394: THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



draughts, extremes of temperature, lack of exercise, 

 change in food and water, and a hundred things (one need 

 not enumerate all) put a strain on the dog that tries him 

 sorely even if there be no actual contagion of disease pres- 

 ent in the form of mange, distemper, dysentery, etc. 



Naturally all this tells most on young dogs with their 

 less stable constitutions. In fact, a bench show is no place 

 for a puppy ; all the conditions are against him. 



But every dog should be inspected daily. Doubtful 

 cases should be removed to a little hospital, which should 

 be, but is not, attached to all shows lasting more than one 

 day. 



The medical expert should be the consultant in regard 

 to food, water, ventilation, disinfection, and all that per- 

 tains to the health of the dogs. The superintendent of 

 the show should be a man intelligent enough to see that 

 all directions are carried out properly, and discerning 

 enough to detect cases of possible sickness in the absence 

 of the medical man. 



If puppies are brought to a show at all they should re- 

 ceive special attention, and a grain of quinine night and 

 morning, in a routine way, is justifiable and wise. 



Early removal (second day) is provided for by many 

 shows which is the next best thing to the entire absence 

 of puppies from the first. 



Much may be done, and should be done, to mitigate the 

 discomfort of the show-bench for the canine occupants. 

 Shows are indispensable as educators of the public, but to 

 the dogs themselves their attractions are few and their 

 trials and dangers many. 



The points that require special attention are food, 



