The yellow colour of the skin, white of eyes, mucuous membranes lining eyelids and cheeks is, of course diagnostic that the colouring matter of the bile is circulating throughout the system. The urine is usually deep yellow and very scanty, and the motions often clay-coloured and hard, though this latter condition is frequently absent, in fact diarrhœa present. This is particularly well marked in the so-called hepatic or bilious form of distemper. Gall-stones, when impacted in the bile-ducts, give rise to jaundice and colic pains. There is also a catarrhal condition of the bile-ducts that leads to the same jaundiced condition. As a considerable number of dogs succumb to this affection, very careful treatment is necessary. Linseed and mustard poultices over the region of the liver, and a hot bath, will often work miracles. Soda-water and milk should constitute the only nourishment for a few days, unless it be teaspoonful doses of Brand's Essence of Beef. A grain of calomel along with a quarter teaspoonful of sugar, night and morning for two or three days (until the bowels are open), will be found to do good in most instances. Further treatment can, with advantage, be left to the veterinarian, so much depending upon individual conditions. RUPTURES Although purely of a surgical nature, it may not be out of place to mention that any organ or tissue in any part of the body may be the seat of a rupture. Ruptures of the stomach (rare in the dog), bladder, liver, blood-vessels, bowels, muscles, etc., are of occasional occurrence. A very common rupture is that known as "umbilical," many puppies showing this swelling in the region of the navel. Frequently it disappears with increasing age. It is of little importance. Rupture of the wall of the belly and protrusion of the bowels, etc., is a serious condition, demanding immediate professional aid. This is equally applicable when the generative organs or perinæum are injured. Another form of rupture is that known as "inguinal," denoted by a variously-sized swelling in the region of the groin. In scrotal rupture the testicular sac is enlarged. CHAPTER XXI =Poisons and their Remedies= POISONING BY ARSENIC--BY ANTIMONY--STRYCHNINE--PHOSPHORUS--RAT AND OTHER VERMIN-KILLERS--BY LEAD--MERCURY--PTOMAINE POISONING POISONING BY ARSENIC Very small quantities of this drug are capable of bringing on a fatal inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and it is only prescribed in the most minute doses. Fowler's Solution of Arsenic is the compound generally selected for administration of the drug in the liquid form, the average dose of it for the larger sporting dogs being 10 drops. Arsenious acid or white arsenic is an extremely cheap compound, and one that enters largely into the composition of many sheep-dips, a fact that it may be worth while to bear in mind should a dog be poisoned in a manner, suspiciously regarded.