Treatment: When the result of congestion caused by a chill, I have found, after many years’ experience, that the homœopathic preparations of Nux Vomica 3 × and Merc. Sol. 3 × act well in these cases. Of the trituration give from two[1] to ten grains of each every three or four hours. If the bowels do not operate on the second day, give an enema of from two tablespoonfuls to half a pint[1] of warm soapy water; repeat daily if necessary. Hot linseed-meal poultices may be applied to abdomen.
Diet: Mutton broth (in which some green vegetables have been cooked), with toast or stale bread; milk and Vichy water in equal parts to drink; later boiled fish or tripe. When the condition is the result of obliteration of the duct, there is nothing to be done; relief may occur spontaneously, or an operation may be performed, but it is not recommended. When jaundice is due to organic disease of the liver, it cannot be cured, but the Nux Vomica and Merc. Sol. treatment will sometimes give temporary relief. The application of iodine vasogen over the enlarged liver in these latter cases is often useful in relieving tension of the organ.
Kennels, How to Disinfect:
After dogs have been suffering from any contagious disease, like distemper or mange, in a kennel, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect them, and it is best done in the following manner:—
In a strong tin dish from half to a pound of sulphur, according to the size of the kennel, should be placed. A few drops of methylated spirits should be poured on top of the sulphur, and a light applied, the methylated spirits being added to make the sulphur ignite more easily. The kennel should then be made as air-tight as possible by having strips of paper pasted over all the crevices and around the window-frames, so that the sulphur fumes cannot escape. The kennel should be kept sealed up for forty-eight hours, after which the windows and doors may be thrown open so as to thoroughly ventilate the place, and the following day the whole of the inside kennel should be thoroughly washed with a strong solution of Pearson’s fluid, 1 in 40. The walls and ceilings when dry should be afterwards well lime-washed or sulphur-washed—that is, finely powdered sulphur mixed with water and size, the same way as whitewash is prepared. A day or two later, when everything is thoroughly dry, the kennel will be quite fit to receive dogs, or even puppies, without any fear of infection.
Kidneys (Inflammation of, Acute):
Symptoms: The attack generally comes on suddenly; may arise from severe chill, but generally the result of stone in the kidneys. There is great pain over the loins; the dog walks with difficulty and arched back; the temperature rises 3 or 4 degs. above normal; the pulse is quick and full; the urine is high-coloured and scanty—sometimes it is the colour of blood, and mixed with mucus and pus; the limbs may swell from dropsy, and the dog is very thirsty and often frequently sick.
Treatment: Give saline purgative medicine, as Epsom salts, from twenty grains to one ounce[1] in warm milk; repeat the next or following day. Also give every four hours from five to thirty grains[1] of hyposulphite of soda in a little water. As to food, it should consist principally of milk mixed with equal parts of Vichy water, and a little boiled fish. If sickness very severe, give from half to two drops[1] of diluted hydrocyanic acid in a teaspoonful of water every two, three, or four hours, and ice to lick. After the acute stages have passed, give tonics, as the ammoniated citrate of iron, from one to five grains,[1] three times a day, in from one teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful of water.