160 CANINE DISTEMPER 
should not be too high, and the optimum will be found 
at about 60° F. It is a mistake to overheat the sick-room, 
as this only tends to make the patient more than ever 
susceptible to cold, and, in any case, is oppressive. It 
is equally bad practice to-allow the fire. to go out upon 
the owner retiring at night, orto extinguish the gas or 
other heating appliance, as the early.hours of thefmorn- 
Fic. 18.—CoaT FOR CHEST PROTECTION IN LUNG COMPLICATIONS, 
ing are the coldest, and alternations of temperature are 
harmful. 
Clothing.—Generally I do not favour the application of 
clothing to dogs if the above conditions can be complied 
with; but, if not, it might be deemed advisable to make 
a little jacket out of some soft, dry material, which would 
at least protect the chest from possible chill during in- 
clement weather. In order that such a jacket should be 
comfortable and efficient, two holes should be cut near 
the front edge of a square piece of material, through 
