62 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



with retching, vomiting, and constipation. A dry, husky- 

 cough (hence the term) is usually present, and is accompanied, 

 as the malady proceeds, by a frothy tenacious expectoration, 

 which the animal struggles to free itself from. Unless 

 checked the catarrh extends to the intestines, giving rise to a 

 violent form of diarrhoea, followed by rapid emaciation and 

 death. 



Treatment. — The affection generally yields soonest to 

 tonics combined with opiates.* The following pill I have 

 found most serviceable : 



Opium I to 3 grains, in proportion to the dog's size. 



Ferri Sulph. . ..5 to 10 grains, ditto. 



One to be given twice daily. 



In protracted cases I prescribe the nux vomica, in com- 

 bination with iron, and find it attended with excellent results. 



When the abdominal pain is severe, counter-irritation or 

 hot linseed-meal poultices to the region of the stomach afford 

 great relief. 



Constipation is best removed with salad oil and enemas. 

 Ordinary purgatives are injurious and dangerous. 



The food should consist of mucilaginous liquids, owing to 

 the sensitive condition of the stomach. Solid and indigest- 

 ible matters are very prejudicial. Milk, rendered alkaline 

 with lime-water, should be given the patient to lap, in lieu of 

 plain water. Exposure to cold and damp must be avoided, 

 and the return to ordinary food and life gradually introduced 

 as convalescence advances. 



When the intestines become involved and diarrhoea sets 

 in, much care will be required to prevent a fatal termination, 

 Astringents, combined with opiates, should be used : 



Opium ■) 



TannicAcid..:::::::::::::::.:::.r'''s"'^'"- 



§ Gamgee (" Our Domestic Animals ") prescribes dilute hydrocyanic 

 acid in doses from two to three drops given in water or a little wine ; and 

 he remarks, that in that stage of the disease when considerable prostra- 

 tion is observed, he has seen great good from the occasional administra- 

 tion of wine and spirits of nitric ether. 



