58 HUNTING. DIRECTORY. 



The Distemper. 



with what is distinguished by the appellation of the dis- 

 temper, or with any of that long catalogue of disorders, 

 to which he is rendered obnoxious after having become 

 the companion of man. 



T/te Distempei: — The distemper frequently attacks a 

 hound before he has attained his first year. As a pre- 

 liminary observation, it may be remarked, that the same 

 membrane which lines the nostrils extends down the 

 wind-pipe into the lungs ; and the distemper, in the first 

 instance, may be regarded as an inflammation of this 

 membrane ; which, if not timely removed, extends down 

 to the lungs, where suppvu*ation will soon be produced ; 

 when the animal's eye will become dull, accompanied 

 by a mucous discharge, a cough, and loss of appetite. 

 As the disease advances it presents various appearances, 

 but is frequently attended with twitchings about the head, 

 while the animal becomes excessively weak in the loins 

 and hinder extremities ; indeed he appears completely 

 emaciated, and smells intolerably. At length, the twitch- 

 ings assume the appearance of convulsive fits, accompanied 

 with giddiness, which cause the dog to turn round : he 

 has a constant disposition to dung, with obstinate cos- 

 tiveness or incessant purging. 



On the first appearance of the symptoms which I have 

 described, I should recommend the dog to be bled* 

 very freely and his body opened with a little castor oil 

 or syrvip of buckthorn : this will generally remove the 

 disease altogether, if apphed the moment the first symp- 



* The quantity of blood taken to be regulated by the age and size of 

 the dog. 



