SPECIFIC CATARRHAL DISEASE, OR DISTEMPER. 109 



which the specific catarrhal disease assumes, which it may be sup- 

 posed to do by passing- through the larynx into the bronchia ; the 

 attack on which is shewn by symptoms of quickened breathing, 

 with a short and more sonorous cough : if the inflammation ex- 

 tends, and direct pneumonia is the consequence, unless it be very 

 timely put a stop to, it will carry the dog oflF. — See Pneumonia, 

 Class I, Sub-Class III ; where the symptoms and treatment are 

 detailed. 



The abdominal viscera, but more particularly the intestines, are 

 oftentimes also very violently attacked in distemper. As regards 

 the bowels, they are now and then affected very early in the com- 

 plaint ; but when the catarrhal affection is fully developed, with its 

 usual marks of lassitude, thirst, disinclination for food, shivering, 

 and creeping to the fire or to some sheltered corner, with great 

 discharge from the nose and eyes, it is then more usual for the 

 intestines to become the subject of attack. Dogs brought up very 

 hardily, and exposed much to the open air, and to a high and dry at- 

 mosphere, may escape diarrhoea altogether ; but of the very young 

 and delicate breeds, and indeed of all such as are more artificially 

 treated, and are confined in cities and towns, the majority have, 

 first, diarrhoea, or simple excitement of the muscular contractions 

 of the bowels, which hurries on the contents in liquid and unas- 

 similated discharges of the aliment ; and next follows the more 

 serious affection of the intestinal mucous membranes, when the 

 discharges change to a brown or lead-coloured mucus ; and in 

 these cases, when real faeces are evacuated, blood usually accom- 

 panies them, or it follows them in a few distinct drops. These 

 appearances betoken an ulcerative state of the intestinal canal, 

 and much danger is present: when more mucus and blood is passed 

 than faecal matter, and the fetor is extreme, the case may be con- 

 sidered hopeless. 



The pustular and yellow appearances of distemper. — Pro- 

 tracted cases of distemper are sometimes accompanied by a pus- 

 tular eruption which extends over the surface of the chest and 

 belly, and peels off in scales : but this integumental determination 



