PART XIV. 

 INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 



CHAPTER I. 

 ACUTE GENERAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 



DISTEMPER OF DOGS. 



Definition.— An acute, infectious, communicable disease 

 which in most cases affects young dogs. 



Occurrence.— This is one of the most common diseases 

 affecting dogs, and is known in every country where dogs 

 are found. It is particularly a disease of young animals, 

 the majority of dogs contracting it at some time during 

 the first year of their lives. Whole litters of puppies, or 

 all the animals in a kennel may become affected at one 

 time. It occurs in districts as an enzootic. In cities it is 

 more prevalent than in the open country. The season of 

 the year has some influence on its prevalency and distribu- 

 tion, the fall and winter months being most productive of 

 the disease. Highly bred animals are more commonly 

 affected than those bred by natural selection. 



Etiology.— There seems to be considerable difference of 

 opinion in regard to the exact etiology of dog distemper. 

 Some claim it to be produced by a specific microorganism 

 (Bronchosepticus canis, Torrey, Ferry, McGowan), while 

 others think it is due to a filtrable virus. In each case evi- 

 dence has been produced which seems to substantiate 

 the claim made. Two distinctive factors are recognized from 

 a clinical standpoint : (a) A primary infectious agent which 



