344 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



Of course, this is not a hard and fast formula, the 

 most essential part being the saline, which is rendered 

 more agreeable, and prevented from griping by some of 

 the other ingredients. The whole is also somewhat of a 

 tonic to the stomach and general system. 



Frequently a dog is worried by great irritability of the 

 skin, though there is no eruption or other obvious cause. 

 In these cases a look at the tongue will often reveal a 

 disordered digestion. Attention should be given to diet, 

 etc. Sulphur, cream of tartar, and also bromide of 

 potassium often prove useful. Phosphorus pills given 

 after food {-j-^ to -^ grain) are said to be helpful in some 

 cases. A soda or salt bath is often followed by relief. A 

 lotion of lead acetate is also very soothing. 



Occasionally, as a result of skin disease or defect of 

 nutrition of the hair follicles, the dog's coat almost all falls 

 out, or unsightly bare patches result. 



To stimulate the growth of hair, more blood and nerv- 

 ous energy are required in the skin ; so that friction, mas- 

 sage, and stimulating applications are indicated. 



Such applications as cocoa-nut oil, or a combination of 

 this oil with coal oil and olive oil, in about equal parts, 

 applied for a couple of days and then washed off, are help- 

 ful in many cases, especially if the dog is shedding his 

 coat — as he naturally does in the spring and autumn — too 

 slowly ; or if the restoration of hair after its loss follow- 

 ing suckling puppies is tedious. " Yegetable oil " (cot- 

 ton-seed oil) is cheaper than olive oil, and answers well 

 enough. 



The above mixture is useful in true sarcoptic mange, 

 especially if sulphur be added, also in chronic eczema. 



