72. The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 
Treatment.—\ agree with Mr. Youatt that “a dog should 
never be suffered to remain costive more than a couple of 
days,” after the expiration of which we should first of all 
endeavour to remove the impaction with warm-water injec- 
tion. If the fecal matter is considerable and unusually 
hard, the finger, previously oiled, should be gently insinuated, 
and the mass therewith broken down, when, followed by 
the enema, evacuation will generally take place. A mild 
dose of castor-oil may be afterwards administered ; this, 
however, is not often called for, and the frequent use of 
purgatives has a tendency rather to produce than remove 
constipation. 
Diet.—The recurrence of constipation may be avoided by 
judicious feeding. Dogs fed on oatmeal porridge occasion- 
ally mixed with paunch, potatoes, or green vegetables 
rarely suffer from it. Daily exercise, if only for a short 
time, is also essential. 
DIARRHEA, 
Or the profuse evacuation of liquid feeces, is an alvine con- 
dition to which dogs of all ages, but more particularly pup- 
pies, are very liable. 
Causes.—Pre-existing intestinal disease, putrid and indi- 
gestible food, undigested matter, acrid bile, worms, conges- 
tion or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 
bowels; abuse of purgatives, particularly aloes and 
calomel; sudden change of diet, especially from plain to 
rich food; excess of animal matter. Diarrhcea is fre- 
quently associated with distemper; for further information 
regarding this connection, see “ Distemper.” Badly drained 
kennels and accumulation of filth are also fruitful causes, 
Sucking puppies are often affected through the milk being 
too rich and stimulating, and creating acidity. 
Treatment.—The treatment of diarrhcea in its early stage 
is exceedingly simple. A mild dose of castor-oil, to remove 
the irritant, and bland mucilaginous food without solids 
