Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-10

A Chapter About Dogs and Their ALL
ments by DR.. Watts.
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
DR.. AL Watts-whose efforts In behalf Of dogs
by calling attention to their various diseases and
the proper treatment Of the same, are to be
highly commended, not only for the good which
has resulted from among owners Of these favor
lite companions, but for the efficient aid rendered
TO the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animais-a society the moral growth and infiu-
ence OF which has been of great service in the
community-has issued another paper on ''Dis-
temper in Dogs" from which, believing 1t will
be interesting to many, the following extracts
are made:
dogs, as well az other animals. have diseases
akin to the human family, and must be sub
1ected to similar treatment as regards medicine;
diherlng, however, in the dose which, proving
corrective TO the one, in some cases tends to an
opposite effect in the other. Catarrh, bron-
chlts, consumption, pneumonia. inflammation
OF the stomach, liver. kidneys, jaundice. dropsy
dlarrhRa and many other diseases are common
TO the dog. Dogs generally at some time Of
their lives, are subject to distemper, in which
one or more of these diseases are prominent
and which being brought on bya common cold
Inflammation of the lungs or bowels. assumes a
low form and becomes what is known in the
human family as typhus fever. The first stage
of distemper, caused by exposure to wet or
cold. is known as ephemeral fever and brings
on cEillness. with increased surface heat. quick
pulse and hurried breathing. Dogs of all ages
from month upward, are subject to it. but it
occurs mostly before or at the compile
ton OF the first year. A dog may be
attacked with the disease a second time
Qhen generally in a milder FORM and recover
but, for want of proper treatment, which is too
often the case. he is more likely to die. Dis
temper Is also apt to occur without any apparent
cause-as well when dogs are kindly cared for, as
when neglected. as whatever debiltates the
constitution will generate distemper. 1t is I'M
dOubtedly contagious and epidemic occurring
mostly in spring and autumn, and may be cOmmu-
nlcatec by even one dog over an entire district.
Strange to say, the most valuable animals suffer
most from this disorder. the cur being i'll but
one or two days A dog in an advanced state of
distemper is disposed to gnaw at or bite any,
thing within reach. and is frequently subject to
epileptic fits and successive cOnvulsive spasms
OF the muscles. Other and different descrip-
ton OF fits then ensue. He staggers tumbles
Tolls, and, crying tears up the ground until he
finally falls exhausted. In this state and show
Ing these symptoms. many valuable dogs are
put out OF their misery, generally through fear
OF hydrophobia, when in fact there is no resemb-
is not, by bite or otherwise. communicable to
man, and it Is to be regretted there should be so
little understanding shown in this Particular
ANY unusual behavior in the dog should be in
CURED into as in the case Of 4 child and especi-
ally if the dog suffers from cold or nasal ca
tarrh. as distemper generally commehces in the
nasal membrane. The treatment would. of
course, vary with. the different breeds and &C
cording to the age or size of the animal; but it
Is always proper on discovering the symptoms
to give an emetic, say equal parts of caiome and
tartar emetic. or if that is not Obtainable, COM
mon salt will be found serviceable. The next
thing to be done is to keep the dog we'll bedded,
next frequent change, good ventilation, free
from draught, and improvement may be ex-
pected. Should the dog grow worse, which is
probable. and his owner is solicitOus for his well
fare. competent physician should be consulted
without delay, as the advance of distemper is so
rapid in most cases as to preclude all chance of
recovery"