Distemper, in the context of painting, refers to a type of decorative paint historically used for murals and other artworks. It's a water-based paint that uses a binder like animal glue, unlike oil-based paints. Distemper can also describe a disease, specifically canine distemper, a highly contagious viral illness affecting dogs and other animals.
Distemper as a Paint:
Water-based:
Distemper paint is made with a water-based binder, such as animal glue, rather than oil.
Historical Medium:
It was a popular medium for murals and decorative painting in the past, offering a matte finish.
Soft Distemper:
A type of distemper that uses binders like chalk, ground pigments, and animal glue.
Not Abrasion Resistant:
Distemper is generally not as durable or resistant to abrasion as oil-based paints.
Canine Distemper (Disease):
Viral Disease:
Canine distemper is a serious, contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus.
Affects Multiple Systems:
It attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs and other susceptible animals.
Symptoms:
Common signs include fever, coughing, nasal and eye discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological issues like seizures and paralysis.
Vaccination:
Canine distemper is preventable through vaccination.
Wildlife Reservoir:
The virus persists in wildlife populations, such as raccoons and foxes, which can be a source of infection for domestic dogs.
Can also affect other animals:
Besides dogs, it can affect other carnivores, including ferrets, skunks, and various wild canids and even big cats.