122 SPECIFIC CATARRHAL DISEASE, OR DISTEMPER. 



spread over the face, offer a most offensive putrid discharge, and 

 by their irritation greatly aggravate the dangers and sufferings of 

 the animal. These ulcerations, even when extending fast, by 

 being bathed with a solution of the chloride of soda properly di- 

 luted, are in most cases brought into a healing state, and in all are 

 deprived of their malignancy, prevented from multiplying, and 

 rendered inoffensive. 



I have hitherto offered no directions on the subject of the oph- 

 thalmia, which is so liable, in this virulent kind of distemper, to 

 attack either one or both eyes with such an intensity of inflam- 

 mation, that abscess forms on the surface of the cornea, usually 

 about the centre of the pupil ; the ulceration of which sometimes 

 makes its way through the coats, lets out the aqueous humour, and 

 substitutes around its edges fungoid masses : in fact, such apparent 

 havock takes place, that all hope of recovery would seem at an 

 end : yet, surprising as it may seem, this apparently irreparable 

 disorganization is so completely removed, and the true organization 

 so restored, that no traces of the injury remain afterwards. — See 

 Ophthalmia, Class X. 



Vaccination and inoculation with the matter of distemper have 

 been both practised, one for the prevention, the other for the mi- 

 tigation of the disease. Vaccination so performed, is a proof of 

 the gullibility of the public, and readiness to believe what is wished, 

 particularly when it comes from a popular source, and where it 

 would be unfashionable to disbelieve. My early experiments con- 

 vinced me of its total inefficacy as a preventive of distemper; but 

 so positive were the assertions to the contrary, that I spoke diffi • 

 dently. Dr. Jenner had lent his name to the error, and I make 

 no doubt he believed what he asserted ; but he had not waited the 

 proof. Vaccination, it is now sufficiently ascertained, neither 

 exempts dogs from the distemper, nor does it appear at all to miti- 

 gate its severity ; for I have seen a sufficient number of dogs which 

 had been vaccinated afterwards die of distemper. Inoculation 

 liilh the matter of distemper is equally ineffectual in mitigating 



