DISTEMPER. 357 
symptoms that may be present, and which alone indicate merely that the dog 
is slightly indisposed, nearly or entirely disappear, and he seems again quite 
as well as usual; but if so the relief is deceiving and only temporary, and 
other signs of the disease are soon manifested. It is the rule, however, that 
once an attack is on and symptoms of it are exhibited, they slowly but steadily 
grow more pronounced. 
Among the earliest of the most suspicious signs are sneezing, and rubbing 
or wiping the nose with the paws, a dry, husky cough, which suggests that 
something is lodged in the throat, and a watery discharge from the nose, also 
from the eyes, which are more or less reddened. But these symptoms are 
identical with those of an ordinary cold merely; hence it is easy to mistake 
their significance, and especially since the victim often seems otherwise quite 
well. 
If the temperature be taken now it will generally be found to be at least 
one or two degrees above the normal. 
This opportunity is favorable for a brief discussion of the value of the 
thermometer and manner of using it. 
First, it may properly be urged that this important instrument should be at 
hand, for ready use, in all kennels of valuable dogs, for without it, in many 
instances of sickness, diagnoses with near certainty would be impossible. 
Again, in its absence judicious treatment would scarcely be possible in severe 
febrile diseases, since the choice of remedies depends so much on the tempera- 
ture; and in many cases the higher the same the greater the danger to be 
apprehended. 
The right form is the so-called clinical thermometer; used by physicians ; 
and one that is self-registering is the most convenient. In it a small quantity 
of mercury is separated from the bulk of the same by a little air; and the 
instrument has this advantage, namely, that after the mercury has expanded 
as much as the heat present will make it expand, and the column has reached 
the highest point that it will go under the influence of that heat, the small 
quantity of mercury in question remains fixed at that point after the thermome- 
ter is withdrawn, while the bulk of it contracts and sinks back inte the bulb. 
The instrument can then be examined leisurely and in a good light; whereas 
were it not self-registering he who was using it must get on to his knees, and, 
while yet it was in place, note the point reached by the top of the column of 
mercury. 
Having recorded the temperature, the top of the thermometer — the bulb 
being down — should be firmly held by the thumb and first and second fingers 
of the right hand, and with the side of the palm of that hand the palm of the 
other hand should be struck several times with considerable force; by which 
means the small quantity of mercury will be shaken down in place; which 
should be below the ninety-eighth degree. 
