Another valuable agent to which I attribute a number of recoveries is the application of a moist girdle suggested by Professor Alfred Vogel, of the University of Dorpat, Russia. In his work on “Diseases of Children” he says: “A diaper, or large white pocket handkerchief is folded up like a cravat; the bandage thus obtained should be three or four fingers wide, and the whole length of the handkerchief. This is now dipped in warm water, and wrung out so that the cloth does not drip, and then applied like a girdle around the chest of the child. A second cloth, double the size of the first, is folded up in the same manner like it, but which must be six to eight fingers broad, and then applied dry and warm over the first. It is very advisable to interpose a piece of gutta percha or oil silk between the dry and the wet girdle by which on the one hand, the moistness of the first cloth is preserved longer, while on the other, the second does not become wet. If the water with which the fomentations are made is not too cold, the child will tolerate them very well and in a short time, a slight retardation in frequency and improvement of the respiration are indicated by less motion of the nostrils. These warm compresses should be continued for from four to six days, and it is not at all necessary, during the entire time, to remove the bandage; the oil silk is raised up a little, and a few teaspoonfuls of water are poured upon the girdle or it is moistened with a sponge. The principal thing is not to allow a cooling of the skin by evaporation to take place. To secure this object, the dry cloth should properly overlap the moist one on all sides and as it is impossible to prevent the upper cloth from becoming wet, it should be changed several times during the day. I certainly have applied this girdle many hundreds of times, and have very often seen rapid improvement ensue; nevertheless, it cannot be denied that the half of these children perish notwithstanding. If cold compresses are applied the children cry of fright in consequence, and the symptoms become worse until the cold water has become warm.” The application of blisters, cupping or leeching should not be tolerated. CHAPTER XXX. DISEASES PECULIAR TO CHILDREN—CONTINUED.