244 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



are called, become developed. These consist in the beast 

 having that which uninformed people term " a fit." He 

 lies upon the ground, uttering rather loud cries, whilst 

 every muscle of his body is in motion. Thus he con- 

 tinues scratcSiiug, as if it was his desire to be up and off 

 at a hundred miles an hour. No sooner is he rid of one 

 attack than he has another. He retains his conscious- 

 ness, but is unable to give any sign of recognition. It is 

 useless to crowd round the animal in this state ; the drug 

 must perform its office, and will do so, in spite of human 

 effort. The very best thing that can be done, is to let 

 the animal alone until the attack is over, when writers on 

 Materia Medica tell us improvement is perceptible. I 

 wish it was so in dogs. I have beheld the physiological 

 effect of nux vomica repeatedly, but cannot recollect 

 many instances in which I could date amendment from 

 its appearance. 



The following is the formula for the pill recently 

 alluded to : — 



Potash Two to seven grains. 



Extract of hyoscyamus . Half a grain to four grains. 



Quassia powder . . . Three to sixteen grains. 



Nnx vomica .... A quarter of a grain to two grains. 



Extract of gentian . . A sufficiency. 



The above quantities are sufficient for one pill, four of 

 which are to be given daily for a week, at the expiration 

 of which period the increase may begin. If the above, 

 after a fair test has been made of it, does not succeed. 



