PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT yy 



human diphtheria patient and should be killed if they acquire the 

 disease. (See also Stomatitis, Necrotic.) 



Distemper in Dogs and Cats. 



Since distemper is a disease of germ origin, and there is no 

 known specific, it follows that the treatment must be chiefly symp- 

 tomatic. 



The first symptom to attract attention is usually the collection 

 of rnuco-purpulent matter about the eyes, of puppies. The con- 

 junctivitis causing this is best treated by washing the lids and 

 dropping into the eyes the same solution (boric acid, gr. x to §i) 

 several times daily. If this is not soon effective, one grain of zinc 

 sulphate to the ounce may be added. If the inflammation is severe 

 and purulent it is wise to drop 5 per cent, argyrol solution into the 

 eyes once daily — in addition to the use of boric acid. Cocaine 

 (gr. x to §i) may be combined to advantage with the boric solution 

 if the patient rubs the eyes. The complication of ulcerative kera- 

 titis calls for anesthesia with cocaine, followed by gentle curetting 

 of the ulcer, application of pure carbolic on a probe, and confine- 

 ment in the dark. Diffuse corneal opacities may be treated with a 

 little yellow oxide of mercury ointment (place on the inner surface 

 of the lid) with massage of the lid. 



Cough may be benefited by the use of a wet flannel covered 

 with oil silk about the throat, and the employment of expectorants 

 and sedatives, as syrup of ipecac (rn. v to xv) in a dram of syrup 

 of squills, thrice daily, with codeine (gr. J /i to y 2 ) or morphine 

 (gr. 1/10 to }i) if necessary. Cough mixtures upset the digestion 

 and should be avoided as far as possible. 



Digestive symptoms : loss of appetite. This may be combated 

 by tine, of nux vomica (ff|. v to xv) with co. tine, of gentian (3ss 

 to i) and diluted hydrochloric acid (Til v to x) given at one dose 

 after meals in water. Vomiting and diarrhea are relieved by bis- 

 muth subnitrate (gr. x to xxx) and, if severe, tine, of opium 



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