38 THE DOGS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 



pushed down the throat. When the discharge is clearly in the sheath, a wash of 

 the sulphate of zinc, as here prescribed, may be used. Sulphate of^zinc, 10 to 15 

 grains ; rose water, 1 ounce. Mix. 



CHOREA AND SHAKING PALSY. 



The former is almost always a sequel of distemper, and may be known by the 

 peculiar nodding of the head, or twitch of the fore-leg, which all dog owners must 

 have seen. Shaking palsy is a general agitation of the body, without the twitching 

 so characteristic of chorea. Chorea generally occurs as a sequel of distemper (see 

 page 19) ; but sometimes it appears without that combination. Little can be done in 

 either case ; but nitrate of silver, in doses of -|th of a grain, has sometimes effected 

 a cure of chorea. When the disease first comes on, a general tonic treatment should 

 be tried, the first principle being to improve the general health by good food and 

 fresh air, aided by stomachic medicines ; and secondly, to give such strengthening 

 and tonic medicines as are likely to improve the tone of the nervous system. Fresh 

 country air is of the utmost consequence, and this alone will often dispel the attacks 

 of chorea ; but when united to a liberal diet it is doubly likely to be successful. 

 The puppy should have plenty of good milk, or, if that cannot be obtained, beef 

 tea or mutton broth, with oatmeal or wheaten flour added in proportion to the 

 looseness of the bowels. If these are confined, they must be acted on by castor oil 

 or rhubarb and aloes, or some of the aperients which merely act without producing 

 much loss of strength. When the strength is somewhat improved by diet and 

 stomachics, sulphate of zinc, in doses varying from 2 to 4 grains three times a day, 

 may be given ; or a grain or two of quinine, with 2 or 3 grains of extract of hemlock 

 in a pill, will be likely to be serviceable, but either must be used regularly for some 

 weeks in order to have a fair chance of success. By these means many bad cases 

 may be relieved, or perhaps nearly cured ; but with sporting dogs, if the attack is 

 really severe, it is seldom that sufficient improvement is effected to make the dog 

 as efficient as before. Hence, in this instance it is perhaps better to destroy him, 

 than to persist in patching him up in a way which will only render him a burden 

 and disgrace to his master. Shaking palsy, I have already remarked, is wholly 

 incurable. 



EPILEPSY 



May be distinguished from the fits of puppyhood by the great champing of the 

 jaws and struggling of the limbs during the fit, and also by the frothing at the 

 mouth which is generally an accompaniment of it. It comes on without notice } 

 and in the setter and pointer is peculiarly annoying, because it generally shows 

 itself at the time when their services are most wanted, namely, during the middle 

 of a day's shooting. Very often this happens during the excitement of the " point," 

 but the fit is scarcely marked till the birds are sprung, when the dog generally 

 falls, and is seized with struggles and foaming at the mouth. Generally this lasts 

 for a few minutes, extending sometimes to half an hour, after which he recovers 

 himself, and will even continue his work without loss of nose. With regard to the 



