272 METHOD OF USING GUTTA PERCHA SKIN. 
hend that, like opium, it is quite useless in the earty stages 
of acute inflammation. Indeed, it has been found of little 
benefit in cases of ordinary pneumonia. (See Mr. Dun’s 
6 Veterinary Medicines, 5 p. 140.) From its calmative pro- 
perties, it is, however, a valuable substitute for opium in 
many cases of influenza, and should be given in the form of 
a carefully-prepared extract, in doses of one or two drachms, 
with sweet spirit of nitre, spirit of ammonia, or other diffusible 
stimulant. 
ADVANTAGES AND METHOD OF USING 
GUTTA PERCHA SKIN. 
By C. Hunting, V.S. 
Dear Sir, — The reason I have not w T ritten you before 
this, respecting the gutta-percha skin used by me in the case 
of lamanitis (reported in your March number), is, that my 
residence being ten miles from the nearest large town, I am 
obliged to rely upon a small village bookseller for your publi- 
cation, whose London agent omitted to enclose your March 
number in his monthly parcel : so I could not get it until last 
week. 
In the reduction of local inflammatory action in any part of 
the lower extremities (or wherever it is convenient to apply 
it), I invariably use the gutta-percha skin, which is simply 
laid over the wet bandage covering the inflamed surface. 
The great advantage derived from its use, is the constant 
moisture and uniform temperature kept up for many successive 
hours without an attendant. If the bandage beneath 
the skin be remoistened once in twenty-four or thirty-six 
hours, it is quite sufficient ; whereas, without the use of 
the gutta percha skin, it would require to be renewed every 
two or three hours, if any benefit is to be derived from 
its use. 
Yours truly. 
South Hetton Colliery, Durham. 
