68 



THE DISTEMPER. 



bility out of question, and even to induce doubt as to its most 

 remote propriety. Of the various remedies, the following was 

 given with success to a dog, so afflicted as to be scarcely able to 



stand : 



Tiirbeth's mineral, six grains, 



mixed with sulphur, and divided into three doses, one given every 

 other morning. Let a few days elapse, and repeat the course. 



Another : 



Calomel, one grain and a half 

 rhubarb, five grains 

 given every other day for a week. 



Another : 



Antimonial powder, sixteen grains 

 powdered fox-glove, one grain 



made into four bolusses with conserve of roses, and one given at 

 night, and another the next morning for two days. 



I have known whitening administered for the distemper, a 

 table spoonful every morning, with a little opening physic occa- 

 sionally. 



I am not aware of any other remedies worth notice, though 

 a great number might be added, if we could give credit to the 

 stories retailed by dealers in dogs as well as game-keepers. Of 

 the recipes given, I prefer the last but one ; but much will be 

 found to depend on good nursing, and particularly to prevent 

 the animal from taking cold. From what I have witnessed of 

 Elaine's medicine I should not recommend it. 



It is very adviseable to inoculate for the distemper. If you 

 can meet with a dog already afflicted, take a little muscous from 

 his nose, and insert it up the nostrils of your whelp, after having 

 prepared him by a dose or two of syrup of buckthorn ; if the 

 animal does not take the disease, repeat the operation. By in- 

 oculating for the distemper, the disease will be as much less 

 severe, as the inoculated small pox compared to what is called 

 the natural mode of taking it. 



