DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 123 



the cases which arc so quickly cured by nostrums and 

 specifics would on inqiiiiy prove to have been mistaken ; 

 and as, in the instances where a single dose is depended 

 upon, nature is pretty much left to herself, the chances 

 are that a fair share of the rest would get well of them- 

 selves. The recovery, however, could in no way be 

 expedited by that which is credited for its accomplish- 

 ment ; since the little done is mostly calculated to aggra- 

 vate and not to alleviate the symptoms, while there is no 

 possibility it should eradicate the disorder. 



In its character, distemper approaches very near to 

 " continued fever " in the human subject ; the chief dif- 

 ference being consequent upon the more delicate consti- 

 tution and more irritable temperament of the dog, which 

 prevents the two diseases from appearing exactly the 

 same. It consists in a general fever, which produces a 

 morbid excitement of all the mucous membranes. The 

 digestive track is the principal seat of the disease, but of 

 course its presence is most easily recognised at those 

 parts which are most exposed to view. Thus the mem- 

 brane of the eye, being a comparatively large surface, 

 and by its delicacy well calculated to denote every 

 variation of the system, is usually the first observed, and 

 often the only place inspected. If this be cloudy or 

 watery, the nature of the malady is at once concluded; 

 the membrane of the nose also, thoiigh less palpable, is 

 under observation ; and if its secretion be copious and 

 opaque, the fact is generally imagined to be established. 

 The alterations, however, exhibited by these membranes 



