L. Sewell, Canine Distemper: A Practical Handbook (London: George Routledge & Sons, 1925).- Creation
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Creator (Definite): Louis SewellDate: 1925
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CitesDistemper Hospital
Description:'Distemper Hospitals
I always regard these places as necessary evils, because they are so liable to get over-crowded, and the disease in all its forms concentrated there, so that after a short time they become absolutely "sick" with Distemper unless periodically rested...
Of course Distemper Hospitals are very necessary for people who cannot nurse their cases at home, as very often their own Veterinary Surgeon has not got a place of his own, especially for Distemper, but he can [152-153] always attend the case when it is sent to a Distemper Hospital. People should on no account send a case to any hospital unless it can be attended by their own Veterinary Surgeon. There is a very well-known Distemper Hospital in London, run by Miss O. Lancaster, 10 Montpellier Place, Knightsbridge, S.W., Telephone 6407 Kensington. Here, only cases of Distemper are accepted when sent by a Veterinary Surgeon. This hospital is composed of four wards, fitted out in the most up-to-date way, and there is always an ample staff of nurses, both for day and night duty, so that the dogs are never left. It is run on the same lines as a human nursing home, namely, charges for boarding and nursing are made, but the Veterinary Surgeon charges his fee for attendance. The place is always kept very clean, which is by no means an easy matter with Distemper, and it seldom smells unpleasant, which also speaks well of the management. I attribute this to the construction of the wards, which makes for easy cleaning. These are fumigated periodically [153-154] and rested, sometimes for a month at a time, when they are not very full. The place in question is undoubtedly the best of its kind that I have seen anywhere, and for those who must avail themselves of the use of a hospital for Distemper, I can thoroughly recommend it.' (152-154)
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Related toCanine Nurses' Institute
Description:'To some, the nursing of Distemper cases is regarded as a more important factor towards recovery than the effect of medicines. This is perhaps a rather sweeping statement, but it is quite safe to say that in most cases the one is no good without the other.
The reasone why nursing is so extremely important is because dogs with Distemper get so ill and helpless. Also, the disease takes many forms, and many varied conditions arise, both needing almost constant attention which obviously the dog cannot give itself.
Very few who have never before undertaken the nursing of Distemper cases know what to expect, as to do it thoroughly means being almost completely tied to the place for [125-126] weeks, with the result that any private engagements have to be cancelled. Also, it generally entails during part of the illness having no sleep for a night or two, whilst almost every night the nurse has to rouse to give the patient food or medicine.
Carrying out the business as thoroughly as it should be is not always possible, and when circumstances are such, the only alternative is to give the case or cases as much attention as possible. But there is such a thing as over-nursing and this I consider almost as bad as under-nursing, because the dog gets fussed and nervy, a most undesirable state of affairs in Distemper.
For those who have not the time or inclination to nurse dogs with the disease, there are specially trained canine nurses who go out and nurse Distemper cases. They generally charge from abour £2 10s. to £3 per week, and live in. Most Veterinary Surgeons know where to obtain these nurses, or at least know of somebody who has had a great deal of experience and will undertake the work, although they are not what is strictly known [126-127] as qualified nurses. I have had hospital nurses who have been trained for human nursing, and I have always found them excellent as their training has been so strict and consequently they carry out their orders carefully. This is in no way meant as derogatory to the canine nurses, but the training of the latter is naturally not so intensive.' (125-127)
