294 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



cause, and certainly tfaey are frequently present in this dis- 

 ease ; yet it must be borne in mind that they are equally so 

 in dogs that are over, or have never had distemper. That 

 their presence bodes no good to the animal while under the 

 influence of the infection (or indeed at any time), can be 

 readily understood, but especially, I should say, during the 

 existence of distemper : because the mucous membranes are 

 then in an irritable condition, and these pests are not likely 

 to reduce, but to increase that irritation, and produce — ^what 

 is to be dreaded at all times, but doubly so in distemper — a 

 fit. The condition of the patient then justifying it (I qualifj 

 it thus, -because there are circumstances under which it would 

 be unwise to administer the drugs usually given for this pur 

 pose), the sooner the worms are expelled the better. As a 

 vermifuge, the areca nut is least harmful ; turpentine, at other 

 times most valuable, must be used with great caution hei;e. 



Teething has been affirmed as another cause of this dis- 

 ease, but here again the assumption has probably taken place 

 from dogs at that period of their lives being most liable to dis- 

 temper. An irritability of system and a degree of inflamma- 

 tory fever is undoubtedly established at that crisis ; and such 

 a condition may render the subject more liable to contract the 

 disease, if brought in contact with it ; but certainly not other- 

 wise, any more than the same process can produce in human 

 beings measles, chicken-pox, or scarlet fever. 



The period of incubation is usually from one to three 

 weeks, and the duration of the malady maybe a week, or two 

 or three month?. 



Symptoms. — The premonitory ones are : A heavy sleepy 

 look about the lace, nose hot and dry, a disinclination for 

 food, shivering, arched back, and more or less lassitude. In 

 from two to three days a watery discharge takes place from 

 eyes and nose, the animal frequently sneezes, and this is fol- 

 lowed by coughing, retching, and vomiting. The discharge 

 from the eyes and nose soon becomes purulent, the eyelids 

 are inflamed and swollen, the breathir.g is accelerated ihein- 



