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J-i<L^. b-P. (*^ ^'-'. '-^••^'

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THE DOG.

vA,i

DINKS, MAYHEW, AND HUTCHINSON

COKFn.W), ABRIDGBD, BDITBD. AND ILLUSTRATET)

o
a

FRANK FORESTER,

*«rmOB or "VnLD SPOBTS," "rnH and FISBtlfO," "HOMBS and HOBSBIIANIRtI

or Tm umrxD btatbs and BRimK pbotikcbb," ^'tiib ooMPum

MANVAL FOB TOITNO •POBmUBir,** tna, BTO

Compute mtb Jiciifeb Cbifios.

<r'

^^;

aEO. E. WOODWAfiD,

FtTBUIBBB AND UtTORTIII,

Art, Arehiteotural and Rural Books.
186 Cbakbbiw Strut,

NEW YORK.

ORAH0E JUDD 00.. 245 Broadway,

138987

Bntered Mcording to Act of OongreM, in the year l«a

Bt GEORGE B. WOODWATJD,

In the OlBoe of the LibnurUn of Coiifcreai, at Wuhiugton.

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

In offering to the American pnblic a new editi<w
of Dinks and Mathrw on the Dog, which, I am
happy to find, is largely called for, I have been
induced to make a further addition, which will, I
think, render this the most perfect and comprehensive
work in existence for the dog fancier and dog lover.

For myself I claim no merit, since, with the excep-
tion of one or two trivial changes in unimportant
recipes in Dinks, and some abridgment of the last
admirable work of Col. Hdtohinson on Dog Breaking,
which is now included in this volume, I have found
occasion to make no alterations whatever, and, save
a few notes, no additions.

I will add, in brief, that while I believe the little
manual of Dinks to be the best short and brief com-
pendium on the Dog, particularly as regards his
breeding, conditioning, kennel and field management,
and general specialities, there can be no possible
doubt that Mayhew's pages are the nepltu ftUra of
canine pathology. There is nothing comparable to
his treatment of all diseases for gentleness, simplicity,
mercy to the animal, and effect I have no hesita-
tion in saying, that any person with sufficient intelli-
gence to make a diagnosis acoctt^ng to his showing
of the symptoms, and patience to exhibit his reme

tiHioii's pi:eka(:e.

dies, precisely according to liis direct! jiis, cannot fal
of succesB.

I have this year treated, iiiygelt', two very unusually
severe cases of distemper, one of acute dysentery,
one of chronic diarrhoea, and one of most aggravated
mange, implicitly after his instructions, and that with
perfect, and, in three instances, most unexpected,
success. Tlie cases of distemper wci'c got rid of with
less suffering to tlie animals, and with less — in fact,
no— prostration or emaciation tiian I have ever be-
fore witnessed.

I shall never attempt any practice other than that
of Mayhew, for distemper ; and, as lie says, I am
satisfied it is true, that no dog, taken in time, and
treated by his rules, need die of this disease.

Ck>lonel Hutchinson^s volume, which is to dog-
breaking, what Mayhew's is to dog-medicining—
science, experience, patience, temper, gentleness,
and judgment, against brute force and unreasoning
ignorance — I have so far abridged as to omit, while
retaining all the rules and precepts, such anecdotes
of the habits, tricks, faults, and perfections of indivi-
dual animals, and tlie discursive matter relative to
Indian field sports, and general education of animals,
as, however interesting in tliemselves, have no parti-
cular utility to tlie dog-breaker or sportsman in
America, fieyond this I have done no more than
to change the word September to the more general
term of Autumn, in the heading of the chapters, and
to add a few short notes, explanatory of the difier-
encos and comparatiye relations of English and Amo*
rican game.

editor's pbxfack.

I will conclude by observing, that although this
work is exclusively on breaking for English shooting,
there is not one word in it, which is not applicable to
this country.

The methods of woodcock and snipe shooting are
02cactly the same in both countries, excepting only
tliat in England there is no summer-cock shooting.
Otherwise, the practice, the rules, and the qualifica-
tions of dogs are identical.

The partridge, in England, varies in fuw of its
habits from our quail — I might almost say in none —
unless that it prefers turnip fields, potatoe fields, long
clover, standing beans, and the like, to bushy coverts
and underwood among tall timber, and that it never
takes to the tree. Like our quail, it must be hunted
for and found in the open, and marked into, and
followed up in, its covert, whatever that may be.

In like manner, English and American grouse-
shooting may be regarded as identical, except that
the former is practised on heathery mountains, the
latter on grassy plains ; and that pointers are prefer-
able on the latter, owing to the drought and want of
water, and to a particular kind of prickly burr, whiich
terribly afflicts the long-haired setter. The same
qualities and performances constitute the excellence
of dogs for either sport, and, as there the moors, so
here the prairies, are, beyond all doubt, the true
field for carrying the art of dog-breaking to perfec-
tion.

To pheasant shooting we have nothing perfectly
analogous. Indeed, the only sport in Nordi America
which at all resembles it, is ruffed-grouse shooting.

EPITOB'S PREFACE.

where they abound sufficiently to make it worth the
Bportsman's while to pnrsne them alone. Where
they do so, there is no difference in the mode of pur-
suing the two birds, however dissimilar they may be
in their other habits and peculiarities.

Bearing these facts in mind, the American sports-
man will have no difficulty in applying aU the rules
given in the admirablo work in question; and the
American dog-breaker can by no other means pro-
duce so perfect an animal for his pains, with so little
distress to himself or his pupil.

The greatest drawback to the pleasures of dog*
keeping and sporting, are the occasional sufferings of
the animals, when diseased, which the owner cannot
relieve, and the occasional severity with which he
believes himself at times compelled to punish his
friend and servant.

It may be said that, for the careful student cf this
volume, as it is now given entire, in its three sepa-
rate parts, who has time, temper, patience, ancf. firm-
Qess, to follow out its precepts to the letter, this draw'
back is abolished.

The writers are — all the three — good friends to
that best of the friends of man, the faithfhl dog ; and
I feel some claim to a share in their well-doing, and
to the gratitude of the good animal, and of those who
love him, in bringing them thus together, in an easy
compass, and a form attainable to all who love t!ie
sports of the field, and yet love mercy more.

Tbb Ocdaib, Nbwabx, N. J.«

Frmvk Forestsb-

: I

TO THE READER.

No one woik that I am aware of contains the infoimation that
b proposed for this little treatise, which does not aspne to any
great originality of idea ; bat the author having experienced in
his early days very great dlflSculty in finding to his hand a
condse treatise, was induced to cull, from variooa autb jrs what
he found most beneficial in practice, into ma. uscript, and this
eoUection de b induced to make public, in the hopes that any
one ''who runs may read," and, without searching through
many and various volummous authors, may find the cream,
leaving the skim milk behind.

Wherever any known quotation is made, credit has been
g^ven to the proper persons, but it may be as well to state that
most if not all of the Receipts are copies, though from what
book is in a great measure unknown to the author, who
extracted them in bygone days for his own use.

With this admisdon, he trusts that his readers will rest satis*

fied with the little volume which he offers to their indulgent

criticism.

•Duna."

<\u

CONTENTS OF DINKS' VADE MIGUIL

•

Breeding of Dogi in genend, j^

Setter, . .

„ 18

Setter, RaMi«n, ..,,.,.

Spaniel, ...
* 20

Spaniel and Cocker.

Retriever, .

„ 21

B««gK 21

Breeding,

Bitch in Um, .... * o^

Bitches in Pnp..

*^ .26

Feeding Pupe and Weaning.— Lice.— Teato Robbed, . . . 27

Pointer and Setter,

B'e^ng, . 29

Ranging, how taught, t . 80

QoMtering, . gg

'"••^ft ! , 40

^°*««°» 42

Kennel, ..... .,

••••• .44

Credit given for Recipes, ^^

^^'P*"' 60

General Remarks about Dogs in Physic gg

Hscipes for Diseases incident to Dogs, .... 51

Distemper, go

1U>iilar Form of Qame Book ^

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

BctttrndVooaoook, rmM»jpi»et

BcaglM, TafoMpagt 00

OronpofDogi^ .........78

TiM Pointer, Ml

Goeken— BntiarandFiidc, . . ' 4<S

Betters— Bob and Dioka, 679

The Wolf, Page 74

The Jackal, 70

TheMastUi; 104

Cuts Illostratlng the Administration of Medicine to Dogs, 111, 112, US

A Dog under the Influence of an Emetic, . .118

Head of a Dog, 121

Brash for Cleaning the Teeth of a Dog, , . ... 188

A Scotch Terrier, 197

A Dog Suffering from Inflammation of the Lung . . Sll

A Dog with Asthma, 819

« " Chronic Hepatitis, 881

« " GastriUs, 288

" « Colic, 282

" " Snperpurgatlon, 268

" " Acute Bheumatlsm, 274

ABabldDog, 800

A Mad Dog on the March, 804

Head ofa full-sized Pag Bitch, "48

The Blood Hound, 849

The Beagle, 880

The Gravid Utcras, . . ...... 879

Piirtnrition Instrument, . . • ... .881

The Crochet, ........ .884

The Bull-Dog, <•*

Dog with a Canker-cap on, . . . • • .498
A Dog Taped or Muziled for Operation, . . . . .428
Bandages for Fractured Legs, 44B

THE

SPORTSMAFS TIDE MECUM.

BY "DINKS."

OOHTAnCIKG FUIi WgTBOOnONS IM AIX THAT KBLATtt TO

THE BREEDINO^EARING. BREAKING. KENNELLING. AND
CONDITIONING OP DOGS '*'^*^"' ^^

TOQKTHKR WITH NCMBROUS VALUABIB BTCIPn

FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE VARIOUS DISEASES

TO WHICH THB OANINK BACK Ig SCB»Or.

A8 AUO

I PKW REMARKS ON GUNS, THEIR lOADINO AND CARRIAGE,

DK8I0NKD «XPBK88tY TOE THE USB OF

YOUNG SPOKTSMEN.

TBI

SPORTSMAN S VADE MECUM

BRKEDINO OF DOOS IK OKNBRAL.

Before commencing to treat of the most correct methods
to be observed in the breeding, it will be as well to mention
the different varieties of sporting dogs, and also the various
Bub-genera of each species, of which every one who knows
anything of the subject need not be informed ; but as this
work affects to be a Vade Mecum for sportsmen, young far
more than old, it is as well to put before the young idea
certain established rules, not to be violated with impunity,
and without following which no kennel can be great or glo-
rious. A run of luck may perhaps happen, to set at naught
all well defined rules, but " breeding will tell " sooner or
later ; and, therefore, it behoves any person who prides him-
self on his kennel, to study well the qualities of his dog or
bitch, his or her failings and good qualities, and so to cross
with another kepnel as to blend the two, and form one per-
fect dog. This is the great art in breeding, requiring greal
tnot and judgment

THE 8P0RTRMAN S VAOK MRCUM.

P0INTEK8.

The breed of Pointers, as now generally to be met with, it
called *' the English," distinguished by the lightness of limb
fineness of coat, and rattishness of tail. Fifteen or twenty
years ago this style of dog was seldom seen ; but, in place
of it, you had a much heavier animal — heavy limbs, heavy
head, deep fiew-jaws, long falling ears. Which of these
breeds was the best ^tis hard to say, but for America I
certainly should prefer the old, heavy, English Pointer. Too
much, I think, has been sacrificed to lightness, rendering him
too fine for long and continued exertion, to susceptible to
cold and wet, too tender skinned to bear contact with briers
and thorns, in fact, far too highly bred. Not that for a
moment I am going to admit that American Pointers are too
highly bred ; far from it, for there is hardly one that, if his
or her pedigree be carefully traced up, will not be found to
have some admixture of blood very far from Pointer in its
veins. Now this mongrel breeding will not end well, no
mutter how an odd cross may succeed, and the plan to be
adopted is never to breed except from the most perfect and
best bitches, always having in view the making of strong,
well formed, tractable dogs, bearing in mind that the bitches
take after the dog, and the dog pups after the dam, that
temper, ill condition, and most bad qualities are just as
inherent in some breeds as good qualities are in others.
Here, then, to begin with, you have a difficult problem vo
solve ; for, in addition to the defects of your own animal, you
have to make yourself acquainted with those of the one you
purpose putting to it Is your dog too timid— oopulaU

THE sportsman's VTAOU MGCUM.

with one of high courage. But don't misunderstand ine
In this there is as much difference between a high couraged
and a headstrong dog as between a well bred dog and h
cur. Is your dog faulty in ranging, may be too high, or
may be no ranger at all, mate with the reverse, selecting
your pups according to what has been stated above. If
possible, always avoid crossing colors. It is a bad plan, but
cannot always be avoided, for oftentimes you may see in an
animal qualities so good, that it would be wrong to let him
go past you. But, then, in the offspring, keep to your color.

From this general statement it will be easy to see, that ia
breeding dogs there is more science and skill required, more
attention to minutiae necessary, than at lirst sight appears to
be the case. Long and deep study alone enables a person to
tell whether any or what cross may be judicious, how to
recover any fading excellence in his breed, or how best to
acquire that of some one else. We will endeavor to give
the experience of some fifteen years — devoted to this subject
— to our readers, merely resting on our oars, to describe the
various breeds of sporting dogs most desirable for him to
possess, together with certain data on which to pin his faith
in making a selection from a dealer, though as the eye may
deceive, it is always as well to call in the ear as consulting
physician, and by diligent inquiry endeavor to ascertain
particulars.

The characteristics of a well bred Pointer may be summed
up as follows : and any great deviation from them makes
at once an ill bred, or, at all events, a deformed dog. To
commence, then, at the head : — the head should l)e broad at

THE SPORTSMAN'S YADR MROUtf.

I i

81 : .

top, long and tapering, the poll rising to a point ; his noea
open and large ; his ears tolerably long, slightly erect, and
filing between the neck and jaw bone, slightly pointed at
the tip ; eyes clear and bright ; neck and head set on
straight ; his chest should be broad and deep — the contrary
clearly shows want of speed and stamina ; legs and arms
strong, muscular, and straight; elbows well in; feet sroalV
and hard ; body not over long, and well ribbed up — if not, he
will be weak, and incapable of doing a day's work ; loins
broad at top, but thin downwards ; hind quarters broad ;
hind legs strong and large ; tail long, fine, and tapering ;
hair short, sleek, and close. Here you have the pure English
Pointer, and as that is the best type of the dog, we shall not
attempt to describe the Spanish one, which is not by any
means equal to the English, and is, moreover, so quarrelsome,
that he cannot be kennelled with other dogs. Gkx>d dogs
are of any colors, but the most favorite ones are liver and
white, white and fawn, pure black, and pure liver. The two
first, however, are better adapted for this country, being mora
easily seen in cover.

8BTTER.

We next come to the Setter. His head, like the Pointer
should be broad at the top between the eyes ; the muzzle
though, must be longer and more tapering, and not over
thick. Towards the eyes he must have a deepish indenture,
and on the top of his skull a highish bony ridge. His ears
should be long, pendulous, and slightly rounded. The eyeft
rather dark and full. His nose soft, moist, and large. Some

i
ill,

THE SPORTSMAN'S VADX MKOVM.

breeds and breeders affect black noses and palaleo ; hut 1
must say that there are full as many good without the black
as with it. I rather incline to the opinion that they are the
b^flt notwithstanding. Body like the Pointer, only deeper
and broader, if anything ; legs long to knee, short thence
downwards ; feet small, close, and thickly clothed with hair
between the toes, ball and toe tufts they are termed; tail
long, fine, and tapering, thickly feathered with long, soft,
wavy hair ; stem and legs down to feet also feathered. His
body and feet also should be clothed with long, soft^ silky
hair, wavy, but no curl in it This last smells badly of water
spaniel. Colors, black and white, red and white, black and
tan. These last I consider the finest bred ones. Bosii also
is good. The Irish setter is red* red and white, white &ud
yellow spotted. The nose, lips, and palate always black.
He is also rather more bony and muscular than the English
breed, and ten times as headstrong and enduring. He
requires constant and severe work, under most ri^d disci*
pline, to keep in anything like decent subjection.

SETTER, RUSSIAN.

The Russian Setter is as distinct from either of ihe above
varieties as bulldog from greyhound. It is covered more
profusely with long, thick, curly, soft;, and silky hair, well
on to the top of the head and over the eyes. He is also
more bony and muscular, with a much shorter and broadei
head. What he wants in dash aud ranging propensities, he
makes up for in unwearied assiduity, extreme carefulness,
and extraordinary scenting powers. The cross between thit

THE RP0RTSMAN8 VADE UFCUM.

and either of the other setters is much valued by boom
breeders.

SPANIEL.

Of Spaniels there are several varieties, but of these the
Suftblk Cocker is the only one deserving a notice. All the
others are too noisy, too heedless, and too quick on their
legs. It is almost impossible to keep any one of them
steady, and, therefore, in this country at least, they are
totally useless, since you would not see them from the
beginning to the end of the day. Yaff ! yafF! half a mile
off, all the time putting up the birds, and you unable to
stop them. The Suffolk Cocker, on the contrary, is extremely
docile, can be easily broken, and kept in order. They are
extremely valuable, thirty-five guineas being a low price for
a brace of pure bred and well broken ones in England. The
right sort are scarce, even there. Here, with two exceptions,
I fancy they are not

SPANIEL AND COCKER.

In appearance they are much like a raseed setter. The
head and muzzle is much the same length and size ; ears
rather more rounded, but not so long ; body deep, broad,
and long ; hair long and stiflSsh ; legs and feet remarkably
short, amounting almost to a deformity, and extraordinarily
strong ; tail short and bushy ; it is usually curtailed a couple
of joints. The purest colors are liver and white, fawn and
white, and yellow and white. These dogs are slow and
•ure, remarkably close hunters, and obedient ; just the thinjpi

THK BHORT8MAN*8 VADK MBCUM.

for cock shooting here. Too much cannot be said in theii
&ror. They are easily taught to retrieve.

RRTRIKTKR.

A Retriever is a cross breed dog. There is no true type
of them. Every person has a peculiar fancy regarding them.
The great object is to have them tolerably small, compatible
with endurance. The best I have seen were of a cross
between the Labrador and water spaniel, or the pure
Jjabrador dog.

BRAOLRS.

In some parts of the States Beagles are used, and it may
t)e as well to point out the characteristics of them. First,
then, a beagle ought not to exceed fourteen inches in height ;
its head ought to be long and fine ; its ears long, fine also,
beautifully round, thin, and pendulous, rather far set back ;
body not too long ; chest broad and deep ; loins broad at
top, but narrow downwards; legs strong, but short; feet
small and close ; hair short and dose ; tails curved upwards
aud tapering, but not too fine. There is also another sort of
beagles, wire-haired, flew-jawed, heavy hung, deep-mouthed.
They are very true hunters, seldom leaving the trail till dead,
or run to ground.

BRRRonro.

It is needless to say that at oert^iin indefinite periods of
the year a bitch comes into use, as the term is — generally
twice a year, and "till more generally speaking, during tL«

THB sportsman's VADK MBOUM.

I III

! i

\ -'-I;

ll',^;

time you most require her services, that is, April and Se|>>
tember, spring snipe and grouse shooting, in consequenoa of
which you must either sacrifice your pups or your sport
Now I am aware that in the States, for this reason, a bitch
is seldom kept For my part, I do not ooject to tnem, for
from experience I can so regulate their fiulings as to prevent
their family cares from interfering with their hunting. The
knowledge of this enables me to have my pups when I want
them, to get the cover of a dog I fiincy, when a strange one
comes my way also. The best time, then, to put the bitch
to the dog is early in January. By this means you have
your pups ready to wean by the middle of April. They
have all summer to grow in, get strong, and large, and are
fit to break in October on snipe first, and then quail, finishing
off on snipe the following spring. After this litter, the bitch
probably comes into use again in the end of July or in
August. Toung ones are not so fond of it as old ones, and,
consequently, for quul shooting, your bitch is all correct and
well behaved, so far as regards the dam. I look upon the
breeding of dogs from any except the best and most perfectly
formed of their species, as an act of great folly. There are
times when it must be done to keep up the breed, or to
acquire one ; for no one drafts his best bitches unless he is
an ass. For my part, I keep five or six constantly, and draft
yearly all my dog pups but two ot three, say one pointer,
setter, and cocker. By tliis mean* T have the pick out of a
large number of well bred ones for myself while the drafts
pay the expenses of keep and brea&ing. This is impossible
for every one to do, and they mus^ pick up their dogs the

THE sportsman's VADE MECUM.

best way tfiey can. It is ray intention for the future to draft
ray setters to New York and my pointers westward. My
cockers, I fear, will rot go oflf yet, my imported dog having
taken it into his head to die, and, until he is replaced from
England — I have no stock for breed. T could only get a
chance of four while last there out of many valuable kennels.
However, I have promises of drafts from two or three par-
ties, and ere summer cock come in, doubtless a brace or so
will dare the perils of the sea for me ; T have no hesitation
in saying that, unless most amply remunerated, I would as
soon sell ray nose as the best pup in the litter, if I wanted
it, nor would I advise any one else to do it. If done, you
have to put up with inferior dogs. No ; I breed to put a
brace or so of the best young dogs yearly into my kennel,
for my own use, and, while doing this, I also have, probat'y,
ten good, well formed dogs to pick from, any one of whicl
were one in want, would gladden the heart to get hold of.
Sir William Stanley used to breed some fifty pointers yearly.
Out of this lot, two brace were culled for his use. The rest
were sold. They paid expenses. Many were excellent dogs,
but he got the tip-top ones, and so he ought. This is the
way a man who cannot afford to give great prices for good
dogs must do, if he is much addicted to shooting. It requires
two brace of dogs to do a day's shooting as it ought to be
done. Each dog at full gallop the whole time, except, of
course, when on birds ; and to do this he must be shut off
work about noon. Few dogs can go from morn till nighi
without extreme fatigue. I never yet saw the dog that I
could not hunt off his legs in a fortnight's hunt, taking hiru

riiu sportsman's vade mecum.

out every second day only, and feeding him on the best and
strongest foo<l. However, for general purposes, three brace
of dogs are sufficient, and, when not often used, two are
plenty ; but no one ought ever to have less than two brace.
It may be managed by always going out with a friend, he
keeping one brace, you the other ; he shooting to your dogs,
you to his. For my part, give me three brace of my own,
and let those be the best shaped, strongest, best bred, and
best workers there can be. That is my weakness, and to
achieve this I yearly sink a sufficient number of dollars to
keep a poor man. But all this is digressing most fearfuUv
from the nursery of young pointers and setters.

BITCH IN USE.

By receipt on a subsequent page, you will see how your
bitoh is to be brought into use. We will suppose her
well formed and well bred. If faultless, put her to a dog
nearly equal, if you cannot get one equal. Save the dog
pups which will take after the dam. It is well understood
that by breeding from young bitches you have faster and
higher rangers ; and this also reminds me to say that no
bitch ought to be bred from till she is full grown, that is to
Bay, till she is two years old. Many people breed at twelve
months, but it is wrong. The bitch is not full grown, and,
consequently, the puppies are poor, weak, and miserable. If
the bitch has faults, find a dog of the same appearance aa
her, while he excels in those points she is deficient in.
The bitches are partakers of his qualiti<«. Are you short
of bone, nose, size, form, temper, look for the excess of these

THE SPORTSMAN 8 VADE MEC0M.

The cross, or, at all events, the next remove from it, will be
just as you wish. Any peculiarity may be made in'lierent
m a breed by sedulously cultivating that peculiarity. Avoid
above all things breeding in and in brother and sister,
mother and son, father and daughter — all bad, but the firp<
far worse than either of the others, since the blood of each is
the same. The other two are only half so. To perfect forn?
should be added high ranging qualities, high courage, greai
docility, keen nose, and great endurance. • That is the acme
of breeding. A few judicious crosses will enable you to
acquire it for your kennel. To the inattention and careless-
ness of sportsmen to these points are to be attributed the
innumerable cura we nowadays see in comparison to well
bred dogs. Anything that will find a bird will do. Far
otherwise, to my mind. " Nothing is worth doing at all if it
IS not to be well done," and I would as soon pot a bevy of
quail on the ground, as think of following an ill bred, ill
broken, obstinate cur. It may perhaps be as well to state,
that when I spoke of " crosses," I had not the slightest inten-
tion of recommending a cross of pointer and setter or bull
dog. Far otherwise. Let each breed be distinct, but culti-
vate a " cross," be they pointer or spaniel, from another
kennel of another breed of the same class of dogs.

With regard to setters, a little separate talk is necessary,
for we have three sorts, English, Irish, and Russian. The
cross of English and Irish may and does often benefit both
races. So also does the Russian, but I would Ixj extremtly
careful how I put him to one or the other. Extreme cases
ma} and do justify the admixture, but the old blood ought

S J, I

THE SPORTSMANS VADE MEOOM.

to be got back as soon as possible. He is of quite a difierent
species to the other, thougli with the same types or charac-
teristics, yet this cross is rather approaching to mongrel.
Having descanted somewhat largely on the preliminary
portion, we will pass on to the rearing of the progeny.

i J

BITCHES IN PUP.

Bitches in pup ought to be well fed, and suflfered to run
at large, and I am rather of opinion that by hunti them
occasionally, or rather, by letting them see game wnile in
this state, does not "set the young back any." Every one
is aware of the sympathy between the mother and the unborn
foetus, and I for one rather do think it of use.

Few bitches can rear more than six pups, many only four,
and do them justice. Cull out, therefore, the ill colored,
ugly marked bitches first, and if you find too many left,
lifter a few days you must exercise your judgment on the
ilogs. I don't like, however, this murdering, and prefer, by
extra feeding while suckling, and afterwards, to make up for
pulling the mother down, which having to nurse six or
seven pups does terribly. My idea always is in the matter,
that the pup I drown is to be, or rather would be, the best
in the litter. It is humbug, I know, but I cannot help it. At
that ago all else but color and markings is a lottery. Oft
have I seen the poor, miserable little one turn out not only
the best, but biggest dog. Therefore, I recommend the
keeping of as many as possible.

Let the bitch have a warm kennel, with plenty of straw
and shavings, or shavings alone. Let her be loose, free to

tflb sportsman s vaue meoum.

go or come. Feed her well with boiled oatmeal in prefer-
ence to corn meal — more of this anon in the feeding depart-
ment, mixed in good rich broth, just lukewarm, twice a
day. About the ninth day the pups begin to see, and at a
month old they will lap milk. This they ought to be
encouraged to do as soon as possible, as it save the mother
vastly. At six weeks, or at most seven, they are fit to wean.

FEEDING PUPS AND WEANING. LICE. ^TEATS RUBBED.

Feed them entirely on bread and milk, boiled together to
pulp. Shut them in a warm place, the spare stall of a
stable, boarded up at the end. Examine theni to see whether
they are lousy, as they almost always are. A decoction of
tobacco water (vide receipt) kills them oflF. Rub the bitch's
teats with warm vinegar twice a day till they are dried up.
If this be not done, there is great danger of their becoming .
caked, besides causing her to suffer severely. She must
have a mild dose of salts, say half an ounce, repeated after
the third day. When the weather is fine, the young pups
should be turned out of doors to run about. Knock out the
Iicad of a barrel, in which put a little straw, so that they
may retire to sleep when they feel disposed. Feed them
three times a day, and encourage them to run about as much
as possible. Nothing produces crooked legs more tlian
confinement, nothing ill grown weeds more than starvation ;
so that air, liberty, exercise, and plenty of food are all
equally essential to the successful rearing of fine, handsome
dogs. Above all things, never frighten, nor yet take undue
notice of one over the rest. Accustom them to yourseU

Si 1

THE SPOllTSMANS VADE MECUM.

!«;i I

and strangers. This gives them courage and confidence.
Remember, if you ever should have to select a pup in thid
early stage, to get them all together, fondle them a little ;
the one that does not skulk will be the highest couraged
dog, the rest muoh in the same proportion, as they display
fear or not. This I have invariably noticed is the case, and
on this I invariably act when I have to select a pup, provided
always he is not mis-formed. We have now brought our
pups on till they can take care of themselves, and while .ney
grow and prosper and get over the distemper, we will hark
back a little, and say why we object to fall puppies, — simply
because they are generally stunted by the cold, unless they
are house-reared. They come in better, certainly, for break-
ing, but it is not so good to have them after September at
the latest, unless it be down South, where, I fancy, the order
of things would, or rather should, be reversed.

,'(

\<m i

POINTER AND SETTER.

Hitherto I have omitted to compare the respective merits
of pointer and setter. This I had intended to have done
altogether, but fearful lest fault should be found with me for
doing so, I state it as my deliberate opinion, that there is
nothing to choose between them " year in and year out."
A setter may stand the cold better and may stand the
briers better, but the heat and want of water he cannot
stand. A pointer, I admit, cannot quite stand cold so well,
but he will face thorns quite as well, if he be the right sort,
and pure bred, but he don't come out quite so well from it
as the setter does. The one does it because it don't hurt

THE sportsman's VADB MKOUM.

him, the other does it because be is told so to do, and his
phick, his high moral courage won't let him say no. For
heat and drought he don't care a rush, comparatively, and
will kill a setter dead, were he to attempt to follow him.
Westward, in the neighborhood of Detroit, the pnw and
cons are pretty equal. I hunt both indiscriminately, and
see no diflFerence either in their powers of endurance, see
exceptions above, or hunting qualifications. For the prairies,
however. I should say the pointer was infinitely superior, for
there the shooting — of prairie hen — is in the two hottest
months of the year, and the ground almost, if not quite,
devoid of water. Therefore, the pointer there is the dog, and
if well and purely bred, he is as gallant a ranger as the
setter. Eastward, in New Jersey and Maryland, I am led to
believe that setters may bo the best there. Except " sum-
mer cock," all the shooting is in spring or late fall. West-
ward, we commence quail shooting on September the first.
There, I believe, not until November the first. Here we
have few or no briers or thorned things, save and except an
odd blackberry or raspberry bush. There they have these
and cat briers also, and that infernal young locust tree '
almost would skin a pointer. Therefore, for those regions, a
setter is more preferable. Still more so the real springer.

BREAKING.

We will now pass on to the breaking of our young dogs.
This may be begun when they are four or five months old, to
a certain extent. They may be taught to " charge" and obey
a trifle, but it must be done so discreetly that it were almost

THE SPORTSMAN S VADB MECUM.

better lefl alone. Nevertheless, I generally teach them some
little, taking care never to cow them, one by one. This down-
eharging must be taught them in a room or any convenient
place. Put them into the proper position, hind legs under
the body, nose on the ground between their fore-paws.
Retaining them so with one hand on their head, your feet
one on each side their hind quarters, with the other hand
pat and encourage them. Do not persist at this early age
more than a few minutes at a time, and afler it is over, play
with and fondle them. At this time also teach them to
fetch and carry ; to know their natnos. Recollect that any
name ending in o, as " Ponto," " Cato," «&c., very common
ones by the way, is bad. The only word ending in o ought
to be " Toho," often abbreviated into " ho." This objection
will be evident to any person who reflects for a moment, and
a dog will answer to any other short two syllable word
equally as well. These two lessons, and answering to the
whistle, are about all that can or should be taught them.

RANGING, HOW TAUGHT.

Nine months, or better, twelve, is soon enough to enter
into the serious part of breaking. This is more to be effected
by kind determination than by brute force. Avoid the use
of the whip. Indeed, it never in my opinion ought to be
seen, except in real shooting, instead of which we would use
a cord about five or ten yards long. Fasten one end round
the dog's neck, the other to a peg firmly staked in the
ground ; before doing this, however, your young dogs
should, along with a high ranging dog, be taken out into u

THE SPORTSMAN S VADU MECUM.

field where there is no game, and suffered to run at large
without control until they are well practised in ranging.
Too much stress cannot bo laid on this point, as on this first
3tep in a great measure <lepends the future ranging pro-
pensities of the dog. Where a youngster sees the old one
galloping about as hard as he can, he soon takes the hint
and follows. After a few days, the old one may be left
behind, when the pups will gallop about equally as
well. These lessons should never be too long as to tim^,
else the effect is lost. Another good plan also is to
accustom them to follow you on horseback at a good rate,
They will learn by this to gallop, not to trot^ than which
nothing is more disgusting in a dog. When you have your
pup well " confirmed in ranging," take the cord, as above
directed, peg him down. Probably he will attempt to follow
you as you leave him, in which case the cord will check him
with more or less force, according to the pace he goes at.
The more he resists the more he punishes himself. At last
he finds that by being still he is best off. Generally he lies
down. At all events, he stands slill. This is just what you
desire. Without your intervention he punishes himself, and
learns a lesson of great value, without attributing it to you,
and consequently fearing you, to wit : — that he is not to
have his own way always. After repeating this lesson a few
times, you may take him to the peg, and " down " or
*' charge," as you like the term best, close to the peg in the
proper position. Movo a ay, but if he stiis one single inch,
check him by the cord and drag him back, crying "down"
w " charge." For the future I shall use the word " down.'

,,:..
^.'

THE sportsman's VADE MECOM.

You can in practice which you please. Leave him again,
checking him when he moves, or letting him do it for him-
self when he gets to the end of it, always bringing him,
however, back to the peg, jerking the cord with more or less
severity. Do this for eight or ten times, and he will not
stir. You must now walk quite out of sight, round him, run
at him, in fact, do anything you can to make him move,
when, if he moves, he must be checked as before, until he is
perfectly steady. It is essential in this system of breaking
that this first lesson should be so effectually taught that
nothing shall induce the dog to move, and one quarter of an
hour will generally effect this. In all probability, the dog
will be much cowed by this treatment. Go up to him, pat
him, lift him up, caress him, and take him home for that
day. Half an hour per day for each dog will soon get over
a long list of them. There is no more severe, I may as well
remark here, or more gentle method of breaking than this ;
more or less vim being put into the check, according to thd
nature of the beast. I never saw it fail to daunt the most
resolute, audacious devil, nor yet to cow the most timid after
the first or second attempt, for it is essential in the ficst
instance that they should obey. The next day, and for
many days, you commence as at first. Peg him down, &c.,
and after he does this properly lift him up and walk him
about, holding on to the cord still pegged in the ground,
suddenly cry " Down .'" accompanying the word with a
check more or less severe, as requisite, till he does go down.
Leave him as before. If he don't move, go up to him, pat
him— « young dog ought never to move while breaking imtil

THE sportsman's VADE MEtHTM.

he is touched — lift hiin up, if necessary, load him about,
again ciy " down," and check him until he falls instantly at
the word. This will do for lesson No. 2. The next day
commence at the beginning, following up with lesson 2, mak-
ing him steady at each. Before proceeding to the next step,
release the one end of the cord from the peg, take it in your
hand, cry " down ;" if he goes down, well ; if not, check him,
pat him, loose the end of cord in the hand, let him run
about, occasionally crying "down," sometimes when he is
close at hand, at other times further off, visiting any disobe-
dience with a check, until he will drop at the word any-
where immediately. At these times his lesson may last for
an hour twice a day. He will get steady more quickly and
better.

QUARTERING.

His next step is to learn to quarter his ground thoroughly
and properly. It is the most difficult to teach, and requires
more care and ability, than any other part of his acquire-
ments, on the part of the preceptor. For this purpose select
a moderately sized field, say one hundred or two hundred
yards wide, where you are certain there is no game. Cast him
off at the word " ho!d up" to the right or left, up wind.
This is essential, to prevent their turning inwards, and so
going over the same ground twice. (I forgot to say that a
cord fifteen feet is long enough now ; it does not impede his
ranging, and he is nearly as much at command with it as
with one twice as long.) If a dog is inclined to this fault of

taming inwards, you must get before him up wind, and

l\]

THE SI'OKTSMAN S VADE MECUM.

whistle him just before he turns. This will in the end break
bini of that habit. If he takes too much ground up xvind,
call " down," and start him off, after you get to him, in the
way he should go. You ought also yourself to walk on a
line with the direction the dog is going. This will accustom
him to take his beat right through to the fence, and not in
irregular zigzags, as he otherwise would do. He must now be
kept at these lessons in " down," charging, and quartering, til!
he is quite perfect and confirmed, setting him off ii:discrimi-
nately to the right or left, so that when you hunt with another,
both may not start one way. Much time will be gained, and
the dog rendered by far more perfect by continuing this
practice for some time. It is far better to render him au
fait at his work by slight punishments, frequently repeated,
and by that means more strongly impressed on his memory,
than by a severe cowhiding. This latter process is^ apt to
make him cowed, than which there is nothing worse. Many
a fine dog is ruined by it. The punishment of the check is
severe, and, as I said before, whilst it never fails to daunt the
most resolute, so also it can be so administered as not in
the end to cow the most timid.

Here it is you are to use your discretion so to temper
justice and mercy that you cause yourself to bo obeyed
without spoiling your creature. For full a month this
ought daily to be done, if fine. It is a good plan to feed
your young dogs at this stage all together, with a cord
round each of their necks, making them "down" several
times between the trough and their kennel. Pat one dog,
^nd let him feed awhile. The rest being " down," call him

THE sportsman's VADE MECUM.

t)ack and make him " down " also, checking him if he doea
not instintly obey. Pat another now, and let him feed
awhile, and so on all through one day, sending one first then
another. They learn by this a daily lesson of obedience, and
also to let another dog pass them when at point. After
your dog is perfectly steady, take him out as before, and
when he has run off what is termed the wire edge, intro-
duce him to where there are birds. Set him off up wind,
and most probably he will spring the first bird, and chase.
Follow him, crying " down." This, in the first ardor of the
moment, he is not expected to do, but sooner or later he will.
You must now pull him back to where he sprung the birds.
By repeatedly doing this, he will chase less and less, always
pulling him back to where the bird rises, crying " down.**
Gradually, by this, he will learn to drop at the rise of the
bird, and ultimately to make a point ; though most well bred
dogs do this the first time. When they do so, cry " down,"
very slightly checking them if they do not. Great caution
is necessary here to prevent their blinking. It is always
advisable to teach all young dogs to "down" when they
point. When once down, they will lie thete as long as you
please, and are less likely to blink, run in, chase. You
ought, if possible, to get before the dog when you cry
'* down." It is less likely also to make him bhnk.

Every dog, old or young, ought to be broken to drop when
a bird rises, not at the report of the gun. It renders them
far more steady. A young dog ought to be hunted alone
till he is perfectly confirmed in these points. It is a very
absurd idea to suppose that killing birds prevents their

THK SPORTSMAN 8 VADE MKCUM.

lif!
I H

ill
III

1»
ill
li

olin.Mng, quite " au contraire." Seeing the bird fall in itE
flight encourages them to chase. It is far better to get a
bird and peg it down so as to flutter and run about before
the dog when he is ^* down." This persisted in soon brings
them stt>ady. The other plan takes a much longer time to
accomplish. A young dog may easily be taught to back.
Make one dog down, and then cry " down " to him, checking
him if he does not, and pulling him to where he ought to
drop. In the field, after a time, you use the word " toho,"
at which also he drops or points. A young dog ought
never to be hunted with an old one. The latter always has
tricks ; in fact, is cunning ; and at that age a bad fault is
easily learnt, but not so easily forgotten. This is Lloyd's
art of breaking. A more sensible one I have never seen,
nor do I believe is. I have broken many dogs on it, and
never saw it fail. Patience, practice, and temper are all that
is required, for dogs can only be taught by lessons frequently
repeated. When first you shoot over a young dog, an
assistant should hoKl the end of the long line to check him,
should he attempt to run in when the bird falls. Lloyd says
f\i\ ther, " I nevejf usu a whip on any occasion whatever."
He trusts to the cori This is all right while breaking and
finishing off a dog, but after that one cannot be expected to
lug fifteen feet of cord in one's pocket, though, doubtless, it
is very true that it is more efficacious than the whip, and
does not make them so apt to blink. Some will sneak away,
and are not easily caught, after committing a fault, and
others are so shy, that they would not bear a lash, and yet
are readily broken with the cord. By this means alno dog>

THE bi'ORTSMANS VAUK MKCUM.

are broken to fetch a soft substance, for instance, a glove
stuffed with wool is put in their mouths, checking them till
they hold it, calling them to you, checking them if they
drop it. By degrees you get them not only to hold and
bring, but also to fetch it. Practice and pati ;nce only are
required. Any one possessing them, and with but a slight
knowledge of sporting matters, by following the above plain
and precise rules, may break his own dogs. I have much
pleasure in making it known to the A.merican public.
Where the article is taken from I cannot say. I got it a
few years ago in manuscript, and Lloyd, Sir J. Sebright's
keeper, is the author, and very creditable it is to him. The
springer is broken by this equally well with the pointer or
setter, omitting the pointing part; teaching, however, the
quartering and " down," in the open, most perfectly and
thoroughly before ever he goes into covert — till steady on
birds, dropping the moment a bird rises and a gun is fired —
observing, though, to teach him to take his quarters much
closer and shorter. The cocker ought never to be fifteen
yards from the shooter, and when two are shooting, should
take his quarters from one to the other, turning at the
whistle, and only gaining a few yards each turn. For
beagles, kennel discipline is of more avail than out-door
teaching. They must be taught to come and go, when
called. To such perfection is this kennel discipline carried in
England, that I have seen fifty couples of hounds waiting in
a yard to be fed ; the door open, each one coming when
called by name ; leaving his food when ordered " to bed " or
" kennel." " Dogs come over," all the dogs coming ovei

bht

u i

THE SPORTSMAN S VADE MECUM.

i i

'if ^
III

(;,.:

" Bitches coino over," when all the bitches come. To dt
this requires time and patience. Out doors they are taught
to follow the huntsman to cover, receiving a hearty cut of
the whip if they lag or loiter by the way, whipped up if
they neglect to come to the pipe of the horn, if they run to
heel, hang too long on the scent, follow false scent, tbx, rab-
bit, or anything else they be not hunted to. With them
the whip is used, and severely too, sometimes. And now 1
have done with the training of dogs, all but the retriever
The cord will apply for him, though in addition to this he
must be taught to " seek lost " in any direction you wave
your hand. His lessons, however, will extend over a far
greater length of time than the others. Age only increases
bis abilities. The more of a companion you make of bim,
the more tricks in seeking lost you teach him, the more
valuable he becomes. My brother has one that can be sent
miles to t^e house for any article almost, and he brings it.
Last winter he sent him for the roast before the fire, and
after a tussle with the cook it came sure enough. He is
one of the most knowing dogs I ever saw. A large black
fellow, of what breed I know not, Newfoundland and setter
though, I fancy. Four pounds was his price. He is well
worth five times four. For wounded birds he is invaluable,
and has only one foult ; he does not " charge," which all
retrievers, as well as every other sporting dog, should do ;
else while you are loading, and they rushing about like mad,
the birds get up, and you lose a chance, from either not
being ready, or your gun being empty. Before concluding,
[ will stAto all the words and motions requisite to teacb

THE SPORTSMAN S VADE MECUM.

your pointers and setters. " Down," " Hold up," " Toho."
Holding up your hand open means " down," or " Toho,"
where another dog is pointing. A whistle solus to come in
*' to heel" — that word for them to get behind you ; a whistle
and a wave of the hand to the right for them to quarter
that way ; ditto whistle and wave to the left to quarter to the
left. Avoid shouting as much as possible. Nothing is more
disgusting than to be bawling all the time. If your dog
don't heed your whistle, get him to heel as fast and as quietly
as possible, and administer a little strap, whistling to them
sharply to impress it on their mind. Never pass by a single
fault without either rating or flogging. Always make your
dogs point a dead bird before retrieving it : and nothing is
more insane than to loo on your dogs, after a wing-tipped
bird. Hunt it quietly and deliberately. I know it is difficult
to restrain yourself sometimes. How much more difficult,
then, to restrain your dogs. Far better to lose a bird, a
thing I detest doing, than run the chance of spoiling a young
dog. Never take a liberty with him, however you may
do so with an old one, though even he can and will be made
unsteady, by letting him chase or have his own way. One
thing leads to another. I thought I had got through, but
methinks it is as well to state the best plan to And a dead
bird in cover, or out also, for thai matter. Walk as nearly
us possible to where you fancy the bird fell ; there stand, nor
move a step, making the dogs circle round you till they find
it. Practise them at this as much as any other part of their
education, calling them constantly back if they move off.
Should you find a dose going off*, notice the direction, but ctiU

ill!

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THE SPOKTSMAN's VADE MECDM.

him bauk. If he should still return there, you may presume,
it is a runner. Let him try to puzzle it out, i^vhile you keep
the other dog at work close to you. By this plan it is extra-
ordinary what few birds you will lose in a season. Always
bunt a brace of dogs. More are too many ; one is just one
too few. It is too pot-hunterish, too slow. You lose half
the beauties of the sport seeing your dogs quartering their
fields, crossing one another in the centre, or thereby, without
jealousy, backing one another's points — both dropping " to
shot " as if shot. You get over twice as much ground in a
day. This, in a thinly sprinkled game country, is something.
Where very plentiful, you find them all the quicker.

■m
II

VBEDINO.

With regard to the feeding of dogs, some few words are
necessary, and we will endeavor to point out the best way to
manage them properly, and with a due regard to economy.
Where only one or two dogs are kept, it is presumed that
the refuse of the house is ample for them. It will keep then;
in good order and condition ; but where more are kept, it
will bo necessary to look further for their supplies. We wiU
therefore treat them as one would a kennel, distinguishing
town from country ; for in the one what would be extremely
cheap, in the other would be dear. For ordinary feeding,
then, in town, purchase beef heads, sheep ditto, offal, i. e.
feet, bellies, &c., which clean. Chop them up and boil to rags
ill a copper, filling up your copper as the water boils away.
You may add to this a little salt, cabbage, parsnips, potatoes,
carrots, turnips, or any other cheap vegetable. Put Uiii

THE SfORTSMANS VADE MECDM.

^up aside, and then boil old Indian meal till it is quite stiff
Let it also get cold. Take of the boiled mea' as much as
you think requisite, adding sufficient of the broth to liquefy
it. This is the cheapest town food. In the country during
the summer, skimmed milk, sour milk, buttermilk, or whey,
may be used in place of the soup. In the winter, it is as
well to give soup occasionally for a change. Never use new
Indian flour. It scours the dogs dreadfully. Old does not.
The plan I adopt is, to buy Indian corn this year for use
next, store it, and send it to grind as I require it ; and as the
millers have no object in boning the old meal, returning new
for it, I insure by this means no illness from feeding in my
kennel. Although Indian corn has not either so much
albumen or saccharine matter in it as oats, it does tolerably
well with broth ; but when the greatest amount of work ia
required in a certain given time from a certain quantity of
dogs, as in a week's, fortnight's, or month's shooting excur
sion, I always use oatmeal, for two reasons : — Ist, it is far
more nourishing in itself, a less bulk of it going further than
corn meal : — 2nd, you cannot depend on getting old
meal in the country, nor yet meat always to make soup. The
dogs fed on oatmeal porridge and milk, which you always
can get, do a vjist deal of work, and have good scenting
powers. Using these different articles, I calculate each dog
to cost me one shilling York currency per week, and I pay
fifty cents per bushel for Indian corn, six dollars per barrel
for oatmeal (old), one York shilling for beef head, milk three
cents per quart for new, probably, one and a half for skim.
In a house there are always bones, potatoe peelings, and pot

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THE sportsman's VAUE MECOM.

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liquor. By cleaning the potatoes before peeling, ancl popping
all into the dog pot, a considerable saving is effected in a
year, and the dogs are benefited thereby. Mangel Wurtzel
and Ruta Bagas, I believe they call them this side the water,
are easily grown, and are good food, boiled up with soup.

CONDITION.

This brings me on to what is termed " condition," in other
words, that form of bodj best adapted to undergo long and
continued exertion. It is equally certain that a dog too fat,
AS we'l as one all skin and bone, is not in this state. These
are the two forms from which different people start to bring
their animals to the mark. Of the two, I certainly prefer
the fat one. During the summer time, dogs should have
plenty of air, water, and exercise. This is easily managed by
taking them, out whenever you go walking or riding, or
jetting them be loose all day, kennelling at night, and when
this is done, by a mild dose of physic a fortnight before the
season, and additional exercise along a hard road to harden
their feet, say two or three hours daily, you have your dogs
in fair working order. When you have a dog too fat, you
must purge him, and put him through a course of long but
slow exercise at first, quickening by degrees, till you work
off the fat, and leave substance and muscle in its place.
With a lean dog you have a far haider job to managp, and
one which takes a long time to accomplish. A mild dose to
put him in form first, then the best, strongest, and most
nutritious food you can get. Oatmeal and strong broth,
gentle and slow exercise, this is the plan to put beef :n h»

THE SPORTSMAN S VADK MECUM.

bones without fat. As he grows in substance, increase and
quicken his work. Any person Hving in the country does or
ought to take his dogs out when he rides or drives. The
pace is fast and severe enough for them, and generally lasts
sufficiently long. My dogs are exercised this way every time
the horses go out, and are kept in fine order, if anything too
fine, perhaps ; but, then, what there is, is all muscle and hard
flesh. During the shooting season, always feed your dogs
with warm meals. Three o'clock is the best time at that
season of the year, and a separate mess kept warm for your
brace at work, when they return. Nothing conduces more to
the keeping your dogs in condition than regular feeding
hours and regular work. One meal a day is sufficient
Three o'clock is the best hour, as the dogs have tolerably
emptied themselves by the next morning. I omitted to
mention in the proper place to accustom your pups to the
same food as when kennelled they will get. For this pur-
pose, as soon as they feed well, give them regular kennel
food, except that they nmst have three feeds a day for some
six months, and after that two, till they are full grown. Use
as little medicine as possible. Always feed your worked
dogs immediately they get home. If you wait awhile, and
they are tired, they curl themselves up, get stifi*, and don't
feed properly ; and if they so refuse their food, and are by
any accident to be out next day, they will not be up to the
work. No dogs, however, can stand daily work [properly for
more than three days, and even that is more than enough
tor them, but they will stand every second day, if well
attended to, for a considerable time. Always see your dog»

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THE sportsman's VADB MECUM.

fed yourself. No servant will do it as it should be dciidi
Ten minutes or a qu^u-ter of an hour devoted to this as soon
as you return from the field, will be more than repaid when
next you use them. If you ride, or rather drive to your
ground, as is best to do when more than a mile away, ride
your dogs also ; ditto as you return. Every little helps, and
this short ride wonderfully saves your animals. I invariably
Ho this. But when I drive, say twenty miles or so, to a
bhooting station, I generally run one brace or so the whole
way, and the other brace perhaps ten miles, taking out next
Jay fcurtt brace which only ran the short distance. Always on
a trip of this kind take a bag of meal with you also. You
are then safe. The neglect of this precaution in one or two
instances has obliged me to use boiled beaf alone, to the
rery great detriment of the olfactory senses of ray dogs.
Their noses, on this kind of food, completely fail them.
Greasy substances also are objectionable for the same cause,
unless very well incorporated with meal. For this reason I
object to " tallow scrap " or chandlers' graves ; but this 1
sometimes use in summer. Regular work, correct feeding,
and regular hours, that is the great secret of one man's dogs
standing harder work than others. A little attention to the
subject will enable any one to keep his animals pretty near
the mark. Amongst the receipts will be found one used in
England for feeding greyhounds when in training, if any one
likes to go to the expense of it.

KBNliBIj.

This treatise would not be complete without makmg soibu

THB sportsman's VAVE MECUM.

remarks on that very esseDtial thing, the kennel. Where
only a brace of dogs are kept, the common movable box
kennel is sufficient. This should be large enough to hold
the two comfortably, with a sharp pitch to the roof and
projecting front ; but I should recommend one for each dog
slightly raised from the ground, sufficiently high for the dog
to stand up in, and wide enough for him to turn round in.
The entrance had better be boarded up, except a hole for
liini to enter and get out by. But where a large number of
dogs are kept, this plan of separate houses is expensive, and
in their place I would recommend a brick building sixteen
Sect long by five feet wide and six teet high, or, if biick be
not get-at-able, a boarded house will do ; but it ought to be
lined and boarded outside, the space between the two filled
ap with sawdust, and weather-boarded. Besides, this sixteen
feet must be divided into three compartments right up to
the top, one eight feet for the dogs, one five for the bitches,
and one three feet for the worked dogs. The doors should
be large enough to admit a man to clean. The beds ought
to be raised on a bench from the floor, this bench movable
on hinges at the back, so that it can be hoisted up, and
cleaning done below. The dogs ought to be prevented
getting under their beds, by a board reaching from the out-
side edge of the bench to the floor. Six or eight inches is
sufficient raise. The floor of this kennel should slope out-
wards, to carry off wet. The door should have a small hole
in it, with a swing door, so that by pushing against it, the
dogs can get either in or out. In front of these two, that is
to say, the dog and bitch departments, n court-yard, either

THE sportsman's vade mgccm.

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paved or flagged, both preferable to brick, since they dr»-
quicker, and consequently there is less feai of kennel lame-
ness, caused by paddling on a damp floor. These courts
ought to run out at least ten or fifteen feet to the front, and
of course the partition kept up between the two. This out-
side court may be palisaded, but it should be at least ten
feet high, else the dogs are liable to break kennel ; and the
front of the bouse also at the top should be fortificl, to
prevent their eloping that way. If possible, a stream of
running water should be conducted through the yards ; it
aids its daily washing, as well as enabling the dogs to get
as much pure water as they choose. When this cannot bo
had, a trough must be daily filled for their use. Clean
wheat straw, removed twice a week, or shavings of pine or
cedar when to be had are better, must be used for their beds.
Always feed your dogs together in a V shaped trough,
raised slightly from the ground, taking care to restrain the
greedy and encourage the shy feeders. In a building of this
frort, they will be perfectly warm and comfortable. Every
portion of it must be daily cleaned out, and the rubbish
carried away. Twice a year it should be whitewashed inside
and out, and fumigated with sulphur, tobacco, <fec. This
considerably helps to destroy vermin. Nothing conduces
more to disease than a filthy kennel, nothing vitiates a dog's
nose more than foetid smells. In the rear of this kennel
should be your boiling house, if your establishment requires
one. All that is required is a copper, set in brick, with a
chimney, to boil mush and meat in, a barrel to hold soup,
ind a ledge or tray, three or four inches deep, to pour Hut

THE sportsman's VADE MECUM.

musb in to cool and set; a chopping block, knife, ladles
with long wooden handle, to stir and empty the copper
with, a few hooks to hang flesh on, when you use horse-
flesh, &c^ in place of heads — equidly good, by the way,
when you can get it — shovel, broom, and buckets. I
beheve all in this department is now complete and requisite,
when you keep six or more dogs. The spare place is good
for breeding bitches, when you do not require it for your
tired dogs, as also for sick ones. In £act, you cannot well do
without it.

And now methinks I may safely add a few words on
guns. This, of course, especially to the rising generation.
I need not tell you not to put the shot all in one barrel and
the powder in the other, though I have frequently seen it
done, aye, and done it myself, when in a mooning fit ; but 1
will say, never carry your gun at ftill cock or with the ham-
mers down, than which last there cannot be anything more
dangerous. The slightest pull upon the cock is sufficient to
cause it to fall so smartly on the cone or nipple as to explode
the cap. Positively, I would not shoot a day, no, nor an
hour, with a man that so carried his gun. At half cook
there is no danger. By pulling ever so hard at the trigger,
you cannot get it off; and if you raise the cock ever so
litt'e, it falls back to half cock, or, at the worst, catches at full
cock. Never overcharge your gun. Two to two and a half
drachms of powder, and one ounce to one and a quarter of shot,
is about the load. For summer shooting, still less. Nevei
take out a dirty gun, not even if only once fired out of, even
\f you have to clean it yourself. After cleaning with soap

THE sportsman's VADG MBCUM.

fi:^

rubbed on the tow in warm, or better, cold water, without
the soap, if not over dirty, remove the tow, put on clean, and
pump out remaining dirt in clean warm water, rinsing out
the third time in other clean warm water. Invert the bar-
rels, muzzle downwards, while you re6x your dry tow on the
rod. Work them out successively with several changes of
tow, till they bum again. Drop a few drops of animal oil —
refined by putting shot into the bottle ; neat's foot oil is best
for this — on to the tow, and rub out the inside of barrels
with it well. Wipe the outside with oil rag, cleaning around
the nipples with a hard brush and a stick ; ditto hammers
and the steel furniture. Use boiled oil to rub off the stock,
but it must be well rubbed in. Before using next day, rub
over every part with a clean dry rag. Nothing is more
disgusting than an oily gun, and yet nothing is more requi-
site than to keep it so when out of use. In receipts you
will find a composition to prevent water penetrating to the
locks, which ought to be as seldom removed as possible. I
shall not tell you how to do this, for if you do know the
how, where is the necessity, and if you don't, in all proba-
bility you would break a scear or mainspring in the attempt,
as I did, when first I essayed, and after that had to get the
gamekeeper to put it together. So your best plan in this
latter case is to watch the method for a time or two, when
you will know as much of the matter as I da

The finest barrels are rusted the most easily, and suffer
the more detriment by rusting. Of course the fouler the
gun the greater the evil that arises from its being left foul.
In hot weather, barrels suffer infinitely more than in cold;

THE sportsman's YADE MSOUM.

and in wet, than in dry. When dampness and heat are
combined, the mischief is yet augmented; and, probably,
the worst conditions that can be supposed are when, to
dampness and heat, a salt atmosphere is superadded.

No man who owns a fine gun, which he values, ought ever
to put it aside after use without cleaning, even if he have
fired but a single shot. Again, every man who loves his
gun, should make it a point to clean it with his own hands.
It may do in Europe, where one has a game-keeper at his
elbow who knows how to clean a gun better than he does
himselfj and who takes as much pride in having it clean as
he. Use strong and clean shooting powders. Don't use
too large, nor yet too small shot Six, seven, and eight are
about your mark for ordinary work ; for duck, from common
gun, number four. Never leave your dog whip at home :
you always want it most on those occasions. A gun thirty-
one inch barrel, fourteen gauge, and eight pounds weight, is
as useful an article as you can have. Never poke at a bird,
that is, try to see him along the barrels. K you do, you
never can be a good or a quick shot. Fix your eye or eyes
on the bird, lift up your gun, and fire the moment it touches
your shoulder. Practise this a little, and believe me you
will give the pokers the go by in a short tim . 'c is the
only way to be a sharp shot. And now I will have done,
trusting I have not wasted your time in reading so far to no
purpose.

CREDIT GIVEN FOR RECEIPTS.

In the following receipts you will find those of Blaine

Youatt, Myres, Ilerlxri, and several other people, bul as 1.

II'
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THE sportsman's VADE MECUM.

really don't know to whom the credit is due for e
individual one, I trust to be forgiven. This much, howe\^.,
I can say, there are not more than one or two of my own.
I have tried most, if not all, and found them good. Some
are not quite as in the original, having been amended by a
sporting medical man, a friend of mine, to suit the new
fashion of preparing medicines.

RECEIPTS.

We will commence these by directions to give a dog
physic. If he is not over large, you can manage by your
self. Invert a bucket, and sit on it. Set the dog down o*"
his haunches between your legs, holding him up with y<
knees. Tie a cloth round his neck ; this falling over jua
fore-paws is pressed against his ribs by your knees. His
fore-legs by this dodge are hors du combat. With the finger
and thumb of one hand force open his jaws, elevating his
bead at the same time with the same hand. If a bolus,
with the other hand pass it over the root of the tongue, and
give it a sharp poke downwards. Close the mouth, still
holding up the head, till you see it swallowed. If a draught,
give a mouthful, close the mouth, hold up the head, and
stop the nostrils. Repeat this, if the draught is too large to
be taken at once. If the dog is very large, you must have
an assistant, else in his struggles he will upset physic and
yourself into the bargain.

OENKRAL REMARKS ABOUT DOGS IN PHTSIO.

Keep them dry and warm, especially when yon use
calomel or any mercurial preparation. Always remove them

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THE sportsman's VADB MBCUM.

from the kennel, and put them into an hospital apart frono
the rest, to prevent infection, as we'M as to insure the poor
brutes quietness. Study the appearance of the eyes, feet,
nose, extremities, pulse, <fec.

To make a bitch inclined to copulate. — Seven drops Tinc-
ture of Cantharides twice a day till effect is produced — about
six days, probably.

Mange. — Caused by dirty kennels, neglect, want of
nourishing, or improper, food. Cure — I oz. salts, if dog of
moderate size. Rub every third day well into the skin
quantum suf. of the following mixture : —

Train oil — tanner's will do— one quart ; spirits turpentine
one large wineglass full ; sulphur sufficient to let it just run
off a stick. Mix well. Three applications are generally
sufficient. Let it stay on the animal for a fortnight, when
wash well with soap and water. Remember, it takes nearly
two hours to well scrub the above into the skin. Smearing
over the hair is no use. It must get well into the skin ; and
if neatly and properly done, the dog scarcely shows the
application.

Worms. — ^ Cowhage, half a drachm ; tin filings, very
fine, four drachms. Make into four or six balls, accord*
ing to size of dog. One daily, and a few hours afterwards a
purge of salts or aloes. Powdered glass, as much as will lie
on a shilling, i. e. a quarter dollar, new coin, in lard.
Repeat once or twice alternate days. Finish off with one to
two drachms Socotrine Aloes, rolled up in tissue paper.
Mind, the glass must be ground into the finest kind of pow-
der, else it will injure the coats of the stomach.

K,
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THE SPORTSMAN 8 VADE MEOUM.

To make a dog fine in hia coat. — A tablespoonful of tar
in oatmeal. Make bolus.

Distemper. — Distemper is caused by low keep, neglect,
and changes of atmosphere. Symptoms of the disease ar«
as follows : — Loss of spirit, activity, and appe- drowsinessi
dulness of the eyes, lying at length with nose to the
ground, coldness of extremities, legs, ears, and lips, heat in
head and body, running at the nose and eyes, accompanied by
sneezing, emaciation, and weakness, dragging of hinder quar-
ters, flanks drawn in, diarrhoea, sometimes vomiting. There
are several receipts for this, the worst and most fatal of all
diseases. One is better than another, according to the
various stages. This first, if commenced at an early stage,
seldom fulls. Half an ounce of salts in warm water, when
the dog is first taken ill; thirty-six hours afterwards, ten
grains compound Powder of Ipecacuanha in warm water. If
in two days he is no better, take sixteen grains Antimonial
Powder, made into four boluses ; one night and morning for
two days. If no improvement visible, continue these pills,
unless diarrhoea comes on, in which case you must use the'
ipecacuanha day about with the pills. If the animal is much
weakened by this, give him one teaspoonful Huxam's Tinc-
ture of Bark three times a day. Keep warm, and feed on
rich broth. Jnir.os's Powder is also almost a certain remedy
Dose four grains ; or Antimonial Powder and Calomel, three
parts of first to one of latter, from eight to fifteen grains ; or,
after the salts. Ant. Powder, two, three, or four grains. Nitrate
Potash, five, ten, or fifteen grains ; Ipecacuanha, two, three,
or four. Make into ball, and jt' z twice or three times a

THE sportsman's VADB MBOUM.

day, according to appearances. Repeat the purge or emetics
every fourth day, but avoid too great looseness of bowels.
Diarrhoea sometimes supervenes, in which case give Com*
pound Powder of Chalk, with Opium, ten grains. In case of
fits coming on, destroy the animal. The same may be said
of paralysis. If this disease is taken in its early stage, and
attended to, and the dog kept warm, there is not much dan-
ger. Otherwise it is very fatal.

Wounds. — Poultice for a day or two ; then apply Friar's
Balsam, covering up the place.

For a Green Wound. — Hog's lard, turpentine, bees' wax,
equal parts ; verdigris, one fourth part. Simmer over a slow
fire till they are well mixed.

Purgative Medicines. — Salts, one ounce; Calomel, five
grains ; or Socotrine Aloes, two drachms for moderate sized
dog.\

Stripping Feet. — Wash in bran and warm water, with a
little ivinegar > after apply Tincture of Myrrh .^ Apply sweet
oil before he goes out. If his feet are tender, wash them in
brine, to harden them. When actually sore, buttermilk,
greasy pot liquor, or water gruel, are best. Brine inflames.
The dog should be kept at home till feet are healed. Then
apply the brine and vinegar.

Canker in the Ear. — Wash well with soap and warm
water; fill up the ear with finely powdered charcoal or
powdered borax. Clean out daily with sponge on stick and
warm water, and repeat the dusting till it heals. Or, per
haps, the best receipt is, — clean out ear with sponge fastened
on a pliable stick, using warm soap and water. When quiti

THB SPORTSMAN'S VADE MBCUlf.

clean, dip the sponge in Sulphate of Oopper-water, turning it
gently round. Put seton in the neck just under the ear.

Oak Bark, one pound, chopped fine, and well boiled in soft
water. When cold, take of the Decoction of Bark four
ounces, Sugar of Lead, half a drachm. Put a teaspoonful
into the ear night and morning, rubbing the root of ear well,
to cause it to get well into the cavities. This is one of the
best receipts in this book.

To make Sulphate of Copper Water. — Sulphate of Cop-
per half a drachm, water one ounce. Mix well and keep
corked.

External Canker of Ear. — Butter of Antimony, diluted
in milk to the thickness of cream, will cure it ; or Red Pre-
cipitate of Mercury, half an ounce, with two ounces of hog's
lard, mixed well.

To make a Seton. — ^Take a dozen or two strands of a
horse's tail ; plait them ; rub blistering ointment on them.
Pass it through two or three inches of the skin with a curved
surgical needle. Tie the two ends together. Move daily.

Bleeding. — You may readily bleed a dog in the jugular
vein by holding up his head, stopping the circulation at the
base of the neck. Part the hair, and with the lancet make
an incision, taking care not to stick him too deeply. If the
animal rejoices in a heavy coat, it may be necessary to shave
away the hair. From one to eight ounces are the quanti-
ties ; but in this, as in most prescriptions, the old proverb is
the safest — " Keep between the banks."

For a Strain. — Use Bertine's Liniment; or one ounce
Turpentine, half a pint of old beer, half a pint of brine ;

THK SPORTSUAN*B VADE MKOUM.

bafcbe the part and repeat ; or Sal Ammonia, om ounce,
vinegar one pint.

Bruises or Strains of Umg standing. — Gall, Opodeldoc,
excellent. Shaved Camphor two ounces, Spirit of Wine
three quarters of a pint Shake well, and cork close, placing
it near the fire till the camphor dissolves. Then add a
bullock*8 gall. Shake well together. Apply, rubbing it well
into the part affected till it lathers.

Dog Poisoned. — Give teacupful of castor oil. After hf
has vomited well, continue to pour olive oil down his throat
and rub his belly.

Staggers and 'Fits. — This generally happens in warm
weather. Throw water on them, if convenient. If not,
bleed in neck, if you have lancets. If not, with your knife
sht the ears, which you can cause to adhere together again ;
or run your knife across two or three bars next the teeth.
Bitches coming off heat are more subject to this than dogs
in good health.

To reduce the time a bitch m in heat. — Give her a little
Nitre in water, and a dose of Calomel, four grains or there-
abouts, followed by salts or aloes.

Bilious Fever — Is caused by want of exercise and too high
feeding. Calomel, six or eight grains ; or, in an obstinate
case, Turpeth Mineral or Yellow Mercury, six to twelve grains
in a bolus.

To destroy Lice. — Sometimes the receipt below for fleas
will prove efficacious, but not alwajrs ; but a small quantity
of Mercurial Ointment, reduced by adding hog's lard to it,
tay an equal quantity, rubbed along the top of the dog'K

THE sportsman's VADE MECUll.

^ back never fails. The greatest care must be taken to keep
the animal warm.

jPTeew. — Bcotch snuff steeped in gin is infallible ; but must
be used with great care, and not above a teaspoonful of snuff
to a pint of gin, — ^as the cure, if overdone, is a deadly poison.

Tom Ears. — Laudanum and brandy, equal parts. Mix
well. Apply alternately with sweet oil.

Feed for Greyhounds in training. — Wheat flour and oat-
meal, old, equal parts. Liquorice, aniseed, and white of
eggs. Make into a paste. Make loaves. Bake them. Break
up into very rich broth.

Swelled Teats. — Make pomade of Camphorated Spirit, or
brandy, and goose grease, two or three times a day.

Inflammation of the Bowels. — Symptoms: Dulness of
appearance and eyes ; loss of appetite ; lying on the belly,
with outstretched legs ; pulse much quickened ; scratching
up of the' bed into a heap, and pressing the belly on it ; desire
to swallow stones, coal, or any cold substance not voidable ;
inclination to hide away. It is very dangerous; requires
active trt^atment. Bleed most freely, till the dog faints away.
Clap a blister on the pit of the stomach. Give Aloes,' fifteen
grains, and Opium, half a grain. Repeat dose three times a
day. Bleed after twelve hours, if pulse rises again, and con-
tinue dosing and bleeding till either the dog or inflammation
gives in. No half measures do in this disease. After
determining that it is inflammation of bowels, set to work to
get the upper hand. When that is done, there is no trouble.
Otherwise it is fatal. Feed low, and attend carefully to
prevent relapse.

Films over the JB'yw.-rrBlue stone or Lunar Caustic, eicfht

TUB SPORTSMAN 8 VAOB MKCUM.

gnins, spring water, one ounce. TV ash the eyes with it,
letting a little pass in. Repeat this daily, and you will Soon
cure it ,

Mbns caused hy Thorn Wounds. — ^Best the dog till per-
fectly headed over, washing with rose water. If much
inflammation, bleed, and foment with hot water, with a few
drops of laudanum in it — about forty drops of laudanum to
one. ounce of water ; or two grains of opium to one ounce of
water — one as good as the other. Then apply four or five
times a day the following wash : — Superacetate of Lead, half
a drachm. Rose Water, six ounces.

To extract Thorns. — Gobbler's wax bound on to the place,
or block pitch plaster or a poultice, are equally good. : >

To preserve Gun Barrels from rust of sait voaUr.-^
Black lead, three ounces; hog^s lard, eight ounces; camphor,
quarter ounce ; boiled together over a slow fire ; the barrels
to be rubbed with this mixture, which after three days must
be wiped off clean. This need not be repeated above twice
in the winter.

Bite of a Snake. — Olive oil, well rubbed in before a fire,
and a copious drench of it also.

To render Boots or Shoes Water-proof. — Beef suetj quarter
of a pound ; bees' wax, half a pound ; rosin, quarter of a I
pound. Stir well tc^etber over a slow fire. Melt the mix-
ture, and rub well into the articles daily with a hard brush
before the fire.

To Soften Boots. — Use hog's lard, half a pound ; mutton
uuet, quarter of a pound ; and bees' wax, quarter of a pound.
Melt well, and rub well in before the fire ; or currier's oil if
as good, barring the smell. 8*

THE SPORTSMAN 8 VADE MEOUM.

Water-proofing for Gun Locks. — Make a satnrated solution
of Naphtha and India rubber. Add to this three times the
quantity of Copal Varnish. Apply with a fine, small brush
along the edges of the lock and stock.

5ii

DISTEMPER.

How best to convey to my readers a clear, and at th<
same time succinct account of this disease, has much troubled
me. This is now the third attempt made to set before my
brother sportsmen, who have had little or no experience,
in the plainest terms, the symptoms and features of the
disease, as well as the best remedies to be applied to its
various stages and ever varying types. After considerable
doubts on the subject, I fiincy that by setting before you a
series of cases which have come under my own treatment,
the peculiar features of each case, the remedies prescribed,
and the termination, whether fatal or otherwise, I shall
best serve the interests of my readers. I beg expressly to
state, that with one or two exceptions — the cases of the
older dogs— of which I write from recollection, after a
lapse of several years, and consequently cannot be so positive
about, the others have all recently passed through my hands,
and the course of treatment, <fec., has been especially noted,
and here recorded with minute exactness. The range of
cases are, I believe, suflSciently numerous to meet any form
and stage of the disease, from the most simple to the most
complicated and &tal. With the sole exception of chorea
or paralysis, a case of which I have never fairly seen
through, one or two cases are noted, in which this would

THE sportsman's VADK MEOUM.

ft9

have been the termination, but for the remedies applied.
The system pursued has been a combination m! a great manj
various receipts, adapted to each peculiar case ; and through
the very severe cases that this year have depopulated my
kennel, I have been under great obligations to. a very
talented medical man, whose advice I ever tbund of great
service, and whose professional knowledge enabled him so to
vary the quantities and forms of the meilicines as best to
overcome some particular form or other. Every keeper or
sportsman has, or professes to have, some never-failing nos-
trum or other. Believe me, this is all stuff. There have
been, are, and ever will be, cases incurable ; but I will ven-
ture to say, that ninety-nine out of a hundred who know
anything of the subject will admit that these remedies
contain some one or more of the following medicines, all of
which are of value : — ^Epsom Salts, Calomel, Jalap, Tartar
Emetic, as purgatives or vomits ; Antimony, Nitre, James*
Powder, Ipecacuanha, as sudorifics, diaphoretics, or febrifuges.
From these medicines, the most used, it is evident to see what
tendency the course of treatment is designed to have, and
when it fails, extra means must be employed till that is
effected. Here it is that study, practice, and an intimate
knowledge of medicines and their combinations prove of
great advantage. At this stage more dogs are lost for want
of knowledge what next to do than in any other way; for
they are either getting worse or better, never standing stiU,
and each day's illness tells much against the recovery, fiom
the great emaciation antl weakness which commences from
the drst, and keeps increasing daily. Never was there a

'I HE SlUlrrSMAN's VADK MECUM.

more appropnate quotation than *' Opus est consnlto, sed
abi consulueris matuie facto." It were idle to speculate on
the origin of the disease. Suffice for us that we have it, and
that we consider it an affection of the mucous membrane,
solely, in the earlier stages, but ultimately combining itself
with general mucous affections. But it will not be foreign to
our purpose to state several influences which are supposed, if
not actually to cause, at nil events, greatly to increase its
virulence. They are these : — Low Diet, Dirt, Confinement in
close, unhealthy, damp kennels, too great a quantity of raw,
or even boiled fiesh, too little exercise, sudden changes in the
atmosphere, and contagion. It cannot be called endemic,
since it exists everywhere. Neither is it exactly an epidemic^
though some years U does assume that form, while at other
times it does not

Bleeding we see recommended in the Field Sports. Some
practitioners are very fond of the lancet. We confess quite a
contrary penchant, and hold that bleeding is seldom or ever
justifiable, except in cases of violent inflammations.

In distemper, we would not draw blood, once in a hundred
times ; for the usual course of the disease is so enervating,
that in ordinary circumstances nature is reduced far more
than agreeable ; and as purgatives must be used under any
drcumstances, they will in general be sufficient to reduce any
fever. We will now mention the ordinary symptoms whence
we determine this complaint. Lowness of spirit, drowsiness^
dimness of the eyes, staring of the coat, loss of appetite,
may be noticed, and frequently disregarded. Here we will
remark that a mild dose of Ep»jm salts, according to age

I !

THK sportsman's VADB MEOUM.

— vide prescriptions at the end, No. one, — will sufiSce. In a
day or two, however, if neglected, sometimes a ruunfog at
the nose will be seen ; or the ears and feet will be cold,
while the head and body will be feverish ; the nose will be
hard, dry, and cracked. By d^rees, if neglected, the nose
will discharge a thick purulent matter, the belly beoouie
hotter and distended, the dog will lie full stretch, belly to the
ground, the hind legs begin to fail. He may also have
spasmodic and convulsive twitchings, giddiness, foaming at
the mouth, epileptic fits. Now he will ravenously eat any-
thing cold, drink any quantity of water.

FIRST OASB.

Three Setter pups, two to three months old. Appearance^
<tc. — Sliffht drowsiness, dimness of eyes, staring of coat,
faeces hard. Oave two tcaspoonfuls No. one, and repeated
next day. Intermitted a day. Repeated dose to make sure.
AllweU.

8B00ND CABS.

Three Setter puppies, same age at the sam^ time. — Symp-
toms same, and also heat in body and head ; coldness of
extremities ; bodies inclined to hardness ; fseces dark and
irregular. Gave four teaspoonfuls No. one. Next morning,
if anything worse, belly still hard and swelling, gave each
half a gnan of Calomel, half a grain of Tartar Emetic. Aflfi
an hour, no vomit having been attained, repeated the doso.
At night gave each a pill — Antimony, two grains, Nitn*. toi
graino, Ipecacuanha, three grains.

THE 8P0RT8MAN*S VADE MECUM.

Third day. — Saw pups about eight a.m. One had had a
fit, another had one while we were present, and the third
seemed likely to have one. Its eyes looked wild; it wa&
unnaturally brisk, and running about ; the nose discharged
more freely, but not yet any foul matter. Gave all three
Calomel and Tartar Emetic as before, and repeated, it not
having produced any effect. Between the doses, the two
had each a fit, and several, we may as well mention, through
the day, the earlier ones being the most severe. About one
hour after the vomit, gave each one tablespoonful Castor oil.
Fed them with bread and milk. At night gave pill to each —
Antimony, three grains, Nitre, ten grains, Ipecacuanha, two
grains. Next morning two pups were l)etter. Gave them
No. one, two teanpoonfuls, pill as before, night and morning,
for two days. No. one the third day. Sent them to kennel.
The third of this lot we found not to have had fits ; but his
bowels were hard, and his secretions black and improper.
Gave him Calomel and Tartar Emetic as before, with No.
one, usual dose, and pills as above. Gradually he got
weaker and weaker, and at last he died. The error here was
undoubtedly in not increasing the calomel, and leaving out
emetic, so as to endeavor to alter the secretions. A pill, for
instance, in this form, would have better met the case
Calomel, one grain. Antimony, two grains. Nitre, f .«,

followed up in three hours by one teaspoonful No. i

THIRD CASE.

Two Setter pups, game age ax the last. — Case very bad.
Fits had taken place more than once. Bodies hard, tumid*

THE sportsman's VADE MECUM.

liead and belly hot, evidently much pain in body ; ears and
feet icy cold; nose hard and thick, pus in it; faeces not
noticed. Gave instantly, vomit as before; Calomel and Tar>
tar Emetic, half a grain. Repeated in one hour, not having
operated. Half an hour after this had taken place, gave two
teaspoonfuls No. two to each. This purged very quickly.
One of the puppies appeared to be in much pain. Gave it
a saltspoonfiil of mustard in a little milk. Fits constantly
occurring, with intervals of one or two hours, repeated the
mustard, and gave Spirits of Hartshorn, six drops. Camphor
water, sixty drops, Sweet Spirits Nitre, twenty drops. Lauda-
num, six drops. Repeated this dose in six hours' time.
Kept them all night by the kitchen stove. Slightly bettei
next morning. Gave pill — Antimony, three gnuns. Calomel,
one grain. Nitre, ten grains. Three hours after, two tea-
spoonfuls No. two. Fits had ceased before night Gave
pill — ^Antimony, two grains. Ipecacuanha, three grains. Nitre,
ten grains, each night and next morning. Next day
improvement visible. Wildness of the eye abated ; fever in
body and coldness of extremities much diminished : secre-
tions, however, still irregular ; nose dry and hard. At night
gave pill — ^Ipecacuanha, three grains, Nitre, ten grains. Gin-
ger Essence, five drops. Next morning gave two teaspoon-
fuls No. two. At night, half teaspoonful dilated Quinine
Mixture. Next day gave Quinine twice. Day after, two
teaspoonftils No. one. Sent well to kennel. These were the
worst cases of epileptic fits we ev&r saw. The pair could not
have had less than twenty fits each, ./hich lasted from a

I'd

III

THE SPORTSMAN S VADE MECUM.

qtiarter to half an hour, during which they uttered moflt
piercing howlings.

, rOURTH CASE.

Pointer puppy ten months old Brought in from kennel i
food chiefly raw fleeh. Condition high. Appearance — Eyes
very dull ; drowsy ; nose hard, dry, with thick mucous effu-
sion ; evacuations very offensive. Should consider this the
putrid type. Gave half an ounce of !>ults in warm water.
Two days after, gave ten grains Compound Powder of
Ipecacuanha. No better: nose running a thick, heavy
matter; f«}ces very offensive. Two days after giving last
medicine, gave four strains Antimonial Powder, night and .
morning, for two days. Dog died.

Remarks. — This case happened years ago, when we were
young. Our treatment was bad from the commencement,
but the case was a vile one also. The following formulae
would have been more befitting : — Calomel, half a grain,
Tartar Emetic, half a grain, repeated with intermissions of an
hour,^till a vomit was secured. Wineglassfiil of No. two in
an hour afterwards. At night. Antimony, four grains,
Nitre, ten grains, repeated next morning. If secretions then
offensive. Calomel, two grains, followed by wineglass Na
two, in three hours. Then use Antimony, Nitre, and Ipe-
cacuanha, more or less, according as yoit wish to act on the
skin, or on the lungs or kidneys. If the cough is bad,
increase 'i;he Ipecacuanhfi. If fever prevails, add to the
Antimony. Nitre acta on the bladder.

ita

THE SPORTSMAN^S VADE MKOUM.

FIFTH CASE.

A Terrier bitch in very low conditiony pups having been
htely weaned. Age, two or three years. — Symptoms very
mild. Oave half an ounce of salts, and two days after, ten
grains Ipecacuanha, followed up by four grains Antimonial
Powder, for two days. Results : bitch was cured of distem-
per, but so dreadfully weak, could not feed itself. Gave one
teaspoonful of Huxam's Tincture of Bark, three times a day.
Hand-fed her frequently with rich beef soup, milk, and bread.
After a very hard fight, brought her round.

Renuirks. — Could not have done better much, except
would have given a combination of Antimony, Ipecacuanha,
and Nitre at first, i. e. after purging with salts. Got great
credit at the time for the cure, more deserved for nursing
well.

From these cases you will be able to see, that for a simple
purgative we prefer salts, as being a very cooling dose, and
suiting a dog's constitution well. In the earlier stages, it
sometimes effects a cure. Where there is a discharge of the
nose, you m ist, after purging, v/ork on the lungs. Where
there is fever, you must double your purging, i. e. clean
them out .Vont and rear as quickly as possible. Where to
this is ad'tod a visible disorganization of the secretions, you
ought to call in Calomel in large doses, one or two grains,
repeated, and this you may continue with Antimony, and so
nt the same time subdue the inflammation of the lungs. In
the earlier part of spring and in fall, there is little fear of
diarrhoea supervening. A slight attack of it will not be of

THE SrOKTSMAN's VADE MBOCM.

■'

mnoh consequence provided you take care to keep it well it
hand. Opium must be used with great caution ; it rather
tends to epileptic fits, which, by the way, we consider to
result from an almost stoppage of the bowels. Compound
Powder of Chalk, Quinine Mixture, Rhubard, Catechu, will
generally be sufiSdent.

In the Field Sports is the following receipt, and as we
have invariably found Blaine and Youatt's horse and dog
receipts the most reliable, we quote it It is new to us, and
so is a violent case of diarrhoea, for that matter.

9 Magnesia, one drachm ; powdered Alum, two scruples ;
Powdered Calumba,* one drachm; P. Gum Arabic, two
drachms. Mix with six ounces boiled starch, and give a
dessert or table spoonful every four or six hours, pro re nat§i.

CASE.

We will now suppose a case, for our practice of late years
has been confined to young puppies. Ears and feet cold ;
body and head very hot ; body hard and distended ; nose
hard, dry, and almost stopped up with thick matter ; dry,
husky cough ; faeces, hard ; pulse rapid, evidencing much
fever. Give instantly, Calomel and Tartar Emetic, half a
grain each, repeating it with intermissions of an hour, till
you get a vomit. One hour after, give wine glass No. two.
Twelve hours after, if fever has not abated, give three grains
Calomel, followed in three hours by wine glass of No. two.
If the next day you find any fever still lingering, give Calo-

* Catechu, one draohm, will be better than the Calumba. It is fat
ore efficacious. — Dinka.

THE 8POBT8MAMS VADB MKCOM.

iiiil

aiej, three grains, as before, Antimonial Powder, eight gituna.
This will, with, in three hours, the usual quantity of No.
two, be pretty sure to be successful. You must now address
yourself to the cold and other symptonas; and you may
give large doses of Ipecacuanha and Witxe. Keep the bowels
open, but avoid active purging, except in cases of fever. If
you find at any time the body getting hard and distended,
administer the emetic. Let the dog out into the air when-
ever it is fine and warm, keep his nose well cleaned out, and
change his bed daily. Encourage him to drink fresh water,
if he will.

The receipts alluded to in the previous pages are as
follows : —

ITo, 1. — For younff pupa up to six montha old. — Of Epsom
salts, take two ounces ; of water, one quart. Mix well, and
keep close corked.

ITo. 2. — Eight ounces of Saturated Solution of Epsom
salts, in water ; thirty drops Sulphuric Acid. Mix weF.,
and cork close.

Antimony > ^referable, when there is fever. It is an
antiphlogistic. Ipecacuanha, when there is much debility.
The last also affects the lungs, and is more eflScient in
removing cold.

Half an ounce of salts is a fair dose for a dog from nine
months to any age. No. 2 is particularly recommended,
whenever an early action ii required. V is
short, sharp and decisive.

6d^'

THX 8P0RTSMAMS VADB MEOVM.

o
o

REMARKS.

'UIIOUMO

OIPV0HJO-OK

■Sunooqa

••loqs

'smio

'WAOIJ

•n«a

•IW9J.

•i(ana

•JiaospooM

■od|UB

•in»no

■anMuopatmuu

■MHUMO PW<>H

■XaifJiix

■jasQ

•«»a

•iteJ§

ilf?

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s fau w
o ,_ w
o a H
« -e «

DOGS,

AND THEIR MANAGEMENT;

BMNa A NEW PLAN FOR TREATIHO THE AMIMAL,
BASED UPON A CONSIDERATION OF

HIS NATURAL TEMPERAMENT

lUoBtiafab bg nttmerons dngrabingi^

DlPIOriNO THE CHABAOTKR AND POSITION OF THE DOS
WHEN 8UFFBRINO DI8KASB.

EDWARD MAYHEW, M.R.C.V.&

HBOOND AMKBIOAN BDiriOH.

PREFACE.

In the following pages is laid before the public the result of
several years' study. The Author hopes to be able, ultimately, to
perfect a system of treatment which shall change only with the
progress of the science, of which it can be no more than an
oflEshoot. Saying this, the writer cannot be accused of self-
glorification, since there is in the field no living author over
whom he might appear to triumph.

The book was also written with the hope of inducing the gen-
tlemen of the Author's profession to study more carefully the
Pathology of the Dog. This is at present not properly taught,
nor is it rightly understood by the Veterinarians who profess to
alleviate canine a£9ictions. Of all the persons who accept such
offices, there is but one who, to the Author's knowledge, devotes
the time, attention, or care which disease in every shape
demands ; and the individual thus honorably distinguished, is
Mb. Gowma of Camden Town.

■< >:

I'l

OONTENTS OF MATHETS MANAGEMENT.

• m

Page

General Remarks, 78

Distemper, . . 120

Mouth, Teeth, Tongue, Gullet, Ac., 119

Bronchocele 198

Respiratory Organs, 200

Hepatitis, ; . 221

Indigestion, 227

Gastritis, 288

St. Vitus's Dance, 240

Bowel Diseases 246

Paralysis of the Hind Extremities, ..... 270

Rheumatism, 274

The Rectum, . .278

Fits, . . 296

x«ftD16By •« •• ••«•••• iSvv

GeneratiTe Organs — ^Male, . . . . . ,813

" " Female, 837

Skin Diseases 410

Canker within and without the Ear, 419

The Eye, 429

Diseases of the Limbs, 487

Fractures, 444

Operations^ 460

dogs: their management.

OEKXRAL REMARKS.

::. I

There is no animal so widely distributed as the
dog. The like assertion could not be made of any other
domesticated creature. In countries subjected to the
extremes of heat or cold, in the centre of Africa, and at
the Northern Pole, the horse is absent ; but wherever
man is able to exist, there, in some shape or other, the
dog is represented. Various have been the speculations
as to its original. There* is no animal in any way
approaching in outward appearance to the Canine Species
(properly so called), but has been assumed to be the
original parent of the family. Some have even fancied
the fox was father to all the dogs that trot by the side of
man ; but this idea seems too preposterous to be main-
tained. Others, with more reason, have supposed the
prototype of the dog was discovered 'n the wolf. There
are, however, many differences to reconcile before this
hypothesis can be received. The formation of the two
animals is distinct, — their anatomy present? positive differ-

.11
§ ill

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

THX WOI^.

ences, — their time of breeding does not agree, — their
habits are opposite, and their outward and inward charac-
ter is entirely dissimilar. The above engraving is the
portrait of the wolf. Is the reader in any danger of
mistaking it for that of a dog?

Thus the apparent separation of the two species
appears to be so wide, that a child could point it out, and
none but a philosopher could confound it. Others, again,
have gone to warmer climates for the founder of the kind,
which they have, to their own satisfaction, discovered in
the jackal : but there are very many obstacles to be
surmounted, before this supposition can be acknowledged.
In the first place, although the dog is to be found in
warm climates, he thrives least in those to which the
jackal is entirely confined. Then all that has been urged
against the fancy which conceived the prototype of the
dog was to be found in the wolf, applies with even

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

greater force to the jackal. However, to settle the dis-
pute, we hero give the likeness of the beast, and leave
to the reader to point out the particular breed of dogs to
which it belongs.

-gT*'— --

THE JACKAL.

Beyond the circumstance of the habitats of the animals
being distinct, is the well-known fact that all domesticat-
ed animals have a disposition to return to their original
formation ; but who ever heard of a dog, however
neglected, or however wild, becoming either a wolf or a
jackal ?

The dog is spread all over the world, and not only is
the animal thus widely distributed over the face of the
earth, but there is no creature that is permitted with such
perfect safety to the human race to have such continual
and intimate intercourse with mankind. It is found in
every abode : the palace, the warehouse, the mansion,
and the cottage, equally afford it shelter. No condition
of life is there with which the dog is not connected. The
playmate of the infant, the favorite of the woman, the

, :

1 1

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

servant of the man, and the companion of the aged, it is
seen in and around every home.-

Thus brought into intimate connexion with the human
rajce, and continually subject to observation, it is not
a little strange that the dog should be universally misun-
derstood. There is no qr idruped which is more abused;
whether treated kindly or otherwise, the dog is equally
made to suffer ; and probably the consequences of over
indulgence are more cruel in their result than is the
opposite course of treatment. The health of the beast is
perhaps best preserved when neglect deprives it of man's
attention ; then it may suffer from want, but it escapes
many of the diseases which caprice or ignorance entail
upon the generality of the tribe. There exists no
creature more liable to disorder, and in which disease is
prone to assume a more virulent or a more complicated
form. To minister to its afflictions, therefore, demands
no inconsiderable skill ; and it becomes the more difficult
to alleviate them, since canine pathology is not fully
comprehended, nor the action of the various medicines
upon the poor beast clearly understood ; yet there are
few persons who in their own estimation are not able to
vanquish the many diseases to which the dog is liable.
About every stable are to be met crowds of uneducated
loiterers, possessors of recipes and owners of specifics,
eager to advise and confident of success. I seldom send
a diseased dog into the park for exercise, that my servant
does not return to me with messages which strangers
have volunteered how to cure the animal. I hear of

dogs: their management.

medicines that never fail, and of processes that always
afford relief. Persons often of the upper rank honor me
with secret communications which in their opinion are
of inestimable value ; ladies frequently entreat me to try
particular nostrums, and sportsmen not seldom command
me to do things which I am obliged to decline. In fact,
the man who shall attempt to treat the diseases of the
dog, will have no little annoyance to surmount. He will
soon discover that science unfortunately can afford him
but partial help, while prejudice on every side increases
the difficulties vith which he will have to contend.

Happily, lio\ 'ever, the majority of pretended cures are
harmless. A nil of sulphur in the animal's water may
be permitted, since it amuses the proprietor while it does
not injure his dog. Some of these domestic recipes,
nevertheless, are far from harmless, and they are the
more to be deprecated, because those which most people
would imagine to be safe are the very ones which are
attended with the greatest danger. Common salt is a
poison to the dog ; tobacco is the source of many a death
in the kennel ; castor oil often does the ill which months
of care are needed to efface, even if the life be not
destroyed. In the majority of cases vomits are far
from beneficial ; bleeding is very seldom required, and
the warm bath has sealed the doom of innumerable
animals.

The foregoing observations will have informed the
reader of the reasons that prompt the publication of the
present work, which is put forth only as a step towards

V>:.

I i1

:!'l

' (

■■'■ i

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

the point the author does not yet pretend to have fully
attained. The study of years will be required to perfect
that which is now commenced, and further experience
will probably demand the retraction of many of the
opinions herein advanced. The reader will understand,
th^ author in the present work asserts only that which he
now believes. It must not be imagined, however positive
may read the language in which his sentiments are
expressed, that the writer is pledged to uphold any of
the conclusions at which he may have arrived ; know-
ledge is iu its nature progressive, and canine pathology
is not yet clearly made out. The advantages which
Accompany the study of anatomy, physiology, and thera-
])outics have yet to be more largely applied to the dis-
eases of the dog, and until this has been accomplished,
science, not reposing upon truth, will be constantly sub-
jected to change. The present work, therefore, will bo
accepted only as a contribution to veterinary literature,
anl its contents will be viewed as doing nothing more
than declaring the temporary convictions of one, who,
desirous of truth, does not conceal that his mind is
oppressed by many doubts.

In the following pages advantage will be freely taken
of the labours of those authors who have written upon
the subject ; nor must it bo supposed, because the writer
may feel himself obliged to dissent from, he therefore
undervalues tho genius of Blaine or Yountt. Botbro
Illaine collected and arranged the knowledge which
existed concerning the diseases of the dog, canine patho-

DOGS : THEIli MANAGEMENT.

logy, as a separate or distinct branch of veterinary
science, hardly existed. The task he accomplished ; but
if after the lapse of years some of his opinions are
foxind to be unsound, and some of his statements dis-
covered to require correction, these circunlstances may
be regarded as the natural consequences of progression,
while they in no way deteriorate from the honor due to
his name. Youatt enlarged and softened the teaching of
his master, and by the liberality of his communications,
and the gentleness of his example, improved and adorned
the science to which he was attached. To others than
these two great men I have no obligations to acknowledge.
For their memories I take the opportunity of expressing
the highest respect, and confess that to their instruction
is fairly due any novelty which the present pages may
contain ; eince but for those advantages their teaching
afforded, it is more than doubtful if I had perceived the
facts herein made known.

Before any mention is made of the diseases of the dog,
it will be proper to take some notice of the temperament
of the animal, as withoitt regarding this the best selected
medicines, or the most assiduous attention, may be of no
avail. Any one who will observe the animal will soon
be made aware of its excessive irritability. The nervous
system in this creature is largely developed, and, exert-
ing an influence over all its actions, gives cliaractei- to
the beast. The brain of the dog is seldom in repose, for
even when asleep the twitching of the legs and the sup-
pressed sounds which it emits inform us that it is dream*

dogs: their MANj^GEMENT.

ing. No animal is more actuated by the power of imagi-
nation. Who is there that has not seen the dog mistake
objects during the dusk of the evening 1 Delirium
usually precedes its death, and nervous excitability is the
common accompaniment of most of its disorders. To
diseases of a cerebral or spinal character it is more liable
than is any other domesticated animal. Its very bark is
symbolical of its temperament, and its mode of attack
energetically declares the excitability of its nature. The
most fearful of all the diseases to which it is exposed
(rabies), is essentially of a nervous character, and there
are few of its disorders which do not terminate with symp-
toms ii.idicative of cranial disturbance. This tendency
to cerebral affections will, if properly considered, suggest
those casual and appropriate acts which the dog in afflic-
tion may require, and which it would be impossible for
any author fully to describe. Gentleness should at all
times be practised ; but to be truly gentle the reader
must understand it is imperative to be firm. Hesitation,
to an irritable being, is, or soon becomes, positive
torture.

He who would attend upon the dog must be able to
command his feeling, and, whatever fear ho may be con
scions of, he must have power to conceal his emotion.
The hand slowly and cautiously advanced, to be hastily
retracted, is nt Iv certain to be bitten. Whatever
therefore is attempted should be done with at least the
appearance of confidence, and the determination of the
man will, in the generality of cases, check the disposition

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

of the beast. There should be no wrestling or fighting.
The practitioner should so prepare his acts as to prevent
the dog in the first instance from effectually resisting, and
the animal mastered at the commencement is usually
afterwards submissive. If, however, from any cause, the
primary attempt should not be effective, the attendant,
rather than provoke a contest which can be productive
of no beneficial result, should for a brief period retire,
and after a little time he may with better success renew
his purpose.

Strange dogs are not easily examined in their own
homes, especially if they be favorites and their indul-
gent owners are present. Like spoiled children, the
beasts seem to be aware of all the advantages which the
affections of their master give to their humors. They
will assume so much, and play such antics, as renders it
impossible to arrive at any just conclusion as to the
actual state of their health. Dogs in fact are great im-
postors, and he who has had much to do with them soon
learns how cunningly the pampered "toy" of the draw-
ing-room can " sham " For deception, consequently, it
is necessary to be prepared, and practice quickly teaches
us to distinguish between what is real and that which is
assumed. The exertion, however, required to feign dis-
turbs the system, and the struggle which always accom-
panies the act renders it frequently impossible to make
the necessary observation with requisite nicety. Petted
dogs are, therefore, best examined away from their homes,
and in the absence of any one who has been in the habit

1:'

DOG3 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

of caressing them. Frequently I have found it of no
avail to attempt the examination of these creatures at
the residences of their owners ; but the same animals
brought to my surgery have, without a struggle, allowed
me to take what liberties I pleased. I usually carry
such dogs into a room by myself, and commence by
quickly but gently lifting them off their legs and throw-
ing them upon their backs. This appears to take the
creatures by surprise, and a little assurance soon allays
any fear which the action may have excited. The dog
seldom after resists, but permits itself to be freely handled.
Should, however, any disposition to bite be exhibited,
the hand ought immediately to grasp the throat, nor
should tlie hold be relinquished until the creature is fully
convinced of the inutility of its malice, and thoroughly
assured that no injury is intended towards it. A few
kind words, and the absence of anything approaching to
severity, will generally accomplish the latter object in a
short period, and confidence being gained, the bruto
seldom violates the contract.

Dogs are intelligent and honorable creatures, and no
man will have reason to regret who teaches himself to
trust in their better qualities. I have hitherto, in a great
ifieasure, escaped their teeth, and being slow and infirm,
my good fortune certainly cannot be attributed to iny
activity. Kindness and consideration work upon
animals ; nor do I believe there are many of the lower
creatures that will not appreciate such appeals. It is
better, therefore, to work upon the syii. pathetic nature

dogs: their management.

of the brute, than to compete with it in strength, or
endeavor to outvie it in agility. Manual dexterity will
often fail, and is seldom employed save when danger is
present. Mental supremacy appealing to the source of
action ensures safety, by subduing, not the resistance,
but the desire to resist.

It is easy to ascertain when the dog has regained that
tranquillity which would allow of its being trusted with
security. The eye need alone be consulted, and a little
observation will speedily instruct any one to read its
meaning correctly. When the creature is irritated, the
pupil invariably dilates, and by singly marking this cir-
cumstance, the temper of the beast may be correctly
ascertained. Nor should caution be discarded until the
contracted circle assures that the agitation has passed
away.

With the smaller kind of spaniels and the generality
of petted animals, the indications of the eye may be
depended upon ; but with the more robust and less fami-
liarized species it is safest to take some precaution, even
while the sign of sagacity is exhibited. Certain dogs,
those of coarse breeds and large size, are exceedingly
treacherous, and sometimes are not safe even to their
masters. Creatures of this kind are, however, usually as
devoid of courage as they are deficient of magnanimity ;
and by the display of resolution are to be readily sub-
dued.

When, however, really sick, there are few dogs which
may not be approached. Under such circumstances, the

ffj

'%'

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

: !

utmost gentleness should be employed. The stranger
should advance quietly, and not bustle rudely up to the
animal. He should speak to it in accents of com-
miseration, which will be better comprehended than
the majority of reasonable beings may be willing to
admit.

The hand after a little while should be qiiietly offered
to the dog to smell, and that ceremony being ended, the
pulse may be taken, or any other necessary observation
made, without dread of danger. Every consideration,
however, ought to be given to the condition of the beast.
No violence on any account should be indulged ; it is
better to be ignorant of symptoms than to aggravate the
disorder by attempting to ascertain their existence. If
the brain should be affected, or the nervous system sym-
pathetically involved, silence is absolutely imperative.
No chirping or loud talking ought under such circum-
stances to be allowed, and the animal should not be
carried into the light for the purpose of inspecting it.
The real condition of the patient, and the extent or
nature of its disease, will be best discovered by silently
watching the animal for some time, and attentively
noting those actions which rarely fail to point out the
true seat of the disorder. Consequently manual inter-
ference is the less needed, and in numerous instances I
have, when the creature has appeared to be particularly
sensitive to being handled, trusted to visible indications,
and done so with perfect success. The hand certainly
can confirm the eye, but the mind, properly directed,

DOGS : THCIK MANAOiSMENT. 86

can often read sufficient without the aid of a single
sense.

Having made the foregoing remarks, which the intelli-
gence of the reader will readily enlarge, it will next he
necessary to describe in what way the dog should be
examined. Simple as this operation may appear, it is
one which few persons properly comprehend ; and as
upon it everything depends, it will not be out of place to
devote a few lines to its explanation.

The dog, in the first place, should be permitted to run
ubout, released from every restraint, or only so far con-
fined as is necessary to prevent his escape from the
limits of observation. No attempt should be made to
attract the animal's attention, but the practitioner, seating
liinjself in one corner, ought to be perfectly still and
.silent. The way in which the creature moves ; whether
it roams about, stands motionless, appears restless or
indifferent, avoids the light, seems desirous of companion-
ship, or huddles itself into some place as far as possible
removed from inspection ; whether it crouches down,
curls itself round, sits upon its haunches, turns round and
round trying to bite its tail, drags itself along the floor,
or lies stretched out either upon its side or belly ; in
what manner the head is carried, and to what part it is
directed ; if any particular place is licked, bitten, or
scratched ; if thirst is great, or the dog by scenting about
shows an inclination for food ; the nature of the breath-
ing, the expression of the countenance, the appearance
»f the coat, and the general condition of the body, should

1. 1

DOOS: THEIR MANAOF-MENT.

all be noted down. When such points have been ob-
served, the animal is addressed by name, and attempts
may be made to approach and to caress it ; the way in
which it responds, submits to, or resents such advances
being carefully remarked.

The dog may then be handled. The eyes and their
membrane are inspected, to see if the one be dull or
moistened by any discharge, and if the other be red-
dened, pallid, yellow, or discolored.

The ears are next felt around, their edges lifted to dis-
cover if any blackened wax or soreness be present in
their convolutions, and slightly squeezed to ascertain if
any crackling sensation is communicated to the fingers,
or sign of pain evinced by the animal.

The nose is now to be remarked. If it be moist or
dry ; and if dry, whether it is at all encrusted. The
back of the hand or side of the cheek should be applied
to the part to ascertain its temperature.

The lips should next be raised, and the state of their
lining membrane, with the condition of the teeth, ob'
served.

The jaws should then be separated, that the tongue
may be seen sufficiently to note its color, and the breath
smelt.

The hand should subsequently be passed over the
head and along the back, to feel the hair, and discover
whether there exist any sore places or tumors concealed
beneath it. The coat may now be generally examined,
to find whether in any part the covering is thin or

DOGS : THEIR MANAOUMENT.

deficient. Its firmness should afterwards be tried, and
the itchiness of the skin tested by the nails, as well
as its thickness and pliancy ascertained between the
fingers.

The hand should also be applied to the throat, and
carried along the course of the windpipe, feeling for any
swelling of the salivary glands, or enlargement of the
thyroid. It is next passed to the abdomen, and the inferior
part of the cavity is gently pressed upwards, to ascertain
if the rectus abdominis muscle be contracted, or the
animal shows symptoms of tenderness. The abdomen
may subsequently be kneaded between the fingers. The
amount of fat should not be unnoticed, nor should the
firmness of the muscles pass unobserved.

When all this is accomplished, the dog is laid upon its
side or back, and the tail being elevated, the anus is
inspected and felt, to see whether it be inflamed or pro-
truded, and to feel if it be indurated or thickened.

The feet are now taken up, and the length and shape
of the nails, with the condition of the dew claws, inspected,
to see whether they are growing into the flesh, or by
their shortness indicate the animal has been accustomed
to healthful exercise. The pad and web also receive a
glance.

If the animal be a male, the prepuce is first pressed
and then withdrawn, to perceive if any discharge be
present, or if the lining membrance be inflamed or ulcer-
ated.

Should it be a bitch, the vulva are inspected, to

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0008 : THEIR IIANAOEMKKT.

observe if they are moistened by any exudation, or if
they are swollen and excited by the touch. They are
separated to observe the color of the lining membrane.

The mammae are then felt, to know if the animal has
ever borne pups, or if any of them are hardened. At
the same time the parts are squeezed, to discover whether
or not they contain milk.

Such is a general description of the manner of proceed-
ing, but there are many possibilities which the above
directions, lengthy and minute as they may read, do not
include. Such, for instance, as hernia, and disease of the
testicle or scrotum. All, however, it would not be neces-
sary to describe at length, and the foregoing instructions
will lead the eye to any extraordinary appearances should
they exirt. The experienced practitioner probably will
do less than is here set down, being educated to a promp-
titude which enables him to leap as it were at once to
those parts which deserve his attention. For such the
above is not intended ; but he who has not made the dog
hie special study, will certainly find his advantage in
going through the whole ceremony ; nor will the most
experienced practitioner habitually neglect any portion
of it, without having cause to lament his inattention. To
examine the dog properly, is perhaps even more difficult
than to perform the same office upon the horse, and cer-
tainly it is a duty which there are few persons qualified
to discharge.

Having spoken of the proper manner of examining the
animal, before I proceed to deseribe its diseases, I shall

DOGS : THEIR MAKAOEMENT.

• i

touch apon some of those matters which are essential to
its health. It will, however, be understood that I do not
here pretend to treat of hounds, which for the most part
are well attended to, and fed, exercised, &c., according
to the judgment of the individual entrusted with the
superintendence of the kennel. Little probably could be
written which would materially amend the condition of
these creatures ; but petted and housed dogs are com-
monly treated after a fashion with which judgment has
nothing to do. Persons are indulgent to their animals,
and imagine that they are also kind, when too often they
oppose the dictates of their reason to gratify the weak-
ness of their momentary impulses. A little reflection
will convince such people that humanity does not consist
in the yielding to every expression of desire. The dog,
in a state of nature, being carnivorous, and obliged to
hunt for its food, in all probability would not feed every
day ; certainly it would seldom make more than one
meal in twenty-four hours. When the prey was caught,
it would be torn to pieces, and with the flesh much earth
would be swallowed. The animal, however, is now to be
regarded as subjected to man ; but while so viewing it,
nothing will be lost by keeping in sight its primitive
habits.

The dog can fast for a great number of days. Absti-
nence for forty-eight hours seldom ii\jures it ; but it is a
practice which ought not to be too frequently adopted, as
by its repetition the digestion is weakened. One meal,
however, is sufficient, in every case, for the twenty-four

DOOS: TBBIR MAMAOXIIKKT.

hours. Animals not worked, but kept as favourites, or
allowed only to range at pleasure, should not have any
meat, nor be permitted to consume any large quantity of
fatty substances. Butter, fat, or greeso, soon renders the
skin of the dog diseased and its body gross. Milk, fine
bread, cakes, or sugar, are better far for children, and can
be on the human race bestowed with advantage ; while
given to the brute they are apt to generate disorders,
which a long course of medicine will not in every case
eradicate. Beer, wine, or spirits, all of which the dog
can be induced to drink, show rather the master's ignO'
ranee than the creature's liking. Nice food, or that
which a human being would so consider, is in fact not
iitted to support the dog in health. It may appear offen-
sive to ladies when they behold their favourites gorge
rankly, but Nature has wisely ordained that her nume-
rous children should, by their difference of appetite, con-
sume the produce of earth. The dog, therefore, can
enjoy and thrive upon that which man thinks of with
disgust ; but our reason sees in this circumstance no facts
worthy of our exclamation. The animal seeking the
provender its Creator formed its appetite to relish, is not
necessarily filthy or unclean ; but could dogs write books,
probably the opinions of these beasts upon many of the
made dishes and tit-bits of the fashionable circles, would
be opposed to the ideas which delicate epicures entertain
concerning such luxurious fare. The spaniel which,
bloated with sweets, 08ca|>es from the drawing-room to
amuse itself with a blackened bone picked from a dung*

DOOS: THEIR MAN'AORMENT.

»t

hill, follows but the inclination of its kind; and while
tearing with its teeth the dirt-begrimed morsels, it is,
according to its nature, daintily employed. Could we
read its thoughts, probably the perverse little pet, even
while it is provoking its mistress's horror, is reflecting
upon the nasty trash which the human stomach can
endure, and upon the tempting relishes which mankind
know not, like dogs, how to appreciate. An occasional
bone and a little dirt are beneficial to the canine race,
while food nicely minced and served on plates is calcu-
lated to do harm. Such keep fattens to excess, destroys
activ'ty, renders the bowels costive, and causes the teeth
to be encrusted with tartar.

A bone is of great service to the animal, which cannot
employ a tooth-brush ; and the larger it be and the less
meat upon it, the better it will prove for little high-fed
favorites. A dog in strong health may digest an occa-
sional meal of bones ; but the pet has generally a weak
and often a diseased stomach, which would be irritated
by what would otherwise do it no harm. The animni,
nevertheless, true to its instinct, has always an inclination
to swallow such substances, provided its teeth can break
off a piece of a size fitted for deglutition. Game and
chicken-bones, which are readily crushed, should thcro-
fore be withheld, for not unfrcquently is choking caused
by pieces sticking in the cesophagus ; though more often
is vomiting induced by irritation of the stomach, or serious
impactment of the posterior intestine ensues upon the
feebleness of the digestion.

DOOS: TRRIR MAKAOEMENT.

The bone, tberefore, should be large, and on it there
should be nothing which the knife can remove. It ought
to be thrown upon the earth, and the animal should be
allowed to gnaw it at leisure. During the act, a consf*
derable quantity of earth and saliva will be swallowed,
and little actual food be added to an already loaded
stomach. In all points of view the animal is benefited.
The soil is always slightly alkaline, and so is the saliva ;
8uy undue acidity is by both in some measure counter*
acted ; but the earth is also of further service. Food too
highly or purely nutritive will not support life ; but to
render it healthy, a certain quantity of indigestible or
refuse matter is imperative. The latter portion acts
mechanically as a stimulant to the intestines, and hence
gentlemen by choice consume bread in which a portion
of the husk is mingled, finding it prevents the costiveness
that the baker's " best " induces. Dogs are here very
like men, but they requii'e more of the mixture than the
human being could bear. The animals, therefore, should
not be fed off plates.

The better practice is to take the day's allowance and
throw it upon the ground, letting the beast eat it with
what addition it may please. Neither should the nature
of the food itself be disregarded. Oatmeal or ship-biscuit
ought always to be given, if alone the better, else rice
upon which gravy has been poured. Meat, when allow-
ed, should be lean, and the coarser the better. Paunch
or tripe is excellent food for dogs, and for a continuance
1 have found nothing agree so well. Horse-fleih or any

dogs: thkir manaoembnt.

0»

Boch filth is never to be allowed ; this kind of food being
very apt to generate diseases of the skin. Dogs will
thrive on liver, but it is too valuable an article of diet for
these creatures to be regularly given. When only occa-
sionally administered it has a well-marked laxative pro-
perty, and on this account will often be of service in
rendering needless the use of medicinal agents. In the
raw state, if the animal will take it, its action is more
powerful ; but after it has been boiled it generally is
sufficiently operative. The meat, whatever it may be,
should, for animals not in work, be boiled, raw flesh being
more stimulative than their comparatively idle pursuits
demand. Such animals, in fact, may be said to lead
sedentary lives, and their diet must be lowered to suit
their habits. For the pointer, &c., during the season,
raw flesh is actually to be preferred, nor should the
quantity be limited. The exertion is great, and the ut-
most indulgence in this respect will seldom do harm ; but
my own experience teaches me that the sporting dog is
often crippled by being under fed. It cannot consume
too much, neither can that much be too nourishing, espe-
cially if the country to be shot over is of a hilly nature.
It is one of the prejudices of most men to believe that
a feed of oats to the horse, or a meal of flesh to the dog,
just before starting, gives strength for the labor which is
to be endured. We cannot, however, make strength as
beds are made, at any moment, but the invigoration of a
living body must be the result of a slow and a long pro-
cess. On the day of work it is of less consequence what

' I

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT

food is given than is the diet which has been allowed the
many previous weeks.

Regularity in the hour of feeding should equally be
observed ; and if this matter be generally attended to,
there will be no danger of its being forgotten, since dogs'
stomachs are excellent time-keepers, and the brutes are
not by any delicacy of feeling restrained from asking.
The hour, after a little while, will always for the sake of
peace bo kept, and the animals will soon learn the rules
to which they are subjected.

For home-kept dogs there is no possibility of stating
the quantity of food that ought to be allowed. No two
animals in this respect are alike. One eats much, and its
fellow consumes but little ; yet the small feeder in most
cases thrives the best even where neither is stinted. The
quantity, therefore, cannot be measured. The only rule
to be observed is, that there be enough placed before the
animal at a stated hour. Let him eat of this till the slacken-
ing of the jaws' movement and the raising of the head in-
dicate that hunger has been for the present appeased. So
soon as this is remarked the food ought to be withdrawn.
On no account should the creature be allowed to gorge
to repletion, or eat after its healthy craving has been
satisfied. While the dog eats it should therefore be
watched ; and this custom works well, as the failure of
the appetite often gives to the attendant the earliest in-
dication of disease.

The dog that neglects its day's allowance should not
be coaxed to feed, but ought to be left alone for some

SOOS: THEIR MANAOCMBN1.

minutes, or until its companions have finished their meaL
It should then be examined, and if nothing can be detect-
ed, perhaps the abstinence of a day may restore it.
Until the proper hour arrives on the following day,
nothing ought to be given to the animal, nor should any
inclination on its part for food be noticed.

Where eating is concerned, dogs have lively sympa-
thies. The animal which at its own kennel has feasted to
satiety, will wake from its digestive slumber to taste any-
thing of which it sees its master partaking. These crea-
tures are so peculiarly sensitive in this respect, that they
will do violence to their feelings rather than be left out
when eating is going forward. Dogs moreover are most
pertinacious beggars, and they soon learn the cunning of
the trade. On no account should they be permitted to
frequent the kitchen. If properly reared, they will be
rk^^dly honest, but, like the " audacious cats," they offer
a ready excuse to dishonest kitchen-maids, who will
sometimes do injury by subject! g the animal to unde-
served chastisement.

Where the servants are trustworthy this danger will
not arise ; but good servants mostly have tender hearts,
and dogs have a peculiar tact in appealing to female weak-
nesses. However strict may be the orders, and however
sincere may be the disposition to observe them, bits will
fifill, — scraps will bo thrown down, — dishes will be placed
upon the ground, and sometimes affection will venture to
offer just " the little piece," which no one could call feed-
ing. It is astonishing how much will in this way be

dogs: TllUtll MANAOEIICKT.

pKked up, for the doer that lies mist ^rf-ite the kitchen
fite is generally the fattest, laziest, and at feeding time
the best behaved of hiii company. Consequently no dog
should be allowed tu enter the kitchen, for their arts in
working upon mortal frailty can only be met by insisting
on their absence. The dog that is well fed and not cram-
med, should not refuse bread when it is offered. If this
be rejected, while sugar is eagerly snapped up, it will be
pretty certain that theunimal is either too-much indulged,
or that its health requires attention.

Some writers recommend pot-liquor for dogs. It is not
advisable to use this. The water in which salt meat has
been boiled ought never to be employed. Greens are not
nutritious, but they often purge ; and if the animal will
eat th^ni, they can sometimes be giv6n when liver cannot
be obt^ned. Potatoes will, with other substances, agree
with animals not required for work, but the Hee I have
recommended will be found for general purposes the best,
and not the most expensive food upon which the animal
can be sustained. Persons having lap-dogs will moreover
find the keep upon rice, properly seasoned, or soaked in
gravy, less liable to render these creatures strong or
tainted than the provender which is choicely selected
from the joint provided for the family dinner. The
warm meat too often presented to these creatures is apt
to enfeeble their digestions ; for their stomachs are soon
deranged, and they never should be allowed to taste any
kind of food which is not perfectly cold.

The food for diseased dogs should be prepared wttir

dock: TIIIilK MANAGEMENT.

extreme care, and no disregard of cleanliness ; in fact, it
should in every respect be such as a human being could
partake of, provided the ingredients were not repugnant
to his tiste. Sickness cannot be relieved without trouble,
and in many cases an animal requires as much attention
as a child. To gain success, neither time, labor, nor ex-
pense must be begrudged ; but the attendant must be
assiduous and the cook skilful. Nothing smoked or
burnt, no refuse or tainted flesh, must on any account be
made use of. The meat may be coarse, but it should be
fresh and wholesome. Dirty saucepans or dishes ought
not to be employed ; and so very importiint are tliesc cir-
cumstances, that the practitioner who engages in dog
practice will often surprise his acquaintances by being
seen at market, or busied over the fire. Beef tea is one
of the articles which in extreme cases is of great service.
Few servants, however, make it properly, and when a
dog is concerned there are fewer still who will credit that
any pains should be bestowed upon the decoction. I
generally either prepare it myself or superintend the
person who undertakes that office, and not unfrequently
give serious offence by my officiousness ; or, spite of
studious attention, fail in procuring that which I desire.
Still, as in the lust extremity food is even of more import-
ance than medicine, my anxiety cannot be conquered by
such schooling, and I am therefore content to bear the
sneers of those who cannot understand my motives.

To make beef-tea properly, take a pound and a half of
coarse, lean beef: that cut from the neck or round is best.

1 I

f>!*

dogs: their manaokment.

The leg does not answer so well, however excellent it
may be for soup. The rump steak is good for the pnr-
pose, but no better than other and cheaper parts ; though
1 often use it when nothing else can be obtained so well
suited for this beverage. Let the flesh be carefully sepa-
rated from every portion of skin or fat, and chopped as
fine as for sausage meat — the smaller the better — it can-
not be too minutely minced. Without washing it, put the
flesh into a clean saucepan, with a pint of water, and so
place it upon the fire that it will be half an hour at least
before it boils. When it boils, allow it to remain in that
state for ten minutes, and then remove it, pouring off the
liquor, which should be set aside to cool. When cold,
any fat upon the surface should be removed, and, no salt
or seasoning of any kind being added, the beef-tea is fit
for use.

To the meat, which has been drained of moisture, the
skin and fat may now be added and a pint and a half of
water, which should be allowed to boil till it is reduced
to a pint. This being set aside and afterwards cleared
nf fat, will be of some service if used instead of water
when the next potion is required ; and there is no limit-
ation in the quantity which may be needed.

Besides beef-tea, wheaten flour, oatmeal, arrow-root,
starch, biscuit powdered, and ground rice are also to be
employed. These are to be mixed with water, or more
often with beef-tea, and boiled ; but frr sick animals the
compound should not be made too thick. The ordinary
consistence of gruel will be about the proper substancci

'■■\

dogs: their management.

and a little only should be administered every hour or
half-hour, as the case may require. From half a pint to
a quart, divided so as to allow of a portion being given at
the stated periods, will be sufficient for a large or small
animal, the quantity being proportioned to the size.
When the creature is so far exhausted that it is no longer
willing or able to lap, the nourishment should >o adminis-
tered by means of a tube passed down the 1 hi oat or into
the oesophagus ; for if given with a spr -. , as tiio bre. th-
ing is always disturbed, the consequence ma^ be fatal,
from the fluid being dra^v^ into the lun^s. The food
should always be made fresh every morning ; nnd none
left from the previous day ought on any account to be
mixed with it, more especially if the tveather be at all
warm.

These directions may to some appear needlessly par-
ticular ; but so rapid are the terminations of canine dis-
eases, and so acute are they in their development, that
while the tax upon the patience is not likely to be of long
duration, the care demanded diiring their existence must
be unremitting.

Exercise is next to food, and if of one dogs generally
have too much, of tlie other few have enough. In towns,
if dogs are kept, a chain and collar should always be at
hand. The servants should be ordered to take the crea-
tures out whenever they go upon their errands, and an
occasional free journey with the master will be a treat
which will be the more enjoyed because of the habit thus
enforced.

100

DOOS : TBBIR MANAGEMENT.

Washing dogs is not a custom deserving of half the
consideration which is bestowed upon it. The operation
is not so necessary as it is generally imagined. Soap and
water make the hair look white ; but the coat usually
becomes soiled the quicker because of their employment.

The use of alkalies, soda, or potash, in the water, ren-
ders the immediate effects more conspicuous ; but unfor-
tunately these substances also make the after-conse-
quences more vexatious. They take the sebaceous or
unctuous secretion from the coat. The skin is deprived
of its natural protector in this animal ; the cuticle grows
weak and dry. The hair is rendered rough ; is prepared
to catch the dirt ; and not unfrequently the skin itself,
by nature striving to counteract the effect of its depriva-
tion, pours forth a secretion that aids in causing it to ap-
pear foul. Above all, the warmth, so repeatedly and
often inhumanly applied to the entire surface of the body,
debilitates the system of the creature, and generates in
the long run certain disease, even if by the drying imme-
diate disorder be not engendered. The warm-bath to
the dog is peculiarly debilitating, and the heat which the
hand of a cook would endure with a sense of comfort,
will sometimes cause the dog to faint. Panting is a sign
of sensible weakness in this animal, and few of these
creatures are washed without exhibiting it. If washing
is insisted upon, the water should never be warm, and in
cold weather only should the chill be taken off. The
soap ought to be of the mildest quality ; but the yelk of
an egg is much to be preferred, and in its effects is every

DOGS : THEIR MANAUEMBKT.

101

^ay more beneficial where the hair either of man or
beast must be cleansed. A small dog will require the
yelk of one egg ; and a Newfoundland the yelks of a
dozen eggs. The yelks are to be separated from tlie
whites and smeared well into the hair. A little water is
then to be poured upon the back, and the hand is to be
rubbed upon the coat till a lather covers the body, after
which the hair may be cleared by copious ablutions.
This process is much to be preferred, and the dog dis-
likes it far less than when soaps arc employed. His
eyes are not made to smart, or his skin to burn, and if
he tastes the substance he docs not therefore sicken.
Moreover, when the business is ended, even if some por-
tion of the egg should cling to bis hair ho will not on
that account neglect his personal appearance. The coat
will be found to look bright, and to remain clean foi a
longer period than after the adoption of the customary
thoughtless process.

Washing, however, is not constantly required, if a dog
be kept combed and brushed every morning, and does
not reside in a very filthy locality. A. little dirt after a
walk is easily removed, if it bo nllowod to <lry perfectly,
and the hair is then rubbed and picked by tlic liand of
its attendant, when the comb will complete tlie proceed-
ing. A bath every morning does the generality of dogs
good ; but it should be cold, and the animal ought not to
be punished by having its head submerged. It should
be plunged up to the neck, the head being held above
the surface. Wiiilo in the Yf^t^v the eoat pbould be well

103

DOOS : THEIR MANAOEMEKT.

mbbed with the hand, that every portion of the hair
may become thoroughly soaked. This over, no attempt
shouLl be made to dry the dog, for that is not by any
industry to be perfectly accomplished. Neither ought
the dog to be wrapped up, placed before the fire, or suf-
fered to lie about, which it is always by a sense of dis-
comfort induced to do, if not made to move. The animal
ought immediately to be started for a scamper, and never
allowed to remain quiescent until its activity has driven
every trace of moisture from its body. Not until this is
thoroughly effected should the creature be brought in-
doors, or be suHered to rest for a moment. If healthy
it will require little exertion on its attendant's part to
make it jump and run about ; but some of these little
animals have to carry a burthen of fat which no sense
of uneasiness can provoke them to move under of their
free wills. An active lad with a chain may, in these last
cases, be of much use ; but he should be told to exercise
his charge in some spot open to the master's eye, else
the boy may play while the animal shivers.

Some dogs show a great dislike to, strenuously fighting
with, the collar and chain; others will exhibit the most
piteous distress, by squatting upon their hocks, and
whining, while they pant vehemently, and look implor-
ingly up to the face of their leader. The first are proba-
bly not awaro of the intention of the bonds to which they
are subjected, and should not be harshly rebuked. The
voice ought to assure them, and means be resorted to
calculated to allay their fears. Gentleness and firmness

DOGS : TIIKIR MANAGEMENT.

103

will in two or three days render such animals perfectly
submissive for ever after. The last kind are rank im-
postors. No one not familiar with these animals would
credit the arts which they can with such excellent effect
and apparent genuineness practise to gain their ends.
They have been used to be carried, and they prefer
riding in the arms of a human being. Their insinuating
tricks ought to be rewarded only by laughter, accompa-
nied with an admonition.

Dogs are very intelligent. They understand much
more than men choose to give them credit for. Their
pride is enormous, and through this feeling they are
easily moved. Laughter, when directed against himself,
no dog can endure, and the slightest reprimand is always
answered by an immediate change of aspect. Rather
than have their dignity offended, dogs will quickly be-
come honest, especially when deceit is experienced to be
of no avail. People who are physiognomists may detect
this sentiment impressed upon the countenance. Upon
the next page is a portrait of a Mastiff. Mark the abso-
Inte Asiatic dignity, only outwardly slurred over by a
heedlessness of behaviour. Does it not seem as though
the creature, through very pride reposing upon strength,
was above forms ? Who could think of laughing at such
• gravity ? Would it not be like ridiculing nature to insult
one who has such outward claims to our respect ?

Sporting dogs will always take the exercise that is
beneficial, and for such the cold bath is much to be recom-
mended. Only in skin diseases should the tepid bath be

■'■lYi- I t,; .i.ii.Mi_ .

!■■

104

dogs: theiu management.

resorted to. It is of much service when the skin is hot
and inflamed, but after it, exercise ought not to be neg-
lected. For healthy animals the l^ot or warm bath should

-m

TRB MASTirr.

never be employed ; but the sea is frequently as benefi-
cial to dogs as to their owners ; only always bearing in
mind that the head should be preserved dry.

Vermin often are very troublesome to dogs, and I have
known these animals destroyed because their owners
were ignorant of the process by which the annoyance
might have been readily conquered. There are many
powerful drugs recommended by different writers to ,
effect this end ; but though all of them are sufEciently
potent to annihilate the parasite, most of them are also
strong enough to kill the dog. When fleas are nume-
rous, the dog must be taken from the place where it has

<<t^.

doob: their manaoemsnt.

105

been accustomed to sleep. The bed must be entirely
removed, and the kennel sluiced — not merely washed —
with boiling water, after which it ought to be painted
over with spirits of turpentine. The dog itself ought to
be washed with eggs and water, as before directed ; but
with the yelk of every egg a teaspoonful of spirits of tur-
pentine should be blended. After this, the animal should
have pine shavings to sleep upon, and if these are fre-
quently renewed, the annoyance will seldom be again
complained of. As, however, exceptional cases will al-
ways start up, should the tribe not be entirely dispersed,
the washing must be repeated; or if from want of time
or other cause it be inconvenient to renew that operation,
a little powdered camphor rubbed into the coat will mostly
abate and often eradicate the nuisance.

Lice often cover the body of the dog, and especially
crowd upon its head around the eyes and lips. There
need be no dread of theif presence, since these vermin
will not live upon the hiunan being, though similar to the
kind which will. When they are perceived, the dog
should be carried into some place in which grease stains
are not of much consequence. It ought then to be
covered with castor oil till the hair is completely satu-
rated. In this state it should be allowed to remain at
least twelve hours, at the expiration of which time the
oil may be removed with yelk of eggs and water : only
an additional number of eggs will be required. As to
the quantity of castor oil \^hich may be necessary, a
moderate-siced dog with a long coat will re^ai];e about a

106

DOG8 : TUKIll MANAGEMENT.

pound, and a large Newfoundland four times that
amount. The process, as might be anticipated, operates
upon the bowels ; but I have never found it to do so
with any dangerous power ; on the contrary, the laxative
efiect is generally in these cases beneficial.

Medicine to the dog requires to be administered with
caution. The nostrums which are so particularly recom-
mended by grooms and farriers ought never to be made use
of. The veterinui-y surgeon is less likely to commit error ;
but there are, however, few of the profession who devote
attention to the dog with the zeal which the comprehen-
sion of its diseases and their treatment demand. Hunts-
men and gamekeepers are generally from practical expe-
rience not altogether inapt dog doctors, where the larger
and more robust kind of animal is to be treated , but for
the smaller and petted species these persons ought not to
be consulted. Many of their receipts are harsh — not a
few of them inoperative — and some even dangerous;
while all for the most part are pushed down at random,
or in total ignorance of any effect the agents employed
may induce beyond the intended one of doing good or
working a certain cure. Nevertheless, with the kind of
animals generally entrusted to their charge, such persons
are so far successful that, in the absence of better advice,
they deserve to be consulted for the larger species of
dogs. The human phyEician will also, on occasions,
be enabled to prescribe advantageously for the canine
race ; but not knowing the treatment of the diseases,
and the bymptoms being too often deceptive, the high-

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

107

est opinions are by no means to be absolutely relied
upon.

Dog-doctoring is, in fact, a separate branch of science
80 intricate as to call for intense study strengthened by
constant observation. No one not attiiched to the animal
should attempt to master it, for success in such a case
would be hopeless. The annoyances are so great that
the patience is continually being tried ; and the facts on
which reliance can be placed are so few, that he who is
content to depend upon the received assertions will never
be able to realize his expectation. Nothing is more erro-
neous than to believe that there is any close analogy be-
tween man and the dog in the operation of medicinal
substances. Aloes, rhubarb, &c., are not purgatives to
the dog ; but castor oil, which to the human being is a
gentle laxative, to the dog is an active purge; while
Epsom salts are a violent hydragogue to the canine pa-
tient, producing copious and watery stools. Common
salt is in large doses a poison, and in apparent small
quantities is so strong an emetic as to be dangerous.
Salivation speedily ensues upon the use of minute quan-
tities of mercury, which therefore cannot be considered
safe in the hands of the general practitioner. Secale
cornutum has little specific action beyond that of indue
ing vomiting; and strychnia cannot be with security
administered, on account of its poisonous operation upon
the animal. Other instances, casting more than suspicion
upon the inferences which every writer upon Materia
Medica draws from the action of drugs given to dogSi

.^r^

.^'

108

DOOS: THEIU MAN'AOEMENT.

could easily be quoted, but they would here be somewhat
out of place ; and probably sufficient has been said to
check a dangerous reliance upon results that admit of no
positive deduction

It is painful to peruse the *• experiments*' made espe-
cially by the French authors. We read that so much of
some particular agent caused death to a dog in such a
period ; but he must be wise indeed who learns anything
from statements of this kind. The word dog represents
animals of various sizes and very diverse constitutions ;
therefore no conclusion can be drawn from an assertion
that does not embrace ever}- particular. Unfortunately,
however, the operators think it no disgrace to their sci-
entific attainments to put forth such loose and idle asser-
tions ; nor do they seem to hold it derogatory to their ,
intelligence that they assume to reach a show of certainty
by experimentalising upon a creature about which, as
their reports bear witness, they literally know nothing.
Equally unsatisfactory are the surgical and physiological
experiments made upon these creatures. No results
deduced from such acts can be of the slightest impor-
tance. The anatomy of the dog is not by them generally
understood. There is no }<ook upon this subject that is
deserving of commendation ; and, to instance the igno-
rance which prevails even in places where a superficial
knowledge ought to exvak, I will mention but one circum-
stance.

At the Royal Veterinary College there is a professor
of Particular Anatomy, whose duty it iti specially to in-

DO«s: THEIR MANAOEMKMT.

109

struct the pupils concerning the dog. The lectures, how-
ever, embrace but little, and that little is principally
devoted to wandering remarks upon the osseous structure.
Of the value of such teaching some opinion may be
formed when the skeleton at the Oollege actually exhibits
the bones placed in wrong or unnatural situations. After
the proof thereby afforded, with what reliance can any
sane mind accept the awful declarations of those anato-
mists who, upon the living bodies of these crentureS; have,
according to their own accounts, exhibited a nicety and
certainty ^f skill which the profoundest acquaintance
with the various structures and parts would still leave
incomprehensible ? Such reports evidence only tho pre-
sumptuous folly of individuals — the publication of such
records testifies no more than the ignorance of the age.

To give medicine to the .Dog often creates more bustle
than the magnitude of the creature appears to justify.
Moreover, if the parties concerned in the undertaking
are not quite up to their business, the animal, which,
between its gasping, howling, and struggling, will find
time to bite, increases the activity by provoking human
exclamations. I have known this species of confusion
to have been continued for half an hour ; during which
wofk was stopped in a forge, and three brawny smiths
joined a veterinary surgeon's efforts to give a pill to a
little spaniel that could not have weighed above eight
pounds. The dog was beaten and hands were bitten, but
after all no pill was swallowed. The result was the
natural consequence of the manner of proceeding. No

110

D008 : THEIR MANAOEUXNT.

man should contend with an animal, and especially with
a dog, whose excitement soon renders it incapable of obe-
dience.

With brutes of every kind, if the mastery cannot, by
a bold stratagem, be gained at ouce, it should be only
established through the confidence of the animal, which
a few acts of kindness will, in the majority of cases,
easily win. I have had dogs brought to me which
seemed disposed rather to part with life than permit
their jaws to be handled. The poor beasts had been
harshly used by the persons who had previously under-
taken to treat them. These creatures have remained
with me, and in a little time have grown so submissive
that my shop-boy could with ease give any kind of
physic which I ordered to be prepared. Firmness and
kindness were the only stratagems I employed. I took
care never to give the dog a chance of mastery, but
while ensuring my victory, I was careful that the con-
quest caused no sense of pain. A few pats» with a kind
word, and an occasional reward in the shape of a bit of
meat, induced the creature more willingly to submit when
the next dose came round.

A small dog should be taken into the lap, the person
who is to give the physic being seated. If the animal
has learned to fight with its claws, an assistant must
kneel at the side of the chair and tightly hold them
when the dog has been cast upon its back. The left
hand is then made to grasp the skull, the thumb and fore
finger being pressed against the cheeks so as to force

DOOS: TRBIR MAHAOBMKKT.

Ill

them between the posterior molar teeth. A firm hold of
the head will thus be gained, and the jaws are prevented
from being closed by the pain which every effort to shut
the mouth produces. No time should be lost, but the
pill ought to be dropped as far as possible into the mouth,
and with the finger of the right hand it ought to be
pushed the entire length down the throat. This will not
inconvenience the dog. The
epiglottis is of such a size that
the finger does not excite a de-
sire to vomit ; and the pharynx
and cesophagus are so lax that
the passage presents no obstruc-
tion.

When the finger is with-
drawn, the jaws ought to be
clapped together, and the at-
tention of the creature diverted. The tongue being pro-
truded to lick the nose and lips will certify that the sub-
stance has been swallowed, and after a caress or two the
dog may be released. Large brutes, however, are not
thus easily mastered. Creatures of this description must
be cheated, and they fortunately are not so naturally
suspicious as those of the smaller kind. For months I
have thus deceived a huge, ferocious, but noble guardian
of a yard, who appeared incapable of conceiving that
deception was being practised. The dog bolts its food,
and, unless the piece be of unusual size, it is rarely
masticated. The more tempting the morsel, the more

Does: THUS MANAOUOBirr.

eagerly ig it gorged ; and a bit of juicy or fat meat, cat
80 as to contain and cover the pill, ensures its being
swallowed. Medicine, however, which in this manner is
to be administered, ought to be perfectly devoid of smell,
or for a certainty the trick will be discovered. Indeed,
there are but few drugs possessed of odour which can be
long used in dog practice, and even those that are en-
dowed with much taste cannot be continuously employed.
When the dog is very ill, the intelligent beast becomes
conscious of its danger, and almost any kind or any form
of medicine will be accepted. There is no difficulty
generally then ; but in chronic diseases, that only vex
the temper and scarcely lower the spirit, the ingenuity
will mostly need to be exerted. Some medicines, how-
ever, can be dissolved in the water ; others may be
smeared upon the food ; and fortunately the majority of
those drugs appropriate to slow and inveterate disorders
admit of being thus exhibited. Fluids are perhaps
more readily than solids given to dogs, by the generality
of inexperienced persons. To administer liquids, the

SOOS: TRXIR MANAOBlinrr.

113

jaws should not be forced open and the bottle emptied
into the mouth, as when this method is pursued the

greater portion will be lost. The animal's head being
gently raised, the corner of the mouth should be drawn
aside, so as to pull the cheek from the teeth. A kind of
funnel will thus be formed, and into this a quantity of
the medicine equal to its capacity should be poured.
After a little while the fluid will, by its own gravity,
trickle into the pharynx, and oblige the dog, however
unwilling it may be, to swallow. A second portion
should then be given in the like way, and thus, little by
little, till the fall dose is consumed. Often dogs treated
in this fashion swallow a draught very expeditiously ;
bat others will remain a considerable time before they
deglutate. Some, spite of every precaution, will manage
to reject the greater part, and others will not waste a
drop. The dexterity of the practitioner makes some dif-
ference; but no skill can ensure the drink being takea

114

boos: their manaoemekt.

Patience, however, is here of most avail ; but when the
mouth is full of fluid, by gently separating the jaws the
animal may be caused to deglutate. •

Two pieces of tape, one passed behind the canine
teeth or tusks of the upper, and the other in like manner
upon the lower jaw, have been recommended. The tapes
are given to an assistant, who, pulling at them, forces the
mouth open, and holds it in that position. In certain
cases this may be adopted for pills ; indeed every strata-
gem will be needed to meet the multifarious circum-
stances that will arise. For ordinary occurrences, how-
ever, the practice is not to be commended, and should
never be embraced when drinks have to be giren : the
animal cannot swallow while the jaws are held asunder ;
but for solids this plan answers better. There are seve-
ral objections, however, to be urged against its constant
use. The operation is violent, and the restraint it neces-
sitates not alone prevents the poor animal deglutating
fluids, but also terrifies the brute, who, on the next occa-
sion, naturally is the more resistful. Difficulties, there-
fore, increase, and the dog generally is not long before it
learns to bafile the attempt to confine it. Moreover,
unless the assistant be very well up to his business, his
steadiness cannot bo depended upon, and the hand often
is wounded by the teeth of the patient.

I therefore do not, as a general custom, resort to the
tapes, and I advise others only to employ them upon
necessity. There are some creatures so -artful and so
resolute that any attempt to give them physic is certain

iy^^^-t'y^CCoi,

dogs: their manaokiibnt.

116

to be frustrated. These are mostly small dogs that have
been tutored by severity, and such animals are not sub-
dued by any amount of suffering. The poor beasts fienr
the doctor more than the disease ; and, though gentle in
their dispositions, are resolute in their resistance. For
such cases I employ the stomach pump, and by its aid
introduce a dose of sulphate of magnesia ; for in general
it is only purgatives that require to be given in bulk.
Other drugs may be either disguised, or exhibited by
injection. Enemata are of great service to this animal,
and I make much use of them. In their exhibition, care
should always be taken to introduce the pipe without
any force ; having previously greased the tube to ensure
its passing the more readily. While the instrument Is in
the rectum the dog should be firmly held, else, in its
struggles, the intestine may be injured. The fluid should
be gently thrown up, even when a large quantity is em-
ployed. For those injections, however, which it is desir-
able to have retained, from an ounce to a quarter of a
pound will be suflScient. Warm water ought not to be
used as an injection, since it washes away the mucus,
renders the intestinal surface harsh, and prevents the
passage of the foeccs. Linseed tea or any mucilaginous
fluid answers the purpose better, and a solution of soap
is excellent in many cases, when only a laxative effect is
desired. The form, however, as will in the course of this
work be explained, must be repeatedly varied, since this
agent may be rendered medicinal or nutritive.

Purgatives are most valuable, but are not free from

|lVv^V

aXCv?

116

Doaa : thkir manaoemekt.

danger. The digestive canal of the dog is peculiarlj
irritable, and no less sensitive to the action of medicine.
There are few diseases ita which the stomach and intes-
tines are not involved, and very many in which purga-
tives are directly contra-indicated. No one should get
into the habit of thrusting physic of this nature down the
throats of his animals ; and sportsmen may rest assured
that, to the dog at all . events, preparatory doses are not
necessary to condition. Those, however, who persist in
using such stuffs will do well not to employ the com-
pounds in general use. The mixture of poppies, buck-
thorn, and castor oil is a filthy mess ; and I do not
understand the principles upon which the abomination is
based. A better and more cleanly mixture is thus made : —

01 : Biciui 4 parts.

01 : OlivsB 2 "

01 : Anisi . . . . ' Q. s. Mix.

A little pounded sugar added to this will often render it
palatable, which, being of a fluid consistency, is without
difficulty exhibited. The compound, however, flows the
more readily if it be slightly warmed, and in winter it
even requires to be thus prepared. Sulphate of magne-
sia I rarely employ ; and, as a general purgative, it is
not suited to the dog, though in exceptional cases it will
be seen I recommend it. Should ])ills be preferred, the
following will be found to answer every purpose :—

Ext: Col: .
Pulv: Colch:
Pil : Hydrarg :

Half II Boruple.
Six grains.
Five graint.

■_ii^iijit.'x:'-.

M^aC'vXc-

dogs: their management.

117

This is for one pill, which is a dose for a small dog of
seven or eight pounds weight. Three times the quantity
would be required for a Newfoundland. It is not very
powerful in its action ; its efiect upon the system Jbeing
quite as much alterative as laxative. The animal under
its operation is evidently nauseated, and refuses food for
about twelve hours ; at the expiration of which time
relief is afforded by a not very copious, but bilious evacua-
tion. It is, however, important that, after the adminis-
tration of a purgative, the dog should be permitted to
remain perfectly quiet : since, if put to exercise, or
much excited, the medicine will in all probability be
ejected.

Emetics are shamefully abused, being so universally
employed by the owners of dogs, and so strenuously
recommended by writers upon their treatment, that one
might think these agents were held to possess some
charmed power over the health of the animal. Lecturers
are marvellously fluent upon the subject of the dog's
vomiting, which they dwell upon with such delight that
their auditors must suppose the act of revulsion in the
canine species is a pleasurable performance. Let any
one, however, possessed of sense and reason, observe the
creature in the act of being sick. The attitude is not
characterised by ease; but the body is drawn up pre-
paratory for some xinusual effort. The countenance does
not bespeak tranquillity ; but the face is expressive of
inward oppression. The animal's frame is shaken by
convulsive spasms, each throe being announced by a deep

^»

118

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

pectoral sound, and only after this has repeatedly been
heard is the stomach able to cast off its contents.

The description denotes nothing calculated to suggest
that the organ whose derangement is so marked should
be rudely tampered with. It is true the dog can readily
be made to vomit. No creature is more easily moved in
that way ; but in such a circumstance reason should per-
ceive no license to thrust emetics down the animars

throat. The organ which is so readily excited, by the
fact asserts its sensibility, and on that very account ought
to be the more respected. I have found oftener difficulty
to check this tendency than reason to provoke it. Re-
peatedly are tonics rejected, and only by the reduction
of the dose can the dog's stomach be made to retain the
medicine. The emetics in common use are, moreover, far
too violent. Antimonial wine, from half a teaspoonful to
a dessertspoonful, is much preferable to tartar emetic and
calomel.

On no account should such doses as Blaine prescribes
ever be exhibited. Youatt in his recommendation is
much better, but even the amount he orders is too great

V^-^ jQ i^-i/r W- i-

/"i

DOas: THEIR MAKAOEMEXT.

119

A quarter of a grain of tartar emetic in solution is suffi-
cient for a middling sized dog ; and four grains of ipeca-
cuanha is equally effective. If in two hours (which rarely
happens) no effect is produced, it is better to repeat the
dose, and continue even to do so, than to commence with
a larger quantity in the first instance. These animals in
their constitutions are so various, and the practitioner has
so little to guide his judgment, that the utmost caution
will not in every instance protect him from self-reproach ;
and in no case is he warranted in closing his mind against
the suggestions of prudence. It is true the primary effects
of an emetic are generally gratifying, but the after conse-
quences, if carefully traced, will not be found to be equally
satisfactory. Often the purge and the vomit, with which
every dabbler commences his treatment of a " dog-case,"
appear to give relief; but, commonly, when the immedi-
ate excitation which their first operation naturally calls
forth passes away, debility ensues, and the termination is
not in harmony •^vith the beginning. I once was very
partial to emetics. I now rarely make use of them, and
have no reason to lament my change of practice.

No notice will be bestowed upon those mysterious com-
pounds known as alteratives, sedatives, &c., which are
given merely because habit has sanctioned their administra-
tion. Names are in medicine dangerous things, and give a
currency to error which, to man and beast alike, has
proved fatal. Neither will any attempt be made to
classify diseases ; which custom, though it has some
advantages, is likely to mislead, by setting up a system

120

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

where no positive connexion can be demonstrated. The
disorders of the dog in this work will be treated of after
no formal plan ; but the index must supply that want of
arrangement, the absence of pretence to which probably
will give offence to regular students.

DISTEMPER.

Op all the diseases to which the dog is subject, this
one is the most dreaded. Writers have agreed it is the
scourge of the canine race. Blaine and Youatt speak of
it as capricious and untractable ; the French regard it as
incurable. The owners of dogs, despairing of benefit
from regular means, have for a long time been content
to trust in charms and specifics. Folly and cruelty have
been embraced to accomplisli that which kindness and
science appear unequal to perform ; and one general
feeling seems to be entertained with regard to the dis-
temper— most persons being agreed that the disorder is
not to be subdued by medicine, and that its fatality is
independent of the best efforts of man to check it.

My experience does not corroborate these various but
harmonious accounts and opinions. In my conviction,
the disorder is feared only because it is not understood,
and is rendered worse by the injudicious attempts to
relieve it. I find it tractable, easily mastered, and when
submitted to me before the svstem is exhausted, I am
very seldom disappointed by the result of my treatment.
It has for some time been my custom to tell those who

»l

DOGb : THEIK MANAGEMENT.

121

bring me an animal affected with this complaint, that if
my directions are strictly followed, the creature " shuU

not dieJ" "When snying this, I pretend not to have life
or death at my command, and the mildest affections will
sometimes terminate fatally ; but I merely mean to imply,
that when proper measures are adopted, distemper is less
likely to destroy than the majority of those diseases to
which the dog is liable.

Distemper has been hitherto regarded as an inflamma-
tory disorder, which was to be conquered only by
antiphlogistic remedies. Bleeding, purging, vomiting,
sedatives, blisters, and setons were employed ; and the
more acute the attack, the more violent were the means
resorted to for the purpose of its conquest. Under such
treatment I do not wonder at the evil character which
the malady has obtained ; for in proportion as the efforts
made were great, so would be the probability of the
disease proving destructive. There can be no doubt that
more dogs have been killed for the distemper than would.

122

dogs: thxir manageiisht.

have died from it if nature had been suffered to take ken
course ; and jet there is no disease that more requires
help, or rewards the practitioner more largely for the
assistance he affords.

The reader is entreated to dismiss from his mind all he
may have read, or heard, or thought of this affection.
Let the many tales about never-failing receipts, and the
only proper modes of treatment, be for a time at all
events forgotten, that the author, who undertakes to op-
pose prejudice and to contradict authority, may at least
have a patient hearing. There is no reason to doubt
that many cases which have been called distemper have,
to all appearance, been saved by each of the reputed
methods of cure. A pillet of tobacco, a tea-spoonful of
salt, a dose of castor oil, an emetic, rubbing the nose with
syrup of buckthorn, &c., &c., or anything that is famed
for the purpose, may have often seemed to check the dis-
ease ; but no one who has been accustomed to depend
on these charms can deny he has frequently witnessed
their failure. That they should sometimes have seemed
to do good is easily explained. In the first place, there
are very few persons who know how to recognise the
early symptoms of the malady ; but it is usual for every
young dog that is a little poorly to be pronounced sick
with the distemper.

The unfounded belief that all of these animals must
have the disease makes every one anticipate its advent,
and tempts them to call every ailment by the name sug-
gested by their expectations. Two-thirds, at least, of

dogs: their management.

123

the cases which are so quickly cured by nostrums and
specifics would on inquiry prove to have been mistaken ;
and as, in the instances where a single dose is depended
upon, nature is pretty much left to herself, the chances
are that a fair share of the rest would get well of them-
selves. The recovery, however, could in no way be
expedited by that which is credited for its accomplish-
ment ; since the little done is mostly calculated to aggra-
vate and not to alleviate the symptoms, while there is no
possibility it should eradicate the disorder.

In its character, distemper approaches very near to
" continued fever " in the human subject ; the chief dif-
ference being conpequent upon the more delicate consti-
tution and more irritable temperament of the dog, which
prevents the two diseases from appearing exactly the
same. It consists in a general fever, which produces a
morbid excitement of all the mucous membranes. The
digestive track is the principal seat of the disease, but of
course its presence is most easily recognised at those
parts which are most exposed to view. Thus the mem-
brane of the eye, being a comparatively large surface,
and by its delicacy well calculated to denote every
variation of the system, is usually the first observed, and
often the only place inspected. If this be cloudy or
watery, the nature of the malady is at once concluded ;
the membrane of the nose also, though less palpable, is
under observation ; and if its secretion be copious and
opaque, the fact is generally imagined to be established.
The alterations, however, exhibited by these membranes

124

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

are no more than sympathetic derangements, they
being continuous with the more important oi^ans ; and
wh'^n proofs are found in the eyes or nose, the disorder
is generally confirmed, or has taken hold of the system.
Some have supposed the disease originated in the nose,
and thence extended to other parts ; now I shall not
stop here to consider so groundless an hypothesis. It
essentially is fever affecting the entire of the mucous
surfaces, but especially those of the alimentary i::anal.

The causes cannot be well ascertained. Contagion
has been by the majority of writers supposed to be its
principal source, but I cannot say my experience has
corroborated that opinion. My own little cur never had
the distemper, and yet she lived where the disease was
scarcely ever absent. Animals virulently affected were
daily brought to me, and not a few were left in my
charge. From these she was not kept separate; they
were her acquaintances and companions ; she played
with them, and often by choice shared their beds; and
nevertheless she died without exhibiting the disease > I
do not generally put those dogs by themselves which are
affected with distemper ; yet I cannot bring to mind the
instance of an animal while under my care having caught
the disorder. I doubt whether there is any justice in the
general opinion. It would be hard to prove the prevail-
ing notion was a prejudice, yet there can be no doubt
that it is much more insisted upon than it deserves
to be. '"^ ^'-^ ^»'»

With regard to other causes, I know of none. I hftve

DOOS: THBIR MANAGEMENT.

125

not been able to observe that any circumstance can in-
duce the disease, though at particular ages the animals
are predisposed to its exhibition.

During the latter period of dentition — that is, when
the second set of incisors are well up, and the permanent
tusks are about half-grown, the temporary ones being
still retained — is the time when pups are most disposed
to display this disorder. I cannot state the precise age,
because mouths are not regular in their appearances even
as to mouths ; but the aspect of the teeth will sufficiently
mark the period when an individual may be expected to
be attacked. The season certainly, in no little degree,
influences the disease. In winter it is noi usually seen ;
in the spring it is more common ; in summer is rare, but
less so than in winter. During the autumn, however,
especially if much rain should fall, it is very frequent,
and always more prevalent than at any other periods.
Spring and autumn, therefore, are the times when it is to
be looked for, but in the latter it is to be anticipated.

When treating of a subject like the present, there
would seem to be a disposition to string together a number
of words which do duty for information. Cold, wet, bad
food, foul air, excessive exertion, fear, &c., are grouped
together, and put forth for almost every " ill that flesh
is heir to ;" but I have to learn that these accepted terms
have any connexion with the development of this disorder.
Dogs that are starved, neglected, and cruelly tortured —
animals that are judiciously fed, properly housed, and
sensibly treated— as well as favorites that are crammed,

120

D0G8 : THKIR MANAOKMENT.

nursed, and hnmored — all eqnallj are its victims ; and
those which are most cared for fall most frequently, while
those which are least prized more generally survive. If,
therefore, privation or exposure he of any importance,
the facts seem to infer their tendencies nre either to check
or mitigate the attack.

Exercise and food, however, do influence the complaint.
The dog that is free suffers much less severely than the
one that is confined. The animal that never tastes flesh
has a much lighter attack than the one which snhsists
entirely upon meat. This last fact I have oflen proved.
When the distemper has made its appearance, the oppor-
tunity for changing the diet nas passed away. We have,
then, only a choice of dangers. To remove the flesh to
which the animal is accustomed is to cause it to pine and
to weaken the strength, at a time when vigor is of every
importance ; whereas to continue the meat is mostly
certain death ; in this position I generally take away
the flesh, for hy so doing I give the patient a chance of
recovery ; and however desperate that chance may he,
nevertheless it is to he much preferred to no chance at
all.

The symptoms in the very Qurh stage are not well
marked or hy any means distinguished for their regularity.
They may assume almost any form ; dulness and loss of
appetite, purging, or vomiting, are very frequently the
first indications. The more than usual moisture of the
eyes, and a short cough, are often the earliest signs that
attract attention. In^e hitch a desire for copulation,

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

127

with a disinclination to accept the dog, is to he regarded
with suspicion ; as is also a display of peevishness and a
wish to he undisturbed in full-grown animals. These
things denote no more than the derangement of the sys-
tem ; but if, conjoined with them, the inner surface of
the lower eyelid should appear to be more red tha'x usual,
and the pulse should be increased in number without
being materially altered in character — ranging from one
hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty in puppies ,
and in doers from one hundred and ten to one hundred
and twenty -five — the probability of distemper ma?*.ing its
appearance is the greater, though even then by no means
certain.

The period of the year, however, will also have to be
taken into consideration ; and inquiry should always be
made whether any animals in the immediate neighbor-
hood are known to have exhibited the disorder ; because
the disease is then proved to be in the locality. At this
stage the practitioner is always more or less in the dark ;
and therefore he contents himself with such measures as
he concludes are adapted to the symptoms, and waits for
further instructions which nature will speedily develope.

When the disease is established, the animal is sensitive
to cold. It seeks warmth, and is constantly shivering ;
when taken hold of, it is felt to tremble violently, so
much so that the puls<e cannot be accurately counted.
The bowels are generally constipated. A thick purulent
discharge flows from the eyes ; and the white around the
eye, if "the upperTIilTbe retracted, will be seen covered

128

DOOS : THEIR MANAGSMSNT.

Bii'

f with numerous small and bright red vessels, giving ta the
part the appearance of acute inflammation. The vessels
now spoken of are not to be confounded with the veins
which are natural to this organ. These last are large,
and of a purple hue, while their course is in the direction
of the circumference of the cornea. The small vessels,
indicative of distemper, are fine, bright in color, and their
course is towards the centre, or in a line directly the
opposite to that indicated by the veins. They are never
present during health, though they are often to be wit-
nessed in other diseases besides that which is here treated
of. A glairy mucus, or yellow fluid, moistens the nostrils,
and if the ear be applied to the head, the breathing will

' be discovered to be accompanied with an unusual sound.
The cough is often severe and frequent ; it is sometimes
spasmodic — ^the fits being almost convulsive, and termi-
nating with the ejection of a smaU quantity of yellow
frothy liquid, which is thrown off by the stomach. The

I digestion is always impaired, and sickness is not unusual ;

I the matter vomited having an offensive smell, and never
being again consumed by the animal, as is generally the
case when the creature is in health. The nose is dry
and harsh ; the coat staring and devoid of gloss : the
skin hotter than is customary, and the paMS warm. The
pulae is perhaps quicker by twenty beats than during the
prior stage, but less full — the artery feeling sharp, short,
and thin under the finger.

When the symptoms described are apparent, the dis*
temper is easily recognised^ but it is not likely to cou*

dogs: their manaoememt.

129

tinue stationary for any lon^ period. In the course of a
week it generally changes its character, and sometimes
appears to -subside altogether ; the cases in which the
disease steadily progresses, becoming day by day more
severe, being comparatively rare. "*"" -— ~'

When no abatement is "wifnessed, the case is not to be
despaired of, but it require* to be a^ xiously watched;
for often it will take a sudden turn, sometimes favor-
able, but more frequently demanding immediate assist-
ance to prevent a fatal termination. The symptoms
become aggravated. The eyes are clogged by a thick
matter which glues the lids together, especially in the
morning. The nostrils are plugged up by an accumula-
tion of tenacious discharge, which becomes encrusied
over the lips and nose, and impedes the breathing. The
body rapidly wastes, though the appetite may return,
and even be voracious. The shivering is constant. The
dog seeks repose and is disinclined to move ; though at
times it may be playful, and in some instances will never
exhibit any diminution of spirit. The cough may con-
tinue ; but it more often ceases, or is only heard at irre-
gular and distant intervals. The animal makes repeated
and desperate efforts to expel the accumulated matter
from the nose, and uses its paws evidently with an inten-
tion to remove the annoyance. Day by day, if not
attended to, these signs grow more aggravated ; the
breath becomes very offensive ; ulcers appear on the
lips ; the eyes become white ; the discharge from the
nostrils changes its color, and is mingled witb .blood

1!!!

Nil

■1 '■ I! ■

la r

130

docs: their management.

and scabs, having an offensive odor. The creature at
last begins to " yap," or utter short sharp cries. It
becomes more weak, till at length it cannot walk, but
lies upon its side ; the noise being continued for hours,
and then ceasing only to be again commenced. Consti-
pation has usually been present, but at last diarrhoea sets
in ; the faeces have that peculiar smell which in the dog
is characteristic of the latest stage of all ; and gradually
death, without a seeming struggle, closes the scene of
suffering.

More frequently — indeed, in the majority of cases —
the distemper is hardly well developed before it all at
once seems to disappear. This peculiarity in the disor-
der has no doubt given strength to the general faith in
specifics for this disease. The animal suddenly so ^ar
recovers, or appears to recover, after having been seri-
ously affected, that the inexperienced naturally conclude
the dog is either quite well, or evidently so far cured
that the efficacy of the remedy administered is not to be
disputed. For two or three weeks this deceptive appear-
ance may continue, and in some cases no return of the
symptoms may be witnessed ; but in the majority of
instances the disorder is only dormant, and again starts
up as if it had been strengthened by its treacherous
repose. The running from the nose comes back in ex-
cessive quantities, and either the bowels are singly in-
flamed, or with them the brain is involved, and fits or
diarrhoea, or both united, speedily terminate in death, to
arrest which medicine has seldom the power. The loss

DOGS : THEIS. MANAGXMRNT.

131

is on these occasions rarelj attributed to distemper, .
which is thought to have been subdued ; but death is
commonly set down to fits, or to poison, or to inflamma-
tion of the bowels, or to anything else which the imagi-
nation of the proprietor may conceive. Hence we get
an insight into the value of a large number, and perhaps
into all, of the reputed nostrums ; and hence it is the
more necessary the reader should be made aware of n
those indications which denote the virus is not eradi- i
cated, but only latent as it were, lurking, to spring with •
greater certainty upon its victim. No one must conclude
the distemper is mastered if the dog continues to lose
flesh, or if the animal does not rapidly repair the waste,
consequent upon the earlier stages of the disorder. This
tendency to stand still or decline should be carefully
observed, and it will seldom deceive. When it is re-
marked, or even suspected, let the owner be upon his
guard. When the distemper is actually overcome, there
is a marked disposition to fatten ; indeed, so strong is it
at this time that, should it not bo evident, there can be
no doubt as to the cause, especially if a short and slight
attack of the disorder has been known to have occurred
a little time before. A warning, equally clear to those
who will look for and can read it, is to be obtained from
the eyes. These may be bright, and even peculiarly
transparent ; the face have a more animated expression
than it displayed during previous health ; but if the eye-
lids are retracted, the membranes will be found red, and
the veBgela before observed upon will be seen running

','

I' ,i

132

DOOS^ THEIR MANAOBMBNT.

over the white of the eye. When these things are pre-

' I I M !■! Ill ■ I II I I ••' ' »■" ~

sent, although the coat may be beautifully smooth, the
discharge dried up, the shivering gone, the appetite
strong, and the spirits boisterous, still there is in the
system the seeds of a disease which at no distant period
will reappear in its most dangerous form.

Commonly, after the second stage, there is an abatement
of the symptoms, without any actual cessation in the dis-
charges. The dog is concluded to be better, and tlK>ught
to be doing well, but it will not be long before something
to excite alai*m is witnessed. The eyes or nerves, or
lungs or liver, or stomach or intestines may be attacked ;
or a pustular eruption, or actual mange, or a disposition
in the animal to eat its own flesh, or choroea, or paralysis
may appear, and all of these possible varieties require to
be separately dwelt upon.

The eyes lose their transparency, the surface is white
and opaque, the sight is impaired, and the lids are nearly
constantly closed. One or both of the organs of vision
may be thus affected ; usually the two are simultaneously
affected, but seldom with the like intensity. After a few
days, and sometimes at the commencement, a small cir-
cular depression is to be seen upon the very centre of the
eyeball. It is round, and varies in size from that of a
pin's head to that of a small pea, but rarely becomes
larger. The depression, if nothing be done to check it,
deepens till a little shallow pit is exliibited. At other
times the hole grows larger and deeper, till the outer
covering of the eye is absorbed, or, in common phrase, is

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

133

eaten through, and the water escapes: this gives relief.
If, however, the animal survives, the eye is often perfectly
restored, though very frequently a white speck marks
the spot which was ulcerated; or the dog is left with
weakened eyes, and has a tendency to cataract, which
may ultimately render it blind.

-'• The affection of the lungs is denoted by the dog
breathing more quickly, and often making a small plain-
tive or whistling noise during respiration. Though cough
is quite as often absent as present ; but if present it is
usually severe ; the pulse is increased, but small and
thready, and the appetite may not be impaired. The
animal is, however, disinclined to move , if put down at
' liberty, it always gets into some place where it hopes to
be allowed to remain undisturbed. As the symptoms
become more intense, the animal constantly sits upon its
haunches ; but I have not seen it carry the head erect,
although authors state this to be one of the indications.
There is a desire for fresh air, and the dog will always
leave the house, or get to the window or door, if he have
an opportunity of so doing. These signs are hardly to
be mistaken, but they are easily confirmed. If the ear
be applied to the side of a healthy dog's chest, no sound
can be detected ; but when the lungs are diseased, a very
plain noise is readily heard. The presence, therefore, of
any murmur, or of anything like air escaping over a dry
rough surface, is indicative of disease, and the certainty
that the lungs are involved is' 'confirmed. .

Dogs of late years have not commonly died of pneu-

■■Hi

134

doob: thkir management.

monia during the distemper ; but authors speak of the
pulmonary form of the disorder as having formerly been
a common cause of death. I know it only as a mild varia-
tion of the ordinary symptoms. It has not in any case
under my observation proved fatal, but has readily yielded
to gentle measures, aided by attention to simple diet. <
The liver is generally involved. After the termina-
tion of a fatal case, this gland is found either soft or more
brittle thfiu it • ^ht to be, else it is discovered much
enlarged. I never saw it of less than its natural size.
Generally it i disc ' i d, mostly of a pale tint ; which
sometimes exists all over the organ, though the pendu-
lous edges of the lobes are very generally seen of the
bright red, suggestive of inflammation. The gall-blad-
der is always distended with a thin dark-green fluid or
impure bile ; and a large quantity of the same secretion,
but of greater consistency, is distributed over the lining
membrane of the anterior intestines The liver obvious-
ly is the cause of the yellow distemper, which is no more
than jaundice added to the original and pre-existing dis-
ease. Yellow distemper is by writers treated of as a
distinct disorder, but I have not yet met with it in that
form. When it has come under nty notice, it has been
no more than one of the many complications which the
symptoms are liable to assume. The dog has been ill
before his skin became discolored ; but the eyes not ex-
hibiting that ordinary discharge which denotes the true
charapter of the affection under which he labored, the
distemper was not detected.

dogs: their MANAOEiuinr.

186

Everything concerning distemper is by the generality
of the public misunderstood. Most people imagine a
dog can have the distemper but once in its life ; whereas
I had a patient that underwent three distinct attacks in
one autumn, that of 1849. The majority of persons who
profess an intimate knowledge of the dog will tell you
distemper is a disorder peculiar to the young ; whereas I
know of no age that is exempt from its attack. I have
known dogs, high-bred favorites, to be left with men
selected because of their supposed familiarity with dog
diseases ; and these very men have brought to me the
animals in the fits which are the wind-up of distemper,
yet notwithstanding have been ignorant that their
charges had any disease whatever. All the stages and
symptoms of ordinary distemper may appear and depart
unnoticed ; but it is widely different with yellow distem-
per, for when the yellowness appears, it is so marked
that no description of a peculiar symptom need be in-
serted, since it cannot be overlooked or mistaken. It is
attended with excessive debility, and, unless properly
combated, is rapidly fatal.

The stomach and intestines are always involved ; I
have never known a case in which either escaped. The
affection of the first is generally shown by sickness
during the earliest stage ; when also the derangement
of the last is denoted by either costiveness or relaxation,
the bowels never being perfectly regular; towards the
latter stages, or about the third or fourth week, the appe-
tite sometimes becomes enormous ; the craving for food

130

dogs: thxir manaoemknt.

m '

is then unnatural, and is so intense that no qnantity can
appease the hunger. The animal will eat anything ; dry
bread is taken with aridity, and stones, cinders, straw,
and every species of filth are eaten with apparent relish.
Such, however, is not always the case, since it is not
unusual for the appetite entirely to fail. In either in>
stance the dog rapidly wastes ; the flesh seems tp melt
as it were away, and the change produced by a few days
is startling ; from having been fat, a thinness which ex-
poses every bone is witnessed in a shorter time than
would be supposed possible. At this period vomiting
may come on ; but when the animal is morbidly rave-
nous, the stomach does not generally reject its contents.
After death I have found it loaded with the most irritat-
ing substances, and always acutely inflamed ; but no
sickness in any instance of this kind has been observed.
Vomiting is most generally absent, hnJt the protruded and
reddened appearance of the anug will give a clue tp the
actuil condition of the alimentary tube. The stomach is
inflamed, not throughput, but in various parts which are
in different stages of disease. The pyloric orifice is
always more affected than the cardiac ; the duodenum,
jejunum, and ileum, are inflamed ; the cxcum is enlarged,
inflamed, and generally impacted. The rectum, however,
suffers most severely; it is much reddened and thick-
ened, often to an,«^traordinary degree. I have known
blood to be exuded from the surface of this bowel in
such quantities as to destroy the life from actual hemor-
rhage>. In pan ciuie> however, a spaniel voxnited more

DOOS: THSIB MAVAOEMBBT*

187

than half-a-pint of blood previotis to its death, which
took place two hours afterwards. A small qnantity of
blood is ordinarily passed with the faeces toward the
fatter stage ; but in several cases a large amount of pure
blood, partly coagulated and unmingled with any faecal
matter, has flowed from the body in a contmued stream,
to which there will be cessation only as death approach-
es. The possibility of this occurring will give the reader
some idea of the extent and degree in which the bowels
are or may be diseased ; the symptoms, nevertheless, are
not such as would suggest the danger which may be
shortl/ violently exemplified. Irregularity of the intes-
tines may be remarked ; but it is not so characterised as
to force itself upon the attention. The belly during dis-
temper mostly appears tucked up and small ; the intes-
tines, even when costiveness exists, are seldom loaded,
but all except the rectum may feel empty. The animal
is always bound when the bowels are acutely attacked.
The first indication we get of this is often colic. The
cries are high and yet full at first ; but they only occur
at periods, between which the dog seems easy and in-
clined to sleep ; gradually the exclamations become more
sharp and short, a quantity of dark- coloured fxces are
voided, and relief is for a time experienced ; the cries,
however, letum and become continuous ; diarrhoea sets
in ; the excretions become more and more liquid, by
degrees mixed with blood, and of a lighter color. When-
ever they are discharged, pain is expressed ; but as the
animal sinks the «rie« grow less frequent, till at last the

138

DOGS* THKIR MAKAOBIOEKT.

excrements pass involuntarily, and death soon takes
place.

The cries, however, are not heard in every instance
even of this kind, and the abdomen is not generally
sensitive to pressure. When the belly is handled, the
dog, by contracting the muscles covering the parts, may
denote some small degree of resistance ; but I have never
known it to struggle during the operation. The curving
of the spine, the occasional looks towards the seat of
agony, and the efforts made to press or draw the belly
upon the ground, will indicate the inflammatory charac-
ter and the locality of the disease. The pulse does not
materially aid the judgment; it becomes quicker and
more sharp, but hardly to such an extent that depend-
ence can be placed on its indications. The discharges
often cease when the disease, in an acute form, becomes
concentrated upon the contents of the abdomen ; but the
nose is almost always hot and harsh, though in a few cases I
have known the part remain cold and moist even to the
last. As the close draws near, a very peculiar smell, not
absolutely powerful, but more sickly than offensive, is
emitted. This odor is consequent upon the faeces, and
when it is detected the animal seldom or never sur-
v?ves.

The brain, both Blaine and Youatt speak of as subject
to inflammation during the latter stage of distemper. As
diseases are peculiarly liable to change, and the appear-
ances assumed at different times are by no means uniform,
I may not say those estimable writers never beheld it in

DOGS' THEIR MANAQKMENT.

139

such a state ; but I am certain I have never seen it in a
similar condition ; I have found it congested, but far
oftener have I discovered it perfectly healthy. One of
its coverings (the dura mater) has exhibited a few spots
of congestion, but these have been small, each not larger
than the head of a moderate sized pin, and in number
about ten or twelve ; generally they are situated towards
the anterior of the cranium (on either side or falx), and
near to the crista galli.

The bones forming the roof of the skull have, however,
been highly vascular — loaded with dark blood — so that
if dried they become of almost a black hue ; and without
disputing the accuracy of either of the authorities I have
mentioned, these appearances to my mind account more
satisfactorily for symptoms which no one asserts ever
border upon phrenitis. The brain seems to me to be
only sympathetically affected, not absolutely involved in
this disease. When this is threatened, there is generally
some notice given before the fits, succeeded by stupor,
are displayed. The eye will sometimes brighten, and
the discharge from the nose will cease. This, however,
is by no means constant ; as it is not rare for both to
continue, or even to become more copious; but ir .,]&
only should remain, the nose is certain to be the part
whence the deflexion will issue. No positive dependence,
therefore, can be placed upon the discharges from the
eye or nose. The eye, nevertheless, is certain to denote
that which is on the eve of happening. The pupil may
be small ; and when it is so, its decrease of size will be

140

DOaS : THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

marked, and it will have little disposition to Mt rge.
This, however, is rarely witnessed. Generally the nupil
is much enlarged, so much as to conceal the iris, and
alter the character of the organ. The eye is moreover
retracted, and the dog has a very peculiar expression of
mingled pain and stupidity. If the hand bo placed upon
the head, it will be sensibly hot. No matter how thick
the coat may be, the heat will be apparent, and the
carotid arteries will sensibly throb. The coat feels dry
and is warm, although the animal may be trembling to
such a degree as prevents the pulse being counted. Yet
the dog seems lively ; it is active now, though perhaps a
little while ago it Avas dull ; every trivial circumstance
now attracts its notice. The appetite is generally rave-
nous. The dog which only the day before was disinclined
to feed, is suddenly disposed to eat more than it ever
was known to consume ; and it will gnaw and swallow
the hardest wood for want of better provender. The
amended appetite is mostly one of the symptoms, but it
is not invariably witnessed ; for occasionally increased
activity, and the strange appearance of the eye, are all
that indicate the approach of fits. It will not be long,
however, before something shall be added which is more
definite in its meaning. The dog which was running
about suddenly stands still, and begins to smack its lips
and charnp its jaw. It keeps stationary while doing this,
and continues so until a quantity of froth and thick saliva
falls from the mouth, drops upon the ground, and then
the action ceases. The animal looks around with a vacant

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

141

stare, evidently not conscious where it is, and starts away,
hitting itself perhaps against anything which may oppose
its progress. If caught it struggles to get loose, and may
even bite the hand which, when conscious, it would
perish to defend. Almost immediately, however, it
regains its faculties, and then seems quite as well as it
appeared to be before the attack came on. It may con-
tinue subject to be thus seized for several days ; or soon
after the first attack, fits or convulsions may start up.
During the champing colic may set in, which will only
yield when the fits are established. 'I'lie duration of the
champing is not regular ; it may be only for a few
moments, or for several minutes. The attacks may be
no more than one or two in the day, or twenty may
occur in a single hour. Generally they remain about
three days, but here also there is no rule. I have known
them to be present for a week, and also to exist only for
a few hours. In these latter cases the condition of the
dog is generally not understood. It is taken out for a
long walk, or it is indulged with a hearty meal ; and in
the middle of the one, or shortly after the other, it begins
to champ, utters a loud sharp cry, which is suddenly cut
short as if the animal was choked. The eyes glare, the
mouth is open, and before perfect insensibility ensues,
the dog bites at every object near it, then falls down
convulsed, the limbs stiffen, the head is drawn back or
twist t)d to one side, the urine and dung are voided ; and
a state of unconsciousness, which may cease in a few
minutes, or continue for hours, during which the body is

Sll

142

dogs: their manaoement.

in contortions, and the saliva flows freely from the month,
stretches the poor brute upon the earth. When this is
over, the dog recovers as from a trance, being always
disposed to ramble, and should its strength permit, will
start away at its utmost speed. There is neither to the
number nor duration of these fits any limit ; they may
be few or frequent, and long or short. The second may
end the l:fe ; or every five minutes, nay oftener, they
may occur, and the animal survive for days. Any
excitement will bring them on, and the passage of the
fflRces invariably is accompanied by an attack. Diarrhoea
always begins when they commence, and the dog soon
loses strength, and lies upon its side unconscious and
incapable of motion ; the pulse is not to be felt, and
gradually without a struggle it expires. Let no man,
however, be hast^ in saying positively when death has
taken place. Often has the life seemed gone, for the
heart has been still ; but minutes afterwards tho animal
has gasped, and then began to breathe once more. Death,
however, comes at last, for if the dog sinks to such a
state, I have never known it to revive.

A pustular eruption is often witnessed during the
existence of distemper, and I have not seen the same
phenomenon distinct from the disease. The two appear
to be uniled, isnd yet we do not know the manner in
which they are connected. The other symptoms are
not mitigated when the pustules are matured, nor does
their appearance denote any particular crisis or stage of
the disorder. I have, however, most frequently seen

dogs: their management.

148

them towards the latter or confirmed stages of distemper,
and often they have immediately preceded the fits. The
first indication given is a little redness, whic^ is strictly
local or confined to a particular spot. This place is not
very red, but, nevertheless, it is obviously inflamed and
tender ; there is not much swelling, but a slight hard-
ness can he detected. A day or two afterwards the red-
ness dies away, and a globular eminence, perfectly round,
and generally about the size of a split pea, is beheld. If
it be opened, a proportionate quantity of thick pus of a
healthy character escapes, and a comparatively large
incrustation forms over the part ; if not opened, the pus-
tule bursts and the scab follows, but larger than in the
previous case. Mostly the eruption appears on the belly
and inside of the thighs, but it is seldom strictly confined
to those parts. Often it affects the trunk and tail, but
does not usually attack the head and fore-limbs. There
is no proof that any beaefit attends its development, or
any known reason for attributing it to any cause ; save
only such as can be drawn from the statement, that I
have commonly observed it in pups of a weakly constitu-
tion and emaciated condition.

The disposition to eat or gnaw some part of the body
is often shown to an alarming degree, but is seldom exhi-
bited save in the latter stage of the disease. The dog is
observed to lick one of its paws, or mumble at its tail, for
some days. The part is always one of the extremities,
and is evidently tormented with a violent itching which
<'annot be allayed. The animal at length, irritated hj

144

DOGS : THETR MANAGEMENT.

the torture, attacks the member with its teeth, The skin
is first removed, and then the flesh. The mouth may be
covered with blood, the teeth clogged with hair, and the
very bones attacked ; but the pain which the sight of
the mangled surface suggests to the spectator sec
not to be felt by the dog, which appears desirous only ». .
destroying its own body. I have known two of the toes
of one fore-paw to be thus consumed, so that amputation
was afterward imperative, portions of the metacarpal
bones being laid bare. In several instances the root of
the tail has been eaten, until the sacrum and first tail
bones, with the nerves, were exposed. The rage cannot
be overcome, and, unless the disposition be prevented by
mechanical means, the consequence will be fatal. No
author that I am acquainted with has noticed this pe-
culiarity; and in general it is attributed to other causes
than distemper, which is either not observed, or is sup-
posed to have been got over.

Tumors on various parts of the body, and of different
kinds, sometimes but not usually accompany the disease ;
but as I have not been able to satisfy myself they are
peculiar to the disorder, or induced by any other cause
than the -debility attendant on distemper, there is in this
place no occasion to more than point out the possibility
of their appearance. They are unfavorable as indica-
tions of general weakness, but they do not seem to pos-
sess any further or direct influence over the course of the
affection.

The genital organs rarely escape altogether. A thick

DOQS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

146

purulent discharge, or one of a glairy nature, is often
present in the male throughout the attack, and nearly
always during recovery. In both sexes the bladder in
the latter stages is apt to be paralysed, and the accumu-
lation of the urine then becomes a prominent symptom.
The recovery often commences after relief has been
obtained, but if the necessity be overlooked, death gene-
rally ensues.

Paralysis of the hind extremities is occasionally wit-
nessed, and when seen is generally sudden in its appear-
ance. Sometimes, however, the loss of power is gradual,
and when such is the case the hopes of a cure are always
diminished. If the power of motion be lost suddenly,
costiveness mostly exists ; and if, on the other hand, it
should be gradual, there may be diarrhoea, which will
terminate in death.

Twitches, choraea, or Saint Vitus's dance, are not very
usual, and may continue for months after every other
symptom has subsided. All four limbs are sometimes
violently agitated, and even during sleep are not quies-
cent. Tlie motion is incessant, and when this is the case
the animal dies, worn out by the want of bodily rest. In
the majority of instances only one limb is affected ; and
a species of independence of volition, or incapability of
controlling its movements, accompanies the affection.
Though never still, the leg is comparatively useless, and
is carried in a manner which denotes this fact. The
muscles of the trunk arc less commonly attacked, but
they do not always escape. When the legs have not

II ;1

146

dogs: their manaoembnt.

^■M i

ill
1

^■f

■1

been thns affected, I have known the abdominal and
tnoracic mnscles to be troubled by continuons twitchings ;
which, however, have been for the most part slight, and
have subsided more quickly than have those of the
extremities, when they have been diseased. Cholera
comes on gradually ; its commencement is hardly to be
perceived, and it is seldom observed before the distem-
per is fully developed— even sometimes only when the
disorder appears to be subsiding. It is not rare for it to
start up while the animal is apparently recovering; and
when it does so, it is always most difficult to remove.
No pain is felt in the affected limb ; the part rather seems
to lose some portion of its sensibility.

When the hind parts are paralysed, feeling may be en-
tirely gone ; so that a pin thrust into the flesh of those
parts does not even attract the notice of the dog. This
does not occur in chorsea, but the consciousness is dulled
by that affection. The convulsed limb may be more
roughly handled than the healthy ones ; but violence
will excite those answers which truly indicate that insen-
nbility is not established in it. If nothing be done for
the twitchings, the limb will waste ; at last the general
system will be sympathetically involved, and the body
will grow thin. This, however, may not happen until
long after all signs of distemper have disappeared ; for
chorsea, though well known to be often fatal, is always
slow in its progress, and never attended .with immediate
danger.

Such an outline of the leading symptoms ; and it

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

147

now remains only to more particularly point out those
which indicate death and denote recovery. The third or
fourth week is the time when the dog mostly dies, if the
disorder terminates fatally ; and six weeks is the average
continuance of the attack. Hapid loss of flesh is always

■

a bad sign, and it is worse in proportion as the appetite is
good, because then nature has lost the power of appropri-
ation. The presence of vermin is Ukewise a circum-
stance which in some measure is deserving of notice.
If a dog becomes, during the existence of this disorder,
unusually infested with fleas, or more especially if lice
all at once cover its coat, — as these parasites ever abound
where the body is debilitated and the system unhealthy,
— they are at such a period particularly ominous. The
coat cannot, while the disease prevails, be expected to
look sleek; but when it becomes more than usually
harsh, and is decidedly foul, having a peculiar smell,
which is communicated to the hand when it is passed
over the body, the anticipations are not bright. The most
marked indication is, however, given by the tongue.
When this is only a little whiter than it was in health,
we may hope for recovery ; but if it becomes coated,
discolored, and red and dry at its tip and edges, the
worst may be foretold. The warning is the more de-
cided if the breath be hot and tainted, and the belly and
feet cold to the touch. While the dog can stand and
walk, however feebly, there is no reason to despair ; but
when it falls down, and lies upon its side, rarely is medi-
cine of much avail. Even then, however, it will some-

148

dogs: their management.

times recover ; but if, while in this state, injections are
returned as soon as they are administered, the chance
that it can survive is .ncleed remote.

Recovery, in extreme cases, usually commences after
diarrhoea which had set in has subsided, rather than
during its attack. This is the only semblance to any-
thing approaching a crisis which has come hither under
my observation. If simultaneously the eyes lose their
red and glassy aspect, and the cough returns, the danger
may be supposed to have been passed. For weeks, how-
ever, the animal will require attention ; for the conva-
lescence is often more difficult to master than the disease
itself is to cure ; and relapses, always more dangerous
than the original attack, are by no means unusual. The
recovery may not be perfect before one or even two
months have expired ; but usually it is rapid, and the
health is better than it was previous to the disease. A
dog which would before never make flesh, having had
the distemper, will often become fat. I once tried all in
my power to relieve a Newfoundland dog of worms, but
though I persisted for months, I was at last reluctantly
obliged to admit the case was beyond any treatment I
dared employ. A fortnight after I had given it up, the
same animal was brought to me, suffering under evident
distemper. I was not displeased to see it in that state,
for I felt I could overcome the disease ; and I told the
proprietor that with the distemper the worms would de-
part. So it proved, and the dog has not since been sub-
ject to the annoyance.

dogs: their manaobmemt.

149

When the violence of the disorder has declined, the
skin generally peels, the cuticle is cut off, and the hair is
scurfy. I have even known the soles of the feet to cast
their outer covering, and in one case three of the nails
were shed. The teeth, also, are coated with a thick fur,
and the breath is offensive ; but as the strength returns
at the same time, these circumstances are not to be
viewed in a serious light. In one or two instances,
where the system seemed to be so shaken that it retained
no strength to cast off the lingering remnant of the dis-
temper, mange has burst forth, and proceeded very
rapidly ; but it yielded with equal speed to mild external
remedies, and is therefore only to be f«^ared inasmuch as
it disfigures the dog for a time, retarding the ultimate
restoration to health by further taxing the enfeebled
body.

During the recovery from distemper, small and delicate
animals — terriers and spaniels — are very liable to faint ;
the dog is lively, perhaps excited, when suddenly it falls
upon its side, and all its limbs stiffen. A series of these
attacks may follow one another, though generally one
only occurs ; when numerous and rapid, there is some
danger, but, as a general rule, little apprehension need be
entertained. The fainting fits are of some consequence,
if they exist during a sickening for, or maturing of, dis-
temper. In pups that have not passed the climax of
the disease, they are not unseldom the cause of death ;
but, even in that case, I have never been convinced that
the measures adopted for the relief did not kill quite as

umm

150

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

'I '

II :i

i: I

much or even more than the affection. When the symp-
tom is mistaken, and wrong remedies are resorted to, the
ffunting fit will often continue for hours, or never be
overcome. When let alone, the attack mostly does not
last longer than a quarter of an hour, and under judicious
treatment the consciousness almost immediately returns.
When the fainting fits occur during the progress or ad-
vance of the disease — that is, before the symptoms have
begun to amend — it is usually preceded by signs of
aggravation. For twelve or twenty-four hours previously
the dog is perceptibly worse ; it may moan or cry, and
yet no organ seems to be decidedly affected more
seriously than it was before. I attribute the sounds
made to headache ; and, confirming this opinion, there is
always some heat at the scalp. The animal is dull, but
immediately before the collapse it attempts to wander,
and has begun to move, probably panting at the same
time, when it falls without a cry, and stiffens. In this
state — the rigidity occasionally being less, but the uncon-
sciousness continuing unchanged — it will remain; the
eyes are turned upward or into the skull, the gums and
tongue are pallid, the legs and belly cold : the appear-
ances are those of approaching death, which, unless relief
is afforded, may in a short time take place. When the
^ainting occurs after convalescence is established, the
attack is sudden, the symptoms are less violent, and the
coma of shorter duration. In this last case there is gene-
rally little danger, but there is always sufficient reason
for alarm, and help ought never to be delayed. These

DOOB : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

161

attacks are commonly confounded with trae distemper
fits, from which they are altogether distinct ; and from
which they may he readily distinguished by the absence
of the champing of the jaw, the want of any dis-
position to bite, the immediate Insensibility which ensues,
the shrieks not being heard, and 4he urine or faeces not
being voided. Nevertheless, the two are usually con-
founded, and hence many persons are found asserting
that distemper fits are easily cured; and several dogs
have been shown to me at different times, which their
owners were confident had been attacked by distemper
fits, and radically cured by the most simple, and often
ridiculous specifics. I have sometimes in despair — even
against my reason — tried these boasted remedies, but in
no instance has the result rewarded me. Where there
was real occasion for a potent medicine, and little hope
that any drug could benefit, the nostrums have, without
a single exception, belied the confident recommendations
with which they were offered, and either have done harm
or proved inoperative.

The symptoms of distemper, as the reader will, after
wading through the foregoing description, have perceived,
are numerous and complicated ; they admit of no posi-
tive arrangement, being both eccentric in their order and
appearances. Redness of the eyes, with* discharge from
both eyes and nose, accompanied with ordinary signs of
illness, are the early indications ; but even these are not
to be sought for, or to be expected in any single form. I
The judgment must be exercised, and study strengthened

162

dogs: their MANXaEMSNT.

by experience will alone enable any man to pronounce
the presence of distemper in many cases ; while, perhaps,
without knowledge or practice any person may recognise
it in the generality of instances.

The treatment is rendered the more difficult because
of the insidious nature of the disorder, and the uncertain
character of its symptoms ; under such circumstances, it
is no easy task to make perfectly clear those instructions
I am about to give. I am in possession of no specific ; I
do not pretend to teach how to conjure ; I am going only
to lay down certain rules which, if judiciously applied,
will tend to take from this disease that fatal reputation
which it has hitherto acquired. I shall be obliged, how-
ever, to leave much to the discretion of the reader ; for it
would employ too great a space, did I attempt to make
provision for all possible accidents and probable combina-
tions. !

The diet is of all importance ; it must be strictly attend-
ed to. In the first place, meat or flesh must be withheld.
Boiled rice, with a little broth from which the fat has
been removed, may be the food of a weakly animal, but
for the majority bread and milk will be sufficient ; which-
ever is employed must be given perfectly cold. Sugar,
butter, sweet biscuits, meat, gravy, greens, tea or pot
liquor— either luxuries or trash — must be scrupulously
denied in any quantity, however small. Skim-miik, if
perfectly sweet, is to be preferred, and coarse bread or
ship biscuits are better than the same articles of a finer
quality. These will form the diet, when the dog can be

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

163

brought to accept them ; and to rice, the favorite — how-
ever great may be the pity he elicits, or however urgent
may be his solicitations for a more liberal fare — must be
rigidly confined. If, after a few trials, the dog stubbornly
refuses such provender, meat must of necessity be given, iiil
but it should be of the very best description, and rather
underdone. Of this kind, it ought to be minced, and
mixed with so much rice or ship biscuit as the animal can
at first be made to eat with it ; the rice or biscuit may
then be gradually increased ; and in the end the vege-
table substance will constitute, at all events, the major
part of the support. Water, constantly changed — a cir-
cumstance too little attended to where dogs are concerned
— must be the only drink ; the bed must be warm and
dry, but airy. Cleanliness cannot be carried to too nice
an extent ; here the most fastidious attention is not out
of place. Let the kennel be daily cleared, and the bed
regularly changed at least thrice-a-week ; straw or hay
is better for the dog to sleep upon than cushions or
blankets, which, being more expensive, are not so fre-
quently replaced. Too much hay or straw cannot be
allowed, but, on the other hand, it is difficult to regulate
the quantity of the finer articles. In the last kind of bed
the animal is often almost smothered, or else he scrapes
them into a lump, and lies shivering on the top ; whereas,
when he has straw to lie upon, he can either creep be-
neath it, and shelter himself when sensible of cold, or ex-
pose himself to the air when oppressed by the fever. The
sensations being the only guide, it is best to leave the

154

DOGS : THKtR MANAGEMENT.

11 :^i:

dog, as much as possible, capable of obeying its instinct ;
but always It the bed be ample, as during the night the
shivering generally prevails, and the cold fit is entirely
independent of the heat to be felt at the skin, or the tern*
perature of the season. Let the dog be kept away from
the fire, for, if permitted, it will creep to the hearth, and
may be injured by the falling cinders, when the burn will
not perhaps readily heal. A cold or rather cool place is
to be selected — one protected from wet, free from damp,
and not exposed to wind or draughts. The kennel, if
properly constructed, is the better house, for dogs do
best in the open air ; the only objection to which is, the
chance it offers of the animal being drenched with rain.
If the kennel can be placed under an open outhouse, I
should always have it put there ; and what else I would
recommend is, of course, told by the line of conduct
which I pursue.

Medicinal measures are not to be so quickly settled. A
constant change of the agents employed will be impera-
tive, and the practitioner must be prepared to meet every
symptom as it appears. The treatment is almost wholly
regulated by the symptoms, and as the last are various,
of course the mode oi vanquishing them cannot be uni
form. To guide us, however, there is the well-kn>
fact, the disease we have to subdue is of a febrile km !,
and has a decided tendency to assume a typhoid charac-
ter ; therefore, whatever is done must be of a description
not likely to exhaust, — depletion is altogether out of the
queBtion. The object we have to keep in view is the

dogs: their manaqbment.

165

snpport of nature, and. the husbanding of those powers
which the malady is certain to prey upon : in proportion
as this is done, so will be the issue. In the very early
stage, purgatives or emetics are admissible. If a dog is
brought to me with reddened eyes, but no discharge, and
the owner does no more with regard to the animal than
complain of dulness, a want of appetite, and a desire to
creep to the warmth, then I give a mild emetic such as is
directed, page 119 ; and this I repeat for three successive
mornings ; on 'the fourth day administering a gentle
purge, as ordered, page 116. The tartar emetic solution
and purgative pills I employ for these purposes, in pre-
ference to castor oil or ipecacuanha, and during the same
time I prescribe the following pills : —

Ext. belladonna . . . Six to twenty-four grains,

Nitre One to four scruples.

Extract of gentian . . One to four drachnuL

Powdered quassia . . A sufficiency.

Make into twenty-four pills, and give three daily;
choosing the lowest amount specified, or the intermediate
quantities, according to the size of the animal.

Often under this treatment the disease will appear to
be suddenly cut short. With the action of the purgative*
or even before it has acted, all the symptoms will disap-
pear, and nothing remains which seems to say any further
treatment is required. I never rest here, for experience
has taught mQ that these appearances are deceptive, and
tiie disorder has a disposition to return. Consequently

156

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

strict injunctions are given as to diet, and a course of
tonics is adopted : —

Disolphate of quinine
Sulphate of iron . .
Extract of gentian .
Powdered quassia. .

One to four BcmpIeiL
One to four scmplea.
Two to eight drack _
A sufficiency.

Make into twenty pills, and give three daily.

At the same time I give the liquor arsenicalis, which I
prepare not exactly as is directed to be made hy the
London pharmacopoeia, but after the following method : —

Take any quantity of arsenious acid, and adding to it
so much distilled water as will constitute one oiince of
the fluid to every four grains of the substance, put the
two into a glass vessel. To these put a quantity of car-
bonate of potash equal to that of the acid, and let the
whole boil until the liquid is perfectly clear. The strength
is the same as the preparation used in human practice ;
the only difference is, the coloring and flavoring ingre-
dients are omitted, because they render the medicine dis-
tasteful to the dog. The dose for the dog is from one
drop to three drops ; it may be carried higher, but should
not be used in greater stnmgth, when a tonic or febri-
fuge effect only is desired.

Of the liquor arsenicalis I take ten or twenty drops,
and adding one ounce of distilled water, mingled with a
little fiimple syrup, I order a teaspoonful to be given
thrice daily with the pills, or in a little milk, or in any
fluid the creature is fond of. The taste being pleasant,
the dog does not object to this physic, and it is of all im-

doob: their management.

16V

portauce that it should be annoyed at this time as little
as may be possible.

Numerous are the cases which have thus been short-
ercd by this method ; and the advantage gained by this
mode of treatment is, that if the measures employed be
not absolutely necessary, they do no harm, and if required,
they are those which are calculated to mitigate the vio-
lence of the disease ; so for three or four weeks J pursue
this course, and should all then appear well, I dismiss
the case.

Most generally, however, the dogs brought to us with
the distemper have the disease fairly established before
we see them. Then I never purge or vomit ; the time
when such agents could be remedial has passed, and if
now used, though they will seem to do some immediate
good, the after consequences are always to be regretted.
The action of the purgative has scarcely subsided before
the distemper assumes a more virulent form, and the
probability of the termination is rendered more dark.
During the distemper I pay little attention to the bowels ;
and, however great may be the costiveness, I never ven-
ture to resort even to a laxative, though, should I dis-
"iovcr the rectum to be impacted with hard faeces, an enema
may be employed. That which I use on these occasions
iu composed of gruel, to which some sulphuric ether and
laudanum has been added.

Take of cold gruel . .
Sulphuric ether
Laudanum

One quart.
Four drachms.
One BcniplAi

158

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

The above quantity will be ample for the largest dog
— one-eighth will be enough for a small animal — and for
A mere pup, an ounce of the fluid is often sufficient. In
these cases, however, I always continue the injection
until it is returned, the object not being to have it retain-
ed ; but simply to lubricate the part, and thereby facilitate
the passage of the faeces, while by distending the rectum,
that intestine is stimulated to expel its contents. The
ether and laudanum are introduced to guard against the
possibility of irritation. If a more than usual disposition
to costiveness be observed, twice a week a meal of liver,
chopped very fine, is allowed ; but even this should be
given only after there is absolute proof of Us necessity.

Of the cough, however distressing it may be, I take no
notice. I do nothing for its relief, but persevere in the
tonic treatment, and become more strict in my directions
concerning diet. The cough is only one of the symptoms
attendant on the disorder, and the measures likely to
mitigate its severity will aggravate the disease ; while by
attacking the disorder, we destroy the cause, and with
that the effect also disappears.

The eyes I treat, or rather refuse to treat, upon the
same principle. Whatever may be the appearance they
present — even though the animal should be actually blind,
the eye of a dull thick white color on its entire surface,
and the centre of the cornea ulcerated — ^nevertheless I
let them alone, and turn a deaf ear to the entreaties
which call on me to relieve so terrible au affliction : I
forbid even the discharge to be washed off. Nothing must

1 .

dogs: their management.

150

go uear them ; but the treatment must be pursued as
though wo were ignorant that the parts were affected.
Any excessive accumulation may be gently picked off
with the fingers once a-day ; but even this must be per-
formed with the utmost caution, and in most instances
had better be let alone It can only be necessary in
dogs that have very long hair which becomes matted and
glued together upon the cheeks ; for other animals it is
not imperative. If the lids should be stuck together,
the fastening substance may be removed ; but it should
not be too quickly done e^on then. All water, either
warm, tepid, or cold — every kind of lotion, or any sort
of salve or powder — will do harm, by either weakening
or irritating the organs. As to bleeding, blistering, and
setoning, which have been advised, they are contrary to
the dictates of humanity, and as a necessary consequence,
are injurious. In medicine, at least with the dog, that
which is not kind is not good. With these animals the
feelings are much safer than the reason ; and a lady, con-
sulting the impulses of ' er heart, would be more likely
to save her favorite than a veterinary surgeon, who pro-
ceeded upon the practice of that which he supposed was
his science. Let the eyes of the sufferer alone — we can-
not alleviate the pain, or shorten its duration. The
disease regulates the torture, and to that we must give
attention. If the distemper is conquered, the sight will
mostly be restored; but if the eyes are tampered with,
consequences may ensue which are not natural to the
disease, but aro induced by the crude and cruel prejudices

160

DOOS : THEIR MANAOEMENT.

! I

of the doctor. The man who, during distemper, seeing
an ulcer upon the cornea, under the imagination that by
so doing he will set up a healthy action, prcHumes to
touch it with lunar caustic, will in the resistance of the
poor patient be rebuked, and, by the humour of the eye
squirting into his face, probably be informed that he has
accomplished the very object he intended to prevent,
while a fungoid mass will spring up to commemorate his
achievement.

When the lungs are attacked, all kinds of mistaken
cruelties have been perpetrated. No wonder the disease
has been so fatal, when it has been so little understood.
I cannot conceive that any dog could survive the measures
I was by my college tutor taught to pursue, or the plan
which books told me to adopt. Needlessly severe, calcu-
lated to strengthen the disease, and to decrease the power
of the animal to survive, as the general practice decidedly
is, I entreat the reader to reject it. In truth, the involve-
ment of the lungs is in distemper a very slight affair ; no
symptom yields more quickly or to milder means. Do_
not forget the diet, but let it bgLhottLlQw and small. The
system cannot endure depletion, therefore we must gain
whatever we can through abstinence. Do not starve, but
be cautious not to cram the animal ; only keep it so short
that it remains always hungry. The meal must now
never be full, or sufficient to satisfy the appetite, which
is usually large. A loaded stomach would do much
injury, therefore little and often is the rule. The amount
for the day must be cut off in the morning ; and during

dogs: their manaobmbnt.

161

the day, at as many times as the owner pleases, it may
little by little be offered, but no more must be allowed.
If the dog should not be inclined to eat, which is not
often the case at this particular period, the circumstance
is hardly to be regretted ; he is not, save under the
direction of one qualified to give such an order, to be
enticed or forced. As for medicine, let the following pill
be given thrice daily : —

Extract of belladonna

Nitre

James's powder . .
Conserve of roses . .

One to four grains.
Three to eight grains.
One to four grains.
A sufficiency.

This will be the quantity for one pill ; but a better effect
is produced if the medicine be administered in smaller
doses, and at shorter intervals. If the dog can be con-
stantly attended to, and does not resist the exhibition of
pills, or will swallow them readily when concealed in a
bit of meat, the following may be given every hour : —

■ilxtraot of belladonna . A quarter grain to one grain.

Nitre One to four grains.

James's powder ... A quarter grain to one grain.

Conserve of roses ... A sufficiency.

With these a very little of the tincture of aconite may be
also blended, not more than one drop to four pills. The
tonics oup^ht durine; the time to be discontinued, and the
chest should be daily auscultated to learn when the

162

dogs: their manaobmbnt.

syiaptoms subside. So soon as a marked change is
observed, the tonic treatment must be resumed, nor need
ttre wait until all signs of chest aflfection have disappeared.
When the more active stage is mastered by strengthening
the svstem, the cure is often hastened ; but the animal
should be watched, as sometimes the affection will return.
More^frequentljj^ however, while the lungs engross atten-
tion, the eyes^become disordered. When such is the case,
the tonics may be at once resorted to ; for then there is
little fear but the disease is leaving the chest to involve
other structures.

\ Diarrhoea may next start up. If it appears, let ether
and laudanum be immediately administered, both by the
mouth and by injection. To one pint of gruel add two
ounces of sulphuric ether, and four scruples of the tincture
ofopium ; shake them well together. From half an
ounce to'a quMter of a pint of this may be employed as
an enema, which should be administered with great gen-
tleness, as the desire is that it should be retained. This
should be repeated every third hour, or oftener if the
symptoms seem urgent, and there is much straining after

\the motions. From a tablespoonful to four times that
quantity of the ether and laudanum mixture, in a small
quantity of simple syrup, may be given every second
hour by the mouth ; but if there is any indication of colic,
the dose may be repeated every hour or half hour ; and
I have occasionally given a second dose when only ten
minutes have elapsed. Should the purgation continue, \
and the pain subside, from five to twenty drops of liquor

dogs: theih management.

163

potassae may be added to every dose of ether given by
the mouui ; which, when there is no colic, should be once
in three hours, and the pills directed below may be ex-
hibited at the same time : —

Prepared chalk . .
Powdered ginger . .
Powdered carraways
Powdered capsicums .
Confection of roses .

Five grains to one scruple.
Three to ten grains.
Three to ten graina
One to four grains.
A BuflSciency.

To the foregoing, from two to eight grains of powdered
catechu may bo added should it seem to be required, but
it is not generally needed. Opium more than has been
recommended, in this stage, is not usually beneficial ; and,
save in conjunction with ether, which appears to deprive
it of its injurious property, I am not in the habit of
employing it.

I have been moi-e full in my directions for diarrhoea
than was perhaps required by the majority of cases.
Under the administration of the ether only I am, there-
fore, never in a hurry to resort even to the liquor potassaj,
which, however, I use some time before I employ the
astringent pills, and during the whole period I persevere
with the tonic. Thediet I restrict to strong beef tea,
thickened with ground rice, and nothing of a solid nature
is allowed. Should these measures not arrest the purga-
tion, but the faRces become ofltensive, chloride of zinc is
introduced into the injection, and also into the ether given
by the mouth. With the first, from a teaspoonftil to a

•sm^

n 1

164

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

tablespoonful of the solution is combined, and with the
last half those quantities is blended. A wash, composed
of two ounces of the solution of the chloride to a pint of
\ cold water, is also made use of to cleanse the anus, about
which, and the root of the tail, the faeces have a tendency
to accumulate. Warm turpentine I have sometimes with
advantage had repeatedly held to the abdomen, by means
of flannels heated and then dipt into the oil, which is
afterwards wrung out. This, however, is apt to be
energetic in its action ; but that circumstance oflFers no
objection to its employment. When it causes much pain,
it may be discontinued, and with the less regret, as the
necessity is the less in proportion as the sensibility is
the greater. Should it even produce no indication of
uneasiness, it must nevertheless not be carried too far,
since on the dog it will cause serious irritation if injudi-
ciously employed ; and we may then have the conse-
quences of the application to contend with added to the
efifects of the disease. When it produces violent irritation,
a wash made of a drachm of the carbonate of ammonia
to half a pint of water may be applied to the surface ;
and when the inflammation subsides, the part may be
dressed with spermaceti ointment. The fits are more to
be dreaded than any other symptom ; when fairly esta-
blished, they are seldom mastered. I have no occasion to
boast of the success of my treatment of these fits. All
I can advance in favor of my practice is, that it does
sometimes save the life, and certainly alleviates the suf-
ferings of the patient ; while of that plan of treatment

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

165

which is generally recommendea and pursued, I can con-
fidently assert it alwiays destroys, adding torture to the
pains of death. In my hands not more than one in ten
are relieved, but when I followed the custom of Blaine
none ever lived, — the /ate was sealed, and its horrors
were increased by the folly and ignorance of him who
was employed to watch over, and was supposed to be
able to control. Let the owners of dogs, when these
animals have true distemper fits, rather cut short their
lives than allow the creatures to be tampered with for
no earthly prospect. I have no hesitation when saying
this ; the doom of the dog with distemper fits may be
regarded as sealed ; and medicine, which will seldom save,
should be studied chiefly as a means of lessening the
last agonies. In this light alone can I recommend the
practice I am in the habit of adopting. When under it
any animal recovers, the result is rather to be attributed
to the powers of nature than to be ascribed to the virtues
of medicine ; which by the frequency of its failure shows
that its potency is subservient to many circumstances.
Blpine and Youatt, both by the terms in which thej
speak of, and the directions they lay down for, the cure
of distemper fits, evidently did not understand the patho-
logy of this form of the disease. These authors seem to
argue that the fits are a separate disease, and not the
symptoms only of an existing disorder. The treatment
they order is depletive, whereas, the attacks appearing
only after the distemper has exhausted the strength, a
little reflection convinces us the fits are the results of

166

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

weakness. Their views are mistaken, and their remedies
are prejudicial. They speak of distemper being some-
times ushered in by a fit, and their language implies that
the convulgions, sometimes seen at the first period, are
identical with those witnessed only during the latest
stages. This Is not the fact. A fit may be observed
before the appearance of the distemper ; and anything
which, like a fit, shows the system to be deranged, may
predispose the animal to be affected ; but, between fits
of any kind, and the termination of the affection in rela-
tion to distemper, there is no reason to imagine there is
an absolute connexion. The true distemper fit is never
observed early — at least, I have never beheld it — bglbr^
the expiration of the third week ; and I am happy in
being able to add, that when my directions have from the
first been followed, I have never known an instance in
which the fits have started up. Therefore, if seldom to
be cured, I have cause to think they may be generally
prevented.

When the symptoms denote the probable appearance
of fits, although the appetite should be craving, the food
must be light and spare. At the Veterinary College, the
pupils are taught that the increase of the appetite at this
particular period is a benevolent provision to strengthen
the body for the approaching trial. Nature, foreseeing
the struggle her creature is doomed to undergo — the
teacher used to say — gives a desire for food, that the
body may have vigor to endure it ; and the young gen-
tlemen are advised, therefore, to gratify the cravings of

! I'

DOQS: THEIR MANAOBMBNT.

16Y

the dog. This is sad nonsense, which pretends to com-
prehend those motives that are far beyond mortal recog-
nition. We catanot read the intentions of every human
mind, and it displays presumption when we pretend to
understand the designs of Providence. There are sub-
jects upon which prudence would enjoin silence. The
voracity is excessive, but it is a morbid prompting. "When
the fits are threatened, the stomach is either acutely
inflamed, or in places actually sore, the cuticle being re»
moved, and the surface raw. After a full meal at such a
period, a fit may follow, or continuous cries may evidence
the pain which it inflicts. Nothing solid should be
allowed ; the strongest animal jelly, in which arrowroot
or ground rice is mixed, must constitute the diet ; and
this must be perfectly cold before the dog is permitted to
touch it : the quantity may be large, but the amount
given at one time must be small. A little pup should
have the essence of at least a pound of beef in the course
of the day, and a Newfoundland or mastiff would require
eight times that weight of nutriment : this should be
given little by little, a portion every hour, and nothing
more save water must be placed within the animal's reach.
The bed must r\pt be hay or straw, nor must any wooden
utensil be at hand ; for there is a disposition to eat such
things. A strong canvas bag, lightly filled with sweet
hay, answers the purpose best ; but if the slightest in-
clination to gnaw is observed, a bare floor is preferable.
The muzzlo does not answer ; for it irritates the temper
which sickness has rendered sensitive. Therefore no

168

Doos : Tusm managbment.

i ^

restraint, or as little as is consonant with tlie circnm*
stances, must be enforced. Emetics are not indicated.
Could wo know with certainty that the stoioach was
loaded with foreign matters, necessity would oblige their
use ; but there can be no knowledge of this fact — and
of themselves these agents are at this time most inju-
rious. Purgatives ai'e poisons now. There is always
apparent constipation ; but it is confined only to the
posterior intestine, and is only mechanical. Diarrhoea is
certain to commence Avhen the rectum is unloaded, and
nothing likely to irritate the intestines is admissible.
The fluid food will have all the aperient effect that can
be desired. As to setons, they are useless during the
active stage ; and if continued after it has passed, they
annoy and weaken the poor patient : in fact, nothing
must be done which has not hitherto been proposed.

When signs indicative of approaching fits are remark-
ed, small doses of mercury and ipecacuanha should be
administered.

Grey powder
Ipecacuanha

Five grains to one Bcruple.
One to four grains.

Give the above thrice daily ; but if it produces sick-
ness, let the quantity at the next dose be one-half.

Tincture of hyoseyamua . One part
Sulphuric ether . . . Three parts.

This should be mixed with cold soup, ten ounces of
which should be mingled with one ounce of the medicin»

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

160

Give an ounce every hour to a small dog, and four
ounces to the largest animal. A full enema of the solu-
tion of soap sliould be thrown up ; and the rectum having
been emptied, an ounce or four ounces of the sulphuric
ether and hyoscyamus mixture ought to be injected every
hour. Over the anterior part of the forehead, from one
to four leeches may be applied. To do this the hair
must be cut close, and the parts shaved ; then, with a
pair of scissors, the skin must be snipped through, and
the leech put to the wound : after tasting the blood it
will take liold. To the nape of the neck a small blister
may be applied ; and if it rises, the hope will mount with
it. A blister is altogether preferable to a seton ; the one
acts as a derivative, by drawing the blood immediately
to the surface without producing absolute inflammation,
which the other as a foreign body violently excites. The
effects of vesicants are speedy, those of setons are
remote ; and I have seen fearful spectacles induced by
their employment. With dogs setons are never safe ;
for these animals, with their teeth or claws, are nearly
certain to tear them out. In cases of fits, if the seton
causes much discharge, it is debilitating and also offensive
to the dog, and the ends of the tape are to him an inces-
sant annoyance. It is not my practice to employ setons,
being convinced that those agents are not beneficial to
the canine race ; but to blisters, which on these animals
are seldom used, I have little objection. With the
ammonia and cantharides, turpentine and mustard, we
have so much variety, both as to strength and speed of

11 I

DOGS : THr.IK MANAOKMENT.

action, that we can suit tha remedy to the circumstances,
which, in the instance of a creature so sensitive and
irritable as the dog, is of all importance. The blister
which I employ in distemper fits is composed of equal
parts of liquor ammonite and ca^ iphorated spirits. I
saturate a piece of sponge or piline with this compound ;
and having removed the hair, I apply it to the nape of
the neck, where it is retmned from five to fifteen minutes,
according to the efiect it appears to produce. Great
relief is often obtained by this practice ; and should it
be necessary, I sometimes repeat the application a little
lower down towards the shoulders, but never on the same
place ; for even though no apparent rubefaction may be
discerned, the deeper seated structures are apt to be
affected, and should the animal survive, serious sloughing
mar follow, if the blister be repeated too quicTily on one
part.

The directions given above apply to that stage when
the eye and other symptoms indicate the approach of fits,
or when the champing has commenced. The tonic pills
and liquor arsenicalis may ^ i then be continued; but
when the fits have positively occurred, other measures
must be adopted. If colic should attack the animal,
laudanum must be administered, and in small but repeat-
ed doses, until the pain is dismissed. Opium is of itself
objectionable ; but the drug does less injury than does
the Buffering, and, therefore, we choose between the two
evils. From five to twenty drops of the tincture, com-
bined with half-a-drachm to two drachms of sulphuric

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

171

ether, may be given every half-hour during the parox-
ysm ; and either the dose diminished or the intervals
increased as the agony lessens, the animal being at the
same time constantly watched. The ethereal enemas
should be simultaneously exhibited, and repeated every
half-hour. When a fit occurs, nothing should during its
existence be given by the mouth, except with the stom-
ach-pump, or by means of a large-sized catheter intro-
duced into the pharynx. Unless this precaution be
taken, there is much danger of the fluid being carried
into the lungs. Ether by ir jection, however, is of every
service, and where the prop^ir instruments are at hand,
it ought also to be given by Ihe mouth. The doses have
been described. To the liquor araenicalis, from half a
drop to two drops of the tincture of aconite may with
every dose be blended ; and the solution of the chloride
of lime should be mingled with the injections, as ordered
for diarrhoea, which, if not present, is certain to be near
at hand. The following may also be exhibited, either as
a soft mass or as a fluid mixture : —

riilomto of potash
Aroiiiutic powder .

One to four grains.
Ualf-u-drauhm to two drachmB.

Carbonate of aoinionia . Fivo grains to a scruple.

Chalk One to four scruples.

Aromatio confection . . One to four scruples.

Either of the above may be tried every third hour, but
on no account ought the warm bath to be used. An

172

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

! ■'!«

It: i

embrocation, as directed for rheumatism, may oe employ-
ed to the feet and legs, and warm turpentine may, as
described in diarrhoea, be used to the abdomen. Cold or
evaporatinjf^ lotions to the head are of service, but unless
they can be continuously applied, they do harm. Their
action must be prolonged and kept up night and day, or
they had better not be employed, as the reaction they
provoke is excessive. Cold water dashed upon the head
during the fit does no good, but rather seems to produce
evil. The shock often aggravates the convulsions ; and
the wet wlxich soon dries upon the skull is followed by a
marked increase of temperature ; while, remaining upon
other parts, and chilling these, it drives the blood to the
head.

From the foregoing, it will have been seen that my
efforts are chiefly directed to strengthening the system,
and, so far as possible, avoiding anything that might add
to the irritaoility. On these principles I have sometimes
succeeded, and most often when the fits have been caused
by some foreign substance in the stomach or intestines.
When such is the case, the fits are mostly short and
frequent. One dog that had one of these attacks, which
did no<^ last above forty seconds every five minutes, and
was very noisy, lived in pain for two days, and then
passed a peach-stone, from which moment it began to
recover, and is now alive. In another case, a nail was
vomited, and the animal from that time commenced im-
proving. In this instance an emetic would have been of
benefit ; but such occun <)nce8 are rare, and the emetio

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMEKf.

173

does not, even when required, do the same good as is
produced by the natural ejection of the offending agent.
Perhaps, where nature possesses the strength to cast off
the cause of the distress, there is more power indicated ;
but after an emedc, I have known a dog fall upon its side,
and never rise again.

During fits the dog should be confined, to prevent its
exhausting itself by wandering about. A large basket is
best suited for this purpose. It should be so large as not
to incommode the animal, and high enough to allow the
dog to stand up without hitting its head. A box is too
close ; and, besides the objection it presents with regard
to air, it does not allow the liquids ejected to drain off.

For the pustular eruption peculiar lo distemper, I apply
no remedy. When the pustules are matured I open them,
but I am not certain any great benefit results from this
practice. If the disorder terminates favorably the symp-
tom disappears ; and, beyond giving a little additional
food, perhaps allowing one meal of meat, from one ounce
to six ounces, I positively do nothing in these cases. I
must confess I do not understand this eruption; and in
medicine, if you are not certain what you should do, it is
always safest to do nothing.

The disposition to eat or gnaw any part of the body
must be coimteracted by mechanical measures. The limb
or tail must be encased with leather or gutta percha. No
application containing aloes, or any drug the dog distastes,
will be of any avail. When the flesh is not sensitive, the
palate is not nice, and the dog will eat away in spite of

174

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

|-' ' ' i

any seasoning. A mechanical obstruction is tbe only
check that can be depended upon. A muzzle must be
employed, if nothing else can be used ; but generally a
leather boot, or gutta percha case moulded to the part,
has answered admirably. To the immediate place I
apply a piece of wet lint, over which is put some oil silk,
and the rag is kept constantly moist. The dose of the
liquor arsenicalis is increased by one-fourth or one-half,
and in a few days the morbid desire to injure itself ceases.
After this the dressings are continued ; and only when
the recovery is perfect do I attempt to operate, no matter
how serious may be the wound, or how terrible, short of
mortifying, it may appear.

Tumors must be treated upon general principles : and
only regarded as reasons for supporting the strength.
They require no special directions at this place, but the
reader is referred to that portion of the work in which
they are dwelt upon.

To the genital organs of the male, when the d'ycharge
is abundant, a wash consisting of a drachm of the solution
of the chloride of zinc to an ounce of water, gently ap-
plied once or twice daily, is all that will be necessary.
The paralysis of the bladder requires immediate atten-
tion. In the last stage, when exhaustion sets in, it is
nearly always paralysed Sometimes the retention of
urine constitutes the leading and most serious symptom ;
and after the water has boon onco drawn off, the bladder
may regain its tone— another operation rarely being
needed. A professional friend, formerly my pupil,

dogs: theik management.

176

brought to me a dog which exhibited symptoms he could
not interpret ; it was in the advanced stage of distemper.
It was disinclined to move, and appeared almost as if its
hind legs were partially paralysed. I detected the blad-
der was distended, and though the animal did not weigh
more than eight pounds, nine ounces and a half of urine
were taken away by means of the catheter. From that
time it improved, and is now well. There can be no
doubt that a few hours' delay in that case would have
sealed the fate of the dog. For the manner of introduc-
ing the catheter, and the way to discover when the urine
is retained, the reader is referred to that part of the pre-
sent work which treats especially on this subject.

Paralysis and chor.'ta will be here dismissed with a like
remark. To those diseases the reader must turn for their
treatment ; but I must here state, that before any mea-
sures specially intended to relieve either are adopted, the
original disease should be first subdued, as, in many cases,
with the last the chor:ca will disappenr ; while in some
the twitching will remain through life. All that may be
attempted during the existence of distemper, will consist
in the addition of from a quarter of a grain to a grain
and a half of powdered nux vomica to the tonic pills;
and, in severe paralysis, the use of a little friction, with a
mild embrocation to the loins.

The treatment during convalescence is by no moans to
be despised, for hero we have to restore the strength, and,
while we do so, to guard against a relapse. One ciioum-
stunce must not be lost sight of ; namely, that nature is,

176

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

''Ox.

after the disease has spent its violence, always anxious to
repair the damage it may have inflicted. Bearing this
in mind, much of our labor will be lightened, and more
than ever shall we be satisfied to play second in the busi-
ness. The less v/e do the better ; but, nevertheless, there
remains something which will not let us continue perfect-
ly idle.

Never, after danger has seemingly passed, permit the
animal to return all at once to flesh food. For some time,
after all signs of the disease have entirely disappeared,
let vegetables form a part, and a good part of the diet.
Do not let the animal gorge itself. However lively it
may seem to be, and however eager may be its hunger,
let the quantity be proportioned to the requirements inde-
pendent of the voracity. Above all, do not tempt and
coax the dog to eat, under the foolish idea that the body
will strengthen or fatten, because a great deal is taken
into the stomach. We are not nourished by what we
swallow, but by that which we digest ; and too much, by
distending the stomach and loading the intestines, retards
the natural powers of appropriation : just as a man may
be prevented from walking by a weight which, neverthe-
less, he may be able to support. Give enough, but divide
it into at least three meals — four or five will be better —
and let the animal have them at stated periods, taking
care that it never at one time has as much as it can ea*^ :
and by degrees return to the ordinary mode of feed-
ing.

The fainting fits create great alarm, but, if properly

■ f J

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

177

treated, they are very trivial affairs. An ethereal enema,
and a dose or two of the medicine, will generally restore
the animal. No other physic is needed, but greater
attention to the feeding is required. Excessive exercise
will cause them, and the want of exercise will also bring
them on. The open air is of every service, and will do
more for the perfect recovery than almost anything else.
When the scarf-skin peels off, a cold bath with plcvity of
friction, and a walk afterwards, is frequently highly
beneficial ; but there are dogs with which it does not
agree, and, consequently, the action must be watched.
Never persevere with anything that seems to be injurious.
If the mange breaks out, a simple dressing as directed
for that disease will remove it, no internal remedies being
in such a case required.

I cannot close my account of distemper without cau-
tioning the reader against the too long use of quinine.
It is a most valuable medicine, and, as a general rule, no
less safe than useful. I do not know that it can act as a
poison, or destroy the life ; but it can produce evils
hardly less, and more difiicult to cure, than those it was
employed to eradicate. The most certain and most potent
febrifuge, and the most active tonic, it can also induce
blindness and deafness ; and by the too long or too large
employment of quinine a fever is induced, which hangs
upon the dog, and keeps him thin for many a month.
Therefore, when the more violent stages of the disease
have been conquered, it should no longer be employed.
Other tonics will then do quite as well, and a change of

! ^1

I n

1 ri

178

dogs: thkir managemknt.

medicine! often performs that which no one, if persevered
with, will accomplish.

All writers, when treating of distemper, speak of worms,
and give directions for their removal during the existence
of the disease. I know they are too often present, and
I am afraid they too often aggravate the symptoms ; but
it is no easy matter to judge precisely when they do or
when they do not exist. The remedies most to be de-
pended upon for their destruction, are not such as can be
beneficial to the animal laboring under this disorder ; but,
on the other hand, the tonic course of treatment I propose
is very likely to be destructive to the worms. Therefore,
rather than risk the possibility of doing harm, I rely upon
the tonics, and have no reason to repent the confidence
evinced in this particular.

The treatment of distemper consists in avoiding all and
everything which can debilitate ; it is, simply, strength-
ening by medicine aided by good nursing. It is neither
mysterious nor complex, but is both clear and simple
when once understood. It was ignorance alone which
induced men to resort to filth and cruelty for the relief of
that which is not difficult to cure. In animals, I am cer-
tain, kindness is ninety-nine parts of what passes for
wisdom ; and, in man, I do not think the proportion is
Tnuch less ; for how often does the mother's love preserve
the life which science abandons ! To dogs we may be a
little experimental ; and with these creatures, therefore,
there is no objection to trying the effects of those gentler
feelings, which the very philosophical sneer at as the in-

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

179

dications of weakness. When I am called to see a dog,
if there be a lady for its nurse, I am always more certain
as to the result ; for the medicines I send then seem to
have twice the effect.

MOUTH, TEBTH, TONGUE, GULLET, ETC

The mouth of the dog is not subject to many diseases j
but it sometimes occasions misery to the animal. Much
of such suffering is consequent upon the folly and thought-
lessness of people, who, having power given them over
life, act as though the highest gift of God could be ren-
dered secondary to the momentary pleasure of man. No
matter in what form vitality may appear — for itself it is
sacred , it has claims and rights, which it is equally idle
and ridiculous to deny or to dispute. The law of the land
may declare and make man to have a possession in a
beast ; but no act of parliament ever yet enacted has
placed health and life among human property. The body
may be the master's ; but the spirit that supports and
animates it is reserved to another. Disease and death
will resent torture, and rescue the afflicted ; he who un-
dertakes the custody of an animal is morally and re-
ligiously answerable for its happiness. To make happy
becomes then a duty ; and to care for the welfare is an
obligation. Too little is thought of this ; and the fact is
not yet credited. The gentleman will sport with the
agony of animals ; and to speak of consideration for the

II;

il.

Hta

180

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

I i

brute, is regarded either as an eccentricity or an affecta-
tion. This is the case generally at the present time ; and
it is strange it should be so, since Providence, from the
creation of the earth, has been striving to woo and to teach
us to entertain gentler sentiments. No one ever played
with cruelty but he lost by the game, and still the sport
is fashionable. No one ever spared or relieved the mean-
est creature but in his feelings he was rewarded ; and yet
are there comparatively few who will seek such pleasure.
Neither through our sensibilities nor our interests are we
quick to learn that which Heaven itself is constantly
striving to impress.

The dog is our companion, our servant, and our friend.
With more than matrimonial faith does the honorable
beast wed itself to man. In sickness and in health, lite-
rally does it obey, serve, love, and honor. Absolutely
does it cleave only unto one, forsaking all others — for
even from its own species does it separate itself, devoting
its hcait to man. In the very spirit and to the letter of
the contract does it yield itself, accepting its life's load
for better, for worse — for richer, for poorer — in sickness
and in health — to love, cherish, and to obey till death.
The name of the animal may be a reproach, but the af-
fection of the dog realizes the ideal of conjugal fidelity.
Nevertheless, with all its estimable qualities, it is despised,
and we know not how to prize, or in what way to treat
it. It is the inmate of our homes, and the associate of our
l«!aure : and yet its requirements are not recognised, nor
its necessities appreciated. Its docility and intelligencA

dogs: theik management.

181

are employed to undermine its health ; and its willingness
to learn and to obey is converted into a reason for des-
troying its constitution What it can do we are content
to assume it was intended to perform ; and that which it
will eat we are satisfied to assert was destined to be its
food.

Bones, stones, and bricks, are not beneficial to dogs.
The animals may be tutored to carry the two last, and
impelled by hunger they will eat the first. Hard sub-
stances and heavy weights, however, when firmly grasp-
ed, of course wear the teeth ; and the organs of masti-
cation are even more valuable to the meanest cur than to
the wealthiest dame. If the mouth of the human being
be toothless, the cook can be told to provide for the occa-
sion, or the dentist will in a great measure supply the
loss. But the toothless dog must eat its customary food ;
and it must do this, although the last stump or remaining
fang be excoriatirg the lips, and ulcerating the gums.
The ability to crush, and the power to digest bones, is
thought to be a proof that dogs were made to thrive upon
such diet ; and Blaine speaks of a meal of bones as a
wholesome canine dish. I beg the owners of dogs not to
be led away by so unfounded an opinion. A bone to a
dog is a treat, and one which should not be denied ; but
it should come in only as a kind of dessert after a hearty
meal. Then the creature will not strain to break and
strive to swallow it ; but it will amuse itself picking off
little bits, and at the same time benefit itself by cleaning
its teeth. Much more ingenuity than force will be em-

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182

dogs: their IIANAGEIiIBNT.

ployed, and the mouth will not be injured. In a state of
nature this would be the regular course. The dog when
wild hunts .its prey ; and, having caught, proceeds to
feast upon the flesh, which it tears o£F; this, being soft,
does not severely tax the masticating members. When
the stomach is filled, the skeleton may be polished ; but
hungry dogs never take to bones when there is a choice
of meat. It is a mistaken charity which throws a bone
to a starving hound.

Equally injurious to the teeth, are luxuries which
disorder the digestion. High breeding likewise will ren-
der the mouth toothless at a very early age ; but of all
things the very worst is salivation, which, by the igno-
rant people who undertake to cure the diseases of these
sensitive and delicate animals, is often induced though
seldom recognised, and if recognised, always left to take
its course.

The mouth of the dog is therefore exposed to several
evils ; and there are not many of these animals which
retain their teeth even at the middle age. High-bred
spaniels are the soonest toothless ; hard or luxurious
feeding rapidly makes bare the gums. Stones, bones,
&c., wear down the teeth ; but the stumps become
sources of irritation, and often cause disease. Saliva-
tion may, according to its violence, either remove all the
teeth, or discolor any that may be retained. The hale
dog's teeth, if properly cared for, will generally last
during the creature's life; and continue white almost
to the remotest period of its existence. I h&ve seen

DOOS: THEIR MAKAGEinKT.

183

very aged animals with beautiful mouths ; but such
sights, for the reasons which have been pointed out, are
unfortunately rare. The teeth of the dog, however, may
be perfectly clean and entire even at the twelfth year ;
and it is no more than folly to pretend that these organs
are in any way indicative of the age of this animal.
They are of no further importance to a purchaser than
as signs which denote the state of the system, and show
the uses to which the animal has been subjected. The
primary teeth are cut sometimes as early as the third
week ; but, in the same litter, one pup may not show
more than the point of an incisor when it is six weeks
old ; while another may display all those teeth well up.
As a general rule, the permanent incisors begin to come
up about the fourth month ; but I have known a dog to
be ten months old, and, nevertheless, to have all the
temporary teeth in its head. The deviations, conse-
quently, are so great that no rule can be laid down ; and
every person who pretends to judge of the dog's age by
the teeth is either deceived himself, or practising upon
the ignorance of others.

Strong pups require no attention during dentition ; but
high-bred and weakly animals should be constantly
watched during this period. When a tooth is loose, it
should be drawn at once, and never suffered to remain
a useless source of irritation. If suffered to continue
in the mouth, it will ultimately become tightened ; and
the food or portions of hair getting and lodging between
it aiMl the permMieut reeth, wiU inflame the gum, and

184

DOGS : THEIR MAKAOEMBMT.

J !

cause the beast considerable suffering. The extraction
at first is so slight an operation, that when undertaken
by a person having the proper instruments, and know-
ing how to use them, the pup does not even vent a sin-
gle cry. The temporary tusks of small dogs are very
commonly retained after the permanent ones are fully up,
and if not removed, will remain perhaps during the life ;
they become firm and fixed, the necks being united to
the bone. This is more common in the upper than in
the lower jaw, but I have seen it in both. Diminutive
high-bred animals rarely shed the primary tusks natural-
ly ; therefore, when the incisors have been cut, and the
permanent fang teeth begin to make their appearance
through the gums, the temporary ones ought, as fre-
quently as possible, to be moved backward and forward
with the finger, in order to loosen them. When that is
accomplished, they should be extracted, which if not
done at this time will afterwards be difficult. As the
tooth becomes again fixed, filth of various kinds accumu-
lates between it and the permanent tusk ; the animal
feeds in pain, the gum swells and ulcerates, and some-
times the permanent tusk falls out, but the cause of the
injury never naturally comes away.

To extract a temporary tusk after it has reset is
somewhat difficult, and is not to be undertaken by every
bungler. The gum must be deeply lanced ; and a small
scHlpel made for the purpose answers better than the
ordinary gum lancet. The instrument having been
passed all round the neck of the tooth, the gum it

DOGS : THEIR MANA(iEMENT.

185

with the forceps to be driven or pushed away, and the
hold to be taken as high as possible ; firm traction is
then to be made, the hand of the operator being stea-
died by the thumb placed against the point of the per-
manent tusk. As the temporary teeth are almost as
brittle as glass, and as the animal invariably moves its
head about, endeavoring to escape, some care must be
exercised to prevent the tooth being broken. However,
if it is thoroughly set, we must not expect to draw it
with the fang entire, for that has become absorbed, aud
the neck is united to the jawbone. The object, there-
fore, in such cases, is to grasp the tooth as high up as
possible, and break it off so that the gum may close over
any small remainder of the fang which shall be left in
the mouth. Tlie operator, therefore, makes his pull with
this intention ; and when the tooth give 3 way, he feels,
to discover if his object has been accomplished. Should
any projecting portion of tooth, or little point of dislodg-
ed bone be felt, these must be removed ; and in less than
a day the wound shows a disposition to heal ; but it
should afterwards be inspected occasionally, in case of
accidents.

When foulness of the mouth is the consequence of the
system of breeding, the constitution must be invigorated
by the employment of such medicines as the symptoms
indicate : and the teeth no further interfered with than
may be required either for the health, uu&o, or cleanliness
of the animal.

From age, improper food, and disease coi^joined, tho

■iimpiWKw^

186

D008 : THEIR MANAOKMEKT.

dog's month is frequently a torture to the beast, and a
nuisance to all about it. The teeth grow black from an
incrustation of tartar ; the insides of the lips ulcerate ; the
l^ums bleed at the slightest touch, and the breath stinks
tnost intolerably. The dog will not eat, and sometimes
is afraid even to drink ; the throat is sore, and saliva
dribbles from the mouth ; the animal loses flesh, and is a
picture of misery.

When such is the case, the cure must be undertaken
with all regard to the dog's condition ; harm only will
follow brutality or haste. The animal must be humored,
and the business must be got through little by little. In
some very bad cases of this description I have had no
less than three visits before my patient was «.atirely
cleansed. At the first sitting I examine the mouih, and
with a small probe seek for every remnant of a stump,
trying the firmness of every remaining tooth. All that
are quite looso are extracied first, and then the stumps
are drawn, the gums being lanced where it is necessary.
This over, I employ a weak solution of the chloride of
zinc — a grain to an ounce of sweetened water — as a lotion,
and send the dog home, ordering the mouth, gums, teeth,
and lips to be well washed with it, at least three times in
the course of a day. In four days the animal is brought
to me again, and then I scale the teeth with instruments
similar to those employed by the human dentist, only of
a small size. The dog resists this operation more stoutly
than it generally does the extraction, and patience is im-
perative. The operation will be the more quickly got
over by taking time, and exerting firmness without

DOOS: THKIR MANAGBMBNT.

187

severity. A loud word or a box on the ear may on some
occasions be required ; but on no account should a blow
be given, or anything done to provoke the auger of the
animal. The mistress or master should never be present ;
for the cunning brute will take advantage of their fond-
ness, and sham so artfully that it will be useless to attempt
to proceed.

I usually have no assistance, but carry the dog into a
room by itself; and having spoken to it, or taken such
little liberties as denote my authority, I commence the
more serious part of the business. Amidst remonstrance
and expostulation, caresses and scolding, the work then
is got over ; but seldom so thoroughly that a little further
attention is not needed, which is given on the following
day.

The incrustation on the dog's teeth, more especially on
the fangs, is often very thick. It is best removed by get-
ting the instrument between the substance and the gum ;
then with a kind of wrenching action snapping it away,
when frequently it will shell off in large flakes; the
remaining portions should be scraped, and the tooth
should afterwards look white, or nearly so. The instru-
ment may be used without any fear of injuring the enamel,
which is so hard that steel cun make no impression on it ;
but there is always danger of hurting the gums, and ns
the resistance of the dog increases this, the practitioner
must exert himself to guard against it. Some precaution
also will be necessary to thwart occasional attempts to
bite ; but a little practice will give all the needful protec-
tion, and those who are not accustomed to such operations

188

dogs: TUBIll MANAGEMENT.

will best save themselves by not hitting the dog ; for the
teeth are almost certain to mark the hand that strikes.
Firmness will gain submission ; cruelty will only get up
a quarrel, in which the dog will conquer, and the man,
even if he prove victorious, can win nothing. He who is
cleaning canine teeth must not expect to earn the love
of his patient ; the liberty taken is ho great that it is never
afterwards pardoned. I scarcely ever yet have known
the dog to which I was not subsequently an object of
dread and hatred. Grateful and intelligent as these crea-
tures are, I have not found one simple or noble-minded
enough to appreciate a dentist.

The only direction I have to add to the above, con-
cerns the means necessary to guard against a relapse, and
to afford general relief to the constitution. To effect the
first object, prepare a weak solution of chloride of zinc —
one grain to the ounce — and flavor the liquid with oil of
aniseed. This give to your employer, together with a
small stencilling, or poouah painting brush, which is a stiff

brush used in certain mechanical pursuits of art ; desire
him to saturate the brush in the liquid, and with it to
clean the dog's teeth every morning ; which, if done as
directed, will prevent fresh tartar accumulating, and in
time remove any portion that may have escaped the eye
of the operator, sweetening the animal's breath. With
regard to that medicine the constitution may require, it

DOGS : THEIR MANAUEUENT.

180

is impossible to say what the different kinds of dogs
affected may necessitate — none can be named here ; the
symptoms must be observed, and according to these should
be the treatment ; which must be studied from the prin-
ciples inculcated throughout this work. Most usually,
however, tonics, stimulants, and alteratives will be
required, and their operation will be gratifying. The
dog, which before was offensive and miserable, may
speedily become comfortable and happy ; and should the
errors which induced its misfortune be afterwards avoided,
it may continue to enjoy its brief life up to the latest
moment ; therefore the teeth should never be neglected ;
but if any further reason be required to enforce the neces-
sity of attending to the mouth, surely it might be found
in the frightful disease to which it is occasionally sub-
ject.

When the teeth, either by decay or from excessive wear,
have been reduced to mere stumps, their vitality often is
lost. They then act as foreign bodies, and inflame the
parts adjncent to them. Should that inflammation not be
attended to, it extends, first involving the bones of the
lower jaw, and afterwards the gums, and canker op the
MOUTH is established.

Such is the course of the disease, the symptoms of
which are redness and swelling during the commencement.
Suppuration from time to time appears ; but as the animal
with its tongue removes the pus, this last effect may not
be observed. The enlargement increases, till at last a
hard body seems to be formed on the jaw, immediately
beneath the skin. The surface of the gums may be ten-

190

DOOS: THEIR MAHAORMBirr.

der, and bleed on being touched, but the tumor itself is
not painful when it first appears, and throughout its
course is not highly sensitive. At length it discharges a
thin fluid, which is sometimes mingled with pus, and
generally with more or less blood. The stench which
ultimately is given off becomes powerful ; and a mass of
proud flesh grows upon the part, while sinuses form in
various directions. Hemorrhage now is frequent and
profuse, and we have to deal with a cancerous affection,
which probably it may not be in our power to alleviate.
The dog, which does not appear to suffer, by its actions
encourages the belief that it endures no acute pain — and
for a length of time maintains its condition ; but, in the
end, the flesh wastes and the strength gives way ; the sore
enlarges, and the animal may die of any disease to which
its state predisposes it to be attacked.

The treatment consists in searching for any stump or
portion of tooth that may be retained. All such must be
extracted, and also all the molars on the diseased side,
witliout any regard to the few which may be left in the
jaw. This done, the constitution must be strengthened,
and pills, as directed, with the liquor arsenicalis, should
be employed for that purpose.

Iodide of iron . . . . One to four grains.

Powdered nuz vomios . A qnarter of a grain to one grain.

galicine One to four grains.

Extract of gentian . . Three to twelve grains.

Powdered quassia . . As much as may be required.

The above forms one pill, three or four of which should

doob: thkir mamaobmkmt.

191

be given daily, with any other medicine which ihe case
may require.

To tliO part itself a weak solution of the chloride of
zinc may be used ; but nothing further should be done
until the system has been invigorated, and the health, as
far as possible, restored. That being accomplished, if
the tumor is still perfect, it should be cut down upon
and removed. If any part of the bone is diseased, so
much should be taken away as will leave a healthy
surface.

However, before the dog is brought to the veterinary
surgeon for treatment, very often the tumor has lost its
integrity, and there is a running sore to be healed. To
this probably some ignorant persons have been applying
caustics and erodents, which have done much harm, and
caused it to increase. In such a case we strengthen the
constitution by all possible means, and to the part order
fomentations of a decoction of poppy-heads, containing
chloride of zinc in minute quantities. Other anodyne
applications may also be employed ; the object being to
allay any existing irritation, for the chloride b merely
added to correct the fetor, which at this period is never
absent. After some days we strive to ascertain what
action the internal remedies have had upon the cancer ;
for by this circumstance the surgeon will decide whether
he is justified in hazarding an operation. If the health
has improved, but simultaneously the affected part has
become worse, then the inference is unfavorable ; for the
disease is no longer to be regarded as local. The coniti*

192

DOOS: THBIR MAMAOEMINT.

tntion 18 involved, and an operation would prodace no
benefit, but hasten the death, while it added to the suf-
fering of the beast. The growth would be reproduced,
and its effects would be more violent; consequently
nothing furt) \r can be done beyond supporting the sys-
tem, and alleviating any torture the animal may endure.
But If i\\e body has improved, and the tumor has
remained stationary, or is suspected to be a little better,
the knife may be resorted to ; although the chance of
cure is rather against success. The age of the animal,
and the predisposition to throw out tumors of this
nature, are against the result ; for too frequently, after
the jaw has healed, some distant part is attacked with a
disease of a similar character.

Worming, as it is generally called, is often practised
upon dogs, and both Blaine and Youatt give directions
for its performance. I shall not follow their examples.
It is a needless, and therefore a cruel operation; and
though often requested to do so, I never will worm a dog.
Several persons, some high in rank, have been offended
by my reftisal ; but my profession has obligations which
may not be infringed for the gratification of individuals.
People who talk of a worm in the tongue of a dog, only
show their ignorance, and by requesting it should be
removed, expose their want of feeling.

Pups, when about half-grown, are sometimes seized
with an inclination to destroy all kinds of property.
Ladies are often vexed by discovering the havoc which
their little favorites have made with articles of millinery ;

; i
i

DOOB : THBIR MANAOBMBNT.

193

gloves, shawls, and bonnets, are pulled to pieces with a
seuming zest tor mischief, aud the culprit is found wagging
its tail for joy atnoug the wreck it has occasioned. Great
distress is created by this propensity, aud a means to
check it is naturally sought for. Manglhig the tongue
will not have the desired effect. For u ^r.v days pain
may make the animal disinclined to use its lumth; but
when this ceases, the teeth will be employed as ingeni-
ously as before. Some good is accomf j.ied by clipji'tig
t'»« ( jmporary fangs: these are vo.ry brittle, .ad easily
cut through. The excision causes no paiu, but the
point being gone, the dog's pleasure is destrcjod ; and,
as these teeth will naturally be soon shed, no injury of
any consequence is inflicted. By such a simple measure,
more benefit than worming ever produced is secured ; for
in the last case, almost in every instance, the obnoxious
habit entirely ceases.

As to worming being of any, even the slightest, pro-
tection, in case rabies should attack the dog, the idea
is so preposterous, that I shall not here stay to no-
tice it.

The tongue of the high-bred spaniel is often subject to
partial paralysis of one side. When such is the case, the
muscles of the healthy side draw the tongue in that
direction ; and the member hangs out of the mouth, ren-
dering the appearance somewhat unsightly. The organ
from exposure becomes dry and hard ; and not being
properly used to cleanse the nose, this last becomes harsh
and encrusted upon such portion of its surface as the
disabled tongue cannot reach. The dog is disfip>urcd,

'ft>

104

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

but it manages to live, and seems to endure more incon<
venience than positive pain. The muscles on the para-
lysed side do not appear to be entirely deprived of
nervous pov^er. I infer this to be the case because they
do not waste, and therefore attribute the affection to loss
of tone rather than to actual palsy.

The cause is not known. Some dogs are pupped in
this condition ; others are only affected in this way when
age has far advanced. In the latter case the symptom is
sudden, and nothing previous has been observed which
would denote the probability of the attack ; but, arguing
from the description of animals which are subject to this
affection, and the periods when it mostly is exhibited, we
may attribute it to weakness of the constitution.

For the disease nothing of a local nature can bo done.
I have been induced to try various topical remedies, but
not with any satisfactory result ; and I am not very hope-
ful as to future experiments in the same direction. Con-
stitutional remedies have more power ; and by these, if
we cannot cure, we may limit the evil. For pups, good
nursing — not petting or pampering, but whatever can
invigorate — wholesome diet, airy lodging, and sufficient
exercise, will do much. For older animals, the same
measures, combined with such medicines as correct the
digestion and ^ve tone to the system, will be proper.
An operation of dividing the muscles of that side on
which the tongue protruded was once successful ; but on
three subsequent occasions it failed, and I have therefore
relinquished it ; for it is not quite safe, and puts the ani-

dogs: their management.

10$

mal to a great deal of suffering. Dog fanciers sometimes
cut off the exposed portion of the tongue, and thereby
conceal the defect ; but this is a brutal custom, and should
not be adopted. The animal so mutilated drinks with
difficulty, and the nose ultimately becomes even more un-
sightly than was the appearance of the hanging tongue.

The tongue is sometimes injured by the teeth, espe-
cially during fits. In such cases the wounds generally
heal quickly, and require no special attention. Should
the sores not mend, the fkult is in the system. To that,
and not to the part, medicines should be directed, and the
matter will be quickly settled.

Salivation should never be produced upon the dog.
The largest and strongest of these animals can but ill
sustain the constitutional effects of mercury ; while to
those of a delicate kind it is nearly certain death. It
may be induced by inunction, or rubbing in of ointment,
as surely as by calomel internally administered. Che-
mists mix up various ointments that are called black, blue,
red, white, or yellow ; and sell those as specifics for skin
diseases, which are in the dog all denominated mange.
Such things are applied to the entire surface of the body ;
and as they mostly contain either Tmpeth or Etliiop's
mineral calomel, or one of the preparations of mercury,
no great time is required to produce their fullest effect.
The operation of the metal is too frequently mistaken
for an aggravation of the disorder ; and when the chemist
is next visited, he is told to make the stuff stronger, be-
cause the other made the dog worse. No warning nature

196

DOGS : THKIR MANAGEMBNT.

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f i3

can ^ve will stop the proceeding. Night and day the
dog is rubbed with the poison, till its gums are sore, or
its teeth fall out ; the saliva dribbles from the mouth ; the
glands enlarge, the dog refusing to eat, and is so weak
that it can hardly stand ; then, fearing death, a doubt is
for the first time entertained, and a veterinary surgeon is
requested to look at the animal, and say what it wants.

Chemists are not qualified to administer the drugs they
sell to human beings ; but they are fairly the murderers
of a fourth part of the dogs they physic. They know
nothing about these animals, and dispense poison under
the name of medicine when they presume to treat them.
I have had creatures brought to me in the most terrible
condition ; and when they have been under domestic
treatment — that is, when the chemist has been consulted
— I always look to find symptoms of salivation. The
signs are not obscure ; the gums are either soft, tender,
and inflamed, or else very much retracted ; the teeth are
of a yellow or brownish color, loose and mottled on their
surfaces, but not covered with tartar ; the breath has a
peculiar fetor, and the saliva flows from the lips, while the
glands at the jaw are hard ; the weakness is excessive,
and the appearance dejected. Purgation may be present,
and in some instances the whole of the hair has fallen
off. One dog, a Scotch terrier, lost every portion of its
coat, and was nearly a year before it regained the covering.

Here is a portrait of a Scotch terrier, and the reader
will perceive the coat is by the artist truthfully depicted
as remarkably long, full, and hairy.

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

197

The imagination can, from this likeness of the animal
in health, conjure up the resemblance such an object as
the poor dog must have presented without its coat. Nor
was the loss of the hair the worst part of the business ;
it never afterwards grew to its proper length. The other
symptoms which have been described were present.
Fever also existed, though the debility in a great mea-
sure concealed it ; nor was the issue of the case by any
means certain for a week or even longer.

The health may be restored, but the teeth will never
regain their whiteness, nor the breath recover its natural
odor. A mild acidulated drink, made of sulphuric acid
and sweetened water, will be the most proper remedy.
It should be made pleasant, and tasted before given to
the dog, which will prevent its being administered of too
great a potency. Of this as much as can be conveniently
got down may be given, from a quarter of a pint to a
quart daily ; and with it the sulphate of iron, the disul-
phate of quinine, and vegetable bitters, made into pills,

108

dogs: their management.

may be joined. If the bowels are costive, injections of
the sulphate of magnesia, or small doses of the salt, may
be employed, while the food should be nourishing. Sul-
phuric acid and the sulphates, with generous diet, will
constitute the treatment ; and if the case be not too far
advanced, these will ultimately restore the strength.

BROHOHOOKLK.

■■. r

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This disease is usually seen in greatest severity in
pups. It consists in an enlargement of the thyroid body,
which increases so much as to destroy the life. In old
dogs it is commonly stationary, or of a fixed size. Spa-
niels and terriers are much exposed to it ; and of the
last-mentioned breed, probably bull-terriers are, of all
animals, the most liable to be attacked.

In pups, the thyroid body greatly and quickly en-
larges, so as to cut short the life by when the sixth week
is attained. The disease of itself, in old dogs, is rather
annoying than fatal ; but the manner in which it destroys
the animal when very young, is by impeding the circu-
lation and respiration. The enlarged thyroid body presses
upon the trachea and jugular veins. The blood which
should return from the brain and head is thereby pre-
vented descending, and hindered from reaching the heart
in a All! current. The vessels enlarge so as to become
obvious to the most indifferent observer. The veins not
only look swelled, but they feel turgid, and cannot be

dogs: their hanaobmknt^

199

compressed ; the little beast is dull ; the breathing is .
very laborious ; the animal sleeps much, and at last dies
without a struggle, casting off life as it were but a trou-
bled dream. It never has perfectly enjoyed existence,
and its departure is not to be regretted.

With the older animals, so far as my experience at
present teaches me, the thyroid body, when enlarged, has
not suddenly increased ; yet this fact by no means proves
that the diseased part is always quiescent, and cannot
increase in size. Because of this possibility, and the
safety of the process, the disease should be eradicated.
This is to be done by administering iodine by the
mouth, and painting over the enlargement (having the
hair first closely shaved off the part) with some of the
tincture of the same drug, applied by means of a camel's
hair brush. As iodine soon separates and is thrown
down to the bottom, all the preparations of it should be
used as freshly made as may be convenient. The mix-
ture of which iodine is the active ingredient, and which
is a week old, may be confidently said to have lost the
major part of its virtue. Every three or four days this
medicine should be concocted ; for even wh*^n put into
pills, iodine, being very volatile, will evaporate. The
quantity to be given to the dog varies, from a quarter of
a g*-ain four times a day to the smallest pup, to two
grains four times dwly to the largest dog. The tincture
used for painting the throat is made with spirits of wine,
an ounce ; iodide of potassium, ft drachm.

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200

DOOS: THEIK UANAOKUBNT.

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RKSPIRATORT ORGANS.

Thb Larynx of the dog is affected in rarions ways.
It is called a " little box," and the projecting part of this
organ is, in the throat of man, spoken of as " Adam's
apple." It opens at the back part of the mouth, and is
placed at the beginning of the windpipe. All the air
that inflates the lungs must pass through it, but it will
permit nothing else to enter with impunity. A drop of
saliva, or the smallest particle of salt, will be sufficient ^.o
call forth the most painful irritability. In fact the lining
membrane of the larynx is the most tender or sensitive
structure in the body ; and, as parts are exposed to suf-
fering just in proportion as they are endowed with sensa-
tion, of course, the organ so finely gifted is often the seat
of disease.

The dog's larynx has many peculiarit'es. It is very
complicated, and exquisitely constructed. Few persons
have, perhaps, much attended to the notes of the animal's
voice ; but those who will observe the sounds may find
these take a range far more wide than is generally imagin-
ed. The dog's voice is remarkably expressive, and to
my ear speaks very intelligible music. The deep growl
is not without variety ; for by the feeling of the animal
that emits it the note is always modulated. The rumble
of expostulation the favorite gives utterance to when the
master pretends to take away its bone does not resemble
the rattle of joy with which the child's playmate accom-

dogs: their mamagument.

201

panics a game of romps. Both, however, are distinct
from the suppressed warning with which the watchdog
announces the advancing stranger, or the sharp defiance
by which he signifies his determination to attack. The
bark also is not by any means monotonous, but is capable
of infinite variety. The cries of the animal are remarka-
bly modulated ; but the soft and gentle sounds it can
emit when inclined to coax its master, or answering to the
excess of pleasure which his caresses create, are full of
natural music. The dog's voice is not to my ear less
beautiful than the song of a bird ; but more delightful,
because it is more full of meaning. The nightingale has
but one song, which it constantly repeats. The cur has
many tuneful notes, with which it responds to my atten-
tions. Music has been recognised in the tongues of the
pack, but I have heard harmony more delightful from
the hound in my home. I like to hear the dog's voice,
especially when no^ too loud, and having studied it, I
have often wondered the animal did not speak. There
can be little doubt it would be able to frame words if it
possessed the power to comprehend their meaning ; but
the high intelligence of the creature unfits it for parrot-
like mimicry. The dog is, in all it does, guided by its
reason, and it performs no act without a reasonable mo-
tive. If any physical incapacity exist, it is to be found
rather in the formation of the mouth than in the construc-
tion of the larynx, which presents no explanation of the
ilog's inability to f^ume definite sounds like words.
The part is rarely the seat of acute disease. In rabiest

202

DOOS: THBIR MANAOEllKNTt

especially of the dumb kind, it is acntelj affected; fant
of that form of disorder the writer will have to speak in
another place. Of acute laryngitis, as met with common-
ly in the horse, I have not seen an example in the dog,
and therefore I shall not here say anything about it. Of
chronic disease of the larynx there is no lack of instan-
ces. These are brought to us frequently, and generally
are submitted to our notice as cases of continued or con-
firmed cough. Cough, however, is but a symptom, and
may be no more than a sympathetic effect induced by
the derangement of a distant structure. When it is
caused by the condition of the larynx, it has a deep
sound, which is never entirely changed in character,
however much pain induces the animal to suppress it.
It is essentially the same in every stage, though it may
be more or less full or loud, according to the state of the
lur passage. .

This cough may start up from sympathy ; but then it
is always less sonorous, harsh, and grating. It is also
less spasmodic, and likewise less the consequence of par-
ticular causes. When the larynx is the seat of the affec-
tion, the cough, should it once begin, continues for a con-
siderable time ; and cold air or excitement will invariably
induce it. In bad cases every act of inspiration is fol-
lowed by a kind of noise intermediate between a grunt
and a cough. Sometimes the breathing is accompanied
by a species of roaring ; and I have seen one case in which
a blood-hound had every symptom of laryngismus siri'
duluB, or the crowing disease of the human infant.

DOOS: THBIR MANAOBIIBKT.

203

iMtyngeu]. disorders are seldom brought under our
notice until they are confirmed, and they are difficult to
cure in proportion to the length of time thej have existed.
The food in every case must be rigidly regulated, and no
solid flesh should be allowed ; but if the animal be very
old or weak, beef tea or gravy may be added to the rice
or biscuit which constitutes the chief portion of the diet.
The condition of the stomach must so far as possible be
ascertained, and the medicines necessary to correct its
disease should be administered. The exercise must not
be stinted, neither should confinement within doors be
insisted upon. All must be done to assist the digestion
and invigorate the health ; such precautions being adopted
as prevent the aggravation of the disease. Sudden
changes of atmosphere, as from a warm room to a frosty
air during the depth of w'nter, should obviously be
avoided ; neither would it be prudent to race the animal
about, or induce it to perform any action calculated to
accelerate the breathing.

At the commencement a gentle emetic given every
other morning until six or seven have been administered,
with a laxative occasionally if the bowels are torpid, is
often productive of speedy benefit. A mustard poultice
to the throat is also to be recommended, but he who
applies it must be attentive to remove it when it appears
to seriously pain the animal. It may be repeated on each
successive night, or even oftener, but should never be
reapplied before the skin on which it was previously
placed has ceased to be tender. Leeches to the throat

204

DOGS : THKIR MANAOKMBNT.

are often of service, as also are small blisters to the chest.
I found great improvement result from wearing a very
wide bandage, which was kept wet, and covered with oil
silk, round the neck. This is easily made, and strips of
gutta percha, or stout leather, will prevent it being
doubled up by the motions of the head ; and it is scarcely
a disfigurement, since it only looks like a large collar.
A seton in the throat may be tried, but though often bene-
ficial, it ought only to be inserted by a person acquainted
with the anatomy of the dog ; for the jugular veins in this
animal are connected by several large branches, which
run just where the seton would be introduced. These
could not be pierced with impunity, nor ought the seton
to be left in so long as might induce sloughing, when the
vessels probably would be opened ; for as the dog badly
sustains the loss of blood, the result would surely be fatal.
Internal medicines are not to be neglected. All seda-
tives, balsams, expectorants, and peppers, with some
alkalies and stimulants, may be tried, and even alterative
doses of mercury with caution resorted to. Dogs are
more peculiar with respect to the medicines that act upon
individuals than any other animals I am acquainted with.
That which touches one will be inoperative upon another ;
and what violently affects one, will on a second, apparently
of the same bulk, strength, age, and character, be actually
powerless. This renders dog-practice so difficult, and
makes the explanation of any decided mode of treatment
almost impossible. A great deal must necessarily be left
to the dbcretion of the practitioner, who, despite his

1%'.

DOGB : THEIK MANAaEMENT.

205

ntmoRt care, will often have reason for regret, if he do not
in every new instance proceed with caution. The follow-
ing pills are likely to do good : —

Barbadoes tar . . .
Powdered equillfl . .
Extract of belladonna
Liquorice powder . .

Half a draohm to two drachniB.
A draohm to four drachma.
Half a scruple to four scrupleai
A BufiScienoy.

Boat into a mass, and make into twenty pills ; give four
daily. Or,

James's powder .
Dover's powder .
Balsam of Peru .

One grain to four grains.
Six grains to a scruple.
A Buffioienoy.

Make into one pill and give as before. Or,
Extract of hyoBcyamus . One to four graina.

Powdered ammoniaoum, )

> Four to twelve

and cubebe, of each
Venice turpentine

)

grama.

A sufficiency.

Powdered capsicums and cantharides have also seemed
to touch the disease ; but no one medicine has to me
appeared to have any specific influence over it. In these
cases mere formulae could be extended almost indefinitely ;
but the reason must be exerted, and the prescription must
be dictated by the symptoms. Thus, when there is much
nervous excitability accompanied with gastric derange-
ment, Prussic acid of Scheele's strength, in doses of half a
drop to two drops, may be exhibited ; and if the mouth
be dry, and the disposition irritable, from five to twenty

200

doob: their manaoement.

t i

drops of the tinetnre of Indian tobacco maj Ije adminiB-
tered. If the throat is very sore, the montl^ may be held
open, and ten grains of powdered alum mixed with four
times its weight of fine sugar may be blown into it, or in
severe instances, the fauces may be mopped out by
means of a piece of soft sponge tied to the end of a
probe, and saturated with a solution containing six
grains of nitrate of silver dissolved in an ounce of water.
Ulceration of the interior of the larynx is to bo dreaded
if the symptoms do not yield. Thin will be denoted by
the cough becoming weaker, less lond, more short, and
also more frequent. Prior to it there are always inter-
vals during which the animal enjoys repose ; but after
ulceration of the larynx is established every inhalation
provokes the irritability of the organ. With it the con>
stitutional symptoms become more serious^ and little can
then by medidne be accomplished ; for the passage of
the air which is necessary to life causes the affection we
desire to cure to spread. Tracheotomy might be per.
formed, though the dog is so very expert with its claws,
and any tape, around the neck would be probably so
injurious, that hitherto I have not ventured to hazard the
experiment. Humanity has, in such eases, forced me to
recommend the destniction of the^j^ife which I enter-

tfuned no hope of comfortingw. -,,.,' " '> '^ ^-^^ ^

Oough is much morci frequently a /symptom than a
disease. It, in fat dogs> usufdly proceeds from disordered
digestion; and then to remove it the cfms^ must be
attacked. It aeooxqpanieif ^919)8 vf^d, if these are

DOOS: THKIR MANAOKMKHT.

207

expelled, it will subside. It may, however, exist hy
itself, for the larynx of the dog early becomes ossified or
converted into bone ; and being then less yielding, the vio-
lent vibrations it is subjected to during the act of barking
have a natural tendency to injure the delicate lining
membrane. Its irritability is excited, and cough is the
consequence. The disposition of the creature to give
tongue > [^'ht, therefore, to be as much as possible
checked, and a mustard poultice applied to the throat,
while the pills first recommended on page 205, are
given; but if these fail, the iothers may be employed.
The general measures would be pretty much the same,
only the more severe need not be resorted to. Quiet,
mild food, and a little care, will often, without medicine,
remove the annoyance ; but it is never well to trust too
long to such dubious aids, when timely assistance will
procure speedy relief, and delay may lead to further evil.

Snoring is often a heavy accusation brought against
the dog. It may proceed from weakness; though, in
ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, it results from
that debility which accompanies accumulated fat and
sloth. In the one case we apply the means advised to
restore the strength, — in the other, we stint the food,
enforce a vegetable diet, cmd see that sufficient exercise
betaken. .M:tmiu'

Snorting is another unpleasantness which the canine
race display. The animals stand with their heads erect,
and, drawing the air through the nostrils, produce a series
tif harsh ioud sounds, which are sometimes continued till

I ^■

208

DOOR : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

I»

I f

the dog falls from actual exhaustion. This is the result
of irritability, in a low form, of the lining membrane of
the nasal chambers. The sensation is probably that of
itching, and the dog endeavors, by drawing the air
quickly through the nostrils and energetically expelling
it, to relieve the annoyance.

The treatment is not to be laid down ; attention to the
food, and medicines of an alterative nature calculated to
affect or improve the secretions, are most likely to be of
service. Worms may possibly be the provocative, and in
that case of course they should be removed. The mea-
sures, therefore, are not to be arbitrarily pointed out. The
judgment must be employed to discover in what particu-
lar the system is unsound, and the agents used must be
selected with a view to the general health. Local appli-
cations have been tried without advantage, but there do
not appear to be any specifics for the complaint. The
snorting is to be regarded merely as an effect of some
deep-seated derangement, and the remedies are to be such
as the appearance of the animal suggests. I have gene-
rally been successful in these cases, but I remember no
two of them which I have treated exactly in the same
manner. Patience and perseverance are mostly required,
but sometimes the affection will not yield to any remedy.
When it appears to be obstinate, the use of medicine
should not be pushed too far. The constitution of the dog
is so ecsily injured, and with so much difficulty restored,
that where a mere unpleasantness is apparently all that
exists, it is better to permit that to continue than hazard

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

209

the health of the animal by over-strenuons attempts to
get rid of it.

Cold or Goriza is not freqnent in the dog, but it will
occasionally be seen. It comes on gradually, and often
passes off without any assistance being given. In pups
it is apt to pass first into bronchitis, and then change into
distemper, which in such instances, spite of our best en-
deavors, will often terminate in fits.

It springs from various causes, but neglect and impro-
per lodging are generally those to which it may be traced.
In adult animals it is not to be greatly feared, but in the
young it requires immediaU" attention. The kennel must
be looked to ; the food and exercise be strictly watched.
Tonics, into which cayenne p('-j)pcr, cubebs, or balsam of
pepper enter, are to be tried, and cod-liver oil also is
worth an experiment. The iodide of potassium is also
not to be rejected ; but the condition of the patient must
decide which is the most likely to be of service in the
case. When undertaken early, the symptoms yield in
the majority of instances. The discharge, which at the
commencement is thin, becomes more copious, grows
thicker, and at last ceases. The sneezing stops and the
spirits return ; but should the disorder not bo checked,
the larynx becomes involved, and cough appears. If no
relief be now sought, and the disease spreads, tlie breath-
ing grows quick at first, and then laborious.

The pup may even at this stage be eager to feed, and
when its attention is excited, be as playful as in health ;
but if watched it will be seen, when alone, to be oppressed

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210

DOGS : TUEIR MANAGEMENT.

and languid. In such cases, belladonna, combined witb
James's powder, an equal amount of each, should be ad-
ministered. The dose should be exhibited every hour,
for here the wish is to obtain the speedy effect of the
drug without allowing its sedative property to seriously
affect the strength. To a young pup, a quarter of a
grain will be the proper quantity ; and for a full-grown
large-sized dog, two grains of the extract may be em-
ployed. The action, however, must be observed, and
when a marked disinclination for food or drink, with a
seeming wish for both, and signs of inconvenience in the
throat are seen, the belladonna must be withheld. On
the third day, if the cure be not com2)lete, it may be a
second time employed ; and, after a like period, even a
further trial may be made. At the same time, a little
soap liniment may be rubbed into the throat, along the
course of the windpipe, and over the chest. The bowels
also should be regulated ; but purgation is not to be
desired. Should the liver be sluggish, mild alterative
doses of the grey powder may be sprinkled upon the food,
and will thus be taken without the necessity of forcing
the animal. When the measures recommended do not
succeed, the appearance of the patient must direct those
which are next to be adopted. Where weakness prevails,
and shivering denotes the presence of fever, quinine and
the sulphate of iron are required. Small blisters, or
mustard poultices, to the chest, may with due caution be
applied. An emetic may even be administered ; but, if
repeated at all, it must be only after two or three days

DOOS: THKIR MANAOEMRNT.

211

ihave elapsed. Where the system is vigorous, expector-
ants and sedatives, with leeches to the chest, may be used.
Turpentine liniment to the sides, throat, and under the
jaws, may also be freely rubbed in, and the diet in
quantity restricted. Tartar emetic in very minute doses
may be exhibited three times daily.

INFLAMMATION OF TOE LtTNQS.

The chest of the dog is not in any remarkable degree
the seat of disease. The ribs of the animal being con-
structed for easy motion, and the muscles which move
them being strong and large in proportion to the size of
the bones, the lungs, therefore, are in general properly
expanded r r*"? this circumstance tends to preserve them
in a healthy condition. They do not, however, always
escape, but are subject to the same inflammations as those
of the horse, though, from the causes stated, more rarely
attacked.

Inflammation of the Lungs is denoted by a quick-
ened pulse and breathing, preceded by shivering fits.
The appetite does not always fail ; in one or two in-
stances I have seen it increased ; but it is most often

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212

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

(liminished. The animal is averse to motion ; but when
the affection is established, the dog sits upon its hocks,
and wherever it is placed, speedily assumes that position.
As the disorder becomes worse, the difficulty of breath-
ing is more marked. The creature also shows a dispo-
sition to quit the house, and if there be an open window
it will thrust its head through the aperture. The sense
of suffocation is obviously present, and at length this
becomes more and more obvious. The dog in the very
last stage refuses to sit, but obstinately stands. One of
the legs swells, and, on being felt, it is ascertained to be
enlarged by fluid. There is dropsy of the chest, and the
limb has sympathized in the disposition to effusion. The
pulse denotes the weakness of the body ; but the ex-
citement of disease in a great measure disguises the other
symptoms. The dog may even, to au unpractised eye,
seem to possess considerable strength ; for it resists, with
all its remaining power, any attempt to move it, and its
last energies are exerted to support the attitude that
affords the merit relief to the respiration. At length the
poor brute stubbornly stands until forced to stir, when it
drops suddenly, and for several moments lies as if the
life had departed. Again it falls, but again revives ; and
always with the return of consciousness gets upon its
legs ; but at last it sinks, and without a struggle dies.

The lungs have been, in the first instance, inflamed,
but the pleura or membrane covering the lungs, and
also lining the cheat, has likewise become by the pro-
gress of the disease involved. The cavity has become

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

213

full of water, or rather serum, and by the pressure
of the fluid the organs of respiration are compressed.
It is seldom that both sides are gorged to an equal de-
gree ; but one cavity may be quite full while the other
is only partially so. One lung, therefore, in part remains
to perform the function on which the continuance of life
depends ; and if, by any movement, the weight of fluid
is brought to bear upon the little left to continue respi-
ration, the animal is literally asphyxiated. It drops, in
fact, strangled, or more correctly, suffocated ; and as the
vital energy is strong or weak, so may the dog more or
less frequently recover for a time. In the end, however,
the tax upon the strength exhausts the power, and the
accumulation of the fluid diminishes the source by which
the life was sustained. After death, I have taken from
the body of a full-sized Newfoundland one lung, which
lay with ease upon my extended hand ; while the two
held together afforded a surface sufficient to support the
other. The condensation was so great that the part was
literally consolidated, and the fluid which exuded on cut-
ting into the substance was small in quantity. The
blood-vessels were, with the air cells, compressed, and
while the arterialization of the blood was imperfect, the
circulation was also impeded.

The causes usually assigned to account for inflammation
of the lungs will not, in the dog, explain its origin. I have
usually met it where the animal had not been exposed to
wet or cold ; where it had not undergone excessive exer-
tion, or been subjected to violence. Extraordinary care

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has rather seemed to induce, than the neglect of the crea-
ture appeared to provoke the attack. It is, however,
easy to trace causes when we have a wish to explain a
particular effect ; but where the lungs have been inflamed
I have never, to my entire satisfaction, been able to ascer-
tain that the animal had been exposed to hardship, or
subjected to labor which it had not previously sustained,
and which, if the health had been good, it might not have
endured.

Disease of the lungs is, in the early stage, very readily
subdued ; but, if allowed to establish itself, it is rarely
that medicine can eradicate it. The majority of persons
who profess to know anything about the diseases of dogs,
look upon the nose as an indication of the health. While
the appetite is good, or the nose is cold and moist, such
people are confident no tear need be entertained. Of the
uncertainty that attends the dispouitiou to feed mention
has been already made ; but with regard to the condition
of a part, the persons who assume to teach us are likely
to be in such cases entirely deceived. I have known dogs
with violent inflammation of the lungs ; I have seen them
die from dropsy of the chest ; and their noses have been
wet and Cold, even as though the animals had iced the
organs. From this mistaken notion, therefore, no doubt,
are to be traced the numerous instances of dogs brought for
treatment when no remedies can be of avail. They are
submitted to our notice only that we may be pained to
look upon their deaths ; and often have my endeavors
been thus limited to simple palliative measures, when an

DOOS: THEIR MANAOBMBNT.

215

earlier application would have enabled me to employ
medicine with a reasonable prospect of success.

In the commencement, when the breathing is simply
increased and the pulse slightly accelerated, then if you
place the ear to the side, there is merely a small increase
of sound ; and the animal exhibits no obstinate, or more
properly, unconquerable disposition to sit upon the hocks ;
small quantities of belladonna, combined with James's
powder, will generally put an end to the disease. The
belladonna, in doses of from one to four grains, may be
given three times a day ; but where trouble is not objected
to, and regularity can be depended upon, I prefer adminis«
tering it in doses of a quarter of a grain to a grain every
hour. By the last practice I think I have obtained results
more satisfactory ; but it is not always that a plan neces-
sitating almost constant attention can be enforced, or that
the animal to be treated will allow of such repeated inter*
ference. The following formula will serve the purpose,
and the reader can divide it if the method I recommend
can be pursued.

Extract of belladonna
James's powder . .
Nitrate of potash . .
Extract of gentian .

One to four grains.
Two to eight grains.
Four to sixteen grains.
A sufficiency for one pilL

If, on the second day, no marked improvement is percepti-
ble, small doses of antimonial wine may be tried ; from
fifteen minims to half-a-drachm may be given every fourth
hour, unless vomiting be speedily induced ; when the next
dose must, at the stated period, be reduced five or ten

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dogs: Tiism management.

minims, and even further diminished if the lessened quan-
tity should have an emetic effect. The ohject in giving
the antimouial wine is to create nausea, and not to excite
sickness ; and we endeavor to keep up the action in order
to affect the system. This is frequently very decisive in
the reduction of the symptoms ; but, even after the danger
has been dispelled, the pills before recommended must be
persevered with, and every means adopted to prevent a
relapse.

Sometimes, however, the disorder commences with a
violence that, from the very beginning of the attack, calls
for the most energetic measures. If the breathing be very
quick, short, and catching; the position constant; the
pulse full and strong; the jugular vein may be opened,
and from one ounce to eight ounces of blood extracted ;
or leeches may be applied to the sides ; or an ammonia-
cal blister may be employed. This is done by saturating
a piece of rag, folded three or four times, with a solution
composed of liquor ammoniaca fort., one part ; distilled
water, three parts ; and, having placed it upon the place
from which the hair has been previously cut off, holding
over it a dry cloth to prevent evaporization of the volatile
vesicant. A quarter of an hour will serve to raise the
cuticle ; but frequently that object is accomplished in less
time ; therefore, during its operation, the agent must be
watched, or else the effect may be greater than we desire,
and sloughing may ensue.

A dose of castor oil may also be administered, and the
food should be composed entirely of vegetables, if the

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21V

animal can be induced to eat this kind of diet. Exertion
should be prevented, and quiet as much as possible
enjoined. The tincture of aconite, it is said, ^sometimes
does wonders in inflammation of the lungs ; but in my
hands its operation has been uncei-tain, though the
homceopathists trust greatly to its action in this disease.
They give it singly, but I have not reaped from its use
on the dog those advantages which tempt me to depend
solely on its influence. When employed, it may be given
in doses of from half a drop to two drops of the tincture,
in any pleasant vehicle, every hour.

After dropsy of the chest has been established, the
chance of cure is certainly remote ; but tapping at all
events renders the last moments of life more easy. It is
both simple and safe, and does not seem to occasion any
pain ; but, on the contrary, to afford immediate relief.
The skin should be first punctured, and then drawn for-
ward so as to bring the incision over the spot where the
instrument is to be inserted. The place where the
trocar should be introduced is between the seventh and
eighth ribs, nearer to the last than to the first, and rather
close to the breast-bone. The point being selected, the
instrument is pushed gently into the flesh ; and when the
operator feels no resistance is offered to the progress of
the tube, he knows the cavity has been pierced. The
stilet is then withdrawn, and the fluid will pour forth.
Unless the dog shows signs of faintness, as much of the
water as possible ought to be taken away ; but if symp-
toms of syncope appear, the operation must be stopped,

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doob: their management.

and after a little time, when the strength has been regun-
ed, resumed. When this has been done, tonics mast be
freely resorted to. The following pill may be adminis-
tered three or four times a day ; and the diet should be
confined to flesh, for everything depends on the invigora-
tion of the body, and the inflammation is either gone, or
it has become of secondary importance.

Iodide of iron . . .
Sulphate of iron . .
Extract of gentian .
Powdered capsicums
Powdered quassia .

One to four graino.

Two to eight grains.

Ten grains to half a drachm.

Two to eight grains.

A sufficiency.

The above will make two pills ; and it is better to make
these the more frequently, as they speedily harden, and
we now desire their quickest effect, which is sooner obtain-
ed if they are soft or recently compounded.

During recovery the food must be mild, and tonics must
be administered. Exercise should be allowed with the
greatest caution, and all excitement ought to be avoided.
The dog must be watched and nursed, being provided
with a sheltered lodging and an ample bed in a situation
perfectly protected from winds or draughts, but at the
same time cool and airy.

Asthma is a frequent disease in old and petted dogs. It
comes on by fits, and, through the severity of the attack,
often seems to threaten suffocation ; but I have not known
a single case in which it has proved fatal. The cause is
generally attributable to inordinate feeding, for the

DOOS: THEIR MANAQEMBKT.

219

AsnoiA.

animals thus afflicted are always gross and fat. The
disorder comes on gradually in most instances, though the
fit is usually sudden. The appetite is not affected, or
rather it is increased oflen to an extraordinary degree.
The craving is great, and flesh is always preferred, vhile
sweet and seasoned articles are much relished. On ex-
amination, the signs denoting the digestion to be deranged
will be discovered. Piles are nearly constantly met with ;
the coat is generally in a bad condition, and the hair off
in places. The nose may be dry ; the membrane of the
eyes congested ; the teeth covered with tartar, and the
breath offensive. The dog is slothful, and exertion is
followed by distress. Cough may or may not exist ; but
it usually appears towards the latter period of the attack.
Asthma is spasm of the bronchial tubes, and when it is
thoroughly established it is seldom to be cured. All
medicine can accomplish is the relief of the more violent
symptoms. The fits may be rendered comparatively less
frequent and less severe ; but the agents that best operate

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DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

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to that result are likely in the end to destroy the general
health. Between two evils, therefore, the proprietor has
to make his choice ; but if he resolves to treat the disor-
der, he must do so knowing the drugs he makes use of are
not entirely harmless.

Food is of all importance. It must be proportioned to
the size of the patient, and be rather spare than full in
quantity. Flesh should be denied, and coarse vegetable
diet alone allowed. The digestion must also be attended
to, and every means taken to invigorate the system.
Exercise must be enforced, even though the animal
appear to suffer in consequence of being made to walk.
The skin should be daily brushed, and the bed should
not be too luxurious. Sedatives are of service ; and as
no one of these agents will answer in every case, a con-
stant change will be needed, that, by watching their action,
the one which produces the best effect may be discovered.
Opium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, assafoetida, and the rest,
may be thus tried in succession ; and often small doses
produce those effects which the lavger one seems to con-
ceal. A pill containing any sedativij, with an alterative
quantity of some expectorant, aiay be given three times
daily ; but when the fit is on, I have gained the most
immediate benefit by the administration of ether and
opium. From one to four leeches to the chest, sometimes,
are of service ; but small ammoniacal blisters applied to
the sides, and frequently repeated, are more to be
depended upon. Trivial doses of antimonial wine or
ipecacuanha wine, with an occasional emetic, will some'

dogs: theiu management.

221

times give temporary ease ; but the last-named medicines
are to be resorted to only after due consideration, as they
greatly lower the strength. Stomachics and mild tonics
at the same time are to be employed ; but a cure is not to
be expected. The treatment cannot be absolutely laid
down ; but the judgment must be exercised, and when-
ever the slightest improvement is remarked every effort
muflt be made to prevent a relapse.

HEPATITia.

Liver complaints were once fashionable. A few years
ago the mind of Great Britain was in distress about its
bile, and blue pill with black draught literally became a
part of the national diet. At present nervous and urinary
diseases appear to be in vogue ; but, with dogs, hepatic
disorders are as prevalent as ever. The canine liver is
peculiarly susceptible to disease. Very seldom have I

OBROmO HEPATITIS.

dipped into the mysteries of their bodies but I have found

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DOOS: THEIR MAKAOEMENT.

the biliary gland of these animals deranged ; sometimes
inflamed — sometimes in an opposite condition— often en-
larged— seldom diminished — rarely of uniform color —
occasionally tuberculated — and not unfrequently as fat
with disease as those are which have obtained for Stras-
burg geese a morbid celebrity.

It is, however, somewhat strange that, notwithstanding
the almost universality of liver disease among petted
dogs, the symptoms which denote its existence are in
these creatures so obscure and undefined as rarely to be
recognipod. Very few dogs have healthy livers, and yet
seldom is the disordered condition of this important gland
suspected. Various are the causes which different authors,
English and foreign, have asserted produced this effect.
I shall only allude to such as I can on my own experi-
ence corroborate, and here T shall have but little to refer
to. Over-feeding and excessive indulgence are the sources
to which I have always traced it. In the half-starved or
well-worked dog I have seen the liver involved ; but have
never beheld it in such a state as led me to conclude it
was the principal or original seat of the affection which
ended in death. On the other hand, in fatted and petted
animals, I have seen the gland in a condition that war-
ranted no doubt as to what part the fatal attack bad
commenced in.

When death has been the conseqnence of hepatic
disorder, the symptoms have in every instance been
chronic. I am not aware that I have been called upon
So t'Oftf 4 Pfts? of All acute description, excepting m •

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

223

phase of distemper. It would be too much to say such
a form of disease does not exist in a carniyorous animal ;
but I have hitherto not met with it. Neither have I seen
it as the effect of inveterate mange ; though I have
beheld obstinate skin disease the common, but far from
invariable, result of chronic hepatitis. I have also known
cerebral symptoms to be produced by the derangement
of this gland, which, in the dog, may be the cause of
almost any possible symptom, and still give so little
indication of its actual condition as almost to set our rea-
son at defiance.

When the animal is fat, the visible mucous membranes
may be pallid ; the tongue white ; the pulse ittll and
quick ; the spirits slothful : the appetite good ; the faeces
natural : the bowels irregular ; the breath offensive ; the
anus enlarged, and the rump denuded of hair, the naked
skin being covered with a scaly cuticle, thickened and
partially insensible.

When the animal if thin, almost all of the foregoing
signs may be wanting. The dog may be only emaciated
— a living rkeleton, with an enlarged belly. It is dull,
and has a sleepy look when undisturbed ; but when its
attention is attracted, the expression of its countenance
is half vacant and half wild. The pupil of the eye is
dilated, and the visual organs stare as though the power
of recognition were enfeebled. The appetite is good and
the manner gentle. The tongue is white, and occasion-
ally reddish towards the circumference. The membranes
of the eye are very pale, but not yellow. The lining of

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dogs: their management.

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the mouth is of a faint dull tint, and often it feels cold tti
the touch. The coat looks not positively bad ; but rather
like a skin which had been well dressed by a furrier, than
one which was still upon a living body.

The history in these cases invariably informs us that
the animal has been fat — very fat — about six or twelve
months ago. It fell away all at once, though no change was
made in the diet ; and yet we learn it has been physick-
ed. No restraint has been put upon buckthorn, castor
oil, aloes, sulphur, and antimony, but yet the belly will
iiot go down — it keeps getting bigger ; and now we are
told the animal has a dropsy which " wants to be cured."
It is natural the figure and condition should suggest the
idea of ascites ; but the hair does not pull out — none of
the legs are swollen — the shape of the abdomen wants
the appearance of gravitation, and if the patient be placed
upon its back the form of the rotundity is not altered by
the position of the body. Moreover, the breathing is
tolerably easy : and, though if one hand be placed against
the side of the belly, and the part opposite be struck with
the other, there will be a marked sense of fluctuation ;
still we cannot accept so dubious a test against the mass
of evidence that declares dropsy is not the name of the
disease. To make sure, we feel the abdomen near to the
line of the false ribs. This gives no pain, so we press a
little hard, and in two or three places on either side, on
the right, or may be the left, high up or low down ; for
in abnormal growths there can be no rule— in two or
three places we can detect hard, solid, but smooth lumps

dogs: their management.

225

ifithin the cavity. This last discovery leaves no room for
further doubt, so we pronounce the liver to be the organ
that is principally affected. In chronic cases, especially
after the dog has begun to waste, enlargement nearly
alwavs may be felt, not invariably hard, yet often so, but
never soft or so soft as the other parts ; and this proof
should, therefore, in every instance of the kind be sought for.
With regard to treatment, the food must not be sud-
denly reduced to the starvation point. Whether the
dog be fat or lean, let the quality be nutritious, and the
quantity sufficient ; from a quarter of a pound to a pound
and a half of paunch, divided into four meals, will be
enough for a single day ; but nothing more than this
must be given. Tonics, to strengthen the system gene-
rally, should be employed ; and an occasional dose of the
cathartic pills administered, providing the condition is
such as justifies the use of purgatives. Frequent small
blisters, applied over the region of the liver, may do good ;
but they should not be larger than two or four inches
across, and they should be repeated one every three or four
days. Leeches put upon the places where hardness can
be felt, also are beneficial ; biit depletion must be regu-
lated by the ability of the animal to sustain it. A long
course of iodide of potassium in solution, combined with the
liquor potassse, will, however, constitute the principal de-
pendence.

Iodide of potaauum .
Liquor potasan . .
Simple syrup . . .
Water ...

10»

Two drachms two acruplaa.
One ounce and a halt
Six ounces.
Twelve ounces and a hal£

226

DOG:>: TIISIH MANAGEMENT.

Give from half a teaspoonful to a teaspoonful thred times
a day.

The ahove must be persevered in for a couple of months
before any effect can be anticipated. Mercury I have
not found of any service, though Blaine speaks highly
of it, and Youatt quotes his opinion. Perhaps I have
not employed it rightly, or ventured to push it far
enough.

Under the treatment recommended, the dog may be
preserved from speedy death ; but the structures have
been so much change! that medicine cannot be expected
to restore them. The pet may be saved to its indulgent
mistress, and again perhaps exhibit all the charms for
which it was ever prized ; but the sporting-dog will never
be made capable of doing work, and certainly it is not to
be selected to breed from after it has sustained an attack
of hepatitis.

Sometimes, during the existence of hepatitis, the animal
will be seized with fits of pain, which appear to render it
frantic. These I always attribute to the passage of gall
stones, which I have taken in comparative large quantities
from the gall-bladders of dogs. The cries and strug-
gles create alarm, but the attack is seldom fatal. A brisk
purgative, a warm bath, and free use of laudanum and
ether, afford relief ; for when the animal dies of chronic
hepatitis, it perishes gradually from utter exhaustion.

The post-mortem examination generally presents that
which much surprises the proprietor; one lobe of the
gland is very greatly enlarged; it evidently contains

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dogs: their manaoement.

227

flaid. It has under disease become a vast cyst, from
which, in a setter, I have actually extracted more than
two gallons of serum : from a small spaniel I have taken
this organ so increased in size that it positively weighed
one half the amount of the body from which it was
removed. The wonder is that the apparently weak cover-
ing to the liver cotdd bear so great a pressure without
bursting.

IKDIOESnON.

Things must seem to have come to a pretty pass when
a book is gravely written upon dyspepsia in dogs.
Nevertheless, I am in earnest when I treat upon that
subject ; and could the animals concerned bear witness,
they would testify it was indeed no joke. The Lord
Mayor of London does not retire from ofBce with a
stomach more deranged than the majority of the canine
race, shielded by his worshipfril authority, could exhibit.
The cause in both instances is the same. Dogs as they
increase in years seem to degenerate sadly ; till at length
they mumble dainties and relish flavors with the gusto
of an alderman. Pups even are not worthy of unlimited
confidence. The little animals will show much ingenuity
in procuring substances that make the belly ache ; and,
with infantine perversity, will, of their own accord, gobble
things which, if administered, would excite shrieks of
resistance. A litter of high-bred pups is a source of no

228

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less constant annoyance, nor does it require less incessant
>iratching, than a nursery of children. There is so much
similarity between man and dog that, from fear of too
strongly wounding the self-love of my reader, I must
drop the subject.

Indigestion in dogs assumes various forms, and is the
source of namerous diseases. Most skin affections may
be attril jte 1 it. The inflammation of the gums, the
foulness of the teeth, and the offensiveness of the breath,
are producff^ by '* Excessive fatness, with its attend-
ant asthma and hollow cough, are to be directly traced to
a disordered digestion. In the long run, half of the
petted animals die from diseases originating in this cause ;
and in nearly every instance the fault lies far more with
the weakness of the master than with the corruptness
of the beast. He who is invested with authority has
more sins, than those he piously acknowledges his own,
to answer for.

The symptoms are not obscure. A dislike for whole-
some food, and a craving for hotly spiced or highly
sweetened diet, is an indication. Thirst and sickness
are more marked. A love for eating string, wood,
thread, and paper, denotes the fact ; and is wrongly put
down to the prompting of a mere mischievous instinct :
any want of natural appetite, or any evidence of morbid
desire in the case of food, declares the stomach to be
disordered. The dog that, when offered a piece of
bread, smells it with a sleepy eye, and without taking it
licks the fingers that present it, has an impaired diges*

dogs: their management.

229

tion. Such an animal will perhaps only take the morsel
when it is about to be withdrawn ; and, having got it,
does net swallow it, but places it on the ground, and
stands over it with an expression of peevish disgust. A
healthj dog is always decided. No animal can be more
so. It will often take that which it cannot eat, but>
having done so, it either throws the needless possession
away or lies down, and with a determined air watches
" the property." There is no vexation in its looks, no
captiousness in its manner. It acts with decision, and
there is purpose in what it does. The reverse is the case
with dogs suffering from indigestion. They are peevish
and irresolute. They take only because another shall
not have. They will perhaps eat greedily what they do
not want if the cat looks longfuUy at that which had
lain before them for many minutes, and which no coax-
ing could ihduce them to swallow. They are, in their
foibles, very like the higher animal.

The treatment is simple. The dog must be put upon,
and strictly kept upon, an allowance. Some persons,
when these animals are sent to them, because the crea-
tures are fat and sickly, shut the dogs up for two or four
days, and allow them during the period to taste nothmg
but water. The trick often succeeds, but it is dangerous
in severe cases, and needless in mild ones. This is a
heartless practice, which ignorance only would resort to ;
but such conduct is very- general, and the people who
follow it boast laughingly of its effect. They do not
care for its consequences. A weakly stomach cannot be

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dogs: their hanaoembkt.

benefited by a prolonged abstinence. I have kept a dog
four-and-twenty hours without food, but never longer,
and then only when the animal has been brought to me
with a talo about its not eating. The report, then, is
assurance that food has been offered, and the inference is
that the stomach is loaded. A little rest enables it to
get rid of its contents, and in some measure to reeover
its tone. The dog, as a general rule, does well on one
meal a day ; afterward, the food is regularly weighed,
and nothing more than the quantity is permitted. This
quantity may be divided into three or four meals, and
given at stated periods, so that the last is eaten at night.
When thus treated, animals, which I am assured would
touch nothing, have soon become possessors of vigorous
appetites. At the same time, exercise and the cold bath
every morning is ordered ; and either tonic or gentle
sedatives, with alkalies and vegetable bitters, are admi-
nistered. The following are the ordinary stomach-pills»
and do very well for the generality of cases :—

Extract of hyosoyamuB . Sixteen gmna.

SodtB carb. Half nn ounce.

Extract of gentian . . . Half an ounce.

FerrieairK ..... Half au ounce.

Make into sixteen, thirty, or eigl^t pills, and give two
daily.

The reader, however, will not depend uppn any one
compound, for stomach disease is remarkably capricious.
Sometimes one thing and sometimes another does a great

DOOS: THEIR MANAOBMKNT.

281

deal of good ; but the same thing is seldom equally good
in any two cases. Stimulants, as nitrate of silver, tris-
nitrate of bismuth; or nux vomica, are occasionally of
great service ; and so also are purgatives and emetics,
but these last, when they do no benefit, always do much
injury. They should, therefore, be tried last,nuid then
with caution, the order being thus .* — Tonics, sedatives,
and alkalies, either singly or in combination, and fre^
quently changed. Stimulants and excitants in small
doses, gradually increased. Emetics and purgatives,
mingled with any of the foregoing. The food and exer-
cise, after all, will do more for the restoration than the
medicine, which must be so long continued that the
mind doubts whether it is of any decided advantage.
The affection is always chronic, and time is therefore im-
perative for its cure.

Dogs are afflicted with a disease of the stomach, which
is very like to " water-brash," " pyrosis," or " cardialgia,"
in the human being. The animals thus tormented are
generally folly grown and weakly : a peculiarity in the
walk shows the strength is feeble. The chief symptom
is, however, not to be mistaken. The creature is dull
just before the attack: it gets by itself, and remains
quiet. All v.t once it rises; and without an effort, no
premonitory sounds being heard, a quantity of fluid is
ejected from the mouth, and by the shaking of the
head scattered about. This appears to afford relief, but
the same thing may occur frequently during the day.
This disease of itself is not dangerous ; but it is trouble*

382

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

some, and will make any other disorder the more likely
to terminate fatally ; it should, therefore, be always at-
tended to. The food must not be neglected, and either
a solution of the iodide of potassium with liquor po-
tasssB, or pills of trisnitrate of bismuth, must be given.
The preparations of iron are sometimes of use ; and a
leech or two, after a small blister to the side, has also
seemed to be beneficial. When some ground has been
gained, the treatment recommended for indigestion
generally must be adopted, the choice of remedies
being guided by the symptoms. The practitioner, how-
ever, must not forget that the mode of feeding has
probably been the cause ; and, therefore, it must ever
after be an object of especial care. The cold bath
and exercise, proportioned to the strength, are equally
to be esteemed.

Very old dogs often die from indigestion, and in such
cases the stomach will become inflated to an extent
that would hardly be credited. These animals I have
not observed to be subject to flatulent colic ; when,
therefore, the abdomen becomes suddenly tympanitic
the gas is usually contained in the stomach. Fits and
diarrhoea may accompany or precede the attack, which
in the first instance yields to treatment ; but in a month
more or less returns, and is far more stubborn. Ether
and lauianum, by mouth and enema, are at first to be
employed ; and, generally, they are successful. The
liquor potassse, chloride of lime in solution, and avroma-
tics with chalk, may also be tried, the food being

DOOS: THEIR MANAOBMKNT.

233

strengthening bnt entirely fluid. The warm bath is
here highly injurious; and bleeding or purging out of
the question. When the distension of the stomach
is so great as to threaten suffocation, the tube of
the stomach-pump may be introduced ; but, unless
danger be present, the practitioner ought to depend
upon the efforts of nature, to support which all his
measures should be directed. After recovery, meat
scraped as for potting, without any admixture of vege-
tables, must constituto the diet ; and while a sufficien-
cy is given, a very little only must be allowed at a
time. With these precautions the life may be pro-
longed, but the restoration of health is not to be ex-
pected.

GASTRITIS.

Doos are abused for their depraved tastes, and re-
proached for the filth they eat ; but if one of them,
being of a particular disposition in the article of food,
takes to killing his own mutton, he is knocked on the
head as too luxurious. It is a very vulgar mistake to
imagine the canine race have no preferences. They

284

doob: theik manaobiiuit.

haVe their likes and dislikes quite as strong and as
capricious as other animals. Man himself does not
more frequently impair his digestion by over indul-
gence than does the dog. In both cases the punish-
ment is the same, but the brute having the more deli-
cate digestion suffers most severely. The dog's stom-
ach b so subject to be deranged that few of these
creatures can afford to gormandize ; to which failing,
however, they are much inclined. The consequence is
soon shown. A healthy dog can make a hearty meal
and sleep soundly after it. The petted favorite is often
pained by a moderate quantity of food, and frequent
are the housemaid's regrets that his digestion is not
more retentive. He spoils other things besides vic-
tuals ; and the more daintily he lives the more gene-
rally is he troublesome. It is the variety that dis-
eases him. He grows to be omnivorous. He learns
to relish that which nature did not fit him to con-
sume, and as a consequence he pays for his bad ha-
bits. The dog in extreme cases can digest even bones ;
a banquet of tainted llesh will not disorder him ; but
he cannot subsist in health on his lady's diet. His
stomach was formed to receive and assimilate certain
substances, and to deby these is not to be generous or
kind.

Gastritis is very common with ladies* favorites. Its
symptoms are well marked. Frequent sickness is the
first indication. This is taken little notice of. The
mess is cleared up, and the matter is forgotten. Thirst

bOOB : taklft MANAGEMENT.

235

IB foastaxii, and the lapping is long ; but no further notice
is taken of this circumstance, than to remark the animal
has grown very fond of water. At last the thirst has in-
creased, and no sooner is the draught swallowed than it
is ejected. The appetite which may have been ravenous
a little time before, now grows bad, and whatever is eaten
is immediately returned. The animal is evidently ill.
The nose is dry, and the breathing quick. It avoids
warmth, and lies and pants, away from the hearthrug. It
dislikes motion and stretches itself out, either upon its
chest or on its belly. Sometimes it nutans, and more
rarely cries. The stomach is now inflamed ; and if the
symptoms could have been earlier understood, frequently
has the animal been seen, prior to this stage of attack,
licking the polished steel fire-irons. It has been horrify-
ing its mistress's propriety, by its instinctive desire to
touch something cold with its burning tongue ; and the
poor little beast perhaps has been chastised for seeking a
momentary relief to its affliction.

Dogs that are properly treated rarely have gastritis.
When they do, it is generally induced by some unwhole-
some food. I have known it to be caused by graves
more often than by anything else they are accustomed to
eat. I never recommend this stuff to be given to dogs.
Meal and skim milk is far better, and that can always be
procured where flesh is scarce. The entrails of sheep, &c.,
if washed and boiled with a large quantity of any kind of
meal, are nutritious and wholesome ; nay, even when a
little tainted, they will not be refused. If, however, they

236

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

wQre hung up in a strong draught, they would soon dry \
and in that state might be preserved for use any length
of time; all they afterwards require would be boiling.
The paunch ean be prepared in the same manner; and it
would be worth some little trouble to avoid a mixture
which contains nothing strengthening, and too often a
great deal that is injurious.

The treatment of gastritis is simple. It is generally
accompanied by more or less diarrhoea ; but the violence
of the leading symptom renders that of comparatively
little consequence. The degree of sickness will alwayr*
indicate whether the stomach is the principal seat of dis*
ease.

As nothing is retained, it would be a needless trouble
to give many solids or fluids, by the mouth. From half
a grain to a grain and a half of calomel, thoroughly mixed
with the same quantities of powdered opium, may be
sprinkled upon the tongue ; and from one drachm to four
drachms of sulphuric ether may be given in as much
water as will dissolve it twt, ty minutes afterwards. The
medicine will most probably be ejected ; but, as it is very
volatile, it may be retained sufficient time to have some
influence in quieting the spasmodic irritability of the stO'
mach. Ethereal injections should be administered every
hour, and no food of any kind allowed. Besides this,
from a quarter of a grain to a grain of opium may bo
sprinkled on the tongue every hour; and the ether
draught continued until the sickness ceases, or the animal
displays signs of being narcotised. An ammoniacal blis*

"^W

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

237

ter, if the symptoms are urgent, may be applied to the
left side ; but in mild ca>es, a strong embrocation will
answer every purpose. Except the constitution bo vigor-
ous, and the pulse very strong, it will not be advisable to
bleed, but from two to twelve leeches may be applied to
the lower part of the chest. Gold water may be allowed
in any quantity, but nothing warm should be given. The
colder the water, the better, and the more grateful it will
be to the animal. Where it can be obtained, a large lump
of ice may be placed in the water, for the dog often will
lick this, and sometimes even gnaw it. Small lumps of
ice may be forced down as pills, and a cold bath may be
given, the animal being well wrapped up afterwards,
that it may become warm, and the blood, by the natural
reaction, be determined to the skin.

When the sickness is conquered, the following should
be administered : —

Powdered nux vomica
Sulphate of iron . .
Extract of gentian

A quarter of a grain to a grain.
One grain to four groins.
Sufficient to make a pilL

The above may be repeated every four hours until the
stomach is quiet ; but it is not always tranquillized ; sick-
ness may return, and the pills may possibly seem to ag-
gravate it. If such should appear to be the case, try the
next : —

Acid hydrocyanic, L. P. One drop to four drops.
Carbonate of soda . . Three grains to twelve grains
Water ...... Aiuffioienoy.

'^1

238

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

The ether and opium must also be persevered with, re-
gulating the last of course by the action which it induces.

Food should consist of cold broth, slightly thickened
with ground rice, arrowroot, starch, or flour, and for some
days it must be composed of nothing more ; but by
grees the thickness may be increased, and a little bread
and milk introduced. After a time a small portion of
minced underdone meat, without skin or fat, may be
allowed ; but the quantity must be small, and the quality
unexceptionable.

The second day generally sees an abatement of the
more urgent symptoms, and then the draught may be
composed of five minims of laudanum to every drachm of
ether, and ten drachms of water. This to be given both
by mouth and injection six times daily. The former pills
were intended only to allay the primary violence of the
disease, and when that object is attained, the following
remedy may be employed : —

Extract of hyoscyamua
Carbonate of soda . .
Carbonate of ammonia
Extract of gentian . .
Powdered quassia . .

One grain to four grains.
Three grains to twelve grains.
Half a grain to two grains.
Five grains to a scruple.
A sufficiency.

The above is for one pi'tl, which should be repeated
four times daily, and continued for some days ; when, if
the dog seems quite recovered, a course of the quinine
tonic pills, as recommended for distemper, will be of use;
but should any suspicion be created of the disorder not

'"fj^r'

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

23U

being entirely removed, the animal may be treated as
advised for indigestion.

Sporting dogs are frequently sent to me suffering under
what the proprietors are pleased to term " Foul." The
history of these cases is soon known. They have been
withdrawn from the field at the close of the season, and
have ever since been shut up in close confinement, while
the working diet has been persevered with. The poor
beast is supposed capable of vegetating until the return
of the period for shooting requires his services. He
remains chained up till he acquires every outward disease
to which his kind are liable ; and then, when he stinks
the place out, his owner is surprised at his condition,
pronouncing his iffisused animal to be " very foul."
•' Foul " is not one disease, but an accumulation of disor-
ders brought on by the absence of exercise with a stimu-
lating diet. The sporting dog, when really at work, may
have all the flesh it can consume ; but at the termination
of that period its food should consist wholly of vegetable
substances, while a little exercise daily is necessary, not
to health, but absolutely for life. The dog with •' foul "
requires each seat of disease to be treated separately :
beginning of course with the dressing for mange or for
lice, one or the other of which the animal is certain to
display.

-if'

if'

lifi

240

ItOfiS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

AISXABES BEPSNDENT ON AK INTERNAL ORGAN.

BTOjiAca — bt: vudb's danob.

This disease generally is assumed to be a nervous dis-
order, and so the symptoms declare it to be ; but on post
mortem examinations no lesion is found either upon the
brain, spinal marrow, or the nerves themselves. This
last circumstance, however, proves nothing ; for the same
thing may be said of tetanus in the human being, and of
stringhalt in the horse ; both of them being well-marked
nervous affections. I append St. Yitus's Dance to the
stomach, not because of that whic^ I have not beheld,
but because of that which I have positively seen.

It follows upon distemper. I do not know it as a dis-
tinct disorder, though it is asserted to exist as such when
the greater or leading disease is unobserved. It then
follows up the affection which primarily involves the
stomach and intestines, and to which indications all other
symptoms are secondary. On every post irortem which
I have made of this disorder, I have discovered the
stomach inflamed ; &nd, therefore, not because the nerves
or their centres are blank, but because on one important
viscus I have found well marked signs to impress my
reason, I propose to treat of this disorder as connected
with the stomach.

1 1 signs to which I allude, consists of patches of
well-defined inflammation ; and hence, knowing how dis-

^SPPPS'Wr

DOOS: THKIR MAKAOEMENT.

241

temper has the power to involve other organs, I conclude
it lias caused the spinal marrow to be sympathetically
affected.

The symptoms of the disease are well marked. The
poor beast, whether he be standing up or lying down, is
constantly worried with a catching of the limb or limbs —
for cnly one may be affected, or all four may be attacked.
Sleeping or waking, the annoyance continues. The dog
cannot obtain a moment's rest from its tormentor. Day
and night the movement remains ; no act, no position the
poor brute is capable of, can bring to the animal an
instant's downright repose. Its sleep is troubled and
broken ; its waking moments are rendered miserable by
this terrible infliction. The worst of the matter is, that
the dog in every other respect appears to be well. Its
spirits are good, and it is alive for happiness. If it were
released from its constant affliction, it is eager to enjoy its
brief lease of life as in the time of perfect health. Plain-
tive and piteous are its looks as, lying asleep before the
fire, it is aroused by a sudden pain ; wakes, turns round,
and mutely appeals to its master for an explanation or a
removal of the nuisance. When stricken down at last, as,
unable to stand, it lies upon its straw, most sad is it to
see the poor head raised, and to hear the tail in motion
welcoming any one who may enter the place in which it
is a helpless but a necessary prisoner.

In this disorder the best thing is to pay every atten*
tion to the food. The wretched animal generally has an
enormous appetite, and, when it is unable to stand, will

242

DOOS : THEIR MANAOEUSKT.

continue feeding to the last. This morbid hunger mnst
not be indulged. One pound of good rice may be boiled
or cooked in a sufficiency of carefully made beef-tea, every
particle of meat or bone being removed. This will con-
stitute the provender for one day necessary to sustain the
largest dog, and a quarter the amount will be sufficient
for one of the average size. Where good rice is not to be
obtained, oatmeal or bread, allowing for the moisture
which the last contains, may be substituted. No bones,
nor substances likely, when swallowed, to irritate the
stomach, must on any account be allowed. The quantity
given at one time must ever be small ; and every sort of
provender offered should be soft and soothing to the
internal parts ; though the poor dog will be eager to eat
that which will be injurious. Water should be placed
within its reach, and offered during the day, the head
being held while the incapacitated animal drinks.

When a dog is prostrated by this affliction, it must on
no account be suffered to remain on the floor, where its
limbs would speedily become excoriated, being forcibly
moved upon the boards ; anything placed beneath the
animal to save the limbs, would be saturated with the
urine and faeces the poor beast is necessitated to pass.
The best bed in such cases is made of a slanting piece
of woodwork, of sufficient size to allow the animal to lie
with ease at full length. The planks composing the
wooden stage must be placed apart, be pierced with
numerous holes, have the edges rounded, and be elevated
4t ono 9i|4 10 lU) %o allow all moisture readily to run o£

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMBKT.

248

The wood mnst be covered with a quantity of straw ; which
sort of bedding is convenient, not only because it allows
the water to speedily percolate through it, but because
it is warm, and being cheap, permits of repeated change.
Physic is not of much avail in this disorder; kind
nursing and mild food will do more towards recovery.
Still, medicine, as an accessory, may be of considerable
service, and in a secondary view deserves honorable
mention. Alkalies, sedatives, and vegetable bitters, may
be combined in various forms. The author's favorite
sedative in stomach diseases is hyoscyamus, and alkali
potash. For a bitter, quassia is A very good one;
better than gentian, a small amount of the exti^act of
which, however, may be used to make up the pill. When
speaking of the pill, the most important ingredient must
not be forgotten — I mean niix vonica. Sonle people
employ strychnia, but such persons more often kill than
cure their patients. Strychnia in any doses, however
minute, is a violent poison to the dog. While at college
I beheld animals killed with it ; and there does not live
the person who knows how to render this agent safe to
the dog. Nux vomica, even, must be used in very minute
doses, to be entirely safe — from a quarter of a grain to a
small pup, to two grains to the largest animal. That
quantity must be continued for a week, four pills being
given daily; then add a quarter of a grain daily to
the four larger pills, and a quarter of a grain every four
days to all the smaller ones; keep on increasing the
amount, till the physiological effects of the drug, as they

244

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

are called, become developed. These consist in the beast
having that which uninformed people term " a fit." He
lies upon the ground, uttering rather loud cries^ whilst
every muscle of his body is in motion. Thus he con-
tinues scratching, as if it was his desire to be up and off
at a hundred miles an hour. No sooner is he rid of one
attack than he has another. He retains his conscious-
ness, but is unable to give any sign of recognition. It is
useless to crowd round the animal in this state ; the drug
must perform its ofScs, and will do so, in spite of human
effort. The very best thing that can be done, is to let
the animal alone until the attack is over, when writers on
Materia Medica tell us improvement is perceptible. I
wish it was so in dogs. I have beheld the physiological
effect of nux vomica repeatedly, but cannot recollect
many instances in which I could date amendment from
its appearance.

The following is the formula for the pill recently
alluded to : —

Potash Two to seven groins.

X^UtOSIt ...... J. WU tV BCVClt ^lUAllo.

Extract of hyoscyamus . Half a grain to four grains.

Quassia powder . . . Three to sixteen grains.

. . A quarter of a grain to two grains.

Nnx vomica . .
Extract of gentian

A sufficiency.

The above quantities are suflScient for one pill, four of
which are to be given daily for a week, at the expiration
of which period the increase may begin. If the ^bove,
after a fair test has been made of it, does not succeed,

"\H

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

246

trial may be instituted of the nitrate of silver, the trisni-
trate of bismuth, or any of the various drugs said to be
beneficial in the disease, or of service in stomach com-
plaints. In this disorder the same drug never appears
to act twice alike, therefore a change is warranted and
desirable.

Hopes of restoration may be entertained if the animal
can only be kept alive to recover strength ; then confi-
dent expectation can be expressed that the dog will out-
grow the disease. The first signs perceptible which
denote recovery are these : — The provender the beast
consumes is evidently not thrown away. Instead of
eating much, and ungratefully becoming thinner and
thinner upon that which it consumes, the animal displays
a disposition to thrive upon its victuals. It does not get
fat on what it eats, but it evidently loses no flesh. It
grows no thinner ; and if the strength be not recruited,
it obviously is not diminished. The animal does not
gorge much wholesome diet daily, to exhibit more and
more the signs of debility and starvation. If only a sus-
picion can bo felt that the poor dog does not sink, then
hope of ultimate success may warm the heart of a kind
master ; but when the reverse is obvious, though killing
a dog is next to killing a child — and he who for pleasure
can do the one, is not far off from doing the other — ^yet it
is mercy then to destroy that existence which must else bo
miserably worn away. When there is no chance left for
expectation to cling to, it becomes real charity to do vio-
lence to our feelings, in order that we may spare a suffer'

■■ il

S46

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMEirr.

ing creatnre pain ; but when there is a prospect, however
remote, of recovery, I hope there is no veterinary sur-
geon who would touch the life. When the animal can
stand, we may anticipate good ; and whatever is left of
the complaint, we may assure our employers will vatiish
as the age increases ; for St. Yitus's Dance is essentially
the disease of young dogs. But as recovery progresses,
we must be cautious to do nothing to fling the animal
back. No walks must be enforced, under the pretence of
administering exercise. The animal has enough of that
in its ever-jerking limbs ; and however well it may grow
to be while the disease lasts, we may rest assured the dog
suffering its attack stands in need of repose.

BOWKL DIBKASES. .

Continuous with the stomach are the intestines, which
are equally subject to disease, and more exposed to it in
an acute form than even the former viscus. The dog
will fill its belly with almost anything, but there is little
that positively agrees with it. Boiled rice or lean meat,
&c., and coarse biscuit, are the best general food ; but
without exercise, even these will not support healt^
The dog requires constant care if it is deprived of libert}
and those who keep these animals as pets, must submit
to trouble, for though art may do much, it cannot conquer
Nature

The intestines of the dog are peculiar. In the first
place, it has no colon, and all the guts are nearly of one

SOOS: THEIR MANAOEMENT.

247

raze from the commencement to the termination ; the
duodenum and the most posterior portion of the rectum
being the largest, though not so much so as materially to
destroy the appearance of uniformity. The caecum is no
more than a small appendage — a little sac attached to
the main tube ; it has but one opening, and that is very
diminutive. I think all the food, as in other animals,
passes into and out of this intestine ; which, because of
its peculiar formation, is therefore particularly liable
to be disordered. In the dog which has died of intes-
tinal disease, the caecum is almost invariably found
enlarged and inflamed. In it, I imagine, the majority
of bowel afiections have their origin. The gut is
first loaded, and the consequence of this is, it loses
its natural function. The contents become irritants from
being retained, and the whole process of digestion is
deranged ; other parts are involved, and inflammation
is induced.

Writers do not notice the tendency of the caecum to bo
diseased, or remark upon its disposition to exhibit signs
of alteration ; but the fact being so obvious, I wonder it
should have escaped observation.

OosTiVENESS is, in some measure, natural to the dog,
and in that animal is hardly to be viewed as a disease.
In health, the fseces are not expelled without considera-
ble straining, and the matter voided ought to be of a solid
character. It nevertheless should not be p^-oolutely hard,
or positively dry, for in that case the want of moisture
shows the natural secretion of the rectum b deficient ; the

'> -;■'

248

DOOfl : THEIR MAKAOBMENT.

i ,:

hardness proving prolonged detention, denoting the in*
testines have lost their activity.

Both Blaine and Youatt were educated in the old
school of medicine, which taught them to regard purga-
tives as the surgeon's hest friends, and the sheet-anchors
of his practice. They prescribe them in almost every
case, and almost on every occasion ; but I rarely give
these agents. In the dog I am convinced they are not
safe, and their constant use is by no means imperative.
Should an animal be supposed not to have been relieved
for a week, this fact is no proof that a purgative is
required. The animal may have eluded observation,
and it canrot inform us if such has been the case. The
intestines may be slow, or the digestion may be more
than usually active. It is foolish to lay down rules for
Nature, and punish her creatures if these laws are not
obeyed. There are, however, means of ascertaining when
a purgative is needed ; and these, if employed, will very
' rarely deceive.

The muscle 3 covering the abdomen of the dog are very
thin, and through them the contents of the cavity may
be plainly felt. By squeezing these together, the fingers
will detect whether the rectum, which lies near to the
spine, and of course backward or towards the tail, contains
any subsiauce. Should the presence of any solid body
be r^scertained, its character ought to be noted. If round
and comparatively soft, a little exorcise will cause it to
be expelled ; but if hard-pointed in places, and uneven,
assistance should be afforded. An enema, of the Bolution

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

240

of soap— or of Epsom salts, from half an ounce to a quar-
ter of a pound, in a quarter of a pint to a quart of
watei- — may be administered. A more active injection
will be, from half a drachm to four drachms of tui-pen-
tine, beaten up with the yolks of so many eggs as there
are drachms of the oil, and mixed with the quantity of
water just named.

Either of these will relieve the bowel ; but the condi-
tion of one part justifies an inference as to the state of
another, and the enema probably will not unload the cae-
cum, which there is reason to suppose is also clogged.
A gentle dose of castor-oil, or of the pills directed on page
116, will accomplish this intention ; and, afterwards,
measures must be adopted to regulate the digestion,
either by tonics or such medicines as the symptoms
suggest, but not by the constant repetition of laxatives.

Costiveness will sometimes produce such violent pain
that alarm is created, and dogs have been destroyed
under the idea that they were rabid. To guard against
80 fatal a mistake, I shall only here say, that rabies does
not come on sudderily, or, save in the latest stage, appear
to influence the consciousness, which it never entirely
overpowers. Th(. agony caused by costiveness is greater
than in any other affection to which the dog is liable.
Apparently well, and perhaps at play, a cry breaks
forth, which is the next instant a shriek, expressive of
the acutest torture. The animal takes to running, and
is not aware of surrounding objects ; it can recognise
Dothing, but will bite its master if he attempts to catch

250

DOGS : THEIR MANAOKMEHT.

it, and hit itself against anything that may be in its way ;
it scampers from room to room, or hurries from place to
place ; it is unable to be still or silent ; and perhaps get-
ting into a comer, it makes continuous efforts as though
it wished to scramble up the wall, remaining there jump-
ing with all its strength, and at the same time yelling at
the top of its voice. This excitement may last for an
hour or more, and then cease only to be renewed ; till at
length the powers fail, and in half a day the animal may
be dead. Just prior to death, a mass of compact faeces is
usually passed ; and blood, with dysentery, is generally
witnessed for the short period the animal survives. After
death, general inflammation of the intestines is discovered,
and the dog is reported to have perished from an attack
of enteritis which no medicine could subdue.

In such cases, the first examination should be directed
to the rectum ; the finger, moistened or oiled, ought to be
inserted, and the intestine explored as thoroughly as pos-
sible. This operation is, however, not of further use
than to confirm the opinion of the practitioner; and I,
knowing the cause, therefore dispense with it. A copious
enema should be immediately exhibited. One containing
turpentine is the most effective ; but, on account of its
activity, it is only safe in the beginning of the attack.
A warm bath is of service, but it takes up time which
may be better employed, and does not do sufficient good
to recompense for the delay. A full dose of sulphuric
ether and laudanum should be given to allay the pain,
and it may with this intention be repeated every ten or

'•I^W-!

ill

DOOS: THEIR MAMAOEMKNT.

261

twenty minutes. If, from the enema, nothing follows,
the finger should then certainly he introduced, and per-
haps a compact mass may he felt firmly grasped hy the
intestine. Slowly, and with great caution, this must he
broken up, and brought away bit by bit. The handle of
a spoon has been recommended for this purpose, but I
entreat my readers not to use it. Where pain is present,
and life or death hang on the issue, there is no right to
be any delicacy. An instrument of any kind introduced
into such a part, and employed while the body is writhing
about in agony, cannot be free from danger, and scarcely
can be so used as to be effective. The finger is the
quickest, the most safe, and the most effectual instrument ;
for we have it under our command, can guide it at our
will, and with it take cognisance of all the circumstances
presented. Even that must be employed gently, and
this will be best done by the avoidance of haste. The
surgeon is bound to be skilful, but he ought never to be
in a hurry. Let all the time that can be occupied on
such a matter be free.^ taken, and during the process, let
the cries of the animal be attended to ; any change of
note will contain a warning which mnst not be disre-
garded. Without attending to that, the intestine might
be ruptured, and death would then be certain.

When the obstruction has been oirorcome, let a few
ethereal enemas be administered to allay any local irrita
bility ; and a dose of the purgative pills — followed, six
hours afterwards, should they not have operated, by one
of castor-oil mixture, blended \«'*th half a scruple of chlo-

lil

i \v

262

UOOS : IHKIR MANAGEMENT.

roform — being given to unload the caecum. The medi-
cine having acted freely, the food must be amended, the
treatment altered, and such other measures taken as the
digestion may require for its restoration.

r^,k^iU:

Colic. — This is an affection to which dogs are very
subject. The human infant is not more liable to be griped
than are the young of the canine species. The idea of a
cur with a belly-ache may, to some persons, seem to be
suggestive of fun ; but to the creature that suffers, it is
indeed a serious business. A duchess with the spasms
does not endure so much, and is not in half the danger,
that a dog is exposed to during a fit of gripes. The ani-
mal must be relieved, or inflammation will speedily ensue,
and death will follow. In some cases, the appearance of
colic is almost a certain indication that the poor beast will
die. When it comes on a week or two prior to pupping,
we may cure it ; but during, or soon after parturition, the
bitch generally perishes. When it starts up in the later
or more virulent stage of distemper, especially at the time

■ ii !

dogs: their management.

263

when the champing of the jaw denotes the approach of
fits, the chance of a favorable termination to the disease
is materially diminished. When in a violent form it
attacks a litter of puppies, either simultaneously or con-
secutively, it is always attended with danger. At no
season, and under no circumstances, is it trivial, and
never ought it to he neglected. The cries and distress
of the suffering animal will, when it is fully established,
enforce attention ; but too often it has then proceeded so
far that much medicine will not check what in the first
instance a single dose might have entirely banished.

The symptoms of cohc have been much confused by
Blaine, who, when describing them, evidently alludes to
many forms of disease with which abdominal spasm has
no connexion. Youatt is far more clear ; but he is too
concise, and omits so much that the reader does not pro-
perly appreciate the importance of that affection which is
thus slightly mentioned. Neither of the two authors
seems to have carefully studied the subject ; for in their
writings is not to be found any account of those early
symptoms which most readily yield to treatment.

Prior to evincing any sign of colic, the dog appears
well ; healthy in its body and easy in its mind. The appe-
tite is good, or may be better than usual. The food has
been eaten and relished; then the animal instinctively
lies down to sleep and aid digestion. A moan is heard ;
the sound is half suppressed, and the dog that utters it
appears to sleep. Another cry, as feeble, but of greater
length, is noticed; and now the animal that made it

:i >\

204

dogs: theib mamaokmkkt.

changes its positipn. The next time it niaj rise, look
round, and seek another place ; which having found, it
appears to settle itself and to go to sleep. The rest once
more is broken, the voice grows more full and loud ; the
dog jumps up and runs about for a little while, then
selects a spot where it curls its body tightly up, as if
resolved to have out its nap. The interruption, however,
constantly recurs ; and at each return the exclamation is
more emphatic — the starting more energetic — the move-
ment more abrupt — and, contrasting these, the determi-
nation or desire to repose becomes more strong. Thus
endeavoring to sleep, and being constantly disturbed by
some sharp and shooting pain, the dog may continue for
a day, or two, or three, its cries, during the whole period,
offending a neighborhood. -

During the continuance of colic, the general appear-
ance of the animal may be but little affected. The
eye is not injected, but the pupil may be slightly en-
larged. The nose is cool and moist, but toward? the
end, irritation may render the part hot or dry. The
appetite is generally slight — sometimes lost; and fluids
are more readily accepted than solids. The cry, how-
ever, should be remarked ; because, with the pulse, it
gives the earliest notice when inflammation is commenc-
ing. While colic alone exists, the pulse may, from
pain, be accelerated, and rendered more full, as well
as strong, though not always to any marked extent.
In inflammation, the pulse is greatly quickened, the
artery becomes smaller, and its beat uuNre jerkixkg or

dogs: their management.

255

wiry. During simple spasm the voice is natural, richi
sonorous, and almost musical ; but in inflammation it is
short, harsh, high, and broken, the exclamations not
being continuous, but consisting of a series of discon-
nected " yaps.''

For the treatment, in the first instance, a turpentine
enema will frequently cut short the attack. Should it
fail to so, injections of ether and laudanum should suc-
ceed, and doses of the mixture should also be given
every half hour ; the first three being exhibited at in-
tervals only of a quarter of an hour each. The cathar-
tic pills should be administered ; and in three hours, if
the bowels have not been acted upon, a dose of castor-
oil should be resorted to ; but where the cathartic has
been responded to, the castor-oil should be delayed for
eight or twelve hours.

When the pain ceases, the ether and laudanum should
not be immediately discontinued ; but they may be em-
ployed at longer intervals, and gradually reduced in
quantity, until the bowels are thoroughly opened, when
they may be withheld. Under this treatment, the af-
fection is rarely fatal, and never so if taken in time.
An injection of ether and laudanum should always be
given to any pup that exhibits even the slightest symp-
tom of uneasiness. I have never known it to do harm,
but I am convinced it has often prevented danger.

In those cases where purging and other indications
denote the coats of the bowels to be already involved,
and spasm co-exists with enteritis, ether and laudanum

mmmtfrn

256

DOGS : TUEIR MANAGEMENT.

must enter into all the remedies employed. On the
dog their action is, in my opinion, always beneficial ;
and were they not directly so, the influence they pos-
sess in deadening pain would be sufficient reason to
justify their adoption. The other measures consist of
such as will be found mentioned under the head of ente-
ritis ; but it is essential to observe any faeces which
may be ejected by the animal that has suffered colic;
for by these we may sometimes guess the cause of the
attack, and more often learn the means through which
a return may be prevented.

As to the causes which induce colic, I can of my
own knowledge offer no information. It has to me
seemed to be regulated by none of those circumstances
to which it is generally attributed ; at all events, I think
I have witnessed it in animals which have not been
exposed to any of the causes that teachers and writers
assert induce it. Dogs are, however, brought to us only
when the cause has ceased ; for we are sought for only
to treat the effect. The declarations of authors may
therefore be correct, although I am unable to corrobo-
rate them ; and these gentlemen say colic is produced
by cold, acrid food, chills, worms, hard water, &c. In
cases of this kind, therefore, it may be well to inquire
if the dog has been exposed, or badly fed, or is in any
way unhealthy ; and, so far as possible, to rectify these
matters ; for, even though they may not have provoked
the spasm, nevertheless we shall do good by attending
to the health, diet, and comfort of the animal.

i,:i'!i

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

20?

Enteritis. — The doom of the dog which is really
afflicted with this disease, is generally sealed. It is a
painful and a fatal disorder — equally rapid and stub-
born. I fear it more than any other affection to which
the animal is subject, and more frequently than any
other has it set my best endeavors at defiance.

In the dog, however, enteritis is rarely seen iu a pure
form. The mucous membrane of the intestines is mostly
inflamed, but the serous covering, as a general rule, is
in no degree involved. The stomach, however, is almost
in every instance more or less implicated ; its inner sur-
face being inflamed, and its muscular coat so contracted,
that the lining membrane is corrugated, and remains in
that condition after death.

The incentives are, unwholesome food, which is the
most frequent of the causes ; exposure, especially after
a dog has been in winter fantastically deprived of its
long hair over the loins ; and over-exertion, to which the
dog is often exposed, no attention being paid to its con-
dition. Anything which disorders the digestion, or vio-
lently shakes the constitution, will induce it ; for in the
dog every species of revulsion has a tendency to attack
the bowels. Mange improperly treated has produced it ;
and this may be said of almost any skin disease ; so
that it has been caused not by true mange or itch alone
but by a skin disease having been, under the pretence
of working an immediate cure, driven into the system.
Neglected impactments, or colic, are among its most fi-e-
quent immediate causes ; fcr at least three parts of those

JMk

mam

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

cases of enteritis submitted to my notice, have been
clearly traced to have commenced with something of
that kind.

Of the symptoms of enteritis, colic and constipation,
with a hard thin pulse, are the most prominent. Sick-
ness is not present, or rather I have not witnessed it, at
the commencement of the disorder. The extremities
are cold — the eye has a stupid expression, the pupil being
much dilated — the breath is hot, and the nose dry. The
tail is drawn firmly downward, and pressed upon the
anus ; the urine is sometimes scanty, always high-color-
ed ; the tongue is rough and clammy, the thirst strong,
and the appetite lost. The dog seeks darkness and pri-
vacy, and does not ramble during the early stage ; it will
stretch itself out either upon its belly or on its side, and
I have not seen it sit upon its haunches. The abdomen
is only of the heat of the body, which is generally of an
increased temperature. Pressure appears to cause no
pain, and the animal rather seems grateful for friction than
to resist it. As the disease proceeds, diarrhoea ensues,
and with it the signs of exhaustion and death generally
are exhibited. Throughout the attack there is a marked
disinclination to take any remedy ; which is not always
displayed by these creatures, and in no other disease is
so violently exhibited. Dogs often become attached to
those who minister to their complaints ; many of them
will appear to understand and appreciate the motives of
him who attempts their relief. The poor things will fre-
([uently submit to operations, and lick the band which

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

269

has performed them. Eloquent are the appeals which
they sometimes make to the feelings of one in whom thej
have placed their confidence ; often staggering to meet
him when he enters ; looking upward into his face, and
uttering low cries, which are more expressive than words
could possibly be rendered. He who has had much to
do with dogs must, if he be not insensible, grow to like
them, and gradually learn to think these creatures pos-
sess both knowledge and reason. They will sometimes,
without a struggle, swallow the most pungent and nau-
seous drinks ; but such is not the case during enteritis.
The brain in that disease is always sympathetically af-
fected : the state of the eye, its peculiar expression and
dilated pupil, denote the fact ; and the manner of the
dog would, without these indications, lead us to surmise
the circumstance.

The treatment must be energetic. The sharp, short
cries, characteristic of enteritis, as pointed out in the pre-
ceding description of colic, will be sufficient warning of
the danger, and ample intimation that there is no time to
be lost. A turpentine enema should be injected. The
treatment ought always to begin with this, for to unload
the rectum is of all importance. Afterwards, from one
to four grains of calomel, with from half a grain to two
grains of opium, should be shaken upon the tongue ; and
when ten minutes have elapsed, a draught of ether and
laudanum and water, with an injection of the same com-
position, ought to be exhibited. While the cries last, the
ether may be continued, and when the strength appears

HUH

aGiiiii4uinBgiJW

260

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMSNT.

to fail, it may also be employed. Two hours subsequent
to the calomel being given, from half an ounce to three
ounces of castor-oil, diluted with half the quantity of
olive-oil, should be used as a drench ; and thrice during
the day the following may be administered either as a
pill or draught, in thick gruel, soup, or mucilage, at the
option of the practitioner ; who will, of course, be guided
by the disposition of the patient, which in every particu-
lar must be considered : —

Grey powder .... Five groins to a scruple.
Powdered ipecacuanha . Half a grain to four grains.
Extract of hyoscyamus . One to eight grains.

Bleeding is of some service, but the dog so quickly
sinks, that it must be practised with caution. On this
account, as well as for other reasons, leeches are to be
preferred. If the patient be a male, thoy may be applied
to the belly ; but if a female, the side of the abdomen
must be shaven, and that part selected. From four to
twenty-four leeches will be sufficient ; and half that num-
ber may be again used if no change for the better is ob-
served, and the strength does not fail. Stimulating
applications are likewise beneficial. A large mustart
poultice has appeared to be more operative than more
violent agents. After it has been removed, warm fomen-
tations of water, with occasional ones of hot turpentine,
may be employed.

In the early stage, a warm bath of 90 degrees, for
half an hour, has been used with advantage ; but the aui-

^fi

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

261

mal, when removed from it, must bo wrapped well up in
several hot blankets, and kept in them until it is perfectly-
dry.

On the second day from two to ten drops of the tinc-
ture of arnica, with halt a uraciim ui" ihu ouii4i,iu.i of iLc
chloride of zinc, may be added to the ethereal drinks and
injections, if the disorder has not been checked ; and
beef-tea, thickened with rice, may also be frequently
administered, using it instead of water, both in the
draughts and injections. No other food is admissible,
and the return to solids must, if the animal survives, be
veiy gradual.

Dysentery and Diarrh(ea. — These diseases, which
in works on human pathology are advantageously sepa-
rated, I cannot here, treat of as distinct disorders. In
the dog they are so connected and blended that the line
which divides them cannot be discovered ; and for every
practical purpose, they may be here considered as one
and the same affection.

The young and the old are most liable to these com-
plaints. Puppies are very subject, as also are aged gross
favorites; things so fat that it becomes hard work to
live are very generally attacked with diarrhoea. The
pup, however, usually exhibits it in the acute form,
whereas in the other description of animal it mostly ap-
pears in the chronic type.

When acute, colic may accompany or precede it. In
proportion to the spasm will be the violence and the dan-
ger of the disorder. Sickness is mostly witnessed a little

i I

■ii 4

msmmmmammf^

f'^'mm^mmimfm

262

DOGS : TUEIll MANAGEMENT.

time prior to the attack, and the matter vomited has a
peculiarly disagreeable and acrid odor. The dog does
not again consume that which the stomach has thrown
off, but sneaks away dejected, and afterwards seems dull.
Sickness will occasionally contin e throughout the com-
plaint, but in general it departs as the disease appears.
Thirst, however, is always present ; and there is also a
disposition to seek cold things and places. The pulse is
quicker, but not stronger, and hardly at first less thin
than during health. There is no pain on pressure being
applied to the abdomen. The membranes of the eye are
not injected ; they may be a little deeper in color than is
strictly natural, but occasionally they are the reverse.
If, however, the anus be gently forced open, so as to ex-
pose the terminating surface of the rectum, the mem-
brane there will be found more red, and perhaps less
clear in tint, than it ought to be ; and the presence of
purgation, attended with a violent resistance to the ad-
ministration of clysters, will leaye no doubt as to the
character of the affection.

In the chronic form, the membrane of the eye is pal-
lid ; the nose often moist ; the breath offensive ; the
appetite ravenous ; the pulse quick and weak ; the anus
infllcmed ; mostly protruding, and usually disfigured by
piles ; the faeces liquid, and of various hues ; sometimes
black, occasionally lighter than usual, very generally
mixed with much mucus and a small quantity of blood,
so tiiat the leading symptoms are those of weakness,
accompanied with purgation.

DOOS : THBIR MANAGEMENT.

263

BUPEBPCBaATIOir.

Acute diarrhoea may terminate in twenty -four hours ;
the chronic may contnue as many days. The first
sometimes closes with hemorrhage, blood in large quan-
tities being ejected, either from the mouth or from the
anus ; but more generally death ensues from apparent
exhaustion, which is announced by coldness of the belly
and mouth, attended with a peculiar faint and sickly
fetor and perfect insensibility. The chronic more rarely
ends with excessive bleeding, but almost always gradu-
ally wears out the animal, which for days previous may
be paralysed in the hind extremities, lying with its back
arched and its feet approximated, though consciousness
is retained almost to the last moment. In either case,
however, the characteristic stench prevails, and the lower
surface of the abdomen, as a general rulo^ feels hard,
presenting to the touch two distinct lines, which run in
the course of the spine. These lines, which Youatt
mentions as cords, are the recti muscles, which in the
dog are composed of continuous fi.bre, and consequently,

mmmmm

mmn

264

dogs: their management.

when contracted under the stimulus of pain or disease,
become very apparent.

On examination after death, the stomach, especially
towards the pyloric orifice, is inflamed, as are the intes-
tines, w)iich, however, towards the middle of the track,
are less violently aifected than at other parts. The c;pcum
is enlarged, and may even, while all the other guts are
empty, contain hard solid faeces. The rectum is generally
black with inflammation, and seems most to suffer in these
disorders. Occasionally its interior is ulcerated, and such
is nearly always its condition towards the anus. Signs
of colic are distributed along the entire length of the ali-
mentary tubes. ^

In the acute disease, the case in the first instance
should be treated as directed for colic, with txirpentine
enema and ether, laudanum and water, followed by mild
doses of grey powder and ipecacuanha, or chalk, catechu
and aromatics, in the proportions directed below : —

Powdered opium ...
Powdered prepared chalk

Catccbn

Liquor potassro . . .
Powdered ginger . . .
Powdered caraways , .
Powdered capsicums . .

Half a grain to two grains.
Five grains to a scruple.
Two grains to half a scruple.
Half-a-drachm to two drachms.
Three to twelve grains.
Three to twelve gnuns.
One to four grains.

This may be given every second hour. The carbonate
of ammonia, from two to eight grains, is also deserving of
a trial, as are the chlorides and chlorates when the odor
is perceived

'?«

dogs: their manaobment.

265

Applications, as before directed, to the abdomen are
also beneficial ; but frequent use of the warm bath should
be forbidden, for its action is far too debilitating. The
ether, laudanum, and water should be persisted witli
throughout the treatment, and hope may be indulged so
long as the injections are retained ; but when these are
cast back, or flow out as soon as the pipe is removed, the
case may be pronounced a desperate one.

In the chronic form of diarrhoea there is always greater
prospect of success. Ether, laudanum, and water will
often master it, without the addition of any other medi-
cine ; but the liquor potassse and the chalk preparation
are valuable adjuncts. To the anus an ointment will be
useful ; and it should not only be smeared well over the
part, but, by means of a penholder or the little finger, a
small quantity should thrice in the course of the day be
introduced up the rectum. For this purpose the follow-
ing will be found to answer much better than any of
those which Blaine orders to be employed on similar
occasions : —

m
■m

Camphor powdered
Mercurial ointment
Elder ointment . .

Of each equal parts.

Cleanliness is of the utmost importance Thrice daily,
or oftener if necessary, the anus and root of the tail
sliould be thoroughly cleansed, witii a wash consisting of
an ounce of the solution of chloride of zinc to a pint of
distilled water The food should be generous ; but fluid

iHi

^•"TVWWUMWIB ^* ii >iim.

266

dogs: their manaoemknt.

beef tea, thickened with rice, will constitute the most
proper diet during the existence of diarrhoea.

A little gravy and rice with scraped meat may be gra-
dually introduced ; but the dog must be drenched with
the liquid rather than indulged with solids at too early a
period. All the other measures necessary have been
indicated when treating of previous abdominal diseases,
and such rules is are therein laid down must, according
to the circumstances, be applied.

Peritonitis. — In the acute form this disease is rarely
witnessed, save as accompanying or following parturi-
tion. Its symptoms are, panting ; restlessness ; occasional
cries ; a desire for cold ; constant stretching forth at full
length upon the side ; dry mouth and nose ; thirst ; con-
stipation ; hard quick pulse ; catching breathing, and —
contrary as it may be to all reasonable expectation —
seldom any pain on pressure to the abdomen, to^^ard
which, however, the animal constantly inclines the
head.

The treatment consists in bleeding from the jugular,
from three to twelve ounces being taken ; but a pup, not
having all its permanent teeth, supposing such an animal
could be affected, should not lose more than from half-
an-ounce to two ounces. Stimulating applications to the
abdomen should be emp^~yed, an ammoniacal blister,
from its speedy action, being to be preferred. Ether,
laudanum, and water ought to be given, to allay the
pain, with calomel in small but repeated doses, com-
bined with one-fourth its weight of opium, in order to
lubdue the inflammation. A turpentine euema to unload

DOGS : THEIR MANAOSMENT.

267

the rectum, and a full dose of castor oil to relieve the
bowels, should be administered early in the disease.
The warm bath, if the animal is after it well wrapped
up, may also be resorted to. A second bleeding may bo
necessary, but it should always be by means of leeches,
and should only be practised upon conviction of its ne-
cessity, for no animal is less tolerant of blood-letting
than the dog.

During peritonitis, the chief aim of all the measures
adopted is to reduce the inflammation ; but while this is
kept in view, it must not be forgotten that of equal, or
perhaps of even more, importance, is it to subdue the pain
and lessen the constitutional irritation which adds to the
energy of the disorder, thus rendering nature the less
capable of sustaining it. With this object I have often
carried ether, laadanum, and water, so far as to narco-
tise the animal ; and I have kept the dog under the
action of these medicines for twelve hours, and then
have not entii'ely relinquished them. The consequence
has not alwaj's been success, but I have not seen any
reason to imagine that the life has not been lengthened
by the practice ; and sometimes when the narcotism has
ceased, the disease has exhibited so marked an improve-
ment, that I have dated the recovery from that period.

Strangulation. — This consists in the intestines being
twisted or tied together, and it is caused by sudden emo-
tion or violent exertion. From it the dog is almost ex-
empt, though to it some other animals are much exposed.
The symptoms are sudden pain, resembling acite ente-
ritis, accompanied with sickness and constipation, and

268

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

terminating in the lethargic ease which characterises
mortification.

No treatment can save the life, and all the measures
justifiable are such as would alleviate the sufferings of
the animal ; but as, in the majority of these cases, the
fact is only ascertained after death, the practitioner must
in a great measure be guided by the symptoms.

Introsusception. — This is when a portion of intes-
tine slips into another part of the alimentary tube, and
there becomes fixed. Colic always precedes this, for
the accident could not occur unless the bowel was in
places spasmodically contracted. The symptoms arc —
colic, in the first instance, speedily followed by enteritis,
accompanied by a seeming constipation, that resists all
purgatives, and prevails up to the moment of death.
The measures would be the same as were alluded to
when writing of strangulation.

Stoppage. — To this the dog is much exposed. These
animals are taught to run after sticks or stones, and to
bring them to their masters. When this trick has been
learnt, the creatures are very fond of displaying their
accomplishment. They engage in the game with more
than pleasure ; and as no living being is half so enthusi-
astic as dogs, they throw their souls into the simple
sport. Delighted to please their lords, the animals are
in a fever of excitement ; they back and run about —
their eyes on fire, and every muscle of their frames in
motion. The stone is flung, and away goes the dog at its
topmost speed, so happy that it has lost its self-com.

dogs: their management.

269

mand. If the missile should be small, the poor animal,
in its eagerness to seize, may unfortunately swallow it,
and when that happens, the faithful brute nearly always
dies. The oesophagus or gullet of the dog is larger than
its intestines, and consequently the substance which can
pass down the throat may in the guts become impacted.
Such too frequently follows when stones are gulped ;
for hard things of this kind, though they should be small
enough to pass through the alimentary tube, neverthe-
less would cause a stoppage ; for a foreign body of any
size, by irritating the intestine, would provoke it to con-
tract, or induce spasm ; and the bowel thus excited
would close upon the substance, retaining it with a force
which could not be overcome. Persons, therefore, who
like their dogs to fetch and carry, should never use for
this purpose any pebble so small as to be dangerous, or
rather, they should never use stones of any kind for this
purpose. The animal taught to indulge in this amiise-
ment seriously injures its teeth, which during the excite-
ment are employed with imprudent violence, and the
mouth sustains more injury than the game can recom-
pense.

If a dog should swallow a stone, let the animal be
immediately fed largely; half-an-hour afterwards let
thrice the ordinary dose of antimonial wine be adminis-
tered, and the animal directly afterwards be exercised.
Probably the pebble may be returned with the food when
the emetic acts. Should such not be the case, as the dog
will not eat again, all the thick gruel it can be made to

r.t

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270

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

swallow must be forced npon it, and perhaps the stone
may come away when this is vomited. Every effort must
be used to cause the substance to be ejected before it has
reached the bowels, since if it enters these, the doom is
sealed. However, should such be the case, the most vio-
lent and potent antispasmodics may be tried ; and under
their influence I have known comparatively large bodies
to pass. No attempt must be made to quicken the passage
by moulding or kneading the belly ; much less must any
effort be used intended to push the substance onward.
The convolutions of the alimentary track are numerous,
and the bowels are not stationary ; therefore we have no
certainty, even if the violence should do no injury, that
our interference would be properly directed. Hope must
depend upon antispasmodics; while every measure is
taken to anticipate the irritation which is almost certain
to follow.

Stoppage may be caused by other things besides
stones. Corks, pins, nails, skewers, sharp pieces of bone,
particularly portions of game and poultry bones,^ have
produced death ; and this fact will serve to enforce the
warning which was given in the earlier portion of this
work.

PAKAIiTBIS OF THE HIND BZTREMniES.

It appears odd to speak of such an affliction as loss of
all motor power in the hind extremities, connected with
deranged bowels. What can the stomach have to do
with the legs ? Why, all and everything. That which

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

271

is put into the stomach, nourishes the legs, and that which
enters the same receptacle, may surely disease the like
parts. That which nurtures health, and that which
generates sickness, are more closely allied than we are
willing to allow. Thus, a moderate meal nourishes and
refreshes; but the same food taken in too great abun-
dance, as surely will bring disease ; and it is of too much
food that I have to complain, when I speak of the
bowels as associated with paralysis. Dogs will become
great gluttons. They like to do what they see their
master doing; but as a dog's repast comes round but
once a day, and a human being eats three or four times
in the twenty -four hours, so has the animal kept within
doors 80 many additional opportunities of over-gorging
itself. Nor is this all. The canine appetite is soon satis-
fied ; the meal, is soon devoured. But it is far otherwise
with the human repast. The dog may consume enough
provender in a few minutes to last till the following day
comes round ; whereas the man cannot get through the
food which is to support him for six hours, in less than
half a division of the time here enumerated. Supposing
one or two persons to be seated at table, it is very hard
to withstand a pair of large, eloquent, and imploring eyes,
watching every mouthful the fork lifts from the plate.
For a minute or two it may be borne ; but to hold out an
entire hour is more than human fortitude is capable of. A
bit is thrown to the poor dog that looks so very hungry ;
it is eaten quickly, and then the eyes are at work again.
Perhaps the other end of the board is tried, and the appeal

■iHI

272

dogs: their management.

is enforced with the supplicatory whine that seldom fails.
Piece after piece is thereby extracted ; and dogs fed in
this fashion will eat much more than if the whole were
placed before them at one time. The animal becomes
enormously fat, and then one day is found by the mis-
tress with its legs dragging after it. The lady inquires
which of the servants have been squeezing the dog in
the door. All deny that they have been so amusing them-
selves, and every one protests that she had not heard
poor Fanny cry. The mistress' wrath is by no means
allayed. Servants are so careless — such abominable
liars — and the poor dog was no favorite down stall's.
Thereupon Fanny is wrapped in a couple of shawls, and
despatched to the nearest veterinary surgeon.

If the gentleman who may be consulted knows his
business, he returns for answer, *• The dog is too fat,"
and must for the future be fed more sparingly — that it
has been squeezed in no door — that none of the vertebrse
are injured, but the animal is suffering from an attack of
paralysis. He sends some physic to be given, and some
embrocation to rub on the back. The mistress is by no
means satisfied. She protests the man's a fool — declares
she alone knows the truth — but, despite her knowledge,
does as the veterinary surgeon ordered. Under the
treatment the dog recovers ; after which every one
feeds it, and everybody accuses the other of doing that
which the doctor said was not to be done. At length the
animal has a second visitation, which is more slowly
removed than was the first ; but it at last yields ; till the

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

273

third attack comes, 'vvith which the poor beast is gene-
rally destroyed as incurable.

These dogs, when brought to us, usually appear easy
and well to do in the world. The coats are sleek ; their
eyes are placid ; and the extremities alone want motion,
which rather seems to surprise the animal than to occa-
sion it any immediate suifering. They have no other
obvious disease ; but the Inalignity of their ailments seems
fixed or concentrated on the affection which is present.
The first attack is soon conquered. A few cathartic
pills, followed by castor-oil, prepared as recommended in
this work (page 116), will soon unload the bowels,
and clear out the digestive canal. They must be con-
tinued until, and after, the paralysis has departed. At
the same time, some stimulating embrocation must be
employed to the back, belly, and hind-legs, which must
be well rubbed with it four times daily, or the oftener the
better. Soap liniment, as used by Veterinarians, ren-
dered more stimulating by an additional quantity of
liquor ammonia;, will answer very well ; more good being
done by the friction than by the agent employed. The
chief benefit sought by the rubbing, is to restore the cir-
culation, and so bring back feeling with motion, for both
are lost ; a pin run into the legs produces no effort to
retract the limb, nor any sign of pain.

The cure is certain, — and so is the second attack, if
the feeding be persisted in ; unless nature seeks and finds
relief in skin disease, canker, piles, or one of the many
consequences induced by over-feeding. The second

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274

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

attack moBtlj yields to treatment. The third is less cer<
tain, and so is each following visitation ; the chances of
restoration being remote, just in proportion as the assault
is removed from the original affliction.

DISBASBR ATTENDANT ON DISORDERED ROWELS.

RHEUVATISlf.

It appears almost laughable to talk about a rheumatic
dog; but, in fact, the animal suffers quite as, or even
more acutely than the human patient, and both from the
same cause —

AOOTE SBBUMATnX.

over-indulgence; still with this difference— 4he man
usually suffers from attachment to the bottle; the dog
endures its misery from devotion to roaming under the
table. It is not an uncommon sight to behold an animal
so fat that it can hardly waddle, without scruple enjoying
its five meals a day ; which it takes with a bloated mis-
tress, who, according to her own account, is kept alive
with the utmost difficulty by eating little and often.

doob: thbiu manaoembnt.

276

The dog, I say, looks for its lady's tray with regularity,
besides having its own personal meal, and a bone or two
to indulge any odd craving between whiles. These
spoiled animals are, for the most part, old and bad tem-
pered. They would bite, but they have no teeth, and
yet they wil' wrathfully mumble the hand they are una-
ble to injure ; while the doting mistress, in alarm for her
favorite, sits .upon the sofa entreating the beast may not
be hurt ; begging for pity, as though it were for her own
life she were pleading. The animal during this is being
followed from under table to chair, growling and barking
all the time ; and showing every disposition, if it had but
ability, to do you some grievous bodily harm. At length,
after a chase that has nearly caused the fond mistress to
faint and you to exhaust all patience, the poor brute is
overtakea and caught ; but no sooner does your hand
touch the miserable beast, than it sets up a howl fit to
alarm the neighborhood. On this the hand is moved from
the neck to the belly, intending to raise the dog from the
ground ; but the howl thereon is changed to a positive
scream, when the mistress starts up, declaring she can
bear no more. On this you desist, to ask a few ques-
tions : " The dog has often called out in that manner ? "
" 0 yes." " And has done so, no one being near or
touching it ? " "0 yes, when quite alone." Thereupon
you request the mistress to call the animal to her ; and it
waddles across the carpet, every member stiff, its back
arched, and its neck set, bat the eye fixed upon the per-
son who has been called in.

216

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

You get the mistress to take the favorite npon lier iAp,
and request she will oblige you by pinching the skin.
" Oh, harder ; pray, a little harder, madam 1" Never-
theless, all your entreaties cannot move the kind mistress
to do that which she fears will pain her pet ; whereon
you request permission to be permitted to make a trial ;
and it being granted, you seize the coat, and give the
animal one of the hardest pinches of which your fore-
finger and thumb, compressed with all your might, are
capable. The animal turns its head round and licks your
hand, to reward the polite attention, and solicits a con-
tinuance of your favors. The skin is thick and insensi-
ble. What teeth remain, are covered with tartar, and
the breath smells like a pestilence.

The dog is taken home, and an allowance of whole-
some rice and gravy placed before it, with one ounce of
meat by Mxight. The flesh is greedily devoured, but the
other mess remains untouched. The next day the un-
touched portion is removed, and fresh supplied ; also the
same meat as before, which is consumed ere the hand
which presented the morsel is retracted, the head being
raised to ask for more.

The second day, however, the gravy and rice are
eaten, and the meat on the morrow is deficient ; gravy
and rice for the future constituting the animal's fare.
Then, for physic, an embrocation containing one-third of
turpentine is iised thrice daily, to rub the animal's back,
neck, and belly with. Some of the cathartic pills are
^ven over night, with the castor-oil mixture in the mom-

dogs: their mamaobmbnt.

277

ing. Constant purgation is judiciously kept up, and
before the iirst fortnight expires, the dog ceases to howl.
Then the pills and mixture are given every other night,
and the quantity of turpentine in the embrocation in-
creased to one-half, tho other ingredients being of the
same amount. This rubbed in as before, evidently
annoys the animal, and on that account is used only
twice a-day. When all signs of pain are gone, the tur-
pentine is then lowered to one-third, the embrocation
being applied only once a-day, because it now gives
actual pain. Some liniment, however, is continued, gene-
rally making tho poor beast howl whenever it is adminis-
tered. At the expiration of a month, all treatment is
abandoned for a week, that the skin may get rid of its
scurf, and you may perceive tho effect of tho treatment
you have pursiied. If the skin then appeara thin, espe-
cially on the neck and near the tail, being also sensitive,
clean the teeth, and send tho dog home with a bottle of
cleansing fluid, a tooth-brush, (ns before explained,) and
strict injunctions with regard to diet

KMBVOOATION (fIBST STRENGTH) FOB KHCVIIATUK.

Turpeutine ^

Laudanum > Ono part of each.

Soap liniment .... )

Unoture of capsicums . . A httle.

The subsequent strength is made by increasing the quan-
tity of turpentine.

278

DOOS: THIIR MAMAOEIIBNT.

IBB Bionjic.

PiLBS. — The dog is very subject to these annoyances
in all their various forms ; for the posterior intestine of
the animal seems to be peculiarly susceptible of disease.
When enteritis exists the rectum never escapes, but is
very frequently the seat of the most virulent malice of
the disorder. There are reasons why such should be the
case. The dog has but a small apology for what should
be a caecum, and the colon I assume to be entirely want*
ing. The guts, which in the horse are largest, in the
canine species are not characterised by any difference of
bulk ; and however compact may be the food on which
the dog subsists, nevertheless a proportionate quantity of
its substance must be voided. If the excrement be less
than in beasts of herbivorous natures, yet there being
but one small receptacle in which it can be retained, the
effects upon that receptacle are more concentrated, and
the consequences therefore are very much more violent.
The dung of the horse and ox is naturally moist, and
only during disease is it ever in a contrary condition.
Gostiveness is nearly always in some degree present in
the dog. During health the animal's bowels are never
relaxed ; but the violent straining it habitually employs
to expel its faeces would alone suggest the injury to
which the rectum is exposed, even if the inclination to
Hwallow substances which in their passage are likely to
cause excoriation did not exist. The grit, dirt, bone, and
filth that dogs will, spite of every precaution, manage to

dogs: their MAKAOSmVT.

270

obtain, must be frequent sources of piles, which without
such instigation would frequently appear. Bones, which
people carelessly conclude the dog should consume, it
can in some measure digest ; but it can do this only par-
tially when in vigorous health. Should the body be
delicate, such substances pass through it hardly affected
by the powers of assimilation ; they become sharp and
hard projections M'hen surrounded by, and fixed in the
firm mass, which is characteristic of the excrement of the
dog. A pointed piece of bone, projecting from an almost
solid body, is nearly certain to lacerate the tender and
soft membrane over which it would have to be propelled ;
and though, as I have said, strong and vigorous dogs can
eat almost with impunity, and extract considerable nou-
rishment from bones, nevertheless they do not constitute
a proper food for these animals at any time. When the
system is debilitated, the digestion is always feeble ; ard,
under some conditions of disease, I have taken from the
stomachs of dogs after death, in an unaltered state, meat,
which had been swallowed two days prior to death. It
had been eaten and had been retained for at least forty-
eight hours, but all the functions had been paralyzed,
and it continued unchanged. If such a thing be possible
under any circumstances, then in the fact there is suffi-
cient reason why people should be more cautious in the
mode of feeding these creatures ; for I have extracted
from the rectums of dogs large quantities of trash, such
as hardened masses of comminuted bones and of cocoa-
nut, which, because the animal would eat it, the owners

1
1

BSBS

280

DOOS : THEIR MANAOEMKHT.

thought it to be incapable of doing harm. Nature has
not fitted the dog to thrive upon many substances ; cer-
tain vegetables afford it wholesome nourishment, but a
large share of that which is either wantonly or ignorantly
given as food, is neither nutritive nor harmless. What-
ever injures the digestion, from the disposition of the
rectum to sympathise in all disorders of the great mucous
track, is likely to induce piles ; and the anus of the ani-
mal is often as indicative of the general state of the body
as is the tongue of man.

In perfect health the anus should be small, firm, close,
and entirely retracted ; especially should it be cleanly.
Any soil upon the part, or any excrement adhering to
the hair about its margin, is indicative of derangement.
If the fundament protrudes, so that it can be grasped by
the finger and thumb, or if it presents a sensible projec-
tion to the touch, the digestion is not sound. The indi-
cation is still worse when the orifice is enlarged — the
edges not being inflamed, which indeed they seldom are,
but swollen, loose, coarse, creased, and unsightly. This
state will not continue long before cracks and ulcers may
be detected upon the borders of the opening, which ulti-
mately is constantly moistened by an unctuous and pecu-
liarly fetid discharge. If the lips of the orifice be gently
pulled aside, the more inward portion of the membrane
will frequently be seen of a bright scarlet color, and wet
with a watery fluid, but the anus is rarely of so deep a
tint, the hue being, even in aggravated cases, only a pale
reddish brown.

DOOS: THEIR MANAOBMKNT.

281

To correct this state of disease, the first thing to be
attended to is the food. The diet must be strictly regu-
lated ; it should not be too much reduced either in quan-
tity or quality, for dogs in this state are generally old,
and always weakly. Enough of good food should be
allowed, but nothing more ought to be given. Meat,
lean, and from a healthy animal, as constituting the light-
est and most nourishing diet, will here be best, and from
two ounces to two pounds may bo divided into four
meals, and given in the course of the day. Plenty of
exercise and a daily cold bath will likewise bo bene-
ficial.

Medicine mtist be employed for two purposes ; the
first, to alleviate the pain and act locally on the disease ;
and the second, to amend the general health, checking
the constitutional disposition to be affected. As a local
application, Mr. Blaine recommends an ointment ; which
I object to, because I have found it ajrgravate the suf-
fering without conferring any compensating benefit
Astringents, such as the acetate of lead, are not curative ;
but the following ointment has done so much good in
these cases that I can most confidently submit it to the
public : —

Camphor Two drachms.

Strong mercurial ointment . One drachm.
Elder ointment One ounce.

The only addition I make to the above is occasionally
a drachm of powdered opium. This is smeared over the

282

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

exterior of, and also inserted up, the rectnm, thrice in
the day. A piece of wood nicely rounded, or a pen-
holder if the animal he small, answers very well to in-
troduce the salve into the gut ; and of course it should
he done with every consideration, for the pain it will at
first produce. The resistance is often strong, and the
cries violent ; for in some cases the rectum is so sensitive
that the mere lifting of the tail cannot he silently endur-
ed. The poor dog seems in constant agony ; for I have
known the exclamatioiis to he provoked hy simply look-
ing at the part, and the animal evidently shrieked from
the idea of it hcing touched. All possible tenderness,
therefore, is required ; and the dog should be very firmly
held, to prevent its contortions from adding to its anguish.
When the ointment is regularly and properly employed,
the relief is generally speedy ; and after the third day
the dog, which had been so energetically resistful, often
submita to be dressed without a murmur. The cessation
of the howling will indicate the progress of the cure, but
the application should be used for some days after the
animal becomes silent. If much stench is present, the
fundament may be at each dressing moistened with very
dilute solution of the chloride of zinc, and a small quan-
tity may be administered as an injection, after the grease
has been introduced.

The constitutional remedies must be regulated by the
symptoms, and nothing absolute can be said on this sub-
ject ; but in the great majority of instances tonics will be
required. Purgatives are not often needed, but a day's

DOOS: THEIR MAMAOBMBNT.

283

feed of liver oncu or twicn a week will do no harm.
Should it not have the desired effect, a little olive oil
may be given -, but nothing stronger ought to be risked,
and above all, no preparation of mercury — which, in the
dog, specially acts upon the rectum — ought on any
account to be permitted.

Piles, if not attended to, become causes of further
disease, which may in some cases prove fatal, though in
the larger number of instances they are far more distress-
ing than dangerous.

A sero-sanguineous abscess, that is, a tumor consisting
of a single sue or numerous small bladders, containing a
thin and bloody fluid, is by no means a rare accompani-
ment of long-continued piles. These mostly appear
rather to one side of, and more below than above, the
opening, the verge of which they always involve. They
occasion little puin, and often grow to a comparatively
enormous size ; when they may burst and leave a ragged
ulcer, which has little disposition to heal, and is not im-
proved by the dog's drawing it along the ground.

When these are observed, the knife should not be too
quickly resorted to. The abscess should be allowed to
progress until it is fully matured, the dog being in the
meantime treated for simple piles. When the tumor
perceptibly fluctuates, it should be freely opened, the in-
cision being made along its entire length. This is best
done with one of Liston's knives, which should be thrust
fairly through the swelling, entering at the top and
coming out at the lowest part, when with one movement

284

duos: their management.

of the wrist the substance is divided. The operation
thus performed is much quicker, less painful, and more
safe than it can possibly be rendered if the tumor be
punctured and slit up with repeated thrusts of an ordi-
nary lancet. I have frt ^uently opened these sacs with-
out the animal uttering even a moan, and mercy is
wisdom where surgery is employed. Dogs will not bear
torture, and soon become blindly infuriated if subjected
to pain. The animal is naturally so sensitive and excit-
able that the brutality or suffering a horse can sustain,
these animals would perish under. He, therefore, who
undertakes to treat the diseases of the canine race, if
the amiable qualities of the brute or his own feelings
have no influence, will in the success of his practice dis-
cover ample reason for the exercise of a little humanity.

After the sac is opened a portion of lint should be
used, to render the part perfectly dry, which may then
be lightly pencilled over with lunar caustic, or moisten-
ed with some caustic solution. Fomentations of warm
water to keep the wound free from dirt, and with no
other object, are all that subsequently will be required.

Tumors of a solid nature also form about the anus,
and are likewise consequent upon neglected piles.
These generally appear at the root of the tail supe-
rior to the opening. They feel hard ; are glistening ;
not very tender ; but highly vascular, and in some
cases pulsate strongly. The dog is generally loaded
with fat, perhaps slightly mangy ; nearly always old,
gross and weak. The quantity of blood thst at van-

D008 : THEIR KAMAOEMXNT.

980

Otis intervals is lost from this tumor, which at length
ulcerates and bleeds at the slightest touch, or without
any apparent cause, is often very great ; but it does
not, save in the very latest stage, induce obvious ema-
ciation. The health is not good, of course, but to the
casual observer the disease does not appear to afiect
the system. The spirits under excitement are, to all
appearances, undiminished, and the appetite is in these
cases ravenous. If, however, the dog had to d work,
the truth woi Id bo soon discovered. After a shoi:
space thb strength would fail, and no correction cuuld
keep the poor animal to its duty.

The treatment must commence with constitutional re-
medies, if the state of the part permits of the requisite
delay. The digestion should be amended, and the piles,
which are certain to be present, attended to. After a
fortnight, more or less, has been devoted to such mea-
sures, a strong ligature should be tied as tight up as
possible around the base of the growth, and a fresh
one should be applied every second day. There must
be no forbearance in the application of the ligature, but
the degree of tension must be regulated only by the
strength of the operator. This is far more severe than
the removal would be if the knife were employed, but
I have not seen a case which I dared venture to excise.
I do not like the ligature ; it is long and torturing in its
action; but here there will be no chance, for the ves-
sels are too numerous and large to admit of the speedier
process being resorted to. Where it is possible, it is

286

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

well, however, to cut through the skin before applying
the cord ; for the operation is expedited considerably,
and an important deduction made from the animal's
agony.

When the tumor drops off, the surface may be sprin-
kled thrice a day with the following powder : —

Camphor ia powder,

Opium in powder, -

Grey powder,

Powdered galls, of each an eqaal quantity^

Or a little of the ointment recommended for piles may
be smeared upon the wound in lieu of the above. An
unguent is perhaps to be preferred, as giving better pro-
tection to the sore, over which the faeces must pass, and
also as being more grateful to the feelings of the pa-
tient. Powder and ointment may be changed and
varied according to the judgment of the attendant :
thus, to render the last more stimulating, I mix creo-
sote with it occasionally ; or to give it an astringent
property I add a portion of galls, catechu, or kino ; but
these I never pass into the rectum. Astringents intro-
duced upon the sore and ulcerated surface of the intes-
tine of course render it harsh, dry, and corrugated ; and
as during the exercise of its function the part is necessa-
rily dilated, the animal is, by the pain produced from the
stretching of the constringed membrane, indisposed for
the performance of that act, on the regular discharge of
which its health in no little measure depends. Astrin-

dogs: their management.

287

gents, moreover, heat and irritate the part ; and the sen-
sations induced make the dog draw its anus along the
ground, thereby adding greatly to the evil it is the inten-
tion of the application to remove. Therefore prudence
will approve what humanity suggests ; and those who in
kindly feeling can discover no motive, will in the colder
reason find every inducement for the adoption of the
gentler measure.

Protrusion of the rectum is also sometimes a conse-
quence of gross feeding, starting up piles in the first in-
stance, and then, from more intense digestive derange-
ment, causing purgation, accompanied with violent
straining. The tone of the intestine is destroyed. It
becomes lax, and its muscular power is lost. The gut is
at first only a little exposed during the act, and when
that is over, it is retracted ; but after some time, the limit
of which is uncertain, it remains constantly protruded.
It is not so violently inflamed as might be expected, but
it soon gets dry and harsh ; cracks appear upon its sur-
face ; and the pressure of the muscle which closes the
anus preventing the free circulation of the blood, renders
it black from congestion.

If taken early, the treatment recommended for piles
will generally effect a cure ; but if nothing be done in
the first instance, the disease when established is apt to
prove intractable. The intestine should be sopped with
cold water until every particle of dirt is removed. It
should then be dried with a soft cloth, and afterwards
returned. There is never much difficulty in replacing

■

it'

288

DOaS : THF.IK MANAGEMENT.

the gnt ; but there is always considerable difficulty to get
it to be reta'ned. So soon as it is restored to its situ-
ation, a human stomach pump should be inserted up the
rectum, and a full stream of the coldest spring water
should be thrown into the bowel for ten minutes. The
fluid will be returned so fast as it enters, and it must be
allowed to do so, the fingers of one hand being employed
against the anus to prevent the disordered rectum being
ejected with the water. Cold injection in less quantity
must be administered several times during the day, and
with each a little of the tincture of galls, or of nux
vomica, in the proportion of a drachm to a pint, may be
united. The ointment recommended for piles may also
be employed, but without opium, for no application of a
sedative natare must be used. The constitutional mea-
sures will consist of tonics into which nux vomica enters.
The food must be light and nourishing, and purgatives
on no account must be administered. Cold will do good
by invigorating the system, and should always be recom-
mended. Some persons, unable by sedatives and purga-
tives, which are injurious, to obtain relief, have gone so
far as to cut off the projecting bowel-, and they have
thereby certainly ended the case ; for the dog dies when-
ever this is done. I remember at the Veterinary Col-
lege, Professor Simonds killed a fine animal by attempt-
ing this operation ; for he took a heated spatula to
remove the part, and carried the incision so high up that
he opened the abdomen, and the bowels protruded from
the anus. Amputation of any portion of the rectum is

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

289

not to be thought of; but an operation of a less heroic
description will sometimes accomplish what the previous
measures failed to effect. With a knife, having not too
sharp but a coarse edge, a circular portion of the exposed
lining membrane, of a width proportioned to the size of
the animal, may be scraped off, so as to induce a cicatrix ;
or, if the dog be very tractable, and the operator skilful,
a piece of it may partially be dissected off; but the
knife, when employed in the last method, is apt to cause
alarming hemorrhage. When this is done, as the wound
heals the edges come together, and the gut is so far
shortened as to be thereby retracted. There is, how-
ever, some danger of stricture being afterwards esta-
blished ; wherefore this operation, however satisfactory it
may seem to be in the first instance, is not so certain in
the benefit of its results that it should be resorted to,
save in extreme cases when every other means have
failed, and the choice at last hangs between relief and
destruction.

Another affection of the part, to which Scotch terriers
of great size are particularly subject, begins with an en-,
largement below the anus, extending either quite or
almost to the testicles ; for males arc more frequently
attacked by -this form of disease than females. The dog
is generally old, and a favorite with an indulgent mis-
tress, having nmch to eat, and little or no work to do.
The swelling is soft and attended with no pain. On
pressure and on percussion it is ascertained to hold fluid,
and in fact it arises from dropsy of the perinseum. The

:i,«

290

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMEMT.

health may appear to be good, but on examination debi-
lity will be found to be present. The anus also pro-
trudes, and the orifice is thickened ; while, possibly, a
marked tendency to piles may at the same time be dis-
played. Should no attention be paid to the case, the
swelling will continue without sensibly enlarging ; but
after a period, hard substances may with the fingers be
detected beneath it. These hard bodies are fajces, which
accumulate within the rectum, and often in so great a
quantity as to seriously inconvenience the animal, ren-
dering it dull and indisposed to feed.

Before attempting to direct the treatment for these
cases, it is necessary the nature of the affection should
be fully explained. The enlargement, to which attention
is at first solely directed, is always of secondary con-
sideration. The dropsy is merely a symptom indicative
of the loss of tone of the adjacent parts, of which the
rectum is by far the most important If this circumstance
be not observed, but the swelling be treated as if it was
all the practitioner had to contend with, he will in the
end learn his mistake. The intestine loses its tonicity ; it
no longer has power to contract upon or to expel its con-
tents ; it becomes paralysed, and the dung consequently
accumulates within it, distending it, and adding to its
weakness by constant tension. The rectum at length
retains no ability to perform its function ; but the sphinc-
ter of the anus, or the circular muscle that closes the
opening, appears to gain the strength of which the intes-
tine is deprived. It contraots, and thus shuts up the

dogs: THKIR MANAOBlflNT.

291

fjBBces which the rectum cannot make an effort to dis-
lodge ; and in this circumstance the physiologist sees evi-
dence of the sources whence the different parts derive
their contractility. The rectum, like the other intestines,
gains its vital power from the sympathetic nerve, or that
nerve of nutrition and secretion which presides over
organic life. The muscle of the anus, on the other hand,
is influenced by nerves derived from the spinal column ;
and thus, understanding the two parts obtain their motor
power from different sources, the reader will comprehend
how one can be incapable of motion while the other is
unaffected, or rather excited; for the presence of the
retained dung acts as an irritant, and provokes the anus
to contract with more than usual vigor.

If nothing be done to restore the balance of power, the
rectum speedily is so much distended that its walls
become attenuated, and then a cure is hopeless ; a sac is
formed, and the gut is not only much stretched or enlarged,
but it is also, by the excessive bulk of its contents, forced
from its natural position, being carried either to one side
or the other, but always to where the dropsy h most
conspicuous.

In such cases, when the dropsy is first observed, our
care must be to invigorate the system. Small doses of
nux vomica, with iron, gentian and capsicums, made into
a pill, will generally do this, and the following form may
be employed : —

Nox vomica, in powder.
Okpnounu, in powder .

. Five grains to a Bomple.
Ten grains to two soruplea.

202 DOGS : TBKIR MANAOKMBNT.

Sulphate of iron .... One U> four scmplea,
Extract of gentian . . . Two drachms to one ounce.
Cinchona powder .... A sufficiency.

Make into twenty pills, and give four in the course of the
day. The liver is too often at this time unhealthy, and
to correct it the subjoined may be administered : —

Iodide of potassium . . . One drachm.

Liquor potasste Two ounces.

Simple syrup Five ounces.

Water A pint.

Dose, from a tea-spoon to a table-spoonful three times a
day. The food should be chiefly vegetables, or at all
events only so much meat should be allowed as is required
to induce the dog to eat the mess of boiled rice. Exer-
cise u also essential, and a daily culd bath with a brisk
run afterwards, will be of service. The dog will likewit^, 3
be benefited if his skin be well brushed every morning ;
and perhaps it is hardly necessary to state that ' any
symptoms denoting mange or skin disease, canker, &c.,
should be specially counteracted.

Hitherto, however, nothing has been said about any
treatment of the part which is the immediate seat of the
disease. If the fluid poured into the perineeum be exces-
sive, the part must be laid freely open by two or three
incisions being made along the entire length of the
swelling. After this has been done, the liquid will not
escape as from an abscess ; for being held within the cells
of the pierobrane that lies immediately under the skin.

dogs: tukir mamaoemekt.

293

comparatively little of it is released from the knife.* A
fine pair of scissors will be required to snip the separate
bags or bladders ; but that operation must be performed
with caution, else injury may possibly ue done. The
business being concluded, let the parts be afterwards
dressed with the tincture of iodine, or a tincture of the
iodide of potassium, of the strength of a drachm to the
ounce of proof spirit ; this being preferable to water for a
solution in these cases. Into the rectum also injections
should be thrown at least three times a day, and all of
these ought to be of a tonic and stimulating kind, being
used perfectly cold. Either of the following may be
administered : —

" 1

Tincture of cautharides
Camphor mixture . .

One draohm.
One pint

Tincture of nux vomica . . One drachm.

Tincture of tolu One drachm.

Water One pint.

Tincture of cubebs .... One drachm.

Liquor potassoe One drachm.

Camphor mixture .... One pint.

4
Solution of nitrate of silver . One drachm.
Distilled water One pint.

Any of the above may be employed, from a table-
spoonful to a common wine-glass full being used for a

204

DOOS: THBIR IIANAOEIRST.

dostf. The pile ointment will likewise be beneficial, by
facilitating the passage of the faeces, allaying local irrita-
bility, and correcting that tendency to piles which is
generally attendant upon, if not the original cause of the
affection.

From what has been described, the reader will have
seen that the diseases of the dog's rectum are neither
few nor insignificant. Fistula in ano is said to be often
beheld y but I have never seen a case in which it assumed
in the dog that serious form which characterises it in man.
In the canine race I have mostly let it alone, and hither-
to I have had no reason to repent my forbearance.
Blaine and Youatt both speak of the affection, and ^ve
directions for its treatment by operation. The most
active remedy I have found it necessary to resort to has
been an astringent or mildly caustic injection ; the solu-
tion of the chloride of zinc I prefer to every other, but
the siilphates are also not to be despised. Injections,
when not designed to be immediately operative, or meant
to distend the gut and to act through being ejected, are
best given by means of the India-rubber bladder, which
allows the fluid to be more gently and silently throMrn
up. The less noise or force attending the operation the
less likely is the animal to be alarmed or excited, and the
probability is the enema will be retained. Small quanti-
ties are to be administered when the fluid is wished to
remain ; and by attracting the attention of the dog at
the time, and amusing him after the business is finished,
the object in view is considerably favored. The adminis-

OOOS: THKIR MAMAOEUBMT.

^96

tration of an injection is in the first instance almost'cer-
tain to alarm the animal, who can neither understand
nor passively sanction the strange liberty the operation
implies. A little soothing, however, will restore his con-
fidence, and he who has gained the trust of a dog, may
subsequently do as he pleases with the body of the gene-
rous and confiding beast.

NEBTOUB DIgEABE&— FITS JS THE DOOn

YouATT speaks of fits as particularly fatal to the dog,
saying they " kill more than all the other diseases put
together." The experience of this esteemed authority is
in direct variance with my own — save from distemper.
When the fits occur in that disease they are mostly
fatal, being the wind-up of all the many evils which the
malady in its most intense and malignant form can accu-
mulate on one doomed life — I have not otherwise found
them especially troublesome.

Fainting fits require little attention ; if the dog be
left quiet, it will in due time often recover without medi-
cine.

Puerperal, or rather pupping fits, are treated of in
their fitting place, and, if properly administered to, are
by no means dangerous.

Fits par excellence are witnessed when a dog is taking
a long walk with its master ; the animal at first lingers
behind, or gets a long distance before the proprietor, who
notices the fact, but contents himself with whistling and

» "l^«

2P6

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

walking forward. The dog does not obey the mandate ;
it is standing still as if stupefied ; suddenly it emits a
strange, loud, guttural sound, and then falls upon its
side, continuing to cry, but more feebly and more natu-
rally ; its fxces and urine may be discharged involunta-
rily ; it will bite any one who, during the existence of
the attack, incautiously attempts to lay hold of it ; its
limbs, at first stretched rigidly out, are ultimately, with
leturning volition, put into violent motion; the eye is
protruded and foam covers the mouth. When the con-
vulsion has subsided, the dog raises its head and stares
about; after which it would, if left alone, start at its
utmost pace, and run heaven only knows where. Should
idle men and foolish boys behold a dog wildly run on-
ward after having come out of a fit, and raise the cry of
" mad dog," the fate of the poor animal is then sealed,
as fear is devoid of discrimination or pity. Half the dogs
killed as rabid are those in this condition, scampering
under .the impulse of returning sensation.

The first thing any person is to do when out with a
dog which has a fit is to secure the animal, and to pre-
vent its running away when the fit has passed. The
second thing is stubbornly to close his ears to the crowd
who are certain to surround him. No matter what ad-
vice may be given, he is to do nothing but get the animal
home as quickly as possible. He is neither to lance the
mouth, slit the ear, nor cut a piece of the tail off. He is
on no account to administer a full dose of salt and water,
a lump of tobacco, or to throw the animal into an adJR'

DOas: THEIR MANAOKMEin'.

297

cent pond ; and of all things he is to allow no man more
acquainted with dogs than the other spectators to bleed
the creature. Any offer to rub the nose with syrup of
buckthorn, however confidently he who makes the pro-
posal may recommend that energetic mode of treatment,
is to be unhesitatingly declined. The friendly desire of
any one who may express his willingness to ram a secret
and choice specific down the prostrate animal's throat,
must be refused with firmness. The attendant must how-
ever take advantage of the time the dog is on the ground
to pass a handkerchief round the neck or through the
collar. This done, he must wait patiently till the dog
gets upon its legs, when he must, amidst its struggles to
be free, caress it and call it kindly by its name. That
part of the business over, he must take the creature in
his arms, and seeking the nearest cab-stand, carry the
poor animal with all expedition homeward.

I have known a dog to have a succession of fits which
lasted more than an hour ; and yet this creature, by the
treatment I shall presently describe, was the next day
upon its legs, and to all appearance as well as ever.

The dog being brought home, if the fit continues, give
nothing by the mouth ; because the animal being insen-
sible cannot swallow ; and the breathing being laborious,
anything administered is more likely to be drawn on to
the lungs, and so to suffocate the creature, than to pass
into the stomach, and thus (if it have any curative pro-
perties) effect a restoration. On this account the very
best physic •ver invented would be dangerous, and

13»

298

DOOS: THEIR MANAOKMBHT.

shonld be withheld. Enemas are the only thlngps in these
cases to be depended upon ; and the best the author is at
present acquainted with, is made of 1, 2, or 3 drachms of
sulphuric sether, and 2, 4, or 6 scruples of laudanum to
1^, 3, or 4} ounces of the very coldest spring water
that can be obtained. The above injection having been
administered, the dog is left entirely by itself, and, as far
as possible, in absolute silence for an hour ; at the expi-
ration of which time, in whatever state the animal may
be in, another dose is given in the same manner as be-
fore.

There is no limitation to the quantity which may be
administered ; the only sign the attendant accepts that
the creature has received sufficient is the sight of it
coiled up as though it were composing itself to sleep,
when he gives one more injection, and leaves the dog to
recover at leisure, but in perfect stillness.

So valuable is this medicine in cases of fits that I
have known it to cut them short as with a knife ; lite-
rally to let the first part of the fit be heard, but to check
the attack before the last and worst portion could put in
an appearance.

Armed with this medicine I fearlessly face the dis-
order, which other veterinary surgeons dread; and,
whether it be my good luck or no, cannot be decided,
but I have not, under its operation, lost a single case.

Fits in my opinion are, in the great majority of cases,

to be traced to the quantity or quality of the food con-

^ittmed. In proof of this, dogs have had fitr whenever

dogs: their iianaobiibnt.

209

flesh has been given ; which ceased on this kind of diet
being withheld, and medicine calculated to restore the
tone of the stomach being ordered. In every case of
fits, when the attack is over, I attend to the stomach ; at
the same time, ordering that the dog is to go short dis-
tanoes, and never to leave the house without a chun and
collar.

The obji. of this last injunction is to prevent the ani-
mal running about, and thus heating itself, or causing a
flow of blood to the brain.

It is to be lamented that the crowd of people prevents
an injection being administered out of doors in London :
but the same objection does not apply to the country ;
and as the effects of the aether are more marked in pro-
portion as it is quickly exhibited, persons in the
country, when, during the hot months of summer, they
take dogs for an airing, should be provided with the ma-
terials necessary to render fits, if not harmless, at all
events less fatal.

mniyouB btsteil— babies.

The dog is naturally the most nervous of all the dumb
tribe. His intense affection, his ever- watchful jealousy,
his method of attack, the blindness of his rage, and his
insensibility to consequences, all bespeak a creature
whose nervous system is developed in the highest possi-
ble degree. I myself once had a little cur, who, as I sat
reading, would enter the apartment, jump upon my knee,
uttering a low whimper all the time, creep along my

800

dogs: their maxaoemekt.

waistcoat, rub his little body against my head and face,
lick the hand lifted up to return his caresses, and then
scamper off, and perhaps not come near me again the
whole of that afternoon. What was this but an affec-
tionate impulse seeking a nervous development ? The
way to manage an animal of this description is, to respect
his evident excitability. The instant a dog appears to

A BABIS SOO.

be getting excited, there should be a sign given, com-
manding a stop to be put to all further proceedings. If
the respect of the animal be habitual, the person who
mildly enforces it may enter a room, where the same dog
is in a rabid state, and come forth unscathed.

I have hitherto been much among dogs, and, neverthe-
less, have almost escaped being bitten. The reason is,
that I understand and respect the innate nervousness of
the animal. When I go into a room, if there be a dog
the.e and he growl, I speak kindly to him, and then seat
myself, and bestow on him none of my attention for
some time. My request to his master or mistress is, that
he or she will not check or seek to stop the symptom of

DOGS : THEIR MANAGKMENT.

801

his wrath ; but allow him to vent his rage until he is
ashamed of it, and from a feeling of remorse is silent.
When this takes place, and a sufficient time has passed
to confirm him in the new mood into which he has
recently entered, I approach him with my hand ex-
tended and open ; this I bring near to him by degrees,
avoiding all sudden movements or anything that might
provoke his natural disposition. Generally he crouches,
then I speak to him in tones of encouragement. If he
display a return of his warlike propensity, I still bring
the hand nearer and nearer to him, telling him to bite it
if he pleases, if ho is not ashamed to injure that which
mear.s to do him good. Then, perhaps, he will make a
snap at my extended hand, which is not upon this with-
drawn, or the jaws would close with nervous violence,
but allowed to remain, and the teeth are felt to touch
the skin without wounding it. I allow him to hold the
hand for any length of time he pleases, telling him *' he
would lose his character if he were to harm it. That he
is a courageous dog, and means no hurt ; he would be
ashamed to bite." And with this kind of speech, which
the animal may not literally understand, but the sense
and purpose of which it nevertheless appears to com-
prehend, I seldom fail of getting my hand safe and
sound from the creature's jaws. After that I may pat
him, for an intimacy has begun. He allows me to drag
him forth, take him on my knees, and permits mo any
liberty I please to take. I do not attribute my escape
to any charm that I possess ; but account for it simply

302

D009: THEIR MANAOEMXNT.

by my knowing and respecting the natural temperament
of the beast with which I have to interfere.

This natural respect for the feelings of a most affec-
tionate creature, with such a power of observation as will
enable the individual to recognise the presence of lamenta-
ble sickness in an animal that has with truth been called
" the companion of the home," shall at all times enable
the uneducated in such matters to recognise a mad dog,
and, unless luck be dead against the individual, save him
from being bitten.

It is no pleasure to a dog to go mad. Quite the
reverse. Dreadful as hydrophobia may be to the human
being, rabies is worse to the dog. It makes its approach
more gradually. It lasts longer, and it is more intense
while it endures. The dog that is going mad, feels
unwell for a long time prior to the full development of
the disease. He is very ill, but he does not know what
ails him. He feels nasty ; dissatisfied with everything ;
vexed without a reason ; and, greatly against his better
nature, very snappish. Feeling thus, he longs to avoid
all annoyance by being alone. This makes him seem
strange to those who are most accustomed to him.

The sensation induces him to seek solitude. But
there is another reason which decides his choice of a rest-
ing-place. The light inflicts upon him intense agony.
The sun is to him an instrument of torture, which he
therefore studies to avoid, for his brain aches and feels as
it were a trembling jelly. This induces the poor brute to
find oat the holes and corners where he is. least likely to

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT,

808

be noticed, and into which the light is unable to enter.
In solitude and darkness he passes his day. If his retreat
be discovered and the master's voice bids him to come
forth, the affectionate creature's countenance brightens ;
his tail beats the ground, and he leaves his hiding-place,
anxious to obey the loved authority ; but before he has
gone half the distance, a kind of sensation comes over
him, which produces an instantaneous change in his whole
appearance. He seems to say to himself, " Why cannot
you let me alone ? Go away. Do go away. You trou-
ble, you pain me." And thereon he suddenly turns tail
and darts back into his dark corner. If let alone, there
he will remain ; perhaps frothing a little at the mouth,
and drinking a great deal of water, but not issuing from
his hiding-place to seek after food. His appetites are
altered, hair, straw, dirt, filth, excrement, rags, tin shav-
ings, stones, the most noisome and unnatural substances
are then the delicacies for which the poor dog, changed by
disease, longs, and swallows, in hope to ease a burning
stomach. So anxious is he for liquids, and so depraved
are his appetite.^, tl.at no sooner has he passed a little
urine than he turns round to lick it up. He is now alto-
gether changed. Still he does not desire to bite mankind ;
he rather endeavors to avoid society ; he takes long jour-
neys of thirty or forty miles in extent, and lengthened
by all kinds of accidents, to vent his restless desire for
motion. When on these journeys he does not walk.
This would be too formal and measured a pace for an
aniaial whose whole frame quivers with excitement. He

^04

dogs: their makagembnt.

A MAD DOG ON THE MABCB.

does not run. That would be too great an exertion for
an animal whose body is the abode of a deadly sickness.
He proceeds in a slouching manner, in a kind of trot ;
a movement neither run nor walk, and his aspect is
dejected. His eyes do not glare and stare, but they are
dull and retracted. His appearance is very characteris-
tic, and if once seen, can never afterwards be mistaken.
In this state he will travel the most dusty roads, his
tongue hanging dry from his open mouth, from which,
however, there drops no foam. His course is not straight.
How could it be, since it is doubtful whether at this
period he sees at all 1 His desire is to journey unnoticed.
If no one notices him, he gladly passes by them. He is
very ill. He cannot stay to bite. If, nevertheless, any-
thing oppose his progress, he will, as if by impulse,
snap — as a man in a similar state might strike, and tell
the person " to get out of the way." He may take his
road across a field in which there are a flock of sheep.
Could these creatures only make room for him, and stand

dogs: their management.

805

motionless, the dog would pass on and leave them behind
uninjured. But they begin_ to run, and at the sound,
the dog pricks up. His entire aspect changes. Rage
takes possession of him. What made that noise 1 He
pursues it with all the energy of madness. He flies at
one, then at another. He does not mangle, nor is his
bite, simply considered, terrible. He cannot pause to
tear the creature he has caught. He snaps and then
rushes onward, till, fairly exhausted and unable longer
to follow, he sinks down, and the sheep pass forward to
be no more molested He may have bitten twenty or
thirty in his mad onslaught ; and would have worried
more had his strength lasted, for the furor of madness
then had possession of him.

He may be slain while on these excursions ; but if he
escapes he returns home and seeks the darkness and
quiet of his former abode. His thirst increases ; but
with it comes the swelling of the throat. He will plunge
his head into water, so ravenous is his desire ; but not a
drop of the liquid can he swallow, though its surface is
covered with bubbles in consequence of the efforts he
makes to gulp the smallest quantity. The throat is en-
larged to that extent which will permit nothing to pass.
He is the victim of the most horrible inflammation of the
stomach, and the most intense inflammation of the
bowels. His state of suffering is most pitiable. He has
lost all self-reliance ; even feeling is gone. He flies at
and pulls to pieces anything that is within his reach.
One animal in this condition, being confined near a fire,

300

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

flew at the burning mass, pulled out the live coals, and in
his fury scrunched them. He emits the most hideons
cries. The noise he makes is incessant and peculiar. It
begins as a bark, which sound, being too torturing to be
continued, is quickly changed to a howl, which is sud-
denly cut short in the middle ; and so the poor wretch at
last falls, fairly worn out by a terrible disease.

But now comes the question. How do we know that
rabies is a nervous disease f Why, the whole course of
the disorder declares it, or if that be not thought suflS-
cient, the dog at one stage very distinctly announces it.
He may be sitting down, an unwilling listener to his mas-
ter's voice, when the brute's eyes will wander ; and at
length fix themselves upon some object at a distance,
which it will keep watching, crouching down as the hor-
ror seems, to the excited brain of the poor beast, to draw
near ; till, having apparently come within bounds, the
hateful presence is no longer to be endured, and the
vision-haunted animal dashes forward with a howl of exe-
cration, as if to seize and tear the terrible spectre. This
action being performed, and the dog biting the air, he
stands for a moment, shivers, looks stupidly around him,
and slinks back. What is this but a power of seeing
vision)', depending on a disordered brain, or positive deli-
'na exemplified by a dumb creature 1 And the same
;1 ( c of pantomime the dog may go through fifty times
^ ■'■'^''. hour. No disappointment can teach him ; and
e.>.|>6«.ience is lost upon the animal that in bis sane state
was BO quick to learn.

dogs: their management.

307

Youatt mentions as a symptom, that the dog in all he
does is instigated by the spirit of mischief or of malice,
— that he desires to do injury, and is prompted by malice
in all his acts. This, to an outward observer, will appear
a correct judgment ; but it is essentially wrong. It is
the conclusion reached by one who judges mainly of ex-
teriors ; it can be true only to those who are willing to
look no deeper than the surface. There can be no malice
in a raging fever, which vents itself on every object with-
in its reach, animate or inanimate. Mischief is too play-
ful a term to apply to a consuming wrath that ultimately
destroys the life. All pain is lost ; as a consequence all
fear is gone. The poor beast is urged by some power
too mighty for its control, which lashes it on beyond all
earthly restraint to pull to pieces, to gnaw, and to at-
tempt to cat every object it can get at ; but how far it is
urged by malice or mischief, the following anecdote will
serve to show : —

A butcher had a large bull mastiff of which he was
very fond ; but, observing something very strange in his
pet's behavior, he came to consult the author about the
dog. The man was told to bring the animal for inspec-
tion early the same evening. This order was given from
no suspicion of the truth, for the owner's description was
too confused to be rightly interpreted. The animal was
accordingly brought punctual to time, led through the
streets by a silk handkerchief carelessly tied round the
neck of the beast. The author being at the exact moment
of the dog's arrival, fortunately, engaged, the butcher had

308

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

to wait some few minutes, during which time the writer's
eyes were kept upon the huge creature. It was remarked
to look round in a strange manner. The eye was retracted
and the nose dry. It was at length seen to put its mouth
against its master's boot, continue in that position uttering
a strange noise, and to move its jaws as if biting at some
substance. The butcher all this time stood perfectly
still, allowing his favorite to follow the bent of its incli-
nation without rebuke or opposition. When the mas-
tiff's head was removed, the boot it had apparently been
biting was perfectly dry. The author observed nothing
more than this ; but, afraid to confess his dread, lest the
cry of mad dog should be raised, and do more, much
more, harm than good, he called to the butcher, telling
him he was going abroad shortly, and would call upon
him. In the mean time, he was to take the dog home,
place it where it could do no injury, and in a place
whence there was no possibility of escape. The man
touched his hair and retired.

No time elapsed before the author paid his promised
visit ; and when he did so, he was pleased to hear the dog
was securely confined in that which ought to have been
the front kitchen of the house in which the butcher
resided. To this spot the man led the way, and was
about fearlessly to open the door, when he was entreated
to stay his hand. The author listened at the closed
entrance, and from the interior there soon came forth
sounds that left no doubt of the poor creature's real con-
dition. The butcher was thereupon informed that his

dogs: their management.

809

dog was mad. The man was at first wholly incredulous ;
whei-eon the writer requested him to look through a
chink, and say how the animal was employed. " He is
tearing a piece of wood to pieces, and munching it as
though he were very hungry. Poor thing, I must go to
him! He has taken no victuals or drink these three
days." The author interposed, to prevent the master
from fulfilling his humane suggestion. With much diffi-
culty he was persuaded to wait the turn of events, and
not to iinloose the door that night. The next morning
the butcher was thoroughly convinced. Neither he nor
his family had been able to get any rest on account of
the dog's cries ; and before that day expired, to antici-
pate the poor animal's fate, the unfortunate beast was
shot.

In this case the dog exhibited no malice, neither did he
appear to be prompted solely by mischief. When the
muzzle was first lowered to the master's boot, the poor
animal doubtless was moved to that action by the irtre-
sistible desire natural to the disease. The longing was to
bite something, no matter what ; any object must be
cooler than the heat that burnt within the wretched crea-
ture's throat and stomach. The teeth were impulsively
prepared to bite, but between the desire and its consum-
mation, reflection came. The affection natural to the dog
acted as a restraint. It was unable entirely to destroy
the prompting of disease, but it turned the bite which it
was prepared to give into a mumble, and the loved
master escaped unhurt.

:ll

310

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

There is also something which must not be quite over-
looked in the habitual wanderings that, as the disease
grows in virulence beyond the dog's control, causes the
animal constantly to leave the home within which ita
attachment resides. There is something likewise in the
disposition, which causes the poor beast to quit the
society of all it loves ; and to leave the house in which
those for whom its life would cheerfully be sacrifice!
dwell, to inhabit a dark and noisome comer. It is not
mischief which makes the creature respond to its master's
voice so long as memory has power — even after rabies
has set in. There is no malice in the end of the disease ;
it is blind and indiscriminate fury, which would much
rather vent itself on things than upon beings — even find-
ing an unholy pleasure in injuring itself by gnawing,
biting, and tearing its o tvn flesh ; and so truly is the fury
blind, that most frequently the eyes ulcerate, the humors
escape, and the rabid dog becomes actually sightless.

Of the causes or treatment of this disorder we know
nothing ; neither are we likely to learn, when the nature
of the disease is considered. The danger of the study
must excuse our ignorance ; nor is this much to be re-
gretted, since it is highly improbable that medicine could
cure what is so deeply seated and universally present.
The entire glandular structure seems to be in the highest
degree Inflamed ; and besides these, the brain, the organs
of mastication, deglutition, digestion, nutrition, genera-
tion, and occasionally of respiration, are acutely in-
volved. The entire animal is inflamed. Some except

doob: their iianaoembnt.

311

from this category the muscular system ; but such per*
sons forget that paralysis of the hind extremities is often
present during rabies. The body seems to be yielded
up to the fury of the disease, and it obviously would be
folly trying to cure a malady which has so many and
such various organs for its prey. Neither are we better
informed with regard to the causes which generate the
disease. Hot weather has been imagined to influence its
development ; but this belief is denied, by the fact that
mad dogs are quite a'*, if i.ot more, frequent in winter
than in summer. Abstinence from fluids has been
thought to provoke it ; but this circumstance will hai'dly
account for its absence in the arid East, and its presence
in a country so well watered as England, especially
when the unscrupulous nature of the dog's appetite is
considered. The French have been supposed to set
this latter question at rest by a cruelty, miscalled an ex-
periment. They obtained forty dogs, and withheld all
drink from the unhappy beasts till they died. Not one
of them, however, exhibited rabies, and by this the
French philosophers think that they have demonstrated
that the disorder is not caused by want of water. No
such thing ; they have proved only their want of feel-
ing, and show nothing more than that one out of every
forty dogs is not liable to be attacked with rabies. They
have demonstrated that the utmost malice of the human
being can be vented upon his poor dumb slave without
exciting rabies. They have made plain that the poor
dog can endure the most hellish torments the mind of

ip-

312

DOaS : THIi:iK MANAGKMKNT.

: A

man can invent without displaying rabies. Thej have
held themselves up to the world, and iu their book have
duly reported themselves as capable of perverting sci-
ence to the most hideous abuses, and under its name
contemplating acts and beholding sufferings at which the
feelings of humanity recoil with disgust.

It is rarely that more than one mad dog appears at a
time in England; so, to perfect their experiment, it
would be requisite for the French philosophers to pro-
cure all the specimens of the canine species in this
island, and doom them to torture ; since, of the predis-
posing disposition or circumstances necessary to the de-
velopment of this disease, man knows nothing. Igno-
rance is not to be concealed under the practices of bar-
barity.

Irritation or teazing, by exciting the nervous irrita>
bility of the dog, appears more likely than any physical
want to excite rabies.

Tetanus. — I have witnessed no case of this descrip-
tion in the dog. Both Blaine and Youatt speak of tetanus
as extremely rare in that animal; bnt Loth mention
having encountered it, and that it was in *yvf:i'j instance
fatal. Since such is its termination, I am in no hurry to
meet with it, and care not how long it remains a stranger
to me. If any of my readers were to have a dog sub-
ject to this disease, the best treatment would be the ap-
plication of ether internally as medicine, with slops or
light puddings as food. The effects of the ether ought
to be kept up for a considerable period at one time, and

D0O8 : TnBIR MANAOBMENT.

818

recommenced so soon as tlte slightest trace of the dis-
order reappears.

OENKRATITI ORGANS. — MALE.

These parts in the dogs are liable to various diseases,
among the most common of which is a thick discharge,
either of pus or of impure mucus. Petted animals are
very frequently thus affected, and are a source of annoy-
ance to those who lap them. In this condition they also
offend the ideas of propriety, by paying certain lingual
attentions to themselves without regard to privacy. The
favourite is for these things repeatedly chid and thrust
from the knee ; but it cannot be instructed to forego the
impulses of its nature, or of itself to restrain the symp-
toms of its affliction. Indeed, the dog is not to blame ;
the fault lies with the owner.

The generative organs, in the male of the canine spe-
cies, are peculiarly sympathetic with the digestive func-
tions. This is so with man, but in the dog it is much
more strongly marked. If a dog become from bad food
affected with mange, canker, sore feet, &c., the part is
never cleanly. When, however, the animal is fat and
gross, though neither mange, canker, nor other disease be
present, the organ may, nevertheless, be a source of pain-
ful irritation, and beyond a little thin fluid about the
opening of the prepuce, there will be nothing to attract
attention.

In such a case the discharge originally is thick and
mattery. It accumulates upon the few hairs that fringe

314

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

the urinal orifice, and sometimes almost impedes the pas-
sage of the water. The symptom being neglected, the
running becomes less consistent. The part is frequently
erect, and the animal persists in licking it. The organ is
now painful, and should be without delay attended to.
If, however, no heed be taken of the creature's necessity,
to which its instinct directs the proprietor 'd eye, swellings
appear about the sheath, and blood is mingled with the
exudation. Sores then appear externally, and the mem-
ber becomes a mass of acute disease, often of a frightful
character.

If, when the discharge first appears, the dog be taken
on the knee, and its back being slightly bent, so as to
bring the hind-legs forward — if, having the animal in this
position, the sheath be retracted, so as to expose the
glans, it is generally found to be inflamed. When the
case is slight, the inflammation is confined to the b^se of
the member, just around that part where the linin^g mem-
brane is reflected upon the inner surface of the prepiice.
As far back, therefore, as it can be exposed, a little red-_
ness may be discovered ; but this will be so distributed
as to convince us that the interior of the sheath is also
involved. All the inflammation that can be detected
will not be suflSlcient to account for the quantity of pus
tliat is thrown out ; and some persons have therefore
allowed the disease to progress, imagining there was no-
thing present requiring to be treated. This is always a
mistake. The_lining membrane of the prepuce in these
animals cannot be readily laid bare, and that part is

dogs: their management.

315

always the most seriously attacked. The penis during_
health ought to he moist and Qf & delicate flesh color ; it
should not be wet, neither should it be in any degree red.
The appearance ought to suggest the secluded situation
to which the part is by nature assigned, and the sensi-
tiveness with which it is endued. It sliould not denote
uncleanliness or anger ; but convey an idea of delicacy,
and even beauty, to those who have good sense enough
to appreciate nature's provisions.

"When the want of. early attention has allowed the
structures to be seriously implicated, ulcers appear, which
enlarge, and ultimately by uniting form a mass of sores.
There is then often resistance exhibited when the part
is touched, and cries declare the pain which pulling back
the sheath occasions. The prepuce sometimes is not to
be withdrawn, and the struggles of the anim d are exces-
sive when its retraction is attempted. There are then
fungoid growths within, and the heat and tenderness de-
note the condition of the surface, which cannot without
much violence be beheld.

All this suffering is to be traced to the misplaced kind-
ness of the owner. Over-feeding is the cause ; and, so
far as I know, the single cause which gives rise to the
serious aspect of this form of disease. Should it accom-
pany debility, it is mild in its character, and as the
strength returns it will disappear. Even in this last case,
however, it would be more certainly, and with more
speed removed, by a few simple measures which necessi-
tate uo vast trouble.

316 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

In its mildest shape, any astringent eye-lotion will
generally answer ; but the strength may with safety and
advantage be increased.

Sulphate of copper or zino . . Fiye grains.
Distilled water One ounce.

Liquor plumbi One drachm.

Distilled water One ounce.

Alum Half a sompla

Roee water One ounce.

Slither of the foregoing will be of service ; bnt before
any of them, I prefer the subjoined : —

Chloride of zinc
Distilled water

One grain.
One ounca

Whichever of the lotions the practitioner may prefer,
should be used at least thrice daily, and if more fre-
quently employed, no injury will be done. The mode of
applying the lotion is extremely simple. The seat of
the disease being exposed, with a piece of lint or soft rag
the fluid is passed over the surface. No friction is resort-
ed to ; but a simple bathing, in the gentlest possible man-
ner, is all that can be required. In a few days the effect
will be perceived, for by such means the affection can be
pured ; but unless the food is improved, and the diges-

111!;

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

317

tion relieved, there can be no security against its speedy
return.

Under its more virulent form it is not to be thus easily
got rid of, though even then it is to be subdued. If
there be much pain, I inject the lotion up the sheath,
and by closing the orifice around the point of the sy-
ringe, endeavor to pass the fluid over the whole of the
interior. Sometimes the pain or irritation is excessive :
I then combine sedatives with the lotions, and their
strength I increase as the occasion warrants; but the
non-professional person had better use none more potent
than one drachm of tincture of opium to every ounce of
lotion. When the pain, decreasing, allows the penis to
be protruded, if any sprouting fungus or proud flesh is
upon it, a pair of scissors should be used to snip it ofl*.
Some bleeding will ensue, but a little burnt alum will
generally stay it ; though, if allowed to continue, I have
thought the local depletion was beneficial, and it has
" never to my knowledge been attended with danger. The
burnt alum I use in powder, and I prefer it in these
cases to the lunar caustic ; which gives more pain ; acts
less immediately as a styptic, and is not so satisfactory
in its subsequent effects, and, as the animal can hardly
be kept from licking the place, it may possibly be objec-
tionable on that account. Such treatment usually is
beneficial ; and the only further direction to bo added
concerns such minor points as reason probably would
not need to have specially pointed out.

When the hairs at the orifice are matted together, it if

318

dogs: thkir manaoememt.

best to snip them away, which will not only remove a
present inconvenience, but effectually prevent its recur-
rence. The wounds which occasionally cover the ex-
terior of the sheath are of no vast importance, or, at
all events, they are of secondary consideration. With
the healing of the inward sores they mostly depart ; but
their disappearance will be hastened, and the comfort of
the animal improved, if, when the injection is used, they
are at the same time smeared with some mild ointment.
Tnat composed of camphor, &c., and to be found de-
scribed at page 265, does verj well for such a purpose ;
but any other of a gentle nature would probably answer
as well.

Soreness of the scrotum is very common, and I have
seen it in every description of dog. I attribute it to
derangement of the digestion ; never having witnessed it
in animals that were not thus affected, and not having
been able to discover it had any more immediate origin.
It mostly appears first as a redness, which soon becomes
covered with small pimples, that break and discharge a
thin watery fluid. The fluid coagulates, and a thin scab
covers the surface. The scab is generally detached,
being retained only by the straggling hairs that grow
upon the bag. The scab being removed, shows a moist
\ and unhealthy patch, the margin of which is of a faint
) dirty red color.

This condition of the scrotum yields, in the first in-
stance, to simple applications; but, should nothing be
done, it will continue bad for some period, and may in-

DOGS : THEIR MAMAOEMBNT.

819

volve the whole of the bag^ It will, in most instances,
so far as the outward and more acute symptom is con-
cerned ; that is, the discharge will cease, the scab fall oft',
and nothing be left for the eye to dwell upon. With the
seeming cessation, however, other and more deep-seated
structures become involved. The disease leaves the
surface only, and its virulence fixes upon the internal
parts. The skin at the place thickens, becomes hard and
gristly. There is no pain ; but the sensation is diminish-
ed, which, to the surgeon, is a far worse sign than is a
little anguish. The thickening is sometimes stationary ;
and the animal dies without any further evil afflicting
him. There is, however, no security that it will remain
thus passive ; for occasionally it increases in size, in-
flames, gets hurt or rubbed, and ulcerates : in fact, can-
cer of the scrotum is established ; and as this mostly
comes on when the constitution is weakened, little relief
and no promise of cure can generally be afibrded.

These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves.
They get sensation as they inflame ; but in every instance
that has fallen under my notice, before ulceration has
taken place, they have been slightly wounded ; either
by the dog's dragging himself upon the earth, or other-
wise. The smallest injury, however, is suflicient to pro-
voke the action, which when once excited is not after-
wards to be subdued. The ulcer being established, en-
larges ; and the humanity of the owner does not allow
the lingering and disgusting disease to take its coarse,
but the poor dog is destroyed to spare its suffering.

820

doob: theik mamaoement.

At tbe commencement the diet must be changed, tot
the manner of feeding is at fault. The remedies proper
to improve the general health must be employed, and
everything done to restore the system.

To the scrotum a mild ointment will be sufficient.
Should that not succeed, some of those recommended
for mange may be tried ; or the surface may be lightly
passed over onco vith a *''ck of lunar caustic, care being
taken to tie the head of Lhe dog up afterwards to prevent
it licking the part,

The measures alreadj spoken of apply only to mild
and recent cases. When the disease has probably exists
ed for years, such remedies will be of little service. The
skin being unnaturally hard and thick, feeling like carti-
lage, and giving the idea that a firm or resisjtaut tumor is
connected with the integument ; such being the condition
of the part, the surgeon pauses before he advises it
should be interfered with. As it seems to be possessed
of small sensibility, and appears to have assumed a form
in which there is a probability of its remaining, the less
done to the local affection the better.

The relief should be directed wholly to keep the can-
cer, for such it is, in a passive or quiescent state. There
is no hope that nature will remove it ; and every effort
must be made to prevent its malignant character being by
accident or otherwise provoked. With a little care the
dog may die of old age, and the disease may even at the
time of death be dormant. A very mild mercurial oint-
ment may be daily applied to the surface. This will re*

"Vila

dogs: their manaobmbmt.

821

move scurf, allay irritability, and prevent the itching,
which might induce the animal to injure the part. The
food must be good, proportioned to the work the creature
has to perform, — sufficiently nutritive, but easy of diges-
tion, and by no means heating. The stomach must be
strengthened by tonics and vegetable bitters, combined
with alkalies. Sedatives are sometimes required, and
hyosciamus is in that case to be preferred. A course of
iodide of potassium is likewise frequently beneficial ; but
it must be employed only in alterative doses, and perse-
vered with for a considerable period. The eighth of a
grain or half-a-grain may be given three times a day for
six months ; and on the first indication of irritability
appearing, the medicine must be resumed. Should the
symptoms of activity be such as to excite alarm, the
iodide must be administered in quantities likely to affect
the system. This is to be done with safety, by dissolv-
ing two drachms of the salt in two ounces of water,
every drop of which will then hold in solution the eighth
of a grain of the medicine. From two to ten drops may
be given at the commencement, and every day afterwards
one drop may be added to the dose, which should be
regularly administered thrice in the twenty-four hours.
The physic should thus be gradually increased until the
appetite fails ; or the eyes become inflamed ; or the ani-
mal is in an obvious degree dull. When that result is
obtained, the dose ought to be withheld for a time, or to
be diminished three or twelve drops, and the lessened
quantity only given until the symptoms have subsided.

14*

Sli ;

i 4

322

DOGS : 'IIIEIR MANAOEUEKT.

i! ;

The spirits, or appetite, having returned, and sufficient
time having been allowed to make certain of the fact,
the dose may once more be increased ; and thus by de-
grees be augmented, until it is worked up to from fifty lo
a hundred drops three times a day, beyond which it
ought not to be pushed. Even while this is being done,
it is well to give tonic and strengthening pills ; but pur-
gatives are to be used with extreme caution.

Too frequently our assistance is not sought until the
disease has assumed its worst aspect. There is then an
open cancer, and wo are asked to cure it. There is in
medicine no known means of performing so desirable an
object ; physic can, in such a case, only be palliative —
whatever hope then remains must rest upon the employ-
ment of the knife. The surgeon, however, must well
examine the part before he consents to operate. En-
ti'eaties will not unfrequently be urgent ; and where the
life of an animal only is involved in the result, it is hard
to say " no" to supplications which may be accompanied
with tears. The professional man, however, must con-
sult his judgment, and by its dictates resolutely abide ;
for those who are most eager in their requests are always
most sanguine in their hopes. The issue, if unsuccessful,
will not do otherwise than expose the surgeon to re-
proaches, perhaps more bitter than the supplications to
which he yielded were imploring. Even should the
proprietor be silent, the reputation of the operator will
be injured ; for, when the knife is resorted to, mankind
will not tolerate failure. Therefore it is prudent, and

DOOS: THEIR MAKAOEMKNT.

823

also humane, to consider how far surgery can eradicate
the affection ere excision is employed to add to the im-
mediate suffering, and perhaps hasten the consequence it
was designed to prevent.

The tumor should he circumscrihed, or, at all events,
there should he around it a fair proportion of healthy
skin whenever its removal is attempted. When such ex-
ists, the operation is justifiahle ; but without such being
present, it is to be condemned. The skin is wanted to
close the orifice, and it must be healthy, in order that it
may properly unite. In extreme cases, where the life
of the animal depends upon activity, it may be proper to
remove both testicles; but this should, if possible, be
avoided.

Castration in the dog is not of itself dangerous ; but
it renders the animal disposed to accumulate fat, and
destroys many of those qualities for which it is esteemed.
The creature afterwards becomes lethargic, and its spi-
rits never are recovered. It is best performed by cutting
through the spermatic nerve, and scraping the artery, so
as to separate it ; taking care to do this sufficiently high
up to prevent the cord from being exposed.

When the operator has decided to take away the
spermatic glands, he does so at the commencement of the
operation. With one cut he lays the scrotum open, and
pulling forth the testicle, divides the nerve ; then with
the edge of a blunt but coarse knife, scrapes it as the
cords lie upon his finger. Having done this on one or
both sides, as the case may require, he inspects the tn-

, I

(il, ;
i
f

ill

324

dogs: their management.

mor, the substance of which is now exposed to view.
By the aspect of the growth he decides upon the course
he will next adopt ; or rather shapes the manner he had
proposed to proceed. Seldom will it occasion him to
change his plan ; but he must be prepared to do so, if
the appearances should be contrary to his anticipations.
-The skin is here of primary importance ; wherever it is
not involved, it is dissected back, and every portion of
hard or gristly matter scrupulously sought for and cut
away. All such substance being excised, care is then
directed to bring the edges together. A pair of scissors
may be required to make them exactly even, but the less
snipping there may be the better. To retain the lijs of
the wound in the places desired, collodium will be found
far superior to sutures or plasters. It is with a camel's
hair pencil laid in bands along the parts, which are held
in their intended situations while it dries. A few threads
of linen are embedded in it while it is in a liquid state,
so as to increase its strength ; and layer after layer is
added until the mind is assured the purpose is obtained.
The application must on no account be made in one con-
tinuous sheet ; for before union can take place suppu-
ration must be established, and spaces are necessary to
allow the matter to escape. Therefore, in several fine
Strips stretching over the wound, and holding its edges
close, the collodium is to be employed ; and this being
ended, subsequent attention is generally required only to
regulate the health, on which the healing process will
greatly depend.

Mariiiiim

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMKKT.

825

To stone in the bladder the dog is liable. The cause
cannot be directly traced, but the symptoms are not ob-
scure ; the animal is constantly voiding its urine, which,
though small in quantity, is not of a healthy character.
A few drops of blood occasionally are passed ; and, in
attempting to go down stairs, sudden cries are often
emitted. Fits of pain and seasons of illness are fre-
quent, and the point of the penis is protruded from the
sheath, never being withdrawn. The leg is not raised to
void the urine ; but the creature strains when the act has
either been accomplished, or there is no power to per-
form it. If the dog be taken on the knee, and one
knowing the situation of the contents gently manipulates
the abdomen, the body may be felt within the bladder,
which will mostly be contracted and empty.

The nature of the disease having been ascertained,
little can be done beyond relieving the immediate dis-
tress. Some writers have given directions for operating
under such circumstances ; but none of them tell us they
have successfully performed lithotomy upon the animal.
In every case of the kind upon which I have been con-
sulted, the idea of such a measure was not fur an instant
to be countenanced. Dogs thus afflicted, are mostly
small, and the calculus is generally of gi-eat proportional
size, prior to our attention being directed to it. In a
creature so very delicate as the dog, every operation
requires to be well considered before it is resorted to ;
And though the cutler might make knives sufficiently
diminutive for the occasion, it may be doubted if our

1^
\

826

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMEMT.

hands are snfficientlj nice to employ them. The stones
I have met with were of a size I would not hare liked
to have drawn through the urethra; and therefore,
though I will not assert lithotomy cannot he performed
upon the dog, I must confess I have not performed it,
and must say I should require strong inducements to
attempt it upon the animal.

All I aim at is to limit the increase of the deposit, and
to alleviate the painful symptoms it gives rise to. A
strictly vegetable diet best accomplishes the first object,
and doses of ether and laudanum, repeatedly administered
by mouth and injection, most speedily secure the second.
Pills of henbane are likewise of service ; and with them
small quantities of the balsams may be combined, though
the last should not be continued if they have any marked
diuretic action. The peppers, especially cubebs, I have
thought serviceable, and very minute doses of cantharides
have seemed to be attended with benefit. Here, how-
ever, I speak with doubt ; for the agents have by me
been employed only in homoeopathic quantities, and I
have not the means of saying they had very decided
action. They appeared to do good, since under their
use the animals improved ; and that is all I can state in
their behalf. Proprietors, however, when the pressing
annoyance is allayed, being told there is no prospect of a
radical cure, do not generally afford us much opportunity
to watch the action of medicines.

Hsematuria or bloody urine is met with in the dog ; and
I (having been unfortunate in those cases where I

D008 : THEIR MAKAOKMKNT.

827

employed acetate of lead) adopted small doses of cantha-
rides, and with these to my surprise succeeded ; for which
reason I have persevered in my homoeopathic treat-
ment. The quantity of tincture of cantharides I employ
is three minims to two ounces of water, and to my won-
der, this appears to answer every purpose ; the only
fault, indeed, that a general practitioner might find with
it being that it did its work too quickly.

Swelling of the glans penis is not uncommon. It ^
comes on suddenly, and the dog is by it rendered offen-
sive to the owner's sight. The membrane is in a state of
erection, and being so, is of course protruded ; and while
thus exposed, the end of it loses its mild red color, becom-
ing of a paler hue, and at the same time enlarging. Its
eize increases to such an extent, that when the erection
subsides, it cannot be retracted.

This generally happens to animals that are weakly ;
such being of what are called high breeds, or having
recovered from some dangerous disorder. It is not a
dangerous affection, and if taken early is very easily sub-
dued. With a silk handkerchief, the exposed part should
be grasped by the left hand ; and while every means is
employed to push the gland back, the fingers of the
right hand ought to be used, to draw the prepuce over it.
A little time and care will, in most instances, do what is
desired ; and there is no need of haste, or justification for
violence. Oil is not required, as the parts are sufficiently
lubricated by their own secretion ; and still less are those
practices some persons have advocated, admissible.

li'

3!-

828

dogs: their management.

The scarification of the glans, or the slitting of the
prepuce, should not ever he allowed, save the absolute
failure of all other measures has demonstrated relief is
not otherwise to be procured. Before these severe re-
sorts are sanctioned, the effects of cold and stimulants,
locally applied, ought to be fully and patiently tried. A
lotion containing ether, in such proportions as water will
dissolve it, should be applied to the part ; and spirit of
nitric ether, to which double it? amount of proof spirit
has been added, may be with a camel's hair pencil paint-
ed over its surface. Ice is even better, but both, accord-
ing as they can be readily obtained, are beneficial. Gen-
tle manipulations will also be of benefit, and if the
patience of the practitioner be not too easily exhaust-
ed, he will rarely need more to bring about that which
is desired.

Betention of urine, though not very common in the
dog, is, however, encountered too frequently to be term-
ed a rare affection. It mostly accompanies debility,
during the last stage of distempe and is sometimes
present in paralysis of the hind extremities. I have not
seen a case in which it took the acute form, though
obviously it may do so.
I The symptoms generally are obscure ; for in the ma-
jority of instances the distension of the bladder will
simply aggravate the general uneasiness. The condi-
tion of the part, therefore, may not be suspected, but in
such cases it is to be ascertained by manipulation. By
taking the animal, and gently pressing its abdomen, if

dogs: their manaoumbnt.

329

the bladder be empty, the intestines will be felt ; but if
the viscus be full, there will be a soft and pulpy miss
under the fingers. The sensation imparted by it con-
veys the idea that it is fluid, and the greatest care will
in it detect nothing denoting substance or form. The
proof thus obtained is positive, and will not deceive
him who has accepted it. All pretending to adminis-
ter to canine disease should be able to read this indi-
cation, but sometimes others direct attention to its pre-
sence.

The dog having the bladder gorged, and not so debili-
tated as to be deprived of power to move, or by paralysis
disabled, mostly lies, but even then it is never at rest.
The position is constantly shifted. Food and drink are
refused, great dulness is exhibited, and a low plaintive
moan is from time to time emitted. If made to walk,
the animal straddles the hind-legs, and its gait is pecu-
liar. The spine is arched, but the posterior limbs are
not drawn or carried forr, ard. If pressure is made upon
the belly, it provokes resistance ; and any attempt to
raise the dog from the ground induces it to struggle.

Relief should without loss of time be afforded by the
use of the catheter. When I was a pupil at the college,
the professor used to assert that the introduction of such
an instrument was in the dog a physical impossibility.
The bone found in the penis of this animal, the gentle-
man instructed his pupils to believe, opposed an obstacle
which could not be overcome. My former teacher, how-
ever, was in error. He had either never made the trial,

il?

330

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMSITT.

or he had not judgment sufficient to conduct an opera-
tion which, when properly undertaken, is remarkably
easy and simple. I believe I was the first practitioner
in England who used the catheter for the dog, though
prior to my doing so, reports were published of the in-
strument having been employed in France. On the Con-
tinent, however, I have heard of no one who had thought
of introducing a catheter into the bladder of the bitch.
That also I have done ; and find the operation to be un-
attended with danger or difficulty. The method of ope-
rating upon the female will be explained in another
place. Here I have to speak of the mode in which the
male is to be relieved.

Let the dog be placed upon its side, and by means of a
handkerchief the penis be drawn. A catheter of propor-
tionate size must be selected. Metallic tubes will not
do ; but the gum elastic are to be employed. Before
one of these is introduced, the wire must be taken out,
and the outer surface moistened with olive oil.

The human catheters answer admirably for small dogs ;
but these are not made long enough to be of service to
animals of the larger kinds. For a dog of middle height,
an instrument twice the length of those employed on
man ought to be at hand ; and for a huge Newfoundland,
one thrice as long will be useful. The shorter catheters
may be of the sizes sold as Nos. 1, 2, and 3 ; the middle
length, 4 and 5 ; the longest, Nos. 6, 7, and 8.

The dog being placed upon its side, and retained there
iu a position such as the operator may think most advan^

doob: their managembkt.

881

tageous to his movements, the catheter is introduced with
one hand while the penis is held hy the other. The
meatus being found — there is no great ingenuity required
to discover it — the instioiment is inserted and pushed
gently onward. At first its passage is easy, but it has
not gone far before a check is felt. The stoppage arises
from the spasmodic contraction of the canal, caused by
the point of the instrument having reached the bone of
the penis. For a period the passage is effectually closed ;
but no force must be employed to overcome the obstacle.
Gentle but steady pressure is kept up ; and under this it
is rarely longer than a few minutes before the spasm
yields. The catheter then glides forward, and the opera-
tor, resigning the hold of the penis to his assistant, passes
his free hand to the perinaeum. When he feels the point
of the tube below the anus, he uses his fingers to direct
its course, — for at this part the canal curves, taking a
direction forward, — and after a little further way has
been made, another check is experienced. This last
springs from the contraction of the neck of the bladder ;
and once more gentle, but steady pressure must be
employed to overcome the spasm. It rarely resists long ;
but the sudden absence of all opposition, and the flow of
urine, shows that the object of the operation has been
obtained. ....

The dog offers no resistance to the passage of the
instrument. I have never known one to cry, or seen
one exhibit a struggle. I could not account for this by
attributing it to any fondness for the necessary restraint,

r.i

3«i2

dogs: their manaoembkt.

under which the creature is temporarily placed. During
the floAving of the urine, the dog invariably remains per-
fectly quiet ; and the relief afforded seems to dispose it
almost to sleep ; for after it is over, the animal lies in a
kind of happy lethargy. The fluid, however, does not
jet forth or empty quickly. The operator must not be
impatient, for the stream is perfectly passive ; since, in
consequence of the distension, the bladder has lost its
contractive power. To obtain the whole of the contents,
has sometimes required a quarter of an hour, and the
quantity procured has frequently been quite dispropor-
tioned to the size of the patient. From a small petted
spaniel, brought under my notice by my friend, Mr.
Henderson, I extracted very nearly half a pint of urine,
and the animal from that period began to get well. From
a very small dog, the property of a lady of fortune, I for
several days, every night and morning, withdrew about
four ounces of the excretion with marked benefit to the
animal. The operation is tedious, but it repays us for
the time it occupies. Towards the conclusion the stream
is frequently interrupted. It stops, then recommences ;
ceases, and then begins again ; and the last portions are
often ejected with a force which the first did not display.
A little straining may attend the closing of the operation.
For this the operator must be prepared, and immediately
withdraw the catheter; lest the bladder, energetically
contracting, upon it, should cause the point to pierce the
sides of the . cus. The instrument is no longer required
when straining is excited { for then the oontraotive fUne-

dogs: their maxagemknt.

S3&

tiofc ha.i been resumed, and nature will subsequently per-
form her office ■without assistance.

The bladder that has been relieved, may require the
care of the surgeon a second time ; but no officiousness
should be indulged in that respect. Let the necessity be
present before the operation is resorted to ; and the need
for its adoption can be so accurately ascertained, that
there is no excuse whatever for needless interference.
The operation is attended with no immediate danger or
subsequent ill consequences, that I am aware of; but it
is particularly recommended by the fact, that in the dog
ft is not accompanied with that pain, which in man
usually provokes exclamation, sometimes causes fainting,
and not unfrequently induces irritability of the membrane
lining the canal.

The testicles are occasionally the sources of annoyance
to the proprietor. In one instance a high-bred dog was
sold, the person who bought the animal making the pur-
chase with a view to breeding from it. Disappointment
followed, for no sexual desire could be excited ; and as a
stock-dog, the beast was useless. An examination was
then made, and the scrotum was discovered to contain no
glands.

A most infamous fraud was now accused against him
who had sold the dog; and as dog-dealers are not so
respectable, and are almost as little credited as horse-
dealers, any charge imputing dishonesty required no evi-
dence to substantiate it. An infamous villain was con*
victed of having castrated the dog before he parted with

S34

DOGS : THEIR MAXAOEMSNT.

it, in order that a valuable strain might not be rendered
common. This same dog was brought to me. I could
detect no testicles, and I co'rid perceive no cicatrix. The
body was fat and the disposition sluggish, but the frame
well developed. It was possible the scar, if the opera*
tion had been performed early, should have disappeared :
and there are means practised by which the testicles can
be in a great measure destroyed without making an inci-
sion. Here, however, there was nothing to denote they
had been present ; or Evidence to show they had been
removed. I could by manipulation discover no bodies in
the inguinal canals. Under the circumstances, I was
unable to give a positive opinion ; but I leant to the idea
that the appearances resulted from defective conforma-
tion.

My indecision exposed me to some remarks at the
time ; for the veterinary surgeon is never permitted to
doubt. Ignorance is the only reason the majority of his
patrons can conceive to account for his deliberation. A
year subsequent, however, the dog died ; and the body
was then brought to me, in order that the point might be
decided. I found both glands, which were not larger
than they should have been at birth, within the abdo-
men, whence they never had descended.

It is very common to find small dogs, especially spa-
niels and terriers, with only one testicle in the scrotum ;
but in the larger number of such cases the other can he
detected, though it will be of small size, within the
canal. Animals in this condition are quite capable of

dogs: THEin management.

335

being used as stock-dogs, and are for such purposes as
certain, as those more perfectly formed. Of this I have
had repeated proofs ; and, consequently, the absence of
one gland is not to be viewed as a serious defect ;
though I do not know that it can be regarded in the
light of a recommendation. Speaking from observation,
and bringing the results of positive experience to bear
upon my opinion, I may assert, that in diminutive dogs
— animals intended only to be esteemed as " toys," — the
absence of one testicle is not of the slightest import ;
though, in the larger breeds intended for actual work, I
should by no means be inclined so to regard it.

The testicles are also subject to enlarge and become
hard, more than is natural. In that state they most fre-
quently are devoid of sensation ; though sometimes, but
rarely, they are unnaturally tender. The size and de-
gree of feeling may be the only indications ; but gene-
rally the scrotum is at the same time thickened, and ex>
hibits an alteration in structure.

Blaine speaks of castration under such circumstances.
I have hitherto abstained from direct interference. Not-
v.'ithstanding the alteration, which has been obvious, I
have, beyond daily rubbing in the ointment, containing
camphor and mercury, resorted to no topical application.
In one instance I employed an unguent, containing
iodine ; but it was ultimately discontinued, from a con-
viction that it was in its operation injurious, seeming to
produce eflfects the opposite of those desired. The food,
however, I alter ; and by gentle aperients I endeavor to

^ I

Ill

y r

it l>
'■' §■

il i

i: i

836

dogs: .their manaokmbnt.

regulate the bowels. A course of the iodide of potasv
Slum I have likewise adopted, and can with confidence
recommend. Alterative doses only should be adminis-
tered ; and the drug ought to be continued for three
months at least. If prepared in the following form, it
will not perhaps be readily swallowed up, but the
animal will very seldom violently resist its administra-
tion : —

Simple Bymp .... Two onncea.

Water Six ounces.

Iodide of potassium . . Fifteen grains to one draohm.
Dose, one drachm, or a teospoonfol thrice daily

The quantity ordered contains from a quarter of a grain
to a grain of the iodide ; and, if there be motive for
desiring it should be exhibited in substance, the like
amounts may be made into pills with conserve of roses,
and a little powdered liquorice. The form is of little
importance ; but I prefer the fluid, because I have found
that the animal can, with no great trouble or vast tax
upon ingenuity, be brought to accept it readily ; and
with dogs, as with children, we gain by convincing them
we are practising no deception. These creatures pos-
sess remarkable discernment : it is astonishing how long
the doi.bt, when once excited, will act upon the canine
mind. A pill, for this reason, is better pushed down the
throat than presented in meat ; for the imposition, being
once detected, will for a long time subsequent to it be
suspected. It is, therefore, best to proceed openly and

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

337

without fear. So strong is my impression that dogs have
a general comprehension of the meaning of sounds, that
when I have medicines to give, I always address them,
saying, " Come and take your physic." Some will do
as they are ordered ; but others are less obedient. I
have met with none (save clump-headed spaniels — which
of all dogs are the very worst behaved) that were not
to be subjected. Frankness and determination operate
wonderfully on these occasions. The animal soon learns
it must submit, and quickly ascertains you have no desire
io hurt it. The natural and beautiful confidence the
brvte reposes in man is thus appealed to, and it is surely
wise not to tamper with so noble a feeling. With dogs
be resolute and straightforward ; have no sense of fear,
and have no desire for deceit. Call upon the innate
submissiveness of the creature, and claim its obedience
as a right. The amiable brute will respond to such ap-
peals ; as the struggles which result from weakness ope-
rating upon sensibility will originate confusion, and pro-
voke those bites which are not maliciously aimed, but
intended for self-defence.

OENEBAnVE OBOANB. — FEMALE.

The ignorant are always inclined to be officious where
procreation is concerned. The knowledge they pretend
to, concerning such matters, however, consists of mingled
indecency and mystery ; and, when exposed, only com-
mands contempt. The poor dog, nevertheless, suflfers
cruelly through the practices which such persons subject

ki ii

s»

if. .11

988

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMBltT

•ii

\\
t ■

1 i

]

it to ; and great as may be the ignorance of the parties
who go about the country under various assumed deno-
minations, to torture the canine race, surely, they who
pay such fellows, or allow their animals to be abused by
these pretenders, display a want of sense even more de-
plorable ? Still this is done every day. The nobility
continue to be the profitable dupes of a host of confident
impostors ; and strangely seem to be infatuated with
the belief that the man who sells a dog can likewise
administer to the diseases of the creatures in which he
trades.

The bitch is most unfortunate in the variety of severi-
ties she is compelled to undergo. Some foolish persons
have imagined they can at will induce the periodical
desire for offspring in the animal. To do this, violent
stimulants are employed ; being often given by the
mouth, but more frequently injected up the passage.
I have no proof that such means are ever successful ;
and were they capable of doing all they are employed
to accomplish, I would certainly refuse to make use of
them. Nature cannot be coerced to man's profit; and
any interference with her laws is always dangerous. The
consequences may not be so immediate that in every
instance the effect is traced to the cause ; but the ma-
jor portion of the affections of which the female genera-
tive organs of the dog are too commonly the seat, may
be attributed to the carelessness, or cruelty gf the p¥mer,
or of those by whom he is surrounded.

Various morbid growths are apt to appear npon or

DOOS: TBKia MANAGKMKNT.

889

^thin the parts when old age advances. These have
been generally produced bj violence endured at a period
long prior to the development of the disease. Potent
injections may have been employed to bring on the con-
dition called •' heat ;" or undue force may have been
exerted to drag away the pups when the bitch was in
labor ; or brutality may have been resorted to, to tear
apart the animals during the performance of the act of
impregnation. Other sources of accident and injury may
likewise operate in disposing the delicate membrane of
the vagina to exhibit disease ; for boys, and others also,
are cruelly inquisitive, and the dumb creature cannot
complain.

The growths that appear upon the parts are not pecu-
liar to its locality. They are only such as may be
present on similar structures. They assume one of
three forms, viz. either that of tumor, fungus, or poly-
pus.

The tumor may be of any shape or size ; and it may
be very hard or comparatively soft. Its consistence and
dimension will depend upon its character ; and this is
seldom in two cases exactly alike. Mostly it is confined
to the more external parts of the passage ; but so deep-
rooted is it that it cannot be conveniently dissected
away. It may have a broad base or widely spread-
ing attachment ; and those I have examined after death
most frequently were mixed up with the structures on
which they seemed to repose.

When such is the case, nothing can be done beyond

;

i %

'--'■■

i i

'4-

I I

340

DOOS : THEIR MANAOKMBNT.

attending to the general health ; as by supporting the
constitution, the tendency to disease is likely to be
checked. To the part no local application should be
used ; and every care is required to prevent the animal
from injuring it.

When more externally situated, a careful examination
must bo made, to decide whether there is a fair hope of
the growth being successfully excised. If it is hard and
circumscribed, an operation is justifiable ; but the skin
should be healthy. All the integument must bo pre-
served, and the entire bulk of the morbid body cleanly
taken away. The parts are not so sensitive as to render
the operation exceedingly severe ; however large the
wound may be, it generally heals rapidly. After the
operation no dressing will be required, unless some un-
toward circumstance should arise, when, of course, the
remedies needed to counteract it must be resorted to.

Fungus is invariably preceded by a purulent discharge,
-which, when the growth is developed, is mingled with
blood. The system is feverish, and the parts are hot,
irritable, and painful. The animal is continually licking
itself, and is disinclined for motion or food.

In the first instance the cure is speedy ; but if allowed
to proceed, the affection is troublesome, and may be diffi-
cult to eradicate. When any unnatural discharge ex-
udes, a mild tepid lotion should be injected. It should
be of an astringent nature, and an infasion of green tea
or any of the eye-washes recommended will be of ser-
vice. The strength should likewise be supported, and

DOOS: THEIR MANAOKMENT.

341

the cold bath given daily, while exercise is particularly
attended to.

When blood mingles with the exudation, a careful ex-
amination, with a speculum, if required, must be made ;
and the diseased surface should be touched with lunar
caustic, or sulphate of copper. After this, an injection of
the chloride of zinc, one grain to distilled water one
ounce, should be employed thrice daily.

Should, however, the growth be of any size, it should
be snipped off with a pair of probe-pointed scissors ; and
the lunar caustic ought then to be applied and repeated
when the bleeding has entirely ceased. If the bleeding
be excessive, cold water may be thrown up, or a pair of
bellows, to drive a current of air upon the place, suppos-
ing it to be situated where it can be thus acted upon,
may be made use of. Too frequently, however, the
affection is deeply located, and then injections are alone
to be resorted to, though, at the same time, constitu-
tional measures may be employed. The case is not to
be despaired of, but the prospect of success may not be
satisfactory.

Polypus is a round pear-shaped body, generally hang-
ing by a pedicle, or neck, like to the stalk of the fruit.
It is smooth, also moist, and highly vascular, having a
red and shining appearance. When present, its attach-
ment is commonly rather backward, or pretty deep
within the passage. A small glairy discharge is at first
obser^ ed. The fluid emitted is simply mucous, caused
by the increased secretion of the membrane, which is

342

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMBRT.

irritated by the presence of a foreign growth. The parts
subsequently seem to be swollen, and the animal does
not appear otherwise affected. At length something red
and glistening is remarked to protrude. It is seen occa-
sionally, and then withdrawn ; but most generuuy it
appears subsequent to the urine having been voide^.
Ultimately, however, it constantly hangs out ; and as,
when exposed, it annoys the animal, it may be injured,
and bleed freely.

The practitioner must cautiously examine the part.
Before he makes up' his mind concerning the nature of
that which is presented, he must assure himself that the
womb has not become inverted. I was once requested
by a veterinary surgeon to see him remove a polypus
from the vagina of a bitch, as he had determined to ex-
cise it. Luckily I went, and saved him from cutting
away the animal's uterus, which would assuredly have
destroyed her. A contrary course was pursued, and
that dog, in three days afterwards, was returned to its
master well. The following particulars will enable him
who may be in such a difficulty to discriminate the uterus
from a polypus.

The uterus is soft, but rough whea exposed ; no ves-
sels are to be seen upon its surface ; it does not shine ;
it is not round or pear-shaped; it feels like a thick
empty sac, aud never appears upon pressure to contain
any substance ; it cannot be traced to any stalk-like at-
tachment, and, if returned, the situation it will occupy de*
notes the position it was ordained to hold. f '^

dogs: their havaoement.

848

A polypns is smooth, glistening, and on its surface
generally exhibits vessels. Its covering is always tense,
and contains a semi-solid substance ; it is often sensitive,
and, if the space allows of the passage of the finger, the
neck or point of attachment can be felt ; it cannot, likr
the womb, or the bladder when inverted, be forced in-
ward, or made to take the situation which either of them
would occupy.

Moreover, the appearance of a polypus is an affai<
which must have attracted notice some months priof
to its occurrence ; whereas, the inversion of the bladder
or the womb, occupies but an instant, and is commonly
preceded by no symptoms.

Being assured there is a polypus, if a fine silk can be
passed round the neck or stalk and be tied tight, so as to
cut off the circulation of blood to the part, the growth
will drop off in two days, supposing the operation to
have been effectively performed. When a ligature can-
not be applied, the body should be seized with a proper
pair of forceps, and it should then be turned round and
round several times. The object in doing this is to twist
the stalk, so as to strangilate the vessels within it ; and
this sometimes answers quite as well as the ligature
itself, but the last is bcs'., as being more sure and less
likely to be attended with accident. When neither can
be accomplished, the polypus may be forcibly dragged
away, or literally torn out ; but the pain of this is very
great, and the operation has nothing to recommend it but
its absolute necessity.

S44

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

■■

1 .

f: ■

' i

ft
h
■ .1

The polypus being removed, perfectly cold, mild, as-
tringent injections, to act as healing and cleansing
lotions, shonld be used ; or if any portion of the stalk
remain, to that caustic may be applied.

Authors speak of cancer of the vagina. I have seen
nothing yet in the animal that I may designate by such
a term. I have, it is true, met with serious wounds and
grievous sores ; but all of these have yielded to treat-
ment, and I am not aware that, if their nature had been
malignant, they could have been subdued by any medi-
cinal measures.

Dropsy of the uterus I have encountered, though, as
no teacher or work speaks of such an affection in the
dog, it was some time before I was able to recognise the
disease. The bitch thus afflicted is generally petted into
ill-health. She is fat, slothful, and weakly. All the
various symptoms show the digestion to be deranged;
and in most cases she eventually perishes of abdominal
disease, which is in its termination independent of the
condition of the uterus. The only marked symptom
directing attention to the womb, is the cessation of every
sign indicating sexual desire. For years there may
be no appearance of " heat /" but otherwise the bitch
shall be regarded only as delicate, and not be esteem-
ed to be decidedly unwell. If, however, the body
of the ammal be examined after death, the body and
horns of the uterus will be found distended with a thin
aqueous fluid ; and the walls of the organ will be seen
to be very attenuated, and much wanting in vascularity.

dogs: their manaokment.

345

There is no precise limit to the size the utems may at-
tain ; but, in consequence of its increased volume, it
occupies another situation to that it naturally holds in
the abdomen of the bitch. Generally, when dropsical
to any extent, it will repose immediately upon the linea
alba; and it is apt to be injured if care be not taken
when the post mortem examination is made.

For dropsy of the uterus, general measures must alone
be employed, and these must be of a tonic character ; for,
however much the dog may be petted, or however fat its
body may be, the disease is always consequent upon de-
bility. Among the tonics are several which have a stimu-
lating action upon the uterus, and where it is suspected
to be afiPected the following medicines may be adminis-
tered : —

Powdered cinnamon . . One scruple to one and a half draohjo.
Powdered borate of soda Ten grains to two scruples.
Powdered secale cornutum One to six grains.
Extract of gentian . . One drnchm to half an ounce.
Powdered quassia . . . A sui . 'ency.
Make in twenty-four pills, and give three daily.

Iodide of iron .... Ten grains to one scruple.
Powdered cinchona bark One drachm to half an ounce.
Extract of gentian . . One drachm to half an ounceii
Make as in the previous prescription.

Iodide of potassium . . Ten grains to one drachm.
Tincture of cantharides . Five drops to one scrupla
Simple syrup .... One drachm.

Water Two onncea.

Let s teo-spoonful be given three times a day.

15*

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

In sbnie cases the pills first recommended may be
given with the drops last proposed ; but the action must
be watched, and either the dose diminished or the medi-
cine withheld, if it appears to have any violent effect.
The intent is to work gently and gradually upon the
system, and no immediate result should be expected or
desired.

Parturition, or Pupping. — This is a very serious
branch of the present subject; for, through the inability
to bring forth their young, many a valuable bitch is
annually lost ; and, by the injudicious measures intended
to relieve them, many mc-e are yearly sacrificed. I
know of no book that gives proper directions for the
"guidance of the practitioner ; indeed, the rules laid
down by both Blaine and Youatt are calculated to do
mischief whenever they shall be put into practice. The
reader must, therefore, be content to accept that which
will be submitted to his consideration on this topic, as
the result of the experience of an individual whose
observations have been made only during a compara-
tively short period, and whose opinions consequently are
not to be regarded as confirmed. While directing atten-
tion to what has been declared rejected, the author
solicits no confidence in his judgment, beyond that which
results shall sanction, and reason approve.

Little gentlepie.Q are said to incline towards what are
termed fine women ; and many person^ will remember
the caricature, in which a strapping Life-guards-man was
depicted, stooping to salute a lady who scarcely reached

dogs: their MANACtBllftNt.

847

the top of his boots. The like admiration for bulk ap-
pears to be entertained by the members of the canine
race. Small curs are much disposed to bestow their
affections upon huge Newfoundlands ; and diminutive
bitches, if followed by a host of suitors, will give the
preference to the largest of the group. All descriptions
of dogs will freely have intercourse with one another ;
and as these animals are of such various proportions, the
female is frequently unable to give birth to the progeny
of a gigantic sire. Care consequently should be taken
to provide suitable males when pups are desired ; and in
all cases the dog should be smaller than the bitch. It is
not, however, a sufficient precaution that the dog be of
less size ; for it, or the bitch herself, may be the dwarf
of a large stock, and being so, may be capable of getting
or gestating offspring as huge as the race from which
either of them sprung. It is possible, therefore, for a
small dog to be quite as dangerous as one of great
weight ; and I knew an animal of this kind which had
been the cause of many deaths on that account. The
4nimal alluded to was the property of a gentleman (now
deceased) who had long graced the bench. The dog was
A handsome Scotch terrier ; and, being small, it was fre-
quently solicited as a stock-dog. It was, however, very
deceptive ; for a bitch twice its own size could with diffi-
culty survive the consequences of its embraces. It is a
diminutive example of a naturally large race ; and in its
offspring there is a disposition to return to the original
size. Therefore, not only must the dog be small, but, if

Ill;

348

DOQS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

possible, it must have been derived from a small stock.
The giant's dwarf may beget a giant ; and how fre-
quently do parents of short stature have children who
can at maturity look literally over their heads ! Cer-
tainly more important, however, than the size of the dog,
is the magnitude of the stock whence the bitch is de-
rived. A full-sized pug bitch, whose portrait is given
beneath, had connexion v/ith a setter dog. She was

sent to me to be delivered ; but with little assistance the
affair was accomplished. A small mongrel bitch, but a
great favorite with its master, broke loose during his ab-
sence, and had connexion with a dog at least four times
its size. The animal was brought to me to ascertain
what could be done, her death being expected when the
nine weeks expired. At the proper period, however, she
brought forth four pups without any assistance. On the
opposite side numerous instances might be quoted : but,
on this topic, enough has been said to warn the reader
that the dog, however small, should not be permitted to

DOUS : 'lllEIK MANAGEMENT.

349

approach the bitch whose mother was large, or whose
brothers and sisters stand much higher than herself.
Let the reader look at the two portraits that follow.

They are evidently of one and the same family. They
both had a common progenitor. The beagle is the
blood-hound, only of smaller size ; and often these beau-
tiful diminutive creatures suffer in parturition, or throw
pups whose size takes from them all value. However,
for the chance of security, if for no more tangible object,
let the dog, in every instance, be smaller than the bitch ;
and let it also have no disease, but be in perfect health,
strong and lively. A dog in any way deformed or
affected with any disorder ought to be avoided. Blind-
ness, skin eruptions, piles, paralysis of the tongue, and a
host of other annoyances, I more than suspect to be
hereditary. The mental qualities are transmitted, as

860

dogs: their management.

well as physical beauties and defects. Sagacity, liealtlt.
and beauty are to be sought for, and if all cannot be ob-
tained, those most desired must be selected. Where
shape is wanted, let the dog possess such form as the

THE BBAOLE.

bitch is deficient in ; thus the female having a long nose
or legs, may be put to a male short in these respects;
and the rule may be applied in other instances.

Judgment is needed ^ and, of course, the choice is to
be in some measure regulated by the kind of stock the
dog has been known to get. All dogs kept as stock-dogs
have reputations for the qualities of their offspring ; and
these, sometimes, are better guides than the appearances
of the animals themselves ; for it does occur that the
pups procured by a diminutive dog, do occasionally
prove the very reverse of what might be anticipated.

The bitch, for breeding, should be rather long in the
back ; and it is scarcely possible for her t» be made too

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

851

wide in the hind-quarters. She should be strong, and
rather large than small of her breed ; and where a dimi-
nution of size is desired, it is better to obtain it through
the father than the mother. When the last method is
adopted there is no danger of the bitch bearing pups of
gigantic proportions, and which she may not be capable
of bringing forth. The breed, also, should be as pure as
possible; for there is a disposition in these animals to
throw back, as it is termed ; that is, supposing a bitch to
be of spaniel breed, to that degree which allows of no
cross being detected ; nevertheless if there should be a
stain of cur or terrier in her pedigree, one or more of
every litter she bears, may prominently exhibit it. It is
often long before this natural proof of a degraded family
can be entirely eradicated ; and it is very common for
persons to express surprise at the pups born resembling
neither of the parents they were derived from.

Another caution not to be neglected is, to keep the
bitch from all communication with dogs it is wished her
progeny should in no way resemble. A low-bred play-
mate may not appear to be of much consequence ; and
the proprietor may imagine, if actual connexion is pro-
vided against, no further precaution can be required.
The females of the canine race, however, are able to
bestow their affections ; and tender recollections are as
potent over them as they are known to be in other cases,
where liigher animals are concerned. Bitches are not
always prudent in their loves, but are apt to fling them-
selves away on curs of low degree. If reared with

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352

dogs: their managkment.

a companion of vulgar appearance, there often springs up
between the pair a devotion which no time can after-
wards subdue. The passion, for such it really is,
becomes of a more than romantic endurance. The loved
one's image grows to be so impressed upon the mind — so
much so, that all the fruits of the body afterwards bear
its likeness. There may have been no intercourse
between the pair, but to animals of her breed, the bitch
may, contrary to her longings, have been devoted : and
yet, in the offspring she brings forth the object of her
affections will be represented. This, however, is very
likely to be the case, when the first male accepted is by
accident or neglect of impure origin. There have been
several well-marked cases illustrative of this fact, and
probably many which have never been properly observed.
The peculiarity of a high-bred bitch bringing forth a
blemished litter, would be set down to her throwing
back ; but perhaps a fair proportion of the cases thus
accounted for, might with justice be attributed to the
mental influence which has been pointed out.

The first indication of a bitch approaching to desire, is
a slight enlargement of the teats. This may be observed
for a week, more or less, before the parts show any signs
of change. These last, however, soon begin to swell, and
a thick glairy discharge of simple mucus drains from
them in small quantities. The secretion becomes more
copious, and thinner, gradually changing its character to
that of blood; and as that alteration in the fluid is
remarked, the labia grow larger, redder, and more hot.

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

S53

The animal has then " heat/' or oestram, upon her, and
her system is generally excited. She is more lively, and
should any other dogs be with her, she indulges in a
variety of coquettish antics. Her attitudes when thus
excited are very picturesque, and the beauty of the ani-
mal is never exhibited to greater advantage.

A lively grace anitnates her whole frame ; and she
is now the creature a painter should study, or a poet
describe. She will not immediately accept the male,
whose passion she evidently practises all her arts to
excite. For a few days, perhaps, a romping courtship
may go forward before union is actually permitted.

Dog fanciers almost universally attach importance to
the appearance of the discharge. Some say the dog
should not be offered before the bleeding begins to
diminish. If these rules are not attended to, I have been
most confidently assured the evil consequences of the
neglect are certain to be present in the pups. The litter
prematurely begotten, it is foretold, must be bad in some
way ; though why this should be the case, or how the
cause produces such effects, none of the dog fanciers have
been able to explain.

As by attempting to obey these injunctions I have
known many disappointments to be produced, there was
every inducement, even had I not been inquisitive froT>i
professional motives, to set me testing the truth of these
assertions ; for I am not inclined to sneer at every opinion
announced by persons devoid of education. A power to
observe is by no means regulated by an ability to read or

354

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMEITT.

H i

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write ; and as the dog fanciers bred much more largely
than I possibly could do, their experience entitled their
opinions to attention. Nevertheless, ignorance is so
exposed to misconception, that its declarations at all
times should be examined, and I resolved to test the
truth of the rule which so many announced to be esta-
blished.

The result has not confirmed the belief generally
entertained ; but it has induced me to conclude that the
dog may be allowed whenever the bitch will permit him.
Nature, I have found, regulates the matter, so as not to
necessitate man's supervision. The bitch will, by her
instinct, decide the question ; and she may, without any
dread of mysterious consequences, be left to its direction.
In support of this conclusion, a large number of animals
can readily be adduced. The numerous bitches, espo-
cially_ in the country, that are placed under no restraint,
but are left free to gratify their impulses, a£ford obvious
demonstration of the fact. These creatures have litters
that are much stronger and healthier than those which
are more tenderly guarded.

The fatality that attends the offspring of very choice
breeds, does not infer that the customs they are subjected
to conduce materially to their benefit ; and my experi-
ence, so far as it has been carried, supports the conclu-
sion which this circumstance would seem to countenance.

Let the bitch therefore follow her inclinations ; but it
is not unusual for force to be employed on such occa-
sions. This should never be allowed. The female ought

dogs: their management.

355

on no account to be compelled ; but it is a common prac-
tice to employ restraint when she is unwilling. Some
assistance may occasionally be needed, particularly with
the smaller breeds, which are apt to be physically dis-
abled ; but it should be limited to such offices as favor
the desires of the parties principally concerned. When-
ever man's aid goes beyond that, it is likely to be inju-
rious ; for if Nature orders an animal to decline the gra-
tification of its instinct, we may rest assured there is
good reason why such a phenomenon is exhibited, al-
though we may not possess the acumen to rightly in-
terpret its indication.

Some people permit the dog and bitch to remain toge-
ther for several hours ; but with favorite stock-dogs, it is
customary to present the female twice. I have found
the second visit to be needless ; and a single occasion has
never yet failed to procure me three or four pups, which
is quite as many as the majority of bitches are able to
rear. The ordinary practice, however, appears to do no
harm, so far as I am aware of its consequences. I do
not, therefore, object to it ; but I know it is not impera-
tive, and it is well to be convinced on such a point.

After the bitch has been lined, she should be most
carefully watched. Her desire rather increases than
diminishes, and she will be most anxious to escape in
search of new admirers. Her appetite renders her inge-
nious ; and the owner is often vexed to find she conquers
at this time those bounds which at other periods confined
her. Let her be securely housed, or kept under the eye

1 jiii

356

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

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of her master, who must not forget her propensity to
rove.

When the discharge ceases, and the local swelling sub-
sides, the necessity for vigilance is at an end. The ani-
mal has then returued to chastity, and - ill be as obedi-
ent as before her passions were inflamed. During the
nine weeks of gestation, she demands no special care.
She thrives best if left to take her chance, and does bet-
ter in proportion as she is not pampered. Her food
should be wholesom.e, and her exercise rather increased
than diminished. She should not be matie fat, neither
ought she to be suddenly reduced.

The safest course is to take no notice of the particular
condition of the animal, but to let her ordinary treat-
ment be continued without any change. The bitch will
return U- her usual manners and appearance, nor will
there be for some time anything to denote her having
conceived. In the middle of the fourth week, however,
the presence of the young within the P,bdomen may, by
skilful manipulation, be detected. I know of no one who
has before made the observation, but I am confident as
to the correctness of the statement ; since I have fre-
(|uently been enabled to inform parties that their dogs
wore in pup, when the circumstance was not suspected.
In many instances, I have been able to ascertain before
the expiration of the first month the number of young
that would be born ; but of course these matters are not
always to be told with equal certainty. They can, how-
ever, be generally ascertained with tolerable accuracy /

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

367

but where there is only one sense to guide the know-
ledge, and that one is not quite unobstructed, the judg-
ment is liable to be mistaken with regard to particulars,
though it may be assured concerning the main point.

To discover whether a bitch is in pup, let her be
placed upon a table, and her fears or excitability ban-
ished by caresses. Then lay her upon her side, and with
the fingers gently manipulate the intestines. If the
womb is impregnated, the person, directing his attention
first to the situation the uterus occupies, near to the rim
of the pelvis, and inferior to the rectum, will there detect
round smooth bodies, like little eggs. These may not be
perceptible if the bladder be loaded ; but if the catheter
be employed to draw off the urine, they will suiely bo
felt. If the rectum be full of foeces, it serves as an admi-
rable guide to the position of the uterus ; though he who
is acquainted with anatomy needs no such assistance.

Some globular substance being detected, the fingers
are advanced, and if more than one pup be conceived,
another similar to it will speedily impinge upon the
touch ; then another, and so on, until the whole of the
promised family have been thus announced. The last is
the most difficult to discover : for should there be more
than two or three, it may, and will, generally occupy the
extremity of a horn ; and, in that situation, may escape
observation. There are to the womb of this animal a
pair of horns, which are long, and extend to the region of
the kidneys. Both cannot bo traced at the same time,
and there is a chance of the two being confounded.

:;•(.

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858

dogs: their management.

Therefore it is well not to be positive as to the precise
number of young the bitch will bring forth ; and I never
presume to speak confidently upon the point ; for though,
in the majority of cases, my opinion may have been cor-
roborated, nevertheless, I have often known a pup moro
than I supposed the uterus contained to have been
delivered.

From the end of the fourtli week, the litter, as it were,
go away, or are lost ; but when the seventh week arrives,
the contents of the abdomen may be plainly detected ;
and if the bitch be taken upon the lap, and her belly sup-
ported with th hand, they at this period will be felt to
move, and the motion even of their limbs is clearly
recognised.

Milk appears in the teats about the middle of the ninth
week, and the presence of the fluid declares the event is
near at hand. The following day, or the one succeeding,
is marked by a raucous discharge from the vagina ; and
when that is witnessed, parturition is seldom delayed
beyond a day or two at most.

The exact period is announced by the animal being
disinclined for food and desitous of solitude. Some
bitches do not wish for seclusion ; but others are vei*y
anxious to obtain it ; and in either case the disposition
should be gratified. All that is necessary for the comfort
of the creature should be provided ; but if the accommo-
dation designed for her be rejected, she should as far as
possible be allowed to indulge her own liking for another
spot-

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

359

As the time of parturition draws near — that is, when
the increase of mucus is remarked — a daily meal of
boiled liver should be given ; but nothing stronger, of a
laxative nature, ought to be administered, unless the
absolute necessity of such relief as aperients afford is
ascertained. Many persons are in the habit of giving
buckthorn or castor oil at this season ; but the dog is
nnMirally very delicate ; and nothing calculated to
detract from the strength which the coming effort must
severely tax, should be heedlessly resorted to.

When the bitch retires, let her wish for privacy be
respected. For three or four hours allow her to be
undisturbed ; but at the expiration of that time, the per-
son who most enjoys her confidence, may approach her.
After an exchange of recognitions, the animal may be
examined. If nothing extraordinary can be remarked,
nothing should be done beyond offering food and water ;
neither of which, however, need be pressed upon her. A
day possibly may thus pass, without any sign of decided
progress being made ; nevertheless, the owner's patience
must not be alarmed, for the greatest danger springs from
premature assistance.

The first pup is often long before it is delivered ; so
that the cries be not sharp, loud, and frequent, the delay
need not generate fear. Four-and-twenty hours having
elapsed, and the indication of suffering MJth constant
straining being present, the help which man can give
should not be pressed upon the animal. The throes must
cease, or the bitch appear exhausted by lying on its side,

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860

DOGS : THEIU MANAGEMENT.

and emitting low moans before any aid is oflFered. Then
the little finger, well greased, may be passed gently up
the vagina, to leai-n if anything be within the passage ;
and if a pup be felt, instruments, as hereafter described,
may be employed ; but, on no account, need the finger
be pushed beyond the os uteri. If the mouth of the
womb be well opened, free, and the passage clear, the
attention must be bestowed upon the bitch, and every
means employed to revive the strength and bring back
the pains. Some unusual circumstance is needed to jus-
tify manual interference — such as a pup with its side
presented, or the os uteri well expanded, and the head of
a dead pup filling up the space.

To such an extent have I practically followed out the
measures here recommended, that under my care tlie
labor-pains of a Scotch terrier ceased without anything
being born. The bitch returned to her customary habits,
but appeared dull, while a dark discliarcro was emitted.
I told the proprietor the bitch had a dead pup within
her, and entreated him to give the animal time. He con-
sented to do this ; and on the fourth day from tliat of the
unsuccessful labor, the animal was delivered of a dead
pup, v,'ith perfect ease.

The presence of straining alone should never be re-
garded as a symptom of pupping ^'eing actually at hand.
The bitch, like other animals, is subject to spasms, called
false labor-pains. These are in appearance highly de-
ceptive, for they arc generally accompanied with plain-
tive cries. To distinguish their true character, lot the

Lib.

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT

361

hands embrace the abdomen ; and at the time when
spasm seizes her, let gentle pressure be made upon its
s'des. If the pains be false, the convulsion will be felt
to render turgid the muscles of the abdomen, but nothing
within it will at the same time feel hard. Should, how-
ever, the labor have commenced, other signs than these
will then declare the fact. When the throes come on,
the uterus will contract ; and beneath the hands it will
be then felt a hard, harsh, and solid body. Its charac-
ter, when naturally excited, is not to be mistaken ; but
is so well and strongly marked, that there is no excuse
for not detecting its indication.

For false pains nothing need be done for some time ;
but if they continue, and seem to distress the animal,
ether and opium may be freely given by the mouth ;
thjs will have the effect of quieting the spasm without
injuring the pups.

The existence of true labor being ascertained, shoiild
there be sufficient cause to suspect obstruf tion to be pro-
sent, then let the finger be oiled and introduced up the
passage with caution as directed. Some persons when
called to a bitch in pup, always begin at once doing this,
but It should not be done unless there he some reason for
the practice. I have known fellows poke the poor ani-
mals about, as though to do so was an important duty,
which they were bound incessantly to perform. The
introduction of the finger cannot do otherwise than re-
move the mucus which Nature provides to lubricate the
passage and facilitate the egress of the pup. It is the

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362

D0G3 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

.■!"1!

1 1

mildest and best moisture the membrane can receive, and
its removal is not to be slightly thought of. The finger,
moreover, by the friction it occasions, irritates the parts ;
and however gently it may be introduced, it cannot
otherwise than in some degree have this effect. The
less it is used, therefore, the better; and when it is
inserted, the attention should be alive to note every cir-
cumstance the touch can acquaint us with.

Other pai'ties, when the labor is difficult or tedious,
think it advisable to place the bitch in a hot bath. All
the authors I know of, recommend this measure ; but I
must, without reservation, in the strongest possible terms,
condemn it. In obedience with the directions of those
who wrote or lectured on this subject, I originally fol-
lowed the practice ; but it was not long before I was
apprised of its evil effects ; and my wonder now is, how
so injurious a custom ever came into general favor. I
have known the bitch, when the throes were energetic,
to be placed in the warm bath ; and under its action to
have indeed been quieted, for the pains never subse-
quently returned. The efforts, upon the vigor of which
the delivery depended, have, to my knowledge, been
more than once, twice, or thrice, dispersed, by the
warmth which at such a time is a poison ; for I can
recollect but few cases where the bitch was taken from
the water to survive.

Still, as the assertions of an individual cannot be sup-
posed of sufficient force to overthrow an established
habit, let me here, at the hazard of wearying the reader,

P0G8 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

963

venture to reason upon the matter. The uterus jr prin-
cipally composed of white muscular fibre, upon which
structure heat has a sedative and cold has a stimulative
action. The members of our profession well know this
fact ; and the reader, who can hardly be unacquainted
with the colic, may in that affection find a proof to con-
vince him of its truth. Cold water will bring on the
belly-ache. This is occasioned by a chill to the intes-
tines, causing their muscular fibre, which resembles that
of the womb, to spasmodically contract. The vitality of
the muscles of the intestines is excited ; and to allay the
pain, that excitability must be destroyed. Ileat will
effectually do this ; and hot clothes, bags of sand, or bot-
tles, are placed against the belly for that purpose. When
the suffering depends on cold alone, the relief is speedy ;
and when it is dependent on other causes, the sense of
comfort imparted testifies to the effect of the application,
The heat allays the spasm, which the cold provoked.

Warmth, therefore, is a sedative to organic muscular
fibre ; and now, let it be asked, if during labor we should
seek to dispel the contraction of the womb ? During
gestation the muscular coat of the uterus is passive ; but
when that function has been perfected, Nature endues it
with energy to expel the foetus. Upon the violence of
its contractions the performance of this important office is
wholly and entirely dependent. Without it the young
cannot be borne ; and however painful may be its force,
nevertheless, such pain is to be welcomed, and regarded
thankfully. The throes may be agonizing, but it is more

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S64

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMKNT.

cruel to check than to promote them ; for the temporary
relief we obtain by causing them to cease, will certainly
be purchased with the life of the animal that enjoys so
dearly -bought a repose.

The shriek of the bitch during the time when a pup
probably is being forced into the world, may harrow the
heart of an affectionate master, and his sympathies may
be wrought upon by beholding the convulsion which
stretches every fibre of her frame. The sounds may
grate upon the ear, and the spectacle may be terrible
to look upon — for in dogs I have seen misery so power-
fully exemplified, that I do no wrong to any man, when
I suppose the picture would be piteous to his humanity
— but it is not charity which would put a termination to
the pangs. Place the bitch, then, in a warm bath, and
the appearances almost instantaneously are changed.
The animal rejoices in the ease which a cessation of tor-
ture produces. No doubt she, for the time, luxuriates,
and her face expresses the sense of happiness she then
enjoys. But her fate is with the pleasure sealed ; and
she obtains a momentary ease to meet with a lingering,
or perhaps a frightful death, for I have known inflamma-
tion of the womb to follow the use of the warm bath.
The use of the warm bath is, during labor, at best a
mistake generated by ignorance ; and unfortunately it is
one of those errors which can rarely be afterwards re-
deemed ; for the weakness it induces is so great, that
the tonicity required in parturition is destroyed ; and this
po medicine can restore.

THEIR MANAOEMBNT.

865

Another common failing in veterinary practitioners is,
a belief that the ergot of rye, or secale cornutum, acts
upon the dog as a direct uterine excitant, and thus pro-
motes the parturitive function. In this belief, however,
they are not single. Many writers speak with confi-
dence of its operation upon the animal. The accounts
arc positive ; and I would not lightly place my unsup-
ported testimony to the fact against a host of authors
who can be suspected of no motive to misstate. The
gentlemen alluded to are authorities of such weight that
a strong conviction of the truth is required to make me
advance, against such and so many witnesses, my single
word. The reader must, however, take both for what
they are worth ; and remember the truth is not the less
true because there may be but one humble individual
ranged upon its side. It is not my intention to say the
authors who speak decidedly concerning the action of
the ergot on the bitch had no grounds for the statements
they advance. I should not be justified in making so
gross an assertion ; on the contrary, I believe sincerely
they saw all which they narrate ; but, nevertheless, I am
prepared to maintain that secale cornutum is not an
excitant to the uterus of the dog in that sense which
would warrant the veterinary practitioner in regarding it
as a lawful agent. To be so esteemed by such persons,
it should be both safe and certain in its operation. It
should not only possess a chance of doing good in one
direction, but it ought to be attended with no probability
of doing harm in another way. It may, in the hands of

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866

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMEMT.

others, have caused the uterus to contract, and thus have
favored parturition, or have brought about abortion. I
have seen it do neither, but I cannot say it has never
thus acted ; I am in no position to prove the negative.
When I have given it to the animal, it has disordered
the stomach and induced vomition. The dogs I tried its
action upon might possibly have been bad subjects for
experiment, but I am not aware that they presented any
peculiarity. In every case that has passed under my
observation, secale cornutnm has been injurious ; and I
fear lest it may be so, when employed by others; I,
therefore, discountenance its use, declaring the custom of
exhibiting it with a view to quicken labor to be danger-
ous. I have used it as an emetic, though rarely ; as, for
ordinary circumstances, there are preferable agents at
command ; but for some time I have abandon,ed its em-
ployment as a parturient for the bitch.

To reconcile, in some measure, the opposite opinions,
and explain the probable source of difference, let the
reader consider the possible conditions of the ani-
mals I and others have subjected to observation. The
medical man, when experimentalising upon a dog, gene-
rally buys the animal ; and as he merely wants a life to
practise upon, he does not give money to procure beauty
or high breed ; cheapness is an object with him ; and
any unfortunate straggling brute, that can with impunity
be trapped, is sufficient for his purpose. Such unhappy
creatures are to be caught roaming about the country ;
perhaps poorly fed, but strong and low-bred curs.

DOOS : THEIR MANAOKMENT.

The dogs I am called to are not of this kind. They
have been tenderly fostered, and generally their health
has been deteriorated by the excess of care bestowed
upon them. They are high-bred animals, and their
sensibility is equal to their caste. My object, also, is not
to play with life, but to save it ; and that at which the
medical man would laugh, I have reasons to regard with
a serious countenance. Therefore, the accident which
to me would be most important, might to others be so
trivial as to deserve no notice, and even to excite no
remark. However, supposing no accident to occur, the
vigorous and low-bred mongrel might well endure that
which a delicate and high-bred pet could not sustain.
The stomach of the one being strong, would retain that
which should induce violent spasm in the morbidly sen-
sitive organ of the other. Dogs, it is true, are but dogs ;
yet, as a group, they present such varieties that there
can be many things asserted of them which shall be true
or untrue as applied to individuals.

Consequently, when I, writing of medicines as applied
to certain descriptions of dogs, assert a particular agent
is not in its action such as various writers have described,'
it is just possible I may not contradict the declarations
previously made. - ^-^

We may probably be both speaking of our knowledge
only of really diflterent things. Nominally the creatures
we each observed were dogs ; but though they were the
same in race, in capabilities and bulk, they were per-
fectly distinct. The dog of the pharmacologist is a. kind

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of beast I know nothing of ; I am ignorant— entirely
and totally ignorant — of the creature that Magendie and
other respectabilities report of. As to the tales told by
the French physiologists, I confess an inability to credit
one-third of them ; and from the list of those narrated
by English physicians, I am obliged to make a very
wide selection. My unfortunate capacity for incredulity
in this matter has been educated by a professional ac-
quaintance with the animal; and gentlemen must par-
don me if I am disposed to think, they who are not
ashamed to publish their wanton disregard for life would
not be very tender with respect to a mere report
about the creature whose suffering they despised.
Where sympathy is dead, the conscience cannot be very
acute.

I have yet another custom here to deprecate ; and I
am sorry to add, it is one which books and teachers
equally countenance. I allude to the employment of
instruments in parturition, without any rule being
pointed out as to the time when such aids are necessary.
Hundreds of bitches are murdered by the misdirected
efforts of Veterinarians ; and of the brutalities resorted
to by other persons, I designedly take no notice. Such
fellows — mere pretenders — are below the contempt of
every honest mind ; and my indignation passes over
them to face the persons by whom their interference is
permitted. It is horrible to think of the amount of tor-
ture which man's favorite animal is hourly subjected to,
through the culpability or weakness of those who shonld*

DOOS: TBBIR IIANAOKMKNT.

369

in gratitnde for the poor beast's affections, be cautions to
protect it.

Poetical as the dog is at all times, I know of no cir-
cumstance that develops more pathetically the disposi-
tion of the creature than that of pupping. At such a
time, the bitch in her agony seems to trust more confi-
dently in mankind. Animala that at other periods have
allowed no one to approach them, at such moments have
seemed to welcome me, and have appeared to compre-
hend the motive which brought me to their sides. To be
examined they submit ; and the pain it will often occa-
sion may cause the animal to cry, but it draws forth no
sign of resentment. The eyes are fixed upon the ope-
rator, as if to tell him of the suffering, and entreat for
his sympathy. The expression of the face is mild and
even plaintive ; but, if possible, still more appealing are
the endeavors the creature almost invariably makes to
assist her attendant's designs. She seems, by some pro-
cess that I cannot otherwise than consider to be a mental
one, to comprehend human motives, and to more than
appreciate our intentions. Her gratitude now would ap-
pear to be intense, and her confidence to be boundless.
Where I have reluctantly been necessitated to resort to
force, the dragging of a dead pup through a swollen pas-
sage has produced the pain which brought a sharp shriek
from the animal ; the agony has been such that even
the fortitude of the canine parent could not silently sus-
tain ; and under its almost maddening influence, the head
has been turned instinctively to bite. The natural im-

16»

''"WPP

870

dogs: their mavaovmbitt.

palse, howler, was never fdlly gratified ; tlie nose has
touched mj hand, but the jaws have closed before they
grasped iti I hkve then ^istihcily felt the snapping mo-
tion, and pliunly heard the tieeth rattle as they quickly
hit against each other, but they have never injured me.
The dog could not repress the natural instinct ; but
though the hand was against its mouth, the noble beast
has bitten the air.

If men knew more of dogs, the animal would be more
esteemed. The persons who pretend to dislike them are
always ignorant of the creatures. It is impossible for
human beings to see much of, and be acquainted with,
these despised brutes, without becoming their admirers.
To like dogs denotes no peculiarity of taste or strange-
ness of disposition ; for he must be incapable of appre-
ciating natural goodness, who can observe these animals
and not grow fond of them. There is no mental sympa-
thy between a shrub and ourselves ; yet a passion for
0owers is pretended to by many who cultivate a horror
of the canine race. Both feelings are affections, and a
person of good sense would be ashamed to acknowledge
either. Flowers are sweet and pretty, but man cannot
love such things ; whereas, between us and dogs there
can be a positive bond of affection. In this world no one
should be proud of disliking anything it is possible for
him to love, or indulge a hatred towards any life that can
adore him.

I have too Aanjr reasons to be grateful for the genei'o-
•ity of tb^ brute, not to feel warmly toiirard it. TJkdreis

DOGS : THEIR IIANAGBUBNT.

871

'^no'tfay ^7 fianiSs are not spared, for they are cobstantly
exposed, and never protected; and I should long ago
have been torn to pieces if the canine race we're legiti-
mate obje(its of dread. Therefore I merely discharge a
debt, when I assert the magnanimity of the creature ; and
it is a duty on my part to do all in my power to benefit

' the despised brute. With that object I speak mdbt unre-
servedly, in condemnation of the way in which instru-
ments are employed during parturition. Many various
inventions are sold in shops; and of these, the great
majority ire very dangerous. Of themselves, very few
indeed are safe, with any skill; and most are seldom
needed. In thQ mode of employing them, they are almost
sure to do injnry ; for in ninety -nine cases out of every
hund^^ they are introduced much too early, and in the
ht^dredth they are used with unnecessary violence.

iBefore any instrument is employed, the pup should be
within the pelvis. The forceps sold in shops are made
with the intention of dragging the foetus from the womb ;

' and tine of th6 diffibnlties the practitioner is supjposed to
encounter in parturition of the bitch, is taught to be the

' impossibility of hauling the foetus firom the horn of the
uterus. One pup generally occupies the body of the
womb, and the rest of the litter are located in the horns.
That is their natural situation ; and as in the gravid state
the length of the horns is greatly extended, of course
some occupy a place far within the abdomen. The
length of th6 horns, however, though supposed to consti-
tute the only'obstacle, is not the single cause which pre-

872

dogs: their manaormbnt.

vents the pup being reached by instruments. The horns,
in consequence of their greater length, become* bent, or
folded upon themselves; so that an instrument which
should drag the pups to light, where move than two or
three are present, should be made to pass forward in the
first instance, and then be constructed to take a back-
ward direction. Those who invented these instruments to

TBI ORAVID UTUim.

deliver bitches with, would seem to have been ignorant
of this necessity ; and I here mention it to prove how
perfectly inadequate such things are for the purpose
intended.

Before any instrument is employed, the pup should be
within the vagina. This is a rule that can hardly be
with impunity violated by the generality of practitioners.
Simple and brief as may bo the direction, it is one that
only on rare occasions may be safely disregarded ; and
of the exceptional case, mention will be made hereafter.

mmm

DOGS : THEIR MAMAOEMEMT.

878

The pup must be within the passage ; and not only there,
but so there, as to seem impacted, before assistance bj
means of instruments is necessary. The largest foetus
can, in almost every case, proceed thus far ; and where
it is of too great a size to come so low, any interference
would be desperate ; for then it must be of such a magni-
tude as to destroy the probability of delivery being
accomplished.

When the pup has not entered the pelvis, the practi-
tioner may be assured the obstacle is not created by the
disproportioned size of the young. The labor either has
not proceeded far enough, and time is required for its
completion ; or the uterus is feeble, and stimulants are
wanted to invigorate it. The largest foetus can be moved
by the womb ; so the size must be an impediment only
to its passage through the vagina. There is therefore
no mechanical hindrance before that part has been
reached, and no mechanical assistance at an earlier period
is imperative.

When the veterinarian is called to a labor that has
already commenced, and perhaps been some time about,
he directs his first attention to the orifice. If the peri-
neum looks unnaturally distended, so largo as to be
remarkable, the presence of a pup in the vagina may be
concluded ; and here ho must know how to act with
decision.

If the throes are on, and strong, though evidence of
pain be heard, we must not be too quick to interfere. If
there be anything like a bladder protruding from the

874.

DOaS : TBKIB MANAOKMBNT.

valya. nothing whatever must he done. In easy hirtbs
the pnps invariahlj come into the world envelpped in
their merobranes> and thereby their egress seems to be
greatlj accelerated. If these burst, or are broken, the
delivery is thereby rendered more difficult. The mem-
branes consequently, if protruding, should not be touched.
Some persons, I know, seize them under an idea, that by
pulling at these, or at the cord, the fcetus can be brought
away. The notion is fallacious. With the first or second
pup. the membrane may be visible ; and, nevertheless, the
labor may not then have proceeded far enough to
detach all the placenta.. The entirety of the caul, or
water-bag, denotes that the foetus is alive; and it also
shows that Nature is proceeding to accomplish, in due
time, her offices. ^

The position which the bitch assumes during labor
also deserves to be noted. While she remains within her
bed, and continues lying upon her side, however tedious
may be the labor, there is little reason for apprehension.
A few cries vented when the throes are present, or a moan
or two emitted when they are coming on, may be
expected,. and deserve little observation; but when the
bitch gives forth sharp, short exclamations, leaves her
house or basket, and places herself in the attitude she
takes when voiding her faeces, there is cause to conclude
something wrong, and requiring immediate help, has
taken place.

Most authorities make mention of what are called
wropg presentations ; and such are very commonly met

nOOS: THKIR MANAOniBKT.

875

with in tjbe cow, mare, a^d the larger aniaaald ; bat I
have never known a case of false presentation in the
bitch ; and I am led to conclude that the authors who
narrated such cases, drew upon their experience in other
directions, describing imaginative possibilities as circum-
stances that had actually occurred. I do not well com-
prehend how a false presentation could take place in this
animal, and I can grant the possibility of its ever having
been witnessed to the first pup alone. It is remotely
possible that this one should be presented sideways,
though highly improbable it could take such a position.
After the womb has expelled the first of the litter, the
body of the generative organ contracts ; and all the
others must pass through it in a line favorable to the
birth.

It is of little consequence, in the yonng of the dog,
whether the head or tail be first born. Examples in both
directions are always witnessed in every puppying. So
likewise is it of small importance how the legs are placed,
though of course delivery is favored by their being pro-
perly arranged. At the time of birth, however, the bones
of the pup are but partially consolidated ; and that cir-
cumstance causes them not to offer those serious obstruc-
tions which they are found to present in other creatures.
The gelatinous mass readily takes the form required for
its expulsion ; and the practitioner has little reason to
perplex himself concerning those particulars which in the
calf or foal he knows to be of vital import.
. The principal; obstruction to birth in the bitch springs

876 DOOS : THEIR 11 ANAOBllBHT.

from the wciakness of the creature. To this its sufler-
ings, and the too frequent tediousness of its labor, are to
be mostly attributed. When there are evident signs of
debility — shown by the throes having subsiderl. and fur-
ther evidenced by no symptom of their reappearance
being witnessed after three or four hours' watching —
from a teaspoonful to a table-spoonful of brandy, mixed
with sugar and cold water, may be administered ; and in
half an hour repeated, if it should have no effect. Thb
I have seldom found to fail, and never have I known it
to do injury ; wherefore I prefer it to the ergot of rye,
which in my hands has been uncertain and injurious.
Patience, however, is more often needed, than stimulants
required ; and before the latter are resorted to, the symp-
toms of debility ought to be recognised ; for without these
be perceived, the passive condition of the uterus de-
serves no immediate attention. >

When the throes are on, the efforts may be assisted.
This is best done by placing the hands under the abdo-
men, and with them making pressure whenever the
straining appears. The hands, however, must not be
held so long as will let them get hot ; for, by commu-
nicating warmth, more harm is done than the benefit
afforded is likely to compensate. The object in placing
the hands under the belly is, to brace and give support
to the abdominal muscles ; which, in the dog, are natu-
rally weak, and in the bitch during gestation always
become attenuated.

Cold doths to the abdomen will also in some cases —

DOOS: THKIR MANAUKMENT. 377

Imt not in all— excite tbe utorus, and bring on vigorous
throes. The coldest water I could procure is that of the
temperature employed by me ; and it has seldom, to my
knowledge, been otherwise than beneficial.

When the birth is long delayed, the bladder and rec-
tum should be examined and emptied of their contents
by means of the injection-pipe and catheter. To draw
off the urine of the bitch is not difficult or dangerous. A
knowledge of the situation of the meatus, or termination
of the urethra, is necessary to the operation ; and this is
best obtained by dissection. It lies within the pelvis, a
short way anterior to the brim, and above the symphysis
of the ischium. I know that while endeavoring to ex-
plain, I am liere making use of words which will to the
majority of readers convey no meaning ; nevertheless, I
cannot be more clear. I have, however, in a communica-
tion to the Veterinarian, entered into this matter ; and I
here extract from that journal part of a paper published
in the number for January, 1849 : —

" With regard to the bitch, I always let the animal
stand upon her legs, simply having an assistant to hold
the head and engage the attention of the creature. The
meatus lies about half an inch or two inches within the
pelvis, the distance varying with the size of the dog.
The line of the urethra is rather forward than downward,
though, of course, in both directions. After having once
or twice passed the instrument, it is surprising how very
readily this conjectured impossibility is performed. I
think so little of the difficulties, that I have no inclina^
tion to dilate upon the few precautions which are requir>

378

D008 : YHKIR MANAGBMENT.

ed to remove them. I may, however, here state, that,
when grasping the penis of the dog, a handkerchief or a
portion of tow will be required to render the hold secure ;
and the wire should, before the catheter is introduced, be
withdrawn, while it ought to be moistened with olive oil
to icilitate its passage, as the canal is not unfirequently
devoid of mucus."

When the pup is partly bom, and its passage appears
to be delayed, either through the feebleness of the throes
or some mechanical impediment, assistance should be
afforded. The restlessness of the bitch will, perhaps, be
the most proper indication ; and it is the more necessary
to be cautious in our interference, as, on account of the
size of the animal, the aid we can afford is limited.
When a paw is to be seen, this may be laid hold of ; but
not without the fingers being covered ; for, as the limb is
slippery, the force intended to secure it would hardly
render the grasp confinnod, and might crush the member.
The osseous structure in the pup at birth, as I have
already stated, is not consolidated ; and all other compo-
nents of the body are in a condition proportionally imma-
tured. The tiny being, when first brought into the
world, is little better than a living mass of pulp ; and on
that account, it must be gently handled. Far less vio-
lence than might be supposed requisite to do so, will dis-
member it ; and no vast force is needed to pull even the
head from the trunk. Aware of this, the efforts intended
for the delivery must be regulated by the power of the
substance to endure them. The practitioner must take a

doob: thcir mamaokiukt.

870

thin, soft cloth, or what is better, his silk pocket-hand-
kerchief, and with this lay hold of any part that can be
grasped. If but one leg can be got hold of, that must be
secured, and an attempt made to bring forward the
other. The two being obtained, gentle force or traction
may be through them applied while the throes are on.
The dragging must not be strong , as, if the pup be alive,
it will be injured; or, alive or de..l, it may be torn to
pieces.

A broken pup, as the foetv is called wbea any part of
it has been pulled off, is always m .e dangerous to the
life of the bitch, and much more difficult to get away,
than one that is entire. The impev^vinent bears relation
to the extent of the mutilation. Thus the separation of
the head is more serious than the deprivation of a limb ;
for, let not the reader imagine that in the dog, as in the
cow or mare, embryotomy by means of a knife can be
successfully resorted to. I have endeavored sometimes
to perform craniotomy, or to remove the brains of the
foetus, hoping by so reducing the bulk of the head to
facilitate the delivery ; but the result has displeased me,
and I no longer follow the practice. The pup, if to be «
got away at all, will be most easily removed entire ; and
that it may not have its integrity destroyed, the assist-
ance given to the mother must be temperate. Every
little aid is a help to the labor ; and knowing that,
we must be content if we are denied to accomplish all.
The traction, assisted by a secure gi-asp, should be
steady ; and the lips of the part should at the same time

880

0008 : THEIR MANAOEMXOT'.

be as much as possible pulled open with the fingers t»f
the free hand. Mild, soothing, and encouraging words
will, during the operation, be of every consequence ; and
it is of importance that, in every particular, the animal
should be humored to the extent of possibility. Re-
straint should be enforced only where absolutely neces-
sary ; and when it is so, the creature will strangely com-
prehend the reason that compels, and patiently, or at least
without resentment, submit to its endurance. A harsh
word, however, or a blow, or both together, too fre-
quently gratify the impatience of the practitioner, and,
at this time, often dispel the throes on which the birth
depends. The dog is ever sensitive to correction; no
living being more acutely feels rebuke or praise ; and its
excitable nature, lighted up by the pains of labor, can-
not then endure unkindness, and should receive our sym-
pathy. Good language, no hurry, and a rejection of all
violence, will do more for a desperate case than all
the drugs in the pharmacy, or all the tact which inge-
nuity is possessed of.

To secure the legs, when they can be felt, Blaine
recommends a skein of worsted. I have not found that
article of any use whatever. If introduced into the
vagina, it soon becomes moist, adheres to the finger, and
cannot be detached from it. If, however, applied in a
loop or slip-knot round a paw, I have known it cut
through the bone ; and its only advantage lies in the
fft«t of its little tendency to come off when once fixed.
Even in that respect, however, it sometimes disappoints.

dogs: thbir manaokubnt.

381

and I consequently no longer use it. To supply its
place, I had the following very simple instrument made ;
and it answers every intention, although it is but seldom
required ; —

TAxmmov nraTBintnTt

A tube of polished metal is at one end curved to fidt
the line of the pelvis, and at the other it is grooved, and
also has a small cross-bar. Into the tube a piece of zinc
wire is introduced, so as to double and form a loop at the
bent extremity, the ends of the wire coming forth at the
other. One of the ends of the wire is twisted into the
groove, so as to render it fast ; and that being done, the
instrument is prepared for use. When required, it is
introduced with the loop of wire upon the point of the
finger, and the paw it is desired to fix being felt, the
finger is withdrawn, and the instrument moved forward.
The free end of the wire is then pulled to render the
hold secure ; when it is twisted round the projecting bar
and made secure. By employing a pliable wire, we gain
those advantages which arise from its not becoming
flabby and adherent when the part is moist ; butr it
retains its form, and is therefore more readily directed

382

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMKNT.

The tube assists ns in guiding the loop, which, being
once fixed, can be made secure, so that traction does not
afterwards further tighten it. The danger, however, is
not entirely removed ; for, if undue force be used, the
wire may do injury as well as the worsted ; and for that
reason I seldom resort to it, unless assured the pup is
dead, when the pains are generally slight, and additional
force is often necessitated.

When the pup dies before birth, the membranes in
which it is enveloped generally rupture ; and by intro-
ducing the finger, the foetus is to be felt without these
interposing. The mere rupture of the membranes, and
the emission of the meconium — a dark, greenish, semi-
fluid substance — will not alone convince us of the fact ;
but, if the labor has been prolonged, if the throes are
almost lost, and if no motion can be detected in the pup,
we may conclude the life has departed.

Dead pups are more difficult to deliver, and stimulants
are generally needed to promote their expulsion ; but
manual help is to be given with caution. Youatt speaks
of working hard, till his nail was soft and his finger sore,
for two honrs at a time ; and that author tells us the
passage was, by his industry and frequent examinations,
so much swollen, that only with considerable difficulty
could the finger be passed.

The humanity which shines in every wish that writer
ever penned, and the purpose of all his teaching, assures
us he thought such a proceeding was not only imperative
but praiseworthy. He was, however, a good man actu'

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

383

Ated by an imperfect knowledge. Let no one follow his
example ; but be passive till the time for action is ascer-
tained— and it is of no use to grope for it. Frequent
examinations are injurious ; the more seldom they are
made the better ; for, if undertaken only when the
judgment sees a chance of hope, no barm will be occa-
sioned. Under every delay, therefore, have patience ;
for often the pup which originally would resist every
attempt to bring it forth, will, after it has been dead a
few hours, be delivered with a facility we could not anti-
cipate. If the parts are not irritated and rendered dry,
there is little to be apprehended ; but if this be done, in-
flammation of the uterus is apt to be induced, and should
that occur, it is of little conspquence to the life cf the
bitch whether the pup be delivered or not delivered.

From the pup, whether it be dead or alive, we are not
to look for those signs which denote there is a pressing
necessity to accomplish the delivery without delay. I
have known a fcetus, after being ascertained to be dead,
to be retained four days, and the bitch to survive. In-
stances of the dead pup remaining in the womb a day or
two are very common ; and, if we had no other proofs,
these would be sufficient to convince us there need be no
immediate hurry. When, however, the bitch becomes
restless, gets in and out of her bed, pants, staggers,
refuses food, drinks largely, and is shortly afterwards
sick ; when the tongue becomes dry, and the pulse
grows quick and thin, or unnaturally hard and strong,
there is danger, and at every hazard delivery must be

384

dogs: their manaoemcnt.

accomplislied. There will, however, then only be a dis-
tant chance of success ; and where these indications have
been remarked, the life of the mother has generally been
lost. If a portion of the litter has been born, and, on
the appearance of the symptoms just described, the pups
refuse to suck, and when placed to the teats turn from
them, the termination will be fatal. The milk seems to
have lost its inviting properties, and to be rendered dis-
gusting by the approach of death; and the sign is as
conclusive as the departure of vermin from the carcase
of an animal.

Forcible delivery is to be accomplished by every
means in our power ; for it is undertaken only when hope
by ordinary process is despaired of. Forceps of any
kind, however, are to be employed with extreme care.
These instruments are always dangerous in the bitch ; as
we cannot see, and can but imperfectly feel, so there is
little guide to their proper use. The crochet, a blunt
hook — and for the dog it can hardly be too blunt — is to
be preferred. As I have before submitted to the public
my opinion of this instrument, I here extract from a
paper which appeared in The Veterinarian for February,
1847 :—

TBS OBOonnrr.

'* I was obliged to meet my pupils in the evening, and
was not sorry to leave a case which had now, in my

DOGS : THEIR MANAORMBNT.

385

mind, become hopeless ; but as I walked, I conld not for-
bear thinking of that which had occupied most of my
attention during the day. The different instruments
employed to facilitate the labors of different animals
passed in review before me ; but some were not applica-
ble to the dog, and others could not be manufactured
with sufficient speed to benefit my present patient. The
crochet, used with such power by the human practitioner,
seemed the one most likely to avail ; indeed, it had often
before occurred to me, that an adaptation of this instrument
would, in our hands, be of infinite service ; and, after I
had dismissed my class, I hurried to procure what I had
conceived would be useful. Mr. Perry, to whom I applied,
had a human crotchet in his shop, and this he consented to
alter according to my directions. I stayed till the altera-
tions were completed, and by eleven at night reached
home, to put the adaptation of the crotchet to the test. It
answered beyond my utmost expectation, and I was ena-
bled to bring away the whole of the contents of the womb
with comparative ease. Four pups were extracted ; and
while I compared them with the little animal from which
they had been removed, it required the evidence of my
senses to convince me that the disproportioned mass had
been forced through the narrow passage of the Italian
greyhound's vagina. The pups were all dead. Each
bore the well-marked character of the Russian, and by
their size indicated their sire : nor was that size decreased
by their having been retained a week beyond their usual
period.

" So far my labor was accomplished ; but the appear-
ance of the bitch indicated that all had been done to
little purpose. The pulse began to decrease in number,
and, nevertheless, continued hard and jerking — the eyes
became fixed — the jaw closed — the head pendulous^— and

386

dogs: their makaoemkkt.

all the symptoms of approaching death were exhibited.
I tried to support the system ; but the poor animal died
in spite of every attention, and the examination after
death showed the womb to be intensely inflamed.

" It was with some anxiety that I looked for injuries
and abrasions, scarcely deeming it possible the violence I
had necessarily employed had not lacerated the delicate
stnicture with which the instrument had been in contact.
Not a mark which I could attribute to the crotchet was
to be discovered. I have seen fearful wounds made by
the forceps used to deliver the bitch ; but here, in the
most desperate case of the kind which I had ever under-
taken, was not a scratch or a bruise to be detected.

" I have since confirmed the indications of u ility which
were given by the crotchet on the first occasion of its
employment ; and had I not received such proofs in its
favor as appeared to be conclusive, I should, perhaps, on
the results of a few cases only, have hesitated to introduce
it to general notice. Besides the instances before alluded
to, I have employed the instrument on four occasions —
three times in my own practice, and once at the request
of a practitioner, whose name it is desired I should con-
ceal. Two of the cases were successful, so far as the
bitches were concerned ; one, which was evidently sink-
ing when brought to me, was delivered of a pup in a
decomposed state, and died five hours afterwards, the
post-mortem displaying acute peritonitis ; the other,
which I attended to yesterday, was alive when I last
saw it ; but I am of opinion its hours are numbered. The
pulse is hard, but not quick — the animal restless — and
the eye dull : worse symptoms can hardly be present.
The poor beast had been left too long unassisted for help
of any kind to be of much avail.

"Of the pups brought forth by the aid of the crotchet,

SOOS: THEIR MANAOBMEKT.

387

the minority were dead; indeed, though safe to the
mother, the instrament is apt to be fatal to the offkpring.
The numbers stand thus : — Dead when extracted, 7 ;
mutilated when brought forth, and immediately destroyed,
1 ; alive, 1. Thus the proportions are as 8 to 1 against
the probability of saving the pups ; but it must be remem*
bered that the calculation is made from the cases of which
the majority were, by previous delay, rendered hopeless,
and under fairer circumstances the result might have been
different.

" I will now proceed to describe the crotchet, and
explain the manner in which I have employed that instru-
ment. It has been long known to the human accoucheur,
but by him is not employed save under certain condi-
tions. A piece of stout steel wire constitutes its substance.
The wire, about twelve inches long, is flattened at one
extremity, and both ends crooked and made perfectly
smooth or blunt, the flattened hook being the larger of
the two. For the dog, the instrument must, of course, be
proportioned to the passage into which it is to be intro-
duced ; and as the pup, in consequence of the weakness
of the abdominal parietes in the bitch, often is felt lying
below the level of the symphysis, a dip or lateral bend is
given to the hooks.

•' So simple is the crotchet, which ought to be highly
polished, in order to secure its being perfectly smooth. It
is first warmed and greased, then introduced with the
index finger of one hand, while the other guides the
instrument into the womb. The foetus is to be first felt,
and this is the more readily done if an assistant supports
and compresses the abdomen. When the finger has
ascertained that the pup is favorably placed, the hook
(and I generally use the flattened extremity of the instru-
ment) is to be pushed forward and then retracted, until

388

OOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

the operator is aware that a firm hold has been obtained.
The purchase being secure, the finger is to be employed
to keep the fcetns from escaping, by pushing it against or
towards the point of the crotchet, and holding it there.
Traction is now made steadily and in the proper direc-
tion ; and the assistant at the same time, by manipulating
the belly, facilitates the delivery of the bitch, which should
be in a standing position — not upon its back.

" The directions are not very complex, but they must
not on that account be disregarded. By introducing the
finger, and taking care that its extremity corresponds
with the point of the instrument, a great object is gained
by securing the pup more firmly : yet there are other
advantages also obtained by this mode of operating.
The head of the foetus is generally too large for the
vagina, and hence the difficulty of its expulsion ; but by
the employment of an instrument which is simultane-
ously to pass, we appear to be increasing the obstruction :
however, by compressing the head with the end of the
finger, it is in some degree forced to conform to the
diameter of the passage, which the gelatinous develop-
ment of the pup at the time of birth readily enables it to
do. Moreover, the hazard of injury being done, if the
instrument should lose its hold, is guarded against ; for
should the hook slip, the point would be received upon
the end of the finger before it could catch the soft parts.
However, the operator will feel the hold giving way long
before it is entirely lost, and will be enabled to rectify
the occurrence in the majority of cases before there is a
chance of accident. The finger, therefore, becomes a
sensible guide to the operator, and by its employment
the traction is rendered more firm and steady. But
above all, care should be taken to have the instrument
pprfjsctly blunt, and the beaks of the books not too

DOOS: THEIR MAKAOEMENT.

389

long. A sharp point might, at the first glance, seem more
likely to answer the purpose in view ; but its employ-
ment would be attended with danger, and on being
tested, it would be found more apt to tear away. In
fact, the sharper the point, the less firm would be the
hold, since the substance to be secured is somewhat of a
pulpy nature ; whereas, by using as broad and flat a
point as possible, the force is exerted on a larger surface,
and the grasp is proportionably the more likely to be
retained ; the object being not to rend the foetus, or tear
it away, but to gently pull it through the vagina, using
only so much violence as the judgment assures us is
imperative for the accomplishment of the purpose."

On reflection, I am inclined to think the measures
adopted in the case narrated above were somewhat more
precipitate than they ought to have been. Now, I should
have taken more time ; and the success does not assure
me that the haste exhibited was fully warranted.

It is not always easy to ascertain when the whole of
the pups have been removed. The last in the womb,
always occupying the extremity of one of the horns of the
uterus, may by an inexperienced practitioner be over-
looked. Most persons seek to learn whether the labor
has been perfected, by inserting the finger up the vagina ;
and they who base their opinions upon an " examinQ,tion^*
of that description will often be deceived. External
manipulation will best lead us to the knowledge we
desire to gain ; and when the hand is properly directed,
an approach to certainty can be obtained. The pup to
be felt through the walls of the abdomen is an uneven

800

DOOS: TBKIR MAMAOKIIKNT.

body ; the inequalities caused by the limbs being detected.
After parturition there is generally one thing that may
be mistaken, which is the contraction of the body of the
uterus. The first pup born occupied that situation, and
on its expulsion the part of the womb it filled narrows,
becoming thick and somewhat hard. Under the fingers,
it conveys the idea of a solid substance, and it may be
imagined to be another foetus. It is too frequently seized
when the forceps are ignorantly and violently employed.
The womb has been repeatedly forcibly draggid forth,
and its integrity destroyed. A mistake of this kind is
fatal. The rupture of the uterus is followed by sickness
and a cessation of the throes; while the hemorrhage
from the laceration induces inflammation that destroys
the life ; therefore, when forcible means are determined
upon, extreme care is required, and forceps, as a general
rule, had better be dispensed with. As regards other
means — such as the tube and wire, the crotchet, the sup-
ports to the abdomen, and the employment of stimu-
lants— these must be regulated by the circumstances of
the case.

The appearance of the bitch will generally denote
when the births are completed. She, after the last of
the litter has been born, seems to be much rejoiced, and
by her manner indicates she has no more business at pre-
sent to transact. She curls herself round, draws her
puppies close to her, makes the bed comfortable, sees
that all her family are in order, and then composes
herself for a comfortable sleep. The meaning of her

dogs: their mamaoembnt.

391

actions is at this time so conspicnous, that I have re-
peatedly lingered to watch them ; and he who has never
witnessed her conduct on such occasions, might be enter-
tained by observing it.

The animal subsequently requires little attention,
beyond a change of bed and a fair supply of nutritive
food. She does best when least noticed ; but it is well
to see that she takes a sufficiency of exercise. On the
following day she should be taken out; and on every
day after that she ought to be about pretty much as
before. Some bitches, however, are such devoted mo-
thers as to sacrifice health, and occasionally life itself, to
enjoy the pleasure of being with their young ones. This
excess of affection must be controlled ; for if not checked
it will seriously injure both parent and offspring. All
animals, however, are not thus distinguished. Some
bitches cannot be induced to suckle the pups they have'
given birth to ; and others, though less frequent, will
eat their progeny. The disposition to desert or destroy
their young seems to prevail among the parentage of
this world. In the female of the dog the maternal in-
stinct is most powerful ; but under certain conditions
of the animal's body, the natural impulse seems to be
perverted, and she takes the life she would else have
perished to preserve.

It is painful, knowing this, to reflect that on his own
species man inflicts the highest punishment, for an act
that possibly nay be, in the human being as in brutes,
the consequence of a mental excitement accompanying

i>ti)Hnilfij[||i>ii

302

DOaS : THEIR MANAOEMEHT.

the period of parturition. Women, when not in dis-
tress and otherwise afflicted, rarely indeed are guilty
of infanticide; and I have observed annoyance or ill
health proceed* or accompany the like act in animals.
If the rabbit be looked at, her alarm seems to change
her nature; and the bitch that devours her pups will,
upon inquiry, be generally found to have suffered some
species of persecution. That the brain is affected there
can be no doubt. The unnatural propensity is of itself
a proof ; but the strange appearance, and the altered
looks of the creature, sufficiently denote her state. She
is not then savage ; her ferocity has been gratified;
and she seems rather to be afflicted with a remem-
brance of the act she was unable to resist. She is the
picture of shame ; she slinks away at our approach, and
her eye no longer confidently seeks that of her mas-
<ter ; her aspect is dejected, but I think more with sor-
row than with crime.

I would not plead for sin ; but what I have beheld in
dogs inclines me to think the majority of those who have
been hung for infanticide were legally murdered. There
is danger in admitting such an opinion ; but seeing all
animals at certain periods exhibit a particular propensity,
it is very doubtful whether the morbid feeling, as exem-
plified in the human race, is really one that calls for mor-
tal punishment.

When a bitch has devoured her young, let an emetic
be administered ; and should the bowels be costive, an
aperient be exhibited. A little fever medicine may fol-

dogs: their manaobmimt.

303

low ; but if its effects are not immediately witnessed,
tonics, without loss of time, should be resorted to. The
food must be mild ; and everything should be done to
guard against excitement. The system requires to be
soothed ; for the act is always attended with general
disturbance ; and attention must be paid to prevent the
milk from accumulating in the glands.

Some persons entertain a notion that the bitch which
has once devoured her litter, will ever after retain the
disposition. This is a false idea. On the next occa-
sion, if properly treated — that is, if not persecuted, chas-
tised, alarmed, and annoyed, but properly dieted — she
may prove, and most likely will prove, an excellent mo-
ther ; the very excitability which, when over-stimulated,
induced her unnatural impulse, making her, when tran-
quil, the more alive to the instincts of her nature. I
once saw this in a very remarkable manner illustrated
by a rabbit. The doe was sold to me very cheap, and
was in litter at the time of purchase. A week after
she came into my possession, she plucked her fur and
made her bed. One morning I distinctly saw a nest
full of young ; but looking again at noon, not a single
one of the progeny was to be beheld. Some little blood
and a mangled leg told their history ; and the animal
a fortnight afterwards was again put to the buck.

I by chance discovered, while the doe was breeding,
that she had an inordinate thirst. At first it amused me
to see the creature lap the water I presented to her ; but
at last I placed within her hutch a cup, and had it kept

17*

894

dogs: their manaokmint.

constantly filled. Her desire for liquid was not speedily
quenched ; and it became to me a source of some pain
when I reflected how much agony the craving must have
caused prior to my being conscious of its existence. The
next litter was not eaten by the mother. She brought
them up, and they likewise did well, drinking as much
as they pleaseed. The disposition of the doe appeared
to undergo a change. From having been savage, that
is, from always endeavoring to bite and scratch the hand
that cleaned her residence, or even supplied her table,
she became gentle and familiar, allowing her person to
be caressed, and letting her progeny be looked at. She
was at last as good as she was beautiful ; and I parted
with her for a sum exactly four times that which she had
cost me.

After a bitch has pupped, there always is from the
vagina a discharge, which rarely ceases before a week
expires, and sometimes flows forth for a longer period.
Some gentlemen of the " fancy," as the dog breeders
term themselves, boast they know how to check it ; and
to what extent their knowledge may reach I cannot pre-
tend to say. I have been requested to perform such an
oflice, but hitherto I have not attempted to fulfil it ; and
I should be very sorry to do so, even if I were certain
there existed the means to arrest the exudation. It is
natural ; if the animal be left alone, she will be sure to
perform the oflices of cleanliness, and to do everything
her state requires.

For the firiit week the bitch is very attentive to her

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMEITr.

395

family ; and as it gives her pain when one is taken up, it
is better not to handle the pups more than is absolutely
necessary. She should be well fed ; not crammed, but
nourished ; and she will require more food than formerly,
for there are many mouths to feed through hers. The
quantity of support she needs may be conjectured from
the rapid growth of the pups.

A small bitch of my own had a litter of four. The
mother weighed seven pounds six ounces ; and between
the second and fourth weeks the young ones daily added
one ounce and a half each to their bulk. It would require
some amount of milk to supply such a quantity of flesh ;
and we have also to remember that, during the rapid
growth, the process of consolidation is simultaneously
going forward. Good nourishing food, sufficient in bulk,
is absolutely imperative ; for if the pups be stinted, the
dogs will assuredly be weak.

A strong bitch may be able to bring up as many young
as she can produce at a litter ; but the animals of the
smaller or more choice breeds are seldom possessed of
such capabilities. The very diminutive will not general-
ly rear two pups without suffering ; and four are a very
heavy drag upon the majority of the animals kept as
pets, even though they be in no way remarkable on ac-
count of size. Three, perhaps, is the average number
the larger favorites can nurture.

When, through a desire to get as many specimens of a
particular breed as possible, a delicate bitch is allowed to
suckle all the members of a heavy litter, fits are the too

¥^

806

dogs: thiir management.

probable consequence. The animal becomes so much
weakened by the continual drain upon her, that the
whole system is debilitated, and the brain shares the
general disorder. Previous to this being perceptible, the
animal may be observed to pant violently when her
young are sucking ; and instead of cuddling to them in a
manner expressive of her delight, she stretches herself
out, and frequently exhibits uneasiness by shifting her
position. At length she breaks away from her offspring,
which appear to be dissatisfied with her departure. le
does not continue quiet after her escape, but seeks ease
in vain, has a vacant expression of countenance. Affec-
tion, however, impels her to return ; and the same scene
is exhibited, the pups seizing upon her, and having no
regard for her exhaustion. The little things are hungry,
for the source of their nourishment is failing ; and thus
the demand is the greater, just as the supply becomes
the less.

At length the poor bitch pants, staggers, falls, and
writhes in convulsions, which on an average continue
about five minutes. The struggle subsides, to leave the
animal in a sad state of weakness. The pulse then is
quick and feeble ; the pupil of the eye is dilated ; and
if the teats be tried, the milk they ought to contain will
be found absent. '

For the fit itself little need be done. While they are
violent, an injection of ether and laudanum may be
thrown up ; and when the consciousness is in some de-
gree recovered, a dose of the same, with from a quarter

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

897

of an ounce to an ounce of sherry may be administered.
Afterwards a few tonics may be given ; but the mother
must never be permitted to visit her young ones as be-
fore. Either a foster-parent must be found (and a cat
will rear a small pup very tenderly), or the litter must in
part be brought up by hand.

This last is more troublesome than difficult to do.
The pups want to be fed early and late; consequently,
they must bo taken into the bed-room ; and when the
feeding time arrives, the soundest sleeper will be
reminded of his duty. A bottle, such as is used for
infants of the human kind, must have a sort of nipple
made of wash-leather fitted to it. The leather is to be
pricked all over with a fine needle, and withir» it is to be
placed a small piece of sponge to give substance and
form to it. There is need to do that, because the pup
when it sucks wraps the tongue round the teat ; and
unless the body it thus grasps has bulk, it cannot extract
the liquid. This, therefore, being attended to, the little
creatures very soon learn their lesson, and all that is
subsequently to be done will be to hold them to the bottle,
and the bottle to them. Each pup occupies from ten to
fifteen minutes at a meal ; and they may be allowed to
decide the quantity that will do them good, unless one
should obviously be morbidly gluttonous, when the in-
dulgence of its appetite should be restrained.

During the night the bitch must be kept away from
her hungry tormentors ; but in the day-time she may be
allowed to go to them every time after they have been

398

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

fed ; and she may remain to enjoy their society for half-
an-hour on each occasion. The small gluttons, thoiigh
full of cow's juice, will nevertheless find appetite for
such a luxury as mother's milk ; but their energies being
blunted, they will have power to do no more than to pre-
vent an accumulation within the glands. The little,
however, which they can swallow seems to do them
much good ; for after this manner I have brought up
many pups, though, when I have attempted to rear them
wholly upon cow's milk, success has not always rewarded
my care.

There is only one circumstance needed to be pointed
out when pups are brought up by hand. The sponge
and leather of the false nipple is apt to become sour ;
and therefore, after they have been used, they should be
kept in water rendered slightly alkaline with the carbo-
nate of soda.

At three weeks old, puppies may be brought to lap a
little ; and they not only learn quickly where their bel-
lies are concerned, but they never, like other children,
forget what they once acquire. After a month a little
scraped meat or boiled rice may be added to their diet ;
and by five weeks old they will feed themselves. There-
fore, if the trouble be great it does not last long ; and to
those who can make an amusement of the business, the
pleasure repays the labor. I do not know whether feed-
ing pups is quite as agreeable a pastime as killing birds ;
but I am sure it is far less dangerous to him who follows
it ; though the difference of name given to such recrea-

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

309

tions may, to weak eyes, invest them with very opposite
attractions.

At this place it is not intended to enter at length into
the plan to be pursued in rearing the pups ; but the
method in which they ought to be weaned must be
pointed out. Some persons remove the entire litter at a
stated period ; various dates being fixed by di£Perent in-
dividuals when the young ones can do for themselves.
A pup can survive if taken from the mother at the expi-
ration of the third week ; but it must be a strong animal,
or it will feel such an early separation from the source
of its natural nourishment.

The stronger the pup, the more attached is the bitch
to it ; and I have known these animals to pine and ne-
glect the rest, when the favorite has been taken from
her. If, however, the healthy are beloved, the weakly,
in almost a stronger degree, are the objects of dislike.
In many breeds wliere the value is regulated by the
lightness of the weight, the one most prized by the
owner is the one that too frequently dies. The causes
of this disappointment are many. Pups have neither
politeness nor generosity. They scramble at their meals ;
and the one that is not able to contest for his share is
certain to get the least. Thus the debilitated hope of
particular litters comes but badly off. It is pushed aside
by its brothers and sisters, whose vigorous greediness
appears to endear them to their mother. For the boister-
ous gluttons she will accommodate her position, and
Sbndly lick them in return for their energetic appetites ;

400

dogs: their management.

but to the poor sickly thing she has given life to, she
lends no assistance, and bestows no attention upon. She
seems to be ashamed of, and disgusted with, its degene-
racy ; and while the others grow fat and sleek from posi-
tive repletion, it becomes thin and dirty from actual
starvation. Where, therefore, it is desirable to rear the
smallest of the litter, the proprietor must take care to see
it properly fed. The bitch may need to be held, in
order that the little one may suck her ; and often have I
placed her under such restraint.

In order that the small one may be nurtured, some
persons have taken away from the mother the rest of the
faiaily ; but this practice, though successful with regard
to the life, generally disappoints with respect to the
diminutiveness, which made the existence precious.
Upon the abundance which such single blessedness se-
cures, the growth is generally rapid ; and it is not very
long before Nature makes up for her previous stint. The
better method is, to let the companions continue ; care
being exercised only to see that at meal-times all share
alike.

The bitch, also, requires our attention to observe that
all the glands are properly emptied. Puppies, like chil-
dren, are apt to be fanciful where plenty prevails ; and it
is no very rare occurrence for a litter to combine in refus-
ing to draw the most forward of the teats. These are
situated under the sternum or breast-bone ; and repeat-
edly have animals with young ones recently born been
brought to me, because their owners perceived symp-

DOOS : THKIR MANAOKIUNT.

401

toms which could not be interpreted. The animal is
restless ; the nose is dry ; the tongue hot ; the appetite
is either lost, feeble, or capricious ; and the dog is disin-
clined to move, often crying out when obliged to walk.

If the teats are examined, all those posteriorly situated
will be found fairly drawn. On these the pups can take
a firm hold ; and as they are the most capacious, no
doubt they present temptations against which the lesser
glands anteriorly placed cannot compete. The smaller
are therefore rejected ; and will be found to be distended
with their secretion. If this is removed, and, as ueces-
sity arises, afterwards withdrawn, no more need be done,
but the symptoms will subside.

To milk the bitch requires only a little patience. The
gland should be taken between the finger and thumb,
when any degree of pressure, not designed to create pain,
may be made, and the fluid squeezed out. The animal
submits with pleasure to have this operation performed,
and seldom moves before it is perfectly accomplished.
Where any appearance of hardness is detected, the place
should be kneaded between the finger and thumb ; for
pains should be taken to remove the coagulated milk,
which is generally the cause of the induration. Frequent
and thorough milking will do more good in these cases
than any of the active remedies sold by chemists and
dog-fanciers, for the purpose of immediately curing them.

To dry up the milk of a bitch is a duty we are often
called upon to perform ; but it is one I invariably decline
to accept. The animal will always soon cease to yield

■i

402

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

its secretion if it be let alone; for if dog's milk were
valuable, we should in vain use our utmost art to prolong
its continuance. When the pups are removed, Nature
takes away that which is no longer required ; but if the
litter be suddenly separated from the mother, or all the
young should be born dead, Nature may not immediately
accommodate herself to the circumstances. In such
cases, the milk should be withdrawn three times daily ;
a dose of opening medicine should be administered, and
the food should be spare. A few days' attention will be
required ; but the matter, if neglected, causes much suf-
fering, and very frequently lays the foundation for future
evil.

Falling of the vagina, or membrane lining the passage
to the womb, is sometimes witnessed in animals that are
much confined, and consequently of a debilitated habit.
Creatures so savage as to be dangerous, and which, there-
fore, cannot be properly exercised, are most subject to it ;
and I have in the greater number of instances met with
it in high-bred bull-bitches of that disposition.

The reason of this is, the bull-dog ranks as an entirely
artificial creation. In proof of this stands the well-known
fact, that unless the breed be sedulously kept up, it is
apt to degenerate, or to become extinct. Old breeders
even now say, the ancient kind of English bull-dog is
nowhere to be found. But take another proof. We want
no anatomical knowledge or prejudice : in him formation
is to be judged. Let the reader look at the head of the
animal depicted on page 404. Is not the cranium a

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

403

malformation 1 Do not the habits of the animal prove it
to be a pampered creation ? It is not generally known,
that the disposition of the genuine bull-dog is too fond.
It will fondle upon any stranger ; and yet, contrary to
the general custom of its race, it displays small prefer-
ence for its master. It will fondle a human being as
though its heart would burst with affection ; but upon the
slightest excitement — often upon a sudden sound — it will
fly at and mangle the hand that was caressing it. Then
the hold taken by this animal is more retentive than is
strictly natural. It will fix upon an object, and frequent-
ly suffer itself to be dismembered before it will let go its
hold, although its master's voice be energetically raised
to command it. Do not these traits bespeak the being
formed rather by man's malice, than created by Nature's
goodness ? Look at the likeness of the beast, and say
how far it resembles the mild, graceful, and generous
race to which it outwardly belongs.

It is the high, or rather perverted, state in which the
breed is kept, that subjects them to accidents ; it is the
pampered condition jn which these antipodes to beauty
are reared that renders them so liable to afflictions that
do not affect the ordinary run of their kind — such as fall-
ing of the vagina. It comes on generally when heat is
present, and mostly disappears when the excitement sub-
sides. A red bag is seen to be pendulous from the orifice
of the part ; and if no care be taken to prevent it, this
by exposure gets injured ; becomes hard ; bleeds freely,
and is difficult to return. It often presents a pitiable

404

DOOB: their MANAOSMBm'.

aspect ; but however painful it may be to look at, there
seems to be but little suffering attending it. The animal
permits it to be freely handled, and does not resist even
when sharp dressings are applied.

In such cases cleanliness is to be strictly observed. If
the protruded membrane should be thickened and exco-
riated, it must be well washed with a sponge and warm

THX BULL-DOa,

water. Afterwards it may be bathed with a lotion, (made
of nitric acid one drachm, to proof-spirit one ounce,) and
then returned. A cold injection, composed of alum one
drachm, dissolved in spring water one pint, may be used
thrice daily ; and from a quarter of a grain to a grain of
powdered gallic acid may be given three times a-day.

The inversion of the womb is more serious ; but it is
generally more speedily restored. In the larger animals,
that produce one or two young at a time, the uterus is
commonly inverted subsequent to parturition ; but in the
dog I have known it only when the womb had for some

DOOS : TBKIR MANAGEMENT.

405

period been unimpregnated. Blows may cause it ; so also
may excessive weakness ; and the earlier it is attended
to, the more readily will it be restored. The treatment
is described in the following narrative, which was pub-
lished by me in the Veterinarian.

" I began by having a soft clean cloth spread upon a
table, and, placing the dog on this, with a sponge the
uterus was gently moistened. No friction was employed,
but with tepid water the part was carefully sopped. This
process was not quick. An hour and a half expired be-
fore all the extraneous matter was by it removed. This
accomplished, with a pair of scissors the fibrinous tumors
were snipped off. The hemorrhage was trivial ; but
there yet remained marks of bruises and signs of lacera-
tion which could not be cut away. To these a spirituous
solution of nitric acid — a drachm to the ounce — was
applied, and the entire of the exposed surface dressed
with it.

" Knowing the peculiar form of the passage, I was
able to return the womb, and met with little obstruction.
Up to this point I had succeeded better than at first I
hoped; but here came the difficulty. The uterus was
replaced, but how was it to be retained ? The irritability
of the system would have a natural tendency to reject
the viscus, and the lotion I had used was not of a sooth-
ing quality. To render the case more desperate, there
was the knowledge of the temperament and habits of the
animal— its manner of sitting — its mode of curving the
spine to void its faeces — the marked excitability of its
generative organs — and its peculiar sensitiveness to suf-
fering.

** To own the truth, I had done so much more than,

406

dogs: their managemrnt.

seeing the hardened and lacerated condition of the parts,
I had in the first instance anticipated was possible, that I
was not exactly prepared for my good fortune. I
remaim d for some time thinking — and, really puzzled,
requested those present not to speak. I wanted some
combination of medicine which I could not satisfactorily
procure. A sedative to the general system was required,
but not one that should depress ; as, after operations of
this description, the vital powers are disposed to sink,
and therefore generally require to he stimulated. I
moreover wanted an excitant to the uterus. Many
things were hastily thought of, and as quickly rejected ;
and, in my difficulty, I was at last obliged to ask advice
of those about me. A bandage or harness to pass over
the parts was suggested ; but the almost impossibility of
fixing it properly, and the mischievous ingenuity the dog
exhibits with its teeth, rendered this plan obviously inap-
propriate. One person proposed to adopt the custom —
sometimes, I am sorry to say, followed by cow-leeches —
of passing stitches through the labia. The brutal and
unjustifiable practice was of course rejected, and, I trust,
by the members of the veterinary profession, it is never
embraced.

" Fairly at my wits' end, I suddenly determined to
try how the injection o ' cold water into the uterus would
act. I knew of no c(;se in which this agent had been
employed, and could not feel confidence concerning the
consequences of the experiment ; but, in despair, I re-
solved to hazard it. A quantity fresh from the pump
was therefore obtained, and it was thrown up, being
allowed to flow back. A stream of cold water was thus
made to pass over the interior of the uterus, and about
two quarts had been used before the animal appeared to
be at all affected, excepting that the injection seemed to

DOOa: THEIR MANAaEllBirr.

407

iniiuce a sensation of discomfort. At last a feeble moan
was uttered, which, when another pint or thereabouts
had been injected, burst into something approaching to a
cry. I then desisted. The tube was withdrawn, and,
hoping that the symptom of pain resulted from the con-
traction of the organic fibre under the stimulating effects
of the cold, the animal was ordered to be placed where
nothing could disturb it.

" Having passed an hour in the company of my friend,
when about to leave I requested to see the dog once
more. I'he animal had been put into a hayloft, and I
was pleasantly surprised to hear it give tongue on our
approach : it came to meet us, and the change was such
as I could not have anticipated. The parts had regained
almost their natural appearance ; certainly they pre-
sented nothing to indicate the aspect they had exhibited
only a few hours before.

" A mild aperient was given. The animal had no
other medicine, neither was any local application used.
For three days a slight discharge of a blackish color en-
sned ; but when this stopped, the animal was returned to
its owner cured."

■s

Hardened swellings, or indurated tumors in the teats,
are very common in the bitch. They are caused by the
milk being allowed to accumulate in the glands, and
there to curdle or act as a foreign body on the parts im-
mediately around it. The bitch will secrete milk,
although she has had no pups ; and a virgin bitch will do
so quite as actively as one that has been a mother. When
heat has subsided, although no intercourse has been per-
mitted at the period, when the birth would have taken

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408

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMBNT.

place the glands will swell ; and on squeezing them, a
full stream of thick milk will flow forth. Nine weeks,
therefore, after oestmm, whether the desire has heen gra-
tified or denied, the teats should he examined and re-
lieved. If this should not be done, small lumps will
appear. These are round, not sensitive ; but generally
roll under the fingers, and appear at first to be perfectly
detached, though more or less deep seated. No time
should be lost in removing them ; for if allowed to re-
main they rapidly increase, and often become of an
enormous size. Others also appear until the whole of
the glands are involved ; and the extent of the implica-
tion renders an operation, which in the first instance
would have been both simple and safe, so complicated
and hazardous as not to be risked. The tumors, more-
over, as they enlarge by their weight and size, become
exposed to numerous accidents ; either they are excori-
ated by the movements of the legs, hurt by blows, or
lacerated by being dragged along the ground. Any-
thing that interferes with their integrity seems to change
their character. From having been dormant they start
into activity, and the slightest wound degenerates into a
wide-spreading ulcer. When this last appearance is
established, no treatment I know of can effect a cure.
If there bo a hope, it lies solely in the skilful use of the
knife ; but generally the constitution is so much ex-
hausted, and the disease so firmly established, that sur-
gery is but a desperate resort.

When taken in time, the situation of the tumor being

DOQS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

400

ascertained, tbe skin is divided and the growth dissected
out. This is easily done, and it is seldom that a vessel
requiring ligature is divided. The care required is to
spare the skin, no portion of which, unless it should be
implicated, ought to be excised. Neither plaster nor
suture will afterwards be wanted. The bitch would
with her teeth remove either ; and as the healing
process is established, the integument will contract and
unite.

When there is more than a single tumor to take away,
or one of large dimensions to remove, though there may
be no important vessels to ligature, the oozing of blood
is sometimes greater than may with safety be disre-
garded. In such cases, the application of cold water, or
of oil of turpentine, or the tincture of ergot of rye, or
blowing upon the part by means of a pair of bellows,
will be of service, and may each be tried; but the
actual cautery, though held in high esteem by veterina-
rians, is not suited to these instances-
After the tumor or tumors are cleanly removed, a
course of iodine should be enforced ; and it should be
persevered with for several months, nor given up simply
because all present symptoms have disappeared. The
tendency has been exhibited, and the medicine is now
employed to prevent its development for the future ; and,
by the continued use of the agent, we hope to accom-
plish that iuteutiuQ.

;:.

410

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMBNT.

BKIN DUBABaS.

Every affection of the skin in the dog is termed
mange. This is very wrong ; and receipts for the cure
of mange are all nonsense, unless we can imagine that
one physic is good for various disorders. The dog is
very subject to mange ; that is, the animal's system can
hardly suffer without the derangement flying to and de-
veloping itself externally, or upon the skin. True
mange is chiefly caught, being mainly dependent upon
contagion ; but all the other varieties have the seats in-
ternally, and are chiefly owing to the keep or lodging.
Too close a kennel will give rise to mange, as will too
spare or too full a diet ; too much flesh or unwholesome
food ; too hard or too luxurious a bed. In fact, there . is
hardly a circumstance to which the animal is exposed
which will not cause this malady to be developed. Pecu-
liar kinds of bedding, as barley straw, will give rise to
it ; and particular kinds of diet, as subsisting entirely
upon flesh food, will produce it. In short, I know a few,
and only a few, of those things which will cause it ; and
my time has been so taken up that I have been able to
observe but five distinct varieties ; though my reason
informs me there are many more than I here describe.
However, as, in describing five kinds of mange, I do
more than either of my predecessors, the public must be
content with the moiety for the present ; and wait till
either I find time to accurately note, if possible, the dif-

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

411

ferent forms which mange in the dog will assume, or
some more close observer comes forth to take the task
from before me.

True mange is dependent, as in the horse, upon an in-
sect ; and though not commonly met with, is known by
the same symptoms, as the similar affection in the more
valuable animal. The skin is partially denuded of hair,
but never perfectly so ; for in the most bare place, hairs,
either single or in small and distinct patches, will be seen
adhering to the surface of the body : these remaining
hairs are very firmly planted in the skin, have a coarse
or unnatural feel, and look all awry and unthrifty. The
skin appears very dry and scaly ; it is corrugated, or
thrown into ridges. The parts chiefly affected have been
the back, eyes, neck, &c. ; though no part of the body
is exempt, for I have seen it virulent upon the feet, and
the rest of the body comparatively untouched.
. The animal appears dejected, though at seasons he
may assume his usual liveliness; but when nothing
attracts his attention, his time is nearly consumed in
scratching himself violently. His appetite generally re-
mains good, notwithstanding the torture he endures ; but
the heat of the body denotes fever, and his thirst may be
excessive

The treatment consists in rubbing the body over with
some of the various dressings for mango ; some of which,
however, are compounded for the horse, and do not very
well suit the canine race. Care should be taken that the
dressinj^, of wbfttever nature It may be, reaches and is

:i;i

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412

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

expended upon the skin, as simply anointing the dog or
smearing the salve upon the hair is of no earthly use.
The ungnent which I have employed, and with such
success as emboldens me to recommend it, is composed
of—

Ung. resini . .
Sulph. Bub. . .

OL jnnip. . . .

. As mnch as you please to take.

) A sufficiency to make the rosin ointment
' i very thick.

I Enough to make the unguent of a proper
f consistency, but not too thin.

This is to be applied one day ; washed off the next ; and
then the dressing repeated until the dog has been dressed
three times, and washed thrice ; after which the ointment
may be discontinued ; but again had recourse to if the
animal exhibits the slightest signs of uneasiness ; when
the entire process may be gone through once more.
Mercurial ointments are the most certain remedies for
this disorder; but then they are not safe, and should
always be avoided where the dog is concerned.

The second kind of mange is where hair partially falls
off; and this kind of disorder is well marked by bare
patches of small dimensions, showing themselves on the
point of the elbow and any part which is prominent, and
which the animal might be supposed to have rubbed as
he lay in his kennel. The patches are small and free
from hair; but at the same time the skin exposed is
rough, scaly, thickened, and corrugated. The itching is
intense ; but it does not particularly affect the exposed

DOGS : THEia MANAGEMENT.

418

part ; it rather seems to reside in those portions of the
body which are well covered with hair.

For this form of disease the cure begins with tonic
medicine ; and after this has been administered a week
or a fortnight, as the strength may appear to require
restoration, it is suddenly left off; and liquor arsenicalis
in gradually increasing doses is administered. If it be a
little dog, let the first day's dose consist of half-a-drop
each time ; and if for a large animal, of two drops each
dose ; three doses in either case to be given in the course
of the day. In the former case, the quantity of arseni-
calis is to be increased half-a-drop each day, and in the
latter instance one drop daily is to be the advance ; the
quantity in both cases to be distributed over three doses,
one to be given in the morning, one at noon, and the last
at night.

The medicine is to be kept on increasing each day,
until the dog loathes his food ; has a running from the
eyes ; a scarlet conjunctiva ; or exhibits some symptom
that denotes the physic has hold of his system ; when the
arsenicalis is to be discontinued for three days, and then
steadily persevered with at the dose which preceded the
derangement. Thus, supposing it requires three and a
half drops to throw the small dog off his appetite, the
quantity to resume with will in that case be three drops.

There is no power I possess which can predicate the
quantity of the liquor arsenicalis which an animal will
bear ; its effects on different creatures of the same species
are so yarious, that what one can gorge with impunity

i '

414

dogs: their manaobmsmt.

would kill his companion. On this account no iBzed
quantity of the medicine can be recommended ; but the
practitioner must bo satisfied to watch the symptoms
induced, and be content to be guided by these. So soon
AS the physiological symptom is beheld, the good results
of the medicine may be anticipated ; and no compound
in the pharmacopoeia works with greater certainty. The
disease will begin to decline ; and in a month, six weeks,
'1 i^wo months at furthest., will be thoroughly eradicated.
In the course of that period, however, it may be as well
*o gi^ ^^ature a jolt every now and then, by occasionally
increasing the dose, being always prepared to diminish it
on the symptoms giving the slightest hint that it is pru*
dent so to do. The arsenicalis should be used simply
diluted with water; and during the period occupied by
the cure, no other medicine whatever will be required.

The next form of mange attacks very fat and cruelly
overfed animals. The poor dog is very foul. He, as it
were, smells aloud ; and his hide is enormously thick-
ened, being everywhere devoid of sensation. Pinch it as
hard as you can — even until the moisture be forced
through thQ pores by the pressure — and the operation
which should inflict pain, will only communicate pleasure.

The animal, instead of crying out or endeavoring to
snap, will stand altogether quiet, the expression of the
face announcing the perfect delight it experiences; or the
head turns round to lick the hand of the pincher, thereby
entreating him to continue the delicate recreation.

The hair i« generally more or less removed from the

DOOS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

415

back; and the thickest portions of the skin are either
above the neck, or just before the tail. The animal is
the whole day dull, never being alive except at meal-
times, when it is all activity ; the rest of the day is
passed in sleeping, licking, scratching, biting, and gnaw-
ing its person — to the infinite annoyance of an indulgent
master, who looks on the mass of disease before him, and
with regret pictures the animated creature which it once
was.

Here the mode of feeding must be changed. Flesh
must be strictly prohibited. Boiled rice forms the most
wholesome diet ; but even rice milk will not be touched.
Neither will be eaten at first ; but this does not much
signify, as a day or two of abstinence rather does good
than injury. If, however, the refusal to feed be exhi-
bited beyond the third day, one, two, or three ounces of
meat, according to the size, may be allowed; which
quantity, though insufficient to satisfy the desires, is suf-
ficient to keep a dog alive and hungry for an almost inde-
finite period. Fresh vegetable diet should be presented
every day ; and if declined, it should immediately be
withdrawn. On no account should it be allowed to
remain about, and the animal to blow upon it till it either
becomes stale or noisome in the creature's eyes. Fresh
clean rice should be boiled, and presented every morn-
ing ; and this should be offered and withdrawn, as though
it were too choice a luxury to be twice refused. The
animal, tired out, and despairing of gaining anything
better to eat through resistance, will fall to the loathet^

416

dogs: theik manageiMEnt.

dish at last ; and afterward swallow it without any coax-
ing, although the preference for flesh as food will be
cherished to the death.

The food being managed as directed, the dog may also
have first a mild emetic, to be followed by three doses, on
three different days, of castor-oil prepared as recom-
mended, p. 116.

To these is to succeed a course of pretty strong tonics,
to keep up the general tone of the body, invigorate the
appetite, and to support the strength. Likewise a cold
bath every morning may be added, and plenty of exer-
cise in the course of the day.

So soon as the appetite is subdued, stimulating dress-
ings are applied down the back, where the hair is want-
ing; and, for a beginning, the common mange liniment
answers very well. It is thus prepared : —

• • • • • J

:::;:5

OL tepeb.

01. picis ^ Of each equal parts.

OL nucis .

This may at first attract no notice ; after it has been
submitted to for a week, add to every three pints an
%xtra pint of turpentine, which will soon banish all the
philosophy the strongest-minded dog may have at his
command. Even subsequent to the period when the
application of the liniment is received with the acutest
and most piteous cries, the torture must be continued
until the skin, being reduced to its natural thickness,
announces that its office is perfected ; only, with the pro-

DOOS: THBIR MANAOBMKNT.

41?

duction of this last effect, the agent that gives such pun
should he used less lavishly.

During the application of the liniment, some diluted
liquor arsenicalis may also he administered, and even the
pills containing iodide of sulphur exhibited.

The fourth kind of mange is where the hair falls sud-
denly off in circular patches. For this any simple oint-
ment, as the ung. cast, or no application at all is sufficient.

The fifth kind is the worst, especially where it attacks
young pups. Almost all the hair falls off; and the poor
little creature is thin, and nearly naked, while the surface
of* the body is covered with dark patches, and compara-
tively large pustules. If the dark patches be punctured,
a quantity of venous and grumous blood exudes ; but the
wound soon heals. In full-grown dogs, the same form
of disease seldom involves more than the top of the head,
neck, and the entire length of the back; hut it is pre-
cisely of the self-same character as in the more juvenile
animal.

In both cases the treatment is the same. The dark
pustules are to be cut into, which produces no pain ; and
the pustules are to be freely opened, which operation is
attended with no apparent effects. The bare skin is to
be then washed tenderly with warm water and a soft
sponge, after which the body may be lightly smeared
over with the ointment of camphor and mercury ; see p.
265. This operation must be repeated daily. The liquor
arsenicalis may be administered as drops, and pills of the
iodide of sulphnr likewise exhibited.

18»

" ni

418

door: IHEIK MANAGEMENT.

Where the dog is old, a cure invariably results ; but
it takes time to bring it about. Perhaps months may be
thus Consumed ; and the practitioner vili require a good-
ly stock of patience before he undertake the treatment
of such a case. The proprietor, therefore, must he en-
dowed with some esteem for the animal, before he can be
induced to pay for all the physic it will consume. I can-
not account for so virulent a form of skin disease affect-
ing pups ; but certain it is, that they have scarcely left
the dam before its signs are to be detected. Probably
it may be owing to their being weaned upon garbage or
putrid flesh. Certain it is that the cure of creaturel at
this tender age greatly depends upon their previous
keep. If it has for any known length of time been good
and generous, the practitioner may undertake the case
without fear ; but if, on the other hand, the pup, though
of a valuable breed, had lived in filth, never enjoyed ex-
ercise, and been badly nurtured, no entreaties should
tempt the veterinarian to promise a restoration. It will
certainly perish, not perhaps of the skin disease, but of
debility.

Here I may for the present conclude my imperfect
Account of mange ; again insisting that in every form of
the disorder the food is to consist of vegetables, and
every kind of flesh is to be scrupulously withheld, unless
to pups in a very weakly condition. Blaine and Youatt
speak of alteratives as necessary towards the perfection
of a cure ; but as I am simply here recording my expe-
rience, all I canjsay is, I have not found them to be lie-

t
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DOGS : TH£IR MANAOEMSNT.

419

quired. Cleanliness — the bed being repeatedly changed
— free exercise — wholesome, not stimulating food — and
fresh water — are essential towards recovery. In no case
should the dog suffering under these complaints be allow-
ed to gorge or cram itself; but the victuals must be
withdrawn the instaftt it has swallowed sufficient to sup-
port nature.

OAltKKB WITHIN AND WITUOVT THK SAB.

Blaine treats of these two as different diseases. Youatt
speaks of them as the same disease situated on different
parts. As they differ in their origin and in their effects,
however closely they may be united, I hold Blaine's
arrangement to be the soundest, and therefore to that
I shall adhere. Water-dogs are said to be the most
liable to attacks of these disorders ; but I have not found
such to be the case. At the mouth of the river Ex, near
Exeter, Devonshire, for instance, there are numerous
dogs kept for the purpose of recovering the wild fowl,
by shooting of which their roasters exist during winter.
Here is rather a wide field for observation ; but among
the many water-dogs there to be \ irl, the canker both
internal and external is unknown; whereas there is scarce-
ly a dog kept in town, especially of the larger size, that
does not present a well-marked case of canker. The Lon-
don dog is, for the most part, over-fed on stimulating diet
(flesh), and kept chained up, generally in a filthy state.
The country dog gets plenty of exercise, being allowed

420

DOGS : THKIR If ANAQEMKNT.

to sleep in the open air where he pleases ontside of his
master's cottage, and has but little food, and very s<
any flesh. I scarcely ever have a sporting dog sent to
me, on the approach of autumn, suffering from what
their masters are pleased to term " foul," but canker
within and without the ear are foand to be included in
the so-called disorder. Often am I desired to look at
both long-haired and short-haired dogs, and And both
kinds victims to these diseases ; but canker without the
ear, or on the flap of the ear, I never see without canker
within the ear being also present. Canker on the flap
of the ear, it is true, becomes the worst in 8hort-hai'*'*d
dogs, because these animals have this part by m
more exposed to injury. Long-haired dogs, on the oiu^^
hand, have the disease within the organ worst, because
the warmth of their coats serves to keep hot and to en-
courage the disorder.

Therefore, we find on inquiry that neither breed of
dogs is more liable or more subject to be attacked by a
particular kind of canker ; though in each kind there ex-
ist circumstances calculated to give a direction to the dis-
ease when once established. Authors speak of rounding
the ear for external canker ; that is, of taking a portion
of the border away, so as to leave the flap of the ear the
less for the operation ; and fox-hounds are said to have
the ears rounded to escape the ravages of the disorder.
There are said to have been poor dogs subjected to
a second and third rounding ; till at length the entire
ear has been rounded away, and the wretched beast has

boos: theik mamauement.

421

been at last destroyed; because man first fed it 'ill
it was diseased, and then was too heartless properly to
study the nature of the affection which tormented the
animal.

Let those who may feel disposed to question this view
of external cunker, ask themselves what it is which nn
duces the dog to shake his head violently at first ? For
the brute must shake the head violently and frequent-
ly, before canker in the flap can be established. The
disease is, in the first instance, thus mechanically induced.
It has its origin in tlin violent action of the beast ; and
that action is the very one which ensues upon the animal
being attacked by internal canker.

The dog shakes his head long before the eye can
detect anything within the ear. By that action, in nine
cases out of ten, we are led to inspect the part. The
action is symptomatic of the disorder, and it is the ear-
liest sign displayed. In the dog whose coat does not
favor internal canker, it may, however, establish the ex-
ternal foitn of the disease ; which being once set up,
may afberM'ards even act as a derivative to the original
disorder.

External canker is nothing more in the first stage than
a sore established around the edge of the ear, in conse-
quence of the dog violently shaking the head, and there-
by hitting the flap of the ear with force against the col-
lar, chain, neck, &c. Shaking, however, does not cure
the annoyance. An itching within the ear still remains ;
which the dog, doubtless imagining it to be caused by

111

422

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

some foreign body, endeavors to shake out. In conse>
quence of the continued action, the sore is beaten more
and more, till an ulcer is established ; the ulcer extends,
involves the cartilage which gives substance to the flap
of the ear, and thus is created a new source of increased
itching. The ulcer enlarges, becomes offensive ; and he
who is consulted, instead of seeking for the cause, be-
gins by attending to the effect. Various remedies are
employed to cure the flap of the ear ; and each and all
of these failing, the poor animal is at length rounded, and
as books and teachers advise, rounded high enough up.

All the diseased parts are carefully cm away ; but the
disease appears again, and the wretched beast is rounded
a second time. On this occasion the rounding is carried
still deeper, the operator being resolved the knife this
time shall take effect. The dog has little ear left when the
disease appears again ; and the master saying he wants
his dog for the field — to shoot over, and not to look at —
the remaining portion of the ear is removed, hoping for
better luck this time. However, chances are now against
them ; they have -.ut beyond mere skin and cartilage,
into the seat of flesh in goodly substance. Spite of the
brutal use of the red-hot iron, the hemorrhage is great,
and ulcers appear before the cicatrix is perfected. The
miserable animal having nothing more that can be cvt
aw ay, is then killed, being said to be incurably affect-
ed.

This is a true history, and can be substantiated by
reference to all the authors who have hitherto written

DOO«: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

428

about the dog. It does not, therefore, depend solely
upon the testimony of the present writer ; but sad is
the reflection, that all the pain and suffering thus occa-
sioned was unnecessary. Canker without the ear cannot
be established unless canker within the ear, in the first
instance, exists. It may not be violent ; it may lie pre-
sent only in an incipient stage, and never get beyond it;
but in this state it is sufficient to annoy the animal, ana
make it shake its head. Doing this, however, it does
enough to mislead the practitioner, and cause the death
of the unfortunate animal.

When a dog is brought with canker in the flap, the
first thing I order is a calico cap, to keep the animal
from shaking the ear. I then give the person ac-
companying the creature a box of the mercurial and
camphor ointment, ordering it to be well applied to the
external ear thrice daily, with the intention of cooling

li'l

BOO WriB A OAHXn OAT OV.

the part. I do nothing absolutely to heal the ulcers
beyond keeping the part from being shaken ; for I have
not yet met with a case in which the cartilage has been

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424

DOOS: THEIR MANAGBMBNT.

positively involved, however much authors may write
about such a texture having suffered. I direct my chief
attention to the healing of the internal ear, from which
I trace all the evil to have sprung. For this purpose I
give a bottle of the canker-wash, described a little further
on, ordering it to be applied thrice d /, and rest con-
tented as to the result.

With regard to internal canker, how virulent was the
disorder, and to what lengths it used to progress, may be
imagined from reading Blaine and Youatt ; both of whom
speak with terror of its effects, advising the use of agents
for the recommendation of which I cannot account,
excepting by the supposition that they were selected
under the influence of fear. Most of the solutions advised
are painful ; but how far they were effective we may
conjecture from the descriptions they have left us of the
disease. They tell us that, as the disorder proceeds, it
eats into the brain ; either causing the dog to be
destroyed, or driving it phrenetic. The poor animal, we
are informed, leans the head upon the fore-feet, the dis-
eased ear being pressed downwards, and continually
utters a low moan, which at length rises into one pro-
longed howl. Of all this I know nothing; but I re-
member at college, when going the rounds with the
Professor Simonds, on a Sunday morning, hearing one of
those huge howls which are nttcrc:! by large dogs when
endunng excessive torture. On my asking whence the
sound proceeded, I was coolly informed by my teacher
that he supposed Sam (the head groom) had been pouring

^..A

DOOS: THEIR MANAOEMSKT.

425

some dressing into the ear of a dog that had got canker.
Of what the dressing that had occasioned such pain was
composed, I never inquired ; but we may judge of its
power to destroy the bone, from the extent of the agony
which it produced. No wonder, when such powerful
agents were employed, the bone, the brain, or any other
part, was affected.

Thank heaven ! there is one good custom prevalent in
this disease — dogs affected with it are brought to us
early. Often, when the animal is only observed to be
constantly shaking and scratching the ear, the proprietors
bring the dog for us, to remove something from the inte-
rior of the organ. At other times, and with the most
careless or unobservant masters the dog is brought under
our notice with a blackened discharge within the convo-
lutions of the ear, and a slight smell, like decayed cheese,
proceeding from it. A crackling sensation is then
imparted to the fingers when the base of the ear below
the flap is manipulated ; the necessary pressure some-
times drawing forth an expression of pain. A worse case
than this I have not encountered ; though how common
canker has been in my practice may be conjectured from
my keeping a two-gallon stock-bottle of the wash in my
surgery, and a label, for the bottles in which it is sent
out, within my drawers. The mode of administering this
wash is admirably described by Youatt, from whose pages
I transcribe it : —

"Some attention should be paid to the method of

r i

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426

DOGS : THEIR MANA6BUENT.

applying these lotions. Two persons will be required in
order to accomplish the operation. The surgeon must
hold the muzzle of the dog with one hand, and have the
root of the ear in the hollow of the other, and between
the first finger and the thumb. The assistant must then
pour the liquid into the ear; half a tea-spoonful will
usually be sufficient. The surgeon, without quitting the
dog, will then close the ear, and mould it gently until the
liquid has insinuated itself as deeply as possible into the
passages of the ear."

The warming of the fluid I find to be unnecesnary ;
and there is something to be added to the above direc-
tion, when the wash I advise is employed. After one ear
is done, let it be covered closely with the flap, and the
other side of the head turned upward without releasing the
dog. When both are finished, take a firm hold of the dog,
and fling him away to any distance the strength you pos-
ses? is capable of sending the animal ; for the instant the
dog is loose, it will begin shaking its head, and, as the can-
ker-wash I employ contains lead, wherever a drop falls, a
white mark or spot, as the liquid dries, will be left behind.

CANKER WA8H.

Liquor plntnbi
Aqua distil .

Of both equal parts.

Yourttt speaks of the liquor plumbi as a dangerous
agent to the dog, and advises for canker that a scruple be
mixed with an ounce of water ; but in opposition to that
esteemed author's recommendation, I have employed the

DOOS: THEIR MAKAOEMBNT.

427

liquor pinmbi pure, with the best effect, in extreme
cases; though, in ordinary disease, the above is suffi-
ciently strong; and in medicine it is a maxim that a
sufficiency is enough.

I give to the animal, as a general rule, no medicine to
take ; but invariably recommend the dog to be kept on
vegetable diet ; for, inasmuch as meat is the sole cause
of the disorder, however potent may be the drugs em-
ployed for the cure, it is imperative for its eradication
that the cause be removed.

Sometimes, in consequence of the violent shaking of
the head, serous abscesses of considerable size form inside
the flaps of the ears. This mostly happens with large
dogs, and the abscesses are hot and soft, being excessively
tender. The animal does not like them to be touched, or
even looked at, but is frequently shaking the head, and
howling or whining afterwards.

The remedy in these cases is equally simple and effi-
cient. The person who undertakes to remedy the evil,
first, by way of precaution, tapes the animal ; that is, he
forms a temporary muzzle, by binding a piece of tape
thrice finiily round the creature's mouth. He then places
the dog between his knees, and turning up the ear, with
a small lancet makes quickly an opening in what then is
the superior part of the sac in the inverted ear. This is
necessary, because, if the opening were made inferiorly,
all the fluid would escape, and the side of the emptied
sac would collapse. If the point of the knife even could
be introduced into an incision made upon the lower part

-I

428

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMRNT.

!.!

ii!

( i

ill

of the ear, it would not be so easy to cut speedily from
below upward, as to push the blade from above down-
wards. Well, the opening being made with the lancet, a
littl >. fluid escapes ; but no pressure being put on the sac,
the major portion is retained. The operator then takes a
straight probe-pointed bistoury, and having introduced it
into the orifice, by making only pressure, instantly divides
the sac. Frequently considerable fluid escapes ; the
beast operated upon makes up its mind fur a good howl ;
but, finding the affair over before its mouth was moulded

A BOO TAFXD OB MOZZLED fOB OPKBATIOM.

to emit the sound, the cry is cut short, and the dog
returns to have the tape removed, that it may lick the
hand that pained it.

After the enlargement is slit up, nothing more is
required than to fill the sac for a day or two with lint
soaked in the healing fluid ; and when suppuration is
established the lint may be withdrawn, and the wound,
if kept clean, left to nature.

DOOS: THEIR MANAQEMKNT.

429

THS ETK.

Most writers describe a regular series of disorders asso-
ciated with the eye of the dog. I must be permitted to
recite only those which I have witnessed ; and surely, if
the diseases which the writers alluded to above have
mentioned do exist, I must have encountered some soli-
tary instance of each of them ; instead of which, I have
been honored by the confidence of all classes, and have
after all to confess I have not witnessed a specimen of
genuine ophthalmia in this animal.

Cataract. — This derangement of the visual organ is
very common with the dog. Every old animal that has
lost his eyesight is nearly certain to be blind from cata-
ract. The optic nerve appears to have retained its
health long after the crystalline lens has parted with its
transparency. The latter becomes opaque, while circum-
stances allow us to infer the former is yet in vigor ; for
certainly dogs do see through lenses, the milky or chalky
aspect of which would justify us in pronouncing the
sight quite gone. There is no precise time when cata-
ract makes its appearance. It may come on at any
period or at any age. It may be rapid or slow in its
formation ; but from its generally known habit, we should
be inclined to say it was rather slow than otherwise ;
though upon this point the author can speak with no
certainty. No breed appears to be specially liable to it,
but all seem to be exposed to it alike. The small-bred,

430

dogs: Tnr::ii management.

house-kept, high-fed dogs, however, are those most sub-
ject to be attacked by it ; for, in these kinds of animals,
on account of the derangement of the digestive organs,
the eyes seem to be disposed to show cataract earlier
than in the more robust creatures of the same breed.

The cause of this affection is, in the horse, usually put
down to blows ; but, in the dog, we dare not say the dis-
order is thus produced. The dog is more exposed to the
kicks and cuffs of domestics than is the horse ; the vio-
lence done upon the first-named animal being less thought
about, and therefore less likely to be observed. But
that the disease takes its origin in any such inhumanity
the author has no proof, and no intention of insinuating
an accusation against a class, who being generally igno-
rant, have therefore the less chance of a reply.

The disease seems to be the natural termination of the
animal's eyesight ; and, though the author has seen the
iris ragged-looking, as though acute ophthalmia had
loosed its ravages upon the delicate structures of the eye,
nevertheless he has in vain endeavored to detect the pre-
sence of that disease.

Were ophthalmia common enough to have produced
one-half of the cataracts which are to be witnessed by
him who administers to the affections of the canine
species, surely I must have met with it ; as not being a
very brief disorder, but one which by its symptoms is
sure to make itself known, I must have encountered it
in one of its numerous stages. However, not having
seen it, and still being anxious of tracing cataract to its

DOGB : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

431

source, the author has been induced to attribute it to
the influences of old age, high breeding, or too stimulat-
ing a diet.

Medicine having appeared to do injury rather than to
produce benefit, the author has generally abandoned it in
these cases ; whereas those measures which are within
the reach of every proprietor, such as change of
abode, attention to necessary cleanliness without can-
dling in the bed, wholesome food, and a total abstinence
from flesh, added to the daily use of the cold bath with
a long run, and constant employment of a penetrative
hair-brush to the skin afterwards, have seemed to stay
the ravages of the disorder ; and on these, therefore, the
author is inclined to place his entire dependence.

GuTTA Serena. — The author has seen one or two
cases of this afiection. One was present with disease of
the brain, to the increase of which it was clearly traceable.
The other was attributable to no known cause ; but as blows
on the head are beyond all doubt ascertained to produce this
affliction, the author in his own mind has no doubt of its
origin. A temporary afiection of this nature is also con-
stantly witnessed when the dog falls down in a fit, or
rather faints from weakness ; as when a female is rearing
an undue number of pups, or when a dog has been too
largely bled, or retained too long in the warm bath.

In the last cases, the gutta serena departs as the ani
mal recovers; but in the first-named, sometimes it is
constant, and no medicine appears to afiect it for good or
for evil. The author, therefore, does nothing in such

432

DOGS : THEIR MANAOBIOCKT.

cases beyond giving general directions, as in the instance
of cataract.

Gutta serena is known bj the organ being perfectly
clear, but the iris remaining permanently fixed. The in-
troduction of sudden light produces no effect on it ;
neither, unless the current of air be agitated, does the
eyelid move. Towards the latter stage the eye changes
color ; but when it first occurs, a person without expe-
rience would prefer the eye in this state, because it looks
so thoroughly bright and transparent. The aspect of
these eyes is known to those who are much among ani-
mals, and the carriage of the body is recognised as
altered when a creature becomes blind; besides which,
trust him alone, and his running against different obsta-
cles, as well as his manner of walking, will declare the
truth.

Simple Ophthalmia. — To this disorder of the eye the
dog is very susceptible. It may be caused by dust, dirt,
thorns, or portions of leaves getting into the eyes ; the
symptoms are, constant closing of the lid, and perpetual
flowing of the tears. Though the eye be closed, the lid
is never quiet ; but is being, diuing the entire period,
spasmodically, though partially, raised to be shut again,
or in perpetual movement. If the lids are forced asun-
der, the conjunctiva or mucous membrane forming the
inner lining of the lid is seen to be inflamed ; while the
same membrane covering the ball of the eye is per-
ceived to be of a white color, and perfectly opaque.

The cure in this instance is always, first, to remove

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

433

the cause of the injury, and then to apply some of the
remedies in the manner mentioned hereaf'^er.

The conjunctiva in the dog is very sympathetic with
the mucous membrane lining the stomach. The in-
terior of the stomach may be inflamed, and the eye
sometimes exhibits no sign of sympathy ; but more often,
as in distemper or rabies, it will denote the existence of
some serious disorder. So if the animal's digestive pow-
ers are weakened by an undue quantity of purgative
medicine, the eyes will assume all the symptoms of dis-
temper, even to the circular ulcer in the centre of the
organ. However, in instances of this kind nothing need
be done for cure ; the major disorder being subdued, the
minor one subsides.

No matter how virulent the disease of the eye may
appear to be — even though it should become perfectly
opaque — let it alone : any meddling does injury. No
bathing or medicaments can hasten the cure. Although
it should ulcerate in the centre, and the terrible appear-
ance of the eye be seconded by the entreaties of the
proprietor, still I caution you to continue quite passive.
Touch the ulcer with nitrate of silver, as is the common
practice, and the eye will most likely burst. The aque-
ous humor will escape, and a large bunch of fungus will
start up in the place of the ulcer occupied. This fungus,
if let alone, may fade away as the stomach returns to
health ; but a white spot is established in its place to re-
mind you of your officiousness.

Nevertheless, simple ophthalmia occasionally will ap-

'■! ^^tl

434

dogs: their management

pear when nothing can be detected to affect the stomach;
probably owing to large dogs chasing through brush-
wood, or those of the smaller breeds hunting through
long grass. Then a square of soft lint, formed by dou-
bling a large piece several times, is laid upon the painful
organ, and kept wet with the following lotion :-—

(1.) LOTION FOB THE ETK

Tinot amic. mont . . Three dropa.
Tinct. opii . . . Six drops.

Midi campL . . . One ounce. ..

The first symptoms having subsided — that is, the dog
being capable of raising the lid, and the flow of tears
having in some measure stopped — the previous lotion
may be changed for the following wash : —

(2.) ETK WASH.

Arg. nit .... One grain.
Mist camph., or Aq. diet . One ounce.

The proper manner of applying these preparations to
the eye deserves notice. Let the owner buy a ]nr Re-
sized, long-haired, camel's-hair painting ^>rusl ; pour a
little of the liquid into a saucer ; satu ic brush in

the fluid; pull the lids gently asunder, ng careful not
to call forth resistance by frightening a timid an Hal with
any exhibition of haste or violence ; then, having the
eye exposed, draw the brush quickly across it, and the
Dusiness is over.

doob: their management.

485

The author is frequently consulted oy ladies, because
their favorites' eyes run water. Such is a consequence
of high breeding in some of the canine species; and
being so, medicines of various kinds, by drying up the
secretion of the lachrymal gland, may at first appear to
do good, but must ultimately be fruitful of the most
seriouB injury.

Ejection of the Eye. — The eye of the dog is
rather curiously situated, which, as the writer knows of
no author who has remarked on its position, he may as
well refer to in this place. The eye of man is situated
within a bony orbit, from which it cannot in the course of
nature protrude. The eye of the dog, also, has an orbit
partly formed of bone ; but as regards the ridge, which
in man supports and gives prominence to the eyebrow,
in the dog it is composed of ligament, as xnth animals of
the cat, pig, and other species. The reason of this ar-
rangement— the cause for composing part of the orbit of
ligament — is to allow the eye to protrude or to take its
place without and before the orbit. This position of the
eye is easily perceived, when a live specimen which has
confidence in man is examined upon the knee, and at the
same time the skull is inspected. , The cause of this
peculiar situation of so important an organ, is to allow
the eye to possess telescopic properties ; because the dog
has the faculty of withdrawing the eye within, or rather
quite to the back of the orbit ; as any who have beheld
the animal in some stages of brain disease, or the last
stage of distemper, must, with ^heir attention directed to

ui;

i-5 \M

• iiii'fiiiiii

aUmMUinnma I 11 »-i«*ii»->.

_ ,,,!'^^«

^^l!^S

486

DOOS : THEIR MANAOKMKNT.

the fact, be convinced. The dog in its wild state lives
by the chase, and therefore has Providence endowed his
visual organ with peculiarities which best enable it to
discover its prey ; at the same time, also, affording extra
scope of vision, or power of seeing around it, to the eye
of the animal.

Owing to this peculiarity, the eye in consequence of a
bite may be forced out upon the cheek ; or, as once hap-
pened in my own experience, the use of tapes for the
purpose of giving medicine may be the cause of the in-
jury. Whenever this happens, procure a glass of clean
milL-warm water, and a piece of soft lint ; then wash the
pje ; when obtain a soft napkin ; let the eye be well
greased with any mild and perfectly sweet ointment ;
wrap the napkin about the right hand, and with the fin-
gers thus encased, gently take hold of the ejected ball of
the eye, while the fingers of the left hand are employed
in raising the lid of the emptied orbit ; then applying
gentle but adequate foi ce, and at the same time giving
to the wrist of the right hand a rotatory motion, the eye
will at once assume its proper place. The use of the eye
lotion and wash will perform all that the after symptoms
may require.

Dogs are often brought to ns because the animal has
been taking liberties with the cat ; which mistress puss has
tamed to resent, and her paw — the claws in the moment
of initation being out — ^has unfortunately scratched the
dog's eye. When consulted on such a subject, the eye
lotion No. 1 is in most instances all that is required ; for

^l^W-f^f^^^^*'"- .

"" *-'^T»^i#wr ,--

•y*^

OOOS: THEIR liANAGEMENT.

4a7

the corerings of the eye are endowed with great powers
of self-reparation. If, however, the application recom-
mended does not perform everything to the proprietor's
satisfaction, the eye wash No. 2 will perfect the cure.
Accidents of this description are apt to leave scars in the
shape of white marks across the eye, which time must
be allowed to remove ;' and this in general is performed,
while all the appliances of art in the writer's hand have
been useless for hastening this object.

ii I

' 1

♦ s

DISEABIS OF THK UMB&

The Dew-claws. — The dew-claws, as they are term-
ed, grow high upon the inner side of the leg, nearer to
the foot than to the elbow. They are frequently re-
moved while the dog is very young, being then merely
cut off with a pair of pcissors. This, however, is a very
primitive way of operating ; and it is best done with
a knife, first reflecting back sufficient skin to cover the
wound which the removal will occasion. The excision,
moreover, is only justifiable when the dew-claw hangs
from the leg attached to it merely by integument ; when
it is regularly formed, united to the leg by means of con-
tinuous bone, it may be allowed to remain ; for in that
case there is little more danger of its being torn off as
the dog grows up and hunts game, than any other of the
claws appended to the extremity of tlie foot.

The Claws. — These frequently, especially in petted
dogs that pass their days parading about on Turkey car-
pets, become of extraordinary length ; in soma oases,

;

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488

dogs: their MANAaSlUHT.

turning round and forming a complete circle, so as to
penetrate the little pad at the base of the last joint of the
toe. In this case they cause swelling, inflammation, and
suppuration, accompanied by such intense pain, that in
extreme cases it may be necessary to take away the toe
of the foot itself, although in general it is sufficient to
clip the offending claw. However, to do this nicely, with
expedition, and without giving great pain to the patient,
is to be desired. Blaine recommends . ;}mall saw, such
as is employed to cut off cock, cpurs with ; but the dog
must have excessive patience and extraordinary powers
of endurance, who could allow this to be moved quickly
backwards and forwards on a claw, one end of which
rests on an inflamed and highly sensitive surface. Be<
sides, it is not one claw we are generally required to
remove, but sixteen ; and long before the first had been
fairly taken off by the method advised by Blaine, the
cries of the poor animal would say, " Hold, enough ! "
Moreover, favorites of the class I have mentioned are
generally brought by their mistresses, who cannot endure
their pets to suffer, and rightly r-efuse to leave them to
the mercy of a veterinary surgeon. This last circum-
stance requiriBS a speedier instrument than the one pro-
posed by Blaine, to be discovered. The rowelling bis-
toury, employed for the horses, answers better than the
saw ; but even it occasions so much pain as to cause
serious annoyance and obstruction. I have for .id nothing
answer so well as a pair of wire nippers ; which, pro-
vided they be in good condition, will take off the whole

"^^ --

-ii^n j^tmnil I'll

DOGS : THEIR MAMAOBMBNT.

439

of a dog's claws, although for the operation the animal
never quits its mistress's arms. They are quick and
effective, cutting through the strongest claw on the in-
stant ; giving no pain ; often removing the nail without
the knowledge of the patient, who provokes laughter
rather than commiseration by frequently shamming the
agony he does not feel — venting heart-rending cries, but
invariably in the wrong place. For the performance of
the operation there is but one caution necessary, and
that is, to leave the root of the claw long enough, or not
to attempt cutting it too short ; because the unnatural
life the animal lives causes small arteries to extend even
into the growth of horn, and a little blood is a terrible
loss in a lady's eyes. However, beyond causing the mis-
tress distress, the practitioner need be in no fear about
dividing one of these abnormal vessels, for the eccentric
growth of which the most experienced practitioner can-
not at all times be prepared.

Falling off of the Claw. — There is another injury
to whic^ 'he claws of the dog are exposed, and the cause
of which in no instance have I been able to trace. The
toe becomes hot, swollen, and inflamed ; the animal M'alks
lame, or upon three legs. Whenever the particular claw
in fault is touched, the cries of the dog sufficiently testify
that the seat of the disease has been found. A simple
treatment, such as bathing the claw and placing the foot
frequently in warm water, will occasion the horny cover-
ing to be cast off in a few days ; after which all that is
required will be to wrap the part up in soft lint for a

440

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

short period, and to deprive the animal of its accustomed
exercise for a day or two.

Sinuses up the Claw. — These are of frequent exist-
ence, and are commonly found where their presence was
not suspected. The dog walks lame, and its master's
sagacity cannot discover the cause. The animal is
accordingly submitted to our inspection. To pinch the
claw in this case is of no use ; it can only mislead the
judgment. The better plan, after having ascertained
none of the claws are loose, is to make the dog stand
upon the lame foot on a piece of blotting paper. If the
sl'l^htest moisture be left thereon, throw the animal on
his back, and minutely examine the lower surface of each
claw. On one will be seen a small hole, not larger than
the point of a pin,' from which exudes a thin watery dis-
charge.

Soak the foot in warm water ; then with a sharp knife
pare off the superficial horn ; then soak and pare again ;
and so on till the entire claw is removed; when slit up,
making a free wound of any sinuous opening that may
exist in the ball of the toe. Dress the interior of the
sinus with a small portion of sulphate of copper ; after-
wards with the healing lotion previously recommended ;
and all will do well : but the claw once taken away,
either by nature or art, is very seldom perfectly
restored.

Foot-sore. — Men of robust habit, who shoot over an
immense tract of country, and take a pleasure in law-
fully finding the game they kill, often have to complain

dogs: thkir manaobicbkt.

that their dogs become foot-sore. These animals have
an elastic pad at the bottom of each foot, on which, con-
jointly with the nails of the toes, the creatures walk. The
bottom of the dog's foot is covered with a thick cuticle,
which is rapidly reproduced in ordinary cases, as soon as
or before it has been worn, down : but the game dog is
often kept inactive during the summer, and then in
autumn brought into sudden work. The consequences
of this foolish practice are, that nature during the warm
season supplies only a cuticle fitted to the wants of the
animal, which being suddenly forced to endure excessive
exercise, soon wears away, and the foot thus left devoid
of covering, is raw, and consequently tender. For this
state of the part, Blaine, who is therein followed by
Youatt, recommends '* pot liquor." I do not know what
" pot liquor" means. Cooks apply the name to various
refuse waters, in which different and opposite ingredients
have been boiled. If so, the material with which it is
made being dissimilar, the product cannot be the same.
It appears to be a filth, generally cast into the hc^-tub ;
and as such cannot be a proper medicine wherewith to
cure a lame dog's foot. I throw it into the receptacle for
which it is intended ; and do so because I cannot under-
stand it is possessed of any curative properties. The
mode I pursue in these cases is simply this : — I get a b.isin
of tepid water and a soft sponge ; and I then well wash
the injured foot. When every particle of grit or dirt is
thoroughly removed, I apply to the dried sore surface a
lotion composed of two grains of chloride of zinc to one

1Q*

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442

DOas: THEIR MANAOEMBNT.

}

ounce of water, with one or two drops of the essence of
lemons. Having thoroughly washed the foot with the
lotion, I soak some rags in it, which I wrap around the
injured memher, fixing over all a leather or gutta-percha
boot ; and when thus treated, and the animal is subse-
quently brought into work with caution, a few days I
find generally settles the business.

Dog-Carts. — This appears to be the place to meet, or
rather answer, the remarks which have appeared in
Youatt's work on this subject. He argues, because the
dog is a beast of draught in northern climes, it can be
without violence, and indeed was intended by Providence
to be used as such in temperate countries. Thus, if this
argument be of any value, that which the dog can endure
in a temperate climate, it can likewise without injury
undergo in a torrid zone. The argument, if of worth,
admits of this extension ; for, if the subject of it is to be
moved at all, it is not for the reasoner to arrogate the
power of saying at what point it shall stop. However,
granting him to possess this right, he will thereby gain
nothing by it. In the northern climes, where the dog is
employed as a beast of draught, it is so used only for the
winter season ; during which time the face of the land-
scape is covered by one sheet of snow. Is the poor dog
in a cart, as seen in this country, only so employed ] Is
he not rather obliged to drag his heavy load, to which
the master's weight is often appended, along dusty roads
instead of snowy paths, and at the top of his speed,
rather than at a pace which the poor creature can main-

D008 : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

443

tain for hours ? Is it not worked in summer as well as
winter ? Does not mud cover the roadways in this
country during the colder season for a far longer period
than the snow ? The summer's toil must he most depres-
sive to this over-tasked animal ; for, though the dog is
naturalized close to the northern pole, he becomes scarce
for a long distance before the equator is reached. It is
the creature of a cold climate ; and what it can do in one
country is by no means the measurement of thaf which
it can perform in another ; as those who have been at the
trouble and expense of exporting hunting-dogs from
England to India can testify.

The foot, moreover, may travel over a sheet of snow
with impunity, which may be unsuited for journeying
over artificial roads, deep in mud or water ; or else hot,
dry, and parched with a summer's sun. The sportsman's
dog is often sore-footed ; and do the approvers of dog-
carts pretend that the wretched beast, forced by an in-
human master to undue labor, is of a different species ?
If the animals are the same, how can it be argued that
the organ, which when moving over soft ploughed or
grassy fields often fails, is all-sufficient for the longest
and heaviest journey performed upon a hard artificially
constructed road 1

One grave senator in the House of Lords used as an
argument against the Bill introduced to put down that
abominable nuisance, dog-carts, in this country, the pler
sure he had experienced, when a child, while being
drawn in a carriage pulled by a dog along the lawn

i r

(

444

DOGS : THEIR manaoemeht.

attached to his father's residence. There is no le^slation
required to meet fiuch cases. No doubt the pleasure felt
by the delighted child was shared by the beast, who
wagged his tail, and scarcely felt the tax imposed upon
its huge strength. Had the cart been removed from the
lawn to the road, and been knocked up with rough
wheels and without springs, like the carts used by va-
grant poor are, the load of a child would not even then
have made the cases similar. To make the instances the
same, the cart must not only be of the rudest construc-
tion, but it must be filled with weight limited solely by
the master's capacity to buy ; while on the top of the
burthen must be placed, not a happy child, but an idle
full grown rascal. And the vehicle thus encumbered
must be dragged, not along a soft lawn, at a pace neces-
sary to please the son and heir, but along a hard road,
at a rate which alone can satisfy an impatient and brutal
master.

In whichever way we regard tins question, reason
proves against it, and the dog subject to the most dread-
ful disease that is communicable to man should on no
account, in this densely populated country, be subjected
to usage best calculated to bring on the malady.

FKACTUBEB.

A FRACTURE is technically called a solution of con-
tinuity; but, as the general reader will imagine the
definition can hardly be correct, with regard to a bone
which may be broader than it is long, I will here define

dogs: their managbiixnt.

446

it to be the violent division of a bone into two or more
parts.

Fractures are divide! into comminuted, simple, and
compound. The comminuted and compound, for the
present purpose, may be regarded as one and the same ;
since it is obviously impossible to restore the bone of a
dog which has been crushed into innumerable pieces ;
and such a state of the hard structure is scarcely possible
to exist without the soft parts, as flesh or muscle, around
i8he injury being involved, or the lesion rendered com-
pound as well as comminuted in its nature.

Then it is simple fractures only that have to be dealt
with in this place ; and a simple fracture exists when a
bone is snapped across into two equal or unequal pieces.
It does not matter at what point the injury may occur ;
so that the bone be broken only into two pieces, and none
of the flesh be torn, or the joint involved, the fracture is
a simple one. In the dog, several simultaneous simple

!|t;

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446

DOGS : THEIR MANAOEMENT.

i I

fractures may exist ; as where the animal breaks across
the whole of the four metatarsal bones proceeding from
the hock to the foot ; or snaps, which is of more rare
occurrence, the entire number of metacarpal bones, pro-
ceeding from the joint, which is called the knee of the
dog, towards the foot of the animal.

The bones, however, most commonly fractured are the
ulna and radius in the fore-limb, and the tibia and fibula
in the posterior extremity. Next to these in order are
the femur or thigh-bone, in the hind-leg, and the humerus
or arm-bone of the anterior limb. Then come the four
metacarpal or metatarsal bones, being the same in num-
ber in both legs. These are all the author undertakes to
treat. The first and last he manages pretty successfully.
For the restoration of a fracture, all that is necessary is
to bring the ends which have been divided together, and
to keep them in the place into which your art has brought
them. To accomplish this end, the author is accustomed
to cut from a sheet of stout gutta percha three broad
straight ribbons ; then to soak these in warm water till
they are pliable, having first cut in them several holes
resembling button -holes, by the aid of a punch and nar-
row chisel. When they have lain in the warm water a
sufficient time to soften, and no more — for the water of
too great a heat shrivels up as well as softens the gutta
percha — he draws forth one ribbon, and this he moulds to
the front of the sound leg.

That done, he takes another piece of the gutta percha,
and this he models to the hind part of the sound leg.

doob: their manaoemsnt.

447

The remaining slip is fixed to the side of the limb. After
the pliable gutta percha has been forced to assume the
shape desired, it is the practice of the writer to cover it
with a cloth saturated in cold spring water, to hasten the
setting of the material, and thereby shorten a process
which always renders the dog somewhat uneasy. All
this accomplished, he next braces the splints together,
and fixes them upon the limb, by means of a long piece
of tape ; putting under them, next to the skin of the
animal, a quantity of lint to prevent the gutta percha
from irritating the flesh. The tapes he also runs through
the holes previously made, and winds about the limb, or
over the splints — rather, but not too tightly in the first
instance — with the intent of arousing the restorative
amount of inflammation. This quantity of inflammation,
the reader may imagine, would be cert.ain to ensue on so
violent an injury as the separation of the hard supports
of the body ; but in this he is mistaken. I have known
a favorite hound to break at once the four metatarsal
bones, and though the splints necessary to promote a
union were kept on above two months, nothing of the
kind took place ; at the end of which time all bandages
were removed, and his movements effected the cure
which my appliances were unable to bring about. Some
persons even advocate taking off all bandages from a
broken leg, and sending the dog for a walk, where union
is tardy ; but people who use such language talk about
that, concerning which they literally know nothing. It
is not one walk which will produce the desired effect ; but

n':

mmmm

448

doghb: their lUNAOEiiun.

repeated walks are required to accomplish what appears
to the ignorant so certain to occur. Thus, to do nothing
is far better in some cases than to perform much ; since
the absence of remedies accomplishes that which all the
paraphernalia of the surgery is unable to produce.

There are cases, however, which cannot get well of
themselves, unless deformity be esteemed of no conse-
quence. Thus, when the radius and ulna are snapped
right across, and the foot, deprived of all support, dan-
gles at the end of the limb ; here the interposition of
surgical agency is absolutely required ; for the fracture,
if left to itself without the aid of art, would n^ver assume
its proper situation. So when the humerus or femur are
f-actured, the bones may unite of themselves ; but in that
case shortening of the limb and incurable lameness is cer-
tain to ensue. The practitioner aims not only to bring
the separated ends of the bone together ; but he endea-
vors, by the invention of various means, to keep them
there, or to force the limb all the time of the cure to be
and to remain at its fullest length. To prevent the ten-
dency to contract in the limb, and consequently to short-
en, is one of the chief difficulties which we have to con-
tend with in the treatment of fractures. When a bone is
broken, the muscles which hold the parts together sooner
or later contract, and sometimes with such force as to
draw the ends of the bone, which were once continuous,
side by side ; thus rendering the limb shorter than it was
previously. This force is generally exerted immediately
on the occurrence of the accident ; but in some petted

boos: THEIR MANAOEMBNT.

440

animals where the system is slow, it does not take place
till some indefinite period has elapsed. Fortunate is the
gentleman who is called on to treat a case hefore any-
thing of the kind has occurred, as his difficulties will
thereby be at first materially lessened ; but when put-
ting on the splints, he must be careful that they are
strong enough and his tapes tight enough to keep the
leg extended, or to resist the power which sooner or
later he may rest assured will start up.

The bandages and splints having been on some time —
the precise period of which cannot be estimated, — the leg
will swell, especially the foot, and the tapes become so
tight as to cut into the flesh. The practitioner pays lit-
tle attention to the primary indication of swelling being
about to take place ; but when it has fairly set in, and
threatens to do injury to the limb, he with caution loosens
the tapes, thus permitting the blood freely to circulate.

The after-treatment of a fracture is comparatively
easy. It consists merely in keeping the bowels open,
attending to the general health, and in renewing the
splints and bandages as often as may be necessary.

It is well to bathe the fractured limb, splints and all,
in the following lotions : —

v.i

LOnON FOB THE LEO BEFOIUE THE BWXLUNO HAS OOIOIKirOKD.

Tinct arnic. moot . . . One drachm.

Aqua font One ounce.

Ess. limon A sufficiency

To be applied frequently.

450 noos: their management.

LOTION TO BE VSED WHEN SWEI.UNO 18 PRESENT.

Tinct aconit. Half-a-scruple.

Aqua font One ounce.

Ess. anis A sufficiency.

LOnoy ro BK APPLIED AFTKB TBB BWKLLtNG HAS BUBSIDKI).

Zinchi clilor. .... One grain.

Aqua font One ounce.

Ess. anis. A sufficiency.

The other measures are dictated entirely by circum-
stances.

OPERATIONS.

There are very few of such offices to be performed on
the dog. Among those, however, which do occur, is the
removal of the toe. When a claw has grown completely
round, and by being pressed into the flesh appears, in the
judgment of the practitioner, to have provoked such
injury as decidedly and imperatively requires the remo-
val of the part affected, then the amputation of one toe
may bo undertaken. When the dog, to allay the itching
of the extremities, gnaws or eats his own flesh from the
toes, leaving black and ragged bones protruding, ampu-
tation is necessary. The member must in each case be
amputated higher up than the injury. There is no abso-
lute necessity to muzzle the dog, provided the master is
present, and will undertake the charge of the head.
When such has been the case, and the master has
engaged to keep the attention of the dog fixed upon
himself, I have removed a joint or two from the leg with-

DOGS : THEIK MANAGEMENT.

451

out the animal uttering a single cry; although the mas-
ter, unused to such siglits, has been seized with sickness
so as to require ^rits for his restoration. The master
being at the hearl, or an assistant on whom you can
depend being at tfat post ; another placed to keep down
the body ; and a^hird to lay hold of and extend the
limb to be operated, upon, which must be uppermost ; the
animal should be tirown on one side. There it must be
allowed to remain until sufficient time has elapsed to
calm its natural fears.

The operator t\tth\ takes one of Listen's sharp-pointed
knives, and thrusts it quite through the flesh, a short dis-
tance above the i^ury ; he then with a sawing motion
cuts downward and outward till the knife is released.
He next impales tl^e member on the other side, keeping
the back of the knife, as on the former occasion, as close
to the bone as possible, and draws it forth in the same
manner. He thus will have two flaps divided by a small
notch, which coincides with the breadth of the bone.
Through this notchj on the tippermost side, he m«ist pass
his knife, cutting upwards and inwards ; thus upon both
sides, till the linel^made by the knife meet in a point.
He will then, supposing the business to have been pro-
perly performed, see. a bright pink living piece of bone
in the centre ; and to cut off so much, or even a little
more than is visible, becomes his next object. Fo/ this
purpose a saw, however fine, is tedious ; because the
bone to be cut through is not of sufficient body to allow
the operator to put forth his strength, and on that account

;. H'.

ii h

452

DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT.

also does not leave behind it a smooth surface. The
bone-nippers answer better. Without loss of time, there-
fore, the veterinary surgeon seizes a pair suited to the
object in view, and with these he gently pushes back the
flesh on all sides ; he then, suddenly closing the handles,
cuts short the protruding bone. The flaps that have
been made are then brought together, when, if there is
any bleeding, the raw surfaces are again exposed, and a
few puffs with a pair of bellows, first having sprinkled
the part with cold water, usually stop it. If that should
not succeed, a small quantity of the tincture of ergot of
rye suffices for the purpose; and all bleeding liav'ag
ceased, the flaps are finally placed together, bound up lu
soft lint, and a leather or gutta percha boot placed over
all, no dressing being applied or the boot removed for
three days. When the wound is inspected, if, as fre-
quently happens, the movements of the dog have dis-
turbed the flaps, provided they are not drawn too uneven,
the practitioner had better not touch them. The rectify-
ing powers of nature in such cases are wonderful ; and in
those he had better trust rather than interfere with the
pi'ocess of healing, which he may remain certain has
already commenced. In this fashion I have excised a
dog's claw ; and three months after the operation a spec-
tator would have to compare one foot with a,nother to
discover that either was deficient in the proper number
of appendages.

Cappbd Hock and Elbow. — The first of these is
more rare than the last ; but as, on the point of the bone

DOOS: THEIR MANAGEMENT.

463

in each joint, is situated a bursa or small sac, containing
an unctuous fluid intended to facilitate the movement of
the bone under the skin, they both are subject to injury ;
when they swell to an enormous size, and constitute a
very unsightly deformity. If seen early, so soon as the
tenderness has subsided, an ounce of lard may be mixed
witli a drachm of the iodide of lead, and the part well
and frequently rubbed with the ointment. If in spite of
the use of this ointment, which more often fails than suc-
ceeds, the tumor grows larger and larger, recourse must
be had to an operation; else the disfigurement may ul i-
mately become sufficiently great and hard to seriously
impede the animal's movements.

An operation being determined on, the animal is best
left standing ; though, should it prove unruly, assistance
sufficient to lift it on to a table, and thereon to lay it on
■-ts side, must be at hand. Everything being ready, and
the dog in this case properly muzzled, the operator, with
such a knife as he can work quickest with, makes an in-
cision the entire length of the swelling, and even rather
longer than shorter : he next reflects back both portions
of skin, that is, the skin on either side of the swelling;
and lastly, separates the enlargement from its base.

This removal will leave a huge, ugly, gaping wound,
with a seeming superabundance of skin hanging from
its side. Let him on no account remove a particle of
that skin, however much more than is necessary pro-
perly to cover the wound there may immediately after
the operation seem to be. Inflammation will, with the

iim

? -t.

|!-l * <,

454

dogs: theiu manaurment.

be^nning of the healing process, set in, and the action
of this inflammation contracts the hanging skin ; so that
if a portion be removed, there will remain an open
wounJ to that extent ; and as skin is slowly reproduced,
the cure may be retarded for months.

The first part of the business being well concluded,
the dog must remain muzzled, and be returned to its
proprietor with a bottle of healing fluid, the sore which
has been made being left uncovered. The healing fluid
IB to be used frequently ; and if the case be a good one.
the orifice quickly becomes small, and heals. In some
animals, however, there is a disposition to gnav/ or lick
the part ; thus tmdoing everything the veterinary sur-
geon has been accomplishing. To check this habit, a
cradle round the neck ; wide collars which prevent the
head from being turned round ; and various splints which,
by keeping the limb extended, thereby hinder the animal
from touching the wound, are employed. Any or all of
these, in untoward cases, may be necessary ; and in very
high-bred animals the healing powers of nature are fre-
quently slow, consequently in such the after-consequences
of an operation are likely to prove very annoying.

DOG BREAK^G:

THE MOST

EXPEDITIOUS, EASY, AND CERTAIN

METHOD,

IW'HBYHSB OEEAT EXOTLLENOB OR ONLY MEDIOOBITT
BB BEQOIKED.

COL. W. N. HUTCHINSON,

OBEtKADIER aUARDa

J'.- !

Mk.. eSb

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.— 468.

PBEUUINABT OB8EBTATIONS. QUALIFICATIONS, IN BBEAKER — IN DOS.

I. Dog-Breaking an Art easily acquired. — 2. Moat expeditious mode
of imparting every Degree of Education. Time bestowed deter-
mines Grade of Education. In note, Col. Hawker's opinion. — 3.
Sportsmen recommended to break in their own Dogs. — 4. Men of

Eroperty too easily satisfied with badly-broken Dogs. Keepers
ave no excuse for Dogs being badly broken. — 5. Great Experi-
ence in Dog-breaking, or Excellence in shooting, not necessaiy.
Dispositions of Dogs vary. — 6 Wlint is required in an instructor.
7. Early in a Season any Dog will answer, a good one necessary
afterwards. Hallooing, rating Dogs, and loud whistling spoils
Sport — 8. What a well-broken Dog ought to do. — 9. Severity re-
probated.— 10. Astley's Method of teaching his Hoi-ses. — 11. Initia-
tory Lessons recoiiniended — to be given when alone with Dog —
given fasting. — 1 2. Success promised if rules be followed. Advan-
tages of an expeditious Education. Autumn shooting not sacri*
fioed.

CHAPTER H.— 470.

INITIATORY LESSONS WITHIN DOORS. gHOOrTNO PONII8.

1 3. One Instructor better than two. — 1 4. Age at which Education
commences. In-door breaking for hours, better than Out-door
breaking for weeks. — 15. To obey all necessary Words of Oom>
mand, and all Signals, before shown Game. — 16. Unreasonable-
ness of not always giving Initiatory Lessons — leads to Punishment
— thence to Blinking. 17. Dog to be your constant Companion,
not another's. — 18, 19, 20. Instruct when alone with him. Initia
tory Lessons in his Whistle- -in " Dead "— " Toho "— " On." — 21
All Commands and Whistling to ba given in a low tone. — 22 to
25. Lessons in " Drop." — Head between fore-legs — Setters crouch
more than Pointers. — 23. Slovenly to employ right Arm both for
"Drop "and "Toho."— 27. Lessons in "Down-charge," — Taught
at Pigeon-match — Rewards taken from Hand — 27. Cfvalry
Horses fed at discliarge of Pistol — Same plan pursued with T^^gs.
—'.1.3. Dog unusually Timid to be coupled to another. — 2V I**
•olis at Feeding Time, with Oheckcords »

1;*

III

458

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER UL— 480.

INITIATORl LKSSONS CONTINDKD. BPANISLai

SO, 31. Initiatory Lessons in "Dead" and "Seek," continued. — 32.
In Signals to hunt to the " right "— ' left "— " forward."— 33. In
the " Beckon." Woodcock Shooting in America. 34. In looking
to you for instructions. — K5. In " Care." — 36. Always give a
reward. — 37. In "Up" — saves using Puzzle-peg. — 38. Dog i^
carry Jsose liigh. — 39. Initiatory Lesson in "Footing" a scent." —
40. In " Heel."— IL In "Oone*^ or "Away." — 12. In "Fence ' or
" Ware fence." — 43 " No " a better word than " Ware." -4 J. Ac-
cuhtomed to couples. — 45. Initiatory Lesson in-doors with a Com-
panion— when one " drops," the other to " drop."— 46. Makes
" Backing " quickly understood. — 47. Initiatory Lessons witli a
Companion in the Fields— 48. Initiatory Lessors save time —
make Dogs fond of Hunting. — 49. Checkcord described. Wildest
Dogs possess most energy. — 50. Advantages of Checkcord ex-
plamed. Spaniels broken m by it. — .51. Lad to act as Whipper-in.
62. Retriever that acted as Whipper-in. — 63. Jealousy made him
act the part. Might be taught to Retrieve. — .o4. Instead of
•' down charge," coming to " heel." — 55. As Puppies kept close to
you, not to "self-hunt" — "broke" from hare. — 56. Blacksmith
straps Hoi«e's Leg above Hock — Dog's similarly confined — Shot-
belt round tlie necks of wildest.— 57. Hunted in Gorse. — 68. Age
when shown Game. Example of good Spaniels advantageous. —
69. Perfected in " Drop "—taught to " seek dead"— to " fetch"—
entered at Hedge-rows and lightest Covers. Bells to Collars. —
60. To hunt farther side of Hedge. — 61. How Sportsmen may aid
Keeper. — 62. Experienced Spaniels slacken pace on Game. — 63.
Difficult to work young ones in Silence — 64. Spaniels that Point-
ed.— 65. Game first accustomed to, most liked. — 66. Principal re-
quisites in Spaniels. — 67. The signal " to point with finger." — 68.
Following Cockers a Young Man's work, — 69. Education differs
in different Teams. — 70. One and a half couple of large Spaniels
sufficient. One of the Team to retrieve . — 7 1 . Clurabera procuring
more shots iu Turnips than Pointei-s. — 72. Lord P n's highly-
broken Team. — 73. Of small Cockers three couple a Team. What
constitutes Perfection. — 74. Retriever with Team. Duke of New-
castle's Keepers. — 75. Some Teams allowed to hunt flick. — 76.
Markers necessary with wild Spaniels. — 77. Old Sportsmen prefer
mute Spaniels. — 78. Handy old Setters capital in light cover. At-
tention necessary when first entered. — 79. C e's Pointers as good

in cover as on the stubble. — 80. Pointer that ran to opposite sii'.e
of Thicket to flush Game towards Gun. — 81. Water Spaniels, how
broken.— 82. Shepherd's Forward Signal best for Water Retrievers.
88. Wild Fowl reconnoitred with Telescope. — 84. Qualities re-
quired in Water Retriever. In Note, Poachers in Snow. Beast
or Man of one uniform color easily detected. — 86. Steady Spaniels
in Rice T^akes.

OONTKNTS.

CHAPTER IV.— 510.

45»

LBKONS IN FETCH ING.

RETBIEVBIU.

6. Lessons in " fetching " recommended. Dog, not taught to re-
trieve, bringing dead Bird he had found. — 87. Taught to deliver
into your hand ; never pick up a Bird yourself; Dog which often
lost winged Birds she had lifted. — 88. Retrievers taught to carry
something soft ; injudiciousness of employing a stone. — 89. How
encouraged to plunge into Water. — 9(>. Diving, how tautjht. — '.H.
" Fetching " taught with a Piucushioii ; with a Bunch of Keys. —
92. Made to deliver instantly. — 93. Practiseil to carry things of
the size and weight of a Hnre. — 94. "Fetching," how taught at
commencement. — 95. Regular Retrievers taught to fetch Birds;
to "foot" Rabbits ami Winged Game. — 96. Retriever observes
when a Bird is struck ; a quality particularly useful in a Wuti-r
Retriever. — 97. Pigeons ancl small Birds shot to Retrievers. — 98.
Iiijudiciousness of aiding a young Dog when retrieving ; makes
him rely on Gun rather tlian his own Nose. — 99. Fatigue of car-
rying Hare tempts young Retriever to drop it ; taught to deliver
quickly by rewards of hard boiled liver. — 100. If he taste blood,
put on Wire snafHe ; how made. — 101. Retriever how taught to
pursue faster; should commence to " road " slowly, but "follow
up " rapidly. — 1()-2. Why Land Retrievers should " down charge.
103. Some Retrievers may " run on shot,' bat those for sale should
" down charge." — 104. Retrievers not to be of a heavy build, yet
strong and thick-coated. — 105. Cross between Newfoundland and
Setter makes best Retriever ; the real Newfuundland described —
106. Gross from heavy Setter best Retriever. — 107. Most Dogs
can be taught more or less to Retrieve. — 108. Young Retriever to
lift Woodcock and Landrail — 109. Retrievers never to kill Rate,
lift vermin, or wounded Heron, dec.

CILA.PTER v.— 527.

IKITIATORT LESSONS OUT OF DOOBS. TRICKS.

10. Lessons in Country Walks. — 111. "Instruction in quartering;''
hunted where least likely to find Game ; taught while young. In
Note, Bitch shot over when seven months old. — If unreasonably
long before taking to hunting, the remedy. — 113. Utility of Initi-
atory Lessons; taught without pnni.shing. — ^114. Self-confidence
of timid Dogs increased — 11.5. The more Dogs learn, the more
readily they leirn. — 116. Two superior Dogs better than half-a-
dozen of the ordinary sort ; Action of Dogs ; their Feet ; Loins ;
dash of Foxhound gives endurance; cross with Bull hunts with
nose too low ; Reliefs desirable ; best Dog reserved for evening —
117. Memorandum, never to ride throuij;h gate with gun athwart-
ship ; instance of Dog's behaving ailniirably the first day shown
Game.— 118. Proves the value of Initiatorv Lessons. — 119 Sum

: 1

(■

«:

,1t

irf

5
! !

^ n

li.

460

CONTENTS.

mary of knowledge imparted by them. — 120. Why to signal with
right hand. — 1 21. One word only of command ; dogs attend to the
general Sound, not to the several Words — 122. Names of Dogs
not to end in"0;" to be easily called: to be dissimilar. — 123.
" Drop" better word of command than " Down;" use words of
command least likely to be employed by others ; when purchasing
• Dog ascertain what words he is accustomed to.

CHAPTER VI— 537.

KRUT LESSON IN AUTUMN COUMENCED. RANOINO.

124. Regular Breakers make Dogs "point" paired Birds in Spring,
tends to Blinking. — 125. Better not to see Game until shot over;
taken out alone on a fine day in Autumn. — 126. Perpetually
whistling to animate Dogs, injudicious. — 127. Beat largest fields,
and where least likely to find Game. — 128. Commence from
leeward; scent bad in a calm or gale. — 129 to 133. Instructions
in " ranging." — 1 34. Kept from hedge ; Range greater on moors
than stabble.— 186. Distance between Parallels dependent on ten-
derness of nose. — 136. If the Dog is to hunt with another, the
Parallels to be farther apart — 137. No interruption when winding
Birds, yet not allowed to puzzle ; Nose to gain Experience. — 138.
Birds he well to Dog that " winds," not " foots" them. — 139. Inat-
tentive to Whistle, made to •' drop," <fec. ; when rating or punish-
ing, the disregarded order or signal to be often repeated ; Whip
to crack loudly. The attainment of a scientific Range difficult,
but of surpassing value ; the best ranger must in the end find most
Game.

CHAPTER VII.~649.

mtST LESSON IN ACTUMN CONTINUED. CAUTION.

140. Dog to be hunted alone — 141. Many Breakers exactly reverse
this. — 142. Turnips, Potatoes, (be, avoided; Range of dogs broken
on moors most true. — 143. In Turnips, &o., young Dogs get too
close to Birds. — 144. Cautious Dogs may with advantage be as
fast OS wild ones; the two contrasted. In Note, injudiciousness
of teaching a Puppy to " point" Chickens. — 145, 6. — A Dog's nose
cannot be improved, but his caution can, which is nearly tanta-
mount ; how effected. — 147. How to make fast Dogs cautious, —
148, 149. The cause why wild Dogs ultimately turn out best —
150. The daj^s Beat commenced from the leeward. — 161. Won
derful Dogs, which find Game without hunting. — 162. Reason
why Dogs should be instructed separately, ond allowed Time tc
work out a scent ; young Dogs generally too much hurried.

C0NTKNT8. 461

CHAPTER VIII— 556.

mST UCS80N IN AUTUHN CONTINUED. OUNNINO OF AGE — RANGE OV
VROM TWO TO BIX DOGS.

168. Your Dog not to " break fence ;" how taught ; Birds ofttri
sprang while you are scrambling over hedge. — 154. Turning one's
back upon a Dog to bring him nway; stooping down, Ac, to
make him hunt close. — 1 55. Dog, when fatigued, not to be hunted ;
leads to false points. — 156. Sent home, brushed, and allowed a
warm berth; not to follow all day at "heel" — 167 to 16a. Beat
of two Dogs, how regulated. — 160. Whatever number hunted, all
should look to the Gun for ordei-s. — 161. Mr. Herbert's opinion in
his "Field Sports in United States."— 162, 163. Beat of three
Dogs.— 164. Of four Do^.— 165 to 167. Of five or six Dogs.— 168.
Great precision impracticable, but the necessity of a system main-
tained ; System particularly essential where Game is scarce ;
Dogs to be brigaded, not to be employed as a pack. — 169. When
eadb keeper hunts a brace. — 170. A brigade of fine rangers worth
from fifty to sixty guineas a brace. — 171. Fastest walkers do not
necessarily beat most country. — 172. Nor do always the fastest
Dogs. — 173. How slow Dogs may hunt more ground^ than faster.

CHAPTER IX.— 665

nSST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

VOINT NOT REUNQUISHED

»0B "DOWN OUARGE.

174. Affection makes Dog anxious to please — when he rushes in to
be dragged back. — 175. Rule pressed. — 176. Reasons for Rule —
Experience anticipated. — 177. To "stand " far off. — 176. Patienc*
enjoined — Not to part as enemies. — 179. The first good point —
Remain yourself stationaiy. — 1 80. " Heading " Dog — Your circle
to be wide. The first Bird killed. — 181. Finding dead Bird, it
being to leeward.— 182. Pointing it — Blinking it. The cause. —
183. Bird killed, the Dog to go to "heel." — 184. Supposed objec-
tion.— 184. Answered. — 185. Temptation to run after fallen Bird
greater than to run to " heel." — 186 Dog pointing one Bird, and
after " down charge," springing the others. The cause. 187. The
preventive. Dog never to discontinue his point in order tc
" down charge." How taught. — 188. Its advantages exemplified.
— 189. Decide whether Dog goes direct to Bird, or first to you. —
190. Dog which performed well — Snipe shooting on banks of
Richelieu. — 191. Coolness recommended — Inconsistency depre*
cated.

CHAPTER X.— 579.

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. ASSISTAKT.

198. Some Dogs will not point readily. Breeding in and in, error

i i

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V«>.'^a5'

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

fliotographic

Sciences
Corporation

33 WIST MAIN STREIT

WIB»TH, NY. USaO

(716) 172-4503

^J^

402

CONTENTS.

of.'^l 93. Dogs more inclined to point at firat than afterwards—
194. Checkcord employed — spike attached to it.— 106. With wild
Dog assistant useful — Signals to. — 196. How particularly useful
with a badly-broken Dog. — 197. "lleadiflg" Dog at l»i» noint—
not practised too often — Dog to acquire a kiiowle<]ge of his dis-
tance from Gome.— 198. Constantly "Heading" Dog may wake
him too immovable— 199. A fault often caused by over-punish-
ment.— 200. False points caused by over-punishment — Self confi-
dence and experience only cures for over-caution. — 201. Dog's
nuuiner shows position of Birds.

CHAPTER XL— 685.

fUWT LESSON V» AVTVMN OONOLUORD. BAR. UBO STRAP. BPIKr. OOU.AR.

202. Bar care for too high spirits. A leg strapped up. Why these
remedies are better than stai-ration and excessive work. — 203. The
regular Spike Collar described. French Spike Collar. — 204. One
leas ubjectiooable. — 206 to 208. How, in extreme cases, the Spike
(!)ollar may be employed. — 209. Dog springing Birds without no-
ticing them ; bow to be treated. — 210. The first Birds fired at to
be killed outright; the search for winded Birds, Dog being to
leeward. — 211. Had the Dog seized Firing at running Bira. —
212. Tlie search for winged Bird, Dog being to windward.— 213.
"Liftirj" a Dog, when recommended. "Footing" u scent. In
Note, Speed of Red-legged Partridge. — 214. Evil of a young
Sportsman always thinking his Birds killed outright ; often enlls
away Dog improperly. — 216. Loss of dead Bird discouraginjg; to
Dog — 216. Perseverance in seeking, how fostered — 217. "Nosing"
Bira allowed. — 218. Error of picking up winged Bird before load-
ing. In Note, Ingenious argument in its favor ; Bird picked up
in the evening; rejoins covey. — 219. If a winged Bird De a fast
runner, and out of shot — 220. If Dog rushes forward, vet yields to
menaces and stops. — 221. If he seizes the dead Bird; if he has
torn it. — How to administer Punishment. — 222. Part good friends.
Your own temper not to be mfiled. — 224. He is no Breaker who
eannot always get hold of Dog. — 226. Be certain of Dog's guilt
before pnniraing. — 226. Dog's ears not to be pulled violently. —
227. To "drop* whenever Bird or Hare rises.— 228. Lesson iu
Tnniipe. — 229. Real Lesson in " Gone " or " Flown " given after
Dog has hod some experience ; reason why.

CHAPTER XH.— 604.

•HOOmrO HARKS. OOUBAGR IMPARTED. " BACKING " TAVOHT.

2S0. Shooting Hares not recommended ; shooting Rabbits strongly
condemned In Note, wliy superior GrousoDog hotter than
superior Partridge-Dog. Dog brought from strnrge country

COMTBNTS.

469

always hunts to disadvantage. — 231. PatoflF killing Hares as long
as possible. — 282. Dogs not to quit faint scent of Hirds for strong
scent of Hare. — 288. Dog after Ilnre ; no racing after Dog ; Pubs
gone down wind. — 284. Checkcord emploved. Drive in spike on
"toho-ing" Hare.— 286. Impropriety of firing at Dog. — 288.
Hares scarce, visit Rabbit-warren. — 287. Morning, hunt where no
Hares ; evening, where plentiful Mountain Uarc& — 288. Killing
Hare in its form. — 289. Shooting Bird on ground. — 24<>. Dog
tnught to pursue wounded Hare.-^241. Whip carried, stives punish-
ment. Detention of Dog at crouching posture, savea Whip. — 242.
Few cuts, but severe ones. — 243. Instance of timidity cured.
Range imparted by giving Dog feet of Partridge. — 244. Puniah-
ment, not defective Nose, causes Blinking. — '.245. Courage im-
parted to timid Dogs. — 246. Dogs expect Punishment for faults ;
vexed when Birds are not fired at. — 247. What Dog select to teach
yours to "Back. — 248. Example has great influence. — 249.
" Backing " old Dog,— 250. " Finder " to " road " to a " rise ;" his
intrusive companion described. — 2fil To "back** by Eye, not Nose.
— 252. Encourage old Dog before rating the other. — 2fi8. " Find-
er " not to advance, even if patted by other Dog. — 254. The
" Backer" should " down charge." — 256. Dog when pointing ne-
ver to ** down charge ;" how taught

CHAPTER XIIL— 619.

HINTS TO PURCUASKBS. HHIKP KIIXINO.

IS6. The"bnck" being taught, young Dog again hunted alone. —
— 2S7. Breakers hunt too many together. Why injudicious. —
268. One hour's instruction alone, better than a day's in company.
— 269. Case in point. — 260. Rushing in to '• dead, how cured —
261. Dogs shot over "single-handed." Jealousy decreases with
intimacy. Independence and self reliance, how imparted. — 262.
Best D<^ ; summary of rules for making, concisely given. The
best will make mistakes. — '2ft8. Dog tliat always ran riot when
out of sight — 264. Killing sheep; cure attempted — 266. Ano-
ther plan.— 206, 267. Tliinl attempt at remedy. — 267. Moxsle Dog
likely to worry Sheep. — 268. Killing Fowls; the cure.

CHAPIER XIV.— 628.

DISTINOUISHIXO WHISTLKS
RESL'MPnON or POINT.
RUNMNQ BIHD8.

" BACKING TUB OVV.
RANOB UNACUUMI'ANIBD

BETRBAT FROM AMD
BT OUN. HKADSCa

271. A distinguishing whistle fur each Dog; disadvantage of em*
ploying but one whistle for sovend Dogs ; supposed case. — 272.
Another case.— 273. Tliird case. — 274. Dissimilar whistles, or di»
tinct notes on one whistle. — 27 6. Cient*ral rule for whistling —

464

CONTENTS.

i '

Mi ^

270. Dog to baok the Gun ; how taught ; it eraatei eatition
27*7. Advantage of Dog backing the Oan. — 278. American Wood-
Dock. — 279. Dog to retreat from point and resume it — 280. How
taught — 281. Shows Dog object for which he is hunted. — 282.
Not taught too early. — 283. Dog's consciousness of its object —
284. Dog to hunt from leeward to windward, unaccompanied by
Gun; how taueht. — 285. A earefyU Dog running down wind
would not spring Birds. — 286. The great advantages of the
accomplishment. — 287. Dog to head running Birds ; could be
taught— 288. How Dog taught to hunt "unaccompanied by
Oun." — 289. The accomplishment taught by "lifting;'' not coiu>
menoed first season. — 290. Could be taught as easily as Shep-
herds' collies are instructed. — 291. Particularly useful where the
red-legged Partridge is found.

CHAPTER XV.— 688.

URXB TO BnSDCTC. BLOODHOUNDS. EBTRIBVCaS TO '
WILD roWL RBTRIKVKD tlBSt.

BEAT." WOiniDKD

S92. Setter to retrieve ; obtain thereby in one Dog the services of
two ; necessity of having some Dug that retrieves. — 293. Predi-
lection for Setters confessed ; Reasons given. — 294. One Dog only
to retrieve. — 295. Let '• retrieving " be done by " Finder." — 296.
Seeking Dead with two Dugs ; Winged Bird searched for iu direc-
tion of covey's flight — 297. Scent differs of wounded and uu-
wounded Birds. — 298. Three dead Snipe lifted in succession ;
Setter that stood fresh Birds while carrying a dead one ; Pointer
that pointed Partridge while carrying a Hare; Retriever re-
fusing to relinquish chase of wounded Hare. — 299. Injudiciousness
of retrieving Better pointing dead. — 800. Argument against em-
ploj^ng retrieving Setters holds against using regular Retrievers.
— 801. Regular Retrievers to beat ; its advantages ; one Dog does
the duty of two. — 802. Water Retrievers, or Water Spaniels, to
retrieve crippled before picking up dead Wild Fowl ; how taught
^-808. None of these accomplishments so difficult to teach as a
good range. — 804. Might be taught by your Gamekeeper, but
not to be expected of regular Br<suer.

H
U

Pi
M
t4

D 0 GB RE A KIN 6.

CHAPTER I.

PBKLIMINABT OBSERVATIONS. QUALIFICATIONS, IN DRBAK*

£R — IN DOG.

1. Doo-BRBAKiNO, SO far from there being any mys*
tery in it, is an art easily acquired when it is commenced
and continued on rational principles.

2. I think you will be convinced of this if yon will
have the patience to follow me, whilst I endeavor to
explain what, I am satisfied, is the most certain and
rapid method of breaking in your dogs, whether you
require great proficiency in them, or are contented with
an inferior education. No quicker system has yet been
devised, however humble the education may be. The
education in fact of the peasant, and that of the future
double-first collegian, begin and proceed on the same
principle. Ton know your own circumstances, and you
must yourself determine what time you choose to devote
to them ; and, as a consequence, the degree of excel-
lence to which you aspire. I can only assure you of my
firm conviction, that no other means will enable you to

464

UOa-BR£AKI^G.

gain your object so quickly, and I speak with a confi*.
dence derived from long experience in many parts of
the world, on a subject that was, for several years, my
great hobby.*

3. Every writer is presumed to take some interest in
his reader; I therefore feel privileged to address you
as a Mend, and will commence my lecture by strongly
recommending, that, if your occupations will allow it,
you take earnestly and heartily to educating your dogn
yourself. If you possess temper and some judgment,
and will implicitly attend to my advice, I will go bail
for your success, and, much as you may now love
shooting, you will then like it infinitely more. Try the
plan I recommend, and I will guarantee that the
Pointer or Setter Pup which I will, for example sake,
suppose to be now in your kennel, shall be a better dog
by the end of next season — ^I mean a more killing dog —
than probably any you ever yet shot over.

4. Possibly you will urge, that you are unable to
spare the time which I consider necessary for giving
him a high education — ^brief as that time is, compared

* It may be satiBfaotory to oth«n to know the opinion of ao un-
deniable an anthority ns Colonel Hawker. The Ck>lonel, in the
Tenth Edition of hi* invaluable Book on Shooting, writes — page 286
— " Since the publication of the last edition, Lieub-CoL IIutchin<
•on'a valuable work on ' Dog-breaking ' has appeared. It is a per^
feot vath nueum for both Sportsmen and Keeper, and I have great
pleasure in giving a cordial welcome to a work whioh so ably van-
plies my own deficiencies. "

1>REI.IMINARY UKSERVATIONS.

46d

with the many, many months wasted in the tedious
methods usually employed — and that you must, perforce,
content yourself with humbler qualifications. Be it so.
I can only condole with you, for in your case this may
be partly true ; mind, I only say partly true. But how
a man of property, who keeps a regular gamekeeper,
can be satisfied with the disorderly, disobedient troop
to which he often shoots, I cannot understand. Where
the gamekeeper is permitted to accompany his master
in the field, and hunt the dogs himself, there can be no
valid excuse for the deficiency in their education. The
deficiency must arise either from the incapacity, or from
the idleness of the keeper.

5. Unlike most other arts, dog-breaking does not
require much expeiience ; but such a knowledge of
dogs, as will enable you to discriminate between their
different tempers and dispositions, I had almost said
characters — and they vary greatly — is very advanta-
geous. Some require constant encouragement; some
you must never beat ; whilst, to gain the required
ascendancy over others, the whip must be occasionally
employed. Nor is it necessary that the instructor
should be a very good shot ; which probably is a more
fortunate circumstance for me than for you. It should
even be received as a principle that birds ought to be
now and then missed to young dogs, lest some day, if
your nerves happen to be out of order, or a cock-
ney companion be harmlessly blazing away, your

dog take it into hio head and heels to run home in dii

20*

466

nOG-DREAKING.

gust, as I have seen a V>itch, called Countess, do more
than once, in Haddingtonshire.

6. The chief requisites in a breaker are : — Firstly,
command of temper, that he may never be betrayed
into giving one unnecessary blow, for with dogs, as
with horses, no work is so well done as that which is
done cheerfully ; secondly, consistency, that in the ex-
hilaration of his spirits, or in his eagerness to secure a
bird, he may not permit a fault to pass unreproved, I
do not say unpunishedy which at a less exciting moment
he would have noticed — and that, on the other hand,
he may not correct a dog the more harshly because the
shot has been missed, or the game lost ; and lastly, the
exercise of a little reflection, to enable him to judge
what meaning an unreasonable animal b likely to attach
to every word and sign, nay to every look.

7. With the coarsest tackle, and worst flies, trout
can be taken in unflogged waters, while it requires much
science, and the finest gut, to kill persecuted fish. It is
the same in shooting. With almost any sporting-dog
game can be killed early in the season, when the birds
lie like stones, and the dog can get within a few yards
of them ; but you will require one highly broken to
obtain many shots when they are wild. Then any in>
cautious approach of the dog, or any noise, would flush
the game, and your own expcricuco will tell you that
nothing so soon puts birds on the run, and makes them
so ready to take flight, as the sound of the human
v<Mce, especially now-a-days, when fiurmers generally

PRKMMIXAHY OB8KRVATIONS.

469

prefer the Hcythe to the sipkle, and clean )iiisbandry,
large fields, and trim narrow hedges — affording no
shelter f*.om wet — have forced the partridge — a ahorU
winged* bird — unwillingly to seek protection, when
arrived at maturity, in ready flight rather than in con-
cealment. Even the repoit of a gun does not so much
alarm them as the command, " Toho," or " Down
charge," usually too, as if to make matters worse, hal-
looed to the extent of the breaker's lungs. There are
anglers who recommend silence as conducive to success,
and there are no experienced sportsmen who do not
acknowledge its great value in shooting. Rate or beat
a dog at one end of a field, and the birds at the other
will lift their heads, become uneasy, and be ready to
take wing the moment you get near them. " Penn," in
his clever maxims on Angling and Chess, observes to
this effect, " if you wish to see the fisli, do not let him
see you ;" and with respect to shooting, we may as truly
say, " if you wish birds to hear your gun, do not let
them hear your voice." Even a loud whistle disturbs

them. Mr. O 1 of C e says a gamekeeper's

motto ought to be, — " No M'histling — no whipping — no
noise, when master goes out for sport."

8. These observations lead unavoidably to the infer-

* The American Quail so closely resembled the English partridge
in all its habits, except that it takes to covert in large woodlands,
and occasionally treet, that all the rules of hunting and beating for
it, shooting it, and breaking dogs for its pursuit, are entirely identi
eal— H. W H.

■■I

408

DOO-BREAKINO.

enoe, that no dog can be considered perfectly broken, that
does not make his point when first he feels assured of
tlie presence of game, and remain stationary toA«r« he
makes itj nntil urged on by you to draw nearer — that
does not, as a matter of course, lie down without any
word of command the moment you have fired, and after-
wards perseveringly seek for the dead bird in the direction
you may point out — and all this without your once
having occasion to speak, more than to say in a low
voice, *' Find," when he gets near the dead bird, as will
be hereafter explained. Moreover, it must be obvious
that he risks leaving game behind him if he does not
hunt every part of a field, and, on the other hand, that
he wastes your time and his strength, if he travels tMrice
over the same ground, nay, over any ground which his
powers of scent have already reached. Of course I am
now speaking of a dog hunted without a companion to
share his labors.

0. You may say, *^ How is all this, which sounds so
well in theory, to be obtained in practice without great
severity ? " Believe me, with severity it never can be
attained. If flogging would make a dog perfect, few
would be found unbroken in England or Scotland, and
scarcely one in Ireland.

10. Astley's method was to give each horse his pre-
paratory lessons alone, and when there was no noise or
anything to divert his attention from his instructor. If
the hoi'se was inteiTupted during the lesson, or his at-
tention in any way withdrawn, he was dismissed for that

PRKT.TjriNAKV OflSERVATlONS.

469

day. When perfect in eertaiu lessons by Iiimself, ho was
associated with other horses whose education was furthei
advanced. And it was the practice of that great master
to reward his horses with slices of carrot or apple when
they performed well.

11. Astley may give us a useful hint in u.; Tar easier
task of dog-breaking. We see that he endeavored by
kindness and patience to make the horse fl :>rougbly com-
prehend the meaning of certain words and signnls boibre
h<j rJ] >wed him any companion. So ought you, by what
may be termed "initiatoiy lessons," to laake your
young dog perfectly understand the meaning of certain
words and signs before you hunt him in the company
of another dog — nay, before you hunt him at all ; and,
in pursuance of Astley's plan, you ought to give these
lessons when you are alone with the dog, and his atten-
tion is not likely to be withdrawn to other matters.
Give them, also, when he is fasting, as his faculties will
then be clearer, and he will be more eager to obtain any
rewards of biscuit or other food.

12. Be assured that by a consistent adherence to the
simple rules which I will explain, you can obtain the
perfection I have described, 8, with more ease and ex-
pedition than you probably imagine to be practicable ;
and, if you will zealously follow my advice, I promist',
that, instead of having to give up your shooting in Sep-
tember— ^for I am supposing you to be in England —
while you break in your pup, you shall then be able to
take him into the field, provided he is tolerably well br«'d

470

DOd-nREAKIXa.

1 ■

I fei.i

and M'ell disposed, perfectly obedient ; and, except that
he will not have a well-confirmed, judicious range, almost
perfectly made ; at least so far made, that he will only
commit such faults as naturally arise from want of expe«
rience. Let me remind you also that the keep of dogs
is expensive, and supplies an argument for making them
earn their bread by hunting to a useful purpose so soon
as they are of an age to work without injury to their
constitution. Time, moreover, is valuable to us all, or
most of us fancy it is. Surely, then, that system of
education is best which imparts the most expeditiously
the required degree of knowledge.

I h

CHAPTER n.

INITIATOBY LKSSONS WITHIN DOORS. SHOOTING PONIKS,

13. It is seldom of any advantage to a dog to have
more than one instructor. The methods of teaching
may be the same ; but there will be a diffVirence in the
tone of voice and in the manner that Avill more or less
puzzle the learner, and retard rather than advance his
education. If, therefore, you resolve to break in your
dog, do it entirely yourself; let no one interfere with you.

14. As a general rule, let his education begin when he

IMTIATOHV LESSONS AVITIIIN DOORS.

471

is about six or seven months old* — although I allow that
some dogs are more precocious than others, and bitches
always more forwjird than dogs — but it ought to be nearly
completed before he is shown a bird (HI). A quarter
of an hour's daily in-door training — called by the Ger-
mans " house-breaking " — for three or four weeks will
effect more than a month's constant hunting without
preliminary tuition.

15. Never take your young dog out of doors for in-
struction, until he has leanit to know and obey the several
words of command which you intend to give him in the
field, and is well acquainted with all the signs which you
will have occasion to make to him with your arms. These
are what may be called the initiatory lessons.

16. Think a moment, and you will see the importance
of this preliminary instruction, though rarely imparted.
Why should it be imagined that at the precise moment
when a young dog is enraptured with the first snifi* of
game, he is, by some mysterious unaccountable instinct,
to understand the meaning of the word " Toho ?" Why
should he not conceive it to be a word of encouragement

■.."»

■I

Eil

'Ull

* But from his very infancy you ought not to liave allowed him
to be disobedient. You should have made him know — wliich he
will do nearly intuitively — that a whip can punish liim, though he
ouglit never to have suffered from it. 1 have heard of pups only
four mouths old being made quite au fait to the preliminary drill
here recommended. This early exercise of their intelligence and
observation must have benefited them. The questionable point in
the anneeeasary consumption of the instructor's time.

■!^l

472

DOQ-BREAKINO.

f ^^'

to rush in upon the game, as he probably longs to do ;
especially if it is a partridge fluttering before him, in the
sagacious endeavor to lure him from her brood, or a
hare enticingly cantering off from under his nose ? There
are breakers who would correct him for not intuitively

comprehending and obeying the "Toho," roared out
with stentorian lungs ; though, it is obvious, the young-
ster, from having had no previous instruction, could have
no better reason for understanding its import than the
watch-dog chained up in the adjacent farm-yard. Again
he hears the word " Toho " — again followed by anothei
licking, accompanied perhaps by the long lecture, "Ware
springing birds, will you ?" The word " Toho " then
begins to assume a most awful character ; he naturally
connects it with the finding of game, and not under-
standing a syllable of the lecture, lest ho should a third
time hear it, and get a third drubbing, he judges it most
prudent, unless he is a dog of very high courage, when
next aware of the presence of birds, to come in to heel ;
and thus he commences to be a blinker, thanks to the
sngacity and intelligence of his tutor. I do not speak
of all professional dog-breakers, — far from it. Many are
fully sensible that comprehension of orders must neces-
sarily precede all but accidental obedience. I am only
thinking of some whom it has been my misfortune to
see, and who have many a time made my blood boil at
their brutal usage of a fine high-couragod young dog.
Men who had a strong arm and hard heart to punish —
but no temper and no head to instruct.

1
t

I ' ,

tNTTIATORY LESSONS WITHIN DOORS.

473

17. So long as you aro a bachelor, you can make u
eompanion of your dog, without incurring the danger
of his being spoilt by your wife and children ; the more,
by-the-bye, he is your own companion and nobody else's
the better : and it is a fact, though you may smile at the
assertion, that all the initiatory lessons can be, and can
best be inculcated in your own breakfast-room.

18. Follow Astley's plan. Let no one be present to
dbtract the dog's attention. Call him to you by the
whistle you propose always using in the field. Tie a
slight cord a few yards long to his collar. Throw him a
email piece of toast or meat, saymg at the time, " Dead,
dead." Do this several times, chucking it into different
parts of the room, and let him eat what he finds. Then
throw a piece, always as you do so saying, " Dead," and
the moment he gets close to it, check him by jerking
the cord, at the same time saying, "Toho," and lifting
up your right arm almost perpendicularly. By pressing
on the cord with your foot, you can restrain him as long
as you please. Do not let him take what you have thrown
until you give him the encouraging word, " On," accom-
panied by a forward movement of the right arm and
hand, somewhat similar to the swing of an under-hand
bowler at cricket.

19. Let all your commands be given in a low voice.
Consider that in the field, where you are anxious not to
alarm the birds unnecessarily, your words must roach
your dogs' ears more or less softened by distance, nnd,
if their influence depends on loudness, they will have the

474

DOG-BREAKIXa.

least effect at tlie very moment when you wish them t<i
have the most. For the same reason^ in the initiatory
lessons, be careful not to whistle loudly.

20. After a few trials with the checkcord, you will
find yourself enabled, without touching it, and merely
by using the word " Toho," to prevent his seizing the
toast or meat, until you say " On," or give him the for-
ward signal. When he gets yet more perfect in his
lesson, raising your right arm only, without employing
your voice, will be sufficient, especially if you have gra-
dually accustomed him to hear you speak less and less
loudly. If he draw towards the bread before he has
obtained leave, jerk the cord, and drag him back to the
spot from which he stirred. He is not to quit it until
you order him, occupy yourself as you may. Move
about, and occasionally go from him, as far as you can,
before you give the command " On." This will make
him less unwilling hereafter to continue steady at hia
point while you are taking a circuit to head hira, and so
get wild birds between him and your gun, — 179, 196.
The signal for his advancing, when you are facing him, is
the "beckon" — see 33.

21. At odd times let hira take the bread tiie moment
you throw it, that his eagerness to rush forward to seize
it may be continued, only to be instantly restrained at
your command.

22. Your left arm raised perpendicularly, in a similar
manner, should make the young dog lie down. Call out
" Drop," when so holding up the left hand, and presa

INITIATORY LESSONS WITHIN DOORS.

475

him down with the other until he assumes a crouching
position. If you study beauty of attitude, his fore-legs
should be extended and his head rest between them.
Make him lie well down, occasionally walking round and
round him, gradually increasing the size of the circle —
your eyes on his. Do not let him raise himself to a sit-
ting posture. If you do, he will have the greater incli-
nation hereafter to move about: especially when you
want to catch him in order to chide or correct him. A
stop is all you require for the " Toho," and you
would prefer his standing to his point, rather than his
lying down,* as you then would run less risk of losing
sight of him in cover, heather, or high turnips, <fec.
Setters, however, naturally crouch so much more than
Pointei-s, that you will often not be able to prevent
their " falling " when they are close to game. Indeed,
I have heard some sportsmen argue in favor of a dog's
dropping, " that it rested him." An advantage, in my
opinion, in no way commensurate with the inconvenience
that often attends the practice.

23. If you are satisfied with teaching him in a slovenly
manner, you can employ your right arm both for the
" Toho » and " Drop ; " but that is not quite correct, for
the former is a natural stop — ^being the pause to deter-

•Thia is one reason for giving initiatory lessons in the "Toho"
before the "Dro|>." Another is that the dog may acquire the
"Toho" before he has run the chance of being cowed in learning
the " Drop." If the latter were taught first, he might confound
the " Toho " with it.

.i#

(76

DOG-BBEAKIXG.

mine exactly where the game is lying, preparatory to
rushing in to seize it — which you prolong by art,* whilst
the other is wholly opposed to nature. The one affords
him great delight, especially when, from experience, he
has learnt well its object : the latter is always irksome.
Nevertheless, it must be firmly established. It is the
triumph of your ait. It ensures future obedience. But
it cannot be effectually taught without creating more or
less awe, and it should create awe. It is obvious, there-
fore, that it must be advantageous to make a distinction
between the two signals — especially with a timid dog—
for he will not then be so likely to blink on seeing you
raise your i-ight hand when he is drawing upon game.
Nevertheless, there are breakers so unreasonable as not
only to make that one signal, but the one word " Drop,"
or rather " Down," answer both for the order to point,
and the ordei* to crouch ! How can sucl i tuition serve
to enla rge a dog's ideas ?

24. To perfect him in the " Down," that difficult part
of his education,-^4ifficult, because it is unnatural, —
practise it in your walks. At very uncertain, unexpect-
ed times catch his eye, having previously stealthily taken
hold of the checkcord — a long, light one, or a whistle
to call his attention, and then hold up your left arm. If
he does not instantly drop, jerk the checkcord violently,

* I know of a young man's reading the first edition of tliis book
and taking it into his head to teacli his Terrier to point according
to the method just recommended. He succeeded perfectly. Somt
Terriers have been made very useful for cover sliootiiig.

miTTATORY LESSONS WITHIN DOORS.

i'il

and, as before, drag liim back to the exact spot where
he should have crouched down. Admit of no compro-
mise. You must have implicit, unhesitating, instant
obedience. When you quit him, he must not be al-
lowed to crawl an inch after you. If he attempt it,
drive a spike into the ground, and attach the end of the
checkcord to it, allowing the line to be slack ; then leave
him quickly, and on his running after you he will be
brought up with a sudden jerk. So much the better ; it
will slightly alarm him. As before, take him back to
the precise place he quitted — do this invariably, though
he may have scarcely moved. There make him again
" Drop " — always observing to jerk the cord at the mo-
ment you give the command. After a few trials of this
tethering, say less than a dozen, he will be certain to lie
down steadily, until you give the proper order or a sig-
nal— 20 — let you run away, or do what you may to excite
him to move. One great advantage of frequently re.
peating this lesson, and thus teaching it thoroughly, is
that your dog will hereafter always feel, more or less,
in subjection whenever the cord is fastened to his collar.
He must be brought to instantly obey the signal, even
at the extreme limit of his beat.

25. Most probably he will not at first rise when he is
desired. There is no harm in that — a due sense of thfj
inutility of non-compliance with the order of " Drop,"
and a wholesome dread of the attendant penalty, will be
advantageous. Go up to him — pat him — and lead him
for some paces, " making much of him," as they say in

478

DOG-BREAKING.

the cavalry. Dogs which are over-headstrong and reso-
lute can only be brought under satisfactory command by
this lesson being indelibly implanted — and I think a
master before he allows the keeper to take a pup into
the field to show him game, should insist upon having
ocular demonstration that he is pei-fect in the " Drop."

26. "When he is well confirmed in this all-important
lesson, obeying implicitly, yet cheerfully, you may, whilst
he is lying down — in order to teach him the " down
charge " — go through the motions of loading, on no ac-
count permitting him to stir until you give him the for-
ward signal, or say, " On." After a few times you may
fire off a copper cap, and then a little powder, but be
very careful not to alarm him. Until your dog is quite
reconciled to the report of a gun, never take him up to
any otie who may be firing. I have, however, known of
puppies being &miliarized to the sound, by being at
first kept at a considerable distance from the party firing,
and then gradually and by slow degrees brought nearer.
This can easily be managed at a rifle or pigeon match,
and the companionship of a made-dog would much ex-
pedite matters. Whenever, in the lessons, your young
dog has behaved steadily and well, give him a reward.
Do not throw it to him : let him take it from your hands.
It will assist in making him tender-mouthed, and in
attaching him to you.

27. In some cavalry regiments in India, the feeding-
lime is denoted by the firing ofif of a pistol. This soon
changes a young horse's first dread of the report inta

nnXIATOET LESSONS WITHIN DOORS.

470

eager, joyous expectation. You might, if you did not
dislike the trouble, in a similar manner, soon make your
pup regard the report of a gun as the gratifying sum-
mons to his dinner, but coupled with the understanding
that, as a preliminary step, he is to crouch the instant he
hears the sound. After a little pei-severance you would
so well succeed, that you would not be obliged even to
raise your hand. If habituated to wait patiently at the
*' drop," however hungry he may be, before he is per-
mitted to taste his food, it is reasonable to think he will
remain at the " down charge," yet more patiently be-
fore he is allowed to " seek dead."

28. If your pupil is unusually timid, and you cannot
banish his alarm on hearing the gun, couple him to
another dog which has no such foolish fears, and will
steadily " down charge." The confidence of the one
will impart confidence to the other. Fear and joy are
feelings yet more contagious in animals than in man. It
is the visible, joyous animation of the old horses, that so
quickly reconciles the cavalry colt to the sound of the
" feeding-pistol."

29. A keeper who had several dogs to break, would
find the advantage of pursuing the cavalry plan just
noticed. Indeed, he might extend it still further, by
having his principal in-door drill at feeding-time, and by
enforcing, but in minuter details, that kennel discipline
which has brought many a pack of hounds to marvellous
obedience. He shoul4 placp the ft)od ip difiV>rent parts
of the yard. Hp sl)oul4 hJ^ve a short; checkcord on all

• i:

480

DOG-BREAKINO.

his pupils ; and, after going slowly through the motions
of loading (the dogs having regularly " down-charged "
on the report of the gun), he should call each separately
by name, and by signals of the hand send them succes-
sively to diflferent, but designated feeding-troughs.* He
might then call a dog to him which had commenced
eating, and after a short abstinence, make him go to
another trough. He might bring two to his heels and
make them change troughs, and so vary the lesson, that,
in a shoit time, with the aid of the checkcords, he
would have them under such complete command that they
would afterwards give him comparatively but little trou-
ble in the field. As they became more and more submis-
sive he would gradually retire further and further, so as, at
length, to have his orders obeyed when at a considerable
distance from his pupils. The small portion of time these
lessons would occupy compared with their valuable results
should warn him most forcibly not to neglect them.

CIJAPTER ra.

nnnATOBT lessons continued, spakceu.

80. When your young dog is tolerably well advanced
,n the lessons which you have been advised to practise,

* There ia often raoh a umilArity in the names of hounds, that a
|<ei-8on eivnnot bat be much struck, who for the first time sees them
go to their meals, one by one a* they are called.

INITIATOKY LRSSONS (.'ONTINUED.

481

hide a piece of bread or biscuit. Say " Dead, dead."
Call him to you. (40.) Let him remain by you for
nearly a minute or two. Then say " Find," or " Seek.'
Accompany him in his search. By your actions ana
gestures make him fancy you are yourself looking about
for something, for dogs arv> observing, one might say,
imitative, creatures.* Stoop and move your right hand
to and fro near the ground. Contrive that he shall
come upon the bread, and reward him by permitting
him to eat it.

81. After a little time — a few days I mean — ^he wil
show the greatest eagerness on your saying, at any un
expected moment, " Dead." He will connect the word
with the idea that there is something very desirable
concealed near him, and he will be all impatience to be
off and find it ; but make him first come to i/ou-^foi
reason, see 182. — Keep him half a minute. — Then
say " Find," and, without your accompanying him, ho
will search for what you have previously hidden. Al-
ways let him be encouraged to perseverance by dis-
covering something acceptable.

32. Unseen by him, place the rewards — one at a time —
in different parts of the room, — under the rug or carpet,
and more frequently on a chair, a table, or a low shelf.

* it

* Imitative creatures 1 who can doubt itt If yon make an old
iog perform a trick several times in the sight of a young one who
u watching the proceedings, you will be surprised to see how
quickly the young one will learn the trick, especially if he has seen
that the old dog was always rewarded for his obedience.

482

DOG-BBEAKIXO.

t *!

I!
ii

He will be at a loss in what part of the room to search.
Assist him by a motion of your arm and hand. A wave
of the right arm and hand to the right, will soon show
him that he is to hunt to the right, as he will find there.
The corresponding wave of the left hand and arm to the
left, will explain to him, that he is to make a cast to the
left. The underhand bowler's swing of the right hand
and arm, will show that he is to hunt in a forward di-
rection.* Your occasionally throwing the delicacy — in
the direction you wish him to take, — whilst waving your
hand, will aid in making him comprehend the signal.
You may have noticed how well, by watching the action
of a boy's arm, his little cur judges towards what point
to run for the expected stone.

33. When the hidden object is near you, but between
you and the dog, make him come towards you to seek
for it, beckoning him with your right hand. When he
is at a distance at the '* Drop," if you are accustomed to
recompense him for good behavior, you can employ this
signal to make him rise and run towards you tor his re-

rt iii.

i 4

'.r

* Obedience to all such signals will hereafter be taught out of
doors at gradually increased distances : and to confirm him in the
habit of sniffing high in the air (3*7) for whatever you may then
hide, put the bread or meat on a stick or bush, but never in a
hedge, With the view to his some day retrieving, ns instanced in
190, it will be year aim to get him not to seek immediately, but to
watch your signals, until by obeying them you will have placed
him close to where the object lies, at which precise moment you will
say energetically " Find." and cease maling any fiirther signs.

INITlATOnY KESSOXS CONTINUKD.

488

ward — and according to my judgment he should always
join you after the " down charge," — 184. By theso
means you will thus familiarize him with a very useful
signal ; for that signal will cause him to approach you
in the field, when you have made a circuit to head him
at his point — knowing that birds will then be lying some-
where between you and him — and want him to draw
neai ■ to the birds and you, to show you exactly where
they are. This some may call a superfluous refinement,
but I hope you will consider it a very killing accomplish-
ment, and, being easily taught, it were a pity to neglect
it. When a Setter is employed in cock-shooting, the
advantage of using this signal is very apparent. While
the dog is steadily pointing, it enables the sportsman to
look for a favorable opening, and, when he has posted
himself to his satisfaction, to sign to the Setter — or if
out of sight to tell him — to advance and flush the bird :
when, should the sportsman have selected his position
with judgment, he will generally get a shot. I have
seen this method very successfully adopted in America,
where the forests are usually so dense that cocks are
only found on the outskirts in the underwood.

34. After a little time he will regularly look to you
for directions. Encourage him to do so ; it will make
him hereafter, when he is in the field, desirous of hunt-
ing under your eye, and induce him to look to you, in a
similar manner, foi* instructions in what direction he is
to search for game. Observe how a child watches its
mother's eye ; so will a dog watch yours, when he be-

^ \

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484

1)0(;-BUKAK1X«.

5 ■ ! !

comes interested in your movements, and finds that you
frequently notice him,

35. Occasionally, when he approaches any of the spots
where the bread lies hidden, say " Care," and slightly
raise your right hand. He will quickly consider this
word, or signal, as an intimation that he is near the
object of his search.

36. Never deceive him in any of these words and
signs, and never disappoint him of the expected reward.
Praise and caress him for good conduct ; rate him for
bad. Make it a rule throughout the whole course of
his education, out of doors as fully as within, to act
upon this system. You will find that caresses and sub
stantial rewards are far greater incentives to exertion
than any fears of punishment.

37. Your pup having become a tolerable proficient m
these lessons, you may beneficially extend them by em-
ploying the word " Up," as a command that he is to
sniff high in the air to find the hidden bread or meat,
lying, say on a shelf, or on the back of a sofa. He will,
comparatively speaking, be some time in acquiring a
knowledge of the meaning of the word, and many would
probably term it an over-refinement in canine education ;
but I must own I think you will act judiciously if you
teach it perfectly in the initiatory lessons ; for the word
" Up," if well understood, mil frequently save your
putting on the puzzle-peg. For this you might be
tempted to employ, should your dog be acquiring the
execrable habit of " raking," as it is termed, instead of

INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUKD.

485

soavchins: for the delicious effluvia with his nose carried
high in the air.

38. Whenever birds can be sought for in the wind,
the dog should thus hunt the field — and the higher he
carries his nose the better — for, independently of the
far greater chance of finding them, they will allow the
dog to come much nearer than when he approaches
them by the foot : but of this more anon.

39. Setters and Pointers naturally hunt with their
noses sufficiently close to the ground — they want ele-
vating rather than depressing. Notwithstanding, you
will do well to show your pupil a few times out of doors
how to work out a scent, by dragging a piece of bread
unperceived by him down wind through grass, and then
letting him " foot" it out. Try him for a few yards at
first ; you can gradually increase the length of the drag.
You must not, however, practise this initiatory lesson
too frequently, lest you give him the wretched custom
of pottering.

40. The word " Heel," and a backward low wave of
the right hand and arm to the rear — the reverse of the
underhand cricket-bowler's swing — will, after a few
times, bring the dog close behind you. Keep him there
a while and pat him, but do not otherwise rewai-d him.
The object of the order was to make him instantly give
up hunting, and come to your heels. This signal cannot
be substituted for the " beckon." The one is an order
always obeyed with reluctance — being a conmiand to
leave off hunting — whereas the " beckon" is merely an

' >¥\

!;■.■

486

DOG-r.KKAKING.

instruction in what direction to beat, and will be attended
to with delight. The signal "heel," however, when
given immediately after loading, is an exception ; for
the instructions about "Dead '• in xi. of 141, will show
that without your speaking it may be made to impart
the gratifying intelligence of your having killed. See
also 190.

41. To teach him to attach a meaning to the word
" Gone," or " Away," or " Flown," * — select which you
will, but do not ring the changes — you may now rub a
piece of meat — if you have no one but your serv mt to
scold you — in some place where the dog is accustomed
frequently to find, and when he is sniffing at the place
say " Gone," or " Away." This he will, after some
trials, perceive to be an intimation that it is of no use
to continue hunting for it.

42. You will greatly facilitate his acquiring the meaning
of the command " Fence," or " Ware-fence," if, from
time to time, as he is quitting the room through the open
door or garden window, you restrain him by calling
out that word.

43. Whenever, indeed, you wish him to desist from
doing anything, call out " Ware," — pronounced
" War" — as it \\dll expedite his hereafter underatanding
the terms " Ware sheep," " Ware chase," and " Ware
lark." The last expression to be used when he is wast-

* The least comprehensive and logical of the expressions, yet one
often used. A dog being no critical grammarian, understands it to
apply to fur as well as feather.

INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED.

48:

ing his time upon the scent of anything but game — n.
fault best cured by plenty of birds being killed to him.
However, the simple word " No," omitting " Chase" or
'' Fence," might be substituted advantageously for
"Ware." All you want him to do is to (^sist from a
wrong action. That sharp sound — and when necessary
it can be clearly thundered out — cannot be misunder
stood.

44. That your young dog may not hereafter resist the
couples, yoke him occasionally to a stronger dog, and
for the sake of peace, and in the name of all that is gal-
lant, let it be to the one of the other sex who appears
to be the greatest favorite.

45. When he is thus far advanced in his education,
and tolerably obedient, which he will soon become if
you are consistent, and patient^ yet strict^ you can, in
further pursuance of Astley's plan, associate him in his
lessons with a companion. Should you be breaking in
another youngster — though one at a time you will pro-
bably find quite enough, especially if it be your laudable
wish to give him hereafter a well confirmed scientific
range — they can now be brought together for instruc-
tion. You must expect to witness the same jealousy
which they would exhibit on the stubble. Both will be
anxious to hunt for the bread, and in restraining them
alternately from so doing, you exact the obedience whicli
you will require hereafter in the field, when in their
natural eagerness they will endeavor, unless you pro-
perly control them, to take the jxtuit of birds from one

188

DOG-BREAKING.

another ; or, in their rivahy, run over the taint of a
wounded bird, instead of collectedly and perseveringly
working out the scent. You can throw a bit of toast,
and make them " Toho" it, and then let the dog you
name take it. In the same way you can let each alter-
nately search for a hidden piece, after both have come
up to you, on your saying " Dead." I would also ad-
vise you to accustom each dog to " drop," without any
command from you, the moment he sees that the other
is down.

46. Those lessons will almost ensure their hereafter
instantly obeying, and nearly instantly comprehending
the object of the signal to " back" any dog which may
be pointing game.

47. When you take out two youngsters for exercise,
while they are romping about, suddenly call one into
"heel," After a time again send him off on his gam-
bols. Whistle to catch the eye of the other, and signal
to him to join you. By working them thus alternately,
while they are fresh and full of spirits, you will habituate
them to implicit obedience. When the birds are wild,
and you are anxious to send a basket of game to a
friend, it is very satisfactory to be able merely by a
sign, without uttermg a word, to bring the other dogs
into " heel," leaving the ground to the careful favorite.
Teach the present lesson well, and you go far towards
attaining the desired result.

48. I trust you will not object to the minutite of these
initiatory lessons, and fancy you have not time to

IXITIATOKY LESSONS CONTIXLED.

489

attend to them. By teaching them well you will gain
time, — much time, — and the time that is of most value
to you as a spoi'tsman ; for when your dog is regularly
hunting to your gun his every faculty ought to be solely
devoted to finding birds, and his undisturbed intellects
exclusively given to aid you in bagging them, instead of
being bewildered by an endeavor to comprehend novel
signals or words of command. I put it to you as a
sportsman, whether he will not have the more delight
and ardor in hunting, the more he feels that he under-
stands your instructions? and, further, I ask you,
whether he will not be the more sensitively alive to the
faintest indication of a haunt, and more rt.'adily follow it
up to a sure find, if he be unembarrassed by any anxiety
to make out what you mean, and be in no way alarmed
at the consequences of not almost instinctively under-
standing your wishes ?

49. In all these lessons, and those which follow in the
field, the checkcord will wonderfully assist you. Indeed
it may be regarded as the instructor's right hand. It
can be employed so mildly as not to intimidate the most
gentle, and it can, without the aid of any whip, be used
with such severity, or I should rather say persevei*ance,
as to conquer the most wild and headstrong, and these
are sure to be dogs of the greatest travel and endur-
ance. The cord may be from t(m to twenty-five* yards

/•mi

M ■ ill

tt'i

♦ With a resolute, reckless, dashing dog you maj' advantageously
employ a thinner cord of doubl*' that length, — whereas, tlie shortest

4Q0

DOG-BKEAKING.

long, according to the animal's disposition, and may be
gradually shortened as he gets more and more under
command. Even when it is first employed you can put
on a shorter cord if you perceive that he is becoming
tired. In thick stubble, especially if cut with a sickle,
the drag will be greater, far greater than when the cord
glides over heather. The cord may be of the thick-
ness of what some call strong lay-cord, but made of
twelve threads. Sailors would know it by the name of
log-line or cod-line. To save the end from fraying it
can be whipped with thread, which is better than tying
a knot, because it is thus less likely to become entangled.
60. Hunted with such a cord, the most indomitable
dog, when he is perfectly obedient to the '"''drcyp^'' is
nearly as amenable to command as if the end of the line
were in the breaker's hand. By no other means can

SPANIELS

i ■ 'I

; w.

oe quickly broken in. The general object of the trainer
is to restrain them from ranging at a distance likely to
spring game out of gun-shot, and to make them perfect
to the " down charge." If one of these high-spirited
animals will not range close when called to by whistle

line will sometimes prevent a timid animal from ranging freely.
By-the-bye, the thinner the curd the more readily does it become
entangled — as a rule, a checkcord cannot be too firmly twisted —
a soft one quickly gets knotted and troublesome. (See note to
177.)

INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED.

491

or name, the breaker gets hold of the cord and jerks it ;
this makes the dog come in a few paces ; another jerk
or two makes him approach closer, and then the breaker,
by himself retiring with his face towards the spaniel,
calling out his name — or whistling, — and occasionally
jerking the cord, makes him quite submissive, and more
disposed to obey on future occasions.

51. In training a large team it is of much advantage
to the keeper to have a lad to rate, and, when neces-
sary, give the skirters a taste of the lash — in short, to
act as whipper-in. The keeper need not then carry a
whip, or at least often use it, which will make hi»
spaniels all the more wilUng to hunt close to him.

52. Lord A r's head gamekeeper was singularly

aided — he possessed a four-legged whipper-in. Three

years since while Mr. D s — M.P. for a South Eastern

County — was with a shooting party at his Lordship's,
the keeper brought into the field a brace of powerful
retrievers, and a team of spaniels, among which were
two that had never been shot over. On the first
pheasant being killed all the old spaniels dropped to
shot, but one of the young ones rushed forward and
mouthed the bird. The person who had fired ran on to
save the bird, but the keeper called aloud, and requested
him not to move. The man then made a signal to one
of the retrievers to go. He did so instantly, but, in-
stead of meddling with the bird, he seized the spaniel,
lifted him up, and shook him well. The moment the
pup could escape he came howling to the ^' heels" of

ill'!

u Hi
"1

f '1

^ 1

l>.

492

DOG-BREAKING.

the keeper, and lay down among his companions. The
keeper then confessed that a couple of the spaniels had
never been shot to — ^but he confidently assured the
sportsmen they would see before the day was over that
the pups behaved fully as steadily as the old dogs, and
explained to the party how the retriever did all the dis-
agreeable work, and indeed nearly relieved him of every
trouble in breaking in the youngsters. On the next few
shots this novel schoolmaster was again deputed to show
his pupils that he wotdd not allow his special duties as a
retriever to be interfered with. Both the young dogs,
having been thus well chastised, became more careful —
made only partial rushes to the front, when a recollec-
tion of their punishment and a dread of their four-footed
tutor brought them slinking back to their older compa-
nions. As the keeper had averred, they soon learned
their lesson completely — gave up all thought of chasing
after shot, and quietly crouched down with the other dogs.
63. I can easily imagine that it was a feeling of
jealousy which first prompted the retriever to thrash
some spaniel who was endeavoring to carry off a bii'd,
and that the clever keeper encouraged him in doing so,
instantly perceiving the value of such assistance. It is
worth a consideration whether it would not be advisable
to train the retriever employed with a team to give this
assistance. A dog of a quarrelsome disposition could be
taught, by your urging him, to seize any spaniel who
might be mouthing a bird, in the same manner you
ivould set on a young terrier to fly at a rat.

INITIATOEY LESSONS CON'nNUKD.

49,T

54. Doubtless it is the highest training to teach u
team to " down-charge," but most breakers make theii-
spaniels come into " heel," or rather gather close around
them — by the word "round" — whenever a gun is dis-
charged. This plan, though so injudicious in the case
of pointers or setters, is but little objectionable in the
case of spaniels, for spaniels in their small sweep in-
wards are not likely to spring game while the guns are
unloaded. It certainly possesses this merit, that it is
readily taught to puppies — with the aid of a whipper-in
— ^by the trainer's giving them some delicacy on their
rejoining him. It may be urged too that the method
much removes any necessity for noise in calling to a dog
— whereas, with a team trained to the " down-charge,"
however highly broken, it will occasionally happen tliat
the keeper — or assistant — has to rate some excited
skirter for not instantly " dropping." Moreover, in
thick cover, an infraction of the irksome rule to " down
charge " may sometimes escape detection, which mi<,'lit
lead to future acts of insubordination. Prince Albert's
team of Clumbers " down-charge," but the greatest
attention is paid to them. They are admirably broken,
and I may add, are shot over by a first-rate hand.

55. When exercising young spaniels it is a good i)lan
to habituate them, even as puppies, never to stray
further from you than about twenty yards. With them,
even more than with other kinds of dogs trained for the
gun, great pains should be taken to prevent their having
the opportunity of " self-hunting." If it is wished tc

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1 N^

■•■mi'

404

tlOO-BRKAKING.

break from hare, the method to be followed is men
tioned in 233, &c., for with spaniels as with setters — or
pointers — it is always advisable to drag them back to
the spot from which they started in pursuit.

56. Occasionally you may see a country blacksmith
when preparing to shoe the hind legs of a cart horse
that appears disposed to make a disagreeable use of hia
heels, twist the long hair at the end of his tail, — raise
the foot that is to be shod, — pass the twisted hair round
the leg immediately above the hock, and by these
means press the tendon close to the bone. The tail
assists in retaining the leg in position, and thus, for the
time, the limb is rendered powerless. Acting much
upon this coercive principle, but discarding the aid of
the tail, some breakers slightly confine a hind-leg of
their most unruly spaniels with a soft bandage, shifting
it fi'om one leg to the other about every hour. Possibly
a loop of vulcanized india-rubber, being elastic, would
best answer the purpose. Restrained in this manner a
dog is less likely to tumble about, and become injured,
than if one of his fore legs had been passed through his
collar. Other breakers, when hunting many couple
together, fasten a belt with a few pounds of shot round
the necks of the wildest. But the sooner such adjuncts
to discipline can be safely discarded the better; for
" brushing " a close cover is severe work. Gorse is the
most trjing.* Its prickles are so numerous and fine that

* There is no gorse in Ameriaa. It is a prickly shrub, scvei-tt

INrnATOKY LJiSSONS COXTINIED.

495

the ears and eyes of every spaniel hunted in it ought to
be separately examined on returning home, and well
bathed in warm water. Their eyes are peculiarly liable
to be injured by dust and gravel from their hunting so
close to the ground.

67. To give young spaniels sufficient courage to face
the most entangled cover, a judicious trainer will occa-
sionally introduce them to thick brakes, or gorse, early
in the morning, or in the evening, when the noise of his
approach will have made the pheasants feeding in the
neighborhood run far into it for shelter. The effluvia
of the birds will then so excite the young dogs, especially
if cheered with good companionshij) — which always
creates emulation — that they will utterly disregard the
pricks and scratches of tlie strongest furze.

58. If tlie time of year will permit, they should be
shown game when about nine or ten months old. At a
more advanced age they would be less amenable to
control. Happily the example of a riotous pup will not
be as detrimental to the discipline of the rest of the
team as the example of an ill-conducted companion
would be to a pointer — or settei' — for the hitiuence of
thoroughly steady spaniels makes the pup curtail his
range sooner than might be expected. Finding that he
is not followed by his jissociates he soon rejoins them.

51/. A judicious breaker will regard perfection in the

» I

enough, but nothiug to compare to catbriars, or even to the holliei
of Southern Jersey — H. W. H.

<wr

496

DOG-BREAKING.

(<i

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', ^

" drop" — 22 to 25 — as the main-spring of hii educa*
tional system. He will teach his young spaniels to
" seek dead" — 30, 31, 39 — where directed by signs ol
the hand. He will instruct them in " fetching" — 92, 94.
<fec. — with the view to some of them hereafter retrieving.
He will accustom them to hunt hedge-rows, and light
open copses — because always under his eye — before
taking them into closer cover. Nor until they are under
some command, and m'cII weaned from noticing vermin
and small birds, will he allow them to enter gorse or
strong thickets, and then he will never neglect — ^though
probably he will have used them before — to attach bells
of different sounds to the collars of his several pupils —
one to each — so that his ear may at all times detect any
truant straying beyond bounds, and thus enable him to
rate the delinquent by name. In this manner he esta-
blishes the useful feeling elsewhere spoken of — 262 — that
whether he be ^vithin or out of sight he is equally aware
of every impropriety that is committed.

60. Young spaniels, when they have been steadily
broken in not to hunt too iar ahead on the instruc-
tor's side of the hedgo. n>a.y be permitted to beat on
the other — and this when only one person is shoot-
ing is generally their most useful position, for they
are thus more likely to drive the game towards the
gun.

61. If a keeper is hunting the team, while you and a
friend are beating narrow belts or strips of wood, should
you and he be placed, as is usual, on the outside, a little

IXmATORY LESSONS CONTIXUKD.

407

ahead of tne keeper — one to liis right, the other to liis
left — you Avould much aid him in preventing the young
spaniels from ranging wildly were you to turn your face
towards him whenever you saw any of them getting too
far in advance, for they will watch the guns as much as
they will him.

62. Among spaniels the great advantage of age and
experience is more apparent than in partridge-dogs. A
young spaniel cannot keep to a pheasant's tail like an
old one. He may push the bird for forty or fifty yards
if judiciously managed. After that he is almost sure
from impatience either to lose it, or rush in and flush
out of shot, whereas an old cocker, who has had much
game shot over him, is frequently knowing enough
to slacken his pace, instead of increasing it, when he
first touches on birds, apparently quite sensible that he
ought to give the gun time to approach before he presses
to a flush.

63. Even good spaniels, however well bred, if they
have not had great experience, generally road too fast.
Undeniably they are difficult animals to educate; and it
requires much watchfulness, perseverance, and attention
at an early age, so to break in a team of young ones
that they shall keep "within gun range without your
being compelled to halloo or whistle to them. But some
few are yet more highly trained.

64. Mr. N n, when in France, had a lively, intellU

gent, liver and white cocker which would work busily
all day long within gun-shot ; and which possessed the

498

DOG-BREAKIXG.

singular accomplishment of steadily pointing all gamo
that lay well, and of not rushing in until the sportsman
had come close to him. But this is a case of high brealc-
ing more curious than useful, for spaniels are essentially
sprinffera, not pointers, and the little animal must fre-
quently have been lost sight of in cover. Our grand-
fathers used to apply the term springers solely to large
spaniels — never to the Duke of Marlborough's small
breed, which was greatly prized.

05. A dog is generally most attached to that descrip-
tion of sport, and soonest recognises the scent of that
game, to which he has principally been accustomed in
youth. He will through life hunt most diligently where
ho first had the delight of often finding. The utility
therefore is obvious of introducing spaniels at an early
age to close covers and hedge-rows, and setters and
pointers to heather and stubble.

66. In spaniels, feathered sterns and long ears are
much admired, but obviously the latter must suffer in
thick underwood. The chief requisite in all kinds of
spaniels, is, that they be good finders, and have noses so
true that they will never overrun a scent. Should they
do so when footing an old cock* pheasant, the chances

• The only bird which yre hnvc in Americo, at all analogous in
habit to the pheasant, though totally diiFerent in spooies and ap-
pearance, is the RufFed Grouse, erroneously called Pheasant in the
South, and Partridge in the Eastern States. It is, however, for cock
and quail shooting in covert, that the Spaniel would be of such in<
estimable service to sportsmen in North America. — H. W. H.

INITIATORY l.KSSONS CONTINTKD.

490

are that he will double back on the exact Ime by which
he came. They should be high-mettled, — as regardless
of the severest weather as of the most punishing cover,
and ever ready to spring into the closest thicket the
moment a pointed finger gives the command.

67. A comprehension of the signal made by the finger
— which is far neater than the raising of the hand de-
scribed in 30, but not so quickly understood — might
with advantage be imparted to all dogs trained for the
gun, in order to make them hunt close exactly where
directed. It is usually taught by pointing with the
fore-finger of the right hand to pieces of biscuit, pre
viously concealed, near easily recognised tufts of grass,
weeds, &c. It is beautiful to see how correctly,
promptly, yet quietly, some spaniels will work in every
direction thus indicated.

68. Breasting a strong cover with cockers, is more
suited to young, than to old men. The gun must follow
rapidly, and stick close when a dog is on the road of
feather. A shot will then infallibly be obtained, if a
good dog be at work ; for the more closely a bird is
pressed, the hotter gets the scent. If a pheasant found
in thick cover on marshy ground near water — a locality
they much like in hot weather — is not closely pushed,
lie will so twist, and turn, and double upon old tracks
that none but the most experienced dogs will be able to
stick to him.

60. The preceding observations respectitig spaniels
apply to all descriptions employed on land-sei-vice,

imi

s .

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500

DOG-UKEAKINO.

whether of the strong kind, the Sussex breed and the
Clumber, or the smallest cockers, Blenheims and King
Charles'. But whether they are to be trained not to
hunt flick* — the most diflicult part of their tuition, and
in which there is generally most failure,— and whether
they shall be bred to give tongue, or run mute, will de-
pend much upon the nature of the country to be hunted,
and yet more upon the taste of the proprietor. No
fixed rules can be given for a sport that varies so much
as cover-shooting.

70. Of the large kind, most sportsmen will think a
couple and a half a sufficient number to hunt at a time.
Certainly one of them should retrieve : and they ought
to be well broken in not to notice flick. These dogs
are most esteemed when they run mute. If they do,
they must be hunted with bells in very thick cover ; but
the less bells are employed the better, for the tinkling
sound, in a gre >ter or smaller degree, annoys all game.
Such dogs, when good, are very valuable.

71. I once shot over a team of Clumber spaniels be-
longing to Mr. D z.f The breed — the Duke of New-
castle's, taking their name from one of his seats — are

• For the benefit of tliose who have the good fortune, or the bad
fortune, as the cose may be, of nlwnya living within the sound oi
Bow bells, " Flick," be it observed, is a synonym for " Fur," there-
by meaning Hare or Babbit.

f Contrary to my usual system, I preserve these anecdotes, u
relating to the Clumber Spaniels, which are ho little known, and
which 1 so much desire to see intro Uiced in America — H, W. 11.

INITIATOR V LESS)NS CONTIMTKD.

501

mostly white with a little lemon color, have large, sensi-
ble heads, thick, short legs, silky coats, carry their sterna
low, and Imnt perfectly mute. The team kept within
twenty or twenty-five yards of the keeper, were trained
to acknowledge rabbits, as well as all kinds of game ;

and in the country Mr. D z was then shooting over

afforded capital sport. One of the spaniels was taught
to retrieve. He would follow to any distance, and sel-
dom failed to bring. A regular retriever was, however,

generally taken out with them. Mr. D z told me

that they required very judicious management, and en-
couragement rather than severity, as undue whipping
soon made them timid. They are of a delicate constitu-
tion. He rather surprised me by saying that his
spaniels from working quietly and ranging close, — there-
fore, alarming the birds less, — procured him far more
shots in turnips than his pointers ; and he had three that
looked of the right sort. He explained matters, how-
ever, by telling me that it was his practice to make a
circuit round the outskirts of a turnip or a potato field
before hunting the inner parts. This of course greatly
tended to prevent the birds breaking. A juvenile
sportsman would rejoice in the services of the spaniels,
for many a rabbit would they procure for him without
the aid of powder and shot.

12. When Colonel M , who died in Syria, was

stationed with his troop of Hoise Artillery at Pontefract,

he was asked to shoot partridges at Lord P n's seat

in Yorkshire. On meeting the gamekeeper, according

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602

DOG-BREAKING.

to appointment, he found him surrounded by a team of

Clumber spaniels. Colonel M , in some surprise at

seeing no setters or pointers, remarked that he had ex-
pected some ^ar^WdV^e shooting. "I know it," answered
the man, " and I hope to show you some sport." To
the inquiry why one of the spaniels was muzzled, the
keeper said that his master had threatened to shoot it
should it again give tongue, and, as it possessed a par-
ticularly fine nose, he — the keeper — was anxious not to

lose it. They walked on, and soon the man told M

to be prepared, as tiie spaniels were feathering. A covey
rose. The Colonel, who was a good shot, killed right
and left. All the spaniels dropped instantly. When he
was reloading the keeper begged him to say which of

the dogs should retrieve the game. M pointed to

a broad-headed dog lying in the middle, when the
keeper directed by name the spaniel so favored to be
oif. It quickly fetched one of the birds. The keeper

then asked M to choose some other dog to bring

the remaining bird — a runner. He did so, and the
animal he selected to act as retriever performed the
duty very cleverly; the rest of the team remaining
quite still, until its return.

The Colonel had capital sport, killing nearly twenty
brace, and the dogs behaved beautifully throughout the
day. When afterwards relating the circumstances, he
observed that, although an old sportsman, he had seldom
been so gratified, as it was a novel scene to him, who
had not been accustomed to shoot over* spaniels.

IKITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED.

501

73. Of small cockers, three couple appear ample to
form a team. Some teams of small springers greatly
exceed this number, and many sportsmen shoot oAti-
more than a couple and a half of the larger spaniels ;
but it is a question whether, in the generality of cases,
the gun would not benefit by the number being dimi-
nished rather than increased. The smaller in number
the team, the greater is the necessity that none of them
should stick too close to " heel." The difficulty is to
make them hunt far enough, and yet not too far. At
least one of the number should retrieve well. If they
give tongue, it ought to be in an intelligible manner ;
softly, when they first come on the haunt of a cock, but
making the cover ring again with their joyous melody,
when once the bird is flushed. A first rate cocker will
never deceive by opening upon an old haunt, nor yet
find the gun unprepared by delaying to give due warn-
ing before he flushes the bird. When cocks are abun-
dant, some teams are broken, not only to avoid flick,
but actually not to notice a pheasant, or anything besides
woodcock. Hardly any price would tempt a real lover
of cock-shooting, in a cocking country, to part with such
a team. Hawker terms the sport, " the fox-hunting of
shooting." Some sportsmen kill w'ater-hens to yoiuig
spaniels to practise them in forcing their Avay through
entangled covers, and get them well in hand and steady
against the all-important cocking season.

74. When a regular retriever can be constantly em-
ployed with spaniels, of course it will be unnecessary to

■ > I'--

■d : to

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: ],

!l,

504

DOG-BKEAKI^G.

make any of them fetch game — certainly never to lift
anything which falls out of bounds — though all the
team should be taught to "seek dead." This is the
plan pursued by the Duke of Newcastle's keepers, and
obviously it is the soundest and easiest practice, for it
must always be more or less difficult to make a spaniel
keep with'n his usual hunting limits, who is occasionally
encouraged ' f> pursue wounded game, at his best pace,
to a consiUe cable distance.

75. Other teams are broken no more than to keep
within rangt , beiiig allowed to hunt all kinds of game,
and also rabbits ; they, however, are restricted from
pursuing wounded flick further than fifty or sixty
yards. Where rabbits are abundant, and outlying,
a team thus broken affords lively sport — nothing escapes
them.

76. Wild spaniels, though they may show you most
cock, will get you fewest shots, unless you have well-
placed markers. There are sportsmen who like to take
out one steady dog to range close to them, and a couple
of wild ones to hunt on the flanks, one on each side, ex-
pressly that the latter may put up birds for the markers
to take note of.

77. An old sportsman knows mute spaniels to be most
killing: a young one may prefer those which give
tongue — if true from the beginning owning nothing but
{^ame, — because, though undeniably greater disturbers
of a cover, they are more cheerful and animating. The
superiority of the former is, however, apparent on a still

INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED.

506

calm day, when the least noise will make the game steal
away long before the gun gets within shot. Bat it is
not so in all countries.

78. In very thick covers it is obvious, the height of
setters being greatly against them, that spaniels are far
preferable : but in light covers, and when the leaves are
off the trees, handy old setters — if white, all the better —
that will readily confine themselves to a restricted range,
and will flush their game when ordered — iv. and vii. of
119 and 196 — afford quite as much sport, il* not more.
Setters do not, to the same degree, alarm birds; and
there is, also, this advantage, that they can be employed
on all occasions, excepting in low gorse or the closest
thickets, whereas spaniels, from their contracted " beat,"
are nearly useless in the open when game is scarce. You
will be prepared, when first you hunt a setter in cover,
to sacrifice much of your sport. There must be noise :
for it is essential to make him at once thoroughly under-
stand the very different " beat " required of him, and
this can only be effected by constantly checking and
rating him, whenever he ranges beyond the prescribed
limits. He should hunt slowly and carefully to the right
and left, and never be much in advance of the guns. In
a short time he will comprehend matters, if you are so
forbearing and judicious as invariably to call him away
from every point made the least out of bounds. A les?
severe test of your consistency will not suffice. The few
first days will either make or mar him as a cover-dog.
You must naturally expect that hunting him much in

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506

DOO-BBEAKIKO.

aover vnW injure his range in the open, and make him too
fond of hedge-rows.

79. But there is a man in Yorkshire, who will not

willingly admit this.* C e, Sir George A e's

gamekeeper — and a good one he is, for he has a particu-
larly difficult country to protect, one intersected with
"rights of way" in every direction — makes his pointers as
freely hunt the cover as the open. You never lose them,
for they are sure to make their appearance when they
think they have given you ample time to go to them if
you choose. This cover work does not the least un-
steady them, but it is right to state that C is an

unusually good breaker, and works his dogs with singu-
lar temper and patience. They are very attached to
him, and appear to listen anxiously to what he says
when he talks to them — which, I own, he does more than
I recommend.

80. Pointers, however, are manifestly out of place in
strong cover, though an unusually high-couraged one
may occasionally be found, who will dash forward in
defiance of pricks and scratches ; but it is not fair to
expect it. In a very light cover I have often shot over
one belonging to a relation of mine, which was so clever,
that when I came close to her as she was pointing, she

* I leave these two anecdotes, contrary to my usual system, aa
w^e use setters and pointers so generally in cover in America, that
the idea of their being utterly unfit for cover work seems strange
Tet such is the opinion in England, and where they are chiefly used
in the open it doet operate to spoil their range.— H. W. H.

miTIATORT LESSONS CONTINUED.

507

would frequently run around to the other sido, of the
thicket, and then rush in to drive the game towards me.
This killing plan had in no way been taught her ; she
adopted it solely of her own sagacity. Having been
much hunted in cover when young, she was so fond of
it (65) as to be, comparatively speaking, quite unservice
able on the stubbles.

.t fi

WATEB SPANIELS (OB WATER BETBIBVERs).

81. A young water spaniel might, with advantage,
occasionally be indulged with a duck hunt in warm
weather. It would tend to make him quick in the
water, and observant. The finishing lessons might con-
clude with your shooting the bird and obliging him to
retrieve it. He should be made handy ^o your signals
— rv. to viL and x. of 119 — so as to hunt the fens and
marshes, and " seek dead " exactly where you may wish.

82. This obedience to the hand is particularly re-
quired ; for when the spaniel is swimming he is on a level
with the bird, and therefore is not so likely to see it —
especially if there is a ripple on the water — as you, who
probably ore standing many feet above him on the
shore. As you may frequently, while he is retrieving,
have occasion to direct his movements when at a con-
siderable distance fi'om him, you probably would find it
more advantageous to teach him the forward signal
used by shepherds, than the one described in rv. of lit*.

508

DOG-BREAKING.

83. A water spaniel should also be taught to fetch-
ed, 87, 91 to 94 — be accustomed to follow quietly close
to your heels, — be broken in, not to the " down charge"
— 26 — ^but to the " drop" — 22 to 25 — the instant you
signal to him, while you are noiselessly stalking the
wild-fowl previously reconnoitred, with the aid of your
Dollond, from some neighboring height ; nor should
he stir a limb, however long he and you may have to
await, ensconced behind a favoring bush, the right
moment for the destructive raking discharge of your
first barrel, to be followed by the less murderous but
still effective flying shot. On hearing the report, it is
his duty to dash instantly into the water, and secure
the slain as rapidly as possible.

84. A really good water retriever is a scarce and
valuable animal. He should be neither white nor black,
because the coloi's are too conspicuous, especially the
former — a hint by-the-bye for your own costume;* —

• But when the moors are covered with snow, poachers, who
emerge in bands from the mines, often put a shirt over their clothes,
and manage to approach grouse at a time when a fair sportsman
cannot get a shot; but this is the only occasion on which one uni-
form color could be advantageous. A mass of any single color
always catches, and arrests the eye. Nature tells us this; animals
that browse, elephants, buffaloes, and large deer, as well as those
which can escape from their enemies by speed, are mostly of one
8olor. On the contrary, the tiger kind, snakes, and all that lie in
wait for, and seize their prey by stealth, wear a garment of many
colors, so do the smaller animals and most birds, which are saved

INinATOBY LESSONS CONTINUED.

509

•fcii

he should be perfectly mute ; of a patient disposition,
though active in the pursuit of birds ; of so hardy a
constitution as not to mind the severest cold, — therefore
no coddling while he is young near a fire, — and possess
what many are deficient in, viz. a good nose : conso
quently a cross that will improve his nose, yet not
decrease his steadiness, is the great desideratum in
breeding. He should swim rapidly, for wild fowl
that are only winged, will frequently escape from the
quickest dog if they have plenty of sea-room and deep
water — see also 96, 302.

85. In the wild-rice lakes, as they are commonly
called, of America, a brace of highly-trained spaniels
will sometimes, on a windy day, afford you magnificent
sport. The cover is so good that, if it is not often
beaten, the birds will frequently get up singly, or only
a couple at a time. The dogs should keep swimming
about within gun shot, while you are slowly and silently
paddling, or probably poling your canoe through the
most likely spots. Relays of spaniels are requisite, for
it is fatiguing work. If, by any rare chance, you are
situated where you can get much of this delicrhtful
shooting, and you are an enthusiast in traininy^ .x, .nay
be worth your while to consider whether there would
not be an advantage in making the dogs perfect in the
" down charge," as they would then cease swimming

firom oaptnre by the inability of their' foes to distinguish them from
the surrounding foliage or herbage. The uniform of our rifle corpt
W too much of one hue.

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610

nOO-URKAKIXG.

the instant you fired. But this long digression about
spaniels has led us away from your pup, which w**
assumed — 3 — to be a pointer, or setter.

CHAPTER IV.

LESSONS m " FETCHING." — BBTSIEVKBS.

86. Though you may not wish your young pointer (or
setter) to perform the duties of a regular retriever (292),
still you would do well to teach him, whilst he is a puppy,
to fetch and deliver into your hand anything soft you
may occasionally throw for him, or leave behind you in
some place where he will have obsei^ved you deposit it,
while he is following at your heels. In a little time you
can drop something without letting him see you, and
afterwards send him back for it. A dog thus made, who
is your intimate companion, becomes so conversant with
every article of your apparel, and with whatever you
usually carry about you, that, should you accidentally
drop anything, the observant animal will be almost cer-
tain to recover it. On receiving your order to " be off
and find " he will accurately retrace your footsteps for
miles and miles, diligently hunting every yard of the
ground. Of course the distances to which you at first

m
H

LESSON'S IN "fETCIIINQ."

511

send your dog will be inconsiderable, and you should
<:arefully avoid persevering too long a time, lest he get
sick of the lesson. Indeed, in all his lessons — as weli
in-doors as out — but particularly in this, let it be youi
aim to leave off at a moment when he has performed
entirely to your satisfaction ; that you may part the best
of friends, and that the last impression made by the
lesson may be pleasing as well as correct, from a grate-
ful recollection of the caresses which he has received.
In wild-duck shooting you may be in situations where you
would be very glad if the dog would bring your bird ;
and when it is an active runner in cover, I fear you will
be more anxious than I could wish — 221 — that the dug
should " fetch." It is probable that he will thus assist
you if he be practised as I have just advised ; and such
instruction may lead, years hence, to his occasionally
bringing you some dead bird which he may come across,
and which you otherwise might have imagined you had
missed, for its scent might be too cold, and consequently
too changed, for the dog to have thought of regularly
pointing it.

8V. Mark my having said, " deliver into your hand,"
that your young dog may not be satisfied with only
dropping, within your sight, any bird he may lift, and
so, perhaps, leave it on the other side of a trout stream,
as I have seen dogs do more than once, in spite of ever;;
persuasion and entreaty. With a young dog, who re-
trieves, never pick up a bird yourself, however close it
may fall to you. Invariably, make him either deliver

'i'?

512

DOG-BBKAKING.

• •

it into your hand or lay it at your feet. The former i?
by far the better plan. If the dog has at one moment
to drop the bird at your will, he is likely to fancy him-
self privileged to drop it at another time for his own con
venience. In other respects, too, the former is the safest
method. I have a bitch now in my recollection, who
frequently lost her master slightly winged birds — which
she had admirably recovered — by dropping them too
soon on hearing the report of a gun, or coming on other
game — for off they ran, and fairly escaped, it being im-
practicable, by any encouragement, to induce her to
seek for a bird she had once lifted.

88. I observed it was something soft which you should
teach your dog to fetch. Probably you have seen a
retriever taught to seek and bring a stone, upon which,
in a delicate manner, the tutor has spit. Does it not
stand to reason that the stone must have tended to give
his pupil a hard mouth ? And what may, later in life,
cause him much misery, in dashing at a bounding stone,
he may split a tooth. Dogs of an advanced age suffer
more in their mouths than most of us suspect.

89. Should your pup be unwilling to enter water, on
no account push him in, under the mistaken idea that it
will reconcile him to the element — it will but augment
his feaiH. Rather, on a warm day, throw some biscuit
for him, when he is hungry, close to the edge of the
bank, where it is so shallow as merely to require his
wading. Chuck the next piece a little fm'ther off, and,
by degrees, increase the distance until he gets beyond

I-ESSON'S IX "■ FETCHING."

61?

hia depth, and finds that nature has given him useful
swimming powers. On no occasion will the example of
another dog more assist you. Your youngster's diving
can never be of service ; therefore throw in only what
will float. Otherwise he might have a plunge for
nothing, and so be discouraged ; and evidently it should
be your constant aim to avoid doing anything likely to
shake his confidence in you.

90. If you ever have occasion to teach a dog to dive
and retrieve, first accustom him, on land, to fetch some-
thing heavy, of a conspicuous color. When he brings
it eagerly, commence your diving lesson by throwing it
into the shallowest parts of the stream. Only by slow
degi'ees get to deep water, and let your lessons be very
short. Never chuck in a stone. The chances are
twenty to one that there are several at the bottom not
very dissimilar, and the young dog ought not to be sub-
jected to the temptation of picking up one of them in
lieu of that he was sent for. Should he on any occasion
do so, neither scold nor caress him ; quietly take what
he brings, lay it at your feet, to show him that you
want it not, and endeavor to make him renew his search
for what you threw in ; do this by signs, and by encou-
ragement with your voice, rather than by chucking
stones in the right direction, lest he should seek for
them instead of searching for what you originally sent

!iim.

91. Some teachers make a young dog fetch a round

pin cushion, or a cork ball, in which needles are jndl

22*

;

l''?ii

514

DOG-BRKAKINO.

oiously buried ; nor is it a bad plan, and there need be no
cruelty in it, if well managed. At least it can only be
cruel once, for the dog's recollection of his sufferings
will 2)revent his picking up the offending object a second
time. Others, after he is well drilled into "fetch'-"*,"
and takes pleasure in it, will make him bring a bun > of
keys. There are few things a dog is less willing to lift.
Most probably they gave him some severe rebuffs when
first heedlessly snatching at them; and the caution
thereby induced tends to give him a careful, tender
mouth. A fencing master, I knew in France, had a
spaniel, singularly enough for a Frenchman, called
" Waterloo," that would take up the smallest needle.

92. When your dog has picked up what you desired,
endeavor to make him run to you quickly. Many
who teach a dog to fetch, praise and encourage him
while he is bringing what he was sent after. Clearly
this is an error. It induces the dog to loiter and
play with it. He thinks he is lauded for having it in
his mouth and carrying it about. Reserve your
encomiums and caresses until he has delivered it. If
you walk away, the fear of your leaving him will induce
him to hurry after you. Let a dog retrieve ever so
carelessly, still, while on the move, he will rarely drop a
bird.

93. Dogs that retrieve should be gradually brought to
lift heavy, flexible things, and such as require a large
grasp, that they may not be quite unprepared for the
weight and size of a hare ; otherwise they may be in

LESSOKS IN "FBTCHINO."

51ft

clined to drag it along by a slight hold of the skin,
mstead of balancing it across their mouths. Thus capa*
cious jaws are obviously an advantage in retrievers.
The French gamekeepers, many of whom are capital
hands at making a retriever — excepting that they do
not teach the " down charge," — stuff a hare or rabbit
skin with straw, and when the dog has learned to fetch
it with eagerness, they progressively increase its weight
by burying larger and larger pieces of wood in the mid-
dle of the straw : and to add to the difficulty of carry-
ing it, they often throw it to the other side of a hedge
or thick copse. If the dog shows any tendency to a
hard mouth they mix thorns with the straw.

94. I ought to have mentioned sooner that you should
conomence teaching a puppy to " fetch " by shaking
your glove — or anything soft — at him, and encouraging
him to seize and drag it from you. Then throw it a yard
or two oSf gradually increasing the distance, and the mo-
ment he delivers it to you, give him something palata-
ble. Should you, contrary to every reasonable expec-
tation, from his having no inclination to romp or play
with the glove, not be able to persuade him to pick it
up, put it between his teeth — force him to grasp it by
tightly pressing his jaws together, speaking all the
while impressively to him — scold him if he is obstinate
and refuses to take hold of the glove. After a little
time retire a few paces, keeping one hand under his
mouth — to prevent his dropping the glove, — while you
lead or drag him with the other. When you halt, be

\ m

dl6

DOG-BREAKING.

sure not to take the glove immediately from him—
oblige him to continue holding it for at least a minate
— ^lest he should learn to relinquish his grip too soon, —
before you make him yield at the command "give;"
then bestow a reward. Should he drop it before he is
ordered to deliver it, replace it in his mouth and again
retreat some steps before ordering him to " give." He
will soon follow with it at your heels. If you have sut
ficient perseverance you can thus make him earn all his
daily food. Hunger will soon perfect him in the lesson,
Observe that there are four distinct stages in this trick
of carrying — ^the first, making the dog grasp and retain
— ^the second, inducing him to bring, following at your
heels — the third, teaching him not to quit his hold when
you stop — the fourth, getting him to deliver into your
hands on your order. The great advantage of a sport-
ing dog's acquiring this trick is that it accustoms him to
deliver into your hands; and it often happens that you
must thus teach a dog to " carry " as a preparative to
teaching him to " fetch." It certainly will be judicious
in you to do so, if the dog is a lively, riotous animal ; for
the act of carrying the glove— or stick, Ac. — quietly at
your heels will sober him, and make him less likely to
run ofi* with it instead of delivering it when you are
teaching him to fetch. As soon as he brings the glove
tolerably well, try him with a short stick. You will
wish him not to seize the end of it, lest he should learn
( ' drag " instead of " carry." Therefore fix pegs or
wires into holes drilled at right angles to each other

LESSONS IN "fKTCHING."

fil7

at the extremities of the stick. He will then only grasp
it near the middle.

96. This drill should be further extended if a

BEOULAB LAJND BETBIEVEB

be your pupil. Throw dead birds of any kind for him
to biing — of course one at a time, — ^being on the alert
to check him whenever he grips them too severely. If
he persists in disfiguring them, pass a few blunted knit*
ting needles through them at right angles to one another.
When he fetches with a tender mouth, you will be able
to follow up this method of training still further by
letting him " road " — or " foot," as it is often termed —
a rabbit in high stubble, one — or both, if a strong buck
— of whose hind legs you will have previously bandaged
in the manner described in 66. Be careful not to let
him see you turn it out, lest he watch your proceedings
and endeavor to " hunt by eye." Indeed it might be
better to employ another person to turn it out. Keep
clear of woods for some time — the cross scents would
puzzle him. If by any chance you have a winged
pheasant or partridge, let him retrieve it. You will
not, I presume, at the commencement select a morning
when there is a dry cold wind from the north-east, but
probably you will wish to conclude his initiatory lessons
on days which you judge to possess least scent. The
more he has been practised as described in 39, the better
will he work ; for he cannot keep his nose too persever*

i I

518

D06-BREAKIXO.

ingly close to the ground. With reference to the in«
sti'uctions in tl(at paragraph, I will here remark, that
before you let the dog stoop to hunt, you should have
placed him by signal (31) near the spot from which you
had begun dragging the bread. In paragraph 190 an
instance is given of the manner in which a dog who re-
trieves should be put upon a scent ; and why that mode
is adopted is explained in 184.

96. It is quite astonishing how well an old dog that
retrieves knows when a bird is struck. He instantly
detects any hesitation or uncertainty of movement, and
for a length of time will watch its flight with the utmost
eagerness, and, steadily keeping his eye on it, will as
surely as yourself mark its fall. To induce a young dog
to become thus observant, always let him perceive that
you watch a wounded bird with great eagerness; his
imitative instinct will soon lead him to do the same.
This faculty of observation is particularly serviceable in
a water retriever. It enables him to swim direct to the
crippled bird, and, besides the saving of time, the less
he is in the water in severe weather, the less likely is he
to suffer from rheumatism.

97. As an initiatory lesson in making him observant
of the flight and fall of birds, place a few pigeons, or
other birds, during his absence, each in a hole covered
with a tile. Afterwards come upon these spots appa-
rently unexpectedly, and, kicking away the tiles — or,
what is better, dragging them off by a previously
adjusted string, — shoot the birds for him to bring ; it

LESSONS IN " FETCHING."

610

being clearly understood that he has been previouslv
tutored into having no dread of the gun. As he will
havs been taught to search where bidden — iv. to viii.
of 119, — nothing now remains but to take him out on a
regular campaign, when the fascinating scent of game
will infallibly make him search — I do not say deliver —
with great eagerness. When once he then touches upon
a scent, leave him entirely to himself— not a word, not
a sign. Possibly his nose may not be able to follow the
bird, but it is certain that yours cannot. Occasionally
you may be able to help an old retriever (296), but
rarely, if ever, a young one. Your interference, nay,
probably your mere presence, would so excite him as to
make him overrun the scent. Remain, therefore, quietly
where you are until he rejoins you.

98. When we see a winged pheasant racing off, most
of us are too apt to assist a young dog, forgetting that we
thereby teach him, instead of devoting his whole atteiu
tion to work out the scent, to turn to us for aid on occa-
sions when it may be impossible to give it. When a
dog is hunting for birds, he should frequently look to
the gun for signals, but when he is on them he should
trust to nothing but his own scenting faculties.

99. If, from a judicious education, a retriever pup has
had a delight in " fetching " rapidly, it is not likely ho
will loiter on the way to mouth his birds; but the
fatigue of carrying a hare a considerable distance may,
perhaps, induce a young dog to drop it in order to take '
a momtmt's rest. There is a risk that when doing so he

520

DOO-BBEAKINO.

may be tempted to lick the blood, and, finding it pala*
table, be led to maul the carcase. You see, therefore^
the judiciousness of employing every means in your
power to ensure his feeling anxious to deliver quickly^
and I know not what plan will answer better — ^though it
sounds sadly unsentimental — than to have some pieces
of hard boiled liver* at hand to bestow upon him the
moment he surrenders his game, until he is thoroughly
confirmed in an expeditious delivery. Never give him
a piece, however diligently he may have searched, un-
less he succeeds in bringing. When you leave off these
rewards do so gradually. The invariable bestowal of
such dainties during, at least, the retriever's first season,
win prevent his ever dropping a bird on hearing the
report of a gun — as many do — in order to search for
the later killed game.

100. Should a young retriever evince any wish to as-
sist the cook by plucking out the feathers of a bird ; or
from natural vice or mismanagement before he came into
your possession,! show any predisposition to taste blood,
take about two feet (dependent upon the size of the
dog's head) of iron wire, say the one-eighth of an inch in

'*' A drier and cleaner article than yon may suppose, and which
can be carried not inconveniently in a Mackintosh, or oil-skin bag
— a toilet sponge bag.

f If a retriever has the opportunity, while prowling about, of gnaw-
ing hare or rabbit-skins thrown aside by a slovenly cook, it will
not be unnatural in him, when he is hungry, to wish to appropriate
lo himself the bide, if not the interior, of the animals he is lifting.

LESSONS IN " FETCHING."

521

diameter, sufficiently flexible for yoxi^ but not for him to
bend. Shape this much into the form of the letter U,
supposing the extremities to be joined by a straight line.
Place the straight part in the dog's mouth, and passing
the other over his head and ears, retain it in position by
a light throat lash passed through a turn in
the wire, as here roughly represented. The
flexibility of the wire will enable yon to ad-
just it with ease to the shape of his head.
When in the kennel he ought to be occasionally thus
bitted, that he may not fret when he is first hunted with
it. It will not injure his teeth or much annoy him if it
lie on his grinders a little behind the tushes.

101. Sometimes a retriever, notwithstanding every
encouragement, will not pursue a winged bird with
snfScient rapidity. In this case associate him for a few
days with a quicker dog, whose example will to a cer-
tainty animate him and increase his pace. It is true that
when he is striving to hit ofl* a scent he cannot work too
patiently and perseveringly ; but, on the other hand, the
moment he is satisfied he is on it, he cannot follow too
rapidly. A winged bird, when closely pressed, seems,
through nervousness, to emit an increasing stream of
scent ; therefore, though it may sound paradoxical, the
retriever's accelerated pace then makes him (his nose
being close to the ground) the less likely to overrun it ;
and the &ster he pursues the less ground must he dis-
turb, for the shorter will be the chase.

102. Retrievers are generally taught to rush in the

522

DOO-BBEAKINO.

instant a bird falls. This plan, like most other thintyji,
has its advocates and its opponents. I confess to bein^
one of the latter, for I cannot believe that in the long
run it is the best way to fill the bag. I think it certain
that more game is lost by birds being flushed while the
guns are unloaded, than could be lost from the scent
cooling during the short period the dog remains at the
" down charge." Unquestionably some retrievers have
so good a nose, that the delay would not lead to their
missing any wounded game however slightly struck;
and the delay has this great advantage, that it helps to
keep the retriever under proper subjection, and dimi-
nishes his anxiety to rush to every part of the line where
a gun may be fired, instead of remaining quietly at his
master's heels until signalled to take up the scent. More-
over, a retriever by neglecting the " down charge," sets
an example to the pointers or setters who may be his
companions, which it is always more or less difiicult to
prevent the dogs, if young, from following. But I once
shot over a retriever which I could hardly wish not to
have " run on shot." On a bird being hit he started off
with the greatest impetuosity, kept his eye immovably
fixed on its flight, and possessed such speed that a winged
bird scarcely touched the ground ere it was pinned. He
would, too, often seize a slightly injured hare before it
had acquired its best pace. The pursuit so soon termi-
nated that possibly less game escaped being fired at than
if the retriever had not stirred until the guns were re-
loaded. On a miss he was never allowed — ^indeed ap-

LKSSON8 IN "FKTCHING."

523

J- eared little inclined — to quit " heel." Of course a truin-
f^r-s trouble is decreased by not breaking to the " doWii
charge," wliich may induce some to recommend the
plait ; though it is to be observed, that this clasj of dogs
is more easily than any other perfected in it, because the
breaker nearly always possesses the power of treading
iipou or seizing the checkcord the instant a bird is sprung.

103. The nature of your shooting will much influence
you in deciding which of the two methods to adopt ;
but should you select the one which the generality of
good sportsmen consider to be most according to rule,
and to possess the greatest beauty, viz., the " down
charge," rather lose any bird, however valuable, so long
as your retriever remains young, than put him on the
" foot " a second before you have reloaded. Undoubtedly
it ought to be taught to every dog broken for sale, as the
purchaser can always dispense with it should he judge it
unnecessary — it can soon be untaught. It is clear that
not "quitting heel " until ordered is tantamount to the
regular " down charge," but I think the last is the easiest
to enforce constantly. It is the more decided step.

104. Large retrievers are less apt to mouth their
game than small ones : but very heavy dogs are not
desirable, for they soon tire. And yet a certain medium
is necessary, for they ought to have sufficient strength
to carry a hare with ease through a thicket, when
balanced in their jaws, and be able to jump a fence with
her. They should run mute. And they should be
thick coated: unless they are so, — I do not say long

'■%M

^ mm

524

l>0(;-UKKAKINa.

coated, — they cannot be expected to dash into close
cover, or plunge into water after a duck or snipe when
the thermometer is near zero.

105. It is usually allowed that, as a general rule, the
best land retrievers are bred from a cross between the
setter and the Newfoundland— or the strong spaniel
and Newfoundland. I do not mean the heavy Labrador,
whose weight and bulk is valued because it adds to his
power of draught, nor the Newfoundland, increased in
size at Halifax and St. John's to suit the taste of the
English purchaser, — but the far slighter dog reared by
the settlers on the coast, — a dog that is quite as fond of
water as of land, and which in almost the severest part
of a Noi-th Ameiican winter will remain on the edge of a
rock for hours together, watching intently for anything
the passing waves may carry near him. Such a dog is
highly prized. Without his aid the farmer would secure
but few of the many wild ducks he shoots at certain
seasons of the year. The patience with which he waits
for a shot on the top of a high cliff — until the numerous
flock sail leisurely underneath — would be fruitless,
did not his noble dog fearlessly plunge in from th'
greatest height, and successfully bring the oo
shore.

106. Probably a cross from the heavy, large utaded
setter, who, though so wanting in pace, has an exquisite
nose ; and the true Newfoundland, makes the best
retriever. Nose is the first desideratum. A breaker
may doubt which of his pointers or setters possesses the

LESSONS IN "fetching."

625

greatest olfactory powers, but a short trial tells him
which of his retrievers has the finest nose.

107. Making a first-rate retriever is a work of timf%
but his being thormighly grounded in the required
initiatory lessons facilitates matters surprisingly. Indeed
after having been taught the " drop " — 22, 24, 25, — to
"fetch" — 92 to 94 — and "seek dead" in the precise
direction he is ordered — xi of 119, — almost any kind of
dog can be made to retrieve. The better his nose is, the
better of course he will retrieve. Sagacity, good tem-
per, quickness of comprehension, a teachable disposition
and all cultivated qualities are almost as visibly trans*
mitted to ofispring as shape and action ; therefore the
stronger a dog's hereditary instincts lead him to retrieve,
the less will be the instructor's trouble ; and the more
obedient he is made to the signals of tlie hand, the more
readily will he be put upon a scent. Dogs that are by
nature quick rangers do not take instinctively to retriev-
ing. They have not naturally sufiicient patience to work
out a feeble scent. They are apt to overrun it. A really
good retriever will pursue a wounded bird or hare as
accurately as a bloodhound will a deer or man ; and if
he is put on a false scent, I mean a scent of uninjured
flick or feather, he will not follow it beyond a few steps
—experience will have shown him the inutility of so
doing. (297.)

108. Avail yourself of the first opportunity to make
a young retriever lift a woodcock, lest in after life, from
novel scent, he decline touching it, as many dogs have

526

DOG BREAKING.

{,■ i t'

:1 !

1;;

done to the great annoyance of their masters. Ditto,
with the delicate landrail.

109. The directions given about "fetching" led me
to talk of retrievers; and, having touched upon the
subject, I thought it right not to quit *t, until I had
offered the best advice in my power. I have but one
more recommendation to add before I return to your
setter — or pointer- -pup: carefully guard a young re-
triever— indeed iiny dog bred for the gun — ^fvom being
ever allowed to join a rat-hunt. Rat-hunting would tend
to destroy his tenderness of mouth, nay, possibly make
him iDangle his game. But this is not all. It has often
gradually led good dogs to decline lifting hares or rab-
bits, apparently regarding them more in the light of
vermin than of game. Some dogs, however, that are
not bad retrievers, are capital ratters, but they are
exceptions to the general rule. Indeed, you should
never permit your dog to retrieve any kind of grou»td or
winged vermin. If the creature were only wounded it
might turn upon him. He in self-defence would give it a
grip, and he laight thus be led to follow the practice on
less jpardonable occasioiis. Remember, that a winged
bittern or heron might peck out his eye.

IXITIATOEY LESSONS JUT OF DOORS.

627

'■■|'

CHAPTER V.

XNTriATOBY LESSONS OUT OP BOOKS, — TBICKS.

^1;

110. As I before observed, you can practise most of
tbe initiatory lessons in your country walks. Always put
something alluring in your pocket to reward your pupil
for prompt obedience. Do not take him out unnecessa-
rily in bad weather. On no account let him amuse him-
self by scraping acquaintance with every idle cur he
meets on the way ; nor permit him to gambol about the
lanes.- Let him understand by your manner that there
is business at hand. Never let him enter a field before
you. Always keep him. at your heels, until you give
him the order to be off. You will find him disposed to
presume and encroach. According to the old adage,
" Give him an inch, and he will take an ell." He will
be endeavoring to lead rather than to follow, and, if he
tancios himself unobserved, he will most perseveringly
steal inch upon inc)j In advance. Be ever on the watch,
ready to check the beginning of every act of disobe-
dience. Implicit obedience in trifles will insure it in
things of more importance. *

111. For some time, but the period is uncertain — say
from his being eight months old until double that age* —

* I onoe had a poiuter pup whose dam was broken in (aftor a
fashion) and regularly shot to when seven months old. Without

l-i-:

I ii

528

DOG-BREAKING.

he will merely gallop and frisk about, and probably will
take diligently to persecuting butterflies. Let him
choose what he likes. Don't think he will prize small
beer, when he can get champagne. He will leave ofl'
noticing inferior articles as he becomes conversant with
the taste of game. It is now your main object to get
him to hunt ; no matter what, so that he is not per-
petually running to " heel." And the more timid he is
the more you must let him chase, and amuse himself as
his fancy dictates. When you see that he is really oc-
cupying himself with more serious hunting, eagerly
searching for small birds, especially larks, you must begin
instructing him how to quarter his ground to the greatest
advantage, under your constant direction. Should any
one join you, or anything occur likely to prevent your
giving him your strictest attention, on no account per-
mit him to range — keep him to " heel " until you are
quite prepared to watch and control all his movements.
Hunt him where he is least likely to find game, for he
will take to quartering his ground far more regularly,
under your guidance, where his attention is least dis-
tracted by any scent. The taint of partridge would b«
almost sure to make him deviate from the true line on
which you are anxious he should work. Labor now
iiligently, if possible daily, though not for many hours

injury to her constitution, she could not have heen hunted for more
than an hour or two nt a time. She ought not to have been tnkeii
^« the field for reaular use imtil fully a year old.

':<

lOTTlATORY LESSONS OCT OF DOORS.

620

a day ; for be assured a good method of ranging can
only be implanted when he is young.

112. Should your pup be so long before taking to
hunting that your patience becomes exhausted, let an
older dog accompany you a few times. When Ac finds
birds, gradually bring the young one upon them from
leeward, and let him spring them. Encourage him to
sniff the ground they have quitted, and allow him to run
riot on the haunt. After that enjoyment, the example
of the old dog will most likely soon make him range,
and employ his nose in seeking a repetition of what lias
aflfbrded him such unexpected delight. If it does not,
and the old dog is steady and good-humored enough
to bear the annoyance cheerfully, couple the young one
to him. Before this he should have learned to work
kindly in couples — 44. But I am getting on too fast,
and swerving from the track I had marked for myself.
By-and-by I will tell you how I think you should instruct
your youngster to quarter his ground to the best advan-
tage— 127, &o.

113. Common sense shows that you ought not to cor-
rect your dog for disobedience, unless you are certain
that he knows his fault. Now you will see that the ini-
tiatory lessons I recommend must give him that know-
ledge, for they explain to him the meaning of almost all
the signs and words of command you will have to em-
ploy when shooting. That knowledge, too, is imparted
by a system of rewards, not punishments. Your object

is not to break his spirit, but h:-' self-will. With his

630

DOG-BBEAIUNO.

obedience you gain his affection. The greatest hardship
admissible, in this early stage of his education, is a strong
jerk of the checkcord, and a sound rating, given, when
necessary^ in the loudest tone and sternest manner ; and •
it is singular how soon he will discriminate between the
reproving term " bad " — to which he will sensitively at-
tach a feeling of shame — and the encouraging word
'' good " — expressions that will hereafter have a powerful
influence over him, especially if he be of a gentle, timid
disposition.

114. In educating such a dog — and there are many
of the kind, likely to turn out well, if they are judicious-
ly managed, often possessing noses so exquisite — perhaps
I ought to say cautious — as nearly to make up for their
general want of constitution and powers of endurance —
it is satisfactory to think that all these lessons can be incul-
cated without in the slightest degree depressing his spirit.
On the contrary, increasing observation and intelligence
will gradually banish his shyness and distrust of his own
powers ; for he will be sensible that he is becoming more
and more capable of comprehending your Avishes, and
therefore less likely to err and be punished (245).

115. I fear you may imagine that I am attributing
too much reasoning power to him. You would not
think so if you had broken in two orlhree dogs. What
makes dog-teaching, if not very attractive, at least not
laborious, is the fact that the more you impart to a dog,
the more readily will he gain further knowledge. After
teaching a poodle or a terrier a few tricks, you will be

INITIATORY LESSONS OUT OF DOORS.

531

surprised to see with what increasing facility he will ac-
quire each successive accomplishment. It is this circum-
stance which, I think, should induce you not to regard
as chimeiical the perfection of which I purpose to speak
by-and-by, under the head of " refinements in breaking."
Indeed I only adopt this distinction in deference to what
I cannot but consider popular prejudice; for I well
know many will regard such accomplishments as alto-
gether supei*fluous. It is sad to think that an art which
might easily be made much more perfect, is allowed,
almost by universal suffrance, to stop short just at the
point where excellence is within grasp.

116. Far more dogs would be well-broken, if men
would but keep half the number they usually possess.
The owner of niany dogs cannot shoot often enough
over them to give them, great expfrience.

117. I am, however, wandering from our immediate
subject. Let us return to the lecture, and consider how
much knowledge your pupil will have acquired by these
preliminary instructions. Wo shall find that, with the
exception of a systematically confirmed range, really
little remains to be learned, save what his almost un^
aided instinct will tell him.

118. For it is wonderful how much you can effect by
initiatory instruction : indeed, afterwards, you will have
little else to do than teach and confirm your dog in a
judicious range — his own sagacity and increasing expe-
rience will be his principal guides — for consider how
much you will have taught him.

532

UOOBREAKINO.

119. He will know —

I. That he is to pay attention to his whistle — the
whistle that you design always to use to him.
I mean that, when he hears one low blast on his
whistle he is to look to you for orders, but not
necessarily run towards you, unless he is out of
sight, or you continue whistling (18).

n. That " Toho," or the right arm raised nearly per-
pendicularly, means that he is to stand still
(19 to 21).
in. That " Drop," or the left arm raised nearly perpen«
dicularly, or the report of a gim, means that he
is to crouch down with his head close to the
ground, between his feet, however far off he may
be ranging. Greater relaxation in the position
may be permitted after he has been a little time
shot over (22 to 26).

rv. That " On," — the shortest word for "hie-on," — or
the forward underhand swing of the right hand,
signifies that he is to advance in a forward direc-
tion— the direction in which you are waving.
This signal is very useful. It implies that you
want the dog to hunt ahead of you. You em-
ploy it also Avhen you are alongside of him at his
point, and are dowsirous of urging him to follow
up the running bird or birds, and press to a rise.
If he push on too eagerly, you restrain him by
slightly raising the right hand — xii. of this par*
graph (18 to 21).

miTIATOKY r,i:sSON8 OUT OF DOORS.

533

e. ITiat a wave of the right arm and hand — the ami
being fully extended and well to the right — from
left to right, means that he is to hunt to the
right. Some men wave the left hand across the
body from left to right, as a direction to the dog
to hmit to the right; but that signal is not so
apparent at a distance as the one I have described
(32).
VI. That a wave of the left arm from right to left —
the arm being fully extended and well to the left
— means that he is to himt to the left (33).
vn. That the " Beckon," the wave of the right hand
towards you, indicates that he is to hunt towards
you (33. See also 67).
nn. That the word "Heel," or a wave of the right
hand to the rear — the reverse of the underhand
cricket-bowler's swing, — imj^lies that he is to give
up hunting, and go directly close to your heels
(40).

DC. That " Fence" means that he is not to leave the
place where you are. After being so checked a
few times when he is endeavoring to quit the
field, he will understand the word to be an order
not to " break fence" (42, 43).

X, That " Find" or " Seek" means that he is to search
for something which he will have great gratifica-
tion in discovering. When he is in the field he
will quickly understand this to be game (30, 31).

n. That " Dead" — which it would be well to accom

i.VJi

634

DO(i-UUUAKINO.

pany with the signal to "Heel," means that
there is something not far oflF, which he would
have great satisfaction in finding. On hearing it,
he will come to you, and await your signals in-
structing him in what direction he is to hunt for
it. When, by signals, you have put him as near
as you can upon the spot where you think the
bird has fallen, you will say " Find ;" for, until
you say that word, he ought to be more occupied
in attending to your signals than in searching for
the bird. When you have shot a good many
birds to him, if he is within sight, in order to
work more silently, omit saying " Dead," only
signal to him to go to " Heel" (18, 30, 31, 40).

^n. That " Care" means that he is near that for wliich
he is hunting. This word, used with the right
hand slightly raised — the signal for the " Toho,"
only not exhibited nearly so energetically — will
soon make him comprehend that game is near
him, and that he is therefore to hunt cautiously.
You will use it when your young dog is racing
too fast among turnips or potatoes (35).

xni. That " Up" means that he is to sniflf with his nose
high in the air for that of which he is in search
(3Y).

Tiv. That "Away" — or "Gone," or "Flown" — is an
indication that the thing for which he was hunt*
ing and of which he smells the taint, is no longer
there. This word is not to be used in the field

INITIATORY LESSONS OUT OF DOORS.

535

until your young dog has gained some experience
(41).

XV. That " Ware" — pronounced " War" — is a general

order to desist from whatever he may be doing.
" No" is perhaps a better word ; it can be pro-
nounced more distinctly and energetically. If
the command is occasionally accompanied with
the cracking of your whip, its meaning will soon
be understood (43).

XVI. He will also know the distinction between the

chiding term- " Bad" and the encouraging word
" Good ; and, moreover, be sensible, from your
look and manner, Avhether you are pleased or
angry with him. Dogs, like children, are phy-
siognomists (36, end of 104).

120. You will perceive that you are advised to use the
right hand more than the left. This is only because the
left hand is so generally employed in carrying the gim.

121. You will also observe, that when the voice is
employed — and this should be done ouly when the dog
will not obey your signals — I have recommended you to
make use of but o?ie word. Why should you say
" Come to heel," " Ware breaking fence," " Have a
care ?" If you speak in sentences, you may at times
unconsciously vary the words of the sentence, or the
emphasis on any word ; and as it is only by the sound
that you should expect a dog to be guided, the more de-
fined and distinct in sound the several commands ars
the better.

.11

'■ftSl

'Ml

tJ-SlJ

636

DOO-BREAKIKTO.

122. This consideration leads to the rem^u'k that, as,
by nearly universal consent, " Toho" is the word em-
ployed to tell a dog to point, the old rnle is clearly a
judicious one, never to call hira " Ponto," " Sancho," or
by any name ending in " o." Always, too, choose one
that can be hallooed in a sharp, loud, high key. You
will find the advantage of this whenever you lose your
dog, and happen not to have a whistle. Observe, also,
if you have several dogs, to let their names be dissimilar
in sound.

123. I have suggested your employing the word
*' Drop" instead of the usual word " Down," because it is
less likely to be uttered by any one on whom the dog
might jump or fawn ; for, on principle, I strongly object
to any order being ^ven which is not sti'ictly enforced.
It begets in a dog, as much as in the nobler animal who
walks on two legs, habits of inattention to words of
conmiand, and ultimately makes greater severity neces-
sary. If I felt certain I should never wish to part with
a dog I was instructing, I should cany this principle so
far as to fi-ame a novel vocabulary, and never use any
word I thought he would be likely to hear from others.
By the bye, whenever you purchase a dog, it would be
advisable to ascertain what words of command and what
signals he has been accustomed to.

FIB8T LESSON IN AUTUMN COMMSNCEO.

LHI

CHAPTER VI.

ITB8T IJBSSON IN AUTUMN COMMENCED. RANGINO.

124. A KEEPER nearly always breaks in his young
dogs to " set," if their ages permit it, on favorable days
in Spring, when the partridges have paired.* He gets
plenty of points, and the birds lie well. But I cannot
believe it is the beat way to attain great excellence,
though the plan has many followers ; it does not cultivate
the intelligence of his pupils, nor enlarge their ideas by
making them sensible of the object for which such pains
are taken in hunting them. Moreover, their natural
ardor — a feeling that it should be his aim rather to
increase than weaken — is more or less damped by having
often to stand at game before they can be rewarded for
their exertions by having it killed to them, — it prevents,
rather than imparts, the zeal and perseverance for which
Irish dogs are so remarkable. Particularly ought a

• In ordinnry seaaons immediately after St. Valentine's Day —
before the birds have made their nests. The first of September is
the commencement of partridge shooting in England, as the 26th
of Oct. and the Ist of Kov. are generally in America for quail.

All the breaking for partridge in this work, i': applicable and
must b« referred to quail in America. Grouse shooting on the
moorb In England is applicable to our prairie shooting, and pheasant
shooting to our ruffed grouse shooting, when that may be had.
Tlie reader must, therefore, transfer the monthsands^isons according
ly.—n. W. H.

B88

I)00-BRBAKING.

breaker, whose pupil is of nervous temperament, or of
too gentle a disposition, to consider well that the want
of all recompense for finding paired birds must make a
timid dog far more likely to become a " blinker," when
he ia checked for not pointing them, than when he is
checked for not pointing birds which his own impetuosity
alone deprives him of every chance of rapturously " tou-
seling." The very fkct that "the birds lie well" fre-
quently leads to mischief; for, if the instructor be not
very watchful, there is a fear that his youngsters may
succeed in getting too close to their game before he
forces them to come to a staunch point. A keeper,
however, has but little choice — and it is not a bad time
to teach the back — ^if his master insists upon shooting
over the animals the first day of the season, and expects
to find them what some call "perfectly broken in."
But I trust some of my readers have nobler ends in
view ; therefore,

125. I Avill suppose your yovmgster to have been well
grounded in his initiatory lessons, and that you take
him out when the crops are nearly off the ground — by
which time there will be few squeakers — on a fine cool
day in September, — alas ! that it cannot be an August
day on the moors, — to show him birds for the first time.
As he is assumed to be highly bred, you may start in
the confident expectation of killing partridges over him,
especially if he is a pointer. ' Have his nose moist and
healthy. Take him out when the birds are on the feed,
»n<l of an afternoon in preference to the moniing, — unless

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN COMMENCTa).

639

from an unusually dry season there be but little scent, —
that he may not be attracted by the taint of hares of
rabbits. Take him out alone, if he evince any disposi-
tion to hunt, which, at the age we will presume him to
have attained next season, we must assume that he will
do, and with great zeal. Be much guided by his temper
and character. Should he possess great coui-age and
dash, you cannot begin too soon to make him point.
You should always check a wild dog in racing after
pigeons and small birds on their rising; whereas you
should encourage a timid dog — one who clings to
"heel" — in such a fruitless but exciting chase. The
measures to be pursued with such an animal are fully
detailed in 111, 112.

126. I may as well caution you against adopting the
foolish practice of attempting to cheer on your dog with
a constant low whistle, under the mistaken idea that it
will animate him to increased zeal in hunting. From
perpetually hearing the monotonous sound, it would
prove as little of an incentive to exertion as a continued
chirrup to a horse ; and yet if habituated to it, your
dog would greatly miss it whenever hunted by a stranger.
Not unregarded, however, would it be by the birds, to
whom on a calm day it would act as a very useful
warning.

127. Though you have not moors, fortunately we can
suppose your fields to be of a good size. Avoid all
which have recently been manured. Select those
that are large, and in which you are the least likely to

r \

640

DOG-BRKAKING.

rind birds, until his spirits are somewhat sobered, and he
begins partly to comprehend your instructions respect
ing his range. There is no reason why he should not
have been taken out a few days before this, not to show
him birds^ but to have commenced teaching him how
to traverse his ground, xadeed, if we had supposed him
of a sufficient age — 111 — he might by this time be some-
what advanced towards a systematic beat. It is seeing
birds early that is to be deprecated, not his being taught
how to range.

128. JBe careful to enter every field at the leeward*
side — about the middle, — that he may have the wind to
work against. Choose a day when there is a breeze,
but not a boisterous one. In a calm the scent is sta-
tionary, and can hardly be found unless accidentally.
In a gale it is scattered to the four quarters.f You

* •' Leeward " — a nautical phrase — here meaning the side to-
wards which the wind blows from, the field. If you entered else-
where, the dog while ranging would be tempted, from the natural
bearing of his nose towardb the wind, to come back upon you,
making his first turn inwards instead of outwards.

\ But, independently of these obvious reasons, scent is aflfected
by causes into the nature of which none of us cati penetrate.
There is a contrariety in it that ever has puzzled, and apparently
ever will puzzle, the most observant sportsman — whether a lover of
the chase or gun, — and therefore, in ignorance of the doubtless
immutable, thougii to us inexplicable, laws by which it is regulated,
we are contented to call it " capricious." Immediately before
heavy rain there frequently is none. It is undeniable that mois-
ture will at one time destroy it — at another time bring it. That

to-

lal

?ou.

cted
l-ate.
iitly
of
tless
Ited.

tore

kOlB-

rhat

FIKST LESSON IX AUTUMN COMMENCED.

541

s^ant not an undirected ramble, but a judicious travers-
ing beat under your own guidance, Avhich shall leave no
ground unexplored, and yet have none twice explored.

129. Suppose the form of the field, as is usually the
case, to approach a parallelogram or square, and that
the wind blows in any direction but diagonally across
it. On entering at the leeward side send the dog from
you by a wave of your hand or the word " On." You
wish him, while you are advancing up the middle of it,
to cross you at right angles, say from right to left, —
then to run up-wind for a little, parallel to your own
direction, and afterwards to recross in front of you from
left to right, and so on until the whole field is regularly
hunted. To effect this, notwithstanding your previous
preparatory lessons, you will have to show him the way,

on certain days — in slight frost, for instance, — setters will recognise
it better than pointers, and, on the other hand, that the nose of the
latter will prove far superior after a long continuance of dry
weather, and this even when the setter has been furnished with
abundance of water — which circumstance pleads in favor of hunt-
ing pointers and setters together. The argument against it, is the
usual inequality of their pace, and, to the eye of some sportsmen,
the want of Iiarniony in their appearance. Should not this uncer-
tainty respecting the recognition of scent teach us not to continue
hunting a good dog who is frequently making mistakes, but rathjr
to keep him at " heel " for an hour or two ? He will consider it a
kind of punishment, and be doubly careful when next enlarged.
Moreover, he may be slightly feverish from overwork, or he may
nave come in contact with some impurity, — in either of which
jases hij nose would be temporarily out of order.

*"1

II'

642

I)0(J-Bi!KAKINr,.

I; J

IS it were — stitting him an example in your own person,
— by running a few steps in the direction you wish him
to go — say to the right, — cheering him on to take the
lead. As he gets near the extremity of his beat, when
he does not observe you, he can steal a small advance in
the true direction of your own beat, which is directly up
the middle of the field meeting the wind. If perceiv-
ing your advance he turn towards you, face him — wave
your right hand to him, and, while he sees you, run on a
few paces in his direction — that is, parallel to his true
direction. As he approaches the hedge — the one on
your right hand, but be careful that he does not get
close to it, lest, from often finding game there, he ulti-
mately become a potterer and regular hedge hunter —
face towards him, and on catching his eye, wave your
left arm. If you cannot succeed in catching his eye,
you must give one low whistle — the less you habituate
yourself to use the whistle, the less you will alarm the
bu'ds — study to do all, as far as is practicable, by
signals. You wish your wave of the left arm to make
the dog turn to the left — his head to the wind, — and
that he should run parallel to the side of the hedge for
some yards — say from thirty to forty — before he makes
his second turn to the left to cross the field ; but you
must expect him to turn too directly towards you on
your first signal to turn. Should he by any rare chance
have made the turn — the first one — correctly, and thus
be hunting up-wind, on no account interrupt him by
making any signals until he has run up the diutunce you

.iAal LESSOK IN AUTUMN COMMENCED.

543

ilti-

our

ate
the
by
ake
nd
for
.kes
ou
on
nee
hus
by
ou

wish — the aforesaid thh-ty or forty yards, — then again
catch his eye, and, as before — not now, however, faced
towards him and the hedge, but faced towards your
true direction, — by a wave of the left arm endeavor to
make him turn to the left — across the wind. If, con-
trary to what you have a right to suppose, he will not
turn towards you on your giving a whistle and wave of
your hand, stand still, and continue whistling — even-
tually he will obey. But you must not indulge in the
faintest hope that all I have described will be done cor-
rectly ; be satisfied at first with an approach towards
accuracy ; you will daily find an improvement, if you
persevere steadily. When you see that there is but
little chance of his turning the way you want, at once
use the signal more consonant to his views, for it should
be your constant endeavor to make him fancy that he is
always ranging according to the dii'ections of your
hands. Be particular in attending to this hint.

130. His past tuition — 34 — most probably will have ac-
customed him to watch your eye for directions, therefore
it is not likely, even should he have made a wrong turn
near the hedge — a turn down-wind instead of up-wind,
which would wholly have prevented the required advance
parallel to the hedge, — that he will cross in rear of you.
Should he, however, do so, retreat a few steps, — or face
about, if he is far in the rear, — in order to impress him
with the feeling that all his work must be performed
under your eye. Animate him with an encouraging
word as he passes. When he gets near the edge to the

■?i-

544

t)OG-BREAKING.

m ■

left, endeavoi, by signals — agreeably to the method
just explained — 129 — to make him turn to the — his —
light, his head to the wind, and run up alongside of it
for thirty to forty yards, if you can manage it, before he
begins to recross the field, by making a second turn to
the right. If you could get him to do this, he would
cross well in advance of you,

131. Though most likely his turn — the first — the turn
up-wind — will be too abrupt — too much of an acute angle
instead of the required right angle, — and that conse-
quently, in order to get ahead of you, he will have to
traverse the field diagonally, yet after a few trials it is
probable lie will do so rather than not get in front of
you. This would be better than the foi*mer attempt —
not obliging you to face about — express your approval,
and the next turn near the hedge may be made with a
bolder sweep. Remember your aim is, that no part be
unhunted, and that none once commanded by his nose
should be again hunted. He ought to cross, say thirty
yards in front of you, but much will depend upon his
nose.

132. Nearly on every occasion of catching his eye,
except when he is running up-wind parallel to the hedge,
give him some kind of signal. This will more and more
confirm him in the habit of looking to you, from time to
time, for orders, : .d thus aid in insuring his constant
obedience. After a while, judging by the way in which
your face is turned, he will know in what direction you
propose advaucing, and will guide his own movements

PIKSl LESSON IN AUTUMN COMMENCED.

645

accordingly. Should he, as most probably he will for
some time, turn too sliarply towards you when getting
near the hedge, I mean at too acute an angle, incline or
rather face towards him. This, coupled with the natural
wish to range unrestrained, will make him hunt longer
parallel to the hedge, before he makes his second turn
towards you.

133. You may at fii'st strive to correct your dog'a
ourning too abruptly inwards — the first turn — by push-
ing on in your own person further ahead on your own
beat ; but when he has acquired if merely the slightest
idea of a correct range, be most careful not to get in
advance of the ground he is to hunt ; your doing so
might habituate him to cross the field diagonally — there-
by leaving much of the sides of the fields uiihunted, —
in order to get ahead of you ; and, moreover, you might
spring birds you are anxious he should find. Should he,
en the other hand, bo incluied to work too far upward
before making his turn to cross the field, hang back in
your own person.

134, Though you may b(! in an unenclosed country,
!«t him range at first to no more than from seventy to
eighty yards on each aide of you. You can gradually
extend these lateral beais as he becomes conversant with
his business — indeed at the commencement rather dimi-
nish than increase the distances just named, both for the
length of the parallels and the space between them.
Do not allow the alluring title " a fine wide ranger " to
t«?mpt you to let him out of leading strings. If he bo

%\¥i

DOG-BREAKING.

K\''

once permitted to imagine that he has a discretionary
power respecting the best places to hunt, and the direc-
tion and length of his beats, you will find it extremely
difficult to get him again well in hand. On the moors
his range miist be far greater than on the stubbles, but
still the rudiments must be taught on this contracted
scale or you will never get him to look to you for orders.
Do you keep entii'e control over his beats ; let him have
almost the sole management of his drawing upon birds,
provided he does not puzzle, or run riot too long over
an old haunt. Give him time, and after a little expe-
rience his nose will tell him more surely than your judg-
ment can, whether he is working on the "toe" or "heel"
of birds, and whether he diverges from or approaches
the strongest and most recent haunt — do not flurry or
hurry him, and he will soon acquire that knowledge.

135. As the powers of scent vary greatly in different
dogs, the depth of their turns — or parallels — ought to
vary also, and it will be hereafter for you to judge what
distance between the parallels it is most advantageous
for your youngster ultimately to adopt in his general
hunting. The deeper its turns are, of course, the more
ground you will beat within a specified time. What
you have to guard against is the possibility of their
being so -wide that birds may be passed by unnoticed.
I should not like to name the distance within which
good cautious dogs that carry their heads high will wind
game on a favorable day.

136. If you design your pupil, when broken in, to

11;

FIRST LKSSON IN AUTUMN COMMliNCEU.

54 7

■'i ':

i .

jii
ill

hunt with a companion, and wish both the do^s, as ia
usual, to cross you, you will, of course, habituate him to
make his sweeps — the space between the parallels — widei
than if you had intended him to hunt without any one
to share his labors.

137. I need hardly warn you to be careful not to
interrupt him whenever he appears to be winding birds.
However good his nose may be by nature, it will not
gain experience and discrimination unless you give him
a certain time to determine for himself whether he has
really touched upon a faint scent of birds, and whether
they are in his front or rear, or gone away altogether.
Like every other faculty, his sense of smell will improve
the more it is exercised. But on the other hand, as I
observed before, do. not let him continue puzzling with
his nose close to the ground, — urge him on, — make him
increase his pace, — force him to search elsewhere, and he
will gradually elevate his head, and, catching the scent
3f other particles, will follow up these with a nose borne
aloft, unless he is a brute not worth a twentieth part of
the pains which you think of bestowing upon him ; for,

138. Besides the greatly decreased chance of finding
them, birds that to a certainty would become uneasy,
and make off if pursued by a dog tracking them, will
often lie well to one who finds them by the wind.
They are then not aware that they are discovered, and
the dog, from the information his nose gives him, can
approach them either boldly or with great wariness,
according as he perceives them to be more or less shy

■ill

i;i^'

V U'

"i!

!:|.

:l|l[;ii

548

DOti-IJUKAlvlNO.

139. li', being unable to catch the dog's eye, you are
forced to use the whistle frequently, and he continues
inattentive to it, notwithstanding his previous tuition,
stand still — make him lie down — by the word " drop," if
he will not obey your raised left arm — go up to him —
take hold of his collar, and rate him, saying, " Bad, bad,"
cracking your whip over him — let the whip be one that
will crack loudly, not for present purposes, but that,
when occasion requires, he may hear it at a distance —
and whistling softly. This will show him — should you
beat him, you would confuse his ideas — that he is chidden
for not paying attention to the whistle. Indeed, when-
ever you have occasion to scold or punish him, make it a
constant rule, while you rate him, to repeat many times
the word of command, or the signal which he has
neglected to obey. There is no other way by which
you will make him understand you quickly. You
must expect that your young dog will for some time
make sad mistakes in his range; — but bo not discou-
raged. Doubtless there is no one thing, — I was going
to say, that there are no dozen things, — in the whole
art of dog-breaking, which are so difficult to attain,
or which exact so much labor, as a high, well-con-
firmed, systematic range. Nature will not assist you
— you must do it all yourself; but in recompense there
is nothing so advantageous when it is at length acquired.
It will abundantly repay months of persevering exertion.
It constitutes the grand criterion of true excellence. Its
attainment makes a dog of inferior nose and action fir

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

540

superior to one of much greater natural qualifications,
who may be tomlboling about, galloping backwards and
forwards, sometimes over identically the same ground,
quite uselessly exerting his travelling powers ; now and
then, indeed, arrested by the suspicion of a haunt, Avhich
he is not experienced enough, or sufliciently taught, to
turn to good account, — and occasionally brought to a
stiff point on birds accidentally found right under his
nose. It is undeniable, cceteris paribus, that the dog
who hunts his ground most according to rule must in
the end find most game.

CHAPTER Vn.

• '*' ill

-'i> 11

UK'

FIBST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. CAUTION.

140. If it is your fixed determination to confirm your
dog in the truly-killing range described in last Chapter,
do not associate him for months in the field with another
dog, however highly broken. It would be far better to
devote but two hours per diem to your pupil exclusively,
than to hunt him the whole day with a companion.

141. Many breakers do exactly the reverse of this.
The^' take out an old steady ranger, with the intention
that he shall lead the young Jog, and that the latter.

i; :

[

v I :

i ■!

550

DOG-BREAKINO.

from imitation and habit, shall learn how to quarter his
ground. But what he gains by imitation will bo little
improve his intellects, that, when thrown upon his own
resources, he will prove a miserable finder. On a hot,
dry day he will not be able to make out a feather, nor
on any day to "foot" a delicate scent. I grant that
the plan expedites matters, and attains the end which
most professional trainers seek ; but it will not give a
dog self-confidence and independence, it will not impart
to him an inquiring nose, and make him rely on its
sensitiveness to discover game, rather than to his quick-
ness of eye to detect when his friend touches upon a
haunt ; nor will it instruct him to look from time to
time towards the gun for directions. It may teach him
a range, but not to hunt where he is ordered ; nor will
it habituate him to vary the breadth of the parallels on
which he works, according as his master may judge it
to be a good or bad scenting day.

142. To establish the rare, noble beat I am recom-
mending,— one not hereafter to be deranged by the
temptation of a furrow in turnips or potatoes, — you
must have the philosophy not to hunt your dog in them
until he is accustomed in his range to be guided entirely
by the wind and your signals, and is in no way influenced
by the nature x)f the ground. Even then it would be
better not to beat narrow strips across which it would
be impossible for him to make his regular casts. Avoid,
too, for some time, if you can, all small fields- -which;
will only contract his range,— and all fields with trenchei

\i \:,\

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

551

or furrows, for he will but too naturally follow them
instead of paying attention to his true beat. Have you
never, in low lands, seen a young dog running down a
potato or turnip trench, out of which his master, after
much labor, had no sooner extracted him than he
dropped into the adjacent one ? It is the absence of
artificial tracks which makes the range of nearly all dogs
well broken on the moors, so much truer than that of
dogs hunted on cultivated lands.

143, Moreover, in turnips, potatoes, clover, and the
like thick shelter, birds will generally permit a dog to
approach so closely, that if he is much accustomed to
hunt such places, he will be sure to acquire the evil habit
of pressing too near his game when finding on the
stubbles — instead of being startled as it were into an
instantaneous stop the moment he first winds game, — and
thus raise many a bird out of gun-shot that a cautiotcs
dog — one who slackens his pace the instant he judges
that he is beating a likely spot — would not have alarmed.

144. " A cautious dog ! " Can there well be a more
flattering epithet ? * Such a dog can hardly travel too
fastf in a tolerably open country, where there is not

I .!»

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* Provided always he be not perpetually pointing, aa occasionally
will happen — and is the more likely to happen if he has been
injudiciously taught as a puppy to set chickens, and has thereby
icquired the evil habit of " standing by eye ; " which, however,
may have made him a first-rate hand at pointing crows.

f With the understanding that the pace does not make iiiio
'■ shut up " before the day is over.

" ' \lf

IMAGE EVALUATION
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Corporation

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WEBSTIR.N.Y. MStO

(716) 872-4503

562

DOG-BREAKING.

a siiperabuudance of game, \f he really hunt with an
:nquiring nose ; — but to his master what an all-important
" if" is this t It marks the difference between the saga-
,}ious, wary, patient, yet diligent animal, whose every
sense and every faculty is absorbed in his endeavor to
make out birds, not for himself but the gun, and the
wild harum-scarum who blunders up three-fourths of the
birds he finds. No ! not Jinda^ but frightens, — for he is
not aware of their presence until they are on the wing,
and seldom points unless be gets some heedless bird
right under his nose, when an ignoramus, in admiration
of the beauty of the dog's sudden attitude, will often
forget the mischief which he has done.

145. Though you cannot improve a dog's nose, you
can do what is nearly tantamount to it — you can increase
his caution. By watching for the slightest token of his
feathering, and then calling out " Toho," or making the
signal, you will gradually teach him to look out for the
faintest indication of a scent, and point the instant fie
winds ity instead of heedlessly hunting on until he meets
a more exciting effluvia. See 174 to 176, and 228.

146. If from a want of animation in his manner you
are not able to judge of the moment when he first winds
game, and you thus are not able to call out " Toho " until
he gets close to birds, quieUy pull him back from his point
" dead to leeward " for some paces, and there make him
resume his point. Perseverance in this plan will ulti-
mately effect your wished, unless his nose is radically
\i>Tong. A dog's pointing too near his game inoie

FIRST LKBSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

553

frequently aristts from want of caution — in other words,
from want of good instruction — than from a defective nose.
147. Slow dogs readily acquire this caution ; but fust
dogs cannot be taught it without great labor. You
have to show them the necessity of dinunishing their
pace, that their noses may have fair play. If you have
such a pupil to instruct, when you get near birds you
have marked down, signal to him to come to ** heel "
WJ\i^>eT to him " Care," and let him see by your light,
slow tread, your anxiety not to alarm the birds. If he has
never shown any symptoms of blinking, you may, a few
times, thus spring the birds yourself while you keep him
close to you. On the next occasion of marking down
birds, or coming to a very likely spot, bring him int<
"heel," and after an impressive injunction to take " care,"
give him two or three very limited casts to the right or
left, and let him find the birds while you instruct him as
described in 228. As there will be no fear of such a
dog making false points, take him often to the fields
where he has most frequently met birds. The expectation
of again coming on them, and the recollection of the
lectures he there received, will be likely to make him
cautious on entering it. I remember a particular spot
in a certain field that early in the season constantly
held birds. A young dog I then possessed never ap-
proached it afterwards without drawing upon it most
carefully, though he had not found there for months.
At first I had some difilculty in preventing the " draw '*

from becoming a " point."

064

DOG-BRBAKIKO.

148. I have elsewhere observed that fast dogs, which
give most trouble in breaking, usually turn out best:
now if you think for a moment you will see the reason
plainly. A young dog does not ultimately become first-
rate because he is wild and headstrong, and regardless of
orders, but because his speed and disobedience aiise
from his great energies, — from his fondness for the sport,
from his longing to inhale the exhilarating scent and
pursue the flying game. It is the possession of these
qualities that makes him, in his anxious state of excite-
ment, blind to your signals and deaf to your calls.
These obviously are qualities that, under good manage-
mentj* lead to great excellence and superiority, — that
make one dog do the work of two. But they are not
qualities sought for by an idle or incompetent breaker.

140. These valuable qualities in the fast dog, must,
however, be accompanied with a searching nose. It is
not enough that a dog be always apparently hunting, that
is to say, always on the gallop — ^his nose should always be
hunting. When this is the case, and you may be pretty
certain it is if, as he crosses the breeze, his nose has
intuitively a bearing to windward, you need not fear that
he will travel too fast, or not repay you ultimately for the
great extra trouble caused by his high spirits and ardor
for the sport.

* T1i6 more rMolutc • dog ia, the more pains ahonld be takes,
befiire he it ehoim game^ to perlbot Um in the instant " drop"— 25-'
however hr off he may be ranging,

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUHN CONTINUBD.

555

150. Tou have been recommended invariably to enter
every field by the leeward side. This you can generally
accomplish with ease, if you commence your day's beat
to leeward. Should circumstances oblige you to enter a
field on the windward side, make it a rule, as long as
your dog continues a youngster, to call him to ^*heel,"
and walk down the field with him until you get to the
opposite side — ^the leeward — ^then hunt him regularly
up to windward.

151. I have read wondrous accounts of dogs, who,
without giving themselves the trouble of quaitering their
ground, would walk straight up to the birds if there were
any in the field. It has never been my luck, I do not say
to have possessed such marvellous animals, but even to
have been favored with a sight of them. I therefore
am inclined to think, let your means be what they may,
that you would find it better not to advertise for crea-
tures undoubtedly moHt rare, but to act upon the com
mon belief that, as the scent of birds, more or less,
impregnates the air, no dog, let his nose be ever so
fine, can, except accidentally, wind game unless he
seeks for the taint in the air — and that the dog who
regularly crosses the wind must have a better chance
of finding it than he who only works up wind — and
that down wind he can have little other chance than
by "roading."

152. It is heedlessness — the exact opposite of this
extreme caution — that makes young dogs so often dis-
regard and overrun a slight scent ; uid since they are

6d6

DOli-HRKAKIXG.

moro inclined to commit this error from the rivalry
of companionship, an additional argument is presented
in favor of breaking them separately, and giving them
their own time, leisurely and methodically, to work out
a scent, provided the nose be carried high. I am satisfied
most of us hurry young dogs too much.

CHAPTER Vm.

FIBST LESSON IS AUTUMN CONTINDED. OUNNINa 07 AOS.
RANGE OF FBOlf TWO TO SIX DOGS.

163. Of course you will not let your pupil "break
fence," or get out of your sight. Be on the watch
JO whistle or call out " Fence," the instant you per-
ceive that he is thinking of quitting the field. Do
not wait until he is out of sight; check him by an-
ticipating his intentions. Should he, unperceived, or
in defiance of your orders, get into a field before you,
call him back — ^by the same opening, if practicable,
through which he passed, the more clearly to show him
his folly; — and do not proceed further until he has
obeyed you. A steady adherence to this rule will soon
convince him of the inutility of not exercising more pa-
ience, or at least forbearance ; then signal to him " away"

FIRST LESSON IX ;»UTUMN CONTINUKD.

55'

in the dir<iction j/ou choose, not m the direction he chooses.
It is essential that you should be the first over every
fence. In the scramble, birds, at which you ought to
have a shot, are frequently sprung. If he is not obedient
to your orders make him ^drop," and rate him as
described in 139.

154. A dog from his own observation so much feels,
— and in a greater or less degree, according to his edu-
cation,— the necessity of watching in what direction
you are walking, that if he is habituated to work under
your eye, — ^I mean, is never allowed to hunt behind
you, — by turning your back upon him when he is paying
no attention to your signals, you will often be able to
bring him away from a spot where he is ranging — ^perhaps
down wind — against your wishes, at a time when you
are afraid to whistle, lest you should alarm the birds.
Waving your hand backwards and forwards near the
ground, and stooping low while walking slowly about, as
if in search of something, will often attract the attention
of an ill-taught, self-ndlled dog; and his anxiety to
paiticipate in the find, and share the sport which he
imagines you expect, will frequently induce him to run
up, and hunt alongside of you for any close lying bird.

155. Never be induced to hunt your young dog, — nor
indeed any dog, — when he is tired. If you do, you
will give him a slovenly carriage and habits, and lessen
his zeal for the sport. In order to come in for a sniff, at
a time when he is too &tigued to search for it himself he
will orawl after his companion, watching for any indico-

558

DOG-BREAKINO.

tion of his finding. As they become wearied you will
have a difficulty in keeping even old well-broken dogs
separate — ^much more young ones, however indepen-
dently they may have ranged when fresh. Ton may
also, to a certainty, expect false points ; but what is of
far more consequence, by frequently overtasking your
^^St you ^I M effectually waste his constitution as i
you would your horse's by premature work.

156. If he is very young when first entered, two or
three hours' work at a time will be sufficient. When
he is tired, or rather before he is tired, send him home
with the man who brings you a relief. Do not fancy
your dog will be getting a rest if he is allowed to follow
at your heels for the remainder of the day, coupled to a
companion. His fretting at not being allowed to share in
the sport he sees, will take nearly as much out of him as
if you permitted him to hunt. If you can persuade John
always to rub him down, and brush and dry him —
nay even to let him enjoy an hour's basking in front
of the fire — ^before he shuts him up in the kennel, you
will add years to his existence ; and remember that one
old experienced dog, whose constitution is uninjured, is
worth two young ones.

167. When you hunt a brace of dogs, to speak
theoretically, they should traverse a field in opposite
directions, but along parallel lines, and the distance
between the lines should be regulated by you accord-
ing as it is a good or a bad scenting day, and according
to the excellence of the dogs' noses. Mathematical

FIRST l.ESSOX IN AITTUMN CONTINUED.

559

accuracy is, of 00111*86, never to be attained, but tne
closer you approach the better.

158. Tou should attempt it— on entering the field to
leeward^ as before directed — ^by making one dog go
straight ahead of you to the distance which you wish
the parallel lines to be apart from each other, before
you cast him off— say — to the right ; then cast off his
companion to the left. If the dogs are nearly equal in
pace, the one ahead, ro long as he does not &ncy he
winds game, should continue to work on a parallel more
advanced than the other.

159. Should you not like to relinquish, for the sake of
this formal precision, the chance of a find in the neglect-
ed right-hand comer of the field, cast off one dog to the
right and the other to the left, on entering it, and make
the one that soonest approaches his hedge take the
widest sweep — ^tum — and so be placed in the advancea
parallel.

160. With regard to hunting more than a brace —
when your difficulties wonderfully multiply — your own
judgment must determine in what manner to direct
their travelling powers to the greatest advantage.
Much will depend upon the different speed of the dogs;
the number you choose from whim, or otherwise, to hunt;
the kind of country you beat ; and the quantity and
sort of game you expect to find. It is, however, certain
you must wish that each dog be observant of the direc-
tion in which your fiioe is turned, in order that he may
guide his own movements by yours; — that he from time

560

I>Oa-BREAKIX«.

to time look towards you to see if you have any com-
mands ; and that he be ever anxious to obey them.

161. Herbert writes as follows, in his work on shooting
in the United States :* his words ought to have uifluence,
for manifestly he is a good sportsman ; but I own I can-
not quite agree with him as to the faGiliti/ with which a
range can be taught : " It is wonderful how easily dogs
which are always shot over by the same man — he being
one who knows his business — will learn to cross and re-
quarter their ground, turning to the slightest whistle,
and following the least gesture of the hand. I have seen
old dogs turn their heads to catch their master^s eye, if
they thought the whistle too long deferred ; and I lately
lost an old Irish setter, which had been stone deaf for his
last two seasons, but which I found no more difficulty in
turning than any other dog, so accurately did he know
when to look for the signal."

162. To beat your ground syatematicaUy with three
dogs, you should strive to make them cross and recross
you each on a different parallel, as just described for
two dogs; but each dog must make a proportionally
bolder sweep— turn— or,

163. If you have plenty of space, you can make one
dog take a distinct beat to the right, another a separate
beat to the left, and direct the third — which ought to be
the dog least confirmed in his range — to traverse the cen-
tral part, — and so be the only one that shall cross and

• Entitled. " Field Sports- in the United States and Britidi Pro-
rinoee, by Frank Foreater."

FIRST LESSON IX AUTUMN CONTINUED.

561

recioss you. If one of your dogs is a slow potterer, and
you prefer this method to the one named in 162, give
him tlie middle beat, and let his faster companions take
the flanks. In our small English fields you have not
space enough, but on our moors, and in many parts of
the Continent, it cannot be want of room that will pre-
vent your accomplishing it. To do this well, however,
and not interfere with each other's ground, how mag-
nificently must your dogs be broken ! In directing their
movements, the assistance that would be given you by
each dog's acknowledging his own particular whistle,
and no other — 275 — is very apparent.

164. It is difiicult enough to make three dogs traverse
across you on tolerably distinct parallels ; and at a judi-
cious distance between the parallels you will find it
hopeless to attempt it with more than three; and one
can hardly imagine a case in which it would be advan-
tageous to uncouple a greater number of good rangers.
If, however, the scarcity of game, and the extcnsiveness
of yonr beat, or any peculiar fancy, induce you
habitually to use four dogs, hunt one brace to the right,
the other to the left ; and, so far as you can, let those
which f<yrm a brace he of equal speed.* Your task will
be facilitated by your always keeping the same brace to
one flank — ^I mean, by making one brace constantly hunt
to your right hand ; the other brace to your left. The
same reasoning holds with regard to assigning to each

^ .-I

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Hid.

Hi'

'HI

* A rule to be followed whenever yon employ relays of bracea

24*

i J

662

DOO-BRGAKIXO.

dog a particular side when hunting three, according to
the mode described in last paragraph. It should, hoW'
ever, be borne in mind, that constantly hunting a dog in
this manner on one and the same flank, tends to make
him range very d' agreeably whenever employed single-
handed.

165. If yon hunt five dogs, four of them ought to work
by braces to the right and left, and the fifth — the dog
whose rate of speed most varies from the others — should
have a narrow beat assigned him directly in advance of
you.

166. If three brace are to be used, let the third brace
hunt the central ground, as recommended for the fifth
dog — or they could be worked in leashes, one on the
right of the gun, the other on the left.

167. These are the correct theoretical rules, and the
more closely you observe them, the more truly and kill-
ingly will your ground be hunted.

168. Probably you will think that such niceties are
utterly impracticable. They must be impracticable if
you look for mathematical precision ; but if you hope to
shoot over more than mere rabble, yon should work upon
system. If you do not, what can you expect but an
unorganized mob? — an undrilled set, perpetually running
over each other's ground, — now grouped in this part,
now crowded in that, — a few likely spots being hunted
by all (especially if they are old dogs), the rest of th<t
field by none of them ; and to control whose unprofita-
ble wanderings, Why not employ a regular huntsman and

FIBST I.KSSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUKD.

568

a well-mounted whip ? DoiibtlefM it Would be absurd to
hope for perfect accuracy in so difficult a matter as a
systematic range in a brigade of dogs; but that you
may approach correctness, take a true standard of excel-
lence. If you do not keep perfection in view, you will
never attain to more than mediocrity. I earnestly ht>p(%
however, that it cannot be your wish to take out a hos^
of dogs — ^but should you have such a singular h'^bby,
pray let them be regularly brigaded, and not employed
as a pack. Ii my opinion, under no circumstances can
moro than relays of leashes be desirable; but I should
be sorry in such matters to dispute any man's right t^
please himself; I only wish him, whatever he does, tc
strive to do it correctly.

169. Some men who shoot on a grand scale make
their keepers hunt each a distinct brace of dogs, — the
gun going up to whatever dog points. It is the most
killing plan to adopt ; but that is not the matter we
were considering. The question was, what method a
man ought to pursue who had a fancy to himself hunt
many dogs at a time.

no. If a professional breaker could show you a bri-
gade of dogs well trained to quarter their ground sys-
tematically, and should ask from fifty to sixty guineas*
a brace for them, you ought not to be surprised. What

« 260 to 800 dollars. This would b* by no meant an eztraor
dinary price hen, however extraordinary it might be to lee doga so
qualified.— H. W. H.

564

nOG-BUEAKINO.

9 ■'

an extent of country they could sweep over in an hour
and not leave a bird behind ! And consider what time
and labor must have been spent in inculcating so nOble
a range. He would have been far better paid if he had
received less than half the money as soon as they
"pointed steadily," both at the living and the dead;
" down charged ;" " backed :" and were broken from
** chasing hare," or noticing rabbits.

171. Some men fancy that the faster they walk, the
more country they hunt. This is far from being always
the case. Dogs travel at one rate, whether you walk
fast or slow, and the distance between the parallels on
which they work — being determined by the fineness of
their noses, and the goodness of the scent — ought not to
be affected by your pace. Suppose, therefore, that you
shoot in an unenclosed country, whether you walk quickly,
or merely crawl along, the only difference in the beat of
your dogs ought to be that, in the latter case, they range
further to the right and the left. You thus make up in
your breadth what you lose in your length of beat.

172. Nor do the fastest dogs, however well they may
be broken, always truly hunt the most ground. The
slower dogs have frequently finer olfactory nerves than
their fleeter rivals, — therefore the parallels on which the
former work may correctly be much wider apart than
the parallels of the latter. The finer nofe in this manner
commands so much more ground that it beats the
quicker heels out and out.

1 78. You will see, then, how judicious it is to show

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

565

forbearance and give encouragement to the tiniid, but
high-bred class* of dogs described m 114; for it is
obvious that, though they may travel slower, yet they
may really hunt properly^ within a specified time, many
more acres of ground than their hardier and faster com-
petitors ; and it is certain that they will not so much
alarm the birds. Dogs that are most active with their
heels are generally least busy with their noses. *

V:
i, ■

CHAPTER IX.

i "i; n

nSST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. " POINT " NOT
RELINQUISHED FOR " DOWN CHARQE.'*

174. To proceed, however, with our imaginary Sep-
tember day's work. I will suppose that your young dog
has got upon birds, and that from his boldness and keen-
ness in hunting you need not let him run riot on a haunt,
as you were recommended (in 111) when you wished to
give courage and animation to a timid dog. You must
expect that his eagerness and delight will make him run
in and flush them, even though you should have called
out "Toho" when first you perceived his stern begin

* It IB admitted, however, that they are often diflficalt animals to
manage ; for the least hastiness on the part of the instructor may
create a distrust that he will find it very hard to remove.

lU! '',

Ii:. i

560

DOG-BBEAKINO.

feathering, and thence judged that his ol&ctory nei'vos
were rej'oicing in the luxurious taint of game. Hollo
out " Drop " most energetically. If he does not immo
diately lie down, crack your whip loudly to command
greater attention. When you have succeeded in making
him lie down, approach him quietly : be not angry with
him, but yet be stem in manner. Grasping the skin of
his neck, or, what is better, putting your hand within his
collar — for he ought to wear a light one — quietly drag
him to the precise spot where you think he was first
aware of the scent of the birds. There make hun stand
— if stand he will, instead of timidly crouching — with his
head directed towards the place from which the birds
took wing, and by frequently repeating the word
"Toho," endeavor to make him understand that he
ought to have pointed at that identical spot. Do not
confuse him by even threatening to beat him. The
chances are twenty to one that he is anxious to please
you, but does not yet know what you wish. I assume
also that he is attached to yon, and his affection, from
constantly inducing him to exert himself to give satisfac-
tion, will greatly devclope his observation and intelli*
gence.

175. Consider it a golden rule never to be departed
from — for I must again impress upon you a matter of
such importance — ^invariably to drag a dog who has put
up birds incautiously, or wilfully drawn too near them,
and so sprung them — op, what is quite as bad, — though
young sportsmen will not sufficiently think of it, —

FIBST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

56;

endangered their rising out of shot — to the exact spot
at which you judge he ought to have pointed at first,
and awaited your instructions.

176. Think for one moment what could be the use of
chiding — or beating, as I have seen some ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦ do—
the poor animal at the spot where he flushed the birds.
Tou are not displeased with him (or ought not to be)
because the birds took wing, — for if they had remained
stationary until he was within a yard of them, his fault
would have been the same : nor are you angry with him
because he did not catch them — which interpretation he
might, as naturally as any other, put upon your rating
him at the spot where he flushed them — you are dis-
pleased with him for not having pointed at them steadily
the moment he became sensible of their presence. This
is what you wish him to understand, and this you can
only teach him by dragging him, as has been so often
said, to the spot at which he ought to have " toho-ed "
them. Your object is to give the young dog, by instruc-
tion, the caution that most old dogs have acquired by
experience. Doubtless experience would in time con-
vince him of the necessity of this caution ; but you wbh
to save time, — ^to anticipate that experience ; and by a
judicious education impart to him knowledge which it
would take him years to acquire otherwise. What a
dog gains by experience is not what you teach him, but
what he teaches himself.

177. Many carelessly-taught dogs will, on first recog*
nising a scent, make a momentary point, and then slowly

M 1

i'1

568

DOG-BRBAKINO.

crawl on until they get within a few yards of the game
— if it be sufficiently complaisant to allow of such a neai
approach — and there " set " as steady as a rock by the
hour together. Supposing, however, that the birds are
in an unfriendly, distant mood, and not willing to remain
on these neighborly terms, "your game is up," both
literally and metaphorically, — you have no chance of
getting a shot. This is a common fault among dogs
hastily broken in the spring.

178. But to resume our supposed lesson. You must
not be in a hurry — ^keep your dog for some time — for a
long time, where he should have pointed. You may
oven sit down alongside him. Be patient ; you have not
come out so much to shoot, as to break in your dog.
When at length you give him the wave of the hand to
hie him on to hunt, you must not part as enemies, though
[ do not say he is to be caressed. He has committed a
fault, and he is to be made sensible of it by your altered
manner.

Suppose that, after two or three such errors, all
treated in the way described, he makes a satisfactory
l)oint. Hold up your right hand, and the moment you
catch his eye, remain quite stationary, still keeping your
arm up. Dogs, as has been already observed, are veiy
imitative ; and your standing stock still will, more than
anything else, induce him to be patient and immovable
at his point. After a time — say five minutes, if, ft'om the
hour of the day and the dog's manner, you are convinced
that the birds are not stirring — endeavor to get up to

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUKD.

560

iiim so quietly as not to excite him to move. Whenever
you observe him inclined to advance, — of which his lift-
ing a toot or even raising a shoulder, or the agitation of
his stern will be an indication, — stop for some seconds,
and when by your raised hand you have awed him into
steadiness, again creep on. Make your approaches
within his sight, so that he may be intimidated by your
eye and hand. If you succeed in getting near him with-
out unsettling him, actually stay by him, as firm as a
statue, tor a quarter of an hour by one of Barwise's best
chronometers. Let your manner, which he will observe,
show great earnestness. Never mind the loss of time.
You are giving the dog a famous lesson, and the birds
are kindly aiding you by lying beautitully and not shitV
ing their ground.

179. Now attempt a grand coup, in which if you are
successful, you may almost consider your dog made
staunch for ever. Keeping your eye on him, and your
hand up — of course the right one — make a circuit, so
that the birds shall be between him and you. Be cer-
tain that your circle is sufficiently wide — if it is not, the
birds may get up behind you, and so perplex him that at
his next find he will feel doubtful how to act. Fire at
no skirter, or chance shot. Reserve yourself for the
!»ird or birds at which he points; a caution more neces^
sary on the moors than on the stubbles, as grouse spread
while feeding. When you have well headed him, walk
towards him and spring the birds. Use straight shoot-
ing-powder. Take a cool aitn well foiward, and knock

'• ii

670

DOG-RREAKINO.

down one. Do not flurry the dog by firing more than a
single barrel, or contuse him by killing more than one
bird. If you have been able to accomplish all this with-
out his stirring — though, to effect it, you may have been
obliged to use your voice — you have every right to
hope, from his previous education, that he will readily
"down-charge*' on hearing the report of your gun.
Do not hurry your loading: — indeed, be unnecessarily
long, with the view of making him at all such times
patient and steady. If, in spite of all your calls and
signals, he ever gives chase to the sprung birds, make
him " drop," — instantly if possible — and proceed much
as described in 174, dragging him back to the place
where he should have " down-charged."

180. When you have loaded, say "Dead,"* in a low
voice, and signalling to " heel " make him come up to
you, yourself keeping still. By signs — xi. of 119 —
place him as near as you can, but to leeward of the dead
bird. Then, and not till then, say, " Find ; " give him no
other assistance. Let him have plenty of time to make
out the bird. It is not to be find and grip, but find and
point,\ therefore the moment you perceive he is aware

* Ab he acquires experience he will wish to. rise the moment
he observes thst your loading is completed. Do not allow him to
move, however correctly he may have judged the time. Let his
rising be always in obedience to signal or word. You may make a
mistnke in charging, or your friend may not load as expeditiously ns
jogrself.

f Never being allowed to grip conduces so much to making

i I

FIBSl' T.KSSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

571

that it is before him, make him — by word of command
— " ioho : " — ^go up to him, stay for a while alongside
him, then make a small circuit to head him, and have the
bird between you and him ; approach him. If he attempt
to dash in, thunder out " Xo," and greet him with at
least the sound of the whip: slowly pick up the dead bird;
call the dog to you ; show him the bird ; but on no
account throw it to him, lest he snatch at it ; lay it
on the ground, encourage him to sniff it ; let him — for
reason why see 216 — turn it over with his nose — teeth
closed — say to him, " Dead, dead ; " caress him ; sit
down; smoothe the feathers of the bird; let him perceive
that you attach much value to it ; and after a while loop
it on the game bag, allowing him all the time to see
what you are doing. After that, make much of him for
ftiU five minutes: indeed with some dogs it would be
advisable to give a palatable reward, but be not invaina-
bly very prodigal of these allurements ; you may have a
pupil whose attention they might engross more than they
ought. Then walk about a little time with him at your
heeh. All this delay and caressing will serve to show
him that the first tragedy is concluded, and has been
satisfactorily performed. You may now hie him on to
hunt for more birds.

181. Pray mind what is said about making your young-
ster point the dead bird staunchly, the moment you
perceive that he' first scents it. Should he be allowed to

him tender-mouthed, that^ should he hereafter be permitted to lift hii
^jmt, it is probable he wil deliver it up perfectly uninjured.

^i|i

!|;l

ill

! if

;' (I

■ ' 1,,

672

DOO-BRKAKING.

approach so near a» to be able to touch it — ^instead
of being made to point the instant he finds, — the chances
are, that if hard-mouthed he will give it a crunch, if
tender-mouthed a fumbling of the feathera ; and either
proceeding satisfying him, that he will quit it, and not
further aid you in a search. As "pointing" is only
a natural pause — ^prolonged by art — to determine exactly
where the game is lying, preparatory to rushing forward
to seize, it would be unreasonable to expect him willingly
to make a second point at game he has not only found
but mouthed — ^the evil, however, does not rest here.
There is such a disagreeable thing as blinking a dead bird,
no less than blinking a sound one. For mouthing the
bird yon may possibly beat the dog, or for nosing it and
not pointing you may rate him harshly, either of which,
if he be not of a bold disposition, may lead, on the next
occasion, to his slinking off after merely obtaining a
sniff. You ought, in fact, to watch as carefully for your
pupil's first " feathering " upon the dead bird, as you did
— 1 74 — upon his first coming upon the covey. You see,
then, that your teaching him to " point dead " is absohite-
ly indispensable; unless, indeed, you constantly shoot
with a retriever. Pointing at a live bird or at a dead
one should only differ in this, that in the latter case the
dog makes a nearer point. Begin con*ectly, and you
will not have any difficulty; but you may expect the
gi-eatest if you let your dog go up to one or two birds
and raouthe them, before you commence making him
poijit them. The following season, should you then

1^'

FIB8T LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

573

permit him to lift his game, it will be time enough to
dispense with his "pointing dead." I dwell upon this
subject because many excellent dogs, from not having
been properly taught to "point dead," often fail in
securing the produce of a successful shot, while, on the
contrary, with judiciously educated dogs it rarely hap-
pens that any of the slain or wounded are left on the
field. Moreover, the protracted search and failure — as
an instance see 217— occasions a lamentable loss of time.
Were a sportsman who shoots over dogs not well broken
to " point dead " — or retrieve — to calculate accurately,
watch in hand, he Avould, I think, be surprised to find
how many of his best shooting hours are wasted in
unprofitable searching for birds of the certainty of whose
imtimely fate his dogs had probably long before fully
convinced themselves.

182. As to the word "Dead," whether you choose to
continue using it immediately after loading, or, as I have
recommended — xi. of 119 — afl&r a time omit it, and
merely let the signal to " heel " intimate that you have
killed, always make your dog go to you before you allow
him to seek for the fallen bird.

183. Some may say, "As a dog generally sees a bird
fall, what is the use of calling him to you before you let
him seek ? — and even if he does not see the bird, why
should any time be lost ? Why should not you and he
go as direct to it as you can ? "

184. Provided you have no wish that the "finder"
— see 205 — rather than any of his companions, should be

y IS

S74

DOG-BBGAKING.

allowed the privilege of " seeking dead," I must admit
that in the cultivated lands of England, when a dog
" sees a bird fall," he might in nine cases out of ten
go direct to it without inconvenience. Even here, how-
ever, there are occasions when intervening obstacles may
prevent you observing what the dog is about ; and in
cover, so &r from being able to give him any assistance
by signalling, you may be ignorant whether or not he has
seen the bird knocked over, or is even aware of the
general direction in which he ought to seek. But in the
oft-occurring cases in which " he does not see the bird
fall," it is obvious — ^particularly when he happens to be at
the extremity of his beat, — that you will far more quickly
place him where you wish, if you make him, at first,
run up to you, and then advance from you, straight
to the bird, by your forward signal — 100. These good
results at least will follow, if you remain stationary, and
make him join you. You do not lose sight of the spot
where you marked that the bird or birds fell. The foil
is not interfered with by your walking over the ground
— a matter of much importance, especially on bad-scent«
ing days. The dog, if habituated to "seek" without
your companionship, will readily hunt morasses and
ravines, where you might find it difficult to accompany
him. He will feel the less free to follow his own vagaries ;
and this consciousness of subjection will dispose him
to pay more watchful attention to your signals. He will
the more patiently wait at the "down charge;" and
when you are reloaded will not be so tempted to dash reck-

FIHST LKSSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

6'ib

Icssly afler the bird, regardless whether or not he raises
others on the way. If he is dragging a cord, you can the
more easily take hold of its end, in order to check him,
and make hun point when he first winds the dead bird —
and, should you be shooting over several dogs, by none of
them being permitted to run direct to the iallen bird
they will the less unwillingly allow you to select the
one who is to approach close to you before " seeking
dead."

185. The opponents of this method argue, that the
practice may give the dog the bad habit of running
immediately after the " down charge " to the gun, instead
of recommencing to hunt; particularly if he is shot
over by a first-rate performer. Granted ; but is not the
temptation to bolt off in search of a dead bird still
stronger ? To check the former evil, endeavor to make
the coming to ** heel " an act of obedience rather than a
Voluntary act, by never fiiiling, as soon as you are
re-loaded, to ^ve the customary signal — vin. of 119—
when you have killed, or the signal to " hie on " should
you have missed.

186. Moreover, you will sometimes meet with a dog
who, when a bird has been fired at, though it be the
first and only one sprung of a large covey, commences
" seeking dead " immediately after the " down pharge,"
apparently considering that his first duty. This sad, sad
fault — ^for it frequently leads to his raising the other
birds out of shot — ^is generally attributable %q the dog's
having been allowed to rush at the fallen bird, instead of

579

DOO-RREAKINO.

being accustomed to the restraint of having Hnit to run
up to the gun.

187. To prevent your pupil ever behaving so badly,
uflen adopt the plan of not " seeking dead " immediately
after loading, especially if the birds are lying well.
Mark accurately the spot where your victim lies, and
closely hunt for others, endeavoring to instil great cau-
tion into the dog, much in the manner — being guided by
his disposition and character — described in 144, 145, and
228. As long as any of the covey remain unsprung, you
ought not to pick up one dead bird, though you should
have a dozen on the ground. Your dog ought not even
to " down charge " after you have fired, if he is fully
aware that more birds are before him. To impart to
him the knowledge that, however important is tJie " do^wn
charge^'' his continuing at his point is still more so^ you
may, when the birds are lying well and he is at a fixe4
point, make your attendant discharge a gun at a little
distance while you remain near the dog, encouraging
him to maintain his " toho." If you have no attendant,
and the birds lie like stones, fire off a barrel yourself
while the dog is steadily pointing. He will fancy you
8ee birds which he has not noticed, and, unless properly
tutored and praised by you, will be desirous to quit
those he has found, to search tor ,the bird he conceives
you have shot.

188. It is a fine display of intelligence in the dog, and
of judicious training in- the breaker — may it be your
desert and reward ere long to witness it in your pnpil, —

FIBHT LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED.

577

when a pointer — or setter — in goodly turnips or strong
potatoes draws upon birds wliieh obligingly rise one
after the other, while by continuing his eloquent attitiulu
he assures you that some still remain unsprung, to which
he is prepared to lead you if you will but attend to thorn
and him, and, instead of pot-hunting after those you have
killed, wait until his discriminating nose infornaus him that,
having no m< strangers to introduce, he is at liberty
to assist you in your search.

189. To revert, however, to the point particularly
under discussion, viz., whether you prefer that your dog
go direct to the fallen bird, or — as I strongly recommend
— that he first join you, pray be consistent, exact which
you will, but always exact the same, if you are anxious
to obtain cheerful unhesitating obedience.

190. I have seen the advantage of the latter method
very strikingly exemplified in America, in parts of which
there is capital snipe-shooting.* In the high grass and
rushes on the banks of the Richelieu, many a bird have
I seen flushed and shot at, of which the liver and white
pointer, ranging at a little distance, has known nothing.
As he was well broken in, on hearing the report of the
gun, he, of course, dropped instantly. His master, when
he had reloaded, if the bird had fallen, used invariably
to say " Dead,"f in a low tone of voice, on which the

* I reserve this anecdote on account of its interest and applica
bility to American readera — ^H. W. H.
f In order to woik in silence, I advised — xi. of 119 — that the sig

'25

liil

Is i

578

DOO-BREAKINa.

dog would go up to, him; and then his master, without
stirring from the spot where he had fired, directed hijn
by signals to the place where the bird had tumbled, and
in proceeding thither, the dog. often had to swim the
stream. His master then said " Find." At that word,
and not before it, his intelligent four-footed companion
oonunenced the search for the bird, nor did he ever fiul
to find and bring ; and so delicate was his mouth that I
have often seen him deliver up a bird perfectly alive,
without having deranged a feather, though, very proba-
bly, he had swam with it across one of the many creeks
which intersect that part of the country. If the sLot was
a miss, his master's silence after reloading, and a wave
of his arm to continue hunting — or the command to " Hie
on," if the dog was hidden by the rushes — ^perhaps a low
whistle would have been better, — fully informed his com-
panion of the disappointment. He was quite as good on
the large quail, and small wood-cock found in Canada,
which latter makes a ringing noise on rising, not unlike
the sound of a distant soft bell ; but reminiscences of
that capital old dog are leading me away from your
young one.

191. For some days you cannot shoot to your pupil
too steadily and quietly— I had well nigh said too slowly.
By being cool, calm, and collected yourself you will

oal to "hed ' wharevw the dog oonld obaonre it, shotild anponede
the word "daad." It mights neoeaeary to sing oat iHth a boat-
•wmhi^ev«>ieaehoaldthedogbefcroft. .-imvi'nh*

*«»"«»--■

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUSFN CONTINUED.

570

make him so. I am most unwilling to think that you
will be too severe, but I confess I have my misgivings
lest you should occasionally overlook some slight faults
in the elation of a successful right and left. Filling the
game-bag must be quite secondary to education. Never
hesitate to give up any bird if its acquisition interfere;
with a lesson. Let all that you secure be done accord-
ing to rule, and in a sportsmanlike maimer.

CHAPTER X.

IIBST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. ASSISTANT.

192. It is proper you should be warned that you
must not always expect a dog will " toho " the first day
as readily as I have described, though most will, and
some — especially i/oi".tei*8 — even more quickly, if they
have been previously well-drilled, and have been bred
for several generations from parents of pure blood.

I do not say bred in and in. Breeding in and in, to
a certainty, would enfeeble their intellects as surely as
their constitutions. In this way has many a kennel been
deprived of the energy and endurance so essential in a
iportaman's dog.

193. As in the present instance, it often occurs that u

i! di

I'?

<l-

>« it

580

DOG-BRGAKINO.

dog is less inclined to dash in at first than when he is
more acqmunted with birds. He is suddenly arrested
by the novelty of the soent, and it is not until he \»
folly assured from what it proceeds that he longs to
rush forward and ^ve chase. In autumnal breaking
the dog gets his bird — ^it is killed for him — ^he is satis-
fied— and therefore he has not the same temptation to
rush in as when he is shown birds in the spring.

194. If you find your dog, from excess of delight and
exuberance of spirits, less under general command than
from his initiatory education you bad expected, and
that he will not " toho " steadily at the exact spot at
which you order him, at once attach a checkcbrd to his
collar. It will diminish his pace, and make him more
cautious and obedient. The moment you next see him
begin to feather, get up quickly, but without nmning,
to the end of the cord, and check him with a sudden
jerk, if you are satisfied that game is before him and
that he ought to be pointing. If from his attitude and
manner you are positive that there is game, drive a
spike — or peg — into the ground, and tie the cord to it.
I only hope the birds will remain stationary. If they
do, you can give him a capital lesson by remaining
patiently alongside of him and then heading him and
the birds in the manner before described — 178, 170.

196. As a general rule, an attendant or any compa-
nion cannot be recommended, because he would be likely
to distract a yoang dog's attention ; but an intelligent
fellow who would readily obey your signals, and not

FIBST LESSON IS AUTUMN CONTENUKD.

581

presume to speak, would doubtless, with a very wild
dog, be an advantageous substitute for the spike. Yon
could then employ a longer and slighter ooi'd than usual,
and, on the man's getting hold of the end of it, be at
once free to head and awe the dog. Whenever you
had occasion to stand stillj the man would, of course,
be as immovable as yourself
Your signals to him might be :-^
The gun held up, — " Get near the dog."
Your fist clenched, — " Seize the rope.*»
Your fist shaken, — " Jerk the cord."
Your hand spread open, — " Let go the cord."
Or any signs you pleased, so that you understood each
other without the necessity of speaking.

196. Should it ever be your misfortune to have to
correct in a dog evil habits caused by past mismanage-
ment, such an attendant, if an active, observant fellow,
could ^ve you valuable assistance, for he sometimes
would be able to seize the cord immediately the dog
began " feathering," and generally would have hold of
it before you could have occasion to fire. But the fault
most difficult to cure in an old dog is a bad habit of rang-
ing If, as a youngster, he has been permitted to beat
as his fancy dictated, and has not been instructed in look-
ing to the gun for orders, you will have great, very great
difficulty in reclaiming him. Probably he will have
adopted a habit of running for a considerable distance up
wind, his experience having shoMm him that it is one
way of finding birds, but not having tatight him that

r^^"^

582

DOG-BREAKING.

to seek for them by crossing the wmd would be a
better method.

The great advantage of teaching a dog to point the
instant he is sensible of the presence of birds — 175 — and
of not creeping a foot further until he is directed by you,
is particularly apparent when birds are wild. While
he remains steady, the direction of his nose will lead
you to give a tolerable guess as to their " whereabouts,"
and you and your companion can keep quite wide of
the dog — one on each side, — and so approach the birds
from both flanks. They, meanwhile, finding themselves
thus intercepted in three directions, will probably lie bo
close as to afford a fair shot to at least one gun, for they
will not fail to see the dog and be awed by his presence.
Raise your feet well off the ground to avoid making a
noise. Walk quickly, but with no unnecessary flourish
of arms or gun.

197. You must not, however, too often try to work
round and head your pupil when he is pointing. Judg-
ment is required to know when to do it with advantage.
If the birds were running, you would completely throw
him out, and greatly puzzle and discourage him, for they
probably would then rise out of shot, behind you if they
were feeding up wind, — ^behind him if they were feeding
down wind. Far more frequently make him work out
the scent *by his own sagacity and nose, and lead you up
to the birds, every moment bristling more and more, at
a pace entirely controlled and regulated by your signals.
These being given with your right hand will be more

FIRST LKSSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUKD.

583

apparent to him if you place yourself on his left side.
It is in this manner that you give him a lesson which
will hereafter greatly aid him in recovering slightly
winged birds, — in pressing to a rise the slow-winged,
but nimble-heeled rail, — or in minutely following the
devious mazes through which an old cock pheasant, or
yet more, an old cock grouse, may endeavor to mislead
him. And yet this lesson should not be given before he
is tolerably confirmed at his point, lest he should push
too fast on the scent ; and make a rush more like the
dash of a bocker than the sober, convenient " road " of
a setter. As his experience increases he will thus acquire
the valuable knowledge of the position of his game — he
will lead jrou to the centre of a covey, or what is of
greater consequence — as grouse spread — to the centre
of a pack, — instead of allowing himself to be attracted to
a flank by some truant from the main body, — and thus
get you a good double shot, and enable you effectually
to separate the birds — he will, moreover, become watch-
ful, and sensible of his distance from game — a knowledge
all important, and which, be it remarked, he never could
gjun in turnips, or potatoes, or any thick cover.

198. There is another and yet stronger reason why
you should not consider it a rule always to head your
young dog at his point. You may — although at first
it seems an odd caution to give — make him too stanch.
This, to be sure, signifies less with partridges than
with most birds ; but if you have ever seen your dog
Qom^ to a fixed point, and there, in spite of all yom

(I!

584

DOQ-BRBAKING.

efforts, remain provokingly immovable — plainly tell-
mg you of the vicinity of birds, but that you must
find them out for yourself— your admiration of his
steadiness has, I think, by no means reconciled you to
the embarrassing position in which it has placed you.
I have often witnessed this vexatious display of stanch-
ness, although the owner cheered on the dog in a tone
loud enough to alarm birds two fields oS.

199. A keeper will sometimes praise his dog for such
stanchness ; but it is a great fault, induced probably by
over-severity for former rashness, — and the more diffi*
colt to be cured, if the animal is a setter, from the
crouohiag position he often naturally assumes when
pointing.

^ 200. I here desire to warn you against the too com-
mon error of fancying that a young dog is making false
points if birds do not get up directly. They may have
taken leg-bail, and thus have puzzled him in his inex-
perience. Pogs not cowed by punishment will, after
a little hunting, seldom make false points, while they
are un&tigued. To a certainty they will not draw upon
a &lse point for any distance : therefore, never punish
what is solely occasioned by over-caution. Tour doing
so would but increase the evil. Self-confidence and
experience are the only cures for a &ult that would
be a virtue if not oanied to excess. Even a good dog
will occasionally make a point at larks from over-caution
when birds are wild ; but see the first note to 144.

201. After you have shot over a dog a short time^ hi*

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDBD.

095

manner and attitude will enable you to guess pretty
acourately whether birds are really before him; whether
they are &r off or near ; and whether or not they are on
the move. Generally speaking, the higher he carries his
head, and the less he stiffens his stem, the further off
are the birds. K he begins to look nervous, and become
fidgety, you will seldom be wrong in fancying they
are on the run. But various, and at times most curious,
are the methods that dogs will adopt, apparerUiy with
the wish to show you where the birds are, and certainly
with the desire to get you a shot.

CHAPTER XI.

iXBsr CBBSON itir Axrrtms congludied. bab. ubq tmup.

SPIKB OOLLAJS.

202. Aftbb a few trials you will, I hope, be able
to dispense with the peg recommended in 194, and
soon after with the oheckcord also. But if your dog
possesses unusually lugfa spirits, or if he travels over the
ground at a pace which obvioiiinly precludes his making
a proper usd of his nose, it may be advisable to fasten to
his collar a bar, something like a diminutive splinter-bar,

that it may, by oboasional- knocking against his shins,

9^*

686

DOO-BRBAKINO.

feelingly admonish him to lessen his stride. If he get«
it between his legs and thus finds it no annoyance, attack
it to both sides of his collar from points near the
extremities. One of his forelegs might occasionally be
passed through the collar ; but this plan is not so good
as the other; nor as the strap on the hind leg — 56.
These means — ^to be discarded, however, as soon as
obedience is established — ^are far better than the tempo-
rary ascendancy which some breakers establish by low
diet and excessive work, which would only weaken his
spirits and his bodily powers, without eradicating his self
will, or improving his intellect. You want to force him,
when he is in the highest health and vigor, to learn by
experience the advantage of letting his nose dwell longer
on a feeble scent.

203. I have made no mention of the spiked collar,
because it is a brutal instrument, which none but the
most ignorant or unthinking would employ. It is a
leather collar, into which nails, much longer than the
thickness of the collar, have been driven, with their
points projecting inwards. The French spike-collar is
nearly as severe. It is formed of a series of wooden
balls, — ^larger than marbles, — ^linked — about two and a
half inches apart — ^into a chain by stiff wires bent into the
form of hooks. These sharp pointed hooks punish cruelly
when the checkcord is jerked.

204. We have, however, a more modem description of
collar, which is far less inhuman than either of those
t have mentioned, but still I cannot recommend its

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

687

adoption, unless in extreme cases; for though not so
Beverely, it, likewise, punishes the unfortunate dog, more
or less, by the strain of the checkcord he drags along
the ground: and it ought to be the great object of a
good breaker as little as is possible to fret or worry his
pupil, that all his ideas may be engaged in an anxious wish
to wind birds. On a leather strap, which has a ring at
one end, four wooden balls— of about two inches in
diameter — are threaded like beads, at intervals from
each other and the ring, say, of two inches — the exact
distance being dependent on the size of the dog's throat.
Into each of the balls sundry short pieces of thickish
wire are driven, leaving about one-sixth of an inch
beyond the surface. The other end of the strap — to
which the checkcord is attached — is passed tli rough the
ring. Tliis ring being of somewhat less diameter than
the balls, it is clear, however severely the breaker may
pull, he cannot compress the dog's throat beyond a
certain point. The effect of the short spikes is rather to
crumple than penetrate the skin.

205. I have long been sensible of the aid a spiked
collar would afford in reclaiming headstrong, badly
educated dogs, if it could be used at the moment — and
only at the precise moment when punishment was re-
quired,— ^but not until lately did it strike me how the
collar could be carried so that the attached cord should
not constantly bear upon it, and thereby worry, if not
pain the dog. And had I again to deal with an old
offender, who incorrigibly crept in after pointing, or

L88

DOli-ltUKAKt.VC.

obstinately " rushed into dead," I should leel uiueli
disposed to employ a slightly spiked collar in the Ibllow-
ing manner.

206. That the mere carrying the collar might not
annoy the dog, I would extract or flatten the nails fixed
on the top of the collar, on the part, I mean, that would
lie on the animal's neck. This collar I would place on
his neck, in front of his common light collar. I would
then firmly fasten the checkcord, hi the usual way,
to the spiked collar; but, to prevent any annoyance
from dragging the checkcord, at about five or six inches
from the fastening just made I would attach it to the
common collar, with very slight twine — twine so sliglit
that, although it would not give way to the usual drag of
the checkcord, however long, yet it would readily break
on my having to pull strongly against the wilful i-ush of
an obstinate dog, when, of course, the spikes would
punish him, as the strain would then be borne by the
spiked collar alone.

207. Guided by circumstances, I would afterwards
either remove the spiked coUai", nr, ifl conceived another
bout necessary, refasteii the check, od to the common
collar with some of the thin twine, leaving, as before,
five or six inches of the checkcord loose between the
two collars.

208. If you should ever consider yourself forced to
employ a spiked collar, do not thoughtlessly imagine
that the same collar will suit all dogs. The spikes for a
thin coated pointer ought to be shorter than for a course

FlUST IJiisSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUUKD.

580

haired setter! You can easily construct one to j)uni«h
with any degree of severity you please. Take a conunon
leather collar; lay its inner surface flat on a soft deal
board : through the leather drive with a hammer any
number of tacks or flat-headed nails : then get a cobbler
to sew on another strap of leather at the back of the
uails, so as to retain them firmly in position.

209. I have supposed that your dog has scented the birds
before they rose, bvit if he springs tliem without having
previously noticed them — as in some rare cases happens
even to well-bred dogs — you must bring him back to
the spot at wliich you feel assured that he ought to have
been sensible of their presence, and there make him
"Toho.' Afterwai'ds endeavor to make him aware of
the haunt by encouraging him to sniff at the ground
that the birds have just left. The next time watch very
carefully for the slightest indication of his feathering,
and then instantly call out " Toho." After a few times
he will, to a certainty, understand you.

210. You should kill outright the few first birds at
which you fire. I w^ould infinitely prefer that you should
miss altogether than that one of the two or three first
birds should be a runner. Afterwards you have full
leave to mei'ely wing a bird ; but still I should wish it not
lo be too nimble. This is a good trial oiyour judgment
as well as the dog's. I hope he is to leeward of the
bird, and that it will not catch his eye. See he touches
on the haunt. Do not let him work with his nose to the
ground. " Up, up," must be your encouraging woids,

590

DOO-BREAKINO.

— or "On, on," according to circumstances, — whilst
with your right hand — iv. of 119 — you are alternately
urging and restraining him, so as to make hun advance at
a suitable pace. From his previous education, not being
flurried by any undue dread of the whip, he will be
enabled to give his undisturbed attention, and devote
all his faculties to follow unerringly the reti*eating bird.
But from inexperience he may wander fi-om the haunt.
On perceiving this, bring him, by signals, back to the
spot where he was apparently last aware of the scent.
He will again hit it off. If you view the bird ever
so far ahead, on no account run. I hope you will at
length observe it lie down. Head it, if possible, and
strike it with your whip, if you think you will be unable
to seize it with your hand. Endeavor to prevent its
fluttering away ; — it is too soon to subject the youngster
to such a severe trial of his nerves and steadiness.
Then, — having put the poor creature out of its misery,
by piercing its skull, or rapping its head against your
gun, as before — 180 — show your dog the gratifying
prize which your combined exertions have gained.

211. Should he unluckily have caught sight of the
running bird, and, in spite of all your calls, have rushed
forv/ard and seized it, you ought to have proceeded
as described in 221. Clearly, however, you would not
Jiave dragged the dog back to the place where he
" down charged," but merely to the spot from which he
had made his unlawful rush. If the bird had been very
active, it would havel>een far better to have fired at it a

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

591

second time — while it was running — than to have incurred
the risk of making your dog unsteady by a wild pursuit.
Suppose that it was not winged, but rose again on your
approaching it, and fluttered off, — a hard trial for the
young dog, — you must, however, have made him bear it,
and obey your loud command to " drop," — ^ ou would —
or should — ^have taken another shot, and have proceeded
in exactly the same manner as if this had been your first
find— 179, 180.

212. As the wounded bird was to windward of the dog,
the course to follow was obvious, — it was plain sailing ;
but the case would have varied greatly if the dog had
been to windward. Had you pursued the usual plan, he
must have roaded the bird by the " foot ; " and the
danger is, that in allowing him to do so, you may create
in him the evil habit of hunting with his nose close to
the ground, which is, above all things, to be deprecated.
You have another mode — you can "lift" the dog — I
suppose you know the meaning of that hunting term, —
and make him take a large circuit, and so head the bird,
and then proceed as if it had fallen to Avindward.

213. The latter plan would avoid all risk of your
making him a pottcrer, and it is, I think, to be recommend-
ed, if you find him naturally inclined to hunt low. But
the former method, as a lesson ir. " footing," must be
often resorted to, that he may learn unhositatinij^ly to
distinguish the "heel" from the "toe," and how to push
an old cock-grouse, or to flush a pheasant running
through cover, or the red-legged, I was nearly saying,

i 'i

• H\i

';i

its

ill

I 1

592

DOG-KKEAKING.

the everlasting-legged partridge ; * and, indeed, genei-ally,
how to draw upon his birds, and with confidence lead you
*to a shot, when they are upon the move and running
down wind. — See end of 98 ; and for further directions,
and for "seeking dead" with two dogs, look at 296.
The heavy Spanish pointer, from his plodding per-
severance and great olfactory powers, was an excellent
hand at retrieving a slightly injured bird on a broiling,
bad scenting a ay.

214. "When I advised you — 180 — to let the dog "have
plenty of time to make out the bird," I spoke from per-
sonal experience, and from a vivid recollection of errors
committed in my novitiate. A young hand is too apt to
imagine that every bird which falls to his gun is killed
outright, and lying dead on the spot where it fell. He
will, therefore, often impatiently, and most injudiciously,
call away the dog who, at a little distance, may have
hit-off the trail of the winged bird, and be " footing " it
beautifully.

215. If in these lessons you should lose one or two
wounded birds, though it might not be a matter of any
moment to yourself personally, it would be extremely
vexatious on the dog's account, because, in this early
stage of his education, it would tend to discourage him.
The feeling which you must anxiously foster in him is

* The speed with which one of these extremely beautifal, but in
•very other respect far, far inferior partridges will ruu, when
only slightly wounded, is quite marvellouB.

FIRST LKSSON IN Al TUMN CONCLUDED.

593

this, that after the word " find " * the search must nev er
be relinquished, even though he be constrained to iiunt
from morning till night. And it is clear that to make
an abiding, valuable impression, this lesson must be in-
culcated on the several first occasions with unremitting,
untiring diligence.

216. Persevere, therefore, for an hour, rather than
give up a wounded bird. Join in the search yourself.
Even if you see where it lies, do not pick it up hastily.
On the contrary, leave it, but mark well the spot. Keep
on the move. Hold your gun as if in expectation of a
rise. Pretend to seek for the bird in every direction,
even for a good half hour, if you can encourage your dog
to hunt so long. If, indeed, you see him flag, and get
wearied and dispirited, gradually bring him close, but
to leeward of the spot where the bird lies, in order to
make him "point dead" and be rewarded for all his
diligence by finding it himself. Let him, also, have a
good sniff at it and nose it — but let there be no biting
or mouthing — before you put it into the bag. Other-
wise, what return has he for the pains he has taken ?

217. It is no conclusive argument against the practice
of allowing him to "nose," that many first-rate dogs

♦ The force of the word "Dead" — preceding the command
•'Find" — that joyous, exciting note of triumph — ought never to be
lessened by being employed, as I have heard it, to etimulate a dog
to hunt when no bird is down ; or, like the shepherd-boy's cry of
"Wolf! wolfl" it will have little influence at the moment when it
ihould most auMnote to unremitting exertions.

594

DOa-BRKAKIXG.

have never been so indulged. It is certain that the>
would not have been worse if they had ; and many a
dog, that would otherwise have been extremely slack,
has been incited to hunt with eagerness from having
been so rewarded. There are dogs who, from having
been constantly denied all "touseling," will not even
give themselves the trouble of searching for any bird
which they have seen knocked over, much less think of
pointing it. They seem satisfied with this ocular evi-
dence of its death ; for, odd to say, these very dogs will
often zealously obey the order to hunt for any bird
whose fall they have not noticed; but on winding it
they will indulge in no more than a passing sniflf, — which
sniff, unless you are watchful, you may not observe, and
so lose your bird. Never fail, therefore, to let your pupil
ruffle the feathers a little, while you bestow on him a
caress or kind word of approbation. You then incite to
perseverance, by, even with dogs, a very abiding motive,
— "self-interest;" but mind the important rule, that his
" no^ng " be only tofien the bird is in your possession,
not before it is in your possession. If you wish to esta-
blish for ever a confirmed perseverance in "seeking dead,"
you must sacrifice hours — I say it seriously — rather than
give up any of the first wounded birds. Be persuaded
that every half hour spent in an imremitting search for
one bird, if ultimately successful, will more benefit the
young dog than your killing a dozen to him, should you
bag them the moment you are reloaded. Of course you
nrould not. when you are giving such a lessen in pcrsevo-

FIK8T LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

595

ranee, fire at another bird, even if it sprang at your feet,
— for your doing so, whether you missed or killed, would
unsettle the young dog, and make him relinquish hiii
search. Be stimulated to present exertion by the con-
viction, that if he be not nma well instructed, you must
expect him to lose, season after season, nearly every
bird only slightly disabled by a merely tipped wing.

218. I hope you will not say, as would most of our
neighbors* on the other side of the Channel : " But iij
instead of waiting to load, I had gone after the winged
bird just as it fell, when first I saw it start off running,
the evil you have now spoken of — 216 — could not have
occurred, for there would have been but little risk of
losing it." Probably not, but you would almost have
ruined your dog; and to secure this one bird, in all
likelihood you would subsequently lose a himdred.f
How could you with justice blame him if, when next

* In favor of such unsportsmun-Iike haste they ingeniouely argue
that a continued noise after firing makes birds lie, from attracting
their attention. They say that a sudden change to quiet — and a
great change it must be, for a chasseur is always talking — alarms
the birds. As an evidence of this, they adduce the well-known
fact of its frequently happening that a partridge gets up the
moment the guns have left the spot, though no previous noise had
induced it to stir.

f Had you lost the bird from there being but little scent, it is
probable you might have found it ly renewing your search on your
return homewards in the evening. If a runner, it yrsvld most likely
have rejoined the oov«y.

690

DOG-BREAKING.

yoxi killed, he r ished headlong after the bird — instead
of dropping patiently to the " down charge " — and so
sprung a dozen birds while you were unloaded ?

219. Perhaps you will say, " You tell me to fire at a
running bird, b'lt when a winged cock-pheasant or red-
legged partridge is racing off out of shot, how am I to
get it if I proceed in the slow, methodical manner you
advise? May it nit lea le an unsuccessful dance for
an hour, if I do not allow the dog to shoot ahead and
seize?" It may-- hut T hop*^ Tr^onths will pass before
you witness such agility — and this shows that those who
do not employ a retriever, and yet are sticklers for a
setter's — or pointer's — ^never being permitted to touch a
feather, must on such occasions get into a dilemma;
and, unless they are willing to lose the bird, must plead
guilty to the inconsistency of being pleased — however
loudly they may roar out " Toho," " ware dead," — when
they see their dog, in defiance of all such calls, disable
it by a sudden grip. This plan, though frequently fol-
lowed, cannot bo correct. They blame the dog for
doing what they really wish ! and if he be too tender-
mouthed to injui'e the bird, he keeps them at top speed,
while he is alternately picking up the unfortunate crea-
ture— acting on his natural impulses — and letting it fall,
on being rated. I therefore repeat, that even if you do
not wish your dog constantly to retrieve — 292 — you
would still act judiciously in teaching him as a puppy
to fetch — 86 — for then he will give chase to the winged
bird, and bring it to you on getting the order, instead of

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDKD.

59<

permitting it to escape for a fresh bursty or carrying it
off, as I have seen done. You thus maintain discipline.
The dog will do what you wish, in obedience to ordei's,
— not in opposition to orders. The sticklers for dogs
never being allowed to nose a feather ought, unless they
are quite willing to give up slightly- winged birds, not to
shrink from the difficult task of teaching their pupils
to stop and retain with their paws.

220. We have only spoken of instances 180, 210, 212,
in which all has gone on smoothly, the dog most obe-
diently dropping to shot and permitting you to take up
the bird notwithstanding the poor creature's death-strug-
gles. Suppose, however, and this may probably happen,
that he does not restrain himself at the " down charge,"
but, in spite of all your calls and signals, rushes forward,
yet yields to your menaces and halts in mid-career. It
is well — your coui-se is clear ; you have to lug him back
and threaten and lecture him. But should he not check
himself until he sniffs the game, his stop then becomes a
" point ;" and if he is of a timid disposition, or has ever
evinced any disposition to blink, you dare not force him
to retrace his steps lest he should mistake your motives,
and fancy himself encouraged to abandon his point. If
you merely make him " down charge," you violate the
axiom named in 256. In short you are in a difficulty
It is a nice case, in which your own judgment of the
dog's character can alone decide you,

221. But, if from inadequate initiatory instruction — for
I will maintain that such marked rebellion can arise from

508

DOG-BKBAEINO.

no Other canse — ^in the excitement of the moment he
actually rushes in and seizes the bird, he must be punished,
I am sorry to say it ; but however much we may deplor«j
it, Ae must / for he has been guilty of great disobedience,
and he well knows that he has been disobedient. But thu
temptation was strong, perhaps too strong, for canine
nature — that is to say, for canine nature not early taught
obedience. The wounded bird was fluttering within
sight and hearing — ^it was, too, the first he had ever
seen, — and this is almost his first glaring act of disobe-
dience ; be therefore merciful, though firm. Make him
"drop." Get up to him at once. Probably he will
relinquish his grip of the bird ; if not, make him give it
up to you, but do not pull it from him : that would only
increase the temptation to tear it. Lay it on the ground.
Then drag him back to the spot from which he rushed ;
there make him He down. Rate him. Call out " Toho."*
Crack the whip over him — and, I am pained to add,
make use of it — ^but moderately, not severely. Three or
four cuts will be enough, provided he has not torn the
bird ; if he has, his chastisement must be greater. Let
him now have one nibble without punishment, and soon
a whole carcase will not suffice for his morning's meal.
Do not strike him across the body, but lengthwise. •

222. An ill-tempered dog might attempt to bite yon.
Prevent the possibility of his succeeding, by grasping

» "Toho," rather than "Drop," — your object now being to make
him stand at, and prevent his mouthing game ; for you are satiRfied
(hat he would have " down charged " had the bird been missed

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

599

and twisting his collar mth your left band, still keeijing
him at the "down." Consider coolly whether you are
flagellating a thick-coated dog, or one with a skin not
much coarser than your own. Pause between each cut ;
and, that he may comprehend why he is punished, call
out several times, but not loudly, " Toho — bad — toho,"
and crack your whip. Let your last strokes be milder
and milder, until they fall in the gentlest manner — a
manner more calculated to awaken reflection than give
pain. When the chastisement is over stand close in
front of him, the better to awe him, and prevent his
thinking of bolting. Put the whip quietly in your
pocket, but still remain where you are, occasionally
ratuig and scolding him while you are loading; gra-
dually, however, becoming milder in manner that he
may be sensible that though your dissatisfaction at his
conduct continues, his punishment is over — 241 to 242.
Indeed, if you have any fear of his becoming too timid,
you may at length fondle him a little, provided that
while you so re-encourage him, you continue to say
" Toho — ^toho," most impressively — then, giving him the
wind, go up together to the bird and make him " point
dead " close to it. Take it up, and let him fumble the
feathers before you loop it on the bag.

223. Never let a dog whom you have been forced to
chastise bolt or creep away until you order him. If he
is ever allowed to move off at his wish, he will improve
upon the idea, and on the next occasion will far too
soon anticipate yours. And do not send hira off until

600

DOG-BREAKING.

he has given some evidence of having forgiven you,
and of his desire to be reconciled, by crawling towards
you, for instance, or wagging his tail. On no occasion —
under circumstances of ever such great provocation — be
BO weak or irritable — but I hope you do not need the
warning — as to give him a kick or a blow when he is
going off. He ought to have stood with reassured con-
fidence alongside of you, for perhaps a minute or so,
before you sanctioned his departure; and the severer
his punishment the longer should have been the deten-
tion. You are always to part tolerable friends, while he
feels perfectly convinced that his chastisement is over.
If you do not, you may find it rather difficult to catch
him when he commits another fault. It will be OAving
to your own injudiciousness if he ever becomes afraid of
approaching you afler making a blunder. Sliould he be
so, sit down. He will gradually draw near you ; then
quietly put your hand on his collar.

224. If a man cannot readily get hold of any dog
under his tuition whom he desires to rate or punish, you
may be certain that he fails either in temper or judg-
ment ; perhaps in both. He may be an excellent man,
but he cannot be a good dog-breaker. There are men
who get quite enraged at a dog's not coming instantly to
" heel " on being called. When at length the poor brute
does come within reach, he gets a blow, perhaps a licking
— a blow or licking, he has the sense to see he should
have longer avoided had he stayed longer away. Thus
the punishment increases instead of remedying the evil.

FIRST LEbbON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

001

225. Never correct or even rate a dog, in the mere
belief that he is in error ; be first convinced of his guilt.
If you have good reason to suspect that unseen by you
he has wilfully sprung birds, still rather give him an
earnest caution than any severer rebuke. It is not easy
to repair the mischief occasioned by unjust punishment.
When from his sheepish look, or any other cause, you
imagine that he has raised game, either through heed-
lessness or from their being unusually wild, be sure to give
him a short lecture, and accompany him to the haunt.
A lingering bird may occasionally reward you. If his
manner has led you to form an incorrect opinion, your
warning can have no other efiect than to increase his
caution — rarely an undesirable result ; — and if you are
right the admonition is obviously most j udicious.

226. Let me caution you against the too common
error of punishing a dog by pulling his ears. It has
often occasioned bad canker. Some men are of opinion
that it is frequently the cause of premature deafness.
When you rate him you may lay hold of an ear and
shake it, but not with violence.

227. I would strongly recommend you always to make
your young dog " drop " for half-a-minute or so, when he
sees a hare ; or when he hears a bird rise.* To effect
this, stand still yourself. After a few seconds you can
either hie him on, or, which is yet better, get close to

* Of oonne, with the proviso that he is not pointing at another
bird— 187.

;|>.

602

IlOG-VREAKINti.

him if you expect other birds to spring. You will thus,
especially in potatoes or turnips, often obtain shots at
birds which would have made off, had he continued to
hunt, and early in the season be frequently enabled to
bag the tail-bird of a covey. This plan will also tend to
make him cautious, and prevent his getting a habit of
blundering-up birds, and cunningly pretending not to
have noticed their escape. It will also make him less
inclined to chase hares and rabbits, or rush at a fallen
bird.

228. On approaching a piece of turnips, you may
have heard, " Let us couple up all the dogs excepting
Old Don :" the veteran's experience having shown him,
that the only effect of his thundering through them
would be to scare every bird and make it rise out of
shot. You, on the contrary, when your pupil is well
confirmed in his range, and has some knowledge of his
distance from game, ought to wish the other dogs kept
to " Heel " — especially when the seed has been broad-
cast,— ^that by the word " Care " and the right hand
slightly raised you may instil into him the necessary
caution and so, by judicious tuition, give him the bene-
fit of your own experience. Most probably you would
be obliged to employ the checkcord,* which I presume to
be always at hand ready for occasional use. Or yon
might strap your shot-belt round his throat, for it is

* Lest the cord Bboald cut the tnmip-tops, it might be better to
employ the elastic band spoken of in 66.

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED.

603

essential that he traverse such ground slowly, and gi'cat*
ly contract his range — see 145. The several cross
scents he will encounter should afford him a valuable
lesson in detecting the most recent, and in discriminat*
ing between the " heel and toe " of a run. Be patients,
— give him time to work, and consider what he is about.
It is probable that he will frequently overrun the birds
on ^heir doubling back, and imagine that they are gone.
Should he do so, bring him again on the spot where he
appeared to lose the scent. He now rushes u^) the
adjacent drill. " Slower, slower," signals your right
arm ; " go no faster than I can walk comfortably." On
the other hand, the birds may He like stones. Not
until you have remained nearly a minute alongside
of him let him urge them to rise ; and make him effect
this, not by a sudden dash, but by steadily pressing on
the scent. Bear in mind, as before warned — 143 — that
the confidence with which he can here creep on to a
near find may lead, if he is now mismanaged, to his
springing on jfuture occasions, from want of care, many a
bird at which he ought to get you a shot.

229. If you can contrive it, let your pupil have some
little experience in the field before you give him a real
lesson in " Gone "—or " Flown." Instead of being per-
plexed, he will then comprehend you. Should you,
therefore, during the first few days of hunting him, see
birds make off in lien of taking him to the haunt — as
many breakers erroneously do, — carefully keep him from
the spot. You cannot let him run riot over the reeking

r>-:

* Itt, . .

604

DOG-BREAKING.

8(!ent without expecting him to do the same when next
he finds ; and if, hi compliance with your orders, he
points, you are making a fool of him — ^there is nothing
before him ; and if he dees not fancy you as be-
wildered as himself, he will imagine that the ex-
hilarating effluvia he rejoices in is the sum total you
both seek. This advice, at first sight, may appear to
contradict that given in 111 and 209; but look again,
and you will find that those paragraphs referred to
peculiar cases. Should your young dog be loitering and
snifiing at a haunt which he has seen birds quit, he cannot
well mistake the meaning of your calling out, " Gone,
gone."

CHAPTER Xn.

SHOorma hares, couragk imparted. — " backing "

TAUGHT.

230. Probably you may bo in a part of the country
wh.^re you may wish to kill hares to your dog's point,
I will, therefore, speak about them, though I confess
I cannot do it with much enthusiasm. Ah ! my English
friend, what far happier autumns we should spend could
we but pass them in the Highlands ! Then we should
think little about those villanous hares. "We should direct

, i i '

SHOOTING HARES.

6or>

y .'■-,

the whole undivided faculties of our dogs, to work out
the haunt of the noble grouse.* As for rabbits, I

* A superior dog on grouse more easily becomes good on partridge
than a superior partridge-dog becomes good on grouse. Grouse run
BO much, both when they are pairing, and after the first flight of the
young pack, that a dog broken on them has necessarily great
practice in " roading," — " reading," too, with the nose carried high
to avoid strong heather — a valuable instructor, — whereas the dof
broken on partridge often becomes impatient, and breaks away when
he first finds grouse. The formei* dog, moreover, will learn not
to "break fence," and the necessity of moderating his pace when
hunting stubbles and turnips, sooner than the latter will acquire the
sxtensive fast beat so desirable on heather, where he can work
for hours uninterrupted by hedge, ditch, or furrow ; making casts
to the right and left a quarter of ii mile in length. First impressions
are as strong in puppyhood as in childhood ; therefore the advantage
of having such ground to commence on must be obvious. There are,
however, favored spots in Perthshire, (ko., wheie game so abounds
that close rnr.gers are as necessary as when hunting in England.
Alas I even the grouse-dog will take far too quickly to hedge
buntine and pottering when on the stubbles. It is, of course,
presumed that he is broken from " chasing hare " — a task his
trainer must have found difficult — though none are ever shot to him
— from the few that, comparatively speaking, his pupil could have
Been. Independently, however, of want of pace and practice in
roading, it never would be fair to take a dog direct from the
Lowlands to contend on the Highlands with one habituated to
the latter, — and vice versd, for the stranger would nlways be placed
to £trcat disadvantage. A faint scent of game which the other
would instantly recognise, he would not acknowledge from being
lehoUy unaccustomed to it. Si)metimes, however, a grouse dog
of a ticklish temper will not I ear being constantly enllcil to ui

.1 1

■•an: :.

<t ilil!- :i4b

M
iJI

rfl

606

DOO-BREAKINO.

beg we may have no further acquaintance, if you ever
yven in imagination, shoot them to your young dog.
Should you be betrayed into so vile a practice, you must
resign all hope of establishing in him a confirmed syste<
matic range. He will degenerate into a low potterer,
— a regular hedge-hunter. In turnips he will always be
thinking more of rabbits than birds. It will be soon
enough to shoot the little wretches to him when he is a
venerable grandfather. The youngster's noticing them
— which he would be sure to do if you had ever killed
one to him — might frequently lead to your mis-instructing
him, by earnestly enforcing " Care " at a moment when
you ought to rate him loudly with the command "Ware"
— or " No." But to our immediate subject.

231. Defer as long as possible the evil day of shooting
a hare over him, that he may not get too fond — 65 —
of such vermin — I beg pardon, I mean game — and when

"breaking fence." A fine, free-ran^ng polinter, belonging to one

of the brothers H y, when brought tu an enclosed country,

became quite subdued and dispirited. He could not stand the
rating he received for bounding over the hedges, and he evidently
derived no enjoyment from the sport, though there were plenty
of birds. On returning to the, HighlandF, he quite recovered hin
animation and perseverance He added aiother to the many evi-
dences that dogs are most attached to, and at Aom« on, the kind of
country they first hunted.

[ This note is applicable to the pointer, used to the pinnated grouse
•n the Prairiee, when brought into close shooting en quail, Ac]

H. W. H,

SII00TIK6 HABBS.

607

you do kill one, so manage that he may not see it
put into the bag. On no account let him mouthe it
you want him to love the pursuit of feather more than of
fur, that he may never be taken oflf the faintest scent of
birds by coming across the taint of a hare. I therefore
entreat you, during his first season, if you will shoot
hares, to fire only at those which you are likely to
kill outright; for the taint of a wounded hare is so
strong that it would probably diminish his zeal, and the
sensitiveness of his nose, in searching for a winged bird.

232. The temptation is always gieat to quit for a
strong scent of hare — which any coarse-nosed dog can
follow — a feeble one of birds; therefore it is a very
satisfactory test of good breaking to see a dog, when he
is drawing upon birds, in no way interrupted by a hare
having just crossed before him. If you aim at such
excellence, and it is frequently attained in the Highlands,
it is certain you must not shoot hares over your young
Bter.

233. I hope that he will not see a hare before you have
shot a few birds over him. The first that springs up
near him will test the perfection to which he has attained
in his initiatory lessons. Lose not a moment. It is
most essential to restrain instantaneously the naturally
strong impulse of the dog to run after four-footed game.
Halloo out " Drop " to the extent of your voice, — raise
your hand, — crack your whip, — do all you can to prevent
his pursuing. Of course you will not move an inch.
Should he commence running, thunder out " No," " no."

008

DO(i-BREAKIXG.

If, in spite of everything, he bolts after the hare, you
have nothing for it but patience. It's no use to give
yourself a fit of asthma by following him. You have
only half as many legs as he has — a deficiency you would
do well to keep secret from him as long as possible.
Wait quietly where you are — for an hour if necessary.
You have one consolation, — puss, according to her usual
custom, has run down wind, — your dog has lost sight of
her, and is, I see, with his nose to the ground, givmg
himself an admirable lesson in roading out a haunt.
After a time he will come back looking rather ashamed
of himself, conscious that he did wrong in disobeying,
and vexed with himself from having more than a suspicion
forced upon him, that he cannot run so fast as the hare.
When he has nearly reached you, make him "drop."
Scold him severely, saying, " Ware chase " — a command
that applies to the chase of birds as well as of hares. —
Pull him to the place where he was when first he got
a view of the hare, — make him lie down — rate him well,
— call out " No," or " Hare," or " Ware chase," or any
word you choose, provided you uniformly employ the
same. Sniack the whip and punish him with it, but not
so severely as you did when we assumed that he tore
the bird — end of 221. You then flogged him for two
offences : Hrst, because he rushed in and seized the bird ;
secondly, because he tore it and tasted blood. If you
had not then punished him severely, you could never have
expected hira be tender-mouthed. On the next occji-
siou he might have swallowed the Mrd, feathers and all.

SHOOTING HABKS.

234. Should he persist in running after hares, you must
employ the checkcord. If you see tlie hare, at which he
if* pointing, in its form, drive a peg firmly into the gi-ound,
and attach the cord to it, giving him a few slack ysircJs,
so that after starting off he may be arrested with a
tremendous jerk. Fasten the line to the part of the
spike close to the ground, or he may pull it out.

235. I have known a dog to be arrested in a head-
long chase by a shot fired at him — an act which you
will think yet more reprehensible than the previous
mismanagement for which his owner apparently knew
no other remedy than this hazardous severity.

236. When you are teaching your dog to refrain
from, chasing hares, take him, if you can, where they are
plentiful. If they are scarce, and you are in the neigh-
borhood of a rabbit-warren, visit it occasionally of an
evening. He will there get so accustomed to see the little
animals running about unpursued by either of you, that
his natural anxiety to chase fur, whether it grow on the
back of hare or rabbit, will be gradually diminished.

237. In Scotland there are tracts of heather where
one may hunt for weeks together and not find a hare ;
indeed, it is commonly observed, that hares are always
scarce on those hills where grouse most abound. In
other parts they are extremely numerous. Some sports
men in the Highlands avail themselves of this contrasted
ground in order to break a young dog from " chasing."
They hunt him, as long as he continues fresh, where
there are no hares; and when he becomes tired, they

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DOG-BREAKING.

take him to the Lowlands, where they are plentiful
By then killing a good a any over him, and 8evt*rely
punishing him whenever he attempts to follow, a cure
is often effected in two or three days. In the yet higher
ranges, the mountain-hares, from possessing a peculiarly
strong scent, and not running to a distance, are a severe
trial to the steadiest dog.

238. Killing a sitting hare to your dog's point will
wonderfully steady him from chasing ; but do not fire
until he has remained stanch for a considerable time.
This will show him that puss is far more likely to be
bagged by your firing than by his pursuing.

239. For the same object, — I mean to make your
young dog stanch, — ^I would recommend your killing a
few bi -ds on the ground to his point were it not that
you rarely have the opportunity.

240. When you have made your dog perfectly steady
from chasing you may — supposing you have no retriever
at hand, — naturally enough, inquire how you are to
teach him to follow any hare you may be so unlucky as
merely to wound. I acknowledge that the task is diffi-
cult. I would say, at once resolve to give up every
wounded hare during his first season.* The following
year, provided you find that he remains quite steady, on
your wounding an unfoitunate wretch, encourage your

* This appears extremely cruel ; remember, however, that I en-
treated you to abstain entirely from shooting hares ; but if you
would not make this sacrifice, at least " only to fire at those wUiob
70U were likely to kill outright" — 231.

'-:'. I 'it'

SHOOTING HARES.

611

tl''

dog to pursue it by running yourself after it. When he
gets hold of it, check him if he mauls it, and take it from
him as quickly as possible. As I cannot suppose that
you are anxious to slaughter every hare you see, let the
next two or three go off without a shot. This forbear-
ance will re-steady him, and after a while his own saga*
city and nose — 297 — will show him that the established
usage was departed fi'om solely because puss was severe-
ly struck.

241. As you wish to flog your dog as little as
possible, never go out without your whip, paradoxical
as this may appear. The dog's salutary awe of the im-
plement which he sees in your possession, like a horse's
consciousness of your heel being armed with a spur, will
tend to keep him in order. If your dog is a keen ranger,
you may much spare the whip by making him crouch
at your feet for several minutes after he has committed
a fault. The detention will be felt by him, when he is
all anxiety to be off hunting, as a severe punishment.
If he is a mettlesome, high-couraged animal, he will re-
gard as a yet severer punishment his being compelled
to follow at your heels for half-an-hour, while the othei
dogs are allowed the enjoyment of hunting.

242. Excess of punishment has made many a dog of
good promise a confirmed blinker ; and of far more has
it quenched that keen ardor for the sport, without
which no dog can be first-rate. For this reason, if not
from more humane motives, make it a rule to give but
few cuts ; let them, however, be tolerably severe. Your

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DOG-BRKAKINO.

pupil's recollection of them, when he hears the crack oi
the whip, will prevent the necessity of their frequent
repetition.

243. I knew of a young fellow's purchasing a pointer
of an excellent breed from a gamekeeper for a few shiU
lings merely, as the animal had become so timid from
over-chastisement, that she not only blinked her game,
but seldom quitted the man's heels. The lad had the
good sense to treat the bitch, at all times, with the
greatest kindness: and in order to induce her to hunt, he
used to break off the feet of every bird he killed, and
give them to her to eat along with the sinews. The
plan succeeded so well that she eventually became an
unusually keen and fast ranger. This would be a
hazardous step to take with a dog wanted to retrieve.
There are few, if any dogs who may not be tempted
by hunger to eat game. A gentleman told me, that,
to his great astonishment, he one day saw an olo
tender-mouthed retriever, that he had possessed for
years, deliberately swallow a partridge. Before ho
could get up to the dog even the tail-feathers hiad
disappeared. On inquiry it turned out that, through
some neglect, the animal had not been fed.

244. Some argue that blinking arises from a defective
nose, not from punishment; but surely it is the injudi>
cious chastisement foUownng the blunders caused by a
bad nose that makes a dog, through fear, go to " heel "
when he winds birds. A bad nose may lead to a
dog's running uo birds fr9m not noticing them, but it

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SHOOTING HARES.

613

cannot naturaUy induce him to run away from them.
Possibly he may be worthless from a deficiency in his
olfactory powers ; but it is hard to conceive how these
powers can be improved by a dread of doing mischief
when he finds himself near game. Some dogs that
have been unduly chastised do not even betray them-
selves by running to " heel," but cunningly slink away
from their birds without giving you the slightest inti-
mation of their vicinity. I have seen such instances.
When a young dog, who has betrayed symptoms of
blinking, draws upon birds, Jiead him, if you can, before
you give him the order to " toho :" he will then have
such a large circuit to make, that he will feel the less
tempted to run to your heels.

245. Obedience and intelligence are, as I have already
remarked, best secured by judicious ratings and encou-
ragements— scoldings for bad conduct, — praise, caresses,
and rewards for good. Never forget, therefore, to have
some delicacy in your pocket to give the youngster
whenever he may deserve it. All dogs, however, even
the most fearful, ought to be made able to bear a little
punishment. If, unfortunately^ your dog is constitution-
ally timid — I cannot help saying unfortunately^ though
80 many of the sort have fine noses — the whip must be
employed with the greatest gentleness, the lash being
rather laid on the back than used, until such forbear-
ance, and many caresses before his dismissal, have gra-
dually banished the animal's alarm, and ultimately
enabled you to give him a very slight beating, on his

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614

DOO-BREAKIirO.

misconducting himself, without any danger of making
him blink. By such means, odd as it may sound, you
create courage, and with it give him self-confidence and
range.

246. A judiciously-educated dog will know as well
as you do whether or not he has earned a chastisement,
and many a one is of so noble a natui-e that he Avill not
wish to avoid it if he is conscious that he deserves it.
He will become as anxious for good sport as you are,
and feel that he ought to be punished, if from his own
misconduct he mars it. Indeed, he will not have much
opinion of your sagacity if you do not then give him a
sound rating, or let him have a taste of the lash, though
it matters not how slight. Clearly this feeling, which
it will be right to foster, must have arisen from his belief
that you are always conscious of his actions — 262 —
therefore never check him for coming towards you on
his committing any unseen error. Moreover, when he
has been but a little shot to, you will find that if you
abstain from firing at a bird which through his fault he
has improperly flushed, although in its flight it affords
you an excellent shot, you will greatly vex him; and
this will tend to make him more careful for the future.

247. When, after a few weeks, you perceive that
the youngster has confidence in himself and is likely to
hunt independently, not deferentially following the foot-
steps of an older companion, take out a well-broken dog
with him, that you may have the opportunity of teach-
ing him to " back." Be careful to choose one not given

SHOOTING HARES.

615

to make false points ; for if he commits such mistakes,
your pupil will soon utterlv disregard his pointing.
Select also one who draws upon his birds in a fine,
determined attitude ; not one to whose manner even
you must be habituated to feel certain he is on game.
Be watchful to prevent your dog ever hunting in the
wake of the other, which, in the humility of canine
youth, he probably will, unless you are on the alert to
wave him in a diflferent direction, the moment you
observe him inclined to seek the company of his moro
experienced associate. By selecting a slow old dof»
you will probably diminish the wish of the young one
to follow him ; for it is likely that the youngster's
eagerness will make him push on faster, and so take the
lead.

248. The example for 9, few days — but only for a few
days — of a good stanch dog who is not a hedge-hunter,
— ^has no bad habits, and does not require being called
to— will be advantageous to your inexperienced animal.

249. On the old dog's pointing, catch the eye of the
young one. If you cannot readily do so, and are not
a&aid of too much alarming the birds, call to the old
fellow by name, and desire him to " toho." The order
will make the young one look round, and awaken him
to a suspicion of what is going forward. Hold up your
right arm — stand still for a minute — and then, carrying
your gun as if you were prepared momentarily to fire,
retreat, or move sideways in crab-like fashion toward*
the old dog, continuing your signal to the other to

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616

T>0G-UKKAKiyO.

remain steady, and turning your face to him, so that he
may be restrained by the feeling that your eye ia
constantly fixed upon him. He will soon remark the
attitude of the old dog, and almost intuitively guess its
meaning. Should the old one draw upon his game, still
the other dog must remain stationary. If he advance
but an inch, rate him. Should he rush up — which is
hardly to be expected — at him at once ; — having made
him drop, catch hold of him, and drag him to the place
at which he should have backed — there — if you judge
such strong measures necessary — peg him down until
after you have had your shot and are reloaded. If by
heading the birds you can drive them towards the
young dog, do so ; and aim at the one most likely to
fall near him. Endeavor to make him comprehend
that any sign or word to urge on or retard the leading
dog in no way applies to him. This he will soon
understand, if he has been properly instructed with
an associate in the initiatory lesson described in 45
After you have picked up the bird let him sniff at it.

250. It is most important that the dog which first
winds birds should be allowed to "road" them to a
spring without being flurried, or in any way interfered
with by another dog. Few things are more trying
to your temper as a sportsman, than to see a self^uflScient
cub, especially when birds are wild, creep up to the old
dog whom he observes pointing at a distance, or cautious-
ly drawing upon a covey. The young whipper-snapper
pays no attention to your most energetic signals: you

( , 1

SIIOOTINO HARES.

61'

ire afraid to speak lest you should alarm the birds, and
before you can catch hold of the presumptuous jackanapes,
he not only steals close to the good old dog, but actually
ventures to head him; nay, possibly dares to crawl
on yet nearer to the birds in the hope of enjoying a
more intoxicating sniflf.

251. All dogs but the "finder" should stand wholly
by sight, — just the reverse of pointing. Your dog's
nose ought to have nothing to do with backing. If you
permit it, he will get the abominable habit of creeping up
to his companions in the manner just described — 250 —
when he observes them to be winding birds ; and though
he may not presume to take the lead, nay, even keep
at feo respectful a distance as iu no way to annoy the
"finder," yet a longing to inhale the "grateful steam"
— as that good poet and capital sportsman, Somerville,
terms it — will make him constantly watch the other dogs,
instead of bestowing his undivided attention and faculties
upon finding game for himself. It is quite enough if he
backs whenever you order him, or he accidentally catches
sight of another dog either " pointing" or "roading," and
the less he is looking after his companions, the more
zealously will he attend to his own duties.

252. If you have any fears that the old dog when he is
on birds will not act steadily, should you have occasion
to chide the young one, be careful to give the old dog a
word • pressive of your approval, before you commpr.co
to rate the other.

253. When your youngster is hei'cafter hunted in

mmi

618

DOG-BKEAKING.

company, should he make a pomt, and any intrusive
companion, instead of properly backing him, be im-
pertinently pressing on, the youngster should not be
induced — however great may be the trial upon his
patience and forbearance- -to draw one foot nearer to tue
game than his own knotvledge of distance tells him is
correct ; not even if his friend, or rather, jealous rival,
boldly assumes the front rank. Your pupil will have
a right to look to you for protection, and to expect
that the rash intruder, however young, be at the least
well rated.

254. It is a matter of little moment whether the
" backer " attends to the " down charge," or continues
to back as long as the other dog remains at his point.
It appears, however, best that he should "drop," unless he
isso near that he winds the game, when he would be rather
pointing than backing— and should, consequently, behave
as explained in 18V ; — for the fewer exceptions there are
to general rules the more readily are the rules obsei-ved.

255. Should both dogs make separate points at the
same moment, it is cleai iLat neither can back the other.
They must act independently — each for himself. More-
over, your fii"ing over one should not induce the other to
" down charge," or in any way divert his attention from
his own birds. He ought to remain as immovable as a
statue. Some dogs, whose high courage has not been
damped by over-correction, will do this from their own
sagacity; but to enable you to teach theip to behave
thus steadily, game -hould be plentiful. When you are

*'»

HINTS TO PURCHASERS.

619

lucky enough to observe both dogs pointing at the same
time, let your fellow-sportsman — or your attendant —
flush and fire at the birds found by the older dog, while
yoa remain stationary near the young one, quietly
but earnestly cautioning him to continue firm. When
your companion has reloaded and picked up his game
— and made the other dog "back," — let him join you
and knock over the bird at which your pupil is pointing.
It will not be long before he — your young dog — under-
stands what is required of him, if he has been practised
— as recommended in 187 — not to " down charge " when
pointing unsprung birds. In short, it may be receired
as an axiom, that nothing ought to make a dog voluntarily
relinquish a point so long as he winds birds; and
nothing but the wish to continue his point should make
him neglect the " doicn charge " the instant he hears the
near report of a gun.

CHAPTEIi XIII.

HINTS TO PURCHASERS, SHEEP KILLING.

256. When your dog has been properly taught the
" back," fail not to recommence hunting him alone, if it
is your object to establish a perfect range.

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ii.

620

DOG-BREAKING.

257. Professional dog-breakers, I have remarked,
almost invariably hunt too many dogs together. This
arises, I suppose, from the number which they have
to train ; but the consequence is, that the younger dogs
are spectators rather than actors, and, instead of ranging
independently in search of game, are watching the
manoeuvres of their older associates.

258. A glimmering of knowledge may be picked
up in this way ; but no one will argue that it is likely to
create great excellence. Doubtless the young ones will
be good backers ; and to the inexpeiienced a troop of
perhaps a dozen dogs, all in chiselled form, stanchly
backing an old leader, is a most imposing sight — but
if the observer were to accompany the whole party for a
few hours, he would remark, I will bet any money, that
the same veterans would over and over again find the
birds, and that the ^'•perfectly " broken young ones in the
rear would do nothing but " back " and " down charge."
What can they know of judicious quartering? Of
obeying the signals of the hand ? Of gradually drawing
upon the faintest token of a scent — only perceptible to a
nose carried high in the air — until they arrive at a
confident point ? Of perseveringly working out the foil
of a slightly-winged bird, on a hot still day, to a sui-e
"find ? " Nothing, or next to nothing, — ^nearly all is to
be taught ; and yet the breaker will show oif those raw
recruits as perfectly drilled soldiers. Would they not
have had a much better chance of really being so, if he
had given a small portion of his time each day to each ?

HINTS TO PUBCHASERS

621

He well knows they would; but the theatrical display
would not be half so magnificent. If he had truly
wished to give his pupils a good systematic range,
without a doubt he would have devoted one hour in the
field exclusively to each dog, rather than many hours to
several at once — and not have associated any together in
the field until he had gained full command over each
separately. And this he would have done — because it
toould have tended to Ms interest^ — had he supposed that
his dog's qualifications would be investigated by judges
— ^by those who would insist on seeing a dog hunted
singly — in order to observe his method of i*anging, — or
with but one companion, before they thought of defi-
nitively purchasing.

269. At the beginning of a partridge season, I unex-
pectedly wanted to purchase a dog. An old gamekeeper
— one on whose judgment I could rely, and who, I knew,
would not willingly deceive me, — saw a setter in the
field that he thought w^ould please, and accordingly sent
it to my kennel. I greatly liked ti looks of the animal.
He quartered his ground well — was obedient to the
hand — carried a high and apparently tender nose —
pointed, backed, and down-charged steadily. Unques-
tionably he had been well broken. I thought myself in
great luck, and should not have hesitated to complete
the purchase, but that fortunately I had an opportunity
of shooting a bird over him, when to my horror he
rushed at it with the speed of a greyhound. As, in spite
of all my remonstrances, shouted in the most determined

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DOO-BBBAKIKG.

manner, he repeated this manoeuvre whenever a bird fell,
I returned him. I afterwards heard he had just heen
shot over by a party on the moors, who, no doubt,
had spoilt him by their ignoble, pot-hunting propen-
sities.

260. Had I chosen to sacrifice my shooting in order to
reclaim him — which I must have done, had I too hastily
concluded the purchase, — ^I ought to have sent home the
other dogs, and proceeded, but with greater severity,
much in the manner described in 220 and 222. I ought
not, however, to have gone after him when first he bolted;
I ought merely to have endtavored to check him with
my voice, for it would have been most important to set
him a good example by remaining immovable myselfj
and he might have misconstrued any hasty advance
on my part into rivalship for possession of the bird ; in
short, into a repetition of one of the many scrambles to
which he had recently been accustomed, and in which I
feel sure he must invariably have come off victorious.
I ought, when loaded, to have walked calmly up to him,
and, without taking the slightest notice of the disfigured
bird, have dragged him back, while loudly rating him, to
the spot where he should have " down charged." After
a good flagellation — a protracted lecture — and a long
delay, — the longer the better, — I ought to have made
him cautiously approach the bird ; and by a little scolding,
and by showing him the wounds he had inflicted, have
striven to make him sensible and ashamed of his enormi*
ties. Probftbly, too, had th6 birds lain well, the moment

HINTS TO PURCHASERS.

628

ho pointed I should have employed the checkcord*
with a spike, giving him a liberal allowance of slack line
— 234. Had I thus treated him throughout the day,
I have little doubt but that he would have become a
reformed character; though an occasional outbreak
might not unreasonably have been expected. See 206 to
208.

261. To create a feeling of self-dependence, obviously
there is no better plan than for a considerable time to take
out the dog by himself and thus force him to trust for
sport to his own unaided powers; and when he is at length
hunted in company, never to omit paying him the com-
pliment of attending to every indication he evinces
of being upon birds, even occasionally to the unfair
neglect of confirmed points made by the other dogs.

262. I conceive those dogs must be considered the
beat which procure a persevering sportsman most : hots
in a season and lose him fewest winged birds.f If you
are anxious for your pupil to attain this superlative ex-
cellence,— I will repeat it, at the risk of being accused

* I am glad to say I have never had occasion to adopt so severe a
remedy as the following ; but I have heard of an otherwise incorri-
gible taste for blood being cured by a partridge pierced transversely
with two knitting-pins being adroitly substituted for the fallen bird
which the dog had been restrained by a checkcord from bolting.
The pins were cut to a length somewhat less than the diameter
of its body, and were fixed at right angles to one another. Several
•light wires would, I think, have answered better.

f And if hav*es are shot to him, fewest wounded hares.

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DOO-BBBAKING.

of tautology, — ^you must be at all times consistently
strict but never severe. Make him as much as you can,
your constant companion; you will thereby much de-
velope his intelligence, and so render him a more efficient
assistant in the field, for he will understand your man-
ner better and better, and greatly increase in affection
as well as observation. Many men would like so faith-
ful an attendant. Teach obedience at home — to obtain
it in the field. Consider the instantaneous " drop," the
moment he gets the signal, as all-important, — as the
very key-stone of the ai'ch that conducts to the glorious
triumphs of due subordination. Notice every &ult, and
check it by rating, but never punish with the whip
unless you judge it absolutely necessary. On the other
hand, following Astley's plan — 10 — ^reward, or at least
praise, every instance of good behavior, and you will
be surprised how quickly your young dog will compre-
hend your wishes, and how anxious he will be to com-
ply with them. Remember that evil practices, un-
checked until they become confirmed habits^ or any
errors in training committed at the commencement of
his education, cannot be repaired afterwards without
tenfold — nay, twentyfold — trouble. Never let him
hunt from under your eye. Unceasingly endeavor to
keep alive in him as long as possible his belief that you
are intuitively aware as fully when he is out of sight as
within sight of every fault he commits, whether it arise
from wilfulness or mere heedlessness. This is a very
important admonition. Remember, however, that the

HINTS TO PUBCUASEBS.

625

best dogs will occasionally make mistakes when they
are running down wind — especially if it blows hard, —
and that there are days when there is scarcely any scent.
—Note to 128.

263. Attend most careAiUy to the injunction not to
let your dog hunt out of sight. It is essential that
you do so.

264. Notwithstanding Beckford's capital story of the
hounds making a dinner of the old ram which his lord-
ship had lefb in their kennel to intimidate them, if your
dog be unhappily too fond of mutton or lamb of his own
killing, perhaps no better cure can be attempted, provided
you superintend the operation, than that of muzzling
him, and letting a strong ram give him a butting at the
time that you are administering the lash, and hallooing
out " Ware " or " Sheep." But, unfortunately, this too
often fails.

266. If you do not succeed, you must hang or drown
him, — the latter is probably the less painful death, but a
charge of shot well lodged behind the ear in the direc-
tion of the brain would be yet better. Therefore you will
not mind giving him another chance for his Ufe, though
confessedly the measure proposed is most barbarous.
Procure an ash-pole about five feet long. Tie one extre-
mity of the pole to a strong ram, by the part of the horns
near the forehead. To the opposite extremity of the pole
attach a strong spiked collar, and strap it round the dog's
throat, to the audible tune of " Ware »' or " Sheep."
To prevent the possibility of the cord slipping,

.11

m
■■f

626

DOG-BREAKING.

through each end of the pole bum a hole. The con
tinned efforts of the ram for some hours either to free
himself from his strange companion, or to attack him,
will possibly so worry and punish the dog as to give
him a distaste ever afterwards for anything of a woolly
nature. The pole will so effectually separate these
nnwilling — ^but still too intimate — associates, that you
need not muzzle the dog.

266. There is yet another remedy, which I will name,
as it sounds reasonable,- though I cannot speak of its
merits from personal observation, never having seen it
tried.

267. Wrap a narrow strip of sheep-skin, that has
much wool on it, round the dog's lower jaw, the wool
outwards, and fasten it so that he cannot get rid of it.
Put this on him for a few hours daily and there is a
chance that he will become as thoroughly disgusted
as even you could wish, with every animal of the race
whose coat furnished such odious mouthfuls ; but
prevention being better than cure, pay great attention
to your dog's morals during the lambing season. Dogs
not led away by evil companionship rarely commence
their depredations upon sober full-grown sheep. In
ninety-nine cases out of a hundred,* they have previously
yielded to the great temptation of running down some

* In the remaining odd caBe->one oat of a hundred — thepropen-
Bity may be traced to the animal's belongbg to a yioioos stook'— •
in Bhortt to hereditary instinei

HINTS TO PUBCHASEBS.

fi27

frisking Iamb, whose animated gambols seemed to comi
pursuit.

268. If ever you have fears that you may be un.
able to prevent a dog's breaking away to worry sheep,
hunt him in a muzzle of a size that will not interfere
with his breathing, and yet effectually prevent the wide
extension of his jaws.

269. The killing of fowls is more easily prevented.
The temptation, though equally frequent, is not so
great — ^he will only have tasted blood, not revelled in
it. Take a dead fowl — one of his recent victims, if
you can procure it — and endeavor, by pointing to it,
while you are scolding him, to make him aware of the
cause of your displeasure. Then secure him to a post,
and thrash him about the head with the bird, occa-
sionally favoring his hide with sundry applications of
a whip, and his ears with frequent repetitions of the
scaring admonition, " Ware fowl,'* " Fowl — ^fowl — fowl."
Whenever you afterwards catch him watching pout
try, be sure to rate him.

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DOG-BBBAKma.

CHAPTER XIV.

DISTINQTnSHINO WHISTLES. "BACKING" THB GUN. BB-
TBEAT FBOM AND BESUMPTION OF POINT. BANGS UNAC
OOKPANIED BY GUN. HBAOING BUNNING BIBDS.

A DISTINGUISHING WHISTLE FOB EACH DOG.

271. Though you may have only begun to shoot
last season, have you not often wished to attract the
attention of one of your two dogs, and make him
hunt in a particular part of the field, but for fear of
alarming the birds, have been unwilling to call out
his name, and have felt loath to whistle to him, lest
you should bring away at the same time the other
dog, who was zealously hunting exactly where you
considered him most likely to find birds ?

272. Again: have the dogs never been hunting
close together instead of pursuing distinct beats; and
has it not constantly happened, on your whistling
with the view to separate them, that both have turned
their heads in obedience to the whistle, and both on
your signal changed the direction of their beat, but
still the two together? And have you not, in despair
of ever parting them by merely whistling and sig-
nalling, gwen the lucky birds — apparently in the most
bandsome manner, as if scorning to take any ungenerous

DISTINGUISUINQ WHISTLES.

629

advantage — ^fair notice of the approach of the guns b^
shouting out the name of one of the dogs.

273. Or, if one dog was attentive to the whistle,
did he not gradually learn to disregard it from ob-
serving that his companion was never chidden for
neglecting to obey it? — and did not such laxity
more and more confirm both in habits of disobe-
dience ?

274. I believe several of my readers will be con-
strained to answer these questions in the affirmative;
and, further, I think their own experience will remind
them of many occasions, both on moor and stubble
when birds were wild, on which they have wished to
attract the notice of a particular dog — perhaps running
along a hedge, or pottering over a recent haunt; or
hunting down wind towards marked game — by whis-
tling instead of calling out his name, but have been
unwilling to do so, lest the other dogs should likewise
obey the shrill soimd to which all were equally ac-
customed.

276. Now, in breaking young dogs, you could, by
using whistles of dissimilar calls, easily avoid the
liability of these evils ; and by invariably employing
a particular whistle for each dog to summon him
separately to his food — 29 — each would distinguish his
own whistle as surely as every dog knows his owii
master's whistle, and as hounds learn their names.
Dogs not only know their own names, but instantly
know by the pronunciation when it is uttered by

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630

D06-BRSAKINO.

a Stranger. To prevent mistakes, each dog's name
might be marked on his own whistle. You might
have two whistles, of very different somid, on one
short stock. Indeed, one whistle would be sufficient
for two dogs, if you invariably sounded the same two
or three sharp short notes for one dog, and as in-
variably gave a sustained note for the other. Nay,
the calls could thus be so diversified, that one whistle
might be used for even more than two dogs.

But whatever whistle you choose to employ, be
sure, both in and out of the field, to sound it softly
whenever the dog is near you. Indeed, you would
act judiciously to make it a constant rule, wherever
he may be, never to wnistle louder than is really re-
quisite^ otherwise — as I think I before remarked — he
will, comparatively speaking, pay little attention to
its summons, when, being at a distance, he hears it
but fiiintly.

TO BACK TELE GUN.

276. In shooting, especially late in the season, yon
will often mark down a bird, and feel assured that
you stand a better chance of getting a shot at it if
the dogs cease hunting whilst you approach it. You
can teach your dog to do this by holding up your
right hand behind you when you mark down a bird,
saying at the same time, " Toho," in an earnest, quiet
voice, and carrying your gun as if you were prepared
to shoot. He will soon begin, I really must say it

OIST1NGUI8HING WHISTLES.

631

to hack yow, — for lie actually will be backing you,
ludicrous as the expression may sound. After a few
times ho will do so on the signal, without your
speaking at all ; and he will be as pleased, as excited,
and as stanch, as if he were backing an old dog.
Making him " drop " will not effect your object , for,
besides that it in no way increases his intelligence,
you may wbh him to follow at a respectful distance,
while you are stealing along the banks of some
stream, &c. Ere long he will become as sensible as
yourself that any noise would alarm the birds, and
you will soon see him picking his steps to avoid the
crisp leaves, lest their rustling should betray him. I
have even heard of a dog whose admirable caution occa-
sionally led him, when satisfied that his point was ob-
served, to crawl behmd a bush, or some other shelter,
to screen himself from the notice of the birds.

277. The acquisition of this accomplishment —and it
is easily taught to a young dog previously made steady
in backing another — it should not be attempted before
— will often secure you a duck, or other wary bird, which
the dog would otherwise, almost to a certainty, spring
out of gun-shot. If you should " toho " a hare, and
wish to kill one, you will have an excellent opportunity
of practising this lesson.

278. In America there is a singular duck, called, from
its often alighting on trees, the Wood-duck. I have
killed some of these beautiful, fast-flying birds, while-
they were seated on logs overhanging the water, which

if 1;

hs..

632

DOG-BREAKING.

I could not have approached within gun-shot had the
dog not properly backed the gun when signalled to,
and cautiously crept after me, still remaining far hi the
rear.

TO BETREAT FROM A POINT AND BESUME IT.

279. Amidst coppices, osiers, or broom — indeed, some
times on a rough moor — you will occasionally lose sight
of a dog, and yet be unwilling to call him, feeling assured
that he is somewhere steadily pointing ; and being vexa-
tiously certain that, when he hears your whistle, he will
either leave his point, not subsequently to resume it, or
— which is far more probable — amuse himself by raising
the game before he joins you. There are moments when
you would give guineas if he would retreat from his point,
come to you on your whistling, lead you towards the
bird, and there resume his point.

280. This accomplishment — and in many places abroad
its value is almost inappreciable — can be taught him,
if he is under great command, by your occasionally
bringing him in to your heel from a point when he
is within sight and near you, and again putting him
on his point. You will begin your instruction in this
accomplishment when the dog is pointing quite close
to you. On subsequent occasions, you can gradually
increase the distance, until you arrive at such perfection
that you can let him be out of sight, when you call him.
When he is first allowed to be out of yoi'7 sight, he
ought not to be far from you.

' 1

DISTIXGUISHING WHISTLES.

633

281. You may, for a moment, think that what is hero
recommended contradicts the axiom laid down in 255 ;
but it is there said, that nothing ought to make a dog
" voluntarily " leave his point. Indeed, the possession
of this accomplishment, so far from being productive of
any harm, greatly awakens a dog's intelligence, and
makes him perceive, more clearly than ever, that the
hole object for which he is taken to the field is to obtain
shots for the gun that accompanies him. When he is
pointing on your side of a thick hedge, it will make him
understand why you call him off; — take him down wind,
and direct him to jump the fence : he will at once go to
the bird, and, on your encouraging him, force it to rise
on your side.

282. You will practise this lesson, however, with great
caution, and not before his education is nearly completed,
lest he imagine that you do not wish him always to
remain stanch to his point. Indeed, if you are precipitate,
or injudicious, you may make him blink his game.

283. After a little experience, he will very likely some
day satisfactorily prove his consciousness of your object,
by voluntarily coming out of thick cover to show you
where he is, and again going in and resuming his point.

I::-

' \ !

' ii'

TO HUNT REGULARLY FROM LEEWARD TO WINDWARD
WITHOUT THE GUN.

284. In paragraph 147 I observed, that when you are
obliged, as occasionally must be the case, to enter a
field to windward with your pupil, you ought to .cfl

6S4

DOG-BREAKING.

do\^'n to the leeward side of it, keeping him close to your
heels, before you commence to hunt. After undeviating-
ly pursuing this plan for some time, you can, before you
come quite to the bottom of the field, send him ahead—
by the underhand bowler's swing of the right-hand, ly.
of 119, — and, when he has reached the bottom, signal to
him to hunt to the right — or left. He will be so ha-
bituated to work under your eye — 130 — that you will
find it necessary to walk backwards — up the middle
of the field, — while instructing him. As he becomes,
by degrees, confirmed in this lesson, you can sooner and
sooner send him ahead — from your heel — but increase
the distances very gradually, — until at length he will be
so far perfected, that you may venture to send him down
wind to the extremity of the field — before he commences
beating, — while you remain quietly at the top awaiting
his return, until he shall have hunted the whole ground,
as systematically and carefully as if you had accompanied
him from the bottom. By this method you will teach
him, on his gaining more experience, invariably to run to
leeward, and hunt up to windward — crossing and re-
crossing the wind — whatever part of a field yo i and he
may enter. What a glorious consummation ! and it can
be attained, l>ut only by great patience and perseverance.
The least reflection, however, will show you that you
rihould not attempt it until the dog is perfected in hie

range.

285. A careful dog, thus practised, will seldom spring
birds, however directly be may be running down wind.

DISTIXaUISHIXG WHISTLES.

635

He will pull up at the faintest indication of a scent,
being at all times anxiously on the look-out for the
coveted aroma.

286. Not only to the idle or tired sportsman wo ild it
be a great benefit to have a field thus beaten, but the
keenest and most indefatigable shot would cxj»erience its
advantages in the cold and windy weather customary in
November, when the tameness of partridge-shooting
cannot be much complained of; for the birds being
then ever ready to take wing, surely the best chance, by
fill I- means, of getting near them would be to intercept
thv m between the dog and yourself.

287. Here the consideration naturally arises, whether
dogs could not be taught — when hunting in the ordinary
manner with the gun in the rear —

TO HEAD RUNNING BIKDS.

Certainly it could be done. There have been many
instances of old dogs spontaneously galloping off, and
placing themselves on the other side of the covey —
which they had pointed — as soon as they perceived that
it was on the run, — and by good instruction you could
develope or rather excite, that exercise of sagacity.

288. If dogs are taught to " hunt fi-om leeward to
windward without the gun," they become habituated
to seeing game intercepted between themselves and
their masters, — and then their spontaneously heading
running birds — though undeniably evincing great intelli-
gence— would not be very reman^nble. They w 3uld

6.36

i»(k;-brkakixg.

but reverse matters by placing themselves to windward
of the birds while the gun was to leeward. This shows
that the acquisition of that accomplishment would be a
great step towards securing a k.:owiedge of the one we
are now considering. Indeed there seems to be a
mutual relation between these two refinements in educa-
tion, for the possession of either would greatly conduce
to the attainment of the other.

289. This accomplishment — and hardly any can be
considered more useful — is not so difficult to teach an
intelligent dog as one might at first imagine ; it is but
to lift him, and make him act on a larger scale, much in
the manner described in 212 and 296. Like, howevei",
everything else in canine education — indeed, in all edu-
cation— ^it must be effected gradually ; nor should it be
commenced before the dog has had a season's steadying ,
then practise him in heading every wounded bird, and en-
deavor to make him do so at increased distances. When-
ever, also, he comes upon the "heel" of a covey which is
to leeward of him — instead of letting him " foot " it —
oblige him to quit the scent and take a circuit — sinking
the wind — so as to place himself to leeward of birds.
Ho will thereby head the covey ^ and you will have every
reason to hope that after a time his own observation and
intellect will show him the advantage of thus intercept-
ing birds and stopping them wh i they are on the run,
whether the manoeuvre places him to leeward or to
windward of them.

200. If you could succeed in teaching but one of

DISTINGUISHING WHISTLES.

637

your dogs thus to take a wide sweep when he is ordered,
and head a running covey before it gets to the extremity
of t'le field — while the other dogs remain near you —
you would be amply rewarded for months of extra
trouble in training, by obtaining shots on days wheu
good sportsmen, with fair average dogs, would hardly
pull a trigger. And why should you not? Success
would be next to certain if you could as readily place
your dog axactly where you wish, as shepherds do their
collies. And whose fault will it be if you cannot ?
Clearly not your dog's, for he is as capable of receiving
instruction as the shepherd's.

291. Manifestly it would be worth wliilo to take
great pains to teach this accomplishment, for in all
countries it would prove a most killing one wheu birds
become wild ; and it. would be found particularly useful
wherever the red-legged partridge abounds, — which
birds you will find do not lie badly when the coveys
are, by any means, well headed and completely broken.
But there are other accomplishments nearly as useful as
those already detailed; the description oi ihem, however,
we will reserve for a separate Chapter,

1- ' <■

638

l)0(;-I".KKAKrX«.

CHAPTER XV.

BSTTTER TO EETRIEVK. BT,OODlIOUNDS. RWrKLEViiRS TO

"beat." wounded wit-d fowl reteteved first,
setter to retrieve. ^

292. Undejciarly there is some value in the extra
number of shots obtained by means of highly-broken
dogs ; and nearly as undeniable is it that no man, who
is not over-rich, will term that teaching superfluous
which enables him to secure in one dog the services
of two. Now, I take it for granted — as I cannot suppose
you ai-e willing to lose matiy head of killed game — ^that
you would be glad to be always accompanied in the field
by a dog that retrieves. Unless you have such a com-
panion, there will be but little chance of your often
securing a slightly winged bird in turnips. Indeed, in all
rough shooting, the services of a dog so trained are
desirable to prevent many an unfortunate hare and
rabbit from getting away to die a painful, lingering
deatli ; and yet, if the possession of a large kennel is
ever likely to prove half as inconvenient to you as it
would to me, you would do well, according to my idea
of ilie matter, to dispense with a regular retriever,
provided you have a highly-broken setter who retrieves
well.

SETIER TO RETRIEVE;.

639

293. I say setter rather than pointer, not on account
if his more affectionate, and perhaps more docile dis^
position — for certainly he is less liable to sulk under
mnishment, — but because, thanks to his long coat, he
vill be able to work in any cover, and that from nature

.le "roads" quicker.

I must, however, plead guilty — for many good sports-
men will think I evhice bad taste — to a predilection for
setters — meaning always cautious setters — a partiality,
perhaps, attributable to having shot more over wild,
uncertain ground than in well-stocked preserves. Doubt-
less, in a very iuciosed country, where game is abundant,
pointers are preferable, far preferable, — more especially
should there be a scarcity of water ; but for severe and
fast work, and as a servant of all work, there is nothing,
I humbly conceive, like the setter. He may be, and
generally is, the more difficult to break; but, when
success has crowned your efforts, what a noble, enduring,
sociable, attached animal you possess. I greatly, too,
admire hisj long, stealthy, blood-like action, — for I am
not speaking of the large heavy sort before which in old
days whole coveys used to be netted, — and the animated
waving of his stern, so strongly indicative of high
breeding ; though strange to say, in gracefulness of
carriage, the fox, when hunting, and actually on game,
far excels him. But we are again getting astray beyond
our proper limits ; let us keep to the subject of dog«
breaking.

294. As it will be your endeavor, during your pupil's

640

DOG-BREAKING.

first season, to make him thoroughly stanch and steady^
I cannot advise you, as a general rule — liable, of course,
to many exceptions — one of which is named in 219 — to
let him retrieve — by retrieve I always mean fetch —
until the following year. There is another advantage in
the delay. His sagacity will have shown him that
the design of every shot is to bag the game — when,
therefore, he has once been permitted to pick up a bird,
he will be desirous of carrying it immediately to you, and
will resist the temptation to loiter with it, mouthing and
spoiling it ; and however keenly he may have heretofore
" sought dead," he will henceforth search with redoubled
zeal, from the delight he will experience in being per-
mitted to carry his game. Moreover, the season's shoot-
ing, without lifting, will have so thoroughly confirmed
him in the " down charge," that the increased* inclination
to bolt off in search of a falling bird will be successfully
resisted. If he has been taught while young to " fetch "
— 92, 94, <fec., — he will be so anxious to take the birds to
you, that instead of there being any difficulty in teaching
him this accomplishment, you will often, during his first
season, have to restrain him from lifting when he is
"pointing dead." The least encouragement will make
him gladly pick up the birds, and give them, as he ought,
to no one but yourself.
295. You need hardly be cautioned not to let mora

• "Increased:" the gratification of carrying being fir greatdt
than that of merely " pointing dead."

SET _ It TO REl'RIEVE.

641

than one dog retrieve the same bird. With more dogs
than one the bird would, almost to a certainty, be torn j
and if a dog once becomes sensible of the enjoyment he
would derive in pulling out the feathers of a bird, you
will find it difficult to make him deliver it up before
he has in some way disfigured it. If you shoot with
several dogs that retrieve, be careful always to let the
dog who finds the game be the one to bring it. It is but
fair that he should be so rewarded, and thus all will be
stimulated to hunt with increased diligence.

296. If the dog that found the covey be not able
to wind the bu-d you have shot, make one of the
other dogs take a large circuit. The latter may thus,
without interfering with the first dog, come upon the
bu-d, fehould it have run far. Send him in the di-
rection the covey has taken — the chances are great
that the bird is travelling towards the same point. By
pursuing this plan, obviously there will be much less
chance of your losing a bird than if you allow the
dogs to keep close together while searching. — See
abo 98.

297. Do not think that by making your setter lift —
after his first season — instead of " pointing dead," there
will be any increased risk of his raising unsprung birds.
The difierence between the scent of dead or wounded
game, and that of game perfectly uninjured, is so
vast, that no steady, experienced dog will fail to point
any fresh bird he may come across whilst seeking for
that Avhich is lost

042

DOG-BREAKINa.

As a proof of this I may mention thai,

298. In North America I once saw, lying on the
ground, three snipe, which a pointer, that retrieved,
had regularly set one after the other, having found a
couple on his way to retrieve the first, and which ho
afterwards brought in succession to his master, who had
all the time governed the dog entirely by signs, never
having been obliged to use his voice beyond saying, in
a low tone, " Dead," or " Find." I remember, also,
hearing of a retrieving setter that on one occasion
pointed a fresh bird, still retaining in her mouth the
winged partridge which she was carrying, — and of a
pointer who did the same when he was bringing a
hare ; there must, too, be few sportsmen who will not
admit that they have found it more difficult to make
a dog give up the pursuit of a woimded hare than of
one perfectly iminjured. I know of a sportsman's
saying he felt certain that the hare his retriever was
coursing over the moors must have been struck,
although the only person who had fii'ed stoutly main-
tained that the shot was a regular miss.* The owner
of the dog, however, averred that this was impossible,
as he never could get the discerning animal to follow

* I retaiu this anecdote because every one of the occvrrencea
related has happened to myself. The first inany times in the
United States ; the second once in the United States when my dog
Chavee pointed a fresh woodcock with a dead bird in his mouth,
and a winged bird luider his fore paw; the last, many times
in England over in ol'l Russian setter, Charm. — H. W. H.

SETTER TO RKTRIEVE.

Gtn

any kind of unwounded game; and, on the other hand,
that no rating would make him quit the pursuit of
injured running feather or fur. The retnever's speedy
return with puss, conveniently balanced between his
jaws, bore satisfactory testimony to the accuracy of
both his own and hi« master's judgment.

299. Some good sportsmen maintain that a retrieving
setter — or pointer — on finding a dead bird ought to
point it until desired to lift it. This training they
hold to be advisable, on the ground that it conduces
to the dog's steadiness by diminishing his wish to run
forward on seeing a bird fall ; but the plan has neces-
sarily this evil consequence, that should the setter,
when searching for the dead bird, come across and
point, as he ought, any fresh game, on your telling him
to fetch it — as you naturally will — he must spring it if
he attempt to obey you. Surely this m ould tend more
to unsteady him than the habit of lifting his dead
birds as soon as found? Your dog and you ought
always to work in the greatest harmony — in the
mutual confidence of your, at all times, thoroughly
understanding each other — and you should carefully
avoid the possibility of ever perplexing him by giving
him any order it is out of his power to obey, however
much he may exert himself. Moreover, if you teach
your retrieving setter to "point dead," you at once
relinquish — surely unnecessarily ? — all hope of ever
witnessing such a fine display of sagacity and steadi-
ness as has just been related in the first part of 298.

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300. If you object to a setter's being taught to
lift on the ground that it will make the other dogs
jealous, pray remember that the argument has equal
force against the employment of a regular retriever in
their presence.

RBGULAB RirrBIEVZB TO BEAT.

801. We all have our prejudices — every Englishman
has a right to many. One of mine is to think a regtUar
retriever positively not worth his keep for general
shooting if one of your setting dogs will retrieve wdl.
However, if you shoot much in cover, I admit that a
regular retriever which <;an be worked in perfect
silence, never i .fusing to come in when he is merely
signalled to, or, if out of sight, softly whistled to, is
better* — particularly when you employ beatersf — but
even then he need not be the idle rascal that one
generally sees — ^he might be broken in to hunt close to
you, and give you the same service as a mute spaniel.
I grant this is somewhat difficult to accomplish, for it
much tends to unsteady him, but it can be effected —
I have seen it — and, being practicable, it is at least
worth trying; for if you succeed, you, as before — 292 —
make one dog perform the work of two ; and, besides
Its evident advantage in thick cover, if he accompany

* Of ooarae, a regiilar retriever ia absolutely necessary ^rhen n
beam of spaniels is hanted, none of which are aceustomed to retrieve.

\ Regtdar retrieyers are never used in America ezeept 9n th«
Chesapeake bay for fowl-sbooting. — H. W. H.

SETTKR TO KETRIEVE.

64S

you in your every-day shooting, you will thus obtain,
in the course of a season, many a shot which your
other dogs, especially in hot weather, would pass
over. If, too, the retriever hunts quite close to you,
he can in no way annoy his companions, or interfere
with them, for I take it for granted he will be so
obedient as to come to "heel" the instant he gets
your signaL

WATER RBri'UlKVKRS — OR WATER SPANIELS — TO RETRIEVI!
WOUNDED BEFORE PICKING UP DEAD WILD FOWL.

802. This a knowing old dog will often do of his
own accord ; but you must not attempt to teach a
young one this useful habit until you are satisfied
that there is no risk of making him blink his birds.
You can then call him off when he is swimming towards
dead birds, and signal to him to follow those that are
fluttering away. If the water is not too deep, rush
in yourself, and set him a good example by actively
pursuing the runaways ; and until all the cripples that can
be recovered are safely bagged, do not let him lift one of
those killed outright. If very intelligent, he will before
long perceive the advantage of tlio system, or at least
find it the more exciting method, and adhere to it with-
out obliging you to continue your aquatic excursions.
For advice about water retrievers, see 81 to 85. I
have placed this paragraph among the " refinements " in
breaking ; but I ought, perhaps, to have entered it soon-
er ; for if you are fond of duck-shooting, and live in a

646

DOr.-BRKAKINO.

neighborhood where you have good opportunities of fol-
lowing it, you should regard this accomplishment as a
necessary part of your spaniel's education.

303. In your part of the country none of these extra,
or, as some will say, always supei-fluous accomplishments
may be required ; but if you consider that a pupil of
yours attaining any one of them would be serviceable,
be not deteried from teaching it by the idea that you
would be undertaking a difficult task. Any one of them,
I was nearly saying all of them, could be taught a dog
with far greater ease, and in a shorter time, than a well-
established, judicious range.

304. It would be quite unreasonable to expect a regular
breaker — " mark " I do not say your game-keeper —
to teach your dog any of these accomplishments. He
may be fully aware of the judiciousness of the system,
and be sensible of its great advantages, but the many
imperious calls upon his time would preclude his pursuing
it in all its details. At the usual present prices, it would
not pay him to break in dogs so highly.

305. In following Beckford's advice respecting your
making, as far as is practicable, your dog your " constant
companion," do not, however, forget that you require
him to evince great diligence and perseverance in the
field ; and, therefore, that his highest enjoyment must
consist in being allowed to hunt.

306. Now, it seems to be a principle of nature,—
of canine as well as human nature, — to feel, through
life, most attachment to that pursuit, whatever it may

SBTTKR TO SETBUVE.

047

be, which is moHt followed in youth. If a dog is
permitted as a youngster to have the run of the kitchen,
he will be too fond of it when grown up. If he is allowed
to amuse himself in every way his fancy dictates, he will
think little of the privilege of hunting. Therefore, the
hours he cannot pass with you — after you have com-
menced his education, — ^I am sorry to say it, but I must
do so, he ought to be in his kennd — loose in his kennel,*
not tied up ; for straining at his collar would throw out
his elbows, and so make him grow up bandy-legged.
If, however, he must be &Rtened, let it be by a chain.
He would soon learn to gnaw through a cord, especially
if a young puppy, who, from nature, is constantly using
his teeth, and thus acquire a trick that some day might
prove veiy inconvenient were no chain at hand. Yoa
would greatly consult his comfort by having the chain
attached, with a loose ring and swivel, to a spike fixed a
few paces in iV-ont of his kennel, so that he could take
some exercise by trotting round and round.

307. When your dog has attained some age, and
hunting has become with him a regular passion, I believe
you may give him as much liberty as you please without
diminishing his zeal — but most carefully prevent his ever
hunting alone, technically called " self-hunting." At
that advanced time of life, too, a few occasional irregn-

* Twice a day he should be allowed to run out, that he may not
be compelled to adopt habits wholly opposed to his natural
propensities. If he has acquired the disagreeable trick of howling
vhen shut up, put a muule on him.

646

DOG-KKKAKING.

larities in the field may be innocuoasly permitted. The
steadiest dogs will, at times, deviate from the usual
routine of their business, sagaciously thinking that such
departure from rule must be acceptable if it tends to
obtain the game ; and it will be advisable to leave an
experienced dog to himself whenever he evinces great
'perseverance in spontaneously following some unusual
plan. Yon may have seen an old fellow, instead oi
cautiously " reading " and " pointing dead," rush for>
ward and seize an unfortunate winged bird, while it was
making the best use of its legs after the flight of the
rest of the covey — some peculiarity in the scent emitted
having probably betrayed to the dog's praetised nose
that the bird was injured. When your pup arriveB
at such years of discrimination, you need not so vigo-
roitsly insist upon a patient " down charge " should you
see a whiged cock-pheasant running into cover. Your
dog's habits of discipline would be, I should hope, too
well confirmed by his previous course of long drill for
such a temporary departure from rule to efiect any per<
manent mischief; but oh ! beware of any such laxity with
a young pupil, however strongly you may be tempted.
In five minutes you may wholly undo the labor of a
month. On days, therefore, when you are anxious,
eoUte qui coUte, to fill the game-bag, pray leave him
at home. Let him acquire any bad habit when you
are thus pressed for birds, and you will have more diffi-
culty ir. eradicating it than you would have in teaching
him almost any accomplishment. This reason made me

8E1TKR TO RUTKIEVK.

649

all along keep steadily in view the supposition, that you
had commenced with a dog unvitiated by evil associates,
either biped or quadruped ; for assuredly you would find
it far easier to give a thoroughly good education to such
a pupil, than to complete the tuition (particularly in his
range) of one usually considered broken, and who must,
in the natural order of things, have acquired some habits
more or less opposed to your own system. I^ as a pup-
py, he bad been allowed to self-hunt and chase, your
labor would be herculean. And inevitably this would
have been your task had you ever allowed him to associ-
ate with any dog who " self-hunted." The oldest friend
in your kennel might be led astray by forming an inti-
macy with the veriest cur, if a " self-hunter." There is a
fascination in the vice — above all, in killing young hares
and rabbits — that the steadiest dog cannot resist when he
has been persuaded to join in the sport by some vaga-
bond of a poacher possessing a tolerable nose, rendered
keenly discerning by experience.

308. I hope that by this time we too well understand
each other for you now to wonder why I think that you
should not joramence hunting your young dog where
game is abundant. Professional breakers prefer such
ground, because, from getting plenty of points, it enables
them to train their dogs more quickly, and sufficiently
well to ensure an early sale. This is ttieir object, and
they succeed. My object is that you shall establish
ultimately great perseverance and a fine range in your
young dog, let birds be ever so scarce. If you show

A50

I>06-BRE;iKmQ.

him too many at first, he will subsequently become easily
dispirited whenever he fails in getting a point.

309. The good condition of a dog^s nose is far from
being an immaterial part of his conditioning, for on
the preservation of its sensitiveness chiefly depends your
hope of sport. If it be dry from being feverish, or if it
be habituated to the villanous smells of an impure kennel,
how are you to expect it to acknowledge the fkintest
taint of game — yet one that, if followed up by olfactory
nerves in high order, would lead to a sure find ? Sweet-
ness of breath is a strong indication of health. Cleanli-
ness is as essential as a judicious diet ; and you may be
assured, that if yon look for excellence, yon must always
have your youngster's kennel clean, dry, airy, and yet
sufficiently warm. The more you attend to this, the
greater will be his bodily strength and the finer his
nose.

In India the kennels are, of course, too hot ; but m
the best constructed which fell under my observation,
the heat was much mitigated by the roofs being thickly
thatched with grass. In England, however, nearly all
kennels — I am not speaking of those for hounds — are
far too cold in winter.

810. There must be sufficient warmth. Observe
how a petted dog, especially after severe exercise, lays
himself down close to the fire, and enjoys it. Do you
not see that instinct teaches him to do this ? and must
It not be of great service to him? Wliy, therefore,
deny him in cold weather, after a hard day's work, a

SSTTEB TO RETBIKVB.

651

place on the heartU-rug ? It is the want of sufficient heat
in the kennels, and good drying and brushing after hard
work, that makes sporting dogs, particularly if they are
long-coated ones, suffer from rheumatism, blear eyes,
and many ills that generally, but not necessarily, attend
Ihem in old age.

COKCLUSION.

311. Gemtlb Reader, according to the courteous
phraseology of old novels, though most probably I ought
to say Brother Sportsman ; — If you have had the
patience to attend nuA through the preceding pages,
while I have been describing the educational course of
a dog from almost his infancy, up to maturity, I will
hope that I may construe that patience into an evidence
that they have afforded you some amusement, and per«
haps, some useful instruction.

312. Though I may have failed in persuading you to
undertake the instruction of your dogs yourself, yet I
trust I have shown you how they ought to be broken
in : and if you are a novice in the field, I hope I have
clearly explained to you in what manner they ought to
be shot over — a knowledge which no one can possess by
intuition, and which you will find nearly as essential to
the preservation of the good qualities of well-tutored
dogs as to the education of uninformed ones.

313. I believe that all I have said is perfectly true,
and, as the system which I have described advocates
kind treatment of man's most faithful companion, and

652

DOG-KREAKINO.

his instruction with mildness rather than severity,
I trust that you will be induced to give it a fair trial,
and if you find it successful, recommend its adoption.

314. I dare not ask for the same &vor at the hands
of the generality of regular truners — ^I have no right to
expect such liberality. They, naturally enough, will not
readily forgive my intruding upon what they consider
exclusively their own domain, — and, above all, they
will not easily pardon my urging every sportsman to
break in his own d4)gs. They will, I know, endeavor to
persuade their employers that the finished education
which I have described is useless, or quite unattainable,
without a great sacrifice of time ; and that, therefore, the
system which I advocate is a bad one. They will wish
it to be forgotten — that I advise a gradual advance, step
by step, from the A, B, C ; — that accomplishments have
only been recommended after the acquisition of essen-
tials— never at the expense of essentials ; that at any
moment it is in the instructor's power to say, " I am
now satisfied with the extent of my pupil's acquirements,
and have neither leisure nor inclination to teach him
more ;" — and that they cannot suggest quicker means of
imparting any grade of education, however incomplete ;
at least they do not— I wbh they would ; few would
thank them more than mysel£

316. Greatly vexed at the erroneous way in which I
saw some dogs instructed in the north by one who from
his profession should have known better, I promised, on
the impulse of the moment to write. If I could have

SKTIKU TO KKTIUEVE.

«58

purchased any work which treated the subject iii what
I considered a judiciouc and perspicuous manner, and,
above all, which taught by what means a finished edu-
cation could be imparted, I would gladly have recom'
mended the study of it, — have spared mysolf the trouble
of detailing the results of my own observations and ex-
perience, — and not have sought to impose on any one
the task of reading them. When I began the book,
and even when I had finished it, I intended to put it
forth without an.} token by which the writer might be
discovered. Mr. Murray, however, forcibly represented
that unless the public had some guarantee for the fidelity
of the details thure would be no chance of the little
work being cirmJated, or proving useful ; therefore,
having written solely fi'om a desire to assist my brother
sportsmen and to show the injudiciousness of severity,
with a wish that my readers might feel as keen a zest
for shooting as I once possessed, and with a charitable
hope that they might not be compelled to seek it in aa
varied climates a<3 was my lot, I at once annexed my
address and initials to the manuscript.

W. N.H

ViMtiBtniee CM,
PaUMtM,

EDITOR'S NOTE.

Ih section 299, page 648, Ool. Hatohinson argaes againtt a
retrieving Pointer or Setter, pointing a dead bird when ordered
"^;Mi, ' and not lifting it until ordered to "fetch." This is the
single role of breaking in which I wholly differ from the Colonel ;
but A«r« I differ so widely, that I wonld not own a dog which
did not point until ordered to " fetch ;" and I consider that one
which "fetches" without pointing, when simply ordered to
"find," is worthless.

Ool. Hutchinson argues that there is a difference in the scent
of a wounded and an unwounded bird, which enables a dog cer-
tainly to di3criminate between the two, so that he may be trusted
to point all the live birds he may meet in the way to find his dead
bird, and yet to rnsh upon the latter and pick him up without
making aoy pause. On the other hand, he argues as if there
were no difference in the scent of the two, when he says that if
the dog be tanght to point until ordered to " fetch," and chance
to point a live bird before finding the dead, he willyJutA the live
bird on beii^ ordered to " fetch" the dead. T admit that there is
a difference of scent at all times to the best nosed dogs, but very
faint, even to the best, in bad scenting weather ; but that differ-
ence will more easily make the dog refuse to flush a live bird, ii
he do point before fetching, than make him pause to point a live
one, if allowed to rush in upon dead ones.. The only rule that
will keep a dog always up to his business is, that he shall always
"j9om<" every game bird or animal he comes upon, dead or
living, and always " d5r<)p," when it runs or rises, whether a shot
bo fired or not I have always shot over dogs broken to point

KDITOK'8 XOTK.

668

before fetching. I have often been deceived in supposing a fresh
bird newly pointed to be the killed one, bat have always found
my dogs to hesitate so distinctly, before obeying the order to
^^/etehy''^ as to make it evident that I was in error, and allow me
to correct it.

For the better comprehension of the above admirable trentiso
on breaking, I wish to add, for the benefit of the American
sportsmen, that, wherever Col. Hutchinson speaks of the part-
ridge, it is the English bird which he intends, which, in its habits,
is closely analogous to our quail ; and that all his precepts as '^
breaking on partridge hold good precisely for the quail with us.
In the same way ;»■' his precepts for grouse-shooting apply,
letter for letter, to our prairie-fowl-shooting ; and his precepts
for phea8au'.':ihooting to the hunting and shooting of our raffed
grouse, called in the northern states the partridge, and in the
southern and western the pheasant. When he speaks of the
rabbit as distinct from the hare, he ollades to a European animal
which does not exist in America, the original stock of the tame
rabbit, which has the habit of burrowing in the ground and
dwelling in great communities, known as warrens. We have
two kinds of hare, the small one commonly known as the rabbit,
and the large Oanadian hare, which turns white in winter ; bnt
no genuine rabbit. Hutchinson^s roles as to breaking, in regard
to the English hares and rabbits, hold good of both our varieties.

I will only say farther, that when he speaks of shooting in
turnips or potatoes, we may apply his rules to any tall-growing
vegetable covert, such as clover, rag weed, wild meadow-gross,
or the like, those crops not being so extensively cultivated with us
as to be haunted in general by game. Similarly, when he men-
tions breaking spaniels to gorse, we may substitute hollies, black-
brnsh, cat-briers, and any other thorny covert common in any
section of the country; but, in fact, no especial breaking is
needed with as, as we have no brake which exactly compares
with furze. h. w. h.

INDEX.

iiflona, abont the tall, 888, 284.
treatment of, 284
in the flap of the ear, 42T.
trentmont ot ib.
Accomplishments or Reflnetnent^-
distlnguisblng dog whistles, 629.
dog to back the gnn, 680.
to Dead running birds, 686.
to hnnt v'itliDUt gun, 688.
to retreat and resnnie point, 682.
regular retrievers to beat, 644.
Better to retrieve, 688.
water retriever to fetch cripples, 646.
.iction of physio on dogs, 107.
Acute purgation, 268

treatment of, 264
rhenmatism, 274 ,

treatment of, 276.
Administration of medicine, 106.
Advice to practitioners, 80.
Affection an Incentive, 566.
After-discharge, 804.
Age for education, 470, 496, 627.
Aids to promote labor, 876.
Assistance, when to be afforded during

pupping, 860.
Asthma, 218.

treatment of, 220.
Attention, necessary, for the sucking
bitch, 400.
necessary, to the teeth of the
dog. 188.
Author's cause of writing, 668.
Avoid having a battle with a dog, 83.
Axioms, 670, 618.

Back, turned brings dog sway, 657.
Backing, bow taught, 614 615.

initiatory lesson In, 488,
the gun, 680.
Battle, SToid nsTing one with a dog, 89.
Beagles, 91.

Veik^ s range, Unght, 637, 629, 688, Ml,
644.
bad, hard to euro, 681.

Beat, good, diflScuIt but tnyalnable, 548
Herbert's opinion, 660.
without gun, 683.
of five or six dogs, 603.
of four dogs, 661.
of three dogs, 660.
of two doss, 558.
taught following dog, 649.
Beef-tea, how to make, 97.
Beckon, why useful signal, 483.
and "Heel" differ, 488.
Bitch, in use, 34
in pup, 26.
Bells put on dogs, 496.
Best dogs err, concise hints, 688.
Bird, dead, loss of discourages dog, 699
dead, seized and torn by dog, 507.
shot on ground steadies dog, 610.
shot, search for, 670, 689, 691, 598,

697, 641.
Hhot, signal heel, 678.
winged, shoot on ground, 691.
Birds, Ho well, dog winding them, 647.
wild, intercepted, 6&5, 686.
wounded, scent differs, 641.
wounded, first retrieved, 646.
wounded, make for covey, 641.
wounded, found evening, 596.
wounded, the search for, 670.
wounded, observed by dog, 618.
Black too conspicuous a color, 6U8.
Blacksmith .shopiii;r kicker, 494
Blinking deod.blrd, 571.

from punishment, 611.
initiatory lessons prevent, 471.
Bones of the dog not rightly placed In
the skeleton at the London
Veterinarv College, 109.
stones and Dricks not good fbr

dogs, 186.
wheu largo, do not injure dogs, 91,
Loots, to render waterproof, 57.
Bowel diseases, 56, 246.
Brace of dogs sufficient, If good, 187.
Breaking or young dogs, 29.
Break In dops yourself, 404.
Breaker, qualincatlons required, 46flL
one better than two, 470.

28*

d58

INDEX.

Breaker, hunt too many, 475, 620.

idle, dlsUke bold dogs, S54.
Breaking fenc '> prevented, 666.
Breeding in-anu-ln bad, 579.
Breeding, 16, 21,26.
Broncbooele, 14S.

treatment ol^ 199.
Bmises, remedy for, 65.
Bull-dogs, reofiarks upon, 402.

Ganoxr of the scrotnm, 819.
of the teats, 4U8.
of the vagina, 344.
Canker, within and without the ear, 68,
64, 419.
oauMS, ib.
external, 421.

treatment of, 428.
Internal, 424.

former accounts of, ib.
- treatment of, 428.
ofthe mouth, 189.

treatment of, 190.
Capped hook or elbow, 462.

treatment for, 458.
Care, necessary for the pups, 878.
required after pupping, 391.
signiil for, 484.
Carrots for horses, 469.
Carrying, how taught, 610.
Carts, dog, 442.
Cases, details of various, 61.
Castor oil, 116.
Castration, 828.
Cataract, 428

causes of, 480.
Catheter, passing ofthe, 829, 877.
Caution, taught to fast dogs, 516, 662.
in excess, 688.
cure for, 584.
Cautious and wild dog contrasted, 561.
dog rarely too fast.

Chain better than cord, 647.
Check cord, 489, 490, 5S1, 68(>.

spike to, 476, 680, 609.
Chemists to be avoided as doctors for

dogs, 196
Choice of a male, 847. •
Chronic diarrheaa, 266

treatment ol^ 266.
Chronic hepatitis, S21.

symptoms of, 222.
treatment of, 226.
Circle wide when heading dog, 669.
Claws, 487.

to out 488.
dew, 487.

foiling oir of the, 480.
sinuses up the, 440.
Clean, to, the dog's teeth, 189,
Clumber spaniels, 609.
Cock shootinf , 482.
Cocker, the, 90.

Cold or corlza, 809.
Colic, 262.

symptoms of, 268.
treatment of, 266.
Collar and chain, 102.

a light one on dog, 366.
Colors for concealment, 508.
Commands, given in a low tone, 478.

understood before beeing
game, 471.
Comb and brush, 101.
Companion, dug to be yours, 478.

Initiatory lessons with, 487,
488.
Condition, 42.

Confidence of the dog, how to gain, 82
Consistency necessary, 466, 678.
Coolness recommended, &78.
Costiveness, 247.

treatment of, 260.
Cough, 2n2.

treatment of, 208.
Couple to older dog, 470.
Couples, accustomed to, 487.
Courage, created, 680, 614.
Covert, pointers in, 606
Cripples, first retrieved, 64&
Crotchet, 884.

Damobb of domestic remedies, 77.
Dead bird, blinking of, 571.

lifted by you, error ot, 611.

loss of^ discouraitcs dog, 692.

rushing into, 697, C22.

search for, 628, 647, 649.

search for, with two dogs,
641.

the first killed, 569.

to be pointed. 671.

but not by retrieving point-
er, &C., 643.

torn by dog, 597
Dead, initiatory lesson In, 478, 480.
Death of unborn pnps, sign o^ 888.
Dew-claws, 437.
Diarrhoea, 261.
Digestive discliarge, 818.

symptoms of, 814.
treatment of, 316.
Diseases dependent on Internal organs

of the limbs, 487.
Distance, between parallels, 646.

dog's knowledge of, 582.
Distemper, 46, 58, 120.

brain not subject to dlseas*

in, 188.
chorea in, 146.
disposition of dogs to gnaw

their bodies In, 148.
dogs may have the disease

many times, 186.
the dogs that most esoipo Iti
■ttadn,12«

INDEX.

ti5U

DUUmper, earliest symptomii ot, IM.
eruption in, 142.
exercise and food influence

the disorder, 126.
eyes in, 18!$.
fatntiug fits in, 149.
fearful cries in, 187.
lite in, 140.
its causes undlscoTerod,

124.
importance of diet in, 152.
Urer involved in, 184.
lungs diseased In, 188.
morbid appetite during the

flte in, 167.
ordinarr treatment for, 121.
paralysis of the hind legs in,

periods when It attacks ani-
mals, 126.
popular remedies for, 122.
resembles continued fever,

12a
akin peels after an attack uf,

149.
stomach and intestinal dis-
eases in, 185.
symptoms when it abates,

182.
treatment for, 164.
tumours in, 144.
very treacherous, 180.
when the disease is esta-
blished, 127.
Distrlbutiun of the dug, 78.
Diving, bow taught, 518.
Dog-carts, 442.
Dog's tooth-brush, 188.
Dogs, are generally misunderstood, 76.
are very intelligent, 108.
shape of, 689.
slow beating, more than faster,

508.
wildest, most energetic, 480, 581.
Down, 8f.(i " Drop."

charge, dog pointing not to, 613.
initiatory lesson in, 478.
why rotrloTcrs should,
621.
" Drop," a better word than " down,"
686.
dog, to another dropping, 488.
dog, to game rising, 601.
Initiatory lessons id, 474, 476,

478.
unnatural, "Toho," natural,
476.
Dropsy of the chest, 917.

treatment of, 217.
of the uterns, 846.
of the periuBum, 289.

treatment of, 291.
Dack, wood duck of America, 681.

Rliooting, in wild rice, 509.
Ducks, wonndud, first retrieved, 646.
Dysoi tery, 261.

Eae, canker within and wltboa', 58, H
419.
causes, 420.
torn, 66.

rounding of the dog'a, 429.
Ears, not pulled violently, 601.
Eating, d««B have lively sympathiee for,

of the young by the mother, 898.

Education, age when commenced, 471.

best conducted by one, 470.

oommenoed fh>m A B C, 662.

expeditions, eeonomical,489.

Ejection of the eye, 485.

treatment for, 486.
Emetics, 117.
Energy, wildest dogs have most, 489,

681.
Enlargement of the testlele, 886.

treatment ol^ ib.
Enteritis, 257.

symptoms oi; 268.

treatment of, 269.

Ergot of rye not a good uterine excitant

to the bitch, 865.
Examination of a dog, how to conduct,

81.
Example, advantag8ou^ 616.

especially to spaniels, 496.
youra, has influence, 569, 622.
Exercise, 42, 90.

on the rood, 493.
Experiments, 108.
External cauker, 421.
{ treatment ct, 428.

I Eye, the, 429.
I films over, 66.

etJection of, 486.
treatment for, 486.

Falliho off of the claw, 4S9.

ofthe va(^na,402.
Fastest doss not beating most, 609.

walkers not beating most, 664
Fasting, initiatory lessons in, 469.
Fatigued, dotr not hunted when, 6CT.
Faults, panishment expected for, 614,
Feeding time, lessons at, 479.

pistol fired at, 478.
Feet, 58.

ailments of, 487-448.
of partridges given to doga, 642.
Fence, not to bo broken, 556.

"ware fence," InitUtory lesson
in, 486.
Fetching, evil of not, 688.

lessons in, 610, 51!
Fevers, bilious. 66.
Fields, largest beat, 589.
Films over the eyes, 56.
" Find," Initiatory lessons, 480, 481.
" Flndei" not to advance, 61 T.

' dl

QdO

IMDKX.

"Finder" retrieves, 641.
Fire, dog to buk before, 66&
First L-ood point, 608.
bird l(illed. 669.
Fits in the doc. W, MCk
Bucking, 896.

wimt to do wlien tittj ooonr, S86L
treatment of, 897.
Flap of the eer, •beceas in, 497.

treatment of^ ib.
Flapper shooting, 647.
Fleaa, remedj fbr,-M.
Flogging, how administered, tS98.

reprobated, 468, 611.
"Flown," Initiatory lesson, 486.

real, 608.
Fluids, to give, lia
Food for a diseiased dosv 99.
proper for dogs, 40^ 90.
Foot-sore, 08, 440.
Footing a soent, 487, 611, 681.
Forceps ought not to be used during

parturition. 871.
Form deabable in a bitch for breed-
ing, 849.
Forward initiatory leason, 481.
"Fonl,"889.

Fowls, killing ot, the cure, 687.
Fractures, 444.

treatment for, 446.
Fungoid tumours, 840.

Oaik, to, the confidence of a dog, 88.
Qame book, form of, .68.

lies tro close in turnips, 661.
not shown too soon to aog, 471,688.
spring toward gun, 496,008.
Gastritis, 288.

what dogs most liable to, 284.
treatment of, 236.
GeneratlTe organs, i'emale, 887.

male, 818.
GiTa, to, solids, 111.
fluids, 118.
Qiaos, swelling of, 887.
Gona, initiatory lesson, 486.

real, 608.
Oorse, spaniels to be habituated to, 49S.
Greyhounds, food for, in training 66.
Growths, morbid, in the bitch, SsS.
Gun, dog to back the, 680.

first over fence, not dog, 666.
game flushed toward the, 486, 608,
608.
Guns, a few words on, 41.

to preserre the barrals from rust

ofsalt water, 67.
waterproofing for tha locka 68.
GatU Serena, 481.
,1b.

H.aiUTTBiA, 8M.

Hand, bird dellTered into, 811.

Hane, rewards taken from, 4781
Hare, chase of, checked, 607, 606.

heavy, tempts dog to drop, 619.
killed in form, steadies dog, 610.
scent of strong, 607.
shooting of condemned, 604.
wounded, dog may pursue, 610.
Haste, when imperative, during pup

ping, 888.
Heading birds, 685.

dog, making too stanch, 688.
circle wide, 609.
Heat, 66, 868.
Hedge, farthest side hunted, 496.

rows not to bo hunted, 648.
Heel, signal to, on killing, 578, 677.

signal tu, 482, 4S&
Hepatitis, 221.

olironic, ib.
symptoms of, 228.
treatment of, 226.
Herbert's Field SporU in the United

States, mi
Hereditary instincts, 62:i, 697.
Ll jrses bow titight at Astley's, 468.

fed on firing, 478.
Hot bath kills duriug parturition, 861

Imitativx, dogs are, 668.
In-and-in breeding InjudiciouB, B/19.
Independence imparted, 628.
Indigestion, 287, 282.

symptoms of, 228.
treatment of, 829.
Inflammation of the bowelSL, 66.
of the lungs, 211.
treatment o( 916.
Initiatory lessons important, 469, 471,

480, 629, 682.
Injuries to the tongue, 19&

treatment ol^ ib.
Instrument, parturition, recommended,

881.
InstruDientB, certain, when lawftal t«
employ them in pup-
ping, 872.
OS a rule deadly in parturi-
tion, 868.
Internal canker, 424.

former accounts of^ ib.
treatment for, 426.
Intestines, peculiarity of^ 24&
Introsusception, 268.
Inversion of the womb, 404.

Kbmrbl, the, 44

dog ought to be tn bl^ M6k
Killing fowls, the remedy, 687.

sheep, cure attempted, 896.
Kind of dogs alluded to in tUi book, 8(1

Labos pains, (blse, 861

INDEX.

661

Large bone may be glren tc Jogs, M.
Larynx, 901.

Leeward, beat from, 066.
Left band Hignals "down charge," 476.
less than right, 685.
side of dug, keep on, 688.
signal fur dog to go on the, 481.
Lessons, initiatory, reasonable, 469, 471,
488,629.
walking in the fields, 627.
Lice, 27, 66, 105.
Lifting a dog, 691, 686, 642.
Limbs, diseases of the, 487.
Liver, a mild laxative to dogs, 98.

bard-boiled, 619.
Longs, inflammation of. 811.

treatment of, 215.
Lnzurles hurt the teeth of dogs, 188.

Makk beof-teo, how to, 97.
Mange, a general term only, 410.

a second desoription of; 418.

treatment for, 418.

true, lb.

treatment for, ib.

another form, 414.

treatment for, 61, 415.

a fourth sort, 417.

treatment for, lb.

a fifth kind, lb.

treatment for, lb.
Markers used with spaniels, 60S.
Medicine, how to administer, 60, 106.

generally alluded to, 119.
Milk, how to draw fVom a bltoh, 401.
Morbid growths in the biteh, 888.
Mouth, how to hold open, 111.

teeth, tongue, gullet, Ae., 179.

canker of the, 189.

treatment of, 190.
Mute spaniels, old sportsmen prefer, 606.
Mnule, to, the dog with tape for opera*
tions, 42a

NAim ending In OO" dissimilar, 686.
Nervous diseases, S96.
system, 299.
Nipping the teeth olT, 198.
" No," better word than " ware," 487.
Noise spoils sport, 466, 478, 689.
Nose carried high, 486, 647.
Nosing allowed, 696.
Number of pups a bltoh oan rear, 86,

896.
bfumerona pretenders to eai* the dog*s

diseases, t6.

(ESTBITM, 8B&

Old dog allowed Ubertla& UL
range tmght wltt>,64».

» On," InltUtoiy lesson In, 478, 474
Opening pills, 116.
Operatlon^ 460.

mode of performlnf, 461.
Ophthalmia, simple, 489

symptoms ct, Ib.

treatment for, 48&
Original of the dog Inquired after, 7^

Paballkis, distance between, 646, 647
Faraly8i^ 870.

treatment of, 878.
of the tongue, 198
Parturition, 846.

what is necessary at, 8S8.
Passing the catheter, 080.
Patience enjoined, 668.

required at a pupping, 876.
Pecullaritv of the Intestines, 846.
Peg or spike on a rheck-curd, 580, 609.
Perseverance and range attained, 649.

in secktug taught, 698.
Perinaum, dropsv of, 846.
Physic, how to administer, 60, 106

action of, on dogs, 107.
Pile^ 278.

treatment of, 881.
Pills, opening, 116.
PincuBDion, retrievers fetch, 613.
Pistol, horse fed at discbarge of, 478b
Point, dead, 670.

left and resumed, 688.

not q uitted for down charge, 67&

6ia
the first good one, 663.
Pointor^ 16, 88.

out of phioe In strong oover,

506.
points, 68a
Pointing, dog not soon, 52^ 680, 088.
dog when not to down, 6ia
origin of, 476.
Poisoning, what to do in case oi^ 66.
Polypu^841.

how to recognise, 842.
Pot-hunting sportsmen ruin dogs, 681.
Preparatory lessons, important, 469, 471,

629, 689, 668.
Presentations, false, rare in the bitch,

875.
Pretenders are numerous In the cure of

canine diseases, 76.
Protrusion of the rectum, 987.

treatment of, lb.
Ponlshment avoided by lessons, 471.
causos blinking, 611.
.w> .it^'i, decreases, whip carried,
611.
not Bhanned by dogs, 614.
how administered, 598.
< mtUng dogs too stanch,
688.
not inflicted on siuplcioo,
801.

662

INDEX.

f^iiiishinrat.reprobaUd, 468, 611.
Popping, 846.

Pnps, when they may be felt In the
mother, 806.
when broken dlfBcnlt to bring

awey, 879.
feeding and weaning, S7, 897.
Porehaaera of dogs, hints to, 686.
Purgation, acute, 268.

treatment of^ 264.
PargatiTe^ 68, 116.
Pnnle-peg saTed by the word "np,"

" PoBling" with noM to ground, 647.

QirAiij large in Canada, 67&
Qualitloa expected in good dog, 468b
Quarter ground, tee Beat
Quartering, how tanght, 88.

BABBiT-snooma reprobated, 601
Babie^S9».
"Kange,"«MBeat
Banging, how taught, 80.
Beoeipts, Tarious, 60. See the names
of diseases for which remedies are
sought
Peotum, 2T8.

protrusion of, S8T.
treatment of, lb.
Reflnements, tee AoeomDiishments.
Regularity edsential in the feeding of

dogs, 04.
Belays desirable, not a pack, 668.
Remedies, domestic, ttie danger of, 77.
Requisite* in a dog, 467.

in a breaker. 466,
Respiratory organs, SCO.
Retention of urine, 898.
Retriever, the, 21.

bit for one that mouths, 621.
evil of assisting, 619.
Iboting scent, lesson in, 617.
for water, qnalities in, 608.
made whipper in, 492.
obserres struck bird, 618.
to "down charge," or not 021 .
BetrteTcrs, shape, Ao. of, 628.
to beat 644
to fetch, taught, 614.
to pursue faster, 621.
water, to fetch cripples first,

646.
bow fbd, 624
Batrleving, not tanght first season, 640.
pointers or setters not to

point dead, 648, 664.
setters not pointers, 689.
Rewards aUrays given, 478, 481.
Rheumatism, 274

acuta, lb.
treatment of, 976.

Bice, wild lakes, duck-ehooting in, 609
Right, the signal to go toward, 489.

band for "■ tobo" and " drop," 476
signals more than left, 884
Bounding dogs' ears, 422.
Bupe to dog, 647.
Running bird, firing as 680.
Bushing la to "dead" cured, 62&

Saikt Titus's dance, 240

symptoms of, 941.
treatment oil 248.
Bcent bad in calm or gale, 640.

differently reoogniMd by polntei

or setters, 64r
of birds, not left for hare, 607.
"footing," an initiatory lesson in,

485.
of wounded and unwounded birds
differs, 641.
Borotam, cancer of the, 819.
Search, "dead," 670.

with two dogs, 641.

for wounded bird to leeward,

689.
to windward, 691.
Seeking dead, how tanght 09&
Self-bunting, prevent 647.
Servant useful in the field, 680.
Seton, to make a, 64
Setter, tbu, 18, 35, 2S.
the Ruasiaji, 10.
to retrieve, 688.
Setters crouch more ttum pointers, 47S.
for covert shooting, 606.
points in, 689.
Shoes, to render waterproof, 67.
Shooting excellence in breaker, not

necessary, 466.
Shot-belt on spaniels and setters, 496,

609.
Shy birds to be intercepted, 689, 686^

Bight dog not to be out of, 626.
Sign when parturition is concluded, 8901
Silence enjoined, 467, 688.
Simple ophtlialmia, 482.

symptoms of, lb.

treatment for, 488.
Single-handed, shot to, 698.

tlnnsas np the daws, 440.
kin diseases, 410.
Blow dog associate for young one, 61&
hunting more than Ikst ona,
664.
Bnake, blteofa.67.
Snipea, three lifted in succession, 649
Snoring, 207.
Snorting, lb.
Spaniel, 20.

Spanleli, age when shown jnme, 48&
hunted in gorse, lb.
mnte preferred, 604
nombers for a team, 600, 606.

INDEX.

663

Bp•nlel^ requisites In, 493.

Bbot-bcit on wildest, 4M,

that pointed, 498.

water, bow broken In, 608.
Splke-coUar, 666.

fastened to check-cord, 680, 609.
Sportsmen to break dogto, 464.
Spring, dogs broken In, 687.
Springing the other birds after pointing

one, 676.
Staggers, 66.

Stanch, made too by heading, 688.
Stone, error of retrieving with, 613.

In the bladder, 826.
Stoppage, 268.
Strain, remedy for, 64
Strangulation, 267.
Substances fit for sick dogs, 96.
Summary Imparted by lessons, 632.
Swelling of the gians, 827.

Tape, to make a muzzle of, for opera-
tions, 428.
Tapes, their tue objected to when giv-
ing medicine, 114.
Teats, swelling, 66

cancer of the, 408.
Teeth of the dog are hurt by luxuries,
182.
to clean the dog's, 188.
nipping off the, 193.
Temperamont of the dog, 79.
Temper, hereditary, 526.

In breaker necessary, 466.
Temporary teeth, how to extract them.

Testicle, the absence of, 883.
enlargement of, 836.
treatment of, lb.
Thorns, to extract, 61.
Time proper for putting to the dog, 865.
given determines education, 468.
saved by Initiatory lessons, 488.
Timidity cured, 530, 612, 618.
" Toho,'^ first good one In the field, 668.
initiatory lessons in, 478, 474,
476.
Tongue, paralysis, 198.
injuries to, 195.
treatment of, lb.
Tooth-brush, 188

To tell when the bitch Is in pup, 867.
Tranquillity, how to ascertain when the

dog has recovered it, 88.
Famonrs, fbngoid, 840.

Turning back brings dog away, 677.
Two dogs, beat of, 608, 669.

" Up," signal for, Initiatcry lesson, 464
Uterus, dropsy o( 846.
form of the, 873.

Yaoiha, cancer of the, 844.
falling of the, 409.
Yermin, 104.

W ALKKRS, fastest, not beating most, 064
Ware not so good a word as " Ko," 487.
Warmth necessary for dog, 818.
Water-brash, 281.
spaniels, 607.
retrievers, bow broken, 608.

3bserve stmck bird,

618.
qualities in, 606.
dog taught to plunge in, 612.
Whip carried saves punishment, 611.

to crack loudly, 648.
Whistle, low, 478, 680.

dissimilar notes on one, 639.
distinguishing for each dog,

628.
Inattentive to, bow to pnniah,

648.
initiatory lesson In, 478.
Whistling, to animate, injudicious, 486

689.
White too conspicuous a color, 608.
Wild birds Intercepted. 582, ^, 68&
Wild dog compared with cautious, 661.

doge turning out best, 668.
Wild fowl, wounded, retrieved first, 646
reconnoitred with glass, 608.
Winged birds, see Bird winged.
Womb, shape of, 872

inversion of, 404.
treatment for, 406
Worming, 192.
Worms, 61.
Wounds, 63.
Wounded birds, lee Bird woanded.

Youth, game followed In, liked, 498.

occupation followed Ut llk«4
647

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Full text of "The Dog [microform] / by Dinks, Mayhew, and Hutchinson ; compiled, abridged, edited and illustrated by Frank Forester [i.e. Henry William Herbert]"

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