THE DISTE^MPEK. 47 



be coufiued, the distemper will kill liim — in niiiety- 

 iiiiie cases out of a liiindred_, as I well know from 

 experiment. If a dog be allowed to contract the 

 distemper to a considerable extent, if he happen to 

 survive it, either by the aid of human assistance 

 or otherwise, its effects Avill frequently be per- 

 ceived afterwards in muscular t ditchings or posi- 

 tive lameness during, perhaps, the remainder of 

 the ajiimaFs life. 



" I am well aware that there are persons who 

 profess or pretend to a knowledge of curing the 

 distemper, about Avhicli they in general affect an 

 air of mystery ; there are several reputed specifics^ 

 for it also advertised : they altogether amount to 

 nothing. The nature of the disease, and particu- 

 larly its mode of approach, should constitute the 

 first object of consideration, since it is generally 

 and very justly admitted, that ^ when a disorder 

 is imderstood it may be considered as half cm-ed ;' 

 so, after what has been stated in the preceding 

 pages on this subject, let the reader judge for 

 himself. 



" AA'here there are several young dogs, and one 

 happens to contract the distemper, the rest should 

 be inocidated immediately, having a dose of physic 

 administered at the same time. The disease is 

 thus rendered much milder. A little mucus taken 

 from the nose of the affected animal and inserted 

 in the nostrils of the others will effectuallv answer 



