| Flowers of sulphur | 4 ounces |
| Oil of tar | 2 ounces |
| Carbolic acid | 2 drams |
Add this to twelve ounces of linseed oil and stir well in order to thoroughly mix the ingredients. Apply to affected parts or abrasions of the skin. It is scarcely necessary to say that when this ointment is applied to the dog’s coat he must be forbidden to house unless one wishes to have his rugs, carpets and furniture ruined.
Poisoning is one of the banes of a dog owner’s existence, for one is likely to encounter the poison fiend anywhere at any time. However, there are also many cases of accidental poisoning. Whether accidental or otherwise, the majority of cases occur through arsenic, strychnine or powdered glass.
From the symptoms displayed one can usually determine the kind of poison used. Strychnine causes pain, twitching, possibly vomiting and purging. In fatal cases, convulsions with prolonged spasms of the muscles, with more or less frequent relaxation. This continues until death ends the struggle.
Arsenic causes gastritis and enteritis, hence a burning thirst, vomiting and purging, the dog usually dying from exhaustion or collapse.
Ground glass poisoning will produce bloody discharges, great pain and distress and frequently vomiting of blood. There is no relief for the victim of such an experience and the most humane thing to do is to put the dog to death promptly by administering chloroform.
In the treatment of arsenical and strychnine poisoning, the primary object should be to get the poison out of the system as soon as possible. To this end emetics should be administered promptly, unless the animal is already vomiting freely. As an emetic, fifteen to twenty grains of sulphate of zinc in a teaspoonful of wine of ipecac is very good, but if this is not at hand, anything should be resorted to that will produce the desired results, such as mustard or baking soda in lukewarm water. In strychnine poisoning every effort should be made to neutralize the effect of the poison on the spinal cord. Bromide of potassium and chloral hydrate are the best. Either may be given to medium-sized dogs by mouth or rectum in twenty-grain doses. This may be repeated at short intervals until one dram has been given. In all cases of poisoning except phosphorus, which is very rare, oil may be given, also calcined magnesia or lime water, as they are harmless and protect the stomach mechanically. Other simple things, such as white of eggs, flour, etc., may be used with good effect. For arsenical poisoning the best antidote is hydrated oxide of iron. This can be prepared quickly by adding baking soda to tincture of iron so long as there is any effervescence. When the neutral point has been reached, it may be given freely in teaspoonful doses, every ten minutes.
DOGCRAFT
By A. F. Hochwalt
Third Edition—Revised and Enlarged