HYGIENIC TREATMENT 159 
absolutely dry, with all provision made against draughts, 
yet with an ample exchange of air. 
A room is by far the best accommodation for a dog 
_ suffering with distemper, as it is thereby allotted a 
sufficient cubic air space without being actually exposed 
to external air, and this is important in view of the 
frequency of lung complications in distemper. It is a 
popular fallacy that a patient which is the subject of 
pneumonia should be coddled up in a hot room with all 
doors and windows closed; but never was there a 
greater mistake, for the more frequently fresh air can 
be substituted for used air the better, commensurate, 
of course, with the maintenance of an equable tem- 
perature and absence of draughts or swiftly moving 
currents. 
Litter—Any litter may be strewn upon the floor for 
the purpose of absorbing urine and discharges, though 
wood-wool or wood chips are probably far better than 
sawdust, owing to the dusty, and therefore irritant, 
properties of the latter. There is a certain amount of 
antiseptic value in wood as a litter, on account of the 
resins and volatile oils contained. Further, when soiled 
it should, and can easily, be burnt. This material serves 
equally well for bedding, and is preferable to blankets or 
cushions, for whilst affording the necessary warmth, it 
does not harbour parasites and may be replaced cheaply 
when soiled. It is desirable that the box or other recep- 
tacle in which the dog is to lie should be slightly raised 
from the floor, as a current of cold air frequently passes 
along the latter from the bottom of the door to the 
chimney. Rather than the box should be made wet by 
disinfecting, it should be replaced occasionally by a 
new one, thereby helping to rid the room of much of 
the unpleasant odour associated with cases of distemper. 
Room Temperature——The temperature of the room 
