310 INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



secretions that accumulate in the nasal cavities, cause difficult 

 respirations. After a few days the abscesses usually break, and 

 the sjanptoms are less severe. If the abscesses break on the 

 inside of the throat, the discharge from the nostrils is increased. 



The disease may be accompanied by an eruption of nodules, 

 or vesicles on the skin, or nasal mucous membrane. 



In severe and chronic cases multiple abscesses may form. 

 This complication is indicated by emaciation and weakness. 

 Such cases usually terminate in death. Severe inflammation 

 and swelling in the region of the throat may terminate in strangu- 

 lation and death. The death-rate is from one to three per cent. 



The 'preventive treatment consists in using all possible pre- 

 cautions to prevent the exposure of susceptible animals and prac- 

 tising the immunization of exposed animals. The curative treat- 

 ment is principally careful nursing. Rest, a comfortable stall, 

 nourishing feed and good care constitute the necessary treatment 

 for the average case of distemper. When the abscesses become 

 mature, they should be opened and washed with a disinfectant. 

 Steaming the animal several times daily relieves difficult breath- 

 ing and the irritated condition of the mucous membranes. In 

 case the abscesses do not form promptly and the throat is badly 

 swollen, a blistering ointment or liniment may be applied. Bit- 

 ter and saline tonics, the same as recommended in the treatment 

 of indigestion, may be given with the feed. 



Influenza (Catarrhal or Shipping Fever). — This is a well- 

 knovm acute infectious disease of solipeds. It is characterized 

 by depression, high body temperature and catarrhal inflamma- 

 tion of the respiratory and other mucous membranes. 



Several epidemics of influenza have occurred in the United 

 States. The most serious epidemic occurred in the latter part 

 of the 'TO's, and the last one in 1900-'01. Influenza is present 

 in the principal horse centers in a somewhat attenuated form. 



The specific cause of the disease has never been determined. 

 The virus is present in the expired air, nasal secretions and 



