Distemper

 

[DR. H.B.F. Jervis]

Of all diseases to which dogs are subject, distemper is perhaps the most frequent, it is also the most difficult to define. It has been compared to typhoid, or to typhus fever in man,

though the comparison hardly seems to be a good one. The disease seems to be contagious. We say "seems to be," because back of all contagious diseases, in man or beast, is an element

which no one can explain. Of a dozen men or dogs, exposed to a contagious disease, a certain number may contract the disease, while the remainder, though equally exposed, will escape. Distemper is to be mechanically classed as a contagious disease.

It is far more apt to attack young dogs and those known as "pure-bred," than old dogs and the dog rabble, but at any rate, if a dog shows signs of the disease it is best to isolate him from

other dogs, if any be kept about the place.

Picture drawn by Blaine:

1. a short dry cough,

2. lessening of the appetite, of the flesh, of the strength, and spirits; the coat also begins to stare, the eyes to wink in a full light, as though painfully affected by it; they also, if observed in

the morning. exhibit the remains of a little hardened mucus, which may be seen adhering to the inner corner of each, while a general cloudiness of the eye steals over its surface; the nose

also is bedewed with a watery discharge, greater or less as the membraneous linings of the orbits and nasal cavities are more or less inflamed, in which state it may sometimes remain for

2 - 3 weeks without much alteration;

3. eventually increases, and changes from a limpid, watery fluid to a muco-purulent discharge (something like the discharge from an abscess) which flows down the face from the inner corner of each eye, and as the disease becomes more intense, it frequently closes up the lids during the night, and blinds the dog until his efforts have opened them. The nasal discharge,

which is at first thin and watery, becomes muco- purulent, and later one of direct pus, by which his nose is more or less closed up each morning by the viscid exudations like the poor dogs eyes.

4. the intensity of the inflammation extends, the cough also, which was at first a slight huskiness (or perhaps hardly existed at all, for in some cases but little cough attends the early stages) increases to a distressing harsh sounding

one, and frequent attempts to force something up the throat by an effort that appears compounded of coughing and vomiting.

To these appearances are usually added wasting, weakness, listlessness and lessening of the appetite also.

Remembering that dogs cannot relate their symptoms or feelings, I would be inclined to regard the foregoing picture as being nearer to "Grippe" than to either typhoid or typhus.

Hurndall: "I regard distemper as a catarrhal fever, affecting more or less severely, the mucous membranes of the various canals of the body, the nervous system being not infrequently implicated“.

Lord: "A contagious disease of which all dogs appear to carry the seeds in their system, accompanied with fever and derangement of most of the internal organs, and frequently ending in chorea, paralysis or inflammation of the lungs“.

If the seeds of the disease are in the system, it can hardly be termed a contagious disease.

Moore: "The symptoms present considerable variations, which depend upon the rapidity of the disease, the character of the prevailing epidemic and the local complications“.

Mills: after stating that the symptoms are very numerous and varied, concludes that" it will not be feasible to enumerate all the combinations that occur, as these are simply endless“.

 

From the foregoing, the reader will see that distemper, the worst of dog diseases, is a rather meaningless term, and that the only way to intelligently treat the disease is to individualise the cases, i.e.; do not think of the name of the disease, but look for the symptoms in the dog.

Acon.: At the outset, if the dog is feverish, or chilly and feverish by turns, and restless,as this great polychrest arrests more diseases in their incipiency than any other remedy.

Gels.: should the dog appear dull, feverish and stupid, "drunken looking".

Acon.: restlessness prominent in its pathogenesis,

Gels.: characterised by a dull, sluggish besotted condition.

Aconite and Gelsemium, are only of use in the beginning of the disease. If they do not check it, resort must be had to others, as indicated.

Bry.: will be called for by symptoms of bronchitis, which is known by short, hurried breathing, as though the act were painful, together with rattling of mucus.

Phos.: Mucus becomes "rusty" instead of being blood-streaked. This is a dangerous stage. When a clear fluid runs from the nose and eyes, either or both, and that symptom is very prominent, maybe + fever and other symptoms,

Nat-m. Diarrhoea and exhaustion.

Ars.: when the vital powers seem to sink, offensive and acrid effusion from inflamed eyes and nose, with great restlessness and constant whining.

Merc.: mouth more or less ulcerated, breath particularly offensive, with bloody diarrhoea.

Bell.: especially when the throat is inflamed and the eyes involved, also when the brain seems to be involved and there are fits.

 

Many dogowners may know that their dog has distemper, and yet not be able to, or have time to, differentiate between the various remedies.

1.     Ars. for a few days,

2.     Nux-v. follow

Much stress is laid, by allopathic writers, upon feeding in this disease, and they state that every means should be employed to induce the dog to eat so as to sustain his strength. This can be

a mistake. Give the dog free across to plenty of fresh, clean water, but do not force him to eat. He is like a sick man, it may be, to whom the very thought of food is disgusting.

Cure the disease by the indicated remedy, and nature will soon supply the appetite when the disease is conquered.

 

ISOPATHIC TREATMENT.

Another branch, so to speak, of homoeopathy, was the so-called Isopathy, or isopathic medication, which dates back to 400 B.C., as taught by Xenocrates. This means the employment of the morbid products of a disease for the cure of the same disease (Aequalia Aequalibus). It was introduced into homoeopathy by Dr. Lux in 1823, and in part adopted by Dr. Hering. Lux taught that the toxins formed in the body, properly attenuated, are capable of curing the very diseases that give rise to them that is, every disease is supposed to have within itself its own antidote.

In 1830 Hering proposed as a remedy for hydrophobia the saliva of a rabid dog, properly attenuated; the very teaching and practice of Pasteur. He also proposed Phthisine as a remedy for tuberculosis, and forty years later it, too, received popular and scientific endorsement by Koch and others. As early as 1834, Dr. Stapf, one of the greatest of the early Homoeopathists, who looked upon the subject dispassionately, says: "I do not doubt that the discovery of the curative action of the morbid matters, in diseases that produce them, to be one of the most important discoveries that has been made since the beginning of our school“.

The foregoing led me to apply this method in both the treatment and prevention of distemper in the dog, and the results will be found in my little booklet published recently.

The Treatment of Distemper with Potentised Virus, and will be only briefly alluded to in this paper. In order for a veterinarian or layman to treat this disease by this method, it is imperative that he at least gain in insight into the principles of homoeopathy, and its wonderful philosophy, to get the best results. He must acquaint himself with such things as "potencies" instead of doses; he must learn not to push the remedy too far, giving it ample time to do its work, otherwise he will meet with many dismal failures, and so forth.

In regard to using it prophylactically, if directions are followed to the letter, and always providing that the product is kept undefiled by storing away from crude drugs and not being exposed

to strong odors, such as coal-tar antiseptics and so forth, any ordinary layman can immunize his own without any trouble at all.

The general procedure is as follows:

At weaning, the puppies receive for a week one dose daily of the 30th potency, and nothing more for a month.

At the expiration of a mouth, the puppies receive for a week a daily dose of the 200th potency, and nothing more for a month.

At the expiration of the month, each puppy receives 3 doses, one at two hourly intervals, of the 1.000th potency.

After this, at monthly intervals, each puppy receives an increased potency, 3 doses at two hourly intervals until he has received one of the C MM strength. This completes the course, and though it may be looked upon as irksome to some, still it is better than shooting them with serum of some kind and losing them all. I am convinced that where this procedure is carried out,

it is possible to raise puppies to maturity without their developing this dread disease. Furthermore, even after this, when one knows that they are going to be exposed to a, so to speak, concentrated exposure, such as an indoor show or the like, there is nothing to hinder one, a few days prior to this, from giving three doses in quick succession of a potency of this product,

and in that way pad their immunity a little more.

Another line that is interesting me just now is to give pregnant bitches, irrespective of whether they may have had the disease, or been immunized against it, a course of potencies during

their pregnancy, to try and start the immunization of the puppies in utero. This is a peculiar field for homoeopathy. By means of the deeply acting anti-psoric remedies, the lowest strata of perverted life where it first established itself in impurities in the finest fibres and cellular structures, can be restored. Medicines chosen wisely and given to the expectant bitch, can benefit

the coming puppies. Frequently, with the indicated remedy, anatomical and structural deficiencies as cleft palate, hare-lip, eczema, etc., can be prevented in families where such have appeared, because the taint that gave rise to them in former pregnancies has been neutralised by the timely administration of the homoeopathic antipsoric remedies.

Often asked by veterinarians who are absolutely sceptical in regard to homoeopathy, "What on earth has your product to do with the actual virus of canine distemper, or don’t you believe in the existence of such an entity?" Of course I believe and know that there is such an entity, but in just what relation it really stands in connection with the disease itself I am frank to admit

that I do not really know, and furthermore, I don’t think anybody else does.

We all agree that it is less the presence of the organism than the suitability of the tissues for its growth that determines the disease. But is this pre-disposition itself the disease be it a condition to be defined electrically, chemically, or whatever and do the organisms result from it, or does the disease require the organisms plus the pre-disposition? Some have occasionally suggested the former view. Whatever the future may disclose we must admit that organisms, and viruses are associated with disease, have recognisable characteristics and can convey disease. At least the evidence available at present points overwhelmingly to these conclusions, and that those who deny them have generally only sight acquaintance with this evidence. We must therefore assume that so-called germs of disease are at least in close relation to disease, and although Medorrhinum, Psorinum, and Distemperinum caninum can be held to owe their efficacy, not to the organisms present in the material from which they were originally made, but to some un-named and un-defined substance of disease.

 

[Kappes of Dresden/translated by Mrs. M.L. Wheeler]

Distemper is an acute infectious disease of young carnivorous animals:

(1) Respiratory organs,

(2) Digestive organs,

(3) the Nervous System,

(4) Skin of the abdomen, either each part alone or all of them together. It develops, when artificially produced, in 3 - 4 days; under natural conditions in 3 - 4 weeks.

The severe form of the disease manifests itself in a sudden refusal of food, sadness, whimpering, and general lassitude; also there is a high temperature. After 3 - 4 days the temperature falls below normal and death occurs.

The acute form sets in in a similar manner, only the fever lasts 2 - 4 weeks; a very high temperature, or it falls to rise again and then comes down gradually. At the onset the animals are restless, tired, easily afraid, they lose their appetite and obey reluctantly.

The catarrh of the air-passages is indicated by a short dry cough which later becomes prolonged and moist, frequently producing cramp-like attacks and vomiting.

Breathing becomes more difficult and rapid, and rattling is heard in the chest cavity.

The eye symptoms develop simultaneously with the attack on the respiratory organs. They commence with an inflammation of the conjunctivae very red and painful, with swelling of the eyelids, the conjunctivae . There is excessive lachrymation and a mucous secretion which becomes purulent. Sometimes the lens becomes torpid.

The affection of the digestive organs is first noticeable by the absence of any desire for food together with intense thirst, with frequent vomiting of mucus discoloured with bile. The mouth is dry and hot, the tongue dirty and the stomach region sensitive. The excreta are loose, streaked with blood and are offensive.

Even in mild cases nervous symptoms very often noticeable and from such a prominent feature that they dominate the disease picture. Sometimes paralysis of local parts occurs, frequently cramp-like spasms of the whole body.

In 50% of the cases the skin of the abdomen and the inside of the legs are covered with a peculiar pustular eruption.

Treatment must follow closely the disease picture. The patient must be put into a clean protected place and fed on strong meat soups, etc. In great lassitude and weakness give Cocc.

Camph. Led.

Fever requires no special treatment except in the case of over 41° C. In which case Nux-v. should be given.

The catarrh of the Respiratory tract is best treated with Phos., Acon., Bell., Kreos.

The intestinal symptoms are treated with Ars. # Puls.

The inflammation of the eyes yields frequently to Cann-s.

The nerve symptoms can be treated with Op. and Ars.

The skin eruption, which usually disappears when recovery sets in, can often be treated successfully with Merc-c.

Lay people should use the medium potencies.

Naturally these are only some abbreviated notes for the early stages of the disease. The choice of remedies in prolonged treatment and serious cases is best left in the hands of a veterinary surgeon, as distemper is as a rule a serious affection.

I would like to say that to prevent distemper in young animals the only thing is good feeding. Do not spare meat, milk, and if necessary cod liver oil. In all cases do not think that bread and thin soup will make a strong animal. Experience teaches otherwise.

 

Arzneimittelprüfung Distemperinum (2005) mit eine Prüferin:

Das Mittel ist eine Nosode aus der Hundestaupe und wird zur Behandlung von M.S. eingesetzt. Hat den Ruf hat, die beschädigten Myelinscheiden wieder intakt zu bringen.

Nach der Signaturenlehre wäre das eine mögliche Verschreibung. Ich hörte, dass auch Homöopathen dieses Mittel (weil ja potenziert) aufgrund der Diagnose MS anwenden und prüfte deshalb im Herbst 2005 das Mittel an mir selbst.

Zahnschmerz Oberkiefer ziehend.

Übel & Schwindel - habe Gefühl, ich müsste bald erbrechen; Unterarme „Wie lahm“

Schwindel - Augen fühlen sich aufgeschwollen an.

Zähne jetzt vorne ziehend.

Kopfschmerz frontal

Koordination schwierig; muss mich konzentrieren; (lösche Licht vor Öffnen der Türe)

Kopf „Wie verwirrt“; Sitz in Stirn bei Haaransatz - Augenkoordination schwierig.

Kopfschmerz über r. Auge stechend; beim Kopfschütteln Mühe, die Augen folgen zu lassen

Kopfschmerz r Stirn; Ohren stechen; „Wie eine Scheibe“; Konzentration sehr schwierig.

Hände zittern beim Halten eines Buches; > Kopfschmerz, aber Verwirrung noch da

Hinsetzend fällt Blutdruck zusammen & Druck im r. Auge außen

Ziehend/stechender Schmerz in r. Ohr - vergeht jeweils nach 15 Minuten wieder

während Besprechung z.T. Gedanken abdriftend und Ziehen in Ohr/Stirn

Ziehen in der Wirbelsäule - kann kaum aufrecht stehen, „Wie verkrampft und müde“

Hautausschlag an Nasenwurzel krustig, wie eiterig

kribbeln Hände

„Wie eine Scheibe vor dem Kopf“

Stich (leicht) r. Schläfe

Druck Nasenwurzel

Verwirrt, „Wie in Alkoholrausch“; muss mich stark konzentrieren auf einfache Dinge

Schmerz Kopf l. und Oberkiefer

Augenkoordination stimmt nicht - habe das Gefühl zu schielen

Hinterkopfdruck ziehend

Wirbelsäule zieht beim Kopf senken.

Stich in r. Stirn erstr. „Wie eine Nadel zum Hinterkopf“ - verschwindet in Stirn und dann auch im Hinterkopf

Pulsieren l. Stirn über Auge einige Stiche, dann Übelkeitsgefühl

runder eitriger Hautausschlag an Nasenwurzel - praktisch kein Schmerz

Rücken verspannt; weiß fast nicht wie zu Sitzen

Hautausschlag an Nasenwurzel krustig, „Wie eiterig“ immer noch da; gestern abend etwas

abgeschuppt.

keine Lust zur Arbeit - träume vor mich hin

brauche viel falsche Worte z.B. Pinguin für Delphin; anläuten anstatt ansprechen

Repertorisierend schwierig mich zu konzentrieren

Hautausschlag noch da; sehr gelb; ohne Schmerzen

L. Stirn über Auge Stiche „Wie von Messer“ – erstr. l. Hinterkopf horizontal durch

Rücken verspannt; weiß fast nicht wie zu Sitzen - heute extremer, da körperlich

gearbeitet

kann schlecht schlafen; immer wieder wach, aber sehr müde

r. Bizeps juckende Papel wie Mückenstich

Stiche im Kopf (Schläfen) kurz, aber störend; Konzentration schlecht; sehr müde

Gebrauche falsche Ausdrücke, die ähnlich tönen; vertippe mich auch auf der PC-Tastatur

(Verwirrung)

Rückenverspannung ca. 30 Min sitzend

Papel an r. Bizeps wird gelb und juckt immer noch

Rückenverspannung ca. 5 Min sitzend

Kopfschmerz l. Stirn 10 Min

Papel an r. Bizeps juckt extrem

Rückenverspannung ca. 15 Min

Aufstehend Rückenverspannung r. ca. Th3 und Nackenverspannung

Hautausschlag an Nasenwurzel heilt ab; Erosion geht von außen her zu und wird kleiner

Papel an r. Bizeps dunkelgelb; juckt nur, wenn er gereizt wird

kurze Rückenverspannung

Rötung um Papel weg; Jucken weniger.

Hautjucken am Rücken dorsal lateral und auf Schulterpartie

gebrauche immer noch falsche Worte z.B. Regenbogen anstatt Regenschirm; merke es aber sofort - ärgert mich; seit Tagen.

Stich in r. Stirn wie wenn an Os frontale von innen angeschlagen würde - einen Moment

Lang

Seit 2 Tagen Schmerz in r. Knöchel bei Rotation nach innen (stehend)

r. Handfläche Mitte starkes Ziehen pulsierend

Taubheitsgefühl in beiden Händen ca. 30 Min.

Schmerz in r. Knöchel bei Rotation nach innen

Anfangs Joggen starker Schmerz Knöchel rechts medial; wird nach 15 Min >

Schmerz l. Stirn & Übelkeit ca. 15 Sekunden

Knöchelschmerz bei Innenrotation immer wieder (< morgens)

körperliche Arbeit - geht sehr gut; keine Symptome, außer Knöchelschmerz z.T.,

aber wenig

Papel an Bizeps praktisch nicht mehr sichtbar

immer wieder kurze Anflüge von Verwirrung, aber wirklich sehr kurz

Rückenspannung r. neben WS nach Radfahren

Rückenspannung r. neben WS immer noch da

Rücken aufstehend Schmerz stechend links neben WS ca. 30 Minuten lang

Rückenverspannung ca. 30 Min

beim Rennen Schmerz r. Knöchel medial

Rückenverspannung sitzend; r. Dorsalregion unten; ca. Th11

Weiß nicht wie zu Sitzen auch stehen geht nicht

Rückenverspannung (sehr stark; habe auch körperlich gearbeitet)

Exostose l. Fuß auf Mittelfußknochen des Großzehens, 1cm hinter Großzehengrundgelenk

Rückenverspannung Dorsalregion rechts nach 20km-Lauf - sitzend.

L. Fuß wird leicht gefühllos

L. Fuß Gefühl unangenehm weg; in Schuhen wird es durch die (leichte) Exostose unangenehm

Gefühllosigkeit im Fuß immer noch da

Rückenschmerz bei längerer Autofahrt Sakral > Bewegen.

Augen sehr gerötet, nach knapp 6 Std Schlaf < r. mit leichtem Sandgefühl

L. Nasenloch seit 3 Tagen trocken, aber immer mit störenden Borken; können schlecht

entfernt werden ohne zu Bluten

Nasenwurzel „Wie wenn der Eiterfleck wieder kommen würde“

Augen immer noch rot und Sandgefühl

Gefühllosigkeit im Fuß nicht mehr da

Augen immer noch rot

Schulter l. M. Deltoideus ziehender Schmerz - ca. 1 Std

Seit 3 Tagen öfters kurzes Jucken auf rechtem Handrücken - ohne Ausschlag

Kopfschmerz linke Stirn 10 Min

Augen noch rot - etwas Sandgefühl

Neuralgie Scheitel rechts beim Berühren der Haare - merke es auch nach Berührung noch.

Neuralgie noch da - wird immer stärker - leicht ausgedehnt; „Als ob r. Auge zu schwillt“

Neuralgie noch da, aber nicht mehr stärker; Kein Schmerz im Motorradhelm

Augen immer noch rot

Rückenverspannung r. zwischen Scapula und Wirbelsäule (leicht)

seit mehreren Tagen immer wieder Jucken rechter Handrücken > Kratzen

R. Leiste, Hoden, Appendix schmerzhaft

nur noch Appendix schmerzhaft

Stechen hinter l. Auge oben medial, stark

Stechen Auge immer noch da, nicht mehr so stark

Rennend Schmerz r. Knöchel medial anfangs, dann >

ganzer Tag jucken an den Fingern der r. Hand ohne Ausschlag; < ein Buch halten

Pickel an der r. Gesäßbacke - stört und schmerzt bis zum Schlafengehen

Rückenverspannung ständig ganzer Rücken Dorsalregion bds.

Stirn l. Stich innen kurz, aber sehr stark

Rückenverspannung < l. Dorsalregion sitzend

R. Auge pulsierender Schmerz liegend r., ca. 1 Min

R. Innenknöchel Schmerz rennend

Roter Punkt Bizeps immer noch sichtbar

R. Auge pulsierende Stiche lesend, ca. 1 Min.

R. Rücken sitzend verspannt; weiß nicht wie zu Sitzen; Schmerz auch liegend

nachts Stiche r. Scrotum kurz

R. Ferse Innenseite Schmerz „Als ob ein Riss in der Haut wäre“, aber nichts sichtbar

seit einigen Tagen unter großer Zehen hinter Ballen Hornhaut und sehr trocken

L. Auge kurze Stiche

R. Ferse innen Schmerz wie gestern Abend; jetzt kleiner Riss in Hornhaut sichtbar.

Nach Erkältung immer Nasenschleim im Rachen/Choanen hinten, den ich kaum

herausbringe (über Tage)

Seit 3.10. nachts Schmerz l. Schultergelenk im Bauchlage; > darauf liegen

Sitzend im Kino Rückenverspannung dorsal trotz guten Polstern - bis 22h

Rückenverspannung rechts ca. Th 9 - Th 12

Neuralgie Schädel l. hinten ca. Handrückengross; < berühren der Haare

Reine Rohkosternährung begonnen; hatte Lust dazu

Rückenverspannung r. wie gehabt; kann fast nicht mehr sitzen (abends)

 

Zusammenfassung der Symptome.

Symptom

1 Hautausschlag an Nasenwurzel

2 Verwirrung - schwierige Konzentration - wie Scheibe

3 Rückenverspannung abends ab 21h

4 Kopfschmerz Stirn Stechend von innen

5 R. Bizeps Papel juckend

6 R. Knöchel medial Schmerz

7 Sexverlangen erhöht

8 Lust zur Ernährungsumstellung

Bei der Prüfung ist die Verwirrung das Auffälligste und extremste Symptom gewesen. Ich hatte zum Teil enorme Mühe, meine Anamnesen durchzuführen.

Da die Prüfung nur von einer einzelnen Person durchgeführt wurde, ist die Symptomatik des Mittels natürlich nur unvollständig wiedergegeben. Zu sagen ist noch, dass der Prüfer sehr gut in körperlichen Bereich prüft.

An psychischen Symptomen sind auch in den bisherigen Prüfungen nur Reizbarkeit, Euphorie usw, nicht aber Traurigkeit, Depression usw. aufgetreten.

 

Krankheit: Befallt Tiere (Hund) schwach/Katarrh/Husten;

Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory system/gastrointestinal tract/CNS system.

Distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).

Macrophages (cells that ingest foreign disease-carrying organisms, like viruses and bacteria) carry the inhaled virus to nearby lymph nodes where it begins replicating (reproducing). It spreads rapidly through the lymphatic tissue and infects the lymphoid organs in 2 - 5 days. By days 6 - 9, the virus spreads to the blood (viremia). It then spreads to the surface epithelium (lining) of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital systems and CNS, where it begins doing the damage that causes the symptoms.

Early symptoms incl. fever/loss of appetite/mild eye inflammation may only last a day or two. Symptoms become more serious/noticeable tremors and seizures as the disease progresses.

It can make other diseases complicated and make jerky kinds of movements in the muscles. People have a somewhat edgy temper when provoked.

The initial symptom is fever (103°F to 106°F), which usually peaks 3 - 6 days after infection. The fever often goes unnoticed and may peak again a few days later. Dogs may experience eye and nose discharge, depression, and loss of appetite (anorexia). After the fever, symptoms vary considerably, depending on the strain of the virus and the dog's immunity.

Many dogs experience gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, such as:

    * Conjunctivitis (discharge from the eye)

    * Diarrhea

    * Fever (usually present but unnoticed)

    * Pneumonia (cough, labored breathing)

    * Rhinitis (runny nose)

    * Vomiting

 

Vergleich: Siehe: Nosoden + Canes

 

 

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