Cuts, Wounds, Etc.
As soon as the cut stops bleeding, which is accomplished either by holding the parts together with the fingers or by use of a lint bandage, wash the wound thoroughly with warm water so as to remove all foreign substances. Then apply with a soft brush a dressing of friars’ balsam, which will form a sort of crust over the wound, keeping out dust, dirt, etc., and allowing the wound to heal quickly.
The sewing up of a wound is a very easy affair. Pass the needle through the skin on one side of the wound from the outside inward, and through the corresponding part on the opposite side from the inside outward. Draw the lips of the wound together gently, and tying the silk thread in a strong knot, cut off ends close, so that the dog cannot bite them. Each stitch must be tied separately, and should be about half an inch apart. If possible the dog should be muzzled, not only during the operation, but for several days afterward. The wound should be constantly washed with the following:
| Carbolic acid | ½ | oz. |
| Glycerin | 2 | ” |
| Water | 32 | ” |
In bandaging a wound, saturate the cloth with a mixture of equal parts of camphorated oil and friars’ balsam.
Diarrhea Mixture.
| Powdered chalk | 3 | drams |
| Aromatic confection (powder) | 2 | ” |
| Powdered gum acacia | 1 | dram |
| Tinct. opium | 1 | oz. |
| Oil cassia | 8 | drops |
| Tinct. catechu | 3 | drams |
| Sp. sal volatile | 2 | ” |
| Water sufficient to make 8 oz. | ||
Dose for a young puppy of the small breeds, ½ teaspoonful; 1 teaspoonful for puppies of the large breeds, and 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls for grown dogs, according to size of the breed. Repeat every three or four hours till relief is obtained or till purging ceases.
Distemper.
There are three kinds of distemper, viz., of the head, of the lungs, and of the bowels. Good nursing is nine points out of ten for conquering this fell disease.