316 FEVEKS AND THEIE TREATMENT. 



one reason why dogs in the country bear distemper so much better 

 than in towns ; for, as it is known that they are in the fresh air 

 no attempt is made to take them to it, and so they are left alone, 

 and are not induced to exert their strength prematurely. Even 

 when the dog appears nearly well, it is better to lead him out to 

 excercise for the first day or two. Otherwise he is almost sure to 

 over-exert himself. 



Ventilation should not be neglected ; moderate warmth is essen- 

 tial to a cure, and a delicate dog like the greyhound should have 

 a cloth on him in cold weather. The gi-eatest cleanliness 

 should be observed, and as far as possible without making the 

 kennel damp with water. Clean straw must be liberally provided, 

 and all offensive matters removed as often as they are voided. 



Summary of treatment.— In the early stage of disease, get the 

 bowels into good order by mild doses of aperient medicine : (11), 

 (13), or (15). Attend to any complications which may come on, 

 using a seton for the head and appropriate remedies for the chest, 

 or mixture for the bowels (6) if there is diarrhoea. For the exhaus- 

 tion, when the violent symptoms are abated, give the tonic (63) ; 

 and during the whole period attend to the diet, ventilation, cleanli- 

 ness, and rest, as previously described. 



Vaccination has been recommended as a remedy for distemper, 

 and has been largely tried both in foxhound and greyhound ken- 

 nels, as well as among pointers and setters. Some people think it 

 a sure preventive, and there is evidence that for years after it has 

 been adopted in certain kennels, distemper, which was previously 

 rife among them, has been held in check. On the other hand, a 

 still more numerous party have found no change produced in the 

 mortality among their dogs, and they have come as a natural con- 

 sequence to the opposite conclusion. Reasoning from analogy, 

 there is no ground for supposing that small-pox or cow-pox should 

 prevent the access of a disease totally dissimilar to these com- 

 plaints ; inasmuch as experience is the best guide, the appeal must 

 be made to it in order to settle the question. Judging from this 

 test, I can see no reason whatever for the faith which is placed in 

 vaccination, because there are at least as many recorded failures 



