DISTEMPER. 343 



and prefer transcribing the following observations 

 of an intelligent and experienced huntsman in the 

 service of a noble duke, accompanied by a comment 

 upon it by a noble lord, also a practical sportsman, 

 hunting his own fox-hounds. 



" As soon," says the former, " as the young 

 hounds come in from quarters, a sharp look-out is 

 kept for the distemper ; and as soon as any of its 

 symptoms appear, a dose of cold-drawn castor-oil is 

 given, and the following morning a dose of calomel 

 and jalap. About seven grains of the former and 

 twenty of the latter made into a bolus, and put 

 over their throats before they have tasted any 

 thing, and their heads coupled up above the level 

 of their bodies for two hours, so as to prevent them 

 from vomiting up the medicine, which they are 

 certain to do if this is not carefully attended to. 

 They are then to have their broth and their meat. 

 The oil and bolus to be repeated in a day or two as 

 symptoms require ; that is to say, if the fever runs 

 high, repeat the bolus, and, if only to keep the 

 bowels open, the oil in small quantities. Indeed, 

 the great thing is attending to circumstances, and 

 acting accordingly; as, for instance, nothing can 

 be more different than when flux attends the dis- 

 temper, and when fits and obstinate costiveness is 

 the case. I believe, however, that at first a good 

 scouring in both cases is of service. In flux, of 

 course, don't repeat the calomel, but take moderate 

 means to stop it, as flux in a minor degree tends 

 to keep oft* both fever and fits. To allay the flux, 

 arrow-root, or boiled milk and flour porridge. There 



