MODERN FARRIER. 481 



wonderful operation is termed Worming ; and, from 

 the following description of it, which we have taken 

 the liberty to copy from JNlr. Daniel's Rural Sports, 

 one is almost persuaded to believe, that there is 

 really something like a worm under the dog's 

 tongue ; and that if a dog happen to be infected 

 with madness after this terrible tvorm has been ex- 

 tracted, his tongue swells to such a degree as to 

 render him incapable of closing Iiis jaws, or biting. 



The worming of whelps should be previous to 

 their being sent out to quarters. This operation is 

 to be peiformed with a lancet. The skin being 

 opened, Avhich immediately covers the uorm^ a 

 small awl is then to be introduced, so as to raise it 

 up. The farther end of the woi-m will, with very 

 little force, make its appearance : and, with a cloth, 

 taking hold of that end, the other will be di-awn out 

 easily. 



So says Mr. Daniel, in his Rural Sports. * I have 

 often performed this operation,' says, Mr. White, 

 * but cannot say that I had any expectation of its 

 doing good, or felt the slightest confidence in its 

 prophylactic power,' Dr. Blaine says it is a custom 

 founded on ignorance, and should not be perpetu- 

 ated by any written directions how to perform it. 



3. Distemper. 



This is another grievous disease, frequently fatal 

 to the canine race. It has not been long known in 

 this country, but it is almost inconceivable what 

 numbers it has destroyed in so short a period. It 

 seems, happily, to be now on the decline ; at least, 

 it is less frequent, and more mild, and probably in 

 time may be entirely removed. In 1803, it carried 

 off a great number of cats ; but evei since it seems 

 to have been confined entirely to dogs. Before this 

 disorder was known, hydrophobia was more preva- 

 il 3 p 



