Wounds of a superficial character that are not too severe can be properly attended to by almost any one. Carefully wash them with tepid water and a soft sponge until they are free from all foreign substances; then leaving them entirely alone if they are so situated that the dog can readily reach them with his tongue, as this member will take better care of the injury than it is possible for you to do. If they are where he cannot reach them, they should be wiped dry with a soft cloth after washing them, and dressed with some simple salve by spreading it over the entire surface of the wound, repeating this once or twice a day, as may be thought necessary, for two or three days, which will be all the care necessary in most cases. When the wound is so extensive as to need stitching together, it is best to call in the services of some one with experience, unless you are competent to perform the operation.

Wounds that are more than skin deep should be thoroughly washed and cleansed from all foreign substances, taking especial care to see that not a single hair is left in the wound, as this is a very common source of trouble. If the wound be serious, it should be drawn together with stitches not too close together - and covered with three or four thicknesses of old linen, and kept constantly wet with water that is moderately cool. In about four days, if the animal is in good health, the stitches should be removed, and the wound dressed with a little iodoform in powder, by sprinkling it over the entire surface and again covering with the wet linen. Of course, if the wound is very serious you should at once call in the services of a veterinarian or physician.

Broken bones and dislocations should never be meddled with by any one not qualified by education and experience to properly attend to them. In case, however, such accidents occur when at a distance from the required aid, you should keep the patient as quiet as possible, and make no attempt to reduce the fracture or dislocation. At once send for the doctor, or, if convenient, carry the patient to him; always bearing in mind that a few hours' waiting will not cause the animal a tithe of the pain that unskilled attempts to relieve him are sure to do. When any accident occurs of so serious a nature that it is impossible to save the life of the animal, it is a mercy to him to at once put an end to his suffering by death. This I know, by sad experience, is one of the most painful duties that can well be imagined, and I sincerely hope that you may never be called upon to part with your loved companion and friend under any such truly heart-rend-incr conditions.

For reasons already given, I shall not attempt to describe the symptoms of many obscure and complicated diseases to which dogs are subject, nor to prescribe remedies, as every serious case of illness should be in charge of some one who is not only thoroughly qualified by education and experience to correctly interpret the symptoms and to prescribe the proper remedies, but able and willing to properly direct the management of his patient as shall best promote his speedy recovery.

In applying to practical use the methods described in these pages, it should be borne in mind that it is not a blind and implicit obedience to rules that will best accomplish intended results so much as an intelligent application of the principles involved. It often occurs, even when the most comprehensive directions are given, that there will be cases in treating which modifications or radical changes are de -manded. Treatment that would be entirely proper in some cases may not be so in others that apparently are precisely similar. It is rare to find two animals whose physical conformation and temperament even approach similarity. It is also rare to find two animals afflicted with the same disease and manifesting precisely similar symptoms. Although a near approach to this may occasionally be seen in both cases, still there are almost invariably differences that will more or less affect the action of remedies, necessitating slight or radical changes in the method of treatment. It is mainly for this reason that I insist that all cases of serious ailment should be in charge of those only who are thoroughly qualified by education and experience not only to correctly diagnose the case and prescribe the proper remedies, but to determine from the variation of the symptoms and different conditions the necessary modification or change of treatment the case demands.

In closing, it will perhaps not be out of place to say that a portion of this work was roughly outlined some years ago, with the intention of publishing it as a companion book to my first literary venture, "Training vs. Breaking"; but the cares of a busy life forced me to lay it aside for awhile, and it has not been possible, until recently, to complete my pleasant task.

It is with profound respect for the opinions of others that I earnestly bespeak for my own opinions, as expressed in these pages, careful consideration and unbiased judgment, both from the veteran, with his years of experience and extensive kennel, as well as from the beginner, with his first puppy. It is to the latter class, however, that I especially appeal, trusting that the perusal of these pages may induce them to test the methods outlined, and that the result will be all that could be desired in adding to the comfort and preserving the health of their pets.