If the feet become sore from any disease between the claws, apply a poultice composed of equal parts of marshmallows and charcoal; after which the following wash will complete the cure:--
Pyroligneous acid, 1 ounce.
Water, 6 ounces.
Mix, and wash with a sponge twice a day.
WOUNDS.
Turlington"s Balsam is the best application for wounds. Should a dog be bitten by one that is mad, give him a tea-spoonful of lobelia in water, and bind some of the same article on the wound.
SPRAINS.
For sprains of any part of the muscular structure, use one of the following prescriptions:--
Oil of wormwood, 1 ounce.
Tincture of lobelia, 2 ounces.
Infusion of hops, 1 quart.
Mix. Bathe the part twice a day.
_Another._
Wormwood, } of each a handful.
Thoroughwort, } New England rum, 1 pint.
Set them in a warm place for a few hours, then bathe the part with the liquid; and bind some of the herb on the part, if practicable.
SCALDS.
If a dog be accidentally scalded, apply, with as little delay as possible,--
Lime water, } equal parts.
Linseed oil, }
OPHTHALMIA.
Ophthalmia is supposed to be contagious; yet a mild form may result from external injury, as blows, bruises, or extraneous bodies introduced under the eyelid. The eye is such a delicate and tender organ, that the smallest particle of any foreign body lodging on its surface will cause great pain and swelling.
_Treatment._--Take a tea-spoonful of finely-pulverized marshmallow root, add sufficient hot water to make a thin mucilage, and with this wash the eye frequently. Keep the animal in a dark place, on a light diet; and if the eyes are very red and tender, give a pill composed of twenty-nine grains extract of b.u.t.ternut and ten grains cream of tartar.
If purulent discharge sets in, bathe the eye with infusion of camomile or red rose leaves, and give the following:--
Powdered pleurisy root, } " bloodroot, } equal parts.
" sulphur, }
Dose, half a table-spoonful daily. To be given in honey. When the eyelids adhere together, wash with warm milk.
WEAK EYES.
It often happens that, after an acute attack, the eyes are left in a weak state, when there is a copious secretion of fluid continually running from them. In such cases, the eyes may be washed, night and morning, with pure cold water, and the general health must be improved: for the latter purpose, the following preparation is recommended:--
Manna, 1 ounce.
Powdered gentian, 1 tea-spoonful.
" mandrake, half a tea-spoonful.
Rub them together in a mortar, and give a pill, about the size of a hazel-nut, every night. If the manna is dry, a little honey will be necessary to amalgamate the ma.s.s.
FLEAS AND VERMIN.
Fleas and vermin are very troublesome to dogs; yet they may easily be got rid of by bathing the dog with an infusion of lobelia for two successive mornings, and afterwards washing with water and castile soap.
HYDROPHOBIA.
Whenever one dog is bitten by another, and the latter is supposed to labor under this dreadful malady, immediate steps should be taken to arrest it; for a dog once bitten by another, whatever may be the stage or intensity of the disease, is never safe. The disease may appear in a few days; in some instances, it is prolonged for eight months.
_Symptoms._--Mr. Lawson tells us that "the first symptom appears to be a slight failure of the appet.i.te, and a disposition to quarrel with other dogs. A total loss of appet.i.te generally succeeds. A mad dog will not cry out on being struck, or show any sign of fear on being threatened.
In the height of the disorder, he will bite all other dogs, animals, or men. When not provoked, he usually attacks only such as come in his way; but, having no fear, it is very dangerous to strike or provoke him. The eyes of mad dogs do not look red or fierce, but dull, and have a peculiar appearance, not easy to be described. Mad dogs seldom bark, but occasionally utter a most dismal and plaintive howl, expressive of extreme distress, and which they who have once heard can never forget.
They do not froth at the mouth; but their lips and tongue appear dry and foul, or slimy. They cannot swallow water." Mr. Lawson, and indeed many veterinary pract.i.tioners, have come to the conclusion that all remedies are fallacious![27]
_Remarks._--In White"s Dictionary we are informed that the tops of yellow broom have been used for hydrophobia in the human subject with great success; and we do not hesitate to say that they might be used with equal success on beasts. Dr. Muller, of Vienna, has lately published, in the _Gazette de Sante_, some facts which go to show that the yellow broom is invaluable in the treatment of this malady. Dr.
White tells us that "M. Marochetti gave a decoction of yellow broom to twenty-six persons who had been bitten by a mad dog, viz., nine men, eleven women, and six children. Upon an examination of their tongues, he discovered pimples in five men, three children, and in all the women.