76 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



Puppies are said to be exceedingly liable to colic, but I 

 have failed to find it so, except occasionally when they are 

 sucking ; attention to the mother's diet will generally be found 

 the most effectual means of preventing its recurrence, with a 

 dose or two of carbonate of soda. 



I question whether any but the most experienced would 

 easily recognize a colicky puppy three or four weeks old, not 

 to mention a more infantile age. 



ENTERITIS, 



Or infiammation of the bowels, is a disease to which dogs, 

 from its ordinary causes, are fortunately not very subject. 

 Enteritis is rarely confined to one tissue, both peritoneal, 

 muscular, and mucous are generally involved in the inflam- 

 matory process. The latter is, however, in all instances more 

 particularly the seat of inflammation, and from the rapidity 

 of its course seldom gives time for the others to be equally 

 involved. 



Causes. — Protracted colic, exposure to damp and cold, es- 

 pecially from lying on the earth or wet floor, intestinal ob- 

 struction from faeces, foreign bodies, strangulation, or intus- 

 susception, local irritation, or irritant poisons. 



Symptoms. — It is highly essential, in enteritis, that the 

 practitioner should arrive at a correct diagnosis : in other 

 words, that he should be able to distinguisli it from other 

 affections resembling it, more especially colic, witli which it is 

 nost likely to be confounded. The usual cordials and stim- 

 ulants given in the latter affection, would be adding fuel to 

 fire in enteritis, and speedily effect a fatal termination. 



The pain in enteritis is continuous and extremely severe, and 

 pressure to the abdomen greatly aggravates it. In colic the 

 pain is intermittent, and pressure or friction to the abdomen 

 affords considerable relief. 



