6. Salivation

On 2d July 1863,I saw a Chinese dog belonging to Lady Neville. Two years previously it had distemper, and was treated in the old way. Since then there has been a constant dribbling of saliva from the corners of the mouth; the saliva hangs in strings to the ground; and the animal has been in consequence of the nuisance banished from the house and kept in the stable. The breath is most offensive, and several of the teeth are decayed. There is a constant jerking movement of the whole body, sometimes better sometimes worse.

To Have Hepar Sulph

One drop of the 6th dilution, night and morning.

7th

The coachman informs me that the dog began perceptibly to improve after the first dose, and I now find the dog quite well. Continue medicine once a-day, for a few days longer.

10th

Slight cold; discharge from nose and eyes; mattery discharge from mouth. To have Argentum nitricun - two drops of the mother tincture to four ounces of water; of this a dessertspoonful night and morning.

13th

Well.

7. Distemper. - Pits

On 10th July, I was consulted respecting a Pomeranian dog, concerning which the owner gave me the following history: - About the middle of June, it was attacked with distemper, being then five and a half months old. Several doses of common flour of sulphur were given without beneficial effect; on the contrary, the symptoms got worse, and the right eye became much inflamed. On 25th June, vomiting, followed by great prostration, came on. The owner gave Belladonna (homoeopathic) for four or five days, with the effect of reducing the inflammation of the eyes, and of arresting the vomiting. On 6th July, the symptoms were, violent pain in bowels, profuse diarrhoea, foul breath, and thick discharge from eyes. Arsenicum was then administered until the 13th, when the dog appeared quite well, with the exception of being restless and eating little. On 15th July, the day being very hot, the dog was seized with a fit which lasted over an hour, leaving him paralyzed in his hind quarters and legs, so that he staggered and fell when attempting to walk. The owner then came for my advice. I prescribed one pilule of Nux vomica every two hours. Another fit of two hours' duration came on the same night. Next day, the dog had great difficulty in dragging himself out of his kennel, and he appeared to be only half conscious. The same medicine was continued for several days with very decided improvement. On 2d August the report is "right side slightly affected; when running the dog inclines his head to that side and exhibits symptoms of giddiness; right legs fly out; and he occasionally falls down." Nitrate of silver was then given three times a-day, and in a few days the recovery was complete.

8. Distemper. - Fits

On 1st November 1861, I was called to Folkestone to see a dog, belonging to Lady Hawley, that had not thoroughly recovered from distemper. Several fits had come on. The head was held on a level with the top of the shoulder, and twisted to one side, with the left ear turned in an upward direction; the dog in going down a step would turn a somersault; and the left side was partially paralyzed. Nitrate of silver effected a cure in a short time.

9. Distemper

On 5th May 1863, J. B. Ferryman, Esq. of Rhodeville, Cheltenham, wrote to me respecting three setters, ill of distemper. The symptoms briefly given were these: - Short, dry, husky cough; slight, yellowish discharge from eyes and from genitals; lassitude and disinclination to move about; appetite bad, etc. Aconitum, Belladonna, and Mer-curius had been given, but the dogs continued to get a little worse. I sent a supply of Arsenicum. On the 9th, I was informed, that that medicine was discontinued at the end of twenty-four hours. The dogs became very cold, and trembled to an alarming degree; were very hot towards evening; the noses were hot and dry; the eyes red and sunken; one of them appeared to be blind, as he ran against obstacles in his way; the bowels were costive and there was great thirst. Aconitum and Belladonna were given by Mr F. every four hours alternately. After this, their general appearance improved, and the breathing became easier and less panting, but the cough remained choking and frequent. One of the dogs was described to be in almost a hopeless state, and passed blood.

On the 25th, Mr P. wrote as follows: - "I have pleasure in informing you that I think my dogs have quite overcome the distemper; they feed well, and are recovering their strength and condition."

10. Fits

Several years ago, Captain B. consulted me respecting his King Charles dog. It had been put into a pond to have a swim, and a few days afterwards had a fit. Gradually the attacks became more and more frequent, and the dog would have several in a day. During the fit, the eye-balls were staring, prominent, wild-looking, and rolled about; the head turned on to the left shoulder; the teeth gnashed, and the mouth filled with foamy saliva; the nose turned up and the lips retracted, the legs strongly convulsed; the dog lay half on his belly, half on the side. These attacks usually lasted from one to three minutes; the dog, on recovering, looked dull and tired, but in a short time looked as usual. I prescribed several remedies, but without good effect; and the animal died a few days afterwards. At that time my practical acquaintance with homoeopathy was limited, and I am inclined to think that the dog might have been restored had I known more of the treatment. I was recently called to a dog belonging to the Duke of------. The symptoms so closely resembled those of the last case, that I immediately asked the question, "Has the dog been in water?" The answer was in the affirmative. I ordered Rhus, one drop every three hours, and in three days the dog was well. Like the last, this dog was a King Charles.

Another dog, also a King Charles, had the same symptoms as the above, with this addition, that the hind legs were quite paralyzed. When the dog walked, it made progress with its fore legs, but the hind ones were dragged after, and were stretched out with the pads turned upwards. Rhus effected a complete cure in a week.

In all three cases, immersion in cold water seemed to be the exciting cause of the fits; in all three the breed was the same; and the head of each was turned towards the left side.