SOCIETV MEETINGS. 
85 
NEW YORK STATE VETERINARY SOCIETY. 
The regular meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, April 13, the 
resident, R. W. Finlay, in the chair. 
A large number of members present. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted, with slight altera- 
ons. 
Dr. Cattanach read a paper on “ Canine Distemper.”* 
On invitation Dr. Liautard opened the discussion by stating that the paper 
as one that treated of a subject that was of considerable interest, and the views 
the essayist could hardly meet with much opposition. The treatment as laid 
)wn by him, was one that was generally followed by himself. He objected to 
>g shows, because they were a means of spreading the disease. If they were to 
) held, they ought certainly to be under the supervision of a qualified veter- 
arian, who, at the present day, was not placed at his proper value by those 
ving charge of these dog exhibitions. The disease was an infectious one, and 
dogs should be carefully examined before being allowed to enter any dog show ; 
9 eruption could be detected at once, as in measles, which he thought it very 
ach resembled. He had noticed the eruption almost at the start, perhaps not 
iinly marked, but enough to be noticed. If it was true that it had a specific 
crobe, what was* the microbe ? In many cases he had seen St. Vitus dance 
low. He had had good results follow the use of nit. silver. 
In answer to Dr. Dixon, the essayist said he considered well bred dogs were 
>re liable to the disease, but perhaps due to too good care. 
Dr. J. S. Cattanach said he thought that terriers, collies and hounds were 
>re likely to take the disease. He thought, perhaps, if the breeds were crossed, 
vould add strength and so lessen the chances of getting distemper. Dr. R. A. 
:Lean agreed with the idea of in-breeding being a means of increasing the dog’s 
mce of having the disease. He said he considered that distemper resembled 
Tlatina more than measles. 
The Chair took exception to this, stating that the eruption was entirely 
ferent in the two diseases, but agreeing that it was quite difficult to tell the two 
m each other for the first three or four days, but after that there was a well 
rked specific eruption. In answer to Dr. Field, the essayist said there was 
adness, as there was opacity of the cornia and aqueous humor. 
Dr. Dixon called attention to the fact that the mongrel, who was never taken 
-he dog shows, had distemper. It might be that domestication had considerable 
10 with the trouble. 
Dr. Liautard asked if any experiments had been made as to the contageous- 
s of the disease. 
Dr. R. A. McLean said a sister of his, seven years old, was taken sick with 
Tatina, and a pet dog of hers was in her company all the time, not coming in 
tact with any other dog during the time, and had developed a well marked 
* of distemper. 
*The crowded condition of this issue obliges us to postpone its publication 
ur next number.—[E d.] 
