UPLAND SHOOTING. 
359 
The habit of worming dogs is, I believe, now entirely out of 
date, as it is entirely useless as a preventive for hydrophobia, 
of which it was ignorantly supposed to prevent the possible 
occurrence. It is an absurd, useless and cruel practice. 
I do not approve of the practice of either cropping, rounding 
or tailing dogs ; but if in compliance with an absurd fashion it 
must be done, and the animal disfigured, and often seriously 
injured—for deafness is a common consequence of cropping— 
the operation should be performed with a pair of sharp, strong 
scissors, and a ligature should be applied to the tail, in order to 
prevent excessive bleeding. 
For the bites of poisonous reptiles, the best remedy is to rub 
the part bitten freely with volatile alcali, and to give to a large 
dog forty drops oft spirits of hartshorn hourly in a teaspoonful 
of sweet oil. 
When these cannot be obtained, rub the wound freely with 
olive oil, close to a wood fire, and give large doses of olive oil 
internally. 
A poultice of the leaves of the broad-leaved plantain, bruised 
and mixed with common salt, I have found useful. 
For sprains, bruises or thorn wounds, hot fomentations of 
infusion of camomile flowers, or vinegar and water, as hot as can 
be endured, and warm poultices, are the best practice. In the 
case of thorn wounds the laceration should be carefully searched 
that no portion of the thorn or splinter remain within it. 
Large cuts or lacerations should be washed carefully with 
tepid water, the lips, if necessary, secured by a stitch or two, 
and the edges brought into contact by strips of adhesive plaster. 
It is a very false idea that the animal’s tongue is the best dres¬ 
sing. Mr. Blaine observes on this point, “ In some instances, I 
am certain, no application can be worse to a wounded dog 
than his own tongue. Whenever dogs are at all inclined to 
foulness, as a tendency to cuticular complaint is called, a sore 
so licked, is sure to become mangy, and to be aggravated by the 
licking.” 
I shall conclude this branch of my subject, as I commenced 
