312 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



heads: — Contagion, badly-drained and ill-ventilated kennels 

 (which in young dogs are especially fruitful causes of dis- 

 temper), exposure to damp and cold, insufficient feeding, 

 and poor food, over-feeding (particularly with flesh), and 

 too little exercise. 



Worms have been mentioned by some authors as another 

 cause, and certainly they are frequently present in this dis- 

 ease ; yet it must be borne in mind that they are equally 

 so in dogs that are over, or have never had, distemper. 

 That their presence bodes no good to the animal while 

 under the influence of the infection (or indeed at any time) 

 can be readily understood, but especially, I should say, 

 during the existence of distemper; because the mucous 

 membranes are then in an irritable condition, and these 

 pests are not likely to reduce, but to increase that irrita- 

 tion, and produce — what is to be dreaded at all times, but 

 doubly so in distemper — a fit. The condition of the 

 patient then justifying it (I qualify it thus, because there 

 are circumstances under which it would be unwise to 

 administer the drugs usually given for this purpose), the 

 sooner the worms are expelled the better. As a vermifuge, 

 the areca nut is least harmful ; turpentine, at other times 

 most valuable, must be used with great caution here. 



Teething has been affirmed as another cause of this 

 disease, but here again the assumption has probably taken 

 place from dogs at that period of their lives being most 

 liable to distemper. An irritability of system and a degree 

 of inflammatory fever is undoubtedly established at that 

 crisis ; and such a condition may render the subject more 

 liable to contract the disease, if brought in contact with it ; 

 but certainly not otherwise, any more than the same process 

 can produce in human beings measles, chicken pox, or 

 scarlet fever. 



The period of incubation is usually from one to three 

 weeks, and the duration of the malady may be a week, or 

 two or three months. 



