320 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 



A light invalid dietary should at once be resorted 

 to, and it must be thoroughly strengthening and 

 easily digested. Let it be varied also, and be sure 

 to give only in small quantities at a time. In bad 

 cases a meal every hour is not too much, but, of 

 course, it must only consist of a small amount. Your 

 great object is to maintain the strength. If the 

 dog continues to feed naturally, and can retain what 

 he takes, you need not give quite so often, and the 

 quantity may be increased. You will be fortunate, 

 however, if you do not have to resort to drenching. 



The discharge from eyes and nostrils, when there 

 is any, must be frequently cleansed with a mild 

 solution of Condy's Fluid or some other disinfectant, 

 and the mouth should also be washed out in the 

 same manner several times daily. If this precaution 

 is neglected, the gums may get into a shocking state, 

 subsequently receding from the teeth, the roots of 

 which will be left exposed. The eyes should be 

 flooded with a mild boracic solution. A simple febri- 

 fuge, which I have used with much advantage, is 

 made up of 72 grains each of salicine and salicylate 

 of soda, mixed with 6 oz. of water. Dose, twice a 

 day, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, according 

 to size. 



Should there be constipation a laxative must be 

 administered, but the chances are that diarrhoea will 

 set up which may lead to dysentery. Use the treat- 

 ment recommended under Diarrhoea. A conspicuous 

 feature of the disease is the extreme emaciation which 

 usually ensues, and there is also great weakness. I 

 have known a dog unable to stand for a fortnight 

 and then recover. Therefore, never give in until 

 death actually occurs. 



