210 J'HVSK. 



Physic. 



On many occasions, purg-ing- medicines are very proper 

 and useful to dogs. In sickness, by purg-ing we frequently 

 restore health ; and, in health, by the same means we often 

 ensure its continuance. Costiveness is very prevalent among- 

 dog-s, particularly among such as have little exercise, and are 

 fed wholly on flesh. A costive state of body, if not attended 

 to, frequently degenerates into absolute and obstinate con- 

 stipation ; and many dogs are destroyed by it. In such cases, 

 a proper purgative, given in time, would prevent these con- 

 sequences. Fits frequently arise from a costive habit, and the 

 want of proper physic. Worms are also frequently removed 

 by purgatives. Without physic, dogs cannot so readily be 

 got into hunting* condition : but aperients, when judiciously 

 managed, increase their wind, vigour, and durability. 



Many things may be given as physic to dogs. For small 

 weakly ones, the safest purgative is castor oil; but some- 

 times the stomach refuses to retain it. Another liquid pur- 

 gative is syrup of buckthorn, which agrees with many dogs 

 very well. »/rt/«j9 is not a bad purgative to some dogs; on 

 others it operates but little. Senna I have no experience of. 

 Gamboge is too violent. Calomel is an excellent auxiliary to 

 other purgatives ; but alone, it frequently proves more emetic 

 than purgative ; and a dose sufficient to purge, when given 

 alone, will sometimes either inflame the stomach and bowels, 

 or it will salivate. Aloes, therefore, prove the most unex- 

 ceptionable and convenient means for purging of dogs; but 

 an infinitely greater quantity is necessary for this purpose 

 than is required by a human person. Half a dram of aloes 

 may be considered as a dose for a small dog ; a large dog 

 will take from two to three drams. To quicken its action, or 

 in cases of worms, or as a cleanser, from two to six grains of 

 calomel may be added. 



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