36 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



Treatment. — Counterirritants to the affected mus- 

 cles, capsicum linament or mustard, and the appli- 

 cation of the padded pneumonia jacket should be 

 resorted to. The region on each side of the spine 

 should be palpated, and spots tender to pressure 

 should receive smart counterirritation. The patient 

 should receive a saline laxative, such as one to 

 four^ drams of magnesium sulphate, Its head being 

 kept elevated for twenty minutes after its admin- 

 istration to prevent it being vomited, and acetyl 

 salicylic acid in doses of five to fifteen grains. 

 Asperin (acetyl salicylic acid) is far superior to the 

 ordinary salicylates, because it is soluble only in 

 an alkaline medium and it does not cause' the gas- 

 tric disturbances that other salicylates cause. 

 Bryonin, 1-20 to 1-40 grain, every two to six hours, 

 will usually give prompt relief. 



In addition to the medical treatment, the patient 

 must be kept in a warm, dry kennel and not ex- 

 posed to cold or wet. The diet should be of a light 

 and easily digested nature, such as milk, oatmeal 

 porridge, or dog biscuit, while meat should be with- 

 held until the attack is over. 



