dogs: theib management. 175 



brought to me a dog which exhibited symptoms he could 

 not interpret ; it was in the advanced stage of distemper. 

 It was disinclined to move, and appeared almost as if its 

 hind legs were partially paralysed. I detected the blad- 

 der was distended, and though the animal did not weigh 

 more than eight pounds, nine ounces and a half of urine 

 were taken away by means of the catheter. From that 

 time it improved, and is now well. There can be no 

 doubt that a few hours' delay in that case would have 

 sealed the fate of the dog. For the manner of introduc- 

 ing the catheter, and the way to discover when the urine 

 is retained, the reader is referred to that part of the pre- 

 sent work which treats especially on this subject. 



Paralysis and chorfea will be here dismissed with a like 

 remark. To those diseases the reader must turn for their 

 treatment ; but I must here state, that before any mea- 

 sures specially intended to relieve either are adopted, the 

 original disease should be first subdued, as, in many cases, 

 with the last the chorsea will disappear ; while in some 

 the twitching will remain through life. All that may be 

 attempted during the existence of distemper, will consist 

 in the addition of from a quarter of a grain to a grain 

 and a half of powdered nux vomica to the tonic pills ; 

 and, in severe paralysis, the use of a little friction, with a 

 mild embrocation to the loins. 



The treatment during convalescence is by no means to 

 be despised, for here we have to restore the strength, and, 

 while we do so, to guard against a relapse. One circum- 

 stance must not be lost sight of ; namely, that nature is. 



