224 KENNEL DISEASES. 
The chloral hydrate mixture can be used instead of the ether, or with it. 
When made up in the proportion advised, each tablespoonful of it contains thirty 
grains of the chloral hydrate; and that quantity is sufficient for injection for 
any dog of medium or large size; while one-half of it, or two teaspoonfuls, 
would be about right for dogs about the size of fox-terriers, and one teaspoon- 
ful for toys. 
If the glass syringe to be used holds more than the quantity of the mixture 
that is to be given, first draw up with it the proper dose of the medicine, and 
then enough water to fill the syringe. Enter the tip of the syringe into the 
rectum, force it up as far as it will go easily, and then gently press the piston. 
When all has been injected, quickly withdraw the end of the syringe, and stop 
the passage into the bowels with the “flat of the thumb,” keeping the same 
in place for at least ten minutes. Thus expulsion of the medicine from the. 
bowel will be prevented. 
If in the course of fifteen minutes the spasms are very evidently subsiding, a 
delay of perhaps five minutes would be justifiable ; then, if they have not ceased 
altogether, or seem quite certain to do so within a few minutes, another like 
injection of the chloral hydrate mixture should be administered, and be repeated 
every fifteen or twenty minutes as long as the convulsions last. 
In strychnia poisoning, if nothing be done, the spasms are likely to keep up 
for several hours, and until ended by death; orif stopped by treatment, for a time 
they are liable to return if the same be at once discontinued. The chloral hydrate 
mixture should be given every fifteen minutes until the convulsions have ceased, 
also, frequently, a few whiffs of ether if the chloral mixture fails to act speedily; 
and these measures be again resorted to in event the spasms threaten to return. 
As soon as an attack of convulsions is over, and the victim is nearly or quite 
recovered from its effects, every effort should be made to discover the cause, 
when of course appropriate treatment must be applied. For instance, if the 
cause is a too heavy drain from suckling large litters, the pups should be per- 
manently withdrawn, and the mother liberally fed, also strengthened with tonics; 
and so on with each cause. In no small proportion of cases, however, there 
will be decided doubts as to its identity; in which event it will be advisable to 
assume that the trouble is worms, and administer the essential remedies. 
Cases of epilepsy, — that is, cases in which the convulsive attacks are habitual 
and recur at intervals — are fortunately very rare among dogs, for a cure would 
scarcely be possible. 
When a dog has a convulsive tendency which seems assignable only to ex- 
treme nervousness, a generous diet and hard work is indicated. As for medicinal 
treatment for such, the bromide of potassium is generally recommended by 
writers. Its beneficial effect has, however, been greatly overestimated; and 
although it can scarcely do any harm, the chances of its doing good are very 
small indeed. 
