Fleas, more especially in warm weather, are the bane of a dog's existence, and only the most constant care and watchfulness can insure protection from this unmitigated nuisance.

There are literally two species of this parasite; the common-flea (palex irritans). and the sand-flea pulex penetrans). The former bites, producing papules or wheals; the latter bores into the skin, causing inflammation.

The sand-fleas, as the name implies, are common in sandy districts, and are very difficult to combat. Even when entirely removed, they are quite certain to return. Kennels infected, if situated in the sand, should be moved to a foundation of black earth. If that is impossible, earth should be drawn and the floors and ground surrounding be covered with it, then insect powder be blown freely into every crack and crevice, and rubbed well into the dogs; this will drive them away for a time, but the method must be repeated or they will return.

The eommon-flea needs much the same continued effort to suppress him. Grooming, combing, and washing will do much, but generally other means must be employed.

Whale oil is an effectual remedy but its use is an abomination; it must be thoroughly rubbed into the hair of the animal, from tip to tip, and allowed to remain on, some hours at least, during which time he must be kept in a warm room, as there is great danger of taking cold; then eggs may be used as a champoo and washed off, or soap and water alone, followed by a persistent combing, and after all a hard run be given.

Quassia daps boiled to a strong infusion, or in the form of tincture, when sponged on freely, will be found efficacious. Carbolic add and soaps incorporated with the same are excellent, but must be used cautiously, or poison from absorption may result; a mixture of carbolic acid, two drachms of the crystals to a pint of water, is sufficiently strong. The phenol sodique is preferable to carbolic acid, as there is little danger of poisonous absorption, and may be used diluted with the same quantity of water.

The sulphuret of lime used with such success in Belgium for the itch, acts quite well as a cure of vermin; a weak solution of it can be made by boiling together the flowers of sulphur two pounds, unslaked lime one pound, water two gallons; slack the lime first then add the sulphur slowly, stir, ring well, and finally boil down to one gallon. Let the mixture cool and precipitate, then pour off the clear fluid and apply it freely to the hair of the dog, allowing it to dry on.

Balsam peru is an agent which has been, in times passed, much valued in parasitic troubles. Its efficacy, is unquestioned, but it is rather too expensive for general use.

Kerosene and crude petroleum are used advantageously in many kennels, the method employed being, to dip a comb into the oils and pass it persistently through the hair, being careful that little or none reaches the skin, which is likely to become irritated thereby.

Insect powder is an excellent remedy, and can be economically used, by laying the dog on a paper while being robbed.

Lice and wood-ticks demand much the same treatment that fleas do, the preference being given to petroleum oil A strong infusion of the seeds of the stavesacre is a sure remedy, but they are not easy to procure. Many authors advise the use of mercury in some form, the white precipitate the more common. It should not be employed until all the simpler remedies hare railed, and then be used with great caution, the dog being securely inuzzted.

Where vermin have become troublesome, the kennels should be thoroughly cleaned, bedding destroyed, and sulphur burned, after which, all parts should be faithfully whitewashed.

The continued scratching of animals causes eczema which must be treated, after the vermin is removed, with external applications of cod-liver oil, sulphur and lard, or phenol sodique, and possibly the employment of the usual mange remedies will be demanded.

Straw bedding invites the lodgment of fleas and their removal from it is exceedingly difficult. The comfort of dogs, occupying cold kennels in winter, demands its use, and during that season the spirit of turpentine sprinkled freely about the apartment and over the bedding will do much to lessen the evil. In summer fine shavings afford a comfortable bed, and if frequently renewed, fleas will be much less annoying. Painting the walls with kerosene oil is a practice followed by some, from which good results invariably follow.