INDIGESTION. 491 



enough, or, indeed, sometimes loaded with fat (adipose matter). 

 Such a state of things never occurs to a dog properly reared and 

 afterwards well managed, being confined to those which are either 

 fed on improper food, or allowed too much of it, or which are not 

 allowed exercise enough ; or, as is too frequently the case, which 

 are submitted to all three of these causes. The treatment is simple 

 enough, it being only necessary, except in very old-standing cases, 

 to adopt the proper rules for feeding, exercise, &c, which are laid 

 down at page 275 et seq., and nature asserts her supremacy, 

 rapidly getting the victory over disease. In no animal are the 

 ups and downs so rapid as in the dog, who gets fat and lean in a 

 week ; and certainly there are few which will bear with impunity 

 the liberties which are taken with him. If moderate starvation 

 (sometimes, at first, entire, in order to make the pampered dog 

 take food which is fit for him) does not soon restore the stomach', 

 care must be taken that the liver is acting properly, the faeces 

 being watched to see if they are of a proper colour ; and, if not, 

 small doses of calomel or blue bill will be required : ( 1 ), (2), or 

 (13). If, on the contrary, the liver acts properly, yet the stomach 

 is out of order, recourse may be had to the stomachic bolus (59), 

 or the draught (60), which will very seldom fail, if aided by 

 proper management. It should, however, never be forgotten, that 

 medicine is of no use, unless, at the same time, the diet is attended 

 to, and sufficient exercise given. In cases of indigestion it is par- 

 ticularly necessary to change the food every third or fourth day, 

 for the stomach is often so fitful that what will agree with it once 

 or twice will afterwards be almost sure to disagree. 



