376 KENNEL DISEASES. 
Or that admirable domestic emetic, common salt, may be administered as 
follows: For a dog of medium or large size put one tablespoonful into one- 
half a cupful of milk; pour it down his throat. Follow with nearly a cupful 
of warm — not hot — water. 
En passant, it is interesting to note that this remedy, common salt, is with 
some the sole reliance in distemper, it being given in doses of from one-half 
to one teaspoonful several times daily ; and with good results if the reports are 
to be believed. 
In some cases distemper seems to fall on the nervous system with greatest 
force, and convulsions, paralysis or chorea result. 
In cases of convulsions and paralysis, the great nerve centres, the brain and 
spinal cord, are commonly more or less affected, first by the impure blood sent 
to them, and later by certain degenerative changes. ‘These complications, also 
chorea, generally occur late in attacks of distemper; and convulsions as well 
as chorea seem often to some extent assignable to errors in nursing during the 
convalescent stage, such as encouraging the patients to get about quicker than 
they ought, overeat, or take too hearty food. Convulsions may, however, 
come on early in an attack, and then usually in the so-called typhoidal stage, 
in which the brain is cloudy and congested. As a rule the fits are of short 
duration, scarcely beyond half a minute. They are also oftentimes of mild 
intensity, and limited to twitchings of some of the muscles of the head, and 
champing of the jaws. 
Occurring when the brain is evidently seriously affected, convulsions are 
generally forerunners of fatal issue; but mild attacks of spasms late in the 
attack or during convalescence have not such grave significance, although once 
experienced they are very likely to be repeated, and the victim become a con- 
firmed epileptic. 
In cases of recurring convulsions, also, the spinal chord is often in time so 
seriously affected that paralysis of the hind legs results; when the case is 
desperate, and entire or even partial recovery quite infrequent. 
When the spasms are of short duration they alone scarcely call for treat- 
ment, but if any is necessary, chloral hydrate should be used as advised in 
convulsions. ‘To prevent as much as possible their recurrence the patient 
should be kept very quiet, and nourished generously with liquid foods, con- 
sisting largely of milk, cream and eggs. Of the drugs which might have a 
salutary effect the bromide of potassium promises the best, although it is not 
likely to be of material benefit. It can properly be tried, however, in doses 
as follows: 
For largest breeds, twenty grains; medium size, fifteen grains; fox terriers 
and the like, ten grains; toys, five grains. 
This medicine might be given three times daily for ten days, but not longer. 
Each dose should be dissolved in not less than a tablespoonful of water; and 
