338 THE V G 1N DISEASE. 



Sulphur has, besides its laxative effect, a good influence 

 on the skin of the dog, and may be given day after day 

 for a time with the food, or, combined with cream of tar- 

 tar, in syrup. 



Arsenic is never to be given in the acute form of skin 

 disease, and when used, as pointed out before, the dose 

 must be small at first, increased gradually, never given on 

 an empty stomach or undiluted, stopped every now and 

 then, and not continued when the digestion is poor or 

 symptoms of irritation show, as evidenced by coated whit- 

 ish tongue, red eyes, etc. 



Arsenic is the most valuable constitutional remedy we 

 possess in chronic cases when judiciously employed. 



In cases that resist all ordinary treatment a few doses of 

 calomel, small and speedily worked off by salines, may act 

 well. 



The general health of the dog is always to be consid- 

 ered. When very thin or debilitated, tonics and cod-liver 

 oil are demanded. 



Diet is, in eczema, of the utmost importance. In a 

 large number of cases the dog is overfed. In such a 

 case a fast of twenty-four hours will often be the very 

 best treatment. In all cases a complete change of diet 

 is desirable. 



If the dog has been fed much on meat, let him have 

 none for a while, fcut a diet of milk and bread or milk and 

 wheat porridge. On the other hand, if he has been getting 

 only starchy food, or an excess of it, a change to meat 

 alone will be the best natural medicine. The half-starved 

 dog is very liable to eczema. 



Yery often a long walk, or a run of ten to fifteen miles 



