DISKASES. 115 



UNPLEASANT BREATH. This arises from a bad state of the stomach, 

 which should be treated with a dose or two of physic or from decayed teeth. 



V OMIT I ON. Consists of the expulsion of food, either of a liquid or solid na- 

 ture. Of all animals the dog is the one in which vomiting frequently observed, in 

 fact, sometimes brought on purposely by eating the couch grass, tricticum repens, 

 and other emetic grasses, which instinct readily enables them to discover. It 

 appears to vomit without any apparent discomfiture, though continued vomiting 

 necessarily produces a certain amount of exhaustion. Vomiting depends upon 

 stimulation of the so-called vomiting center, which is situated within 'the thick- 

 ened portion of the spinal cord, near to the brain. 



It may be asked: "How is it that the dog is more prone to vomit than other 

 animals, cat excepted?" This is explained by saying: First, that the vomiting 

 center is easily stimulated. Second, the entrance to the stomach is wide and 

 easily dilated, enlarged. Third, the walls composing the stomach, or bag, are 

 strong and muscular, consequently capable of powerful contractions. 



Vomiting is not a diseased or disordered state in itself, but a symptom of 

 many disorders and diseases, hence it is a frequent symptom of an ulcerated 

 stomach, inflammatory or congestive changes in the intestines, liver, etc., so we 

 find it accompanying jaundice, distemper, diarrhea and dysentery. 



Ti:i. AT .UK NT. Knowing that the causes operating in the production of vomit- 

 ing are so numerous and varied it will be readily understood that the lines of 

 treatment to be adopted must be equally variable. 



If worms are suspected, clear these out as soon as possible, while a depraved 

 appetite may be corrected by giving 10 to 30 grains of bicarbonate of soda, in the 

 form of a powder, twice daily, along with a more liberal allowance of flesh food. 



When the liquid vomited up is tinged with yellow matter, bile, it indicates 

 the liver is at fault, in which case from half to one grain each of calomel 

 and powdered opium may be given, in the form of a pill occasionally. 



When the ejected matter is tinged with blood it points to ulceration or in- 

 flammation of the mucus membrane lining the stomach, treatment of which will 

 be considered when speaking of these diseases. 



In instance? in which it is impossible to determine the cause of vomiting, 

 or when it bedimes advisable to check it remembering that it sometimes 

 requires to be encouraged, as in cases of poisoning I recommend the following 

 prescription: 



Dilute prussic acid, B. P 9 drops 



Nitrate of bismuth I dram 



Water \ 3 ounces 



DiiiErTioxs. Mix; give one tablespoonful to a small dog and two tablespoon- 

 fnl.:: to large dogs, until vomiting ceases. Several hours must elapse between 

 one dose and the next. As to the food, this will require to be light, shielding 

 and easy of digestion all solids withheld for time being. Milk, or this along 

 with, or cooked in rice, broths, or chicken gravy. When indigestible matter is 

 thought to be the hidden cause, by all means give a moderate dose of castor oil. 



WOUNDS. DAI.ZIEL'S article on Wounds is given complete: "For the pur- 

 pose of description these can be divided into Incised, Lacerated, Punctured and 

 Contused. 



'hi>-ifted Wounds are those caused by a clean cut, such as a sharp-edged 

 instrument. Lacerated wounds are those in which the tissues are torn and the 



