ASCARIS MARGINATA. 337 
tic; and although a few breeders of wide experience are prejudiced against 
castor-oil, there is really nothing better for mature dogs and puppies after the 
third or fourth month; while for younger puppies sweet-oil is quite active 
enough. . 
Previous to administering worm-medicine, food should be withheld for as 
long a period as safe, that the intestinal canal may be well emptied, and the 
drug come in direct and as close contact as possible with the worms. Where 
the puppies to be treated are nursing, an interval of two or three hours must 
suffice. If the patients have recently passed the fourth month, a light supper 
of milk, the vermifuge early the next morning, oil an hour later, and break- 
fast about an hour or two after that, may be the rule. 
Paralysis caused by worms may properly be alluded to here. 
It is a very serious condition, and while in some cases recovery occurs, 
such fortunate result is not common, even under the very best of treatment. 
Obviously the first essential is the removal of the cause — expulsion of the 
worms. That effected, in occasional instances the paralysis will speedily dis- 
appear; but if some improvement is not soon manifested, the outlook is far 
from encouraging. 
The victim should be well nourished, with casily digestible food; and if 
he is losing flesh, cod-liver oil ought to be given. 
It is an open question whether he should be confined to a very limited space 
or allowed to try to drag himself about. Experience teaches that the former 
course is the wisest, because of the irritability of the affected nerves; therefore 
for at least ten days he should be kept in a barrel or small, deep box. 
After close confinement for about that length of time, he ought to be lifted 
out and encouraged to try to walk. If improvement is not plainly evident, a 
perfect rest of another week in his barrel or box would be advisable. Then 
he should be put into roomy quarters, and have a bed on the floor, that he may 
move about as he likes. 
If there has not been any considerable gain, the usual treatment for paralysis 
should now be applied ; but the chances of success will be few indeed. 
