274 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



strength according to the size and age of the dog ; from a tea- 

 spoonful for a small dog or young puppy, to an ounce for a well- 

 grown dog. This will remove any ill-digested or indigestible 

 material from the intestinal canal. 



After the laxative has operated, I have found from two to 

 six grain doses of the hyposulphite of soda useful, modifying 

 the symptoms most materially, and converting what has threat- 

 ened to be a serious case into a mild attack. Care must always 

 be taken not to administer any medicine in such large doses as 

 to disorder the stomach in any way, or to cause vomiting, as it 

 is of essential importance to keep up the animal strength by 

 proper food, spontaneously partalcen of. If there be much prostra- 

 tion of strength, a tea-spoonful of good sherry, or one drachm of 

 spirits of nitrous ether, may be administered three or four times 

 a day, in addition to the hyposulphite, with very great advantage. 



This simple treatment, in addition to warmth, fresh air, a 

 clean bed, and clothing for thin-haired dogs, with a plentiful 

 supply of fresh cold water (or milk and water if the dog will 

 take it) for the animal to drink, sponging of the nose and eyes 

 not being forgotten, will often be successful. The food must be 

 restricted in quantity, and of an easily digested nature. In 

 my own practice I find porridge and milk to be the best, pro- 

 vided the dog will take it; but if it be a pet dog, and used 

 to pampering, it must have what food it will eat, and what 

 it has been used to, in modified quantities. It may be laid 

 down as a rule that the digestion of what the dog is fondest 

 of will be more easily performed, provided that it is not 

 allowed to eat too much. After the disease has continued for 

 six or seven days, small doses — from one grain to three — of 

 quinine may be administered, care being taken to discontinue it 

 if it seem to disagree with the dog. 



If there be much irritation of the stomach and vomiting, 

 hydrocyanic acid, from two to four drops, Scheele's strength, will 

 have a calmative effect on the gastric organs and allay the 

 vomiting. Purging, if not excessive, should not be violently 

 checked, but should the dog seem to lose strength from this cause, 

 chalk may be first tried, and afterwards tincture of opium, from 

 ten to twenty drops, three times a day. 



The pulmonary complications are best relieved by the appli- 

 cation of hot flannels to the sides, or hot fomentations may be 



