Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/171

Rh greatest relief to them in summer is Couch-grass, or, to which we refer. Those who keep a complete kennel of dogs, should purposely cultivate this plant, in a place into which they may be turned every morning: here they will eagerly eat it, to relieve the disorder to which they are subject, and thus to cure the uncommon heat of their blood.

These animals are liable to various diseases; of which we shall mention only the following:

1. Bites and stings. If dogs are bitten by any venomous reptiles, such as snakes, vipers, &c. the blood should be squeezed out, and the part washed with salt and urine: a plaster composed of calamint, pounded in a mortar, and mixed with turpentine and yellow wax, till it acquire the consistence of a salve, should then be applied to the wound. A draught, consisting of an ounce of treacle dissolved in wine, if given to the animal affected, will greatly contribute to its recovery.

2. , to which we refer.

3. Poison. If there be reason to suspect that a dog is poisoned with nux vomica (which is often employed for that purpose by warreners, and causes convulsive fits), the most effectual remedy is to make him swallow, without loss of time, a considerable quantity of common salt, dissolved in the smallest proportion of water: this simple remedy may be administered by opening his mouth, and placing a stick across, to prevent him from shutting it, while his throat is filled with the solution. Thus, by holding his mouth upwards, a sufficient dose may be introduced, both to purge and vomit him. As soon as the stomach is properly cleared by a free passage downward, some warm broth should be frequently given to relieve his extreme faintness, which otherwise might prove fatal.

4. Worms; a disorder, with which young dogs in particular are very frequently troubled. All bitter substances are so offensive and nauseous to worms, that they are often voided in consequence of the animals taking two or three common doses of aloes, in the course of a week. Should this remedy fail, an ounce of the powder of tin, mixed up with butter, may be given in three portions, which generally destroys the worms, together with their seed.

5. Coughs and Colds. Dogs are very subject to a cough, attended extraordinary paroxysms of choaking, which is often the consequence of a cold. In this case, it will be necessary to bleed the animal affected, in small quantities; but if the disorder proceed from what is called the distemper in dogs, and they appear to be very low in spirits, blood-letting must not be attempted. Meat-broth, or milk-broth warmed, should then be the principal part of their diet, and the following medicine administered: Take flour of sulphur, cold drawn linseed oil, and salt-petre, of each one ounce; let them be well mixed together, and divided into four doses; one of which is to be taken every other day. Meanwhile, the creature affected should be furnished with plenty of clean straw to lie upon, and likewise swallow, at least, one spoonful of honey every day.

6. The scah, or itch, though a rare disease in dogs, is sometimes very obstinate: it may, however, be easily cured by an ointment Rh