DISTEMPER. 65 



4th. OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. This important set 

 of organs is primarily affected with the others in fact, it ceases to 

 act with its usual vigour, and by such cessation lessens the activity 

 of all other parts supplied with nerves. There is thus a complete 

 circle of impaired functions, and it is difficult to say where the 

 mischief begins ; whether the nervous system is first affected, and 

 so acts upon all parts connected with it, or whether it is only 

 disturbed in common with the other organs of secretion in the 

 first place ; and, secondarily, from being supplied with impure 

 and empoisoned blood. In any case, however, it is always more 

 or less disturbed, occasioning fits of an epileptic nature, and, as a 

 sequel to the disease, we frequently find what is called chorea, but 

 which appears to be more like trembling palsy in its nature. 

 There is often entire palsy of the posterior extremities, which is 

 almost invariably fatal. Whenever the brain is much affected, 

 there is likely to be ulceration of the cornea of the eye, which, 

 however, is generally removed if the nervous system recovers its 

 tone. 



5th. OF THE SKIN. In almost all cases of distemper there is 

 more or less skin-eruption appearing under the flank and belly, 

 and between the fore-legs. This eruption is sometimes in small 

 vesicles, soon becoming full of pus, and at others in large blebs 

 containing a bloody serum ; the former is a favourable symptom, 

 the latter quite the contrary. During the year 1853, distemper was 

 very frequently complicated with an inflammatory oadema of the 

 extremities. It commenced with swelling generally of one or 

 both hind-legs, and then sometimes attacking the fore-legsafter 



