334 KENNEL DISEASES. 
of iron. This is not only quite a potent vermifuge, but an admirable tonic. 
To pups of medium size or largest breeds, and about six weeks old, it may be 
first given in a little milk, in doses of one-half a grain, two or three times 
daily. With fox-terriers and the like, it were better to commence with about 
one-fourth of a grain, and with toys, one-sixth. 
These doses are very small and can properly be increased if the conditions 
are right. When taken in too large doses the iron has an irritant effect upon 
the stomach and intestines; therefore while it is being given the discharges 
from the bowels should be watched. If there is no diarrhea, it can rightly be 
assumed that the dose is not too large, and it will generally be safe to double 
it in the course of four or five days. If, however, the bowels become loose 
at any time, the medicine should be at once withheld. These precautions 
observed, it must prove not only harmless, but beneficial; and under its use, 
weakly, small, and imperfectly-developed pups, eating but little, will often 
take on a fresh impulse, and gain with surprising rapidity. 
But rarely are large quantities of worms suddenly expelled while it is being 
used. They are killed and discharged in small numbers, and may be over- 
looked if due care is not taken. 
In event it has caused diarrhoea, when that trouble has ceased, a return can 
be made to the iron if it has seemed to have otherwise acted well. 
By some who have discussed worms and their treatment in print, the car- 
bonate of iron has been highly recommended as a destroyer. It is an admirable 
tonic, and must improve the general health. It may also give tone to an intes- 
tinal tract that is more or less abnormal because of the presence of worms; but» 
it is not a powerful vermifuge. However, there can be no objection to a trial 
when worms are suspected. At first the doses should be about the same as 
those of the sulphate of iron; and the remedy be mixed with the food. If no 
unpleasant symptoms are produced, they may be gradually increased until they 
are twice, or perhaps three times, the size of the commencing doses. 
Some breeders of wide experience prefer santonin to any other vermifuge, 
and it is certainly efficient, also reasonably safe when properly used. The 
dose for fox-terriers and the like, five or six weeks old, is half a grain; and for 
breeds of medium and largest size, three-fourths of a grain. It should be ad- 
ministered in some fatty or oily matter, and from one-half to one teaspoonful 
of sweet-oil or linseed-oil would be right. The drug should be given an hour 
or more before the first meal of the day, and for two or three mornings, or until 
worms are expelled. Then an interval of several days should be allowed to 
elapse, and the dosing be repeated if thought necessary. 
. When puppies are about three months old it will likely be safe to adminis- 
ter at a dose twice the quantity of santonin that was proper in the fifth or sixth 
week. 
If the bowels do not move freely after santonin has been given for several 
