292 EMPLOYMEXT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



his trainer plainly, and also finishes up-hill, which is of great 

 service in "opening the pipes." By means of these two kinds 

 of work properl}' proportioned, and taking care not to overdo 

 them, the dog is at last rendered equal to any ordinary amount 

 of exertion ; but, in hardy animals which are allowed to eat 

 as much as they like, the work which would reduce them 

 sufficiently would make them stale in their joints, and dull in 

 spirit, so that it is found necessary to call in the aid of physic 

 and a reduction of food. 



TJie physic proper for a dog in training should be of such 

 a nature as simply to cause an increase of his secretions, with- 

 out rendering him liable to catch cold. Hence, mercury should 

 be carefully avoided ; and jalap, salts, or aloes, will be found 

 to be the best. Some people use emetics, but these do not 

 reduce the weight of the dog, and they are solely useful in 

 giving tone to the stomach, which they certainly appear to do. 

 Even within two or three days of running they are often given, 

 and will then render the dog lively and full of spirits, when he 

 would otherwise be dull and disinclined to exert himself. The 

 trainer, throughout, should watch the secretions, and if he finds 

 that they are deficient he may give a dose of aloes or jalap ; 

 but if in good order it is better to avoid medicine, if the weight 

 can be kept down by other means. 



The diet is of the greatest importance, and indeed it is in 

 this point that more mistakes are made than in any other. If 

 a hardy dog is fed as heavily as his inclination promj)ts him, no 

 kind of work will reduce him without also destroying his elas- 



