TREATMENT. 97 



tried in the early stage of the disease and .... with result of pur- 

 gation, action on the kidneys and free exhalation from the skin" — 



and passes to the class of External applications^ inclusive of 

 the ordinary methods — 



" Of applying heat, cold, rubefacients and blisters to the surface oi 

 the skin." 



Those less known and partially commended (while actual 

 cautery is very wisely discarded as barbarous), are — 



1. The vapour bath. — Covering the animal (head excepted) with 

 woolen rugs, propped up and out by sticks, &c.,*and then heating the 

 air between the rugs and the skin by a spirit or gas lamp .... 



2. 3fustard poultices. — Which should be large, warm, and applied 

 with a rug to the body, so as to be kept on for three or four hours .... 



3. Jiugs dippedin hoiling loater — wrung out thoroughly and applied 

 to the abdomen. 



Elsewhere, mention is made of the liot air and vapour laths 

 which have been used with some success in Eussia, and were 

 thought to be of suflScient importance to form the basis of 

 a dispatch from Sir A. Buchanan, the ambassador at St. 

 Petersburgh, to Earl Eussell, in October, 18G5. 



The vapour bath, originated by Thaer, who applied it with suc- 

 cess in the murrain of 1828, is taken over a kettle with a plank cover 

 perforated with holes, sunk into the ground and so built up that 

 fire may be kindled under it, and when steam or hot vapour is 

 evolved, the sick animal covered with a woolen cloth next to the skin 

 and a linen one outside, is kept over it from thirty minutes to an 

 hour ; then rubbed dry and kept perfectly warm ; allowed gruel, &c. 



Many recoveries were detailed by the Eussian farmer who 

 communicated its use. Like results also followed the prac- 

 tice used and commended by Mr. Graham, of Oapellie, near 

 Glasgow, in his hydropathic application of cold water: 



" The diseased animals were packed in three heavy horse rugs, satu- 

 rated with water, about which were closely applied three other rugs ; 

 and received an internal remedy* during the packing period. 



• * Three tablespoonfuls of sulphur. I Half a tablespoonful of ginger, 

 do do nitre. | One pound of treacle. 



In warm water. 



13 



