DISEASES. 15 



Always treat him kindly and give an approbative pat on the head and when 

 the time for the next dose arrives he will be ready for it. 



At times liquid medicines are necessary, especially saline laxatives, and as they 

 are decidedly of unpleasant taste and the dose necessarily large it is frequently 

 quite a difficult matter to convince the patient that it is "not bad to take." Rochelle 

 salts is the least nauseating of the saline laxatives and when given largely diluted 

 with water its action is increased and the taste riot so disagreeable. 



In giving liquids place the patient in a corner, but do not handle roughly. 

 Have the medicine in a bottle or hard rubber syringe. Take hold of the fold at the 

 angle of the mouth and pull out to form a pouch, then pour in a small quantity at a 

 time, repeating as it is swallowed. 



A dose of castor oil is sometimes required, especially to supplement the action 

 of a vermicide. If this is given in about four parts of milk the taste will be largely 

 disguised and the administration more pleasantly effected. 



In applying lotions to the eye the lids can be separated by the thumb and finger 

 and the solution dropped in from a medicine dropper. 



When the nasal passages are occluded by adherent discharges, applications of 

 warm water and steaming will be of benefit. For the latter, the patient can be held 

 with the cose over a vessel containing hot water (medicated if the case demands) 

 and enclosing head and vessel with a towel. Care must be taken though to allow 

 sufficient air. 



In applying remedies to the ear the most useful implement is a blunt, hard 

 rubber syringe. If, however, it is necessary to apply dry powder a "blower" will be 

 found of great service. 



In treating wounds the watchword should be antisepsis, but in the use of such 

 I-reparations one must always bear in mind the danger that may result from the 

 patient licking the dressing. Of antiseptics iodoform should never be used for the 

 dog except in minute quantities, owing to liability of absorption and poisoning. In 

 applying remedies other than per orem it sometimes becomes necessary to restrain 

 the patient from biting his would-be benefactor. This can be accomplished by tying 

 a long piece of tape tightly around the jaws, having the knot on the under side. 

 Then carry the ends back of the ears and tie again. 



In the application of unguents to the skin of long-haired dogs time is really 

 sometimes saved by clipping. The skin can be more thoroughly cleansed and dried 

 and the remedy more evenly applied and consequently better results obtained. 



In the writer's experience, no appreciable difference could ever be observed in 

 the texture or color of the hair when it had grown out again. The clipping, how- 

 ever, should not be resorted to except in obstinate cases and during favorable 

 weather. 



Rectal injections are frequently indicated, especially in house dogs where from 

 lack of exercise and irregular habits the faeces becomes impacted. In cases of 

 collapse, extreme weakness and refusal of food it sometimes becomes necessary to 

 introduce predigested foods and medicines per rectum. The ordinary bulb syringe 

 or those of the hard rubber variety can be used for this purpose, but the nozzle must 

 not be pointed enough to injure the mucus membrane as abrasions of the latter 

 might prove troutoiesome. 



Harry W. Lacy, in the American Stock-Keeper, has the following to say. and 

 the article is valuable enough to insert in full, pertaining to this subject: 



"The housemaid's idea about taking medicine, obtains in a good many kenneis 

 if one spoonful is good two will be better. There is really a good deal of careless- 



