158 CANINE DISTEMPER 
lated to do far more harm than good in such a case. It 
would thus appear to be a far wiser course, certainly 
more humane, and probably cheaper in the end, to 
obtain the services of a skilled veterinary surgeon at the 
very beginning; one who is competent from his very 
training and from long experience to give the best advice, 
and to prescribe the most adequate treatment for each 
particular case. 
Importance of Nursing.—Nursing plays an extremely 
important part in the successful treatment of distemper ; 
in fact, I often think many cases would progress as 
favourably without medicinal treatment as with it, pro- 
vided the hygienic and dietetic conditions were per- 
severed with, and sound in principle. Nevertheless we 
so often have to contend with such acute disturbances, 
that very humanity seems to demand that something 
shall be done to relieve the distressing symptoms. 
Hygienic Conditions.—For the purpose of description 
it will probably be more convenient to deal first with the 
question of the housing of the patient, for it is not one 
of the least important factors in our routine treatment. 
A bright, cheery, and clean environment is very desirable, 
for when an animal—no less than a human. being— 
becomes weak, exhausted, and depressed, it is often the 
word of encouragement, the cheery glow of its apartment, 
and the constant little attentions on the part of the nurse, 
which serve to remind the patient it is still alive, give 
it some temporarily renewed interest, and for a while 
help it to forget its pains and weariness—perhaps 
sufficiently long to bring it safely over the crisis. We 
know from painful experience, that where patients are 
left long alone, perhaps in the dark, or in evil sur- 
roundings, they lose heart, rapidly sink lower and lower, 
and die. 
Therefore let the room be light, clean, warm, and 
