122 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



The wild carnivora, from contact with grass, forest 

 brush, clean soil, etc., do not get fouled as dogs roaming a 

 city or living in a kennel. The former have running 

 streams and lakes to bathe in when so inclined. Their 

 tongue is the only brush needed to supplement the natu- 

 ral rubbing and massage they get. We will do well to 

 imitate ^N^ature, and this implies cleansing the dog, when 

 really befouled, by washing, but avoiding the necessity 

 for this as much as possible ; also daily grooming and 

 massage. 



Washmg. — The only circumstance actually calling for 

 washing is the presence of real dirt on the dog's skin such 

 as can not be removed by dry treatment, as grooming. 

 The dangers and objections to washing are primarily the 

 liability to disturbances of the circulation, shock to the 

 nervous system, catching cold, and allied results, together 

 with the removal of the protecting oil, etc. 



These are to be obviated by care in the following : 

 Wetting the dog's head with cold water before he is placed 

 in the bath ; keeping him free from draughts in a build- 

 ing at a temperature not lower than 60° Fahr. during and 

 especially after the cleansing ; using water of a tempera- 

 ture related to the season of the year ; rapid and nearly 

 complete drying by cloths, followed by much friction, 

 hand kneading, and rubbing; taking the animal at once, 

 when fully dry, for a brisk run. 



It is better not to wash just before or after a meal, as 

 the shuck, etc., disturbs digestion ; a few mouthfuls of 

 food with a drink of warm milk after the dog is done 

 with the hand-rubbing is a good precaution. 



After all these measures the dog must be kept free 



