Treatment.—Examine the eye carefully and remove any foreign body with a clean cloth or feather, and use a solution made from distilled water containing three per cent Boric Acid, and apply ten or twelve drops to the eye by the use of an ordinary eye-dropper. Keep the animal in a clean, dark room, as it hastens recovery and avoids other serious eye complications.
FITS
(Epilepsy)
Cause.—Usually arises from excessive nervous irritation, induced by disturbances of the stomach and bowels from the presence of worms, indigestible food, etc., or it may arise occasionally from a hereditary predisposition, sexual excess, urine irritation, or from other causes inducing extreme nervousness, irritability, etc. Dogs affected with this disease are usually troubled with dyspepsia and constipation.
Symptoms.—The leading symptoms of the disease are sudden loss of consciousness, with spasms of muscles, followed by exhaustion and drowsiness. After a certain length of time has passed, the attack returns. About five or ten per cent of the cases give some warning for a short time before the fits come on, but in most cases the fit comes on suddenly, the dog whines, and at once falls to the ground senseless with convulsions. The eyes are partly open, the eyeballs rolling, and a gnawing of the teeth, foaming at the mouth; the tongue is usually extended out, and many times badly bitten. The nose is usually cold and clammy and breathing laborious. The fit usually lasts from a few minutes to one-half hour, but in some cases continues for longer time.
Treatment.—The dog should be placed on a blanket to prevent inhalations of dust, etc., remove the collar from around the neck, and apply cold applications of ice to the head. The remedy most to be relied upon is Bromide of Potassium, and should be given to a dog weighing forty pounds in doses of twenty grains three times a day. The dose to larger or smaller dogs should be given in proportion to their weight. If necessary, the dose may be increased one-third for a short time. Also give Castor Oil, one to two ounces. To puppies give in proportion to their weight. Pay strict attention to the organs of digestion, and see that the nourishment taken is sufficient to nourish the body well, but be careful not to have an over-amount at one time. Also regulate the feed so as to always have five or six hours elapse between feeds. It is advisable to give a vermifuge in all cases of fits, as worms are frequently producers of the malady.
FRACTURES
(Bone Fractures)
Cause.—There are several different varieties of fractures, but for convenience sake I will divide them into four varieties:
1. Simple fracture is one in which a bone is broken and the muscles and skin are not severely injured.
2. Compound fracture is one in which the sharp ends of the broken bone penetrate and perhaps pass through the skin. This is considered a rather severe fracture.