62 , The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



draught will usually effect a cure. Or again, if the animal 

 has been kept on one kind of food for a considerable period, 

 given in excess, and that kind has been either too stimu- 

 lating, or innutritious and indigestible, a correction and 

 modification must be observed. 



If owing to imperfect mastication, from the presence of 

 loose, broken, or decayed teeth, their removal is indicated. 

 Where we have reason to believe the ailment is due to 

 deficiency in the biliary, gastric, or salivary secretion — - 

 which the stools, being of a clay colour, dry in consistency, 

 and containing undigested matter, will denote, care should 

 be taken that the meal is not excessive, the water not 

 stinted, and the food plain and easy of digestion. 



Constipation may be relieved in the first instance by a 

 dose of castor-oil, followed, if necessary, with enemas. 

 Diarrhoea generally proceeds from the presence of undi- 

 gested matter in the intestinal tract, and castor oil is here 

 also applicable. Acrid eructations and flatulency are best 

 treated with small doses of bicarbonate of soda and char- 

 coal, ten grains of the former and one scruple of the latter, 

 given in a little water or made into a bolus, administered 

 after meals. 



Indigestion usually requires a moderate and plain diet: 

 lime-water and milk, with simple buscuit or bread, form the 

 most suitable, until the digestive organs have assumed a 

 healthy tone. Fatty and, as a rule, vegetable matters 

 should be for a time avoided. Exceptional cases are those 

 arising from general debility. In such the food must be 

 nourishing, and small doses of ferri and cod-liver oil will 

 materially assist in restoring the animal to a healthy condi- 

 tion. Daily exercise should be insisted on. 



VOMITING. 



The stomach of the dog is peculiarly liable to reflex 

 peristaltic action. Vomition in this animal is perhaps more 



