At the commencement the diet must be changed

At the commencement the diet must be changed

At the commencement the diet must be changed

At the commencement the diet must be changed, for the manner of feeding is at fault. The remedies proper to improve the general health must be employed, and everything done to restore the system.

To the scrotum a mild ointment will be sufficient. Should that not succeed, some of those recommended for mange may be tried; or the surface may be lightly passed over once with a stick of lunar caustic, care being taken to tie the head of the dog up afterwards to prevent it licking the part.

These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves

These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves

These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves

These cancers do not appear to burst of themselves. They get sensation as they inflame; but in every instance that has fallen under my notice, before ulceration has taken place, they have been slightly wounded; either by the dog's dragging himself upon the earth, or otherwise. The smallest injury, however, is sufficient to provoke the action, which when once excited is not afterwards to be subdued. The ulcer being established, enlarges; and the humanity of the owner does not allow the lingering and disgusting disease to take its course, but the poor dog is destroyed to spare its suffering.

This condition of the scrotum yields

This condition of the scrotum yields

This condition of the scrotum yields

This condition of the scrotum yields, in the first instance, to simple applications; but, should nothing be done, it will continue bad for some period, and may involve the whole of the bag. It will, in most instances, so far as the outward and more acute symptom is concerned; that is, the discharge will cease, the scab fall off, and nothing be left for the eye to dwell upon. With the seeming cessation, however, other and more deep-seated structures become involved. The disease leaves the surface only, and its virulence fixes upon the internal parts. The skin at the place thickens, becomes hard and gristly. There is no pain; but the sensation is diminished, which, to the surgeon, is a far worse sign than is a little anguish. The thickening is sometimes stationary; and the animal dies without any further evil afflicting him. There is, however, no security that it will remain thus passive; for occasionally it increases in size, inflames, gets hurt or rubbed, and ulcerates: in fact, cancer of the scrotum is established; and as this mostly comes on when the constitution is weakened, little relief and no promise of cure can generally be afforded.

Soreness of the scrotum is very common

Soreness of the scrotum is very common

Soreness of the scrotum is very common

Soreness of the scrotum is very common, and I have seen it in every description of dog. I attribute it to derangement of the digestion; never having witnessed it in animals that were not thus affected, and not having been able to discover it had any more immediate origin. It mostly appears first as a redness, which soon becomes covered with small pimples, that break and discharge a thin watery fluid. The fluid coagulates, and a thin scab covers the surface. The scab is generally detached, being retained only by the straggling hairs that grow upon the bag. The scab being removed, shows a moist and unhealthy patch, the margin of which is of a faint dirty red color.

When the hairs at the orifice are matted together

When the hairs at the orifice are matted together

When the hairs at the orifice are matted together

When the hairs at the orifice are matted together, it is best to snip them away, which will not only remove a present inconvenience, but effectually prevent its recurrence. The wounds which occasionally cover the exterior of the sheath are of no vast importance, or, at all events, they are of secondary consideration. With the healing of the inward sores they mostly depart; but their disappearance will be hastened, and the comfort of the animal improved, if, when the injection is used, they are at the same time smeared with some mild ointment. That composed of camphor, &c., and to be found described at page , does very well for such a purpose; but any other of a gentle nature would probably answer as well.

Under its more virulent form it is not to be thus easily got rid of

Under its more virulent form it is not to be thus easily got rid of

Under its more virulent form it is not to be thus easily got rid of

Under its more virulent form it is not to be thus easily got rid of, though even then it is to be subdued. If there be much pain, I inject the lotion up the sheath, and by closing the orifice around the point of the syringe, endeavor to pass the fluid over the whole of the interior. Sometimes the pain or irritation is excessive: I then combine sedatives with the lotions, and their strength I increase as the occasion warrants; but the non-professional person had better use none more potent than one drachm of tincture of opium to every ounce of lotion. When the pain, decreasing, allows the penis to be protruded, if any sprouting fungus or proud flesh is upon it, a pair of scissors should be used to snip it off. Some bleeding will ensue, but a little burnt alum will generally stay it; though, if allowed to continue, I have thought the local depletion was beneficial, and it has never to my knowledge been attended with danger. The burnt alum I use in powder, and I prefer it in these cases to the lunar caustic; which gives more pain; acts less immediately as a styptic, and is not so satisfactory in its subsequent effects, and, as the animal can hardly be kept from licking the place, it may possibly be objectionable on that account. Such treatment usually is beneficial; and the only further direction to be added concerns such minor points as reason probably would not need to have specially pointed out.

Whichever of the lotions the practitioner may prefer

Whichever of the lotions the practitioner may prefer

Whichever of the lotions the practitioner may prefer

Whichever of the lotions the practitioner may prefer, should be used at least thrice daily, and if more frequently employed, no injury will be done. The mode of applying the lotion is extremely simple. The seat of the disease being exposed, with a piece of lint or soft rag the fluid is passed over the surface. No friction is resorted to; but a simple bathing, in the gentlest possible manner, is all that can be required. In a few days the effect will be perceived, for by such means the affection can be cured; but unless the food is improved, and the digestion relieved, there can be no security against its speedy return.

Either of the foregoing will be of service

Either of the foregoing will be of service

Either of the foregoing will be of service

Either of the foregoing will be of service; but before any of them, I prefer the subjoined:

Chloride of zinc	One grain.
Distilled water	One ounce.

Any astringent eye-lotion will generally answer

Any astringent eye-lotion will generally answer

Any astringent eye-lotion will generally answer

In its mildest shape, any astringent eye-lotion will generally answer; but the strength may with safety and advantage be increased.

1.
Sulphate of copper or zinc	Five grains.
Distilled water	One ounce.
2.
Liquor plumbi	One drachm.
Distilled water	One ounce.
3.
Alum	Half a scruple.
Rose water	One ounce.

And as the strength returns it will disappear

And as the strength returns it will disappear

And as the strength returns it will disappear

All this suffering is to be traced to the misplaced kindness of the owner. Over-feeding is the cause; and, so far as I know, the single cause which gives rise to the serious aspect of this form of disease. Should it accompany debility, it is mild in its character, and as the strength returns it will disappear. Even in this last case, however, it would be more certainly, and with more speed removed, by a few simple measures which necessitate no vast trouble.