85 



Emetics. 



Among the various alteratives, none are more salutary to dogs 

 than emetics : vomition appears almost a natural act in dogs ; at 

 least it is one that they voluntarily excite, by eating emetic vege- 

 tables, as the long wild grass, so hurtful to pastures. Dogs, in 

 common with all quadrupeds who eat animal matter, are subject to 

 irregular digestion and a train of symptoms that we denominate 

 bilious. In the canine species these are particularly prevalent ; 

 and dogs appear to be instinctively taught to relieve themselves by 

 an emetic of their own choosing, the triticum repens, or dog-grass, 

 which they take frequently. It is ev^ident, therefore, that such as 

 are much confined, and those which inhabit large cities, must suffer 

 in their health from the want of this usual evacuation. To re- 

 medy this, when circumstances wholly prevent their reaching this 

 grass, some of it might be brought to them, either gathered, or 

 the roots of it might be placed in pots for their use : in fact, it is 

 sold in Covent Garden for the express purpose. In default of 

 this, a mild occasional vomit, of tartarized antimony (emetic tar- 

 tar), or calomel, will become a very proper method of imitating 

 this natural evacuation of the dog ; and will tend much to keep 

 such in health as are subjected to heating food, confined air, and 

 little exercise. Emetic tartar may be readily given as a ball ; or 

 it will sometimes be voluntary taken in a little milk or broth, or 

 between small slices of meat, or with butter; in quantity from 

 one grain to three : a very large and strong dog might require 

 four grains. Calomel also, from a grain and a half to four 

 grains, forms a very useful and cleansing emetic, acting, as it 

 usually does, upon both the stomach and bowels. These articles 

 may also be mixed in equal proportions, and of the mixture from 

 a grain and a half, as the smallest dose, to four, five, or six grains 

 as a full one, may be given with benefit in any affection where both 

 these intentions are to be fulfilled : in pure febrile cases, it may be 

 prudent to trust to the tartarized antimony alone ; an antimonial 

 emetic being peculiarly called for in these cases by the power it 



