THE DISTEMPER. 151 



on together. Food of the most nutritious quality, as already 

 insisted on, should, in these cases particularly, be unsparing-ly 

 administered. Free access of air is indispensible, and a con- 

 stant change of litter and the removal of every thing likely to 

 harbour the putrid exhalations, is most desirable. The foetor 

 may be very properly corrected by sprinkling the place the 

 animal is placed in with vinegar. I have, sometimes, used 

 equal parts of vinegar and water as a daily wash to the body 

 of the dog himself with benefit ; and in very bad cases, 

 when the running from the nose is extreme in quantity, 

 bloody, and very offensive, and when ulcers are apparent 

 within either the nose or mouth, or both, I would recom- 

 mend both nose and mouth to be syringed or washed with 

 the following, by means of a small piece of sponge tied to a 

 skewer : — 



Cayenne pepper half a dram 



Vinegar 2 ounces 



Decoction of either peruvian, oak, or elm 

 bark 



} 



The malignant distemper is sometimes accompanied with a 

 gathering of matter within a tumour which is usually situated 

 near the commissure of the jaws. When the suppurative 

 process is complete, and the tumour bursts, a malignant 

 spreading ulcer succeeds, which, in all the cases I witness- 

 ed, the most active means proved insufficient to arrest. 



It will, perhaps, excite some surprise, that I have so long 

 omitted to mention that very popular remedy for distemper, 

 a seton in the neck. In truth, I think setons very seldom de- 

 serve the commendation bestowed on them ; on the contrary, 

 I believe they sometimes do more harm than good. In the 

 latter stages of the complaint, I am certain they weaken the 

 patient, and prove very hurtful. In one state in which dis- 

 temper sometimes commences, however, I think them highly 

 advisable ; and this is where there is evidently much active 

 inflammation going on in the head : that is, when at the very 

 outset of the complaint there is such an impatience of light. 



