.—The class of medicines so called, are those which, by their peculiar stimulus, act solely upon the parts appropriated to the secretion of urine and its evacuation; thereby relieving the frame from such impurities, or slight disorders as pass under the denomination of HUMOURS, and are said to originate in the state of the blood. The advertised diuretic balls of the Author are recommended and established for their well-known efficacy in "cracks, scratches, inflammation of the eyes, perceptible foulness, swelled legs, and grease." Diuretics are the more useful and convenient, because a horse can be moderately used at any time during their operation.
DOE
—is the female of the FALLOW DEER, bred in PARKS, and are the species from which the table is supplied with venison: the male is called A BUCK; the female, A DOE: the young (of which they produce but one annually) is called A FAWN. Doe venison is not considered equal in epicurean estimation with the buck, either in fat or flavour; nor is it in season till the latter has declined: this happens at the beginning of autumn, when the season for copulation (called rutting time) comes on. Fawns are killed for the table at three months old, consequently in use during the latter end of August, and first weeks of September.
DOGS
,—that well-known species of animal whose fidelity, attachment, gratitude, and general utility, very far exceed every eulogium within the power of the profuse pen of admiration to bestow. Their virtues and useful qualifications are beyond the most prolific description: they are the protectors of our property at home, the promoters of our pleasures abroad, and the pleasing partners of our domestic comforts by the fire-side. The Rev. Mr. Daniel, in his elegant production called "Rural Sports," has given a very full and satisfactory historical account of their origin, the different kinds and crosses, with instances, and well authenticated proofs, of their mutual affection, fidelity, sagacity, and docility. He has also introduced "a laughable philosophical account of dogs, under the supposition of a transmigration of souls;" with a great variety of matter, truly entertaining to the SPORTSMAN of curious investigation.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth was published a systematical arrangement of the different kind of dogs peculiar to Britain; but many of the names by which they were known, having since become obsolete, they have been most judiciously classed by Mr. Daniel under the following genealogical heads. 1. Shepherds' Dog; Wolf Dog; Iceland Dog; Lapland Dog; Siberian Dog.—2. Hound; Harrier; Terrier.—3. Large Spaniel; Small Spaniel; Water Dog; Small Water Dog.—4. Bull Dog.—5. Large Danish Dog; Irish Greyhound; Great Hound Mongrel; Large Greyhound; English Greyhound; and lastly, the Mastiff Dog. When, after an investigation so seemingly clear, and a description so truly systematic, every sportsman must be equally surprised, that there is no collateral branch of the "Genealogical Table," by which the Pointer has been produced; so that, with both these Authors, his ab origine, or unde derivatur, is left in equal obscurity.
As the qualification of each particular sporting dog will be more minutely adverted to under the distinct heads of Hound, Greyhound, Pointer, Terrier, &c. it becomes only applicable here, to introduce such useful remarks as appertain to the species in general, under the separate fatalities of MADNESS and DISEASES.
The signs of madness in a dog are as follow: He becomes dull, solitary, and endeavours to hide himself: he seldom barks, but makes a kind of murmuring noise, and refuses all kinds of meat and drink: he is enraged at, and flies upon, strangers; but in this stage he remembers and respects his master: his ears and head hang down; he walks nodding, as if overpowered with sleep: this is the first stage; and a bite now, though dangerous, is not so bad as afterwards. After these symptoms, the dog begins to pant; he breathes quick and heavy; hangs out his tongue, to emit a great deal of froth from his mouth, which he keeps perpetually open: sometimes he walks slowly, and as if half asleep, and then suddenly runs, but not always directly forward, as pretended: at length he forgets his master; his eyes look dispirited, dull, full of tears, and red; his tongue is of a lead colour, he grows faint and weak; oft reels, staggers, and falls; then rises suddenly, and attempts to fly at every thing, becoming now mad and furious: this second stage seldom continues thirty hours, death putting by that time an end to the disease: and a bite received during the last stage is justly considered incurable. To these distinguishing traits of the dreadful malady, may be added the following, which are believed certain and invariable. All other dogs are alarmed at the approach of a dog really mad, and, upon smelling him, not only instantly avoid him, but run away with horror. The tone of the dog's voice when he barks, seems hoarse and hollow. In the dumb madness, if the dog is confined, he barks incessantly for a day or two.
Those who wish to go into a most ingenious and explanatory investigation of madness, and its different kinds in dogs, will feel themselves highly gratified in a perusal of that part of Mr. Daniel's "Rural Sports," who has systematically introduced the best and most judicious opinions and authorities upon the subject.
The disease occasioned by the bite of a mad dog is called HYDROPHOBIA; and the smallest quantity of his saliva, either fresh or dry, will produce it. The infection frequently lies dormant for many months, and then displays itself with the greatest violence; but, in general, it appears from a month to six weeks, at the expiration of which, if no symptoms of disorder are perceptible, the patient is considered to be safe, and not to have received the infection. It has been thought by the best medical authority, that the nearer the place bitten is to the salivary glands, the sooner the symptoms appear; and this, by observation and experience, is now fully confirmed.