Dogs kept in the house and not exercised sufficiently, or improperly fed, are particularly liable to constipation. Bones, while excellent and almost necessary to a dog's health, yet an excessive use of them is to be avoided, also any one kind of dry food, and no dog should be kept constantly on one kind of food, as want of exercise and the absence of necessary variety in the food are the principal causes of constipation.

When looked upon as a disease itself, or as a symptom and attendant on other diseases, it is always troublesome and often becomes dangerous. The feces accumulate and get pressed into hardened lumps, the belly is distended and hard, the colic pains occur, driving the dog almost frantic and causing him to run about blindly, stumbling over different obstacles in this way, and to give utterance every now and the nto sharp howls of pain. All this pain and misery that the poor dog has to suffer in nearly every case, is the result of neglect of proper rules which every dog owner should, in common justice to the dog, be acquainted with and observe. But the evil does not end here, for it is the too common practice to rush into one of commission quite as great or greater - namely, the common practice in constipation of resorting to strong purgatives, such as epsom salts, jalop, calomel, etc., the consequence of giving which is to render the evil worse by forcing the feces into still less compass when it becomes more impacked and hardened than before. The proper course to follow is, when the dog is in great pain, administer a dose of the anti-spasmodic drops. Compound spirits of sulphuric ether and tincture of opium (laudanum) equal parts. Mix and keep in a well-stoppered bottle in a cool place. The dose for a 20-lb. to 30-lb. dog would be a small teaspoonful given in about two tablespoonfuls of milk, gruel or other liquid. Success in relieving the patient is best obtained by mechanical means. Clysters of thin oatmeal gruel or soap and water, lukewarm, and containing about one ounce of castor oil in each half pint, must be used continuously for some time, in fact till the desired object has been attained. This end will be greatly facilitated by first introducing the finger, oiled, into the rectum, and removing as much of the hard lumps of feces as can be reached. Assistance will also be given to the action of the clysters by gently pressing or kneading the belly at intervals with the hand. It is necessary that everything should be done with the greatest gentleness; boisterous conduct and rough handling being likely to alarm the patient and cause him to do himself irreparable injury. When the lower bowels have been emptied follow it up by giving the dog a strong dose of Podophyllin pills:

Podolphylln ................................. 6 grains.

Compound extract of colocynth ................. 30 grains.

Powdered rhubarb ........................... 48 grains.

Extract of henbane............................ 36 grains.

Mix and divide into twenty-four pills. The dose is from one-half to two pills, according to age and size, and it is advisable to give the dog a little warm broth after the pill to assist in its action.

The use of purgatives must not be resorted to, to prevent a recurrence of the disease. The system of management must be altered, the dog must have daily exercise, the food must be varied and embrace a portion of boiled green vegetables at least every second or third day. For a week or so after the attack rather sloppy food should be given, such as welf-boiled porridge and milk, or broth, and an occasional meal of boiled liver will act as a gentle laxative.

Worms are another cause of obstruction in the intestines, especially in puppies; round worms get coiled into balls, set up local irritation and interfere with the natural action of the bowels.