162 CANINE DISTEMPER 
the eyes, as, if this be not done at very frequent intervals, 
the eyelids become gummed together and the eyelashes 
stuck fast in the dried exudate which forms so rapidly in 
these cases, the eyes being not only rendered difficult to 
open, but serious complications to the eyeball being 
induced from the continued presence of irritating pus. 
Few conditions are so depressing to the spirits as a 
painful affection of that most tender of all organs, the 
eye, and, if only in consideration of the animal's suffer- 
ing, we must at least take pains to remove all purulent 
accumulations, bathe and soothe the parts with warm 
antiseptic solutions (particularly hydrogen peroxide), 
dry them, and then anoint the edges of the lids with a 
suitable ointment which will asepticise and prevent 
sticking. (See under “Eyes,” p. 177.) 
Similarly the nostrils must be wiped at the same time, 
to prevent occlusion and obstruction to respiration, for 
the nasal discharge tends in like manner to accumulate 
around the nasal orifices, dry into hard scabs, and cause 
ulceration or cracking of the skin and mucous membranes. 
These operations should be carried out with pledgets of 
cotton-wool, soaked in weak warm solutions of boracic 
acid, Condy’s Fluid, Jeyes’ Fluid, or Sanitas : but for the 
eyes nothing stronger should be employed than physio- 
logical salt solution, boric acid (saturated solution), or 
zinc sulphate (1 per cent. solution.) 
Each pledget should be placed in a china or metal 
receptacle until the cleansing is complete, when all must 
be burnt. 
_ Body Cleanliness.—Feecal or urinary stains about the 
hinder parts of the body should also frequently be 
washed off, and careful attention paid to the under parts 
of the tail and around the anus, for it is often found in 
distemper that a dog will pass its stools as it lies in its 
bed, being too weak or too disinclined to move; and in 
