DOGS : TUEIR MANAGEMENT. l79 



dications of weakness. When I am called to see a dog, 

 if there be a lady for its nurse, I am always more certain 

 as to the result ; for the medicines I send then seem to 

 have twice the effect. 



MOUTH, TEETH, TONGUE, GULLET, ETC 



The mouth of the dog is not subject to many diseases ; 

 but it sometimes occasions misery to the animal. Much 

 of such suffering is consequent upon the folly and thought- 

 lessness of people, who, having power given them over 

 life, act as though the highest gift of God could be ren- 

 dered secondary to the momentary pleasure of man. No 

 matter in what form vitality may appear — for itself it is 

 sacred ; it has claims an'fl rights, which it is equally idle 

 and ridiculous to deny or to dispute. The law of the land 

 may declare and make man to have a possession in a 

 beast ; but no act of parliament ever yet enacted has 

 placed health and life among human property. The body 

 may be the master's ; but the spirit that supports and 

 animates it is reserved to another. Disease and death 

 will resent torture, and rescue the afflicted ; he who un- 

 dertakes the custody of an animal is morally and re- 

 ligiously answerable for its happiness. To make happy 

 becomes then a duty ; and to care for the welfare is an 

 obligation. Too little is thought of this ; and the fact is 

 not yet credited. The gentleman will sport with the 

 agony of animals ; and to speak of consideration for the 



