Distemper in Dogs and Cats. 165 



second and stronger virus is used ten or twelve days later and 

 produces a real immunity. 



The drawbacks to these methods are : 1st ; that fowls are of 

 too little value, to warrant inoculation in healthy flocks ; 2d ; 

 that in infected flocks, where it is employed, the more susceptible 

 birds are usually already contaminated, and a large proportion 

 die in spite of it ; and 3d ; that it becomes a means of planting 

 the infection in new localities (Kitt). 



Treatment. The disease is so deadly that little can be hoped 

 from medicinal treatment. It has been directed mainly to gastric 

 and intestinal disinfection. Copperas and sulphuric or hydro- 

 chloric acid in the drinking water ^ to 1 per cent, of each is at 

 once prophylactic and curative. Friedberger and Frohner add 

 fennel or peppermint, and give a tablespoonfnl every hour to an 

 affected chicken. Other agents recommended are : carbolic acid 

 (5 : ico) by the mouth or subcutem (Nocard), salicylate of soda, 

 quinia (Cadeac), tannic acid (2 : 100), salol, naphthol, tar water, 

 etc. 



DISTEMPER IN DOGS AND CATS. 



Definition. Synonyms. Animals susceptible : dog, fox, jackal, hyena, 

 wolf. Historic notes. Causes : contagion, inoculation, immunity, contact 

 with sick, clothing, bedding, kennel : infection fixed— little diffusible, dogs 

 at large, chill, domestication, high breeding, special breeds, shows, public 

 conveyances, vegetable diet, debilitating conditions, catarrhs, change of 

 climate, recurrent attacks, youth, native susceptibility, teething. Microbi- 

 ology : micrococci, bacilli, mixed cultures, Shantyr's observations, Ligni- 

 eres'. Virulent products — all secretions and exudates. Vitality: virus 

 survives drying, freezing, dilution in water. Destroyed by disinfectants. 

 Forms of distemper : catarrhal, ophthalmic, cutaneous, gastro-hepatic, 

 bronchitic, pulmonary, nervous. Duration 20 to 30 days. Mortality 20 to 

 70 per cent. Prognosis : unpromis-ing conditions. Incubation 4 to 7 days. 

 Symptoms: hyperthermia (103 to 104 ), dulness, debility, anorexia, star- 

 ing coat, tremors, seeking warmth, early fatigue, dry burning nose and 

 footpads, irregular temperature, simultaneous congestion of all visible 

 mucosae ; Respiratory phenomena ; sneezing, congestion of nose, discharge, 

 blocking, snuffling, rubbing, cough, retching, vomiting ; percussion flat- 

 ness in lungs, in islets or along the lower part ; auscultation rales, wheezing, 

 crepitus, creaking, etc. ; epiphora, swollen eyelids, weeping, photophobia, 

 muco-purulent discharge, sticking of lids together, opacities, vesicles, 



