THE CARE OF PUPPIES 49 



they are required for exhibition they will not be handi- 

 capped in the ring by shyness and awkwardness. 



They may also be accustomed to the travelling 

 hamper. The simplest plan is to put them inside, get a 

 friendly tradesman to give them a drive round, and have 

 their evening meal awaiting them on their return. They 

 will soon grow to enjoy it, and save much trouble later on. 

 I do not propose here to encroach at all upon the 

 veterinary department in the treatment of disease. In 

 matters of medicine a little knowledge is so dangerous a 

 thing, that the beginner will do well to study this branch 

 of the subject at first hand, from such admirable works as 

 those of Edward Mayhew and A. J. Sewell, F. S. Barton, 

 and other recognised authorities. Such minor troubles as 

 worms, eczema, and diarrhoea he will speedily learn to 

 cope with ; and he should learn to use a thermo- 

 meter, and to note that the normal temperature of 

 the average dog in health, taken in the bowel, is 

 about 101*5. On the appearance of any untoward 

 symptom he will be wise to call in skilled assistance at 

 once. 



With puppies, of course, he must be ever on the watch 

 for that most terrible of kennel scourges, distemper, and 

 at the first sign of its appearance the puppy should be at 

 once isolated in a warm, but thoroughly ventilated room, 

 and a reliable veterinary surgeon sent for immediately. 



Of late years experiments have been made in the 

 direction of inoculation against this disease, and many 



E 



