops behind 

 the shoulders and rises in the form of a curve to the top 

 of the loins. It is also known as Wheel Back. 



Roofs. — The best roofing for kennels are slates and 

 tiles, the latter being excellent if well pointed and laid 

 on boards as slates are, as they are very cool in summer 

 and warm in winter. It is just the reverse with corrugated 

 iron, which is the very worst of all roofs, even if laid on 

 boards. Thatch possesses many admirable properties, but 

 it harbours insects, and few district surveyors, excepting 

 in remote rural places, would tolerate its use. The latter 

 objection applies to felt laid on match-boarding and after- 

 wards covered with pitch, and a roof of weather boarding 



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