22 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



the most frequent and most strongly marked, 

 is all that can be done. 



Early symptoms are, gradual loss of appe- 

 tite, spirits, and condition — the dog is less 

 obedient to his master, and takes less notice 

 of him. The eyes appear weak and -watery, 

 and there is a slight limpid discharge from 

 the nose. In the morning, there will per- 

 haps be a slight indurated mucus at the 

 corner of the eye. This state of things may 

 continue two or three weeks, without the 

 dog becoming seriously ill. Then a peculiar 

 husky cough is heard — an apparent attempt 

 to get something from the throat. The dis- 

 charge from the eyes and nose will increase ; 

 and the eyelids will be closed in the morn- 

 ing. The conjunctiva (*. e. the membrane 

 which lines the inside of the eyelids, and is 

 reflected on to the globe of the eye), will 

 be considerably injected, — not intensely red, 

 but the vessels will be large, turgid, and fre- 

 quently of a darkish hue. Occasionally, 

 however, the membrane will be vividly red, 

 and the eye impatient of light. Permanent 

 blindness, however, is rarely the consequence 

 of Distemper. 



At this stage of the disease, the dog will be 

 evidently feverish. He will shiver and creep 

 to the fire, and will more rapidly and evi- 

 dently lose flesh. The discharge from the 

 nose will become thicker, stick about the 

 nostrils, plug them up and obstruct the breath- 

 ing, and the huskiness will become more fre- 

 quent and troublesome. The progress of the 

 disease is now uncertain. Sometimes fits 

 come on. One fit is serious, — if another oc- 

 curs within a day or two, the chances of cure 

 are diminished, and if they rapidly succeed 

 each other, the dog is almost always lost. 

 Fits seldom appear without a warning ; and 

 if watched for, -they may possibly be pre- 

 vented. Though the dog may previously 

 have lost his appetite, it returns when the 

 fits are at hand, and he becomes absolutely 

 voracious. Nearly all the mucus disap- 

 pears from the eyes ; and for an hour or 

 more before the fit, there is a champing of 

 the lower jaw, frothing at the mouth, and 

 discharge of saliva. The champing of the 

 jaw is seen twelve hours before the first 

 fit, and a little while before every other. 

 There are also usually twitchingsof the mouth, 

 cheek, or eyelid. The inflammation of the mem- 

 brane of the nose and fauces, sometimes extends 

 along that of the windpipe ; and the dog ex- 

 hibits decided symptoms of inflammation of 

 the lungs. At other times the bowels become 

 affected, and a violent purging comes on. 

 When mingled blood and mucus appear, the 

 case is almost hopeless. While the discharge 

 from the nose remains white, and free from 

 smell, and the animal is not so much ema- 

 ciated, the termination may be favorable; 



but when it becomes dark, bloody, and of- 

 fensive, death will ensue. 



The duration of distemper is uncertain. It 

 may run its course in five or six days ; or it 

 may linger on two or three months. When 

 the emaciation is rapid, extreme, and continu- 

 ous, the dog will die, — but let him gain flesh, 

 even though the purging be violent, and the 

 discharge from the nose copious, and we may 

 nevertheless confidentally predict his re- 

 covery. In the Pointer, Hound, and Grey- 

 hound, there sometimes appears in the whole 

 of the chest and belly a pustular eruption, 

 which peels off in large scales. The result 

 is usually unfavorable. In these dogs, an 

 intense yellowness often suddenly appears 

 all over them. They fall away more in 

 twenty-fours than would be thought possible ; 

 their bowels being obstinately constipated. 

 They will neither eat nor move ; and in two 

 or three days death closes their eyes for 

 ever. 



Treatment. — In Distemper in any form, 

 an emetic is the first thing to be given. 

 Common salt will do, when nothing else is at 

 hand ; but the best emetic consists of equal 

 parts of calomel and tartar emetic, from half 

 a grain to one grain and a half of each for a 

 dose. Place it upon the back of the tongue. 

 Then, if the cough is urgent, and there is 

 heaving at the flanks, and the nose is hot, 

 take a moderate quantity of blood, (from 

 three to twelve ounces) ; and if there has 

 been previous constipation, follow this up 

 with from two to six drachms of Epsom 

 salts. 



In slight cases this will often cure ; but if 

 the dog still droops, and there is much hus- 

 kiness, take from half a grain to one grain 

 " digitalis powder," from two to five grains 

 " James's Powder ;" and from twenty to sixty 

 grains of " nitre." Let this be made into a 

 ball, with a little palm oil and linseed meal ; 

 and give one such twice or three times daily. 

 (The dose must be proportioned to the size 

 of the animal.) If on the third or fourth day 

 the huskiness is not quite removed, repeat 

 the emetic. 



Worms are frequently a considerable source 

 of irritation in young dogs. If speedily got 

 rid of, Distemper will often rapidly disap- 

 pear ; but if suffered to remain, diarrhoea or 

 fits are apt to supervene. From thirty to 

 GO grains of powdered glass should be added 

 to each ball, as above. 



Should the huskiness still continue, and 

 with fever, it is now, if ever, that inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs will be perceived. The 

 quick and laborious breathing, inability to lie 

 down, elevated position of the head, and pro- 

 jected muzzle, will clearly mark it. More 

 blood must be taken. The bowels must be 

 opened w r ith Epsom salts ; and the digitalis, 



