AILMENTS AND ILLNESSES 71 



if the dog is to be shown, but a good deal can be done 

 by oiling the ears and manipulating them constantly 

 in the desired direction by massage, while, in the case 

 of youngish puppies, two or three thicknesses of horses' 

 leg bandage plaster, cut to fit the inside and point of 

 the ear, will either, if stuck in by warming it, help 

 the ear to drop or to stand up, as is desired. This is 

 a legitimate "fake," I may remark. But, of course, 

 the process must not be used with any idea of decep- 

 tion, though it is allowable to aid Nature in the way she 

 should go. 



The Eyes. The eye of the dog is an even more 

 delicate structure than the ear, and only skilled surgical 

 aid should approach it in any but the simplest ailments. 

 Of these are the simple catarrhal ophthalmia, the 

 symptoms of which are redness of the lining membrane 

 of the lids, and a greenish discharge, turning brown 

 and dry later, which comes from cold and weakness 

 of constitution. The victim of this must be kept in 

 an even temperature, be not allowed to lie by the fire, 

 or look into it, or to go out of doors in wind, hot sun- 

 shine, or cold, and be well fed with good nourishing 

 meat and light, digestible food. The discharge should 

 be wiped away from the eyes at morning and evening 

 with a bit of sponge dipped in a warm boracic lotion 

 which any chemist will supply of the proper strength ; 

 and immediately afterwards a little bit of yellow oxide 

 of mercury ointment, about as large as a small split 

 pea, should be gently introduced under the lid of the 

 affected eye with a camel's hair brush. Do not, on 

 any account, accept " golden ointment," if the chemist 

 happens to offer you this old-fashioned remedy (I be- 

 lieve) for styes ! It is made of the red oxide of mercury, 

 and is a very great deal stronger than the yellow oxide 

 of mercury ointment, which, by the way, should be 

 made in the strength of 2 grs. to the ounce. This 

 latter ointment may also be used where, after distemper, 

 a bluish film lingers in the eye. Amaurosis is not 



