FLEAS IN DOGS. 177 



countenance, and a flow of frothy saliva from the jaws ; each 

 succeeding- fit becoming- stronger and more violent. Another 

 form in which these fits make their appearance in distem- 

 per, is, by a continual running- round, commonly to one 

 side only, with other violent contortions of the whole body. 

 In other instances, there is present universal and continued 

 spasm of the whole of the external muscles, very much re- 

 sembling- St. Vitus's dance. All these varieties are sometimes 

 blended, or they occasionally deg-enerate into each other. 



The idiopathic epilepsy, or those fits which appear habitual, 

 and not dependent on any temporary cause, as costiveness, 

 worms, distemper, &c., are, in general, very difficult of cure. 

 In dogs of very full habit, bleeding, emetics, and an occa- 

 sional purge, should all be premised. In others, the follow- 

 ing medicines may be at once proceeded on : — 



Submuriate of quicksilver (caZoineZ) 12 grains 



Powdered foxglove 12 grains 



Powdered misletoe 2 drams. 



Mix, and divide into nine, twelve, or fifteen parcels, accord- 

 ing to the size of the dog, and give one every morning. 

 After these have been fully tried, in case the attacks do not 

 relax, try the following : — 



Nitrate of silver (lunar cat(Sfic), finely powdered 2 grains 



Spiders' web, called cobweb 5 grains 



Conserve of roses 



sufficient to make nine, twelve, or fifteen bales, according to 

 the size of the dog ; of which give one every morning. 



Fleas in Dogs. 



Among the numerous inconveniences to which the canine 

 race are liable, I hardly know one more troublesome to them* 

 selves, or vexatious to their owners, than this common one 

 of fleas. It becomes^, therefore, a very frequent inquiry — How 

 they can be destroyed, or how they can be prevented from 



