202 NATURE AND TREATMENT OF DISTEMPER. 
of an egg ; but if an anodyne should be required, the addition 
of either Pulv. vel Tinct. Opii will answer the purpose. 
But when diarrhoea is an early and predominant symptom, 
the first indications of treatment are to allay the morbid 
sensibility of the mucous coat of the alimentary canal, and to 
check the frequent evacuations of feculent matter. These 
indications may generally be attained by the administration 
of Hydrarg. Chlorid. in combination with Pulv. Opii, which 
may be given in minute doses once or twice a day ; and 
when diarrhoea supervenes upon the usual symptom of the 
malady, these therapeutic agents form an efficient remedy, 
as it arrests the alvine flux, and excites the mucous coat of 
the bowels to a more healthy action andfunction. Such 
results being attained, light vegetable tonics, suitable food, 
and kind and gentle treatment, will frequently restore the 
patient to a state of health. But the convalescent dog re- 
quires great care, as fits, partial or general paralysis, and 
convulsions, occasionally supervene, w hich render the patient 
a pitiable object. Some dogs, however, are so tenacious of 
life, that they are physically able to bear up under severe at- 
tacks of distemper ; and although they may have the disease 
in every variety of form, they will ultimately recover. But 
however successful w r e may be in the treatment of distemper 
when the patient is kept on our own premises, we need not 
expect to be equally so in general practice, as we meet with but 
few persons who will undertake the trouble, devote the time, 
or pay for the attention so necessary which is required to re- 
store the health of the apoplectic, paralytic, or convulsive dog. 
As these practical facts and observations are the result of 
time and some experience, probably they may be regarded as 
a general outline of the nature and treatment of distemper ; 
but cases occur which require such auxiliary remedies and 
modifications of treatment as the practised eye alone can 
convey to the mind of the Veterinarian, whose pathological 
knowledge will enable him to select suitable therapeutic 
agents, in order to arrest the varying symptoms, and suit the 
capricious nature of the complaint. 
March 12 , 1853 . 
