A good watch dog is of inestimable value to the farmer; and as very
little is at present understood of the nature and treatment of their
maladies, we have thought that a few general directions would be
acceptable, not only to the farmer, but to every man who loves a dog. We
have paid considerable attention to the treatment of disease in this
class of animals, and have generally found that must of their maladies
will yield very readily to our sanative agents. Most of the remedies
recommended by _allopathic_ writers for dogs, like those recommended for
horses and cattle, would at any time destroy the animal; consequently,
if it ever recovers, it does so in spite of the violence done to the
constitution. We hope to rescue the dog, as well as other classes of
domestic animals, from a cruel system of medication; for this we labor,
and to this work our life is devoted. We ask the reader to take into
consideration the destructive nature of the articles used on these
faithful animals. Some of them are the most destructive poisons that can
be found in the whole world. For example, several authors recommend, in
the treatment of disease in the canine race, the following:--
_Tartar emetic_, a very few grains of which will kill a man--yet
recommended for dogs.
_Calomel_, a very fashionable remedy, used for producing ulcerated gums
and for rotting the teeth of thousands of the human family, as the
dentists can testify. Not fit for a dog, yet prescribed by most dog
fanciers.
_Lunar caustic_, recommended by Mr. Lawson for fits; to be given
internally with cobwebs!! Our opinion is, that it would be likely to
give any four-footed creature "_fits_" that took it.
Cowhage, corrosive sublimate, tin-filings, sugar of lead, white
precipitate, oil of turpentine, opium nitre--these, together with aloes,
jalap, tobacco, hellebore, and a very small proportion of sanative
agents, make up the list. In view of the great destruction that is
likely to attend the administration of these and kindred articles, we
have substituted others, which may be given with safety. Why should the
poor dog be compelled to swallow down such powerful and destructive
agents? He is entitled to better treatment, and we flatter ourselves
that wherever these pages shall be read, he will receive it. In
reference to the value of dogs, Mr. Lawson says, "Independent of his
beauty, vivacity, strength, and swiftness, he has the interior qualities
that must attract the attention and esteem of mankind. Intelligent,
humble, and sincere, the sole happiness of his life seems to be to
execute his master's commands. Obedient to his owner, and kind to all
his friends, to the rest he is indifferent. He knows a stranger by his
clothes, his voice, or his gestures, and generally forbids his approach
with marks of indignation. At night, when the guard of the house is
committed to his care, he seems proud of the charge; he continues a
watchful sentinel, goes his rounds, scents strangers at a distance, and
by barking gives them notice that he is on duty; if they attempt to
break in, he becomes fiercer, threatens, flies at them, and either
conquers alone, or alarms those who have more interest in coming to his
assistance. The flock and herd are even more obedient to the dog than to
the shepherd: he conducts them, guards them, and keeps them from
capriciously seeking danger; and their enemies he considers as his
own."