124 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



are no more than sympathetic derangements, they 

 being continuous with the more important organs ; and 

 when proofs are found in the eyes or nose, the disorder 

 is generally confirmed, or has taken hold of the system. 

 Some have supposed the disease originated in the nose, 

 and thence extended to other parts ; now I shall not 

 stop here to consider so groundless an hypothesis. It 

 essentially is fever affecting the entire of the mucous 

 surfaces, but especially those of the alimentary canal. 



The causes cannot be well ascertained. Contagion 

 has been by the majority of writers supposed to be its 

 principal source, but I cannot say my experience has 

 corroborated that opinion. My own little cur never had 

 the distemper, and yet she lived where the disease was 

 scarcely ever absent. Animals virulently affected were 

 daily brought to me, and not a few were left in my 

 charge. From these she was not kept separate ; they 

 were her acquaintances and companions ; she played 

 with them, and often by choice shared their beds; and 

 nevertheless she died without exhibiting the disease I 

 do not generally put those dogs by themselves which are 

 affected with distemper ; yet I cannot bring to mind the 

 instance of an animal while under my care having caught 

 the disorder. I doubt whether there is any justice in the 

 general opinion. It would be hard to prove the prevail- 

 ing notion was a prejudice, yet there can be ho doubt 

 that it is much more insisted upon than it deserves 

 to be. 



With regard to other causes, I know of none. I have 



