SYMPTOMS 



343 



great depression and dullness. Strong animals, however, more 

 usually exhibit symptoms of acute hyperemia of the brain, 

 such as excitement, restlessness, yelping and even attacks of 

 fury, which give way later on to manifestations of cerebral 

 pressure. Spasms frequently occur either generally or confined 

 to particular limbs which swing backward and forward as if 

 affected by chorea. The animal may fall down as if suffering 

 from epilepsy, bark, become unconscious and exhibit spasms 

 of the muscles generally. The sphincters of the anus and 

 bladder become relaxed and consequently feces and urine are 

 involuntarily passed. There is a gradual return of conscious- 

 ness which, in a short time, is complete and the dog manages 

 to get up although he is very weak. Such an epileptiform 

 attack ma}- pass directly into long continued coma. 



Paralysis may follow the convulsions or it may come on 

 simultaneously with them. It seldom occurs at the beginning 

 of the disease. It may be confined to certain groups of mus- 

 cles as those of a limb, the whole of the hind quarters or even 

 the entire body in the form of paresis, especially of the motor 

 nerves, combined with excessive muscular weakness. The 

 sick dog staggers and his hind quarters sway from side to side 

 or he becomes incapable of supporting himself on his hind 

 legs. Frequently he knuckles on all four legs and in severe 

 cases is unable to stand. Permanent paresis of the hind quar- 

 ters with paralysis of the bladder and rectum is a frequent re- 

 sult of distemper. In some cases there may be paralysis of 

 the muscles of the tongue. 



A characteristic pustular exanthema is frequently observed 

 on the inner surface of the thighs and abdomen and in abortive 

 cases it may be the only symptom of distemper. It first ap- 

 pears in the form of minute red spots, which after twentj'-four 

 hours develop into miliar}- nodules that are surrounded by a 

 red ring. These nodules change into vesicles and pustules 

 which ma}' become as large as a pea or bean. They dry into 

 a yellowish brown crust or burst leaving a raw surface. Heal- 

 ing takes place with desquamation of the epidermis after 

 about eight days leaving pigmented, pale reddish areas which 

 persist for some time. Generally, there are only a few pus - 



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