130 CANINE ASTHMA. 



attended to, medicine will avail little. It is unfortunate that the 

 accumulation of fat is, in some dogs, so much a disease, that even 

 a very small quantity of food will fatten ; but even that quantity 

 must, however, be still further reduced, so as to produce its ab- 

 sorption ; or it will be in vain to hope for amendment : means to 

 effect which are detailed under the head Feeding, An airy place 

 ought to be allowed the animal to sleep in ; but, above all, regular 

 and judicious exercise must be given ; not violent, but gentle and 

 long continued. The lessening of the accumulated fat will be 

 materially assisted by a regular exhibition of purgatives once or 

 twice a-week. Bleeding now and then gives a temporary relief ; 

 and in the incipient stages, when there is any suspicion of inflam- 

 matory action going on in the air vessels, it is proper ; but in the 

 advanced stages it seldom does much good. 



•Of the various remedial plans I have pursued, none have ap- 

 peared more uniformly beneficial than a course of emetics, steadily 

 persisted in twice a-week : see Emetics^ p. 85. In the intermediate 

 days alteratives were administered, with the occasional use of a 

 purgative, provided the dog was strong, fat, and plethoric ; other- 

 wise this was dispensed with : but it should be remembered, that 

 this remedial plan must be uniformly and long continued to ensure 

 permanent benefit. The alterative is as follows : — 



Calomel (submuriate of mercury) half a grain 



Nitre (nitrate of potash) 5 grains 



Cream of tartar ( supertartrate of potash) . ... 10 grains 

 Antimonial powder 2 grains. — Mix, 



This may be given either as a powder, or it may be made into a 

 ball with honey; the dose being repeated one or twice a-day, 

 according to the urgency of the case ; the quantities may be also 

 lessened or increased, according to the effect produced ; the recipe 

 is intended for a dog of middling size. On the morning that the 

 emetic is given, the alterative should be omitted ; and where the 

 alterative is repeated night and morning, it will be prudent to watch 

 the mouth, that salivation may not unexpectedly come on. If this 



