DISTEHPZB. S9 



bimsell to its treatment, for in this, as in othei things, a stitch in 

 time saves nine. As the disease appears, the dog must be taken 

 in hcmd, and his comfort seen to. In many cases a mild emetic of 

 ipecacuanha wine or antimonial wine may be given, for these are 

 often beneficiaJi when judiciously used, although detrimental when 

 abused, as emetics often are. The bowels, as well as the stomach, 

 should be emptied, and for this purpose we must be guided in our 

 choice of drugs by the constitutional strength, age, and general 

 state of the dog. For very delicate animals a laxative of oUve oil 

 or linseed oil answers best, while stronger ones may have castor oil 

 or the Mild Purge ; but when the dog is strong enough, as is the 

 ease with many breeds, I have not found anything so suitable as 



Compound Podophyllin Pills. — Take podophylUn, 6gr. ; compound 

 extract of oolocynth, 30gr. ; powdered rhubarb, 48gr. ; extract of 

 henbane, 36gr. ; mix and divide into twenty -four piUs. The dose 

 for a 201b. puppy is one pUl, and it is advisable to give warm 

 broth after the piU to assist in its action. 



As soon as the bowels have been freely acted on, begin with 

 the following mixture, giving a dose of it regularly every four 

 or six hours as long as any feverish or inflammatoiy symptoms 

 exist : 



Distemper Mixture. — Take cUorate of potash, 2dr. ; Mindererus' 

 spirit, loz. ; sweet spirit of nitre, 2dr. ; tincture of henbane, 2dr. ; 

 water, 2Joz. Dissolve the potash in the water, and add the other 

 ingredients. The dose for a 201b. puppy of six months old is a 

 tablespoonful, and it should be given in some additional water. 

 In oases of fits, when the head seems affected and there is partial 

 blindness, or twitchings of the limbs, etc. , add the following to the 

 Distemper Mixture, and do not alter the dose : Tincture of 

 aconite, 18 drops ; solution of strychnia (British Pharmacopoeia), 

 18 drops. Gradually increase the dose of these two drugs in the 

 mixture, until in a week three times the above dose is ^ven. 



No remedy will do away with the necessity for unremitting care 

 and attention on the part of the attendant — in fact, good, sensible 

 management and nursing are more than half the battle. The 

 patient should be in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated place where 

 plenty of fresh air is admitted without draught. A bed of hay is 

 very suitable under these circumstances, as it is warm and soft and 

 easily changed without disturbing the patient much, rest being 

 very essential. The most scrupulous cleanliness is of the utmost 

 importance, and must be strictly attended to ; all discharges should 

 be at once removed, and the extremities and any sores or eruptions 

 on the body, belly, or thighs should be lightly sponged with warm 

 water containing a little Condy's Fluid or other disinfectant. The 



