DRESSING AND PHYSIC. 163 



turpentine which they contain. But, besides these visible 

 parasites, as I before mentioned, there are other and smaller 

 ones which attack the dog's skin, causing what is popularly 

 called virulent mange. For their removal a dressing is 

 absolutely necessary, and in addition medicine will often 

 be required. Here much depends upon the nature of the 

 parasite, and the extent to which the mange produced by it 

 has gone, but the following applications may be tried, and if 

 one does not succeed the other probably will. 



Dressing for Virulent Mange. Take of compound sulphur 

 ointment four ounces, spirit of turpentine two ounces ; mix, 

 and rub well into the skin twice a week. Or, take of iodide 

 of mercury one drachm, lard one ounce ; mix, and rub a very 

 little into the roots of the hair every day. 



Red tnange is a constitutional malady, and can seldom be 

 cured without internal medicine, as indeed is often the case 

 with the virulent form. Arsenic in minute doses, continued 

 for months together, is almost a specific against the foul con- 

 dition of the blood which exists in either case. It should be 

 given with the food, and not on an empty stomach. For an 

 ordinary pointer, setter, or spaniel, proceed as follows : 



Take of Fowler's solution of arsenic five to eight drops, add 

 to the food, and give twice a day ; the dog being fed night 

 and morning. If in a month the whites of the eyes do not 

 become red, increase the dose gradually till they do ; then 

 diminish a drop per week till the redness disappears, when 

 continue the dose till the eruption is gone. 



Physic is given regularly in some kennels, but this can 

 only be necessary when the dogs have been previously 

 neglected. No care will prevent infectious diseases from en- 

 tering a kennel, and distemper will revel in it in spite of 

 every precaution. But the physic usually given is not for 

 such diseases as these, but to counteract the effects of too 

 much food, coupled with the omission to exercise the dogs. 

 An occasional dose of castor-oil will certainly do no harm, 

 and indeed the dog is by nature inclined to adopt some such 

 irritating remedy, for the effect of the grass which he eats is 

 nearly the same. If, therefore, a dog becomes dull and devoid 

 of appetite, it is well at all times to give him a dose ; but as 

 long as he keeps in health and spirits there is not the slightest 



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