DISTEMPER AND CONTAGIOUS CATARRHAL FEVER 281 



retained in the rectum. Very frequently by this means an animal can 

 be carried over the grave stages of the disease, and it is surprising how 

 long an animal's life can be sustained by this means. Albrecht mentions 

 one dog that had chronic nephritis, and was nourished for forty-two days 

 by this means. In the administration of a nutritive clyster, the rectum 

 must be first cleansed by an injection of luke-warm water, and in about 

 ten minutes, not sooner, the nourishing clyster is given; the amount 

 varies from a tablespoonful to a cupful, according to the size of the animal. 

 The injection must be made slowly and carefully, care being taken not to 

 excite the animal any more than is necessary, and when the nozzle of 

 the injection pipe is withdrawn the anal opening must be held closed 

 for a short time, and, if possible, elevate the hind cjuarters of the 

 animal. 



The following nutritive clysters are recommended: 



1. Two or three beaten up eggs, 250.0 thick bouillon. 



2. Two beaten up eggs, 200.0 concentrated bouillon and a spoonful of 

 starch. 



3. Two beaten eggs, 10.0 peptonoids, 120.0 sherry wine, 250.0 

 bouillon. 



4. One beaten egg, 600.0 bouillon, 150.0 port wine, 0.5 bicarbonate of 

 soda, 0.02 common salt, and 60.0 peptonoids. 



5. Two beaten eggs, 4.0 salt, 20.0 port wine, 250.0 milk. 



6. Two or three eggs beaten up with a little cold water, and a pinch 

 of starch; these are laid to one side, then a tablespoonful of sugar, a half 

 cup of milk and a wineglassful of port wine are mixed together and boiled 

 for a short time, when it is allowed to cool. When it is nearly cold add the 

 combination to it with a small pinch of salt, care being taken to see that 

 the solution is not warm enough to coagulate the milk. 



In the early stages of the disease, the stomach can be emptied by 

 means of an emetic, such as the subcutaneous injections of apomorphia, 

 antimonial wine, etc. It is a ciuestion whether an emetic by its subse- 

 cjuent depression does not do more harm than good. As a rule, constipa- 

 tion is not present and the bowels had better be left alone; if the animal 

 commences to eat and the intestinal canal returns to its normal condition, 

 the lower bowel will be emptied naturally without the assistance of drugs; 

 if, however, it is necessary to evacuate the rectum, use a glycerine sup- 

 pository. 



Other therapeutic measures will have to be employed as the symptoms 

 arise, and we would refer you to the diseases of the nose, larynx, bron- 

 chia, and air-passages, also to those of the stomach and intestine, par- 

 ticularly where there is persistent diarrhoea, and lastly diseases of the 

 brain, spinal cord, and eyes. As a rule, no treatment should be used for 

 the skin eruption in distemper. If any irregularity arise, however, this 



