PREVENTION ^Ij 



3. The eruption of distemper if widely distributed over 

 the body may resemble that of mange. The mild character of 

 the pruritis, the presence of pustules on the hypogastrium and 

 inner surface of the thighs, the rapid spreading of the exan- 

 thema over the whole body and the development of other 

 symptoms of distemper and those of mange, however, often oc- 

 cur simultaneously in the same animal, in which cases certain 

 precautions are necessary in making the correct diagnosis. 



4. Epilepsy. The epileptiform attacks in distemper are 

 distinguished from true epilepsy, es.sentially by their being less 

 acute. 



5. It must also be differentiated from simple coryza, 

 bronchitis, chorea and paralysis. 



Until the specific cause is found and can be availed of in 

 making the diagnosis, much doubt will necessarily exist re- 

 specting the nature of the disease where many of the symptoms 

 and lesions are atypical. It may be found on further investi- 

 gation and the discovery of the etiological factors that the 

 symptom -complex of distemper may be differentiated into two 

 or more distinct affections. 



§ 398. Prevention. The lack of knowledge concerning 

 the specific cause has rendered it impossible thus far to close 

 all channels of infection, but its spreading can be checked to a 

 considerable degree by isolation and the use of disinfectants. 

 It has been stated that the inoculation with the virus from 

 very mild cases, which produces a mild attack, will immunize 

 an animal for several years. This method is as a rule not to 

 be recommended. 



REFERENCES. 



1. Carre. Sur' la "Maladie des chiens." Bui. de la Soc. Centr^ 

 de MM VH., Vol. I.IX (1905), p. 335. 



2. HerTwig. Krankheiten der Hunde. 1881. S. 48. 



3. Jess. Der Bacillus der Hundestaupe (Febris catarrhalis epizo- 

 otica Canum.) Cent. f. Bak. u. Parasitenk., Bd. XXV (1899), S. S41. 



4. Laossom. Ueber Geschichte und Kontagiositat der Staupe. 

 Dorpat. 1892. 



5. NiCKOLDS. Dog distemper. Am. Vet. Reviezv, 1900. p. 180. 



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