DISEASES 15 



dirty and dry and harsh to the touch. The skin is often covered with a 

 mangy-looking scurf. 



Treatment: A radical cure of this disease is seldom effected, but much 

 can be done to improve the animal's condition. During an acute attack 

 of the disease prompt relief will be afforded by giving an emetic of ten 

 to twenty grains of sulphate of zinc, or thirty grains of ipecac. The 

 bowels should be kept open with cascara sagrada or olive oil. 



Much relief can be afforded to dogs suffering from the spasmodic 

 form of the disease by confining them in a small rocm and burning on a 

 pan of coals one ounce of stramonium leaves and a drachm of nitrate of 

 potassa. 



The following prescription can then be used with good results: Potassa, 

 iodidi two drams, spirits ammonia arom. one ounce, tincture quassiae and 

 aquae, of each, two ounces. Dose, one teaspoonful three times a day. 



Give the patient slow walking exercise, restrict the diet, prevent the 

 accumulation of flesh as much as possible and aim to secure the best physi- 

 cal condition possible. 



Apoplexy — See Fits. 



Abscess. — Pus or matter forming in or among the tissues is abscess. 

 It may be due to a blow, an accident, or caused by locil or general in- 

 flammation. A bitch may, after whelping, have one of the teats dammed 

 up, which gives rise to lacol inflammation, which would end in abscess. 

 There is unusual heat of the parts while the abscess is forming; a hard 

 lump at first, but as the matter forms this becomes softer, and is movable 

 under pressure of the hand. Should it form very slowly, hasten its forma- 

 tion by hot fomentations, which must be used continually for some time, 

 and afterwards cover the parts to prevent reaction from cold air. If you 

 can keep a poultice on the part this is very useful. Get from your druggist 

 a piece of spongia piline, satuate it with warm water and apply with the 

 waterproof side out. When the under part of the abscess is soft and moves 

 readily under pressure, it is ready for opening. To open it take the lancet 

 between finger and thumb and plunge it well into the center, making a 

 clean downward cut to insure good drainage; press out the matter, bathe 

 with warm water and keep it clean, which, in most cases, will be kept so 

 by the dog's tongue if on part of body where he can reach it. If not, then 

 apply Peroxyde of Hydrogen three or four times a day. 



In cases where the abscess is deep-seated, the veterinary surgeon alone 

 should use the knife. A light and nutritious diet should be given, and in 

 many cases no medicine is required,, but a mild purge can be given when 

 it is forming. Should dog be much reduced and his appetite impaired after 

 an abscess a short treatment-of Sergeant's or Clayton's Condition Pills will 

 do al ot of good. Abscesses forming :"n lung disease would discharge the 

 matter through the nose, also be coughed up, while in the uterus it would 

 be by the vagina. Other internal organs may be the seat of abscesses, but 

 none of these cases can be treated by the amateur, but should be intrusted 

 to the veterinary surgeon. 



