84 BATHING. 



is a very considerable heat to dogs, and is only proper in vi- 

 olent inflammations and active rheumatisms. For internal 

 bruises, for spasms, or as a relaxant, 96 to 98 degrees is 

 sufficient. The continuance in water is also to be regulated 

 according to circumstances. To relax, as in the labour or 

 pupping of bitches, in slight spasms, or in cases v^here the 

 animals are very weak, or when the bathing is to be renewed 

 daily, ten minutes is a sufficient time to keep them in the 

 water. But in suppression of urine, in violent spasms, cos- 

 tiveness, inflammations, particularly of the bowels ; fifteen 

 or even twenty minutes are not too much. When faintness 

 comes on, it will be seen by the dog's panting and distress, 

 when he should be removed from the water, particularly if 

 it is a case wherein fainting would be prejudicial, as in a 

 pupping bitch. The water should come all over the animal, 

 except the head ; and when any one particular part is affect- 

 ed, that part ought to be rubbed, during the bathing, with 

 the hand. When the dog is removed from the water, the 

 utmost care should be observed to avoid his taking cold by 

 exposure. He should be first rubbed as dry as may be by a 

 change of cloths, and then be put into a clothes basket, 

 wrapped up in a blanket, and there confined till thoroughly 

 dry. 



Cold bathing is also, in some instances, very useful, parti- 

 cularly in the spasmodic twitchings that succeed distemper ; 

 and in some other cases of habitual weakness, as rickets, &c. : 

 but, for dogs in health, I am convinced that bathing is not so 

 salutary as is often supposed. — See the article Washing of 

 Dogs. 



•.r^^^^^- 



JBladde?^, inflamed. 

 See Inflamed Bladder= 



