On Diseases and Acciderits of Farmers, 251 



From motives of economy, animals that have died of 

 malignant diseases, are often skinned before they are bu- 

 ried. The act is attended with so much danger, that it 

 ought not to be attempted. Several cases have occurred 

 in the United States, of death from this cause, owing to 

 the absorption of the acrimonious humours of the dead 

 animal, by the person engaged in the operation. The 

 danger is greatly increased, if the fingers or hand be 

 scratched or cut while covered with the moisture of the 

 dead animal. An account of some deaths from this 

 cause has recently been published,* and many more are 

 on record. In case of a wound, scratch, or prick, from 

 either a bone or knife, being received, however small, by 

 a person while skinning or dissecting a dead animal, the 

 part ought to be instantly well washed with ley of ashes, 

 or with soap and water, then sucked^for a minute or two, 

 and a string tied above the part, as long as it can be borne. 

 If the hand be in pain, apply pledgets of lint dipped in 

 laudanum and lead water, to the wound, and as far up 

 the arm as the pain extends. Should matter form, no 

 time is to be lost in giving vent to it by the knife, to pre- 

 vent the injury which will follow its confinement. Keep 

 the hand in a sling, and give opium to procure sleep, and 

 diminish pain, and constitutional irritation. As great de- 

 bility will take place, the strength must be supported by 

 wine, and porter, or ale. The bowels must however be 

 opened by a dose of calomel and jalap, or rhubarb. 



* Dr. Kercheval of Bardstown, Kentucky, relates the history 

 of a disease that was propagated anion* a number of persons 

 who had flayed some cattle, which had died of a disease attended 

 with inflammatory swellings, ending in gangrene. See Med. 

 Recorder, vol. 4. Mr. Huzard, inspector of the French vete- 

 rinary schools, observes, that no carcases putrify so quickly, and 

 emit such dangerous exhalations, as those of herbiverous ani- 

 mals, as the horse, the ox, &c. He has seen numerous fatal 

 instances of this poison among the veterinary students, when 

 they happen to wound themselves in dissecting these animals. 



