Dram-drinking Dogs. LII 
without losing a drop of the precious fluid. The march down 
from Brisbane to the Bay—some twelve miles—used to 
distress the pointer severely, and when we arrived at about 
10 o’clock at one of the sandy coves, with its clear water, he 
would plunge in and sit for some time immersed up to his 
neck, taking a drink by absorption through his skin. I never 
saw him touch the water with his tongue; but Carlo would 
go in and drink freely as he swam about, and work all day in 
the heat afterwards, none the worse for a pint of the Pacific 
Ocean in his stomach. No other dog I ever knew or heard 
of would touch salt water even when in the utmost extremity, 
but he so frequently drank it that the practice may be said 
to have been habitual, yet it in no way affected his comfort 
or health. 
Notwithstanding their universal natural reupgnance to 
intoxicating liquors, dogs, like many other animals, may 
have their tastes artificially vitiated, and become confirmed 
dram-drinkers. This was conclusively proved by the- experi- 
ments of French physiologists on the effect of alcoholic 
poisoning. They made habitual drunkards of various animals, 
including domestic fowls, one of which was said to be able 
to take a bottle of wine daily. Personally I have not had 
amy aquaintance with dipsomaniacal dogs, but the following 
cases, given by correspondents of The Country, clearly establish 
their existence: “I have a small toy terrier, upwards of 20 
years of age, which, although partially blind and deaf, is in 
excellent health and active in habit, takes whisky and water 
from a tumbler, wine glass, or teaspoon, with great relish. 
She is also fond of biscuit soaked in brandy and water. The 
spirit was first given to her some years ago, as a remedy 
for rheumatism, apparently with good effect, and she now 
looks regularly for her nightcap of grog before going to bed.” 
The following is somewhat remarkable on account of the 
sudden cessation of an established habit: “ I have in my 
possession a black and tan terrier about 6 or 7 years old. 
When a puppy we gave him with a teaspoon occasional 
