CHAPTER VI 
SOURCES OF INFECTION AND THEIR 
PRACTICAL AVOIDANCE 
In indicating the multiplicity of means by which this 
highly contagious disease is spread among dogs, it is 
anticipated that owners will be materially enlightened as 
to the steps it is desirable to adopt in preventing infec- 
tion, not only of their own dogs, but among ’the whole 
canine race. Forewarned is forearmed, and if one is 
cognisant of the pitfalls, they can usually be avoided. 
The most fruitful source of infection is direct contact with. 
a living. animal suffering from distemper; almost as 
potent, however, is mediate or indirect contact, accom- 
plished through the agency of contaminated kennels, 
baskets, rugs, clothing, brushes, leads and _ collars, 
sponges, feeding utensils, spoons, thermometers, human 
_ agency and clothes; or, in fact, any article what- 
‘soever which, having been in the immediate proximity 
of a distempered dog, becomes a source of great danger 
to the healthy. It is the discharges, both ocular and 
nasal, but particularly from the nose, and the coughed- 
up sputum, which are so infective. Especially is this 
the case in the early stages of the disease, and when 
they become smeared in even the most minute quantity 
upon the ground or on such objects as are mentioned 
above, they are likely to be conveyed over wide 
areas, and become the invisible means of spreading the 
contagion to innumerable animals. Therefore, prompt 
and efficient measures for disinfection of inanimate 
objects, and the strict isolation of affected animals, must 
be adopted. 
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