282 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



exterior of, and also inserted up, the rectum, thrice in 

 the day. A piece of wood nicely rounded, or a pen- 

 holder if the animal be small, answers very well to in- 

 troduce the -salve into the gut ; and of course it should 

 be done with every consideration, for the pain it will at 

 first produce. The resistance is often strong, and the 

 cries violent ; for in some cases the rectum is so sensitive 

 that the mere lifting of the tail cannot be silently endur- 

 ed. The poor dog seems in constant agony ; for I have 

 known the exclamations to be provoked by simply look- 

 ing at the part, and the animal evidently shrieked from 

 the idea of it being touched. All possible tenderness, 

 therefore, is required ; and the dog should be very firmly 

 held, to prevent its contortions from adding to its anguish. 

 When the ointment is regularly and properly employed, 

 the relief is generally speedy ; and after the third day 

 the dog, which had been so energetically resistful, often 

 submits to be dressed without a murmur. The cessation 

 of the howling will indicate the progress of the cure, but 

 the application should be used for some days after the 

 animal becomes silent. If much stench is present, the 

 fundament may be at each dressing moistened with very 

 dilute solution of the chloride of zinc, and a small quan- 

 tity may be administered as an injection, after the grease 

 has been introduced. 



The constitutional remedies must be regulated by the 

 symptoms, and nothing absolute can be said on this sub- 

 ject ; but in the great majority of instances tonics will be 

 required. Purgatives are not often needed, but a day's 



