62 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 
draught will usually effect a cure. Or again, if the animal 
has been kept on one kind of food for a considerable period, 
giyen in excess, and that kind has been either too stimu- 
lating, or innutritious and indigestible, a correction and 
modification must be observed. 
lf owing to imperfect mastication, from the presence of 
loose, broken, or decayed teeth, their removal is indicated. 
Where we have reason to believe the ailment is due to 
deficiency in the biliary, gastric, or salivary secretion— 
which the stools, being of a clay colour, dry in consistency, 
and containing undigested matter, will denote, care should 
be taken that the meal is not excessive, the water not 
stinted, and the food plain and easy of digestion. 
Constipation may be relieved in the first instance by a 
dose of castor-oil, followed, if necessary, with enemas, 
Diarrhcea generally proceeds from the presence of undi- 
gested matter in the intestinal tract, and castor oil is here 
also applicable. Acrid eructations and flatulency are best 
treated with small doses of bicarbonate of soda and char- 
coal, ten grains of the former and one scruple of the latter, 
given in a little water or made into a bolus, administered 
after meals. 
Indigestion usually requires a moderate and plain diet: 
‘lime-water and milk, with simple buscuit or bread, form the 
‘most suitable, until the digestive organs have assumed a 
‘healthy tone. Fatty and, as a rule, vegetable matters 
‘should be for a time avoided. Exceptional cases are those 
arising from general debility. In such the food must be 
nourishing, and small doses: of ferri and cod-liver oil will 
materially assist in restoring the animal to a healthy condi- 
tion. Daily exercise should be insisted on. 
VOMITING. 
The stomach of the dog is peculiarly liable to reflex 
peristaltic action. Vomition. in this ‘animal is perhaps more 
