Distemper 289 



prostration and rapid wasting of muscular tissue are 

 distinctive features, although not invariably present, 

 more especially if the attack occurs when the dog is 

 fairly well matured. 



In continuance of the description of distemper, 

 the development of such clinical phenomena as a 

 spinal weakness (distemper spine), chorea, paralysis, 

 etc., no absolute rule can be laid down as to the pre- 

 cise period at which their onset may occur, but, as 

 a rule, the spinal weakness and chorea usually make 

 their appearance on the approach of convalescence, 

 that is, if such appear at all. Chorea is denoted by 

 an involuntary twitching to a variable degree of 

 one or more muscles, more particularly in the region 

 of the head, ears and limbs, and its estabUshment is, 

 in nine cases out of ten, permanent. Spinal weak- 

 ness, though of a very persistent nature, can usually 

 be abolished by freely massaging the patient and the 

 prolonged use of cod liver oil and hypophosphates 

 or some other alhed compound. Distemper being a 

 specific febrile disease, it must run a definite course, 

 and there is no medicine can cut short such course ; 

 by careful nursing and good management much can 

 be done towards directing the patient to a favourable 

 issue, whilst the timely isolation may do more to- 

 wards preventing than by attempting to cure it. 

 Up to the present time no method has been devised 

 for protecting hounds against this trouble; vaccina- 



