DISTEMPER. 359 
In occasional cases instead of the catarrh first attacking the head and air- 
passages it goes to the bowels. In consequence there is diarrhea; and the 
discharges are watery and highly offensive. But aside from this the dog often 
seems fairly well excepting that he is a little ‘‘ off his feed.” His nose may 
still be moist and cool, and his temperature about the same as in health, or 
only one or two degrees above the normal. 
Thus early an eruption may be found on the abdomen and inside the 
thighs. In a few instances it also appears about the mouth and eyes; while 
in extremely rare cases it extends over the body. It consists at first of red 
spots, scarcely larger than small beans, which are well scattered. But 
pimples speedily appear on them. These rapidly change to vesicles —or 
small blisters — filled with a watery fluid, which ere long thickens to pus. 
The pustules soon break, and the matter discharged dries and forms yellowish 
crusts; which fall off in the course of a week, very generally leaving round 
red spots, from which the color slowly fades; although now and then small 
ulcerations are seen in their places; but the same are evidently caused by the 
nails or teeth. 
This eruption is highly significant, and where it appeats with the symp- 
toms described the chances are all in favor of the attack being distemper. 
And even in the absence of such symptoms its appearance should be held 
highly suspicious, and the subject be at once removed from his mates and 
isolated, for cases are on record in which this eruption was the first symptom 
of distemper exhibited. 
So quickly does it dry up and disappear, usually in the course of two | 
weeks only faint traces of it are left in the form of fading red spots, unless 
there happen to be the ulcerations mentioned. 
Even if the catarrhal trouble be intestinal at first, as shown by the diarrhea, 
it is not long in any case before the head and air-passages are similarly 
affected. Once inflamed, the eyes are soon quite reddened and watery. 
They cannot bear the light well, hence are not opened as widely as usual; 
and there is a tendency to close them often and keep them closed. 
The watery discharge from the eyes and nose thickens, and at the inside 
angles or corners of the former a little matter accumulates. While the dis- 
charge, now slightly yellowish, dries around the edges of the lids, and perhaps 
glues them together while the animal is sleeping. 
Shivering is very noticeable, especially while in the open air, which is 
entered reluctantly, and warm quarters are again sought as soon as possible. 
Vomiting is not uncommon, but the quantity raised is small, while the matter 
is thin and watery, and at times frothy. 
The thermometer now runs up to 104° or higher; there is considerable 
thirst; only dainty morsels of food are accepted, but never with any avidity ; 
the victim is dull and languid ; he gets up reluctantly, and comes with drooping 
