214 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



hyperaemia or congestion to attempt to abort the mischief. 

 This is rarely successful, as the case is not usually observed 

 early enough. But at the moment of chill, a laxative, a 

 good dose of quinine with bromide of potassium, the ap- 

 plication of the chest-jacket, to be presently described, 

 and perhaps a little whisky, to be followed in an hour 

 by Dover's powder, may cut short a threatened attack. 

 This will not usually be successful, and the aim must be 

 to favor the aeration and purification of the blood by the 

 closest attention to the atmosphere surrounding the pa- 

 tient, which should be kept pure by frequent interchange 

 of air. The temperature must be even, not less than 60° 

 to 65° Fahr., and the air rather moist. 



Draughts are fatal. To relieve pain, quiet the heart's 

 action if rapid and strong, or support it if weak. Keep 

 the temperature within bounds ; administer a suitable diet, 

 light usually at first, later very nutritious, but easily di- 

 gested. 



In this class of maladies the danger is from poisoning 

 of the system by retained products, both natural, which 

 are not eliminated as usual, and altered secretions; the 

 heart is overworked, and death often occurs, sometimes 

 suddenly, from cardiac failure, so that the pulse must be 

 carefully watched. The rate of the heart's action is not 

 of so much importance usually as its character. 



When the heart is weak, tonics, and especially digitalis, 

 with alcoholic stimulants, administered in small doses but 

 often, are called for. The animal's strength must be main- 

 tained at all costs. If it will not take food, the latter, in 

 the form of concentrated extracts or of the nature of fluid 

 beef, must be given ; also eggnog, etc. 



