TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 317 



able pain. His ftack will be arched, the abdomen 

 tense, and he will probably cry out. Give castor- 

 oil, containing from 10 to 20 drops laudanum. If 

 this fails to set up action of the bowels, an enema 

 should be used. A few drops of chlorodyne will be 

 helpful. Occasionally similar symptoms may be set 

 up by the presence of foreign bodies in the intestines. 

 Young puppies frequently swallow large stones and 

 all sorts of extraordinary things, the passage of which 

 is attended with much danger. Death often ensues 

 from perforation of the bowels. In such cases I 

 think it is a good plan to give a large meal of 

 potatoes . 



CONSTIPATION. Insufficient exercise and in- 

 judicious dietary are usually responsible for this dis- 

 order, which may occasion a good deal of mischief, 

 and should at once be checked. Castor-oil (J oz. 

 to 2 oz.) or Epsom salts (i to 4 drachms) will 

 afford immediate relief. Liver is a natural laxative. 

 Powdered sulphur is also useful, of which a big dog 

 may have half a teaspoonful, while just a nip suffices 

 for a Toy. 



DIARRHCEA. As a preliminary to after-treatment 

 give castor-oil in the hope of removing the 

 irritant which causes the mischief. In mild cases 

 from 5 to 20 grains of carbonate of bismuth, shaken 

 dry on the tongue, is as simple as anything, and will 

 usually be found efficacious. In stubborn diarrhoea 

 careful attention must be paid to the diet, light 

 feeding being indicated. Arrowroot is good, 

 especially if it contains a few drops of laudanum. 

 This irregularity must not be allowed to continue, or 

 the patient will be much weakened, possibly die. 

 It is particularly fatal to young puppies. In the 



