NOTITIA VENATICA. 91 



either on the top of tlio slioulder or bcloAv, at the point of the shoulder ; 

 let him be turned out to run loose, care being taken to shut him up 

 Avarm at night by himself, or the other hounds will gnaw off his seton. 



Kennel lameness, which is neither more nor less than " acute rheu- 

 matism," aflects hounds in various ways : sometimes in the shoulders ; 

 at other times they appear to be suffering luider lumbago, or a violent 

 pain in the loins or spine, which is evident when pressing those parts 

 with the hand. Blaine does not mention this disease under the name of 

 kennel lameness, but, in his chapter on rheumatism, describes a com- 

 plaint very similar to it, and at the same time recommends the same 

 remedies for the one which Avoidd be used for the cure of the other. 



He says, in speaking of the above-mentioned disease, that " it seldom 

 attacks the smaller joints, but confines itself to the trunk and ujmer 

 portions of the extremities ; neither does it wander, as the human 

 rheumatism, from place to place, but usually remains where it first 

 attacked."* 



He also says that no dogs are ever afilicted with rheumatism without 

 also being aff"ectcd in the bowels with constipation. I have never par- 

 ticularly observed that in hounds ; but nothing tends more to keep a 

 pack at work, which may be afilicted by the disease, than frequent doses 

 of mild physic, especially of siUphur. In cases of rheumatism amongst 

 human beings, sulphiir has been found to give great relief ; and in that 

 famous recipe for rheumatism and rheumatic gout called the " Chelsea 

 Pensioner," sulphur forms a chief ingredient. 



Lameness in the stifle-joints may also be treated in the same manner 

 as when it appears in the shoulders ; for an obstinate stifle lameness I 

 have tried firing, but absolute rest is the best remedy. 



Section Eighth. 



IMPLEMENTS AND DRUGS USED IN THE KENNEL. 



A huntsman should invariably have his diff'erent instruments nicely 

 cleaned, and laid in such order as to be ready at the shortest notice. 

 Amongst them may be enumerated a brand, rounding irons, and mallets, 

 two large seton needles (these should be made to order, as it is very' 

 difiicult to obtain them ready made with the eyes sufficiently large), case 

 of large lancets, claw nippers and pliers, probe, forceps, knives of 

 various sizes, divers straight and bent needles and silk, two or three 



* As many sportsmen are troubled with rheumatism to a distressing degree, from 

 bein^ so frequently wet about the shoulders and knees, the following recipe may not 

 be found unacceptable : — 



Half an ounce of milk of sulphur, 



Half an ounce of cream of tartar, 



Quarter of an ounce of rhubarb, 



Quarter of an ounce of gum guiacum. 



Tea-spoonful of ginger, and a small nutmeg ; 



to which add half a pound of honey. Take a tea-spoonful night and morning. This 

 is a most excellent recipe. 



