DISEASES AND REMEDIES 95 



DISTEMPER 



It is not an exaggeration to state that three- 

 fourths of the canine race die from distemper. 

 It is an acute, infectious disease characterized 

 by inflammation of the mucous membranes of 

 the mouth, nose, throat, stomach, and bowels. 

 Whether it is of microbic origin or originates 

 spontaneously is a much discussed problem, but 

 it is sufficient for our purpose to know that it 

 is highly contagious and subjects should be 

 immediately isolated. 



It is of the greatest importance that it be 

 detected in its earliest stages and treatment 

 commenced at once. The earliest symptoms 

 are sneezing, a dry, husky cough, and wiping 

 the nose with the paws, then a watery discharge 

 from the nose and the eyes which are more or 

 less reddened. These symptoms may also be 

 present in a bad cold, but if the dog shivers, 

 seeks warmth, and nose is dry and crusty, and 

 a loss of appetite is apparent, treatment for 

 distemper should be commenced immediately. 

 Every man owning hounds should have a clin- 

 ical thermometer; one can be had from any 

 druggist for 75 cents, and at this stage is al- 

 most a certain indication of this disease if it 

 registers above 101 in the rectum (normal). 



