DISEASES OF GOATS, DOGS, AND CATS 643 



pharynx, stomach and intestines is either pale, or red, tumefied and 

 covered with viscous mucus. 



The mesenteric lymphatic ganglia are tumefied. The brain 

 shows evidence of cerebral edema, anemia, and softening of the brain 

 and nerve. The convolutions of the brain are soft and flattened; 

 there is a serous exudate in the lateral ventricles and in the sub- 

 arachnoid spaces. The blood vessels of the pia mater are distended, 

 and sometimes a sero-hemorrhagic exudate may be found on this 

 membrane; at times the nerve-cells and ganglia are involved. 

 Changes in the spinal cord are, as a rule, less prominent; there is 

 rarely more than a slight anemia and edema in the lumbar region. 

 Where, however, there are symptoms of acute paralysis, the spinal 

 cord shows marked evidence of intense inflammation, characterized 

 by degenerative changes in the walls of the blood vessels and an 

 albuminous exudate along the blood vessels and in the interstitial 

 connective tissue of the gray substance of the cord. 



In chronic distemper, circumscribed areas of true inflammation 

 of the connective tissue of the spinal cord and partial atrophy of the 

 nerve substance have been found. In some cases, the muscle cells 

 of the heart and the cells of the liver and kidneys have been found 

 in a state of fatty degeneration. The lymphatic glands are gener- 

 ally tumefied and edematous, and finally, eschars are generally 

 found upon the elbows and thighs due to the animal assuming a re- 

 cumbent position so much of the time. 



Treatment. The treatment is in great part symptomatic; our 

 object is to try to destroy the contagious agent (and thus remove 

 the cause), to relieve the unpleasant symptoms as much as possible, 

 to relieve the catarrh of the various organs and to sustain the strength 

 of the patient. 



Calomel has given remarkably good results in combating the 

 disease when localized in the digestive tract or when the infectious 

 elements have penetrated that duct. It should here be given in 

 one-grain doses three times a day. Its chief action is that of a good 

 disinfectant. The inhalation of a one per cent, solution of carbolic 

 acid often has a very soothing effect upon the respiratory mucous 

 membranes; also a five per cent, solution of compound tincture of 

 benzoin added to the above. 



Treatment of the Ocular Complications. A one per cent, solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid or a five per cent, solution of boracic acid proves 

 an excellent factor in combating ulcerations of the cornea and puru- 

 lent conjunctivitis. Also one-half to one per cent, solution of sul- 

 phate of zinc. In very obstinate cases, from one-half to a two per 

 cent, solution of nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) acts as a rule very 

 nicely. When the latter is used, the parts should be washed after- 

 wards with a five per cent, solution of common salt so as to render 

 harmless any excess of silver nitrate. Where parenchymatous kera- 

 titis (inflammation of the substance of the cornea) is present, a 

 solution containing six grains of the sulphate of atropine to one 

 ounce of water, or, in its place, equal parts of the fluid extract of 

 belladonna is used with good effect, both to keep the iris from be- 



