FEACTUBB OF RIBS— ROUND-WOBMS. 121 



ribs. The ribs should be bandaged rather tightly, to prevent 

 undue expansion of the ohest-walla, and this ■vriU generally effect a 

 cure. If, however, the lungs are injured, then such complications 

 as pneumonia or pleurisy may arise. A mild aperient is always 

 beneficial. 



BiICKBTS (Rachitis).— Pups the offspring of an enfeebled 

 dam yielding an iusuificient supply of milk, and that of poor quaUty, 

 or those which from any cause are iU-fed and neglected, or kept in 

 close, ill-ventilated places, without a chance of fresh air and needful 

 exercise, suffer from mis-shapen Umbs, thick joints, and other de- 

 formities. These are caused by the bones being imperfectly de- 

 veloped, the food and other conditions on which the pup is reared not 

 yielding the constituents necessary to give them the required hard- 

 ness to enable them to perform their proper functions. This con- 

 dition is known as rickets, and the cause being plain the treatment 

 is evident. 



Continuous consanguineous or in-and-in-breeding should be 

 avoided, as one cause of rickets. Do not attempt to rear a pup on 

 a weakly, unhealthy mother, but if the breed is desired, procure for 

 the pups a foster-mother of undoubted health and stamina. Let 

 the nest be ui a warm, aiiy place, and as soon as the pupa are 

 able to leave, give them plenty of room, fresh air, warmth and sun- 

 shine, and insure thorough cleanliness of the place in which they 

 are kept. When old enough to eat, let their diet be light, nourish- 

 ing, and digestible, a portion of it flesh, cooked or raw. 



In cases where rickets already exist, attend to the above sugges- 

 tions. Let a considerable portion of the diet consist of good milk, 

 to which add a little lime-water, say a tablespoonful to every 

 quarter pint, and give in the food small doses of cod Uver oil twice a 

 day for some months. Phosphate of calcium in doses of lOgr. to 

 20gr. twice a day is very useful, as is also Parrish's Chemical Food. 



RUTGWOKiM is due to a vegetable parasite [Tinea tonsurans). 

 It appears in circular, scaly patches, and is very contagious. It 

 is commonest in dirty, damp kennels, and may be communicated to 

 the dog by a child suffering from it. A little of the ointment of 

 iodide of iron, rubbed in twice a day ; or yellow oxide of mercury 

 15gr., and benzoated lard loz. ; or oleate of copper 1 part and lard 

 4 parts, win effect a cure. 



EOTTWD-WOBMS.- Sea Woems. 



