TREATMENT OF DISTEMPER. 605 



cines such as mercury, jalap, aloes, and podophyllyn, cannot be too highly condemned. By 

 the administration of any such, we are merely bleeding the patient through the intestinal 

 capillary system. Avoid them. For very small toy-dogs, such as Italian Greyhounds, 

 Yorkshire Terriers, &c. ; we should not recommend even oil itself, but manna one drachm to 

 two drachms dissolved in milk. By simply getting the bowels to act once or twice, we shall 

 have done enough for the first day, and have only to make the dog comfortable for the 

 night. 



On the next day begin a mixture such as the following : 



9, Sp. aether. 1T[ xxx. ad 5 iij. 



Vin. antimonial. ... Tt| iij. ad Tt^ 40. 



Mucilag. tragacanth. ... 5 ij. ad 5 j. M. 



Give this thrice daily. 



If the cough be very troublesome, and the fever does not run very high, the following 

 may be substituted for this on the second or third day : 



9> Syr. scillae ... ... TT^ x. ad m 5 j. 



Tinct. hyoscyam. ... 1T| x. ad TT[ 40. 



Sp. aether, nitros. ... rn x. ad 3 j. 



Aq. camph. ... ... q. s. M. 



A few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid should be added to the dog's drink, and two 

 teaspoonfuls (to a quart of water) of the chlorate of potash. This makes an excellent fever 

 drink, especially if the dog can be got to take decoction of barley barley-water, instead of 

 plain cold water. Williams speaks highly of the good effects of the hyposulphite of soda, in 

 doses of from two to six grains. We have not yet given it a trial, so cannot speak from 

 experience. It may be given instead of the fever mixture. 



If there be persistent sickness and vomiting, the medicine must be stopped for a time. 

 Small boluses of ice frequently administered will do much good, and doses of dilute prussic 

 acid, from one to four drops in a little water, will generally arrest the vomiting. 



If constipation be present we must use no rough remedies to get rid of it. A little raw 

 meat cut into small pieces minced, in fact or a small portion of raw liver may be given if 

 there be little fever ; if there be fever, we are to trust for a time to injections of plain soap- 

 and-water. Diarrhoea, although often a troublesome symptom, is, it must be remembered, 

 generally a salutary one. Unless, therefore, it becomes excessive, do not interfere ; if it does, 

 give the simple chalk mixture three times a day, but no longer than is needful. It is better 

 that our whole plan of treatment should be gentle and simple, and only harm can accrue from 

 hastily rushing from one remedy to another. Injury to the dog is sure to result from such a 

 course. 



On the other hand, specifics had better be avoided. 



The discharge from the mouth and nose is to be wiped away with a soft rag, or, better 

 still, some tow, which is afterwards to be buried. The forehead, eyes, and nose, may be 

 fomented two or three times a day with moderately hot water with great advantage. 



It is not judicious to wet long-haired dogs much, but short-haired may have the chest and 

 throat well fomented several times a day, and well rubbed dry afterwards. Heat applied to the 

 chests of long-haired dogs by means of a flat iron will also effect good. 



Williams recommends hydrate of chloral at night. Hydrate of chloral, in our opinion, ought 



