THE CARE OF THE DOG'S SKIN. 121 



these relations of repair and waste, of assimilation and ex- 

 cretion, and of the mutual dependence of parts. They 

 must be recognized by the breeder and the medical prac- 

 titioner, though not necessarily in a conscious way. How- 

 ever, a clear understanding is always an improvement on 

 a merely practical adaptation. Good science with good 

 practice is better than either alone. In a way, every 

 stableman knows that grooming a horse is useful ; hence 

 the very term "groom" one whose business it is to 

 attend to the skin of the horse. But there can be no 

 question that attention to the skin of the dog is of quite 

 as much or more importance. 



The skin of the dog in all pure-bred varieties is sin- 

 gularly liable to reflect every ailment of the animal, possi- 

 bly because of its limited ability to throw off poisonous 

 matters. The skin of the carnivora has been specialized 

 for protective rather than excretory functions, and when 

 much of this work is imposed upon it by the partial failure 

 of other organs, it seems to break down under the task. 

 Derangements of the digestive tract are immediately ex- 

 pressed in the skin. 



For many reasons, therefore, the care of the skin be- 

 comes of great practical importance, and in carrying this 

 out we must not neglect any of its functions. 



All agree that grooming i. e., the brushing, etc. of 

 dogs is well enough, if not greatly impressed with its 

 value ; but on the subject of washing there is more differ- 

 ence of opinion. In the light of the facts we have just 

 considered, it will not be difficult to outline the best meth- 

 ods of caring for the skin, and to give them a foundation 

 that is both sensible and scientific. 



