164 dogs: their management. 



tablespoonful of the solution is combined, and witi the 

 last half those quantities is blended. A wash, composed 

 of two ounces of the solution of the chloride to a pint of 

 cold water, is also made use of to cleanse the anus, about 

 which, and the root of the tail, the faeces have a tendency 

 to accumulate. Warm turpentine I have sometimes with 

 advantage had repeatedly held to the abdomen, by means 

 of flannels heated and then dipt into the oil, which is 

 afterwards wrung out. This, however, is apt to be 

 energetic in its action ; but that circumstance offers no 

 objection to its employment. When it causes much pain, 

 it may be discontinued, and with the less regret, as the 

 necessity is the less in proportion as the sensibility is 

 the greater. Should it even produce no indication of 

 uneasiness, it must nevertheless not be carried too far, 

 since on the dog it will cause serious irritation if injudi- 

 ciously employed ; and we may then have the conse- 

 quences of the application to contend with added to the 

 effects of the disease. When it produces violent irritation, 

 a wash made of a drachm of the carbonate of ammonia 

 to half a pint of water may be applied to the surface ; 

 and when the inflammation subsides, the part may be 

 dressed with spermaceti ointment. The fits are more to 

 be dreaded than any other symptom ; when fairly esta- 

 blished, they are seldom mastered. I have no occasion to 

 boast of the success of my treatment of these fits. All 

 I can advance in favor of my practice is, that it does 

 sometimes save the life, and certainly alleviates the suf- 

 ferings of the patient ; while of that plan of treatment 



