54 CANINE DISTEMPER 
particularly rodents (see Appendix). For the same 
reason, separate food and water dishes, bedding, biscuits, 
brushes, harness, and other gear should be kept for these 
isolated dogs, that they may be, as it were, self-sup- 
porting, and assume a separate entity. N otwithstanding 
all these precautions, however, I have known a dog to 
contract distemper even after it had been three months 
in quarantine, no case of the kind ever having been on 
the premises, and the quarantined dog never having left 
them. When the possible source of infection was sought, 
we were entirely at a loss to fathom it, and could only 
conclude that the dog was a “carrier,” or that infection 
had reached it by way of the atmosphere from another 
carrier. Under ordinary conditions it is extremely rare 
for dogs in quarantine to become subjects of distemper, 
inasmuch as they live an entirely separate existence. 
Well-kept Kennels.—The premises of a veterinary sur- 
geon who really caters for dogs need never be the source 
of contagion believed by some, for his kennels will be 
tiled, or of brick faced with cement, thus lending them- 
selves to easy and thorough cleansing; by reducing 
woodwork to a minimum in the construction of the 
kennels, absorption of urine, with its consequent evil 
smells, will be obviated; efficient ventilation will be 
provided without permitting draughts, and the atmo- 
sphere will be kept ata healthy and constant temperature 
of about 60° F. A system of examination and isolation of 
each dog admitted will ensure no chance contact between 
the sick and healthy, and a veterinary surgeon who 
specialises in canine practice and gives his whole time 
to dogs will go round his wards frequently and observe 
the progress and condition of his patients. Sunlight is 
one of the greatest enemies of all micro-organisms, and 
its adequate provision should pre-eminently occupy the 
minds of all who are entrusted with the building of ranges 
