In such condition rest, not food, is what they need; moreover, they could not digest much, if any, food were they to take it, for their digestive organs are no less weakened by the hardships that they have experienced than their muscular and nervous systems. But actual rest is out of the question at first, for their surroundings are too novel and bewildering; finally, however, they become sufficiently accustomed to them to sleep soundly for a few hours, or during the greater part of a night, perhaps, and are themselves again. And when this happy state of things is reached - but not before - they are ready to eat.

A novice that is likely to worry and fret himself to pieces before the judging ought never to be sent away unattended; and if his owner cannot accompany him some one with whom he is familiar should do so. Arriving the day before the show, the attendant should take his charge directly to his hotel and keep him with him in his room or in the stable until the hour has come for benching.

And they who have several entries would do well to to reach their destination as early as this, and instead of taking their dogs at once to the show building, find stable room for them and keep them there until the show opens.

In all instances the attendants should carry with them food enough for at least one round - something that the dogs are accustomed to at home - and then be sure to tickle their palates the next morning. Having now had two good meals before the judging they will show up in decidedly better condition than they could on empty stomachs, which most dogs have for twenty-four or forty-eight hours after a night spent in the cars or with strangers of their kind.

The show over and the dog is being made ready for the return journey, the same injunctions as to watering and feeding as were first issued should be put upon his crate, to which also should be attached his drinking-pan.

At home once more, before he is kennelled he should be washed thoroughly, strong carbolic soap being used freely, for the purpose of removing from his jacket and skin all disease germs that may have found lodgement thereon. And that the importance of this procedure may be duly appreciated the statement is made that were the germs of distemper present and had the dog once suffered from that disease he would be safe from them, but to his mates not blessed by immunity, and especially the younger ones, he would be a deadly menace.

But let exhibitors take this precaution, also burn the bedding, thoroughly disinfect the crates, chains, collars, drinking-vessels, etc., and they need have no fear of distemper being sent to their kennels from shows, unless, of course, it is within the bodies of the returning visitors, and of that, as already stated, there is but little danger where managements are alive to their duty.

The washing over, a little light food, as milk, should be given, and for several days afterward the rule should be to feed sparingly on simple and easily digestible foods.

It is the custom of many to give, soon after the return, castor oil and syrup of buckthorn, in equal parts, and in doses of the same size as would be appropriate were castor oil alone used. To this there can be no valid objection, for it is likely to do good, and certainly it can do no harm even if not demanded.

Other internal medication than this will seldom be required from "start to finish," and assuredly never with fairly healthy dogs, notwithstanding the notion entertained by not a few exhibitors that they ought to give a little quinine or something of the sort as a "bracer," pepsin to assist digestion, and perhaps the bromide of potassium to subdue nervousness.

All such medicines should be left at home, for were a dog really ill while at a show a veterinary skilled in canine diseases should be called in to attend him. But there is one preparation for external use which some exhibitors would do well to take with them, and that is a mixture of Canada balsam and carbolic acid, in equal parts.

Oftentimes dogs, and especially the long-coated, leave home in good condition, with skin smooth and healthy, and after being on the bench a few days an eruption attended with intense itching breaks out on them. At this they bite and scratch until the affected spot is "raw," and unless treatment is promptly applied the hair is very sure to fall out and leave the victims disfigured for several months.

Half an ounce of the mixture in question will be an admirable provision against this accident; and although this quantity could scarcely be used in a year's time in a large kennel, it costs no more than a smaller quantity; moreover, it is a valuable remedy to have at hand at home as well as abroad.

He who has it prepared should tell his druggist to use pure carbolic acid - the crystals merely liquefied by heat and put the mixture into a bottle that has a wide neck.

Now, if a dog is seen biting or scratching himself let the spot be examined, and if it is found inflamed - of a deep red color - take this bottle of Canada balsam and carbolic acid, invert it while the cork is in place, remove the cork, and sweeping the hair well back, gently rub the small end over the affected surface, being careful to limit the application to the skin and touch no more of the hair than is absolutely necessary.

The minute quantity of the mixture which adheres to the cork after the bottle has been inverted will be amply sufficient for an application to an inflamed spot no larger than a half-dollar piece, and as soon as it is made the redness will largely disappear, and the surface exhibit a thin white coating.

All that remains is to dust over it a little powder, lay the hair down, and pass a brush over it with gentle pressure once or twice. The chances are many that if the application has reached all of the affected part the dog will not touch it again, the itching being entirely overcome by the carbolic acid, which paralyzed the cutaneous nerves.

As to the kind of powder to use. Manifestly it would not be necessary to call attention to the fact that the dog had an eczematous spot by using white powder on him if he had a black coat, when powdered charcoal would answer every purpose. Therefore, let this be used if the coat is very dark. Fuller's earth will do for brownish coats, powdered sulphur for yellowish or grayish coats, and the subnitrate of bismuth for white coats.

The hair at its lowest parts will be glued down by the mixture, but it must not be disturbed for a week; at the end of which period a cure will generally have been effected, and the hair can be restored by brushing after the mat has been well softened with water.

Of course if one application does not suffice a second should be made.

With this remedy at hand a dog can often be kept up through a season, whereas without it the loss of hair might soon make his removal from the bench imperative.