This is an epidemic resembling common cold, but more severe in its effects, and contagious. The causes are supposed to be atmospheric cold, and damp weather in spring and autumn, which are the usual seasons of its appearance. Influenza is not to be dreaded if taken in hand at once, but if once the system becomes run down or the various symptoms which denote the disease take good hold, there is serious trouble ahead, and leads to complications which deplete the kennel. Even if a cure is affected the convalesence is long and subject to a relapse from the most trivial cause. In the first stage the symptoms are dullness of the animal, loss of appetite, rigors or shivering fits, nose hot, then cold, increased thirst. Second stage: A discharge from nose and eyes, which at first is mucoid and watery, but it soon becomes of a mattery description; the breathing becomes accelerated and the conjunctival membrane red (this is the lining membrane of the eyelid). The symptoms in these first stages are very like the earlier symptoms of distemper, and most people seeing one of these cases for the first time, and in a young dog, would say it had the latter-named disease.

The discharge is not, however, of the purulent offensive character that denotes distemper and the disease is as liable to attack old dogs as young ones. In some cases the eyes are seriously affected, the cornea becomes of a bluish shade, the sight is affected, and in some cases ulcers form. In the latter case use Eberhart's Eye Lotion No. 2, two or three times daily.

Distemper is gradual in its development, but in influenza the different stages develop with great rapidity, the disease running in some cases on to complications in twenty-four hours. If the complaint is not checked in its earlier stages one or both of the after-mentioned complications may set in. These complications are affections of the lungs, and those of a rheumatismal character. When the chest complication is setting in, the breathing becomes more accelerated and painful, the fever increases, in fact the symptoms are those of ordinary chest complaints; and these may be bronchitis, congestion and inflammation of the lungs or pleurisy. As it requires the skilled practitioner to differentiate one class of chest disease from another, it would be useless to attempt to explain to the amateur how to diagnose this for himself.

The dog should be kept in dry quarters and away from draughts. The treatment should be similar to that recommended under Cold. The dog will, however, require still greater care exercised in keeping him warm and in a well-ventilated place, as well as in being supported with easily-digested food, such as strong broth, beef tea, boiled milk, bread, etc. In the early stages, Hoffman's anodyne or compound spirit of sulphuric ether, given in milk three times a day, is generally beneficial. Dose for a 20 lb. dog, 15 drops; smaller toy dogs, 10 drops; larger dogs, 20 drops. Any discharge from the nose should be encouraged by warm fomentations and making the dog inhale the vapor from vinegar of squills sprinkled on a hot wet sponge or cloth. If the throat is swollen and sore, slightly blister with vinegar and mustard, but do not apply too long.

Feed on nourishing foods, strong broth, boiled milk and bovine. A few drops of the latter, administered frequently in milk, is very strengthening.

In convalescence a treatment for a few weeks of Eberhart's Tonic Pill, (which contain no arsenic or "dope") will be of great benefit in building the dog up.

Another authority advises as follows:

"The dog will, however, require great care exercised in keeping him warm and in a well-ventilated place, as well as in being, supported with easily-digested food, such as strong broth, beef tea,, boiled milk, bread, etc. In the early stages compound spirit of sulphuric ether, given in milk three times a day, is generally beneficial. Dose for a twenty pound dog, 15 drops; Any discharge from the nose should be encouraged by warm fomentations and making the dog inhale the vapor from vinegar or squills sprinkled on a hot, wet sponge or cloth. If the throat is swollen and sore, slightly blister with vinegar and mustard. In convalescence give cod liver oil and syrup of iodide of iron," or Eberhart's Tonic Pills instead of the cod liver oil and iron, are just the thing to use here.

The following is also good advice on Influenza:

Symptoms: The disease is commonly located in the mucous membrane of the nose, the lungs and air passages. The first symptoms are those of a common cold chill, lassitude, shivering, sneezing and loss of appetite. The small veins of the eye and membranes are injected and there is a profuse discharge of tears, as well as a swelling of the nasal membranes. The throat becomes sore and there is a dry, hoarse cough that is sometimes so severe as to terminate in attempts to vomit. Breathing is hurried and painful and prostration is well marked. The patient is dull and sleepy, and, when forced to move acts stiff, sore and lame. There is more or less fever of an intermittent type and the animal suffers from excessive thirst. The pulse is irregular and usually is full and soft. Digestion is disturbed and the bowels are generally too loose, although in some cases constipated. Expectoration is scanty, but frequently attempted.

Treatment: Keep the patient warm and in a room that is well ventilated and free from draughts. Allow plenty of cold water to drink and feed anything the patient will eat. Broths of mutton, beef or milk are good, as well as raw, lean beef, chopped fine; egg noggs. raw eggs, gelatine, etc. If the temperature is high and continues so, give quinine in two-grain doses every four hours until it is reduced. If the bowels are constipated, loosen them by doses of olive oil, a tablespoonful to a dose. If the throat is badly congested and breathing is difficult, it should be rubbed with some camphorated oil, or hot applications applied, and then bandaged with soft flannel.

The following prescription is highly recommended: Ammonia mur. and ext. of glycyrrhizae pulv., of each two drams; aquae, three ounces.

Give one teaspoonful in water, every three hours.

It is important that the animal's strength be kept up and cod liver oil should be given in tablespoonful doses four times a day, as well as the syrup of iodide of iron,

The doses given are for medium sized dogs, use judgment if for small dogs.