General Remarks, 415 



CHAPTER yil. 



DISEASES OF DOGS. 



General Remarks on Diseases of Dogs and their Treatment, 



Colic. 



Costiveness. 



Diarrhoea and Dysentery, 



Distemjper, 



Mange, 



Canker in the Ear. 



Inflammation of the Eyes,, 



Fleas and Lice. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON DISEASES OF DOGS AND 



THEIR TREATMENT. 



It is a great mistake to suppose that medicines act on dogs 

 as they do on men. For example, aloes and rhubarb do not 

 purge dogs, while castor oil and Epsom salts act on them 

 violently. Common salt is almost a poison to them, and 

 they are very easily salivated with mercury. Emetics and 

 bleeding, which, with purges, were about the whole plan of 

 treatment of the older writers, such as Youatt and Blaine, 

 are now almost entirely discarded. 



Dogs do not willingly take medicine, and as they are 

 irritable when sick, one must know how to manage them 

 without risk. With a moderate-sized animal this is not 

 difficult. Take a seat on a low stool or a bucket. Set the 

 dog down on his haunches, between your legs, holding him 

 up with your knees. Tie a cloth around his neck; this, 

 falling over his forepaws, is pressed against his ribs by your 

 knees, and prevents him using his forelegs. AYith the finger 

 and thumb of one hand force open his jaws, lifting his head 



