Symptoms. - 201 



generation. The spleen is only slightly, or not at all enlarged. 

 The eyes are usually affected with a more or less intense catarrh 

 of the conjunctivae sometimes an ulcerative keratitis, and oc- 

 casionally by a panophthalmitis. 



The central nervous system may in some cases show 

 changes corresponding to a myelitis disseminata (Mazulewitsch, 

 Bohl, Dexler). 



According to Dexler 's investigations the changes of the central nervous system 

 «how a pronounced disseminated myelitis and poliomyelitis, in which the inflam- 

 matory foci are not confined to the gray anterior lobes alone, but are always 

 present in the entire nervous system without any regular arrangement. Virulent 

 streptococci are frequently found in the affected areas. 



Confirming similar reports of Standfuss, Lentz describes small roundish or 

 oval formations which he calls distemper corpuscles and which are supposed to 

 develop from the action of the distemper virus on the plastiu substance of the 

 nerve cells which is destroyed, and causes the chromatin substance to roll together 

 in peculiar granules. These formations which have been found in dogs dying from 

 a severe nervous form of distemper are distinguished from the somewhat similar 

 Negri's rabies bodies, in that they occur outside of the nerve cells, or in the greatly 

 degenerated cells, and possess no inner structure. 



Symptoms. The time of incubation after an artificial in- 

 fection is usually from 3 to 4, and at least 2 days (Carre) ; 

 although it is probably somewhat longer under natural con- 

 ditions (according to Krajewszki it may extend up to 2y^ 

 weeks). 



The peracute form of the disease is manifested in a sud- 

 denly appearing inappetence, depression, groaning, fatigue,, as 

 well as high fever. After 2 or 3 days the temperature rapidly 

 drops below normal (to 35-33°C ), whereupon death soon ap- 

 pears under comatous symptoms (Carre). 



The acute form also is inaugurated by high fever (Fig. 35), 

 the temperature rising rapidly to 40° C. or over, and remains 

 at this height for 1 to 2 weeks or it falls slightly in 1 to 2 days, 

 and then there exists only moderate fever, of a continuing or 

 remittent character in the further progress of the disease. 

 In severe cases the temperature rises again owing to the de- 

 velopment of pneumonia, but towards the termination of the 

 disease it^falls gradually or rapidly below normal (to 32° )„ 



The beginning of the disease is usually indicated by a 

 change in the disposition of the animal. The animals, or- 

 dinarily bright and playful, become capricious and less lively; 

 they obey the call only with hesitation and unwillingly, pre- 

 ferring to find secluded places where they remain lying for 

 long periods. Meanwhile they tremble over the entire body, 

 or at times appear suddenly startled. The hair is roughened, 

 the appetite diminished and capricious. After 1 or 2 days the 

 more characteristic symptoms of the disease develop. 



In most cases an acute catarrh of the air passages appears. 

 The animals feel an itching in the nose because of which they 

 frequently sneeze and puff, wiping the nose with their paws 

 or on the forelegs. There is at first a serous or mucous, later 

 a purulent secretion from the nose, which soils the surrounding 



