One of the most disagreeable of the annoyances incident to dog life is the presence of vermin. Fleas, ticks and lice are seemingly ever present, and the poor dogs must suffer untold tortures from the irritating ravages of these torments. Scientists divide fleas into two families or species, but for our purpose a (lea is a flea, and nothing more. I am not aware that the bad qualities of one family are offset by any superlative goodness possessed by the other. As for ticks and lice, the dogs have occasion to be thankful that only one variety of each is allowed to permanently trouble them.

There are quite a number of insecticides which are harmless that by constant use will free the dog and his kennel from all of these parasites, but it must be borne in mind that none of them will accomplish this effectually for more than a brief period. If you would have your dog free from their attacks, there is nothing that will accomplish it except careful watching and instant treatment as soon as they make their appearance.

Many substances that will destroy or drive away the insects will not impair the vitality of the eggs that they may have deposited, and in a few days, or perhaps hours, they will again put in an appear ance. I have tried a great many of the well-known remedies, and, taking everything into consideration, naphtha stands at the head of the list. Its fumes are disagreeable to the pests and will drive them away, while actual contact with the fluid will kill them, and at the same time, if used as it should be, in moderate quantity, it is perfectly harmless to the dog. It is also cleanly, very easily applied, and it is not necessary to wash the dog after using it, as the odor from it will be dissipated in a very short time. The manner in which it should be applied is very simple: pour a small quantity into a saucer or other earthen dish; then with a small, soft brush - a flat one about two inches wide is best - paint the dog lightly from nose to end of tail. This will kill or drive away the parasites, but will not destroy the eggs, and the operation should be repeated three or four times at intervals of about three days, and as often afterward as is found to be necessary.

If the dog is kept in a kennel, this should also be painted with a free hand, taking care that the fluid enters every crack and crevice. His bed, if one is used, should be sprinkled lightly with the fluid by dipping the brush in it and flirting it over the entire surface of both sides. By hanging it on a line out of doors this can be quickly done, and so quickly does it evaporate that the bed will be ready for use in a very short time.

When using it on the dog, a very small quantity will be sufficient; but in spraying the kennel it may be freely used, always bearing in mind that it is of a very inflammable nature, and great caution must be used to see that there is no danger of set-tinor it on fire.

Many writers recommend the use of preparations of mercury and carbolic acid, but I am far from agreeing with them. Indeed, I strongly advise that they never be used in any form upon the dog, as there is great danger from poisoning, either by the dog swallowing it when licking himself, or from absorption. I also advise that mercurial preparations be never given internally, as their action upon the salivary glands is such that serious results are nearly sure to follow. Man can swallow almost anything with impunity, but the dog is differently constituted in this respect. Some drugs, that are in common use by the medical fraternity for the ills of mankind, appear to be inactive or pernicious in effect when administered to the dog. Mercury, for instance, has for many years been highly esteemed and freely administered to man, presumably with beneficial results, or it would have long ago been discontinued; but, as before stated, its action is not productive of good when administered to dogs. Opium also has been in use for ages to alleviate or dull the sense of pain in the human subject, and there are very few throughout the world who at some period of their existence have not blessed the soothing influence of this potent drug. When it is administered to the dog, at least in a very large majority of cases, it appears to be very nearly, if not entirely, inoperative, even when given in quantity that would endanger the life of the strongest man. I believe that the influence of the drug, however, may be beneficial, in a measure, by the soothing effect it exerts upon the organs with which it comes in contact; and therefore, in cases that seem to demand its use, it may be given without fear of dangerous result. I prefer to administer it in the form of paregoric, in teaspoonful doses, once an hour or two hours, as the case appears to demand.

If morphine is used instead, the dose should be one-eighth grain, regulating the time of repeating it as directed for the paregoric. I once had a seven-months-old puppy that was suffering from a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels, consequent to a turn of colic, and so severe did the pain appear to be that, at the expiration of fifteen minutes, I repeated the dose of morphine; and, as his cries of pain increased in intensity, at the end of fifteen minutes I doubled the dose, but without apparent effect, and, as his suffering- was terribly acute, I abandoned all hope of saving his life. To put an end to his distress, I gave him every few minutes two or three of the one-eighth grain pills until I had administered no less than six grains of the powerful drug within the space of two hours, without apparent effect. His howls and cries were now incessant, and continued without any intermission for nearly four hours longer, when he appeared to be a little easier. At the end of another hour the pain had subsided, and he curled up and went to sleep, continuing quiet for nearly two hours, when he awoke as bright as a new button, and in a few days was as well as ever. I scarcely need add that I was greatly surprised at the result, knowing that the drug was all right, having taken one of the pills myself but a few days previous. I was also surprised that he should recover from so severe an attack, and whether the drug was of any benefit to him or not I could not determine. I give this instance merely to show that the action of this drug cannot always be depended upon in canine practice.

The use of drastic medicines and powerful drugs in canine practice is not nearly so common now as formerly, but there are many practitioners who continue to follow in the footsteps of the shining lights of ancient days, and who still continue to deal out to their patients many an old-time remedy that modern science has replaced with less dangerous but far more useful material; and it is to be devoutly hoped by every lover of man's best friend that the good work will go on until all the mistakes and guesswork of the ancients shall be eliminated from the treatment our pets receive while suffering from accident or disease. This is not intended as a homily to the practitioners, but as a hint to the owner when he is selecting a surgeon or physician to treat the ills of his pet.