110 SPECIFIC CATARRHAL DISEASE, OR DISTEMPER. 



seldom affords any relief, and such cases almost invariably termi- 

 nate fatally. This state is also sometimes accompanied with an 

 hepatic aflFection of a very fatal character, which has been called 

 among sportsmen the yellow disease^ from its tinging every part 

 of the surface of the body with a yellow hue ; the urine also is of 

 a deep yellow, the consequence of some morbid translation of the 

 inflammation to the secreting vessels of the liver. Mr. Youatt 

 has found this state most frequent in the hound and greyhound ; 

 he also has observed it particularly where there is little catarrhal 

 exudation from the nose, which I believe is the case, although I 

 have also seen it accompanied by a profuse discharge : but it has 

 then been in instances where the disease has run its course under 

 what I shall next proceed to notice. 



The virulent and putrid type of distemper ^ which I have ob- 

 served more common in very hot weather than in any other, 

 although occasionally it occurs at all times, is often a sequel to 

 either the catarrhal, pneumonic, or hepatic states ; and itself rages 

 as an epidemic form of the disease, assuming all the characteristics 

 of typhus gravior, or malignant fever. These cases are accom- 

 panied by great debility, rapid emaciation, and total loss of appetite ; 

 the nasal discharge is great, foetid, and bloody ; bespeaking exten- 

 sive ulceration of the nasal membranes, which sometimes is so 

 deep as to occasion haemorrhage from the part : while excoriation 

 of the lips and cheeks follows the contact of the sanies which pours 

 from the eyes, and even the ears also, in some cases : the gums 

 bleed, the tongue is covered with a dark crust, sometimes is ul- 

 cerated, and the whole body emits a peculiar cadaverous smell. 

 Stools are frequently passing, which resemble a mixture of mucus, 

 blood, and putrid bile ; and the wretched animal trails out a mi- 

 serable existence, commensurate with the severity of his complaint, 

 his own strength, or the means made use of to combat it: thus in 

 some cases it lasts a few days, and in others it is protracted to two 

 or three weeks even, before he finally sinks. 



Post-mortem appearances, — These, as may be supposed, vary 

 with the quantum of attack made on individual parts of the body. 



