Part 37

Powdered chalk 3 drams Aromatic confection (powder) 2 ” Powdered gum acacia 1 dram Tinct. opium 1 oz. Oil cassia 8 drops Tinct. catechu 3 drams Sp. sal volatile 2 ” Water sufficient to make 8 oz.

Dose for a young puppy of the small breeds, ½ teaspoonful; 1 teaspoonful for puppies of the large breeds, and 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls for grown dogs, according to size of the breed. Repeat every three or four hours till relief is obtained or till purging ceases.

DISTEMPER.

There are three kinds of distemper, viz., of the head, of the lungs, and of the bowels. Good nursing is nine points out of ten for conquering this fell disease.

SYMPTOMS.—Mucous discharge from eyes or nose, or both, dry, hacking cough, general lassitude, diarrhea of very offensive odor.

Do not try to treat the patient, for, unless you are an M.D. or have had a long experience with the disease, you will probably make a sorry mess of it. Until a veterinarian arrives, keep the patient quiet, warm, out of all draft, feeding only beef-tea with brandy added. Do not give solid food under any circumstances. Bear always in mind that this disease is most contagious, and, to prevent it from spreading, the patient should be quarantined from all other dogs, the farther off the better.

Dr. T. G. Sherwood, a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgery, 127 West Thirty-seventh Street, New York, inoculated four of the author’s dogs, and the result was satisfactory beyond all expectation, as other dogs not so treated quickly succumbed to the disease.

As distemper is about equivalent to pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs in human beings, the reader will readily understand how useless it would be for a layman to try to treat these diseases.

FEVER MIXTURE.

Powdered nitre 1 dram Sweet sp. nitre ½ oz. Mindererus spirits 1½ ” Wine antimony 1 dram Water (distilled) 4 oz.

Dose for 25-pound dog, 1 tablespoonful every four hours in a little gruel.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS.

The main causes of this affection are irregular, improper, or stale diet, irritation caused by some hard, indigestible substance in the stomach, exposure to cold or wet, and a blow, such as a kick.

SYMPTOMS.—Feverishness, nose hot and dry, shivering, distended belly, and scanty or highly colored urine. As this sickness needs scientific treatment, call in a veterinarian at once. If, however, you desire to try to relieve the dog awaiting his advent, proceed at once to give injections of thin oatmeal gruel or soap and lukewarm water, each containing about one ounce of castor-oil. Continue these injections every fifteen minutes till relief is given. The utmost gentleness must be used in this procedure, the patient being coaxed to rest on its side while the injections are being administered.

In order to prevent a recurrence of the trouble, give the Mild Purgative No. 1, and after the danger is past, then Tonic Pills No. 1. (See Colic.)

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.

Use Fever Mixture, preceded by Mild Purgative No. 1.

LOTION FOR EYES.

Extract belladonna ½ dram Rose-water 4 oz. Wine opium 2 drams

℞ and use as a lotion.

In affections of long standing use:

Sulphite of zinc 12 grains Tinct. belladonna 1 dram Wine opium 2 drams Rose-water 4 oz.

℞ and use as a lotion.

LOTION FOR SORE FEET.

Tinct. arnica ½ oz. ” matico ½ ” ” opium 1 ” Acetic acid ½ ”

Mix with 1 quart distilled water and apply freely.

Where inflammation is very great and the feet are swollen, first apply a poultice of bran and boiled turnips, equal parts.

MANGE.