THE DISTEMPER. 147 



directions already detailed have been complied with, to pro- 

 ceed with the following tonic plan of treatment alone ; of 

 which it is not too much to say, that it will prove nearly as 

 universal in its application, and as salutary in its effect, as 

 even the specific above alluded to : — 



Gum myrrh 1 dram 



Gum benjamin 2scruples 



Balsam of Peru 1 dram 



Camomile flowers, powdered 2 drams 



Camphor 1 scruple. 



Mix with honey, conserve of roses, or other adhesive matter, 

 into twelve, nine, or six balls, according- to the size of the 

 dog, and give one of them every night and morning. 



If the weakness-becomes extreme, if the matter from the 

 eyes and nose flows rapidly, and is very foetid, add two drams 

 of cascarilla bark, and a grain of opium, to the mass of balls. 

 In such cases also, strong gravies, or gruel made as caudle 

 with ale in it, should be given or forced down two or three 

 times a-day. Meat balls may be also forced down, if the dog 

 will not eat voluntarily. 



During every stage of distemper, and under every variety, 

 except the very inflammatory state which occurs in the com- 

 mencement, it is proper to feed liberally ; and, as soon as the 

 animal refuses his food, it is equally proper that nutriment 

 should he forced down. — See the subject oi feeding the sick 

 at the commencement of the work *. 



But, from what has been remarked, it will be evident that 

 the foregoing type is not the only one by which distemper 

 makes its attack ; on the contrary, it sometimes commences 

 by diarrhoea or looseness, and which, instead of being hurtful, 

 is unfortunately often supposed useful : in which cases, from a 

 fear of the consequences of checking it, the dog is very fre- 



* When food is voluntarily taken, it is infinitely to be preferred to 



forcing; every enticement should therefore be used to encourage this : 



but when forcing becomes absolutely necessary, the stomach should not 



be overloaded, or the animal may bring what is given up again, which, 



if once done, is very apt to be repeated after each forcing. 



