624 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



After we have persevered for a week or two with this treatment, we may begin to give arsenic, 

 but first let us say a word on 



Diet in Ekzema. We have only to remember that the blood is impoverished, and the 

 strength below par. Whatever, therefore, the food used may be, it must be both nourishing 

 and easy of digestion. Some alteration in the diet must necessarily be made, and if the appetite 

 be lost, the dog may be coaxed to take extract of beef, soups, &c. We must not lower. 



Exercise. The dog cannot be too much in the open air, so long as he is kept dry and 

 clean, but exercise must never be carried to the borders of fatigue. 



We do not believe in beginning the exhibition of arsenic too soon. We prefer paying our 

 first attentions to the digestive organs and state of the bowels. The form of exhibition which 

 we have found suit as well as any is the tasteless Liquor Arsenicalis. It is easily administered. 

 It ought to be given mixed with the food, as it ought to enter the blood with the chyle from 

 the diet. It ought day by day to be gradually, not hurriedly, increased. Symptoms of loathing 

 of food and redness of conjunctiva call for the cessation of its use for two or three days at least, 

 when it is to be recommenced, at the same size of dose given when left off. 



There are two things which seem to assist the arsenic, at least to go well with it : they are, 

 iron in some form and cod-liver oil. The latter will be needed where there is much loss of flesh. 

 A simple pill of sulphate of iron and extract of liquorice may be used. Dose of Liquor 

 Arsenicalis, from one to six drops ter die to commence with, gradually increased to five to 

 twenty drops. 



Our local treatment is directed to keeping the animal clean, by occasionally washing him 

 with lukewarm water and some very mild and non-irritating soap, such as Spratt's elegant 

 preparation ; and allaying the itching and irritation. The latter we endeavour to accomplish by 

 means of astringent lotions and ointments. Mild lotions of lead or zinc or even alum, patted 

 frequently on the inflamed parts, will do great good. Sometimes they may also be beneficially 

 painted with a weak solution of nitrate of silver two grains to the ounce, and many other 

 astringents may be tried ; or try a solution of carbonate of soda. Ointments sometimes irritate 

 and mat the hair, become offensive, and do more harm than good ; in which cases their use 

 is incompatible with perfect cleanliness. Mr. Erasmus Wilson, however, has solved this difficulty, 

 and we cannot too highly recommend his benzoated oxide of zinc ointment, which any chemist 

 can supply. This ointment must be plentifully employed, as one of its actions is to protect the 

 inflamed surface. It does not prevent the use of heat-allaying lotions, however. 



Briefly, then, what we have to remember in treating red mange is as follows : (i) We must not 

 begin the arsenic too soon. (2) Combine it with iron. (3) Stop it when it seems to be doing 

 harm. (4) As little purging as you can possibly do with. (5) As little washing, and that of the 

 mildest. N.B. It is REST the skin wants. (6) Nourishing diet (7) Exercise to be moderate ; and 

 (8) Perfect cleanliness of the dog's food, his skin, kennel, and bed straw. 



II. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



I. Mange Proper. 



We have sometimes wished that the word " mange " had never been invented. It is a word 

 that really expresses little or nothing, and yet it is a dangerous word, because it confuses 

 two diseases quite different in their causes, different in their symptoms, and altogether dif- 

 ferent in their treatment. 



Yet the older writers made quite a hotch-potch both in describing the symptoms of and 

 in the treatment of their so-called mange. 



