22^ On Diseases and Accidents of Farmers. 



Burns and Scalds. — VVhen these are of small extent, 

 ease may be speedily obtained by the application of cold 

 water, of such a temperature as is adequate to the intend- 

 ed object. It is to be renewed as often as is requisite to 

 allay the pain. If the part scalded be the foot or leg, and 

 covered with a stocking, it should be instantaneously pul- 

 led off, but if only a minute or two have elapsed after the 

 accident, before any attempt is made to afford relief, the 

 stocking should be cut away, as in the attempt to pull it 

 off, the cuticle will co.v.e with it, and greatly increase the 

 anguish, by exposure' of the true skin to the air. Ice 

 must not be added to the water, for by the sudden abstrac- 

 tion of the heat of the part, it will cause pain. After the se- 

 verity of the pain has been allayed, the part may be bathed 

 with a thin rag, dipped in cold lead water, and then co- 

 vered with Jamestown weed* ointment. If blisters form, 

 they should be opened by a needle, or a very small punc- 

 ture of a lancet, to let out the water contained in them. 

 Preserve the old skin to defend the part from the irrita- 

 tion of the air, while the new skin is forming. 



If the burn or scald happen in winter, or be extensive, 

 tlie application of cold water would create a chilliness, 

 which is to be carefully avoided. In this case the part 

 may be wrapped up in cotton, and permitted to remain 

 on until ease be obtained : it should then be moistened, 

 and gradually removed, and the part covered with the 

 above ointment, or one of bees' wax and oil, and washed 

 every day with a solution of white vitriol and water, in 

 the proportion of twent} grains to a pint of water. 



Hydrophobia. — The disease produced by the bite of a 

 dog, wolf, fox, or cat when mad. 



* Corruptly called " Jimson weed." It is the Datura Stramo- 

 nium of the botanists. The ointment is made by mixing the 

 juice of the plant, with melted hogs' fat ; or the leaves pounded 

 in a mortar, may be boiled with the fat, and then strained. 



