338 DISEASES OF DOGS. 



ful, two, three, or four teaspoonfuls according to size. 

 If the fits cease, as they often do after the first dose, 

 allow no food, but keep the dog a close prisoner for 

 six hours before you offer even a scanty meal. 



Good food, healthy lodging", and sufficient exercise 

 are the best preventives of fits. When they appear 

 the general treatment should be scrupulously over- 

 looked, for more may be thus accomplished than the 

 Veterinary Surgeon is, as a general rule, able to 

 bring about. 



RHEUMATISM. 



This is a frequent ailment with the dog. It is 

 entailed upon him by his unnatural, petted state, and 

 like gout in the human being is the penalty paid for 

 over-indulgence. Constipation is generally present 

 when the attack appears, the prominent symptoms of 

 which are the piteous cries of the animal. He cries 

 when he gets up ; cries when he walks ; cries when 

 he is carried ; and frequently if he is merely looked 

 at. The remedy is in most cases very simple, and 

 perfectly effectual. For the relief of this affection, 

 the poor creature should be placed in a warm place, 

 and have some opening medicine immediately ad- 

 ministered. Castor oil is in this case generally use- 

 less, but nevertheless three doses should be given, 

 allowing three hours to elapse between each. The 

 quantity should be from one ounce to four ounces, 

 and though the bowels be not moved, yet it not un- 

 frequently does much good by preparing the system 

 for the following bolus: — 



