OBDEB OF CABNIVOEA, 
411 
affection. Statistics prove that rabies is not more frequent during 
the summer than in any other season. Again, this malady is 
absolutely unknown in many warm countries, where Dogs never- 
theless enjoy perfect liberty ; for example, in Turkey, Syria, 
Egypt, Caffraria, at the Cape of Grood Hope, and in South 
America. This proves that the custom of muzzling Dogs during 
the summer, and at no other seasons, is not only radically wrong 
but barbarous, — in fact, more likely to promote than prevent 
this fearful ailment. 
Fig. 161. — Havanese Dogs. 
Dogs are also subject to a disease called distemper, which 
attacks all indiscriminately, and carries off more than one half 
their number ; this disorder usually accompanies the period of 
dentition. It is an inflammation of the respiratory passages, 
complicated with nervous disorder, and lasts from twenty to forty 
days. Any one who keeps a Dog should not hesitate a moment, 
when the malady appears, to place it in the hands of a veteri- 
nary surgeon, or some other person of long experience in the 
ailments of animals. Empirical remedies ought especially to he 
