I am making no pretence of entering upon a learned disquisition on the many diseases to which canine flesh is heir, but I propose to set down a few observations upon the commonest ailments, and to indicate simple forms of treatment. It is almost worth having sickness in one's kennel in order to value the increased sympathy and attachment that spring up between master and patient. A dog is a sensitive, highly-strung organism, capable of appreciating to the full any affection that may be bestowed upon him. A good home nurse is sure to succeed with dogs, for the common sense of the sickroom may with advantage be carried to the canine hospital. The more they are treated like human beings the better chance has one of success. Half the battle consists in being able to anticipate illness by detecting the early signs of ailing. This is not a difficult matter if you study your dogs with care, so that you may notice at once the dull eye, the listlessness of demeanour, and the disinclination to take food with as much zest as on ordinary occasions. It may not be as easy to diagnose the complaint, but whatever may be wrong you cannot do harm by guarding against chills and taking immediate precautions to minimise the trouble that may be coming. Time after time I have had forced upon me by sad experience the folly of neglecting incipient warnings, especially in the case of young stock liable to fall with distemper. You may have no reason for suspecting the presence of this dread disease, and you come to the conclusion that nothing worse than a slight chill is the matter, with the result that you are in the middle of a pronounced attack before you know where you are, and you begin to wonder how many graves will have to be sunk.

A clinical thermometer is an essential part of one's kennel equipment, as there is no safer guide to the variations in a dog's health. The best way of taking the temperature is in the rectum, the normal ranging from 101° to 101.5°, while in the mouth it will be about 2° lower. Puppies will be 1° higher, and it has been noted that individuals vary, but you must suspect something wrong if the temperature falls below 99° or rises above 103° in the rectum. The pulse of an adult, which will best be taken in the groin, ranges from 70 to 90 beats per minute, in puppies under three months from 120 to 140, from the sixth to the ninth month from 90 to 110. It is a good plan to accustom yourself to the pulse of a healthy dog, and to the heart and chest sounds by auscultation and percussion, as only by these means are you able to detect readily variations from the normal.

Eczema

Eczema is a common and troublesome complaint from which pure-bred dogs suffer to an alarming extent. It may be caused by lack of exercise, over-feeding, insufficiency of meat in the diet, worms, etc. Mild cases, manifested by a redness of the skin, or by small sore patches, may frequently be checked in the beginning by treatment with carbolic lotion, or dressing with an ointment made of veterinary vaseline and flowers of sulphur.

A little sulphur may be added to the food with advantage, and I have found a Blaud's iron pill given once a day an admirable blood tonic. In bad cases commence the treatment by giving an ounce of Epsom salts dissolved in four ounces of water, for big dogs, and slightly under half an ounce for terriers. Dip the patient in a mild bath of carbolic or Jeyes' fluid, and then dress thoroughly with the following, at intervals of several days: linseed oil, 1 pint; oil of tar, 2 ounces; cocoa-nut oil, 1/2 pint; flowers of sulphur, 4 ounces. Mix thoroughly and warm before using. It is messy but effectual.

Sarcoptic And Follicular Mange

The two kinds of mange, sarcoptic and follicular, are caused by parasites. The sarcoptic, which is the commoner, is highly contagious, as the parasites live mainly on the surface of the skin. For this reason it is more readily cured. The irritation is constant, and the hair falls off rapidly in patches. The sulphur dressing recommended for eczema may be employed with advantage, the whole of the body being well saturated. The kennels require a thorough fumigating with burning sulphur, and must be well washed down with a strong disinfectant, and all woodwork lime-washed. Follicular mange is caused by the parasite burrowing into the skin, and it is almost incurable. Unless the dog is of considerable value it is scarcely worth while trying to cure him. Fortunately it is not nearly as contagious as the other form, other dogs frequently coming in contact with the patient without contracting the complaint. Common sense, however, suggests the complete isolation of a sufferer. The head is usually the first place attacked, little bare patches appearing with the skin thickened. Pimples filled with pus are noticed, and the skin assumes a bluish colour. You will observe that the dog has a habit of shaking himself instead of scratching, as in the case of sarcoptic mange. If you are unlucky enough to get a visitation of this wretched disease you cannot do better than call in a vet.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is almost sure to appear in the kennels at some time or other, and it is as well to seek the cause at once. A chill may be responsible, worms will do the mischief in puppies, or your man may not pay sufficient attention to the cleanliness of the feeding and drinking utensils, or the cooker. Food has a habit of decomposing in hot weather, and causing a general attack of sickness. It is always best to resort to a dose of castor oil first, with the object of getting rid of any irritant. Then, in all probability, carbonate of bismuth, in doses varying from five to fifteen grains, three times a day, will effect a cure. Sometimes this is not sufficient, and you have to fall back upon careful dieting on slops, mainly of arrow-root. In bad cases I have used dry corn-flour mixed with brandy with good results. If there is much pain, opiates are called for, such as ten to fifteen drops of laudanum in castor oil. Three drops may be given to medium-sized puppies four weeks old. Colic may be treated in the same manner, and if the castor oil does not promote action of the bowels an enema of boiled starch and a few drops of laudanum should be tried. This is useful, too, in bad diarrhoea, as having a soothing effect.

Epileptic Fits

Epileptic Fits need no description, so easily recognisable are they. At such times the dog is not responsible for his actions, and precautions must be taken to ensure that be does not bite the attendant when recovering. A prolonged treatment of bromide is indicated, ten grains of bromide of strontium being administered three times daily with the food for a month, and then twice daily for several months. I have seen it suggested that these fits may be caused by auricular mange, the acarus being found in the chocolate-coloured discharge deep-seated in the ear. Get a mixture of olive oil, 100 parts; naphthol, 10 parts; ether, 30 parts, and inject once a day, holding the folds of the ear for a few minutes in order that it may take full effect.

For canker in the ear wash out with some mild disinfectant, and then blow in white oxide of zinc twice daily.

Wounds should be bathed with mild antiseptics, stitches frequently having to be inserted in the case of severe laceration.