176 



DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



after the disease has spent its violence, always anxious to 

 repair the damage it may have inflicted. Bearing this 

 in mind, much of our labor will be lightened, and more 

 than ever shall we be satisfied to play second in the busi- 

 ness. The less we do the better ; but, nevertheless, there 

 remains something which will not let us continue perfect- 

 ly idle. 



Never, after dangei- has seemingly passed, permit the 

 animal to return all at once to flesh food. For some time, 

 after all signs of the disease have entirely disappeared, 

 let vegetables form a part, and a good part of the diet. 

 i>o not let the animal gorge itself. However lively it 

 may seem to be, and however eager may be its hunger, 

 let the quantity be proportioned to the requirements inde- 

 pendent 'of the voracity. Above all, do not tempt and 

 coax the dog to eat, under the foolish idea that the body 

 will strengthen or fatten, because a great deal is taken 

 into the stomach. We are not nourished by what we 

 swallow, but by that which we digest ; and too much, by 

 distending the stomach and loading the intestines, retards 

 the natural powers of appropriation ; just as a man may 

 be prevented from walking by a weight which, neverthe- 

 less, he may be able to suppoi-t. Give enough, but divide 

 it into at least three meals — ^four or five will be better — 

 and let the animal have them at stated periods, taking 

 care that it never at one time has as much as it can eat ; 

 and by degrees return to the ordinary mode of feed- 

 ing. 



The fainting fits create great akrm, but, if properly 



