438 ATONIC DISEASES. 



with pus. Still, as these are often present without this worm, it is 

 imj)ossible to predict its existence during life, with any degree of 

 certainty. When worms are suspected, in order to distinguish 

 the species, it is better to give a dose of calomel and jalap (16), 

 unless the dog is very weakly, when the areca nut may be substi- 

 tuted (65) ; and then, by watching the fceces, the particular worm 

 may be detected and the treatment altered accordingly. 



The expulsion of the worms is the proper method of treatment in 

 all cases, taking care afterwards to prevent their regeneration, by 

 strengthening the sj^stem, and by occasional doses of the medicine 

 suited to remove the worm in question. All vermifuges act as 

 poisons to the worms themselves, or as mechanical irritants ; the 

 former including the bulk of these medicines, and the latter pow- 

 dered glass and tin as well as cowhage. These poisons are all 

 more or less injurious to the dog, and in spite of every precaution 

 fatal results will occur after most of them ; even the areca nut, 

 innocent as it is said to be, having occasionally nearly destroyed the 

 life of valuable dogs under careful superintendence. There is a 

 wonderful difference in the power of resisting the action of reme- 

 dies in certain individuals of the dog tribe, as well as in the worms 

 themselves ; so that whereas in some instances a remedy may clear 

 a dog easily without the slightest ill effect upon him, in another, 

 apparently under the very same circumstances of health and 

 strength, remedy and dose, a fatal result, or nearly so, shall be 

 produced, and even without bringing awaj' the worms. Hence 

 there is always some little risk in conducting the removal of these 

 troublesome parasites, which directly and indirectly cause more 



