Dalziel so fully and ably handles this subject that I give his article entire, as it covers the whole ground. I have been governed by his ideas in treating many cases and the success I had leads me to endorse his treatment:

"Fits are of common occurrence, especially in puppies - fortunately those that are of a dangerous and fatal character are the most rare; they often cause needless alarm, but the dog suffering from a fit of whatever kind is not an object to be frightened at, but to be commiserated and helped, and this requires freedom from a fear for which there is no just reason. Fits are of many kinds, and may be classified as apoplectic fits, distemper fits, fits from teething, fits from worms, and suckling fits, and other causes of excitement are known to produce them, even high notes of music, to which some dogs show a strong objection and are decidedly harmful.

Apoplectic Fits are caused by pressure on the brain from distended blood-vessels or effusions of blood. The subjects of attack are generally those dogs that are kept in idleness and over-fed, and the attack may be the result of the animal over-loading the stomach with food difficult of digestion. The symptoms are loud, labored breathing; the dog lies motionless on its side in a state of insensibility - there is no frothing at the mouth or champing of the jaws, but the eyes are fixed and often bloodshot. Such cases are usually fatal, and death is frequently instantaneous. Prompt bleeding is the most likely means of saving the patient; and then, soon as sufficiently recovered, a strong purge should be given, or clysters administered. Should these means prove successful, it will be necessary to use extreme care to prevent a recurrence of the fit. The dog's diet must be carefully regulated, sufficient healthful exercise allowed, or compelled, if need be, and occasional doses of cooling medicine given. Clayton's or Dent's Blood Cooling Pills will be just the thing to give. Apoplexy in the dog is not often seen in practice.

Distemper Fits are caused by congestion or inflammation of the brain, and often prove fatal.

Epileptic Fits are not dangerous, but of very common occurrence, especially during the heated term, and generally happen when the dog is at exercise - sometimes in the case of pointers they are seized when on the point, doubtless from the undue excitement produced. When the dog is attacked he is first observed to tremble on his legs, and on trying to run on he staggers and falls down on his side, frequently uttering a low moan. Struggling to his feet he attempts to move, only to repeat the fall, when he lies stupefied and insensible. The legs and the whole muscular system are violently convulsed, the clog froths at the mouth, the head is violently moved, often knocked against the ground, the jaws are champed together, and sometimes the tongue gets lacerated between the teeth, and the froth from his mouth becomes tinged with blood; the breathing during the fit is labored and irregular. The fit generally lasts several minutes. When the convulsions have subsided, the dog raises his head, opens his eyes with a look of surprise and very shortly runs about as if nothing had happened.

The treatment during an epileptic fit is to generally carry the dog to a dry place where there is some soft material so that he cannot hurt himself in his struggles. As soon after as possible give him a dose of Anti-spasmodic Drops: Compound spirits of sulphuric ether (known as Hoffman's anodyne), and tincture of opium (laudanum), equal parts.; (Keep well corked and cool.) Dose for 15 to 35 lb. dog would be a teaspoonful in two tablespoonfuls of milk. Larger dogs nearly a dessertspoonful as a dose - and leave him quiet in a warm, comfortable kennel. Endeavor to ascertain the cause of the fit. If from over-feeding, reduce the diet and give gentle exercise, and, if need be, repeated doses of cooling medicine; 3 gr. of bromide of potash for a 20 lb. to 40 lb. dog twice a day in water for a. week will be beneficial to dogs predisposed to epilepsy.

Suckling Fits are produced by exhaustion consequent on the bitch having too many pups left on her. She lies or falls down breathing heavily, becomes insensible, and is frequently much convulsed. Remove all the pups but one or two, which must meanwhile be fed on the bottle, or by spoon, condensed milk - a little at a time but often - and let the mother have a generous diet, and if much reduced give Clayton's or Dent's Condition Pills for a week or so.

Fits From Distemper

The following is from the American Field and is prescribed for by Dent, their veterinarian:

"I have an English setter, bitch, twenty months old, which has distemper. I thought her about over it, when a few days ago she had a fit which lasted about 3 minutes; she got up and seemed scared, had a wild look in her eyes and seemed unable to see well. She has those fits now once or twice a day and is very weak, but eats well, though hardly able to stand up. The fits she has. now are of shorter duration but she seems much weaker just after one; she has a fit soon after she begins to eat and is disturbed every morning; after she gets over it she will finish her breakfast of soup and rice or milk. Will she necessarily die or is she incurable? I have had a good deal of experience with distemper and have lost eight four-months-old puppies this Fall, but I have never lost any as old as this one. Ans. - Give twenty grains of the bromide of soda and one-thirtieth of a grain of arsenic three times a day; we think she will recover.-"

Teething Fits often occur during the cutting of the first teeth, but more frequently when the permanent ones are being irrupted. Lancing the gums is sometimes resorted to, but as a rule a little opening medicine is all that is needed. Convulsions are frequently present in these fits, as also in those due to worms.

Fits Due To Worms

When these parasites are the producing cause, that fact may be ascertained by examining the faeces voided during or just after the fit, as some of them will probably be seen. Or the presence of worms may be determined by the symptoms given under that head, and to Worms you are referred.