8o 



a similar way ; but I strongly advocate the spreading of crushed rock 

 salt to about four inches thick on the floor of a good-sized open shed 

 or loose box, and the animals being put in to paddle amongst it three 

 or four hours every day. To prevent the occurrence of this complaint, 

 the sheep ought to be turned on to some good, sharp fallow, for three 

 or four hours daily. 



THE DOG. 



214. The dog's foot differs very materially from that of the horse, 

 cow, and sheep, by having four toes and horny appendages or claws — 

 with a fifth, or dew-claiv, on the inner side of the leg, a little above the 

 foot. Strange, this fifth appendage, or dew-claw, is found on the fore 

 leg of dogs of ever}' class, but not often seen on the hind limbs, and 

 are mostly observed on curs, retrievers, and mongrel-bred dogs, and 

 sometimes they are double. All sporting dogs, however, are, as a rule, 

 exempt from them. These dew-claws are sometimes attached to the 

 jimb merely by the skin — or by a bony connection. The ground surface 

 of the dog's foot is protected by five firm dense elastic pads, one 

 under each toe and one at the back ot the foot. 



215. Dev^^-Claws. — These, when large, should be cut off the hind 

 legs, as they are of very little use and apt to get torn, and cause 

 troublesome sores ; they are readily removed by clipping them off with 

 a pair of sharp scissors or bone forceps. Stop the bleeding with a pad 

 of medicated cotton wool and bandage and leave this on for 24 hours ; 

 then leave the wound to the antiseptic dressing of the dog's tongue. 



216. The Claws. — Dogs that are petted, and pass the principal 

 part of their time trotting about on carpets, have their claws growing 

 to such a length that in some cases the horny toe turns round and up, 

 and penetrates the pad at the bottom of the foot, causing great pain, 

 lameness, and inflammation. When this is observed, the feet should 

 be put into warm water to soften the horn, and the extra growth of the 

 nails clipped off with a pair of strong scissors or a pair of hand- spring 

 pruning shears. 



