160 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY AND 



From an analysis of this table one sees the B. broncho- 

 septicus does not confine itself to the respiratory tract, and 

 it is interesting to note the high percentage of cases in 

 which the liver was involved. 



These investigators have certainly advanced the bacteri- 

 ology of distemper further than any other workers, more 

 particularly if the B. bronchosepticus proves to be the 

 causative bacterium of distemper proper. In discussing 

 equine influenza we expressed an opinion that the primary 

 causative bacterium was probably of a more or less benign 

 character so far as its pathogenesis goes, secondary infection 

 being responsible for the complications and consequent 

 often fatal sequelae. 



Canine distemper resembles equine influenza in many 

 ways, and so far as mixed secondary infections are con- 

 cerned, it appears to stand exactly parallel. 



The writer believes also that the specific primary infection 

 is seldom responsible, as with influenza, for fatal termina- 

 tions, and if secondary invasions could be warded against, 

 canine distemper would lose many of its serious aspects. 



The most common bacteria found in the secondary 

 infection are streptococci, staphylococci, and B. coli com- 

 munis. 



It appears to be evident, from the research work of Ferry, 

 that the B. bronchosepticus and its toxins have such an 

 effect upon the system of the patient that the secondary 

 invading bacteria have their way prepared for them, and 

 their development is a very rapid, virulent, and assured one. 



If this hypothesis is correct, it will follow, if we desire 

 to combat the ravages of these various bacteria, that a 

 vaccine prepared from the B. bronchosepticus must be 

 given in the early stages of the disease — in fact, before 

 the first manifestations of sickening present themselves, 

 and also before the least suspicion of a mixed infection 

 has taken place, if benefit is to follow its administration; 

 for it is obvious that such a vaccine would possess no 

 curative value whatever against the destructive effects of, 



