REVIEW. 
633 
moves ; whether it roams about, stands motionless, appears restless or in- 
different, avoids the light, seems desirous of companionship, or huddles 
itself into some place as far as possible removed from inspection ; whether 
it crouches down, curls itself round, sits upon its haunches, turns round and 
round trying to bite its tail, drags itself along the floor, or lies stretched 
out either upon its side or belly ; in what manner the head is carried, and 
tro what part it is directed; if any particular place is licked, bitten, or 
scratched ; if thirst is great, or the dog by scenting about shows an incli- 
nation for food ; the nature of the breathing, the expression of the coun- 
tenance, the appearance of the coat, and the general condition of the body, 
should all be noted down. When such points have been observed, the 
animal is addressed by name, and attempts may be made to approach and 
to caress it ; the way in which it responds, submits to, or resents such ad- 
vances being carefully remarked. 55 
One of the most formidable pests of dog practice is, as is 
generally known, distemper. 
“ Of all the diseases to which the dog is subject, this one is the most 
dreaded. Writers have agreed it is the scourge of the canine race. Blaine 
and Youatt speak of it as capricious and untractable ; the French regard it 
as incurable. The owners of dogs, despairing of benefit from regular 
means, have for a long time been content to trust in charms and specifics. 
Folly and cruelty have been embraced to accomplish that which kindness 
and science appeared unequal to perform ; and one general feeling seems to 
be entertained with regard to the distemper — most persons being agreed 
that the disorder is not to be subdued .by medicine, and that its fatality is 
independent of the best efforts of man to check it. 
“ My experience does not corroborate these various but harmonious ac- 
counts and opinions. In my conviction, the disorder is feared only because 
it is not understood, and is rendered worse by the injudicious attempts to 
relieve it. I find it tractable, easily mastered, and when submitted to me 
before the system is exhausted, I am very seldom disappointed by the result 
of my treatment. It has for some time been my custom to tell those who 
bring me an animal affected with this complaint, that if my directions are 
strictly followed, the creature 1 shall not die.’ When saying this, I pre- 
tend not to have life or death at my command, and the mildest affections 
will sometimes terminate fatally ; but I merely mean to imply, that when 
proper measures are adopted, distemper is less likely to destroy than the 
majority of those diseases to which the dog is liable. 
“Distemper has been hitjierto regarded as an inflammatory disorder, 
which was to be conquered only by antiphlogistic remedies. Bleeding, 
purging, vomiting, sedatives, blisters, and setons were employed ; and the 
more acute the attack, the more violent were the means resorted to for the 
purpose of its conquest. Under such treatment 1 do not wonder at the 
evil character which the malady has obtained; for in proportion as the 
efforts made were great, so- would be the probability of the disease proving 
destructive. There can be no doubt that more dogs have been killed for 
the distemper than would have died from it if nature had been suffered to 
take her course ; and yet there is no disease that more requires help, or 
rewards the practitioner more largely for the assistance he affords. 
“ Everything concerning distemper is by the generality of the public mis- 
understood. Most people imagine a dog can have the distemper but once 
in its life ; whereas I had a patient that underwent three distinct attacks in 
one autumn, that of 1849. The majority of persons who profess an intimate 
xxvii. 82 
