THE DISTEMPER. 69 



A dog never has the distemper twice, nor does it ever attack 

 him after he has attained the age of two years ; but generally 

 makes its appearance before the animal is twelve months old. 

 A notion became prevalent a few years back, that by inoculating 

 a dog with the cow pock, the distemper would be prevented. 



The Cow Pock. Dr. Jenner has asserted that by inoculating 

 dogs for the cow-pock, a " disease similar to that which is called 

 the dog's distemper is produced, but in a very slight degree. 

 What is most remarkable (adds Dr. Jenner) this inoculation 

 renders them afterwards unsusceptible of that affection." Dr. 

 Jenner is certainly no mean authority; but, having tried the 

 experiment a number of times, from what I have witnessed, I 

 can assert, that unless much more than ordinary pains are taken in 

 the operation, no disease whatever whatever will be produced ; 

 and when at length, pustules have been raised, they have not 

 been attended with symptoms any way resembling what is called 

 the distemper. 



The catalogue of dog diseases is extended in some publica- 

 tions to a puzzling length, where the various ramifications or 

 different stages of each disease receive a new name, in direct 

 violation of that clearness and perspicuity so preferable, indeed 

 so essentially requisite, in a statement of cases, many of which 

 are frequently doubtful even to the skilful and experienced. 

 Young dogs are very subject to worms, and appearances thus 

 produced are too often mistaken for other disorders, receive vari- 

 ous appellations, and are treated in the most injudicious manner. 

 I shall finish this article by mentioning what I have been in- 

 formed will cure the distemper ; but I have never tried it ; and 

 am rather sceptical as to the fact : 



One clove of garlic given every or every other day, or accord- 

 ing to the violence of the disorder. 



