DISTEMPER is a typhoid inflammation affecting the upper air-passages of young dogs, and resembling in many respects the strangles of young horses, and the scarlatina and other such complaints of children. Like these, it is generally contagious, occurs only once in a lifetime, runs a definite course, is accompanied by low fever and debility, and is most successfully treated by good nursing and attention to diet and regimen. The eyes are rbd, weak and watery; the nose dry and hot; draughts of air or movements of the animal readily excite sneezing or cough; there is dullness, fever, and loss of appe tite. The thickened slimy mucus which the inflamed membrane, after some days, secretes, accumulates about the eyes and nostrils, and in the bronchial tubes, prevents the free access of air, and the proper purification of the blood. Hence ensue dis tressed breathing, increasing and symptoms of nervous disturbance, such as staggering gait, chorea (q.v.), and fits. All dogs are liable to distemper, but the deli cate, highly bred, and artificially treated varieties suffer most severely, and amongst them the mortality is very great. Bleeding, physicking, and all irritating and reducing remedies, must be carefully avoided, and a good dry bed in a comfortable airy place provided. The stomach, which is generally overloaded, should be relieved of its con tents by an emetic, which, for an ordinary-sized English terrier, may consist of two grains each of tartar emetic and ipecacuanha, with eight or ten grains of common salt, given in a wine-glassful of tepid water. If no effect is produced, the dose must be repeated
in twenty minutes. Constipation, if present, should be corrected by half an ounce each of castor and olive oil, to which, in large dogs, a few grains of gray powder is a useful addition. The febrile symptoms, if acute, may be alleviated by giving four times daily, in cold water, two drops of tincture of aconite, and five grains each of niter and extract of belladonna. Distressed breathing will be relieved by applying to the chest and sides, for an hour or two continuously, a thick flannel cloth, wrung at short intervals out of hot water. The throat may also be rubbed with hartshorn and oil, and the nostrils sponged and steamed occasionally. Give frequently, and in small quantities at a time, milk and bread, or any other such simple and digestible food; and when recovery is tardy, and weakness ensues, endeavor by nursing, tonics (q.v.), and stimulants (q.v.) to support the strength.
The term D. is sometimes applied to influenza (q.v.) in horses, and epizootic pleuro-pneumonia (q.v.) in cattle.