In no one disease perhaps is this more noticeable than when a dog is attacked with colic. Usually powerful cathartics are repeatedly administered, greatly to the discomfort and often to the serious harm of the patient. Colic may be a disease of it-self, as in case of an accumulation of gas in the intestines; or it may be a symptom of much graver trouble, as in case of stoppage. In neither case is it advisable to give a powerful cathartic, as in most cases its action will, for a short time at least, add to the pain by increasing the pressure at the seat of the trouble. The suddenness of the attack and the appearance of distress, manifested by arched back, swelled abdomen and cries of pain, are symptoms of colic that are at once recognized. The evident distress of the poor animal forcibly appeals to us for immediate action. We should at once take the proper measures to relieve him. The first thing to do is to give him a copious injection of blood-warm soap suds, in order to induce action of the bowels; then he should have a tablespoon-ful of sweet oil mixed with ten to twelve drops of laudanum.

Prepare a dish of hot, strong mustard water, dip in it a large piece of flannel, and then wring so that it will not drip. Apply it to the seat of the pain, renewing the hot application every few minutes. This can be best done when the dog is lying down on one side or nearly on his back, in which position he may be held by an attendant. Meantime you should, when you can spare a moment from other duties, devote the time to gently and rapidly patting or slapping his abdomen with the hands, beginning just above the apparent seat of the trouble, and quickly working backward to the rear, alternating this treatment with gentle friction or rubbing; bearing in mind that you must always rub from front to rear, and never in any other direction.

It is a good plan to repeat the injection of warm soap suds at the expiration of fifteen or twenty minutes, whether the first one operated or not. If the pain does not appear to subside, the laudanum should again be given in a teaspoonful of sweet oil. If improvement does not take place within a short time, you should send for a veterinarian or your family physician, as something more serious than an ordinary attack of colic may be the cause of the trouble.

Many years ago, while shooting upon the mountains of Pennsylvania, the dog of my companion was taken with a severe attack of colic. Laying the animal down upon the ground on his back, he requested me to hold him in position, while he began rapidly but lightly to slap and rub the poor animal's abdomen. He continued for some fifteen minutes, when the sharp cries of pain gradually subsided, the tense muscles relaxed, and at the end of an hour the dog was apparently as well as ever.

Since that time, in cases of emergency, when other remedies were not at hand, I have successfully practiced this method upon myself and companions, as well as my dogs.