CONSTIPATION. 123 
and the poisons be absorbed and seriously affect the entire system. Consti- 
pation furnishes another illustration of self-poisoning. Let the refuse be too long 
retained in the upper parts of the large intestine, and not only is its fluid portion 
largely absorbed and taken up by the blood, but there is likely some absorption 
of the poisonous solids as well. And hereby is explained many instances of 
so-called “biliousness,” that are characterized by loss of appetite, foul breath, 
languor, etc., the same being merely cases of self-poisoning attributable to 
imperfect action on the part of the bowels. 
As a rule, the remedy for constipation should be in the feeding-pan. Assum- 
ing that the diet consists principally of meat, substances which furnish a large 
amount of refuse should enter into it in goodly quantity ; and of these such vege- 
tables as cabbages and the so-called greens—spinach, dandelion, nettle-tops, 
beet-tops, and the like —are the most serviceable. Certain breads also act well 
in the same way; the coarse qualities, which contain the bran, tend to prevent 
clogging, keep the bowels active, and assist in the assimilation of other foods. 
On the other hand, the popular “white bread ” made from fine wheat flour favors 
constipation. 
The various meals, as Indian, also have a beneficial action on a sluggish bowel, 
provided always they are not given in excess. Indeed, let a dog affected with 
constipation be fed on, say two parts meat, one part Graham bread, or one of the 
meals, and one part vegetables, unless they are diseased, his bowels should come 
right. But of course it may be necessary to increase or decrease from time to 
time the proportions of these laxative constituents, as their action is deficient or 
excessive. 
Exercise has rightly been termed the “grand eliminator of waste,” and with- 
out it not only the bowels but all other excretory organs are more or less indo- 
lent. Consequently this simple remedy must be applied in goodly amount in 
every case of constipation. 
As implied in the foregoing, dogs should always be well supplied with pure, 
fresh drinking-water, for otherwise not only are their bowels likely to be sluggish, 
but their general health must be impaired. In truth, under the deprivation, nu- 
trition can never be good; the victims invariably lose flesh, fall off in coat, and 
sooner or later suffer from disease, which as a rule first attacks the skin. 
While habitual treatment should consist of dietetic and hygienic measures, 
oftentimes it will be necessary to at once relieve the constipation, and in such 
instances medicines must generally be given. 
Of the many remedies of this nature castor-oil is the most popular. It is 
certainly efficient, but there are some objections to its use except in selected 
cases, and sweet or olive-oil, alone or with an equal quantity of the syrup of 
buckthorn, acts quite as powerfully, and leaves the bowels in rather better con- 
dition. 
The syrup of buckthorn is rightly highly esteemed as a cathartic. Combined 
