312 BATHING. 



When a warm bath is used for a dog, the heat should be re- 

 gulated according to the case. In inflammations it should be con- 

 siderable, and in rheumatism also ; but it must be remembered that 

 from habit many human persons can bear, without inconve- 

 nience, a heat that would be most distressing to a dog ; conse- 

 quently, when it is attempted to ascertain the heat by the hand 

 alone, this circumstance should be considered. 100 to 102 de- 

 grees of Fahrenheit^ thermometer is a very considerable heat to 

 dogs, and is only proper in violent inflammations and active rheu- 

 matisms. For internal bruises, for spasms, or as a relaxant, 96 

 to 98 degrees is sufficient. The continuance in the bath is also 

 to be regulated according to circumstances. To relax, as in the 

 labour or pupping of bitches, in slight spasms, or in cases where 

 the animals are very weak, or when the bathing is to be renewed 

 daily, ten minutes is a sufficient time. But in suppression of 

 urine, in violent spasms, costiveness, inflammatory afl^ections, parti- 

 cularly of the bowels, fifteen or even twenty minutes are not too 

 nmch : should faiutness and weakness come on, which will be seen 

 by the dog's panting and distress, let him be removed from the 

 water, particularly if it is a case wherein fainting would be preju- 

 dicial, as in a pupping bitch, &c. The water bath should come all 

 over the animal, except the head ; and when any one particular 

 part is more especially aff'ected, that part ought to be rubbed during 

 the bathing with the hand. The dog being removed from the 

 water, the utmost care should be observed to avoid his taking cold 

 by exposure. He should be first rubbed as dry as may be by a 

 change of cloths, and then be put into a clothes-basket, wrapped 

 up in a blanket, and there confined till thoroughly dry. 



Cold bathing is also, in some instances, very useful, particularly 

 in the spasmodic twitchings that succeed distemper ; and in some 

 other cases of habitual weakness, as rickets, &c. : but for dogs in 

 health, I am convinced that bathing is not so salutary as is often 

 supposed. — See the article Washing of Dogs. 



