On Diseases and Accidents of Farmers. 219 



prescribed. If the pain do not abate, apply thirty or forty 

 leeches to the belly. 



Perbons habitually subject to colic, should carefully 

 avoid wet feet, exposure to rain, or to a draught of air 

 when warm. Attention to diet is also requisite. Those 

 who indulge in articles of diet or drink, which, however 

 pleasant, are known by them to be injurious, deserve no 

 pity if disease follou' their use. In winter, they should 

 wear a flannel shirt, and regularly change it once a week. 

 In warm weather, a muslin shirt, under that commonly 

 worn, should be substituted, and changed at least thrice a 

 week. The feet may be kept dry by wearing over-shoes 

 of leather : or for short walks, shoes with wooden soles, 

 and leather vamps. If the soles be divided, and connect- 

 ed by a piece of leather, the wearer will be enabled to 

 walk more easily. 



Harvest, — The harvests of both hay and grain, are 

 times full of danger : from the heat of the weather, 

 great bodily exercise, imprudent indulgence in the good 

 cheer which is generally provided ; from accidents in 

 carelessly handling the scythe and sickle, and in stowing 

 away the crop in barns or stacks ; and lastly, drinking 

 cold water while heated. Against the effects of a heated 

 atmosphere and blazing sun, a salutary precaution, is the 

 use of a straw or chip hat, or of one made of pasteboard, 

 with a broad brim to shade the neck. A heavy black 

 wool or fur hat, adds greatly to the heat of the head, by 

 its weight and the absorption of the rays of the sun ; while 

 one of the other materials mentioned, diminishes much of 

 their force by its comparative lightness, and by the reflec- 

 tion of the sun from its light colour. Another remedy is 

 to avoid the unnecessary severe exertion of the body, 

 arising from the too common practice of competition for 

 quick work among the labourers. The difference in the 

 feelings of those the day after they have thus absurdly 



