RHEUMATIC FEVEB. 317 



as successes ; and as we know that after any remedy there will 

 always be a certain number of assumed cures held out by sanguine 

 individuals, so we must allow for a great many in this particular 

 case. Distemper is well known to be most irrregular in its attacks, 

 and to hit or miss particular kennels, as the case may be, for years 

 together, and as vaccination is used at any of these various periods 

 of change, so it gains credit or discredit which it does not deserve. 

 After trying it myself and seeing it tried, and after also comparing 

 the experience of others, my own belief is, that vaccination is 

 wholly inoperative ; but, as others may like to test it for them- 

 selves, I here append directions for the operation : 



To vaccinate the dog, select the thin skin on the inside of the 

 ear, then with a lancet charged with fresh vaccine lymph, make 

 three or four oblique punctures in the skin, to such a depth as 

 barely to draw blood, charging the lancet afresh each time. If the 

 lymph cannot be procured iresh, the punctures must be made as 

 above described, and then the points charged with dry lymph 

 must be introduced, one in each puncture, and well rubbed into 

 the cut surface so as to insure the removal of the lymph from the 

 points. In four or five days an imperfect vesicle is formed, which, 

 if not rubbed, goes on to maturity and scabs at the end of ten 

 days or thereabout. There are various other methods suggested, 

 such as introducing a piece of thread dipped in the virus, etc., 

 but the above is the proper plan, if any is likely to be e*?ectual. 



The treatment of the various sequels of distemper, including 

 fits, palsy, etc., will be given under those heads respectively 



RHEUMATIC FEVER. 



One of the most common diseases in the dog, is rheumatism *% 

 some form, generally showing itself with very little fever, hu* 

 sometimes being accompanied with a high degree of fever. The 

 frequency of this disease is owing to the constant exposure of the 

 dog to cold and wet, and very often to his kennel being dampi 



