£6 DisKAs^ or Doas. 



and nmni^takable feature of distemper, which distinguishes it from 

 any of the diseases with which it might otherwise be confounded, 

 and that is the very rapid loss of flesh and strength which takes 

 place — a strong, fat dog being in many cases reduced in a week or so 

 to a mere skeleton, scarcely able to move about. Such are the general 

 symptoms of an ordinary attack of distemper in its earlier stages, 

 some or all of which may be observed in a more or less marked 

 degree. In a mild attack, and even in severer ones, with proper 

 treatment, these untoward conditions gradually abate, and restora- 

 tion to health takes place. On the other hand, even with the best 

 of care and the most judicious treatment, there are cases in which 

 dangerous complications of disease in the head, chest, or bowels 

 arise, requiring the utmost attention, prompt measures, and skilful 

 management. In all cases of distemper a flannel ooat should be 

 placed upon the animal. 



Abdominal Distemper. — When the bowels are the subject of 

 serious attack ; that is, if violent diarrhoea or dysentery supervene, 

 or if " the yellows " make their appearance (for slight derange- 

 ment of the liver is almost invariable) this is often aggravated, ff 

 not produced, by the abuse of powerful and unsuitable drugs. When 

 these have been resorted to, as is too often the case, by people 

 ignorant of their nature and properties, and given by the rule of 

 thumb, the poor dog's case is indeed perilous, for in the midst of the 

 battle with the most dangerous and insidious enemy to canine life, 

 another foe appears to finish up the work of death well begun. In 

 such cases, violent diarrhoea — the evacuations consisting of a thin 

 watery matter, undigested food, or black pitchy faeces mixed with 

 blood — generally comes on when the disease has lasted a week or ten 

 days, and, unless cheeked by proper treatment in. its earlier stages, 

 almost invariably proves fatal. The best treatment in such cases 

 has been given under Diarrhoea and Dysentery. If the dog has 

 been constipated previous to the attack of distemper, and no heed 

 has been taken of his condition, it is very likely to result in the 

 " yellows." This condition is denoted by the yellow appearance of 

 the eyes, gums, lips, etc., and in severe cases of the whole skin — 

 more particularly observable on the inner surface of the ears, inside 

 the thighs, and on the belly — the urine is strongly tinged with yellow 

 and the discharge from the bowels is unnatural in colour and 

 offensive. Fuller treatment is given under the head of Jadndiob, 



Chest Distem.per. — In all cases the respiratory organs are 

 more or less affected, and the disease seems to extend to all the 

 mucous membranes ; and when the more important organs of respira- 

 tion — the lungs, etc. — ai-e attacked, it is called chest distemper. In 



