CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 37I 



Symjptoms. — Distemper shows so great a variety of 

 symptoms that it will be judicious to give nearly all pos- 

 sible ones as they affect each system of organs of the 

 body. It will not be feasible to enumerate all the com- 

 binations that occur, as these are simply endless. 



Dullness, loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation usu- 

 ually at first, possibly diarrhoea ; elevated temperature, 

 thirst, rapid pulse ; dry, hot nose, sneezing, chills, harsh 

 or husky cough ; soon a thin, irritating discharge from 

 the eyes and nose ; redness of the eyes {conjunctiva) ; 

 later, a muco-purulent discharge from nose and eyes, and 

 looser cough ; there may be twitchings, or fits of various 

 kinds ; symptoms of meningitis, paralysis, emaciation — all 

 of which show the effect of the poison on the nervous 

 system. 



The period of latency, or incubation, is from about 

 four to sixteen days, during which tlie dog may seem to 

 be nearty as well as usual, or rather dull. 



Diagnosis. — When the nervous system is much affected 

 the discrimination is between meningitis, fits from worms, 

 teething, etc. But usually in distemper there is so much 

 loss of flesh, prostration, etc., that the diagnosis is not 

 difficult. 



Whenever a dog rapidly loses flesh and falls off in his 

 appetite, is dull, etc., especially if distemper is prevalent, 

 this disease should be suspected and the animal isolated for 

 further observation. 



The harsh cough is rather characteristic. Those affec- 

 tions of the eyes associated with indigestion are not ac- 

 companied by fever. The thermometer is invaluable. 



At times the attack is so sudden and so prostrating 



