74 DISEASES OF THE GREYHOUND. 



If this fails, then give of diluted sulphuric acid 20 drops, and 

 laudanum 1 drachm, in a little rice-water, every two hours. Rice 

 boiled in milk or broth should be given as food, and rice-water as 

 the only fluid to quench the thirst, which is always great. But in 

 that very frequent complication attendant upon the distemper when 

 attacking the abdomen, viz. inflammation or congestion of the 

 liver, characterised by jaundice, and commonly known as e the 

 yellows,' medicine is of little avail, because there are no remedies 

 which will act upon the liver sufficiently to relieve it, without at 

 the same time producing such a degree of diarrhoea as will fre- 

 quently prevent the recovery of the dog. However, it is right to 

 try what can be done, and I think that the best chance will be 

 afforded by giving five grains either of blue pill or of Plummer's 

 pill three times a day, or the same quantity of mercury with chalk, 

 taking care to support the strength by good nourishing food, and 

 to regulate the bowels either by castor oil if costive, or opium and 

 chalk if relaxed. If the inflammation appears to run high, with a 

 full hard pulse, a good bleeding at the onset must be practised, but 

 it is not often that the dog's strength rallies after this remedy is 

 adopted, however necessary it may be to prevent a fatal termina- 

 tion. Nothing is more common than for the young dog attacked 

 with distemper to have worms passing from him, which, of course, 

 increase the irritation of the bowels. There is no objection to a 

 dose or two of powdered glass, given as will be hereafter described ; 

 but any stronger worm medicines are too lowering to be adminis- 

 tered in such a disease as distemper. It is better, therefore, to 

 wait, rather than to attempt too much, for the irritation of the 



