56 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



If hounds be much troubled with worms, the following is the best cure 

 that I am acquainted with : 



Of pewter pulverized, 1 drachm 10 grains ; 

 Of JEihiop'a mineral, 16 grains. 



This is to be taken three times : every other day, once : the dog should be 

 kept warm, and from cold water. Whey, or pot-liquor, may be given him 

 two or three hours after, and should be continued, instead of meat, during 

 the time that he is taking the medicine. The best way of giving it, is to mix 

 it up with butter, and then to make it into balls with a little flour. 



When a dog is rough in his coat, and scratches much, two or three purg- 

 ing balls, and a little rest afterwards, seldom fail to get him into order 

 again. To make dogs fine in their coats, you should use the following 

 dressing : 



One pound of native sulphur, 

 One quart of train-oil, 

 One pint of oil of turpentine, 

 Two pound of soap. 



My hounds are dressed with it two or three times only in a year : in some 

 kennels, I am told, they dress them once in two months. The more fre- 

 quently it, is done, the cleaner, I suppose, your hounds will look. Should 

 you choose to dress your puppies before they are put out to their walks, the 

 following receipt, which I received from a friend of mine in Staffordshire 

 (the person already mentioned in this Letter, an excellent sportsman, to 

 whom I have many obligations), will answer the purpose best ; and on their 

 change of diet, from milk to meat, may be sometimes necessary : 



Three quarters of an ounce of quicksilver, 

 Half a pint of spirits of turpentine, 

 Four ounces of hog's-lard, 

 One pound of soft soap, 



Three ounces of common turpentine, in which 

 the quicksilver must be killed. 



Instinct directs dogs, when the stomach is out of order, to be their own 

 physician ; and it is to their example that we owe our knowledge how to 

 relieve it. It may appear foreign to our present purpose ; yet as it is much 

 (if true) to the honour of animals in general, I must beg leave to add Avhat a 

 French author tells usi that also by the hippopotamus we are instructed 

 how to bleed, and by the crane how to give a clyster. I have already 

 declared my disapprobation of bleeding hounds, unless they absolutely want 

 it : when they refuse their food, from having been over-worked ; or when 

 they have taken a chill, to which they are very subject ; then the loss of a 

 little blood may be of use to recover them. Sick hounds will recover sooner 

 if suffered to run about the house, than if they be confined in the kennel. 



