184 GENERAL DISEASES. 



torus are alike peculiar to both. Although distemper attacks dogs of all 

 ages it is more common in early life, the disease in old dogs being rarely 

 observed, for the reason that nearly all have experienced an attack and 

 are absolutely, or in a great measure insusceptible to the poison. 



Symptoms. —The period of incubation, or slow development after expo- 

 sure to contagion and preceding the first symptoms of distemper, is from 

 four to fourteen days; probably the latter is the limit in the large majority 

 of cases. An attack is usually preceded by dulness, disinclination to 

 exertion, loss of appetite, and chilly sensations as shown by shiverings. 

 Then rapidly follow the symptoms of a common cold, sneezing, dry, 

 husky cough, and a watery discharge from the eyes and nose. The fever 

 soon becomes prominent, the pulse full and decided, the nose hot and dry, 

 and the lining membrane of the eyelids reddened, the tongue slightly 

 coated, and the secretion of saliva diminished. Vomiting is not uncom- 

 mon, food is rejected or eaten sparingly; there is thirst, a tendency to 

 constipation, and still greater prostration. On the second or third day the 

 discharge from the eyes and nose becomes purulent, gluing the inflamed 

 eyelids together, and drying in crusts around the nostrils as the fever 

 grows more intense. Muscular weakness and prostration increase, the 

 animal is less easily disturbed, and when in motion hangs his head, makes 

 but little effort, soon lies down, becomes indifferent, or dozes into an 

 unquiet sleep. 



The cough at first short and dry, loses its husky tone as the mucous 

 secretion becomes abundant, and in mild cases soon ceases. As the dis- 

 ease progresses the pulse and respiration are increased in frequency; the 

 appetite more often entirely disappears; the stomach and intestines be- 

 come irritable, and a stale, even offensive odor proceeds from the mouth. 



The fever runs a course of variable intensity ; in uncomplicated cases 

 it usually reaches its height in four or five days, and then rapidly subsides. 

 So favorable a result is by no means the rule; more often complications 

 arise, prolonging the illness, and rendering recovery more uncertain. If 

 reaction is delayed, and the constitutional disturbances persist, prostra- 

 tion becomes more marked, and is accompanied with rapidly increasing 

 emaciation. 



In the progress of distemper seemingly trifling influences often induce 

 disastrous results; a system vitiated by the specific poison of the disease, 

 deranged and prostrated by an intense fever, its vital energies exhausted, 

 has but little resistive power, and is predisposed to further disorder. The 

 digestive organs already suffering from catarrhal conditions, are easily 

 inflamed by medicine or food unwisely selected; an irritable condition of 

 the mucous membrane of the air passages renders it easy to excite a 

 catarrh of the smaller bronchial tubes; weakness of the heart's action 



