FOREST AND STREAM 



261 



CURE FOR DISTEMPER. 



Nkw Westminster, BritiBh Columbia, \ 

 September 10, 1878. j 



EniTOR FOKBST AND STREAM : 



Seeing by your valuable paper that a gentlemen recently 

 had the misfortune to lose twelve dogs from his kennel by 

 distemper, I venture to give you a remedy which I do not re- 

 member of overseeing in print, and which, as far as my ex- 

 perience goes, is the only one that can lay any claim to infalli- 

 bility. T have been a lover and owner of dogs since my child- 

 hood, and have treated a great number for distemper. The 

 salt remedy lately spoken of in your paper I was acquainted 

 with and practiced twenty years ago with varying results. 

 Some dogs recovered, others died. The various treatments 

 recommended by writers on dogs and their diseases I have 

 used to some extent, sometimes to good purpose, sometimes 

 otherwise. About sixteen years ago, a person seeing me 

 throwing into the river the body of a fine setter pup which 

 I had used every endeavor to save, but failed, told me, had I 

 ever another case, to put a seton in the back of the neck and 

 leave it iint.il the eyes and nose stopped- running and the dog 

 hod recovered his appetite; then to tako it out and give no 

 other treatment. 1 followed his advice, and never since have 

 I lost a dog by distemper. I have prescribed the treatment 

 lor, I suppose, a hundred dogs, not one of whom have died, 

 nor has paralysis ever followed this course of treatment that 

 I am aware of, while with the sulphur, ealornel and other 

 mineral treatment it is of very frequent occurrence. Some- 

 times I give a mild purgative, but oftener dn not. 



The skin of a dog not being porous like that of many other 

 animals, the. chance of throwing off any impurities of the 

 body by means of the skin is impossible.; by 'the seton you 

 create, an artificial means which nature has not provided. Al- 

 most; as soon as the seton is inserted a green, foetid, purulent 

 fluid commences to discharge, and as soon as this discharge, 

 takes place the dog appears to be relieved, and when it ceases 

 the dog iB cured. Of course, as long as you leave the seton in 

 a'diacbarge continues, but the character of the matter is totally 

 changed ; and as the disease abates, so the discharge becomes 

 less in quantity and of a healthier sort, until it, is merely 

 a very slight one, not offensive to the smell, and similar to 

 that caused by any cut or wound ; then remove the seton, 

 and the dog is all right. 



This may be no new remedy to some, but knowing the 

 great worth of it, I cannot refrain from urging its trial by 

 all who have dogs with distemper. I have the utmost confi- 

 dence in its efficacy, and would not be afraid to guarantee the 

 euro of anv dog with distemper or forfeit his value if unsuc- 

 cessful. Having never known it fail in a single instance, 

 hence my great faith in it. Of course, a light diet, warm 

 bed, good care, etc., being essential to a dog's well being 

 while in good health, is more so when affected by disease, but 

 as a rule you need have uo extra rare taken of your dog, the 

 seton will do the business of itself. The mode of inserting 

 the seton is as follows : Grasp a portion of the loose skin on 

 the back of the neck and lift it clear from the flesh ; take a 

 sail needle threaded with four or five strands of seaming 

 twine ; thrust it through the skin, not touching the flesh ; 

 draw the needle through till it is clear : cut off and tie both 

 ends of the twine together, so that it will not pull out if it 

 should catch on anything, and the thing is complete. Ex- 

 amine the wound each day, keeping U washed with warm 

 water and Castile soap, and occasionally draw the seton back 

 and forth to create irritation and free discharge. 



While speaking of dogs and their diseases, has it, ever come 

 to your knowledge that rabies does not exist on the Pacific 

 coast? I have never heard of a case in California, Oregon or 

 Washington Territory, and in British Columbia I am certain 

 that no dog has ever gone mad. The temperature in these 

 countries varies from 50 deg. below zero to 110 in the shade, 

 so that we have both extremes. Mange, distemper, canker, 

 etc,, in fact all the other diseases that canine flesh is heir to, 

 prevail, but no rabies. The Indians keep great packs of all 

 sizes, sorts and descriptions of dogs, which receive the harsh- 

 est kind of treatment, having no care, being half starved, 

 except, in seasons of great plenty of fish. Sometimes, when 

 too numerous, are abandoned on islands to get their own liv- 

 ing or starve, the Indians having a superstitious fear of killing 

 dogs. Yet no madness takes place. Wolves and foxes are 

 plentiful, subject to the same conditions as regards food and 

 climate as in other parts of America, but no wolf or fox goes 

 mad. 



Even the skunk theory won't wash here. This animal 

 (two varieties) is very plentiful, and many dogs make a spe- 

 cialty of killing them, and often justly and fairly earn the 

 name bestowed upon them of being " bully good skunk dogs." 

 Now, in the natural order of things, it is scarcely possible 

 that a dog can kill skunks for a number of years without 

 being occasionally bitten, but no evil results appear to ensue. 

 The Indians, who, of course, are the oldest inhabitants, know 

 nothing of canine madness. I have often conversed with 

 them upon this subject, explaining its symptoms and charac- 

 teristics, but they know nothing of it, neither do their tradi- 

 tions contain anything respecting such an affection. I speak 

 from personal knowledge only as regards B. C; as to other 

 parts of the coast, from information derived from others. 



Hoping that my experience in treatment of distemper may 

 have the effect of causing or inducing others to try the seton, 

 and with the good results that have accrued to my dog pa- 

 tients, I remain, yours truly, Mowitoh. 



Worms in Puppies.— In mentioning a remedy for worms in 

 our last issue the types said " some " milk for "sour "milk. 

 Our correspondent who Bends us the item says that he will in- 

 sure it to drive all 1he worms from puppies, that he has tried 

 it for years and with unfailing success. If it is a sure remedy 

 we can all cry "Eureka !" The puppy should be allowed to 

 drink freely of the sour milk. 



—It. is stated in the Herald, that the Queens County Hunt 

 will next year, in all probability, transfer their hunting field 

 from Long Island to Newport, the hunt to extend from 

 August 15 to October 1. It is doubtful if a more pleasant 

 tract of country can be fouDd in New England than that situ- 

 ated in the locality mentioned ; but it will be a sad loss to the 

 Queens County people, who have come to look upon the hunt 

 aa something belonging to themselves. 



—Mr. L. H. Smith's Peeress has whelped eight puppies to 

 Paris. 



—The Westminster Kennel Club's lemon and white pointer 

 hitch Daisy, winner of first prize at, IS. Y. Dog Show of 

 1877. and one of the celebrated Pake- 1. illy litter, whelped last 

 week a litter of puppies to Sensation. 



— L. F. Whitman's blue bclton bitch Mell (not Nell) visited 

 Purges' Druid on the 21st inst. 



—The Irish setter bitch Fan, belonging to Mr. J. O. no- 

 oaugh of Greenville, Pa., has whelped nine puppies to Mr. 

 Arnold Bnigea' Rul'ua. " * * 



— A correspondent recommends crude petroleum, just as it 

 is pumped from the wells, as a remedy for all forms of mange 

 or skin disease in dogs. Refined oil should not be used, as it 

 contains an acid. 



— Some very handsome Gordon setter puppies by Mr, 

 Jerome Marble's Grouse out of Champion Lou are advertis- 

 ed in another column. 



—Dr. J. W. Downey, of New Market, Frederick County, 

 Md., has bred his red Irish S6ttei bitch, Kathleen (RufiiB II.- 

 Colleen), to the Baltimore Kennel Club's imported red Irish 

 setter dog, Derg. 



—~»-^, 



—Jilt, pure Lnverack(Orphina-Pedigree), property of A. F. 



Huston, Uoatesvillc, Pa., was bred L ,: rerack Carlowitz, 



at Delaware City, Delaware, Oct. 13, 1878. 



—Mr. Win, H. Brown, of Packersville, Conn., claims the 

 name of \ ick for his otSHSfl and white bitch pup, out of Deni- 

 s»n's Flirt by Carlowitz. 



pchting mtd §0<ttmg. 



S1GT1 WATER FOR THE WEEK. 



NOV, 1., 



Nov. ;-).. 

 Nov. ■!.. 

 Suv. 5 . , 

 Nov. (,.. 

 Nov. I. 



Boston. 



a. 



W. 



5 



mi 



s 



IS 



7 



!KI 



s 



IT 



9 



(IS 



9 



&T 



10 



46 



THE FOSTER YACHT MODEL. 



A SHORT time ago we published a description of the new 

 yacht, recently built by Mr. John 0. Foster, of East 

 Gloucester, Mass. , and in our comments upon the same, gave 

 it as our opinion that she would perform well in a sea, and be 

 a speedy craft. This turns out to be true to the fullest exteut, 

 and we take this occasion to lay the results of repeated trials 

 with her before our readers, for they substantiate all that has 

 been said in these columns in reference to the cutter model 

 for sea-going purposes. The yacht in question is 58ft. over 

 all, with lift. 4in. beam, and about 7ft. 6in. draft, and must, 

 consequently, be classed among the very narrow and deep 

 boats, exceeding in these respects even the general run of 

 British cutters. We are informed from reliable sources that 

 she is fully up to her builder's expectation and the most 

 sanguine hopes of her admirers. She has been found 

 fast, stiff, able, and very easy in rough water. When 

 close-hauled in a heavy sea, she ran ten and three-quarter 

 knots off the reel by patent log, which is certainly no mean 

 showing for a craft of her dimensions. This was before her 

 best trim had been ascertained, and under small working- 

 sails ! Mr. Foster finds nothing in her he would care to change 

 after repeated tests, but for racing purposes would lit her with 

 a boom 7ft. longer than at present, a gaff 4ft. longer and 

 about 9ft. more bowsprit. She has not yet been fitted up in- 

 side, and is for sale. Under a flush deck ample accommodation 

 is had, including "stanaing height in cabin." All the gear 

 works inboard, if Mr. Foster can dispose of her, it is his in- 

 tentiou to build an eighty-tonner on similar lines, and provide 

 her with a " lifting" screw, an arrangement for which he has 

 received a patent. The satisfaction which auxiliary steam 

 yachts have given in England will lead to their introduction in 

 our waters before long, and in this respect Mr. Foster shows him- 

 self to be wide-a-wake and among the first in his profession. A 

 crack ' 'eighty, "fast under canvas and with steam-power enough 

 to move independent of calms or contrary winds, is, we fancy, 

 just the thing for those gentlemen who prefer to unite a 

 reasonable amount, of traveling and certainty of movement 

 with the pleasures of sailing under canvas at times. For 

 Florida and West India cruising nothing handier could he de- 

 vised. The patentee informs us that his invention will be 

 supplied to the new boat, and can as well be fitted to the 

 "twenty" already afloat. The propeller attachment is of the 

 lifting kind, similar in general principles to that of the White 

 Star steamer Britannic We have before us a full set of lines 

 of this new boat, a sail draft, and her auxiliary steam gear as 

 well, which we will be glad to show to any one interested. 



.—- • — . 



THE YAWL IN AMERICA. 



IT is rather a feather in the cap of Pacific coast yachtsmen 

 that they should have taken the lead of their Eastern 

 brethren in the introduction of a handy cruising rig in place 

 of the sloop. The gentlemen who have tried the "yawl 

 rig " out there see no reason to change back to the sloop, but 

 find their short main booms and smaller mainsails so suug 

 that their example will be followed by others before long. 

 There are now four craft sailing on the Golden Gate with 

 small mizzens over theii stein, ihiwn, Frolic, Sappho and 

 Emm, and some of the astonished natives dub them luggers ! 

 Even concerning the question of speed, experience in San 

 Francisco does not seem to point to any inferiority of this pe- 

 culiarly handy rig, if we may take their annual regatta as a 



criterion, for in that match both Frolic and Fawn beat the 

 New York built Olara and others by a very respectable stretch. 

 Moreover, the reports which reach us in relation to them are 

 all favorable, and the very fact that the owners of the yawls 

 are well satisfied with the handiuess, appearances and effi- 

 ciency of the new style— new to this country, at least-is 

 equivalent to the old saying, that " the proof of the pudding 

 lies in the eating thereof." 



The peculiarity of this rig is the sub-division of the canvas 

 into small, easily-handled sails, carried on equally reduced 

 spars. It wc presume the mast stepped nearly amidships, or 

 at about .42 of the length on load line from forward and the 

 head sad in two pieces, the tack of the outer one, or jib, haul- 

 ing out on a running bowsprit and the tack of the inner one, 

 or loresad, set up at the knightheads, and, if in addition, we 

 cut the main boom off at about the rudder-head or a little 

 short of it and set the canvas thus lost in a small sail of the 

 lug pattern out over the counter, it, is evident that for cruis- 

 ing and Corinthian purposes many advantages of a most satis- 

 factory character will be gained. They may be enumerated 

 as follows ; Concentration of weights amidships, through car- 

 rying the mast, rigging and gear well aft, ; a reduction or the 

 mam boom to about 66 per cent, in length of that of the 

 sloop, coupled with a somewhat smaller decrease in the size 

 of the mainsail itself; the retention of reduced canvas inboard, 

 and, as a natural sequence, the greater facility and saving of 

 labor tn handling small sails under all circumstances and for 

 all purposes. This is all so self-evident that the query sug- 

 gests itself, why not fix upon the yawl, then, to the exclusion 

 of the sloop entirely ? There is a limit, however, beyond, or 

 rather below, which we should not pass, since in" craft, of 

 light tonnage sails and spars are small at best and probably 

 handled with ease and safety by the crew always likely to be 

 iound aboard, be it forward or aft among the amateurs. In 

 them the superior handiness of the yawl Is lost in the mani- 

 folding of sheets and halliards, while this multiplicity of gear 

 rises as a paramount ohstacle to the quick manoeuvring inci- 

 dental to the limited size of the yacht. It is quite true that 

 in British waters the mizzen aft maybe met with on the 

 tiniest of clippers, and even on open boats as well, but we 

 question whether any gain is derived from adhering to a ri" 

 not adapted to circumstances, merely in imitation of more 

 pretentious flyers. The mainsail and boom of anythingmuch 

 under 30ft. m length are surely within the ready control of a 

 crew anything like proportionate to the boat's tonnage, and it 

 is seldom indeed that two hands cannot manage them to their 

 sal isi action, unless, indeed, they happen to be young Corin- 

 thians lacking the " beef " of older bands. Moreover, in our 

 waters, at least, cruising and racing among the small fry is 

 and for some time to come will be, carried on largely in 

 waters with ready access to a port of which they would be 

 certain to avail themselves in nasty weather. It, would be un- 

 wise to sacrifice in them readiness of nianceuvrc, general sim- 

 plicity, cheapness in first cost and efficiency— for in vcrysmall 

 sails the superiority of large surfaces is beyond question— in 

 an attempt to attain a characteristic of doubtful value and 

 which serves only to substitute a fresh objection, one to our 

 mind quite as much to be shunned as unhandiness itself in a 

 vessel of moderate dimensions. It; is when applied to the 

 larger classes of sloops that the preference a sailer intuitively 

 entertains for the yawl becomes so manifest, and it wdl there- 

 lore not be amiss to draw attention to the relations to each 

 other of the sloop, yawl and schooner for cruising and racing 

 purposes combined. We say combined, for as yet it is hardly 

 to be expected that we can muster a numerous constituency 

 who would be content in the possession of strictly cruising 

 yachts only, which, like a largo number in England, neither 

 have nor make any pretentions to excessive speed. Almost 

 every cruiser in America likes to have an occasional brush 

 with the smartest of the fleet, and the thirst for keen compe- 

 Mturn m every walk of life is still so predominant a national 

 characteristic with us that we cannot expect to graduate 

 cruisers pure and simple for many years to come. The pre- 

 dilections of the yachting public is stdl almost entirely for 

 craft that can lay more or less claim to being speedy, and the 

 yawl rig must therefore stand the test of its compatibility with 

 this requisite or be rejected as unsuitable to yachts on this 

 side of the Atlantic. Leaving small, smooth-water craft out 

 of consideration, let us glance first at the cruising peculiarities 

 of the yawl. Her headsail not differing from that of the cut- 

 ter, it may be passed over without remark, as our readers are 

 i " ', i i il y sufficiently familiar with the strong points in its favor, 

 OOfl n reverted to in these columns. The only other matter 

 in which the yawl differs from the sloop is in the management 

 incidental to the small mizzen aft. All operations upon the 

 mainsail will certainly be performed with much more readi- 

 ness and less labor than in the sloop, facts which stand out in 

 bolder contrast when it is remembered that the boom is en- 

 tirely inboard, reef-earings and knittles being all within easy 

 reach, and the narrow canvas kept under control with a small 

 crew without any possibility of the bunt getting away 

 from them, should the man at the helm let a sea 

 knock the craft off. The additional gear entailed by 

 the mizzen need consist only of halliards, sheet 

 and brails. The sail is small, and handling it presents 

 no difficulty, and though its presence causes some addition to 

 ■ to be tended in working ship in light weather,there are 

 such substantial advantages to be gained by its use, especially 

 tor racing purposes, as will be shown presently, that those 

 who have tried the yawl are very apt to give, this rig the pref- 

 erence to others. When the sloop has to luff, check her way 

 and tako down a reef, the yawl keeps driving at it, simply 

 brails up or lowers her mizzen, runs in her jib, shifts gear to 

 No. 2 and runs the smaller jib out, and, almost with a presto 

 change .' and a spoke or two of lee helm to sweat up jib hal- 

 liards, she is off again on her course and has left a long wake 

 between herself and (he clumsy rig, besides coming out to 

 windward as well. When the wind pipes heavier, her sail is 

 reduced still further in less time, with less trouble and with 

 greater safety than in the sloop. With bowsprit run in, the 

 smallest jib set and mainsail snugged down to the last line if 

 exints, we have got our yawl prepared for the worst, under 

 pocellent control, and making sport of the sea that would be 

 the bane of a sloop with her standing bowsprit digging into it 

 at every drop, and a heavy boom slashing across The quarters. 

 She would be compelled to furl jib, and under ciose-ri 

 mainsail would hardly come about in a seaway. There 

 be no question about the yawl rig being fastr.r in outside work, 

 on an average, than the sloop, and in this respect it is there- 

 lore more suitable, to the racing proclivities of American ama- 

 teurs than the latter. For cruising it is so manifestly to be 

 preferred that further comment is unnecessary. It 'is safer 

 and more economical in all respects. No wonder, then, that 

 the gentlemen of San Francisco have no intention of retura- 

 ing to the river rig after once havmgjbeen impressed with the 



