Materia Medica. 1 19 



form a pouch, into which the fluid is gently poured in 

 successive quantities as the animal swallows. By care 

 and tact many dogs may be treated for severe illness 

 during lengthened periods without tiring or rendering 

 them obstinate or vicious. 



Nursing. — The importance of careful nursing cannot 

 be overstated. The term, although of acknowledged 

 scope, is minus one important essential. Plenty of food, 

 water, warmth, or ventilation, cleanliness, &c., are liber- 

 ally conceded, but the creature mopes and pines, making 

 no progress ; some, indeed, die, because the surroundings 

 are ungenial. Perhaps the attendant is not so studious 

 of the state and requirements of the patient as he should 

 be, neglect and coarse treatment having the effect of 

 rendering the sufferer absolutely miserable. We have a 

 somewhat extensive and vivid experience of the value of 

 gentleness and kindness to canme patients. They are 

 exceedingly susceptible to kindly treatment, and fre- 

 quently yield obedience to a firm and salutary discipline, 

 the effects of which are evident in the memory of the 

 animal during long subsequent periods. 



In the various formulae now to be considered, the 

 maximum or full dose is intended for mature dogs of the 

 Setter and Retriever class ; one-half for other breeds half 

 their size and weight, and one-third, one-fourth, or even 

 one-sixth, &c., for puppies and the breeds of correspond- 

 ing diminutive proportions. 



The Bloodhound, St. Bernard, Mastiff and the like, 

 will require double, three-fourths, or one-half in addition 

 to the proportions laid down for Setters, size and age 

 being considered. 



Alteratives. — A variety of substances are included 

 under the term which is neither precise nor commendable. 

 It is usually understood to refer to remedies which re- 

 store healthy functions to organs previously disordered. 

 If the definition be correct, all remedies are alteratives. 



I. Sublimed sulphur, 5 grs. ; powdered nitre or 

 saltpetre, i gr. ; linseed meal, i or 2 grs. ; lard or palm- 

 oil, sufficient to incorporate the whole as a pill. 



The above ingredients may be given in form of a 



