CHAPTER IX. 
MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES. 
1. Distemper. 
This is a very common disease in dogs from three to 
six months old, but may affect them at any age. It is mostly 
seen during the fall, winter and spring. This disease some- 
what resembles distemper in horses. 
Causes. — It is caused by parasites, or germs, getting 
into the blood and setting up the disease in the same man- 
ner as distemper in horses. Allowing the affected dog to be 
with other dogs communicates ^he disease to them. 
Symptoms. — The dog is very dull and sleepy looking, 
tries to get in a quiet, dark place and refuses to eat. His 
eyes run water, and after a time they become very sore. In 
a few days his hair becomes dry and there is a discharge 
from the nose, eyes, and sometimes from the penis. The 
bowels are costive and he falls of¥ in condition. The symp- 
toms gradually get worse, and if he does not get relief he 
will go into convulsions or fits and soon die. Like other 
diseases of this kind it must run its course, which should 
last about nine days. 
Treatment. — The treatment is very simple. Give the 
affected dog nothing to eat but new milk and the following 
medicine : 
Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre H pound. 
Sulphur H pound. 
Ground Gentian Root H pound. 
Mix thoroughly together, and to a large dog give half a 
teaspoonful of the mixture three times a day on his tongue 
with a spoon or in his milk. Regulate the dose in proportion 
to the size. Keep him in a quiet, clean place, wash the dis- 
charge from his eyes and nose with lukewarm water, and 
afterwards wipe dry with a soft cloth. If the bowels are 
costive, give from a teaspoonful to a dessertspoonful (accord- 
ing to the size of the dog) of syrup of buckthorn once a day 
until the bowels move freely. After this give a dose once 
