96 KENNEL DISEASES. 
of each half an ounce, and sprinkle about half a teaspoonful of the mixture over 
the meat at each feeding. 
A purely meat diet under ordinary conditions has penalties, and were it given 
a healthy dog continuously, possibly his blood would become what might without 
impropriety be called inflammable, and he have “breakings out” in the form of 
pimples, pustules, or “raw” patches. But this accident is not likely to occur if 
the health is much impaired, and especially if there is chronic indigestion. In 
truth, a diet made up largely of meat is, as a rule, one of the first essentials in cases 
of non-contagious skin diseases of long standing. Nor in any event can meat do 
harm, even when fed alone and in generous quantities, provided sufficient exercise 
in pure air is allowed; and, as a matter of fact, beyond its action in this direction, 
ample exercise is one of the most potent measures curative of chronic indigestion. 
If at any time the appetite is entirely wanting, unless the dog is decidedly . 
poor in general health, it is always advisable to either withhold the food entirely 
for forty-eight hours, or even longer, or give only a little milk now and then, say 
once in four or five hours. 
In case of vomiting the treatment should be largely dietetic. Milk and lime- 
water, in proportion of three parts of the former to one of the latter, is one of 
the best combinations for use; for it is not merely a nourishment, but allays gas- 
tric and intestinal irritability. It should be given in small quantities at fre- 
quent intervals at first; then the allowance be more generous as the trouble 
abates; and very generally it will prove all sufficient in the way of treatment. 
A foul breath may be accepted as evidence that there is acute indigestion as 
well as the old trouble, and the laxative and associate treatment advised for 
the former trouble should be administered. 
Raw meat chopped fine, and its digestion made easier by means of bismuth 
and pepsin, will almost always be kindly received by the stomach; and if so it may 
be persisted in for a long time. But still monotony in diet should not continue 
long after a varied one will be as acceptable. Therefore if the raw meat should 
prove objectionable, or if it has acted well and decided improvement warrants a 
change, one may be instituted ; but it must be gradual. To slightly broil the 
meat and mix with it a little well-boiled rice is the first step. Then, instead of 
the rice, stale bread may be used. Finely chopped greens that have been well 
boiled, as spinach, are the next additions which suggest themselves. These well 
disposed of, cautious experiments may be made, and the foods that are found to 
be well borne can, of course, be safely allowed, 
As stated, the dietetic treatment is of the first importance in chronic indiges- 
tion ; and when this is judicious, beyond, possibly, the use of bismuth and pepsin, 
no other medication will in many cases be required. In some, however, in 
which the general health is poor and there is eczema or other trouble associated, 
it will be advisable to give a tonic. All things considered, the tincture of nux 
vomica is the best. 
