220 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



to that result are likely in the end to destroy the general 

 health. Between two evils, therefore, the proprietor has 

 to make his choice ; but if he resolves to treat the disor- 

 der, he must do so knowing the drugs he makes use of are 

 not entirely harmless. 



Food is of all importance. It must be proportioned to 

 the size of the patient, and be rather spare than full in 

 quantity. Flesh should be denied, and coarse vegetable 

 diet alone allowed. The digestion must also be attended 

 to, and every means taken to invigorate the system. 

 Exercise must be enforced, even though the animal 

 appear to suffer in consequence of being made to walk. 

 The skin should be daily brushed, and the bed should 

 not be too luxurious. Sedatives are of service ; and as 

 no one of these agents will answer in every case, a con- 

 stant change will be needed, that, by watching their action, 

 the one which produces the best effect may be discovered. 

 Opium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, assafoetida, and the rest, 

 may be thus tried in succession ; and often small doses 

 produce those effects which the larger one seems to con- 

 ceal. A pill containing any sedative, with an alterative 

 quantity of some expectorant, may be given three times 

 daily ; but when the fit is on, I have gained the most 

 immediate benefit by the administration of ether and 

 opium. From one to four leeches to the chest, sometimes, 

 are of service ; but small ammoniacal blisters applied to 

 the sides, and frequently repeated, are more to be 

 depended upon. Trivial doses of antimonial wine or 

 ipecacuanha wine, with an occasional emetic, will some- 



