Few young dogs have immunity from this affection, and if you are bent upon purchasing or selling a young animal, the first query that is invariably put is, "Is he over the distemper?"

This disease is somewhat analogous to typhus fever in the human subject, that is to say, it is a low febrile sinking complaint, and runs a prescribed course. It is admitted that it is due to some specific poison, which is capable of being communicated from one dog to another. It exercises a rapid and depressing effect upon the patient; it deprives the animal of all muscular exertion, emaciation is very effectively and completely accomplished, and if recourse to the proper remedies is neglected or delayed, death soon ends the sufferings of the wretched patient. In fact, I know of no disease affecting the canine species where more abject helplessness and suffering is witnessed than in this disease. Every one who evinces any interest at all in the dog must be familiar with the characteristic signs of distemper; therefore we will proceed with the symptoms, which are as follows: -

A low, sinking, insidious fever, producing great prostration, shivering, accelerated pulse, and quickened respiration. The appetite is almost or entirely suspended; there is a running at the nose and eyes of a watery secretion; a short husky cough, which is easily excited. Accompanying these symptoms you may find congestion of the lungs present, or inflammation of the bowels, etc. Therefore when we speak of distemper, it may affect the following organs separately or collectively: - firstly, the nose and its lining membranes; secondly, the head, eyes, and brain; thirdly, the chest; fourthly, the bowels; and lastly, the skin.

The feces are as a rule black, the urine scanty and high-coloured, the eyes injected, mucus appearing at the corners of them, the teeth are coated with a thick sort of fur, the breath is very disagreeable, and altogether the animal presents an unwelcome appearance. (I don't like to use the word loathsome.) Delirium often ensues; and when this occurs,chorea generally attends the animal for the remainder of its life.

Assuming, then, that the reader is familiar with these symptoms, he must conclude that he has a case of distemper to deal with; so in order to plump straight for the best remedy, I unhesitatingly advise one and all to employ nothing else but the sulphate of quinine in doses according to the size of the dog, from one to five grains, three times a day in a tablespoonful of port-wine. Attend to the comfort of the animal, keep its nose and eyes clean, and the temperature as equal as possible. If these instructions are faithfully carried into execution, you will be successful in your efforts. Coax the patient with choice tit-bits of food, and on no account administer any aperient. Remember that it is a low, sinking, debilitating disease, that is bound to run a certain course. Nurse then, and support the patient over it.

Some breeders have tried inoculation as a preventive for distemper, and assert that it succeeds; others, again, maintain that it, is not so.