INFLUENZA. 
663 
In canine distemper, we have another disease whose 
early symptoms coincide with those of influenza. Here 
we have the disease ushered in with chills, a dry irritated 
condition of the mucous membranes, where the dis¬ 
charge soon becomes more copious, great debility, and in 
some cases an extension of the inflammation along the respira¬ 
tory tract to the lungs and pleura. 
In these diseases we have two that are recognized as being 
due to a specific organism, presenting characteristic symp¬ 
toms, that almost coincide with those of influenza, and what 
more probable to assume from this that in influenza we also 
have a disease whose ravages are due to a similar cause. 
The pathological changes in the body are due to the ab¬ 
sorption of the morbid material by the blood. The alteration 
occurs in the blood where we have a rapid destruction of the 
red corpuscles. 
The absorption by the tissues of these disintegrated cor¬ 
puscles give them a yellowish tint and a congested appear¬ 
ance. The first sign of this is seen in the early discoloration 
of the mucous membranes. Along with this we always have 
more or less congestion of the various organs of the body. 
Other pathological changes are due to complications, as if 
the ungs are affected, we have the changes due to pneumonia 
or pleurisy. If enteritis or congestion of the liver is the com- 
‘ plication, we have the changes taking place in them. 
The development of the symptoms of this disease, after a 
period of incubation varying from four to three days, may 
result in a very mild attack or they may be very intense. 
In a mild attack we have the disease running its course as 
a specific fever, with only the alterations in the blood, but if 
the attack is severe, we may have it complicated with ’inflam¬ 
matory diseases of the various organs, aggravated by the al- 
ready weakened state of the body and the alterations in the 
blood which have a tendency to favor a fatal termination of 
these complications. 
The first symptoms are those of great indisposition, rapidly 
developing fever, which may become intense, chills of the 
body, staring coat, loss of appetite and a dry, irritated condi- 
