252 USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING DOGS. 



they should be bathed in tepid water, and afterward with advantage may 

 be sprinkled with powdered Fuller's earth, which is very absorbent and 

 cooling as wejl. 



As we said above, rheumatism is another common ailment affecting 

 dogs which have been neglected after exposure to bad weather. Rheu- 

 matism occurs either in the hindquarters or in the front limbs, and when 

 it takes the latter form it is known as "kennel lameness." This again is 

 an ailment which will recur from time to time under unfavorable condi- 

 tions. It can best be dealt with by the use of a good strong liniment or 

 embrocation — such, for instance, as a mixture of equal parts of turpentine 

 and soap liniment, which is very searching, especially if a little hartshorn 

 be added. The dog should also have some internal medicine, and the most 

 effective remedy for rheumatic troubles is salicylate of soda. The dog 

 must also be carefully dieted, care being taken not to overfeed him during 

 the prevalence of the attack. In this case, again, it is to be borne in 

 mind that one attack is likely to be followed by others upon the least pro- 

 vocation, and special care should therefore be given to deal with a trouble as 

 soon as it appears. (See article on Rheumatism). 



Dogs in the field are liable now and again to take up poisoned meat, 

 which, in spite of the fact that it is contrary to the law of the land to 

 • place it about, is very often laid about with the object of destroying rats. A 

 dog should never be allowed to eat meat or anything of that kind that 

 he picks up in the field if he can possibly be prevented from doing so. 

 The commonest poison likely to be picked up in this way are arsenic and 

 strychnine. It is impossible to mistake a case of strychnine poisoning, be- 

 cause the victim has twitchings and the limbs are drawn up; in the case 

 of arsenic there is vomiting, swelling of the tongue, and great pain espe- 

 cially noticeable if the hand be placed on the belly. The best thing to do 

 in any case is to administer an emetic. Mustard and water is the like- 

 liest thing, and that can be followed in the case of arsenic by a dose of 

 powdered magnesia, or, in the case of strychnine, by giving a quantity of 

 fat. 



Rearing Winter Puppies. — Puppies born during the late autumn and 

 winter months are more trouble to rear than those whelped in the spring 

 or summer. The changeable weather which is experienced in most parts 

 tends to check their growth and make them more prone to develop disease 

 than under more favorable circumstances. Could weeks of hard, dry frost 

 be insured, then the rearing of puppies would be an easy matter, even to 

 the novice, for however delicate the breed, it is rarely they will not thrive 

 under such invigorating conditions as the sharp, crisp air of a bright frosty 

 day which is occasionally experienced in mid-winter. Puppies, like all ani- 

 mals and vegetable creation, will expand to the sun's rays, cold though the 

 air may be, and feel it is a joy to live. 



But even under the most unfavorable conditions, such as were ex- 

 perienced during November and December of last year, it is quite possible 

 to rear a large majority of the puppies, provided common sense is brought 

 to bear and the dam is well nurtured and nourished before and after 

 whelping. For the first few weeks of their existence the puppies them- 

 selves require little attention beyond seeting that they all, as far as possible, 

 get the same amount of food, e. g., that the stronger do not push the weaker 

 away from the dam. When the latter is the case, if the puppies are val- 

 uable, it is advisable to have a good foster mother to assist in rearing the 

 weaker. 



One cause of failure in the rearing of autumn and winter puppies is 

 that they are pampered too much, even very often in the case of the larger 

 and hardy breeds, such as St. Bernards, Retrievers, etc. There is a suc- 

 cession of rainy days, the ground becomes wet and sodden, consequently 

 the puppies are shut up in a kennel run, an outhouse, stable, barn, or 

 what-not, where very little light or air can reach them, with the result 

 that they all lie huddled up together for warmth, there being very little 

 natural warmth in their poor little bodies; they are miserable and too 

 dejected to play and romp about. The dam, in her mistaken kindness, en- 



