34R FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



any distinct or strict diagnostic signs, yet it is not difficult, on 

 the whole, of detection. 



A dry, husky cough, followed by a loss of spirits and appe- 

 tite, the staring of the coat, and a thin watery discharge from 

 the nostrils and eyes, gradually instead of limpid becoming 

 muco-purulent, are usually the earliest symptoms of the disease ; 

 thouo-h at times the discharge does not appear, or is quickly 

 arrested, and followed by convulsions, which usually tenninate 

 the affair very quickly. 



When the symptomatic epilepsy of distemper occurs, if the at- 

 tack can be arrested with the occun-ence of a single fit, the dog 

 often recovers, but if one is followed by a second, the case is 

 usually hopeless. 



The vii-ulent or putrid type of the disease marked by a bloody 

 and foetid discharge from the nose, eyes, and sometimes even 

 from the ears, and by bloody, mucous and bilious evacuations 

 of the bowels, is, I think, so almost invariably fatal, that the 

 most mei'ciful method is at once to destroy the animal, as an act 

 of kindness to himself, as well as a means of preventing extend- 

 ed ravages by contagion. 



Again, distemper often leaves behind it a species of paralysis, 

 vdth nervous twitchings of the limbs, similar to chorea or St. 

 Vitus' dance, which continually increase, until it ends in convul- 

 sions and death, though it will at times slowly and entirely dis- 

 appear. 



The treatment of distemper must therefore necessarily varj" 

 greatly, and it is needless to add that although almost every 

 sportsman and breeder has, what he believes, an infallible rem- 

 edy — there is no such thing as a general specific for its cure or 

 prevention. 



The best plan generally is to commence operations with a 

 mild purgative or emetic, such as have been prescribed under 

 the head of General Treatment. 



If there is very much cough, or the pvilse be very greatly ex- 

 cited, bleed from three to six oz., according to the age and size 

 of the dog. If bleeding is adopted, use a very mild purgative. 



