ASCARIS MARGINATA. 331 
that under such happy, cleanly conditions, the little ones would not be infested, 
or if they were, the number of worms would be too small to do great harm. 
But, on the other hand, had the mother several mates, all were kept in ken- 
nels, and the whelping took place in quarters which had been frequented by 
other dogs, it would be far too much to expect that the puppies had escaped 
infection ; and the rule in question could then be properly applied. 
The matter weighed carefully and viewed from all sides, the conclusion 
justifiable is, that worm medicines should not be given to puppies that have 
not reached the eighth week unless symptoms of worms are manifested. Also, 
that instead of dosing all puppies as soon as, or shortly after, they have reached 
that age, exceptions should be made of those born of house pets and kept in 
clean quarters; in whom evidences of worms are never likely to be overlooked, 
since it is necessary to renew the lining of their basket or box several times 
daily, and mucous discharges or worms must be speedily discoved. But where 
puppies are born in kennels, and these signs would scarcely be promptly 
detected, to give a vermifuge soon after the eighth week would probably be 
advisable ; and yet he whose puppies were thriving well and free from all signs 
of the pests, would often be the gainer by waiting another week or two before 
applying the ‘‘ worming treatment.” 
Anticipating trouble from worms, many breeders, as soon as possible after 
weaning, endeavor to accustom their puppies to sour milk, which they feed to 
them two or three times each week. They also frequently put powdered char- 
coal in their food. 
Possibly the milk and charcoal have some destructive effect on worms, — 
indeed it is quite safe to concede it to the former, — but the value of the latter 
as a vermifuge has doubtless been greatly over-estimated, and any dependence 
upon it cannot be encouraged. 
Among the drugs employed against round-worms the fluid extract of pink- 
root and senna and santonin are rightly popular, especially where the patients 
are very young. 
Pinkroot acts as a narcotic on worms, hence the advisability of giving it 
with a cathartic; and combination with senna is a happy one. This remedy 
may be administered two or three times daily for as many days; but unless 
the need seems urgent, it were best to give only one dose daily, and in the 
early morning, before food has been taken, for then the stomach and intestines 
are empty, provided, of course, the pups have been weaned ; and directly upon 
the unprotected worms will be exerted the full toxic action of the drug. 
If given several times daily probably it will purge before the intended 
period of dosing has ended; in which event its use should be at once discon- 
tinued. If, however, it fails to do so, the last dose of this system of treatment 
should be followed, in the course of two hours, by a full dose of castor-oil. 
For puppies of medium size and largest breeds, between four and six weeks 
