dogs: their management. 167 



the dog. This is sad nonsense, ivhich pretends to com- 

 prehend those motives that are far beyond mortal recog- 

 nition. We cannot read the intentions of every human 

 mind, and it displays presumption when we pretend to 

 understand the designs of Providence. There are sub- 

 jects upon which prudence would enjoin silence. The 

 voracity is excessive, but it is a morbid prompting. When 

 the fits a!re threatened, the stomach is either acutely 

 inflamed, or in places actually sore, the cuticle being re- 

 moved, and the surface raw. After a full meal at such a 

 period, a fit may follow, or continuous cries may evidence 

 the pain which it inflicts. Nothing solid should be 

 allowed ; the strongest animal jelly, in which arrowroot 

 or ground rice is mixed, must constitute the diet ; and 

 this must be perfectly cold before the dog is permitted to 

 touch it : the quantity may be large, but the amount 

 given at one time must be small. A little pup should 

 have the essence of at least. a pound of beef In the course 

 of the day, and a Newfoundland or mastiff would req[uire 

 eight times that weight of nutriment : this should be 

 given little by little, a portion every hour, and nothing 

 more save water must be placed within the animal's reach. 

 The bed must not be hay or straw, nor must any wooden 

 utensil be at hand ; for there is a disposition to eat such 

 things. A strong canvas bag, lightly filled with sweet 

 hay, answers the purpose best ; but if the slightest in- 

 clination to gnaw is observed, a bare floor is preferable. 

 The muzzle does not answer ; for it irritates the temper 

 which sickness has rendered sensitive. Therefore no 



