VACCINATION FOR DISTEMPER. . 431 



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 irregular in its attacks, 

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

 together ; after which it reverses its tactics ; and as vaccination is 

 used at any of these various periods of change, so it gains credit 

 or discredit which it does not deserve. My own belief is, after 

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

 experience of others, that vaccination is wholly inoperative ; but, 

 as others may like to test it for themselves, I here append direc- 

 tions for the operation. 



To vaccinate tlie dog. — Select the thin skin on the inside of the 

 ear, then with a lancet charged with vaccine lymph (which should 

 be as fresh as possible) 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 fresh, 

 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 matu- 

 rity 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, &c. ; but the above is the proper plan, 

 if any is likely to be effectual. 



The treatment of the various sequels of distemper, including 

 fits, palsy, &c, will be given under those heads respectively. 



