INDEX OF DISEASES AND REMEDIES 757 



DISINFECTION PRIOR TO OPERATION continued. 



Vagina : wash the mucous lining with 4 per cent, warm sol. of boric 



acid, then with potassium permanganate (1 : 2000), and just before 



operation with 5 per cent. sol. sodium bicarb. 

 Uterus: irrigate with water boiled and cooled to blood heat ; syphon 



out fluid if not expelled ; and finally irrigate with sol. iodine, grains 



8 to the quart of tepid water, or with 2 per cent. sol. carbolic acid. 



DISLOCATIONS. 



Luxations. Not common in the lower animals. 

 Bring bones into natural position. 



Retain in position by splints, bandages, plasters ; sling if necessary. 

 Abate inflammation by either hot or cold applications, as may be 



suitable. 



DISTEMPER IN DOGS. 



A contagious eruptive fever affecting the mucous membranes, skin, 

 and glands, and frequently the cerebro-spinal axis. It attacks dogs, 

 cats, foxes, wolves, hyenas, jackals, and monkeys. Evidently of 

 organismal origin ; cultivations to the seventh generation produce the 

 disease when inoculated in dogs and cats ; but the distinctive microbe 

 has not yet been demonstrated. 

 Prevent spread by early isolation and disinfection. 

 Good nursing and cleanliness as important as medicines. 

 An emetic and mild laxative if required in early stage. 

 Ammonium acetate solution and ipecacuanha, steaming and sponging 



nose and eyes relieve catarrh. 



Boric acid, two per cent, solution in conjunctivitis, which see. 

 Hot compresses, embrocations, stimulant expectorants in laryngeal and 



bronchial cases. 



Combat fever with antipyrine or quinine. 



Injections of polyvalent antistreptococcic serum, recommended by Joly. 

 Chlorodyne, or bismuth salicylate allays gastro-intestinal irritation. 

 Boric acid and tannoform powder with ten parts kaolin or starch abate 



skin irritation ; strophanthus in heart weakness. 

 Sodium sulphite as antiseptic and antipyretic. 

 For nervous complications see CHOREA, EPILEPSY, CONVULSIONS. 

 If food not spontaneously taken give beef tea and milk, beef tea with 

 white of egg, or finely minced lean beef uncooked, and, if required, 

 wine or spirit. 

 During convalescence give phosphates, and heematinics, cod-liver oil ; and 



a generous diet. 



Preventive treatment uncertain : vaccines and antidistemper sera intro- 

 duced by Copeman, Phisalix and others may be tried. 



DROPSY. 



Symptomatic serous effusion. See ASCITES. 

 Endeavour to restore functions of heart, kidneys, or liver, the impaired 



action of which usually causes the effusion ; Turkish baths. 

 Digitalis infusion and strychnine useful in most dropsies, especially in 



cardiac, in which give with salines or milk sugar. 

 Copaiba in cardiac and hepatic cases. 

 Laxatives and pot. iodide in renal dropsy. 



Encourage vicarious functions of bowels and skin if kidneys affected. 

 Iron and salines in cases associated with anaemia. 



Restrict quantity of fluid ; friction ; shampooing ; external stimulants. 

 Trocar and canula, or aspirator for cases requiring tapping. 



DYSENTERY. 



Contagious specific inflammation of mucous and glandular structures 

 of intestine, occurring in foals, calves, lambs, and dogs, within a 

 few days after birth. In muco-purulent, blood-stained discharge 



