Even this ready means does not safeguard our canine friends against death from the ingestion of various poisonous agents, though doubtless this prompt action of the stomach in response to stimulation of the vomiting centre in the brain, does confer a certain degree of immunity against toxic substances. Rapidity of absorption has an important bearing in this respect, such deadly agents as strychnine being absorbed by the stomach, passing into the circulation to other vital organs in a very rapid manner. During distemper, vomiting is common, its frequent repetition being an additional exhausting factor in this malady. To avoid this, minute quantities of readily assimilable nourishment is essential. When the ejected material is stained with blood or actually contains blood as blood, it points to ulceration of the lining membrane of the stomach--a condition of gravity. Stoppage of the bowels is often followed by vomiting, and frequently brings on paralysis. _Treatment for Vomition._--Rest for the stomach is one of the first essentials of treatment. Nourishment must be given, and, if necessary, this can be in the form of nutrient enemas. (_See_ CLYSTERS.) Fatty substances, milk, vegetables, and solid food, must be rigidly excluded until such time as the organ has regained its tone and proper power of assimilating the nutritive pabulum supplied. Soda-water to drink and 20 grains of powdered bismuth three times a day, along with a tablespoonful of the soda-water. If dog is paralytic give it an enema. WORMS Although fairly common in other situations, worms are most frequently found infesting the intestines and stomach. The cavities of the heart, nasal and respiratory passages, cranial cavity, and bile-duct are more rarely the seats of parasitic invasion in the dog. When the heart and respiratory tubes are affected, the parasites are of a minute, thread-like character, hence known as _Filaria_, or thread-worms. The flat, lancet-shaped worm, sometimes found up the nose, is spoken of as a trematode; the round-worms in the stomach and bowels as nematodes; whilst the other long, flat, or tape-like worms, are called _Tænia_. Very few dogs are entirely free from worms of one sort or another, though it is only when these become numerous that the dog shows signs of having these pests. Gradual loss of condition, irregular appetite, irregular evacuations, harsh coat, sometimes vomiting, and increased redness of the membranes lining the eyelids, are the usual signs, significant of internal parasites. Positive proof is of course the passage of segments of tape-worms, or round-worms, either by vomiting, or in the evacuations. Sneezing and a catarrhal discharge from the nose is generally present when the nasal passages are infested with the lancet-shaped worms already alluded to. An uncommon true blood-sucking worm (_Spiroptera sanguinolenta_) is occasionally found in the stomach.