General Management. 5 



give bones after a meal ; otherwise, when hungry, they are 

 apt to eat as much of the bone as possible, to their own 

 injury; as portions may get lodged in the oesophagus, and 

 give rise to asphyxia, or, from being too hard to digest 

 cause gastric or intestinal irritation. 



Biscuits. — The example set by Spratt, of old, has been 

 followed by others, and at the present time we have 

 numerous canine biscuit manufacturers ; but of the various 

 kinds offered for sale none appear to have risen in public 

 estimation to the extent of " Spratt's Patent." After an 

 inspection of their works, the system adopted, and materials 

 used, this appreciation is not difficult to understand. The 

 biscuits are prepared with careful selection and adjustment, 

 and abound in nutrient bone and flesh forming elements. 



The recent introduction of a fish biscuit by the same 

 firm is also likely to prove a boon to the canine fancy. 

 Fish is an exceedingly nutritious food, forming an agree- 

 able change in the diet, and to those unable to procure a 

 sufficiency of fresh fish, a biscuit so constituted will be 

 most acceptable. I should add that I have given the latter 

 an extended trial with my own dogs and hospital patients 

 and the results have been pleasing. Spratt's cod-liver oil 

 biscuit is now well known. In cases of, debility, light- 

 feeding and delicate dogs, they are of especial service. 

 Cod-liver oil is a highly nutritive and reparative agent ; it 

 builds up and improves the muscular and fatty tissues, and 

 imparts tone to the digestive organs. Highly bred dogs 

 (especially if tainted with the results of consanguinity) 

 derive great benefit from cod-liver oil : its rapid assimila- 

 tion renders it particularly valuable in nervous disorders 

 and dyspeptic conditions. A biscuit, therefore, containing 

 such an agent should find favour with members of the 

 canine fancy as wqll as professional men. 



A dog should never be induced to eat against its will, 

 except under circumstances which will be named when con- 

 sidering diseases. Many are the dogs I have had sent me 



