DISEASES 21 



tween the legs, or the clog may steal into a quiet corner, stretch his legs 

 out before and behind, and crouch with his belly on the ground, probably 

 finding temporary relief by bringing it in contact with the cold floor or 

 ground; the dOg may, at the same time, be observed to frequently turn an 

 anxious face toward his flanks. 



"Another safe and pretty certain way of distinguishing between enteri- 

 tis and simple obstruction or colic is by pressing the hand along the belly; 

 in the latter disease, especially colic, the rubbing gives relief, whereas in 

 inflammation it evidently causes acute pain; the cry of pain given by the 

 dog in this disease is shorter and sharper than the rather prolonged howl 

 in colic, but to distinguish by this symptom would require finer discrimi- 

 nation than can be reasonably expected from the comparatively inexper- 

 ienced, for whom I presume to write. I may here mention the fact that 

 enteritis is very commonly a complication of that 'scorge of the kennel/ 

 distemper, and this fact alone sufficiently shows the folly of trusting to- 

 any single medicine, pill, powder, potion, or any so-called specific whatever 

 for the cure of that disease. The treatment proper in the disease under' 

 consideration consists in getting the bowels relieved as speedily as possi- 

 ble by the mildest means that can be used, constipation being generally 

 present; for this purpose the use of clysters every fifteen minutes, as recom- 

 mended in obstruction of the bowels, should be resorted to, and the in- 

 jections must be used gently and with as little fuss and annoyance to the 

 patient as possible. When the clysters begin to take effect, the evacuation 

 of the bowels should be assisted by a dose of castor oil. From six to 

 twelve leeches, according to the size and strength of the dog, should be 

 applied to the belly, and after they have filled themselves the bleeding 

 from the bites may be encouraged by bathing the whole surrounding parts 

 freely and continuously with warm water. Many of- the best writers on 

 dogs recommend giving calomel and opium combined, and it may appear- 

 presumptuous in me to offer a contrary opinion, but experientia docet. I 

 have given calomel to dogs in this disease and many others, but I do not 

 think I ever once gave it without making the patient worse; so I have 

 long discarded it, in the firm belief that it is not a medicine at all suited 

 to the dog, and I am quite certain from my own experience, and feel sure 

 the best veterinarians will bear me out, that the abusive use of calomel 

 and other forms of mercury, given too often in immense and poisonous 

 doses to the dog, by country- farriers and others ignorant of its properties, 

 and who work by the rule of thumb, is not infrequently the cause of 

 inflammation of the bowels. Instead of calomel, I have in several cases 

 used the following with excellent effect: 



Take true James' Powder 3 grains 



Powdered Opium 14 grain 



In one ppwder. Give every two hours till three are given; large- 

 sized dogs require double that dose. 



"If happily the dog gets over the attack, with signs of returning health 

 great weakness will be evident, and this must be met by good nursing and 

 a generous, but easily assimilated, diet. Beef tea, thickened, with bread, 



