inity of a worthless mob of blood-suckers
awaiting the first favourable opportunity of regaling themselves on
human blood? If your dog lie on straw, burn it once a week, as fleas
harbour and propagate in the tubes of the straw. If the bed be carpet,
or anything similar, let it be often cleansed or changed. Vermin
revel in filth, and their extirpation depends mainly on cleanliness.

"By attending to the general health of a dog, much disease may be
avoided; indeed, this is far more essential than prescriptions for a
cure. It is very easy to carry off a slight indisposition by gentle
purgatives and a reformed diet: whilst confirmed disease is often
difficult to combat, as few of the canine race can have the advantages
which are ofttimes essential to their restoration. The eyes, the nose,
the gums, the hair, the breath, should be carefully noted. The eyes
may be red or pale, sunken or protruded; the nose may be hot, or dry,
or matted with dirt; the gums may be pale, &c. It will require but
little experience to discover a disorganisation, which may be easily
detected by him who has noticed the healthful appearance of the
different parts and their variation under indisposition.

"If you are in the habit of keeping your dog on the chain, let him at
least run a few minutes every day. If he be kept indoors, he should
also be allowed a little daily exercise outside. Change of air[U] and
diet will sometimes renovate when all remedies fail: a change from
city to country, from greasy meat to fresh milk, from a confined yard
to the green fields, will generally recruit him without the aid of
medicine. Nature (to whom physicians are so deeply indebted for so
many wonderful restorations), often effects a cure unaided, which
might have defied the efforts of Apothecaries' Hall.

"In summer, particularly, be careful to provide a supply of fresh
water and a cool shelter from the sun. Never take your dog out during
the intense heat of the day; this is very apt to produce fits, often
resulting in sudden death. Early in the morning is preferable for
summer exercise.

"The kennel should be located in a shady spot during the summer; in
winter it should be sheltered from the wind, and so placed as to
enable the dog to enjoy the sunshine at will. Above all things, never
chain a dog where he cannot screen himself from the sun's rays. He
must have the option of sunshine or shade. He should not be allowed to
drink water that has been standing in