DOGS! THEIR MANAGEMENT. 117 



This is for one pill, which is a dose for a small dog of 

 seven or eight pounds weight. Three times the quantity 

 would be required for a Newfoundland. It is not very 

 powerful in its action ; its effect upon the system being 

 quite as much alterative as laxative. The animal under 

 its operation is evidently nauseated, and refuses food for 

 about twelve hours ; at the expiration of which time 

 relief is afforded by a not very copious, but bilious evacua- 

 tion. It is, however, important that, after the adminis- 

 tration of a purgative, the dog should be permitted to 

 remain perfectly quiet ; since, if put to exercise, or 

 much excited, the medicine will in all probability be 

 ejected. 



Emetics are shamefully abused, being so universally 

 employed by the owners of dogs, and so strenuously 

 recommended by writers upon their treatment, that one 

 might think these agents were held to possess some 

 charmed power over the health of the animal. Lecturers 

 are marvellously fluent upon the subject of the dog's 

 vomiting, which they dwell upon with such delight that 

 their auditors must suppose the act of revulsion in the 

 canine species is a pleasurable performance. Let any 

 one, however, possessed of sense and reason, observe the 

 creature in the act of being sick. The attitude is not 

 characterised by ease ; but the body is drawn up pre- 

 paratory for some unusual effort. The countenance does 

 not bespeak tranquillity ; but the face is expressive of 

 inward oppression. The animal's frame is shaken by 

 convulsive spasms, each throe being announced by a deep 



