806 
work is sufficiently descriptive of the ge- 
neral objects which it embraces. ‘The 
details are for the most part judiciously 
conducted, and appear to be in general 
deduced from observation and expe- 
rience. We are often, however, inclined 
to disagree with the author in matters re- 
lating to general physiology and patholo- 
y, subjects to which he does not scem to 
nave paid great attention. Neither do his 
methods of cure always appear to be 
founded upon philosophical principles, or 
to be perfectly consistent with each other ; 
but this isa remark which we make with 
some hesitation, knowing how frequent- 
ly mere analogical reasoning (which we 
confess ourselves on this subject only 
able to employ) is apt to lead to conclu- 
sions which are not completely war- 
ranied. 
On the necessity of pressure, to pre- 
serve the frog in a healthy state, and to 
prevent the toot from contracting, and 
thus producing ]ameness, the apthor is 
fully convinced; and by the success 
with which attention to this circumstance 
Was accompanied, in the ample opportn- 
tunities of observation which he has en- 
joyed, the system pursyed in the Veteri- 
nary College, and detailed at consider- 
able length in our last volume, has re- 
ceived a desirable confirmation. The 
author has frequently occasion to advert 
to the absurd and injurious practices, 
which are still so very generally in use 
among farriers, both in the manage- 
ment of the regimen of horses, and the 
treatment of their diseases. Purging is 
a practice which he properly represents 
as having done a great deal cf harm, both 
by the frequency of its employment, and 
the quantity of the medicine used to pro- 
duce the effect. The greatest prudence he 
considers as necessary in the exhibition 
ot cathartics, which appear to him to be 
vequisite in but very few cases. To 
purge a horse for the purpose of bring- 
ing down his belly, is completety unne- 
cessary ; for this he observes may €éi- 
ther be prevented or removed by 
«¢ a proper management in his diet, such 
as reducing the quantit y of his hay, and par- 
jicularly his water, w rich should be admi- 
n scered with avery sparing hand: but the 
MEDICINE, SURGERY, ANATOMY, &c. 
proportion of his corn, mixed with. a few 
split beans, must be increased in proportion 
to the deficiency in the other aliment; this 
single diet, uniformly administered, will be 
suthcient to reduce the bulk of too large a 
belly, without haygng recourse to that perni= 
cious and whimsical idea, of giving three 
doses of physic ; by which intolerable prac- 
tice great numbers of good and valuable 
horses have lost their lives, or been rendered 
useless.” e 
The employment of cathartics, with 
a view to purge a_ horse from ill hu- 
mours, and to enable him to run faster, 
is equally deprecated by the author. 
The system of a race-horse should be 
strengthened instead of being weakened 
by improper physicking ; for 
«Ifthe organs of digestion and chylification 
are continually disturbed by physicking or any 
other improper treatment equally dangerous, 
the food will be ill digested, and the chyle 
and nutrition imperfect: hence will result a 
debility aud weakness of the system ; profuse 
sweatings will take place ou the least exer- 
cise, and of course, the animal will be inea- 
pable of sustaining any violent exertions in 
such a languid state. ° This defect may be 
also the consequence of a natural weak con- 
stitution of the horse ; but in either case he 
must be rejected, as incapable of being ‘a 
racer, or a hunter.” 
The authority of Mr. Coleman is ad- 
duced with his own, against the heal- 
thiness of close and heated stables, such 
as are too frequently in use. ‘Their tem- 
perature should never exceed from 60* 
to 70° of Farenheit, and though cold 
blasts must necessarily be avoided, care 
must be taken to provide a free circula- 
tion of air, as being eminently conducive 
to the support of health and vigour. 
The observations on the diseases of 
cattle and sheep are very short, but the 
author promises, in a future publication, 
to give a full comparative description, 
with the proper mode of treatment of 
every disease that affects domestic anir 
mals. 
The plates which accompany this 
work are extremely well executed, and 
afford good illustrations, of the circum- 
stances of formation which either tend 
to increase or diminish the speed of 
horses. 
