106 THE r>OG 1N HEALTH. 



Milk in large quantities continuously tends to dilate, 

 render flaccid, and to weaken the digestive tract ; yet, 

 used with discretion, there can be no better food for man 

 or dog than milk. 



A diet of porridge and milk is a good diet, but not 

 constantly and without change. We have in such a diet 

 all that is involved in the principles we have set forth as 

 established. It has the merit of being very easily digested ; 

 but in some conditions of the stomach, induced by certain 

 modes of life, as we ourselves know, it is not relished or 

 well-borne by men, nor, as observation also teaches us, by 

 dogs. 



The problem as to the amount and form of a meat 

 diet often arises for practical solution. 



As a rule, cooked meat is the best to be fed in large 

 quantity. Raw meat, moreover, may contain parasites or 

 their germs, hence it should be fed sparingly and be 

 closely examined. Raw liver is on this account danger- 

 ous, though a little cooked liver acts nicely as a gentle 

 aperient to the digestive tract. The habit of throwing 

 sheep's-heads and ox heads to dogs is also open to the same 

 objection (parasites). Beef and mutton are the best meats 

 for dogs. 



But it is difficult to conceive of a more suitable and 

 agreeable meal for a dog than such as may be prepared by 

 boiling sheep's-heads (or ox-heads) till the flesh falls off and 

 the ligaments, etc., are reduced to a gelatin. A rich broth, 

 which may be slightly flavored with salt, and a large part 

 of the fat skimmed off (in most instances), results. After 

 removal of the bones, the whole may be allowed to set, aft- 

 er some of the broth has been removed, perhaps, and the 



