252 DISTEMPER. 



with the insertion of the letter, which, after what I 

 have said, it would be negligent to omit. 



"SiR; 



" As a stranger I know not what business I 



have to trouble you, but, from the subject of my letter, you will, 

 as a sportsman, probably pardon the intrusion. I should tell you 

 I have lately purchased your ( Instructions to Young Sportsmen/ 

 and I do not intend to flatter, when I say, it is by far the best 

 book on shooting I ever read. And since from its originality, 

 and excellence, I have no doubt it will go through another edi- 

 tion, I am induced to hope you will, in a future edition, say some- 

 thing on a preventive of distemper in dogs, which has been lately 

 tried, if after a trial you should find it to answer. About two 

 years ago, when in Sussex, I had frequently heard at table, that 

 inoculating a dog with the cow-pox virus would prevent it from 

 having the distemper. About half a year afterwards, having a 

 pointer puppy, a few months old, I inoculated it. The dog has 

 never had the distemper yet ; but since dogs sometimes escape 

 this cruel disease till old age, and sometimes entirely, this can be 

 no proof. However, you may possibly deem the supposed pre- 

 ventive worth a trial 5 and, as no one is a greater friend of the 

 dog than I am, it would afford me the sincerest pleasure if you 

 should find it succeed, and make it known. After reading your 

 publication, Sir, no one can doubt of your being a sportsman, and 

 as such you must feel an affection for your faithful companions 

 in the field; and since this will plead for me, and I shall ask 

 your bookseller whether he cannot make this reach you without 

 putting you to the unnecessary expense of postage, I shall make 

 no further apology. But I am, Sir, 



" Most respectfully, 



" Your obedient humble servant, 



" London, October, 1816. " CAMS AMICUS. 



P. S. I should observe, the part where I inoculated my dog 

 was on the inside of the fore leg, under the shoulder. It was 

 done by cutting a very small place with a pair of scissors, arid 



