TREATMENT OF DISTEMPER. 373 
no solid food from the first ‘being permitted, and this restriction 
being maintained till the dog is quite recovered. When the state 
of exhaustion or prostration comes on, good strong beef-tea should 
be given every three or four hours, and if the dog will not swallow 
it, force should be used; a spoonful at a time being given in the 
-way ordered for drenching at page 365. At this time, also, port 
wine is often of service, thickened with arrowroot, and given 
alternately with the beef-tea. For # dog of average size the plan 
. 1s to give a teacupful of beef-tea, then, after two hours, the same 
quantity of arrowroot and wine; then, again after two hours, a 
dose of the tonic mixture ; and so on through the twenty-four hours. 
Perseverance in this troublesome plan will generally be rewarded 
.with success; but, of course, it is only a valuable dog which will 
reward it properly. In less important animals the beef-tea may 
be provided, and if it is not voluntarily swallowed the poor patient 
often dies for want of the conipulsion, so that humanity as well as 
self-interest counsels the adoption of what often appears a harsh 
proceeding. 
_ No exercise, even of the most gentle kind, should be allowed, it 
being found invariably to bring on a return of the disease when- 
ever it is indulged in. Many a young dog has been sacrificed to 
the mistaken kindness of his master, who has thought that, a 
“breath of fresh air” would do him good; and so it would if 
taken in an easy carriage, at rest; but the muscular exertion 
necessary to procure it is highly injurious, and should be delayed 
until the strength is restored. This is one reason why dogs in the 
country bear distemper so much ‘better than in towns; for, as it is 
known that they are in the fresh air, no attempt is made to take 
them to it, and so they are left alone, and are not induced to exert 
their strength prematurely. Even when the dog appears nearly well, 
it is better to lead him out to, exercise for the first day or two, for 
otherwise he is almost sure to over-exert himself, and a gallop will 
often do more harm than can be rectified in many days afterwards. 
Ventilation, should not be neglected, but moderate warmth is 
essential to a cure, and a delicate dog like the greyhound should 
have a.cloth om him in cold weather. The greatest cleanliness 
should be observed, but this should be done as far as possible 
without making the kennel damp with water, Clean straw must 
