12 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



NURSING. 



It is, I think, necessary before entering on the general 

 subject of diseases, that I should say a few words about nurs- 

 ing- 



As in human, so in canine practice, good nursing is one 



of the greatest helps the medical attendant can have : indeed, 

 it may almost be said to be indispensable in the treatment of 

 disease. 



Warmth, comfort, cleanliness, pure air, good food, and 

 water, regularity in the administration of medicine where it 

 has to be given, kindness, watchfulness in the progress or 

 abatement of certain symptoms, are all matters requiring the 

 supervision of the nurse. 



In short, the health of the patient is in the majority of 

 cases quite as much in the hands of the nurse as of the pro- 

 fessional attendant, and the fault so often, in all classes of 

 practice, attached to the medical treatment would generally 

 be more correctly placed to the lack of attention on the part 

 of those on whom the general care of the patient devolves. It 

 is always therefore advisable to let the latter know the full 

 extent of his or her responsibility ; and that though the charge 

 is, as they may express it, " but a dog" it is endued with imag- 

 ination, instincts, and thought, has a language of its own, is 

 sensible of neglect, harshness, yea, even cross looks on the 

 part of those ministering to it, and to a degree rarely exhibited 

 in other of the lower animals. 



The two then — the practitioner and nurse — acting in com- 

 bination, and working to. the same end, if they do not reap the 

 desired reward of their labors, have at least the satisfaction 

 of knowing they did their best for the patient under their 

 care. 



