DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 59 



salivary secretion, vomiting, and occasionally cough. (See 

 " Husk.") 



I'reatment. — The system of feeding generally requires our 

 first attention where the complaint is due to over-feeding, 

 which is frequently the case with toy-dogs. Starvation for a 

 day, followed by a spare diet, and an aperient draught, will 

 usually effect a cure. Or again, if the animal has been kept 

 on one kind of food for a considerable period, given in excess, 

 and that kind has been either too stimulating, or innutritions 

 and indigestible, a correction and modification must be ob- 

 served. 



If 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 defi- 

 ciency in the biliary, gastric, or salivary secretion — which the 

 stools being of a clay color, 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. Diarrhoea 

 generally proceeds from the presence of undigested matter in 

 the intestinal tract, and castor-oil is here also applicable. 

 A'crid eructations and flatulency are best treated with small 

 doses of bicarbonate of soda and charcoal, 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 biscuit 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 ferrj and cod-liver oil will materially assist 

 in restoring the animal to a healthy cgndition, Daily exercise 

 should be insisted on, 



