112 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



"Care must be taken to prevent the gums from injury, as they are very soft, 

 and bleed upon the slightest touch, in many cases. All loose and decayed teeth 

 should be pulled out, and the mouth washed occasionally for several days with 

 some cleansing fluid, such as: 



Potash alum 1/2, dram 



Borax i/> dram 



Permanganate of potash 16 grains 



^Water 4 ounoes 



Directions Apply to the teeth with a brush. 



"The dog must, have an occasional aperient, i. e., a laxative of a mild kind, 

 and 'there is nothing better than half to one teaspoonful of liquid extract of cas- 

 cara bark in a little water. 



"'BROKEN TEETH. The teeth are liable to injury from various causes, such 

 as result from biting hard substances, like stone, etc. Unless they cause incon- 

 venience through sharp projecting points lacerating the tongue, etc., or imperfect 

 mastication of food, they are best left alone. In old dogs the teeth are isometimes 

 worn almost away, and such it is advisable to feed on soft food. 



"DISPLACED TEETH. The permanent teeth may be displaced % either through a 

 temporary tooth not having been shed, or by an excessive accumulation of tartar. 

 If caused by the former, this should be extracted; the latter should be scaled off 

 according to the method already recommended. Tooth forceps can be had at 

 surgical instrument makers. 



"CARIES, OR DISEASED TEETH. The fangs are those teeth which are commonly 

 affected. One or more of the teeth appear brown; with a black center, perhaps 

 coa'ted with tartar, and loose. The breath is very offensive, and saliva is con- 

 stantly dribbling from the mouth; sometimes swellings under the jaw. The 

 sooner the decayed tooth, or teeth, is removed, the better, followed by a gentle 

 laxative, and the adoption of such methods as will keep the 'system in good work 

 ing order viz., careful dietary. 



"ABSCESS OF THE JAW. A decayed tooth may give rise to the formation of 

 matter below the jaw, in which case there appears a soft sort of tumor, swelling. 

 If this is neglected, a fistulous ulcer may remain. 



"In some cases the jaw-bone itself may become involved in the diseased state, 

 but fortunately this is rare. The gums are red, swollen and spongy. The 

 breath is very fetid and offensive. 



"The term, 'canker of the mouth,' has been, and still is, applied to this and 

 other diseases of the mouth. 



"The treatment consists of removing the diseased tooth, fomenting the abscess 

 below the jaw with hot water, and, when ripe, either opening it with a sharp knife, 

 lancet, or allowing it to burst itself. After the matter has escaped, it should, 

 along with the mouth, be washed out with chloride of zinc, or lead lotion, four 

 grains to every ounce of water. The 'system will require good support, and, it 

 may be, a course of tonics, such as a grain or two of quinine, night and morning, 

 in the form of a pill; or, using one of the Condition Pills you see advertised in 

 this book Clayton's, Dent's, or Sergeant's they are all good, made by dogmen 

 for dogs, and you won't go amiss in using either of them in such cases. 



"TEETH, DECAYED. It is unfortunately only too true that the condition of a 

 dog's teeth does not receive the attenion that it should; this is very evident when 

 it is borne in mind that one of the most important functions of the teeth is masti- 



