N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 625 



uals is that of a pleasant, cooling, thirst - allaying beverage. 

 It does not injure the stomach or bowels, has no laxative 

 effect, except when either too fresh or deteriorated, and is es- 

 pecially wholesome in warm weather. Somewhat like beer, 

 it produces a slight intoxication, or rather exhilaration, with- 

 out loss of consciousness, and with subsequent inclination to 

 sleep ; it causes no unpleasant after-effects, as headache, etc. 

 When it has been used for several w^eeks, the body increases 

 in size and weight, the skin becomes moist, and the counte- 

 nance acquires a peculiar fresh complexion. Young subjects, 

 who do not improve on the most nutritious diet, seem gifted 

 with new life after the use of kumiss. Dr. Von Maydell, Med^ 

 ical Inspector, says that it combines the effect of animal food 

 with the stimulating effect of carbonic acid on the vascular 

 system. It has acquired a great reputation in Russia as a 

 specific for consumption. Ucke and Stahlberg ascribe re- 

 markable curative properties to it, in cases of chronic, not 

 acute, catarrh of the respiratory organs, especially when ac- 

 companied by free expectoration. This effect, in case of chron- 

 ic bronchial catarrh, manifests itself almost on the first day 

 of the use of kumiss; and it is highly probable that it owes 

 its reputation, as a cure of consumption, to this fact. The 

 use of kumiss is not desirable in the case of plethoric per- 

 sons, or a predisposition to apoplexy, congestion, or hemor- 

 rhage, sluggishness of the liver or spleen, pregnancy, organic 

 disease of the kidneys, bladder, heart, or vascular system, or 

 hectic. Blood -spitting is not a contra -indication, and the 

 cause of some cases of blood-spitting, attributed to the use 

 of kumiss, was the excessive summer heat of the Steppes. 



Contrary to the opinion of many, that it is necessary to 

 use kumiss in the Steppes, where it is prepared, in order to 

 enjoy its full effect, the resorts recently established elsewhere 

 (first by Russian physicians) have met with success. Among 

 these are those of Drs.Witskof in St. Petersburir and Stahl- 

 berg in Moscow, the latter of whom earnestly disputes the 

 opinion that kumiss is only effective in the Steppes. Out 

 of Russia, goats' and even cows' milk is employed, with the 

 addition of the sugar necessary for fermentation, and, in or- 

 der to imitate old kumiss, a little wine is added. From Ot- 

 tenstein one kind is sent out for women, children, and feeble 

 persons, and another to men accustomed to spirituous bever- 



Dd 



