148 CANINE DISTEMPER 
some amount of septicemia—and these are quite 
frequent—the blood takes on a greasy, very dark, non- 
coagulating, tarry appearance, and multiple extravasations 
will be found in various organs throughout the body. 
Spleen.—No swellings or alterations of the spleen 
have been observed in distemper, except in the rarest 
cases, © 
Carease.—As regards the carcase, one finds it usually 
emaciated, evil-smelling, and quickly decomposing; 7igor 
mortis sets in as usual, though it is not so marked in 
septiceemic cases. The skin may be scaly or scabbed 
from the presence of pustules or bed-sores, the hair is 
readily detached, and it may be stained yellow if there is 
any degree of jaundice. 
Eyes.—The eyes are sunken in their sockets owing to 
the reduction of orbital fat by metabolism, and they are 
occasionally the seat of more or less diseased processes 
varying from simple corneal opacities to panophthalmitis 
(see p. 98). The conjunctiva is sometimes deeply in- 
jected ; at others it is pale and anzmic, or it may be of a 
purple hue. Where much ocular discharge has been in 
evidence, the skin beneath the eyes will probably be 
found denuded of hair, or covered with crusts, owing to 
the depilatory action of the discharges. 
The following combination of lesions makes a very 
typical picture of a dog dead of distemper, as revealed 
on post-mortem examination : 
Congestion of the lungs, with areas of hepatisation ; 
inflammation of the fauces and larynx; myocardial 
petechiz ; congestion of pericardium; acute localised 
enteritis ; slight gastritis; haemorrhages from mesenteric 
vessels, spleen and kidneys; slight enlargement of liver 
and mesenteric glands; congestion of kidneys; much 
peritoneal blood-stained effusion ; no macroscopic brain 
lesions ; cystic congestion and distension. 
