WASHING AND GROOMING. I17 



of dust and dirt choke up his pores, and so dam up the 

 effete matters as well as impair the activity of the myriads 

 of little glands upon the integrity of which greatly de- 

 pends the health of the skin and hair. 



It is scarcely necessary to urge that the effects of un- 

 cleanliness are both local and general, or in other words 

 its functions being interfered with not only is the skin 

 itself and all it holds more or less unhealthy but the gen- 

 eral health is invariably below the standard. Moreover, 

 the scales and other accumulations excite itching, and the 

 scratching in turn produces eczema and kindred eruptions. 

 And when this cause — lack of cleanliness — is active and 

 persistent the injurious effect upon the hair is very pro- 

 nounced, it being dry, staring and lustreless. 



While washing is the most effective means of maintain- 

 ing cleanliness its frequent application is decidedly ob- 

 jectionable, especially if soaps of ordinary quality are used, 

 for the hair and skin must become too dry in consequence 

 of being obliged to part with much of the oily matter 

 which keeps them supple and smooth ; hence it should be 

 resorted to only when cleanliness can in no other way be 

 secured or it is demanded as a remedial measure, as in 

 cases of vermin and cutaneous diseases. 



Under ordinary circumstances frequent grooming will 

 be quite sufficient to maintain cleanliness and health of 

 the skin and hair, and he who expects to keep his dog in 

 the "pink of condition " must faithfully apply it not less 

 often than once a day. 



The brushes should be of bristles always, and what is 

 called the "dandy brush" for short-coated dogs, while 

 for the long-coated the bristles must be nearly if not 

 quite an inch and a half in length, in order to pass through 

 the coat and reach the skin. 



Instances in which a fine-tooth comb is required are very 



