DIARRHEA. . 113 
then, of this character, they are flaked with white or green; and occasionally 
they are of quite a deep green color throughout. At times also they consist 
largely of mucus. In such instances, if the mucus is present during the first day 
or two of an attack, it is largely suggestive of worms as the cause; but if late in 
making its appearance, it is indicative, rather, of irritation or real inflammation 
of the lining membrane of the intestine. 
An attack resulting from mild and transitory cause would scarcely change the 
general condition of a puppy; but did the diarrhcea persist several days, even if 
of simple form, evil effects would likely appear, in languor, impairment of the ap- 
petite, loss of weight, flabbiness of the muscles, and a pallor of the mucous mem- 
brane of the lips and tongue. But to delay until such signs were manifested, 
even were they not very pronounced, would always be hazardous; and to over- 
come the diarrhoea as soon as possible, by good management or use of drugs, 
should be the rule in all cases in which the subjects are quite young. 
If the discharges are of offensive odor or greenish color, or there is pain, the 
bowels should be quickly swept, as it were, with a cathartic; and castor-oil 
appears the best for general use, because it not only removes the irritating 
contents, but has a secondary, soothing action upon the mucous membrane. As- 
suming the puppies to be about five weeks old and toy-terriers, one-half a tea- 
spoonful of this would be near right. For pugs, fox-terriers, and the like, also 
breeds of medium size and the same age, the dose should not be less than a 
teaspoonful. While the largest breeds, provided the puppies are of goodly size 
and hardy, might take nearly twice this quantity. 
The oil administered, the diet should be restricted to milk, the same being 
slightly thickened with flour that has been baked until of a nut-brown color, and 
the whole boiled for several minutes. Or if the discharges are sour smelling, for 
a day or two at least, instead of the flour, it will be well to put into the milk what 
is known as prepared or precipitated chalk. This is a simple and practically 
harmless agent, therefore nice adjustment of doses is not required. The dose 
for puppies of medium or large size breeds, and five or six weeks old, is about 
one-half a teaspoonful ; while one-fourth of a teaspoonful will be suitable for all 
others. And that the medicine may have a decided effect it will be necessary to 
give it as often as every two hours. This hits the feeding-times; but if the dose 
advised is not taken voluntarily in the milk it should be forcibly administered. 
The sourness disappearing and the diarrhcea much improved, a return may be 
made to the flour gruel. If, however, the discharges continue frequent, it will be 
wise to persist in the use of the chalk. 
When there is pain, as indicated by crying or moaning, laudanum should be 
administered as advised in colic, and the first dose be with the castor-oil. Oreven 
if the attack does not seem painful but the discharges are many and watery, the 
laudanum ought to be given in precisely the same way. 
Under the use of flour gruel or chalk, and laudanum, if the diarrhcea does not 
