INDIOESTIOH. 76 



I. 



INDIGESTION (DyapepBia).— In this diBease the food 

 taken into the stomach is not digested or made fit for the nourish- 

 ment of the body, showing that the stomach, from some cause or 

 other, has altogether or partially lost its power of performing its most 

 important office. This state of things is brought about in various 

 ways, such as by want of exercise, improper food, or the giving of 

 food irregularly. An over-plentiful meal after a too prolonged fast 

 will bring it on ; but the c^use or causes must be of some standing 

 to produce a serious attack. The symptoms of indigestion are a 

 vitiated appetite, the dog turning up his nose at wholesome food, or 

 eating it mincingly and slobbering it about, and giving a preference 

 to filth and garbage. Flatulence is often an accompaniment of 

 indigestion. There is generally considerable thirst, and the disorder 

 is often attended with vomiting. When of long standing, the gums 

 become inflamed (they should be bathed frequently with a weak 

 solution of Condy's Fluid) and the breath is foul and offensive. 



Indigestion is the cause of many other forms of disease, which 

 surely f oUow neglected cases — derangement of the bowels is almost 

 inseparable from it. Attacks of diarrhoea occur, sometimes alternat- 

 ing with fits of constipation ; or confirmed constipation may exist. 

 Sometimes the dog becomes excessively fat, and suffers from asthma 

 and asthmatic cough. As a secondary symptom skin disease, in one 

 form or other, often occurs. During the attack the dog's temper is 

 generally fitful and snappish. In treating for indigestion the most 

 important thing is to remove the probable cause or causes. Give a 

 sufficiency only of plain, wholesome food, and keep withia the dog's 

 reach a supply of clean, fresh water. Remedies must be administeied 

 according to existing circumstances — diarrhoea, for instance, being 

 treated as recommended under that head. The main object, 

 however, must not be lost sight of — namely, to give tone to the 

 stomach and bring that organ back to a proper discharge of its 

 functions. To this end give to a 20lb. dog a compound rhubarb pill 

 every night for a week. When the bowels have been freely acted 

 upon, give the following twice a day until health is restored : 



Stomachic Bolus. — Take powdered rhubarb, Iscr. ; powdered ginger, 

 lacr. J extract of gentian, 4ser. Mix, and divide into twenty-four 

 pills. Dose for a 201b. dog, one twice a day. 



If there is much flatulence, give dry upon the tongue, 5gr. to 16gr. 

 of carbonate of bismuth, three times a day ; or bicarbonate of soda 

 6gr. to 30gr. ; tincture of nux vomica 5 to 20 drops ; tincture of 

 ginger 10 to 60 drops in water twice a day. Add • little lime water 



