DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 131 



is on these occasions rarely attributed to distemper r 

 which is thought to have been subdued ; but death is 

 commonly set down to fits, or to poison, or to inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels, or to anything else which the imagi- 

 nation of the proprietor may conceive. Hence we get 

 an insight into the value of a large number, and perhaps 

 into all, of the reputed nostrums ; and hence it is the 

 more necessary the reader should be made aware of 

 those indications which denote the virus is not eradi- 

 cated, but only latent as it were, lurking, to spring with 

 greater certainty upon its victim. No one must conclude 

 the distemper is mastered if the dog continues to lose 

 flesh, or if the animal does not rapidly repair the waste 

 consequent upon the earlier stages of the disorder. This 

 tendency to stand still or decline should be carefully 

 observed, and it will seldom deceive. When it is re- 

 marked, or even suspected, let the owner be upon his 

 guard. When the distemper is actually overcome, there 

 is a marked disposition to fatten ; indeed, so strong is it 

 at this time that, should it not be evident, there can be 

 no doubt as to the cause, especially if a short and slight 

 attack of the disorder has been known to have occurred 

 a little time before. A warning, equally clear to those 

 who will look for and can read it, is to be obtained from 

 the eyes. These may be bright, and even peculiarly 

 transparent ; the face have a more animated expression 

 than it displayed during previous health ; but if the eye- 

 lids are retracted, the membranes will be found red, and 

 the vessels before observed upon will be seen running 



