134 CHAPTER 16. 



267. Prevention of disease. 



As regards successful stable management, the prevention of disease is 

 far more important than its cure. 



No disease occurs without a cause. As a general rule the cause of any 

 disease may be found out ; and if ascertained, the disease may in most 

 cases be prevented in future. 



It is not possible, however, to prevent the causes of every disease. 

 The climate in which we live, and the nature of the work which we re- 

 quire from horses, oblige us to run some risks; but in every case the 

 risk ought to be reduced to a minimum. 



Suppose, for instance, a dog-cart and horse are sent on a cold wet 

 winter's day to a railway station to meet a train. The horse may pro- 

 bably get somewhat hot in the drive over, the train may be late, and 

 waiting at the railway station on such a day is not favorable to the 

 animal's health. 



But the risk of injury will be much diminished if the servant has 

 started in good time and driven over slowly ; if he has not forgotten to 

 take with him a rug to put on the horse, in case he is kept waiting ; or 

 if, when circumstances admit of it, he has kept the horse moving about 

 instead of standing still. 



Again, accidents will occur in the hunting field for example. The 

 nature of the work entails such a liability. But they will be much less 

 likely to occur when the horse is in good working condition of wind and 

 limb, when he is fit to go without being unduly fresh or above himself, 

 when the shoeing, &c., are good, than when these favorable conditions 

 are reversed. 



268. Erroneous ideas as to the causes of accidents and diseases. 



It is a very common, but very erroneous and mischievous idea, that 

 accidents and diseases spring up spontaneously, that they are necessary 

 black spots in the chapter of life, and that we are powerless to avoid them 

 or to prevent their recurrence. So far from this being the case, almost 

 all accidents and diseases may, if sufficient diligence and perseverance are 

 used in the search, be traced to ascertainable causes ; and in the great 

 majority of cases the causes once ascertained may be guarded against 

 and prevented in future. 



269. Of accidents and diseases with their ordinary causes. 



The subjoined list, in which are grouped together most of the more 

 common diseases and accidents with their ordinary causes, will perhaps 

 make plainer the assertion put forward in the preceding paragraph. 



1st. Diseases of the bowels and urinary organs, such as stomach 

 staggers, colic, inflammation of the intestines and kidneys. Ordinary 

 causes. Bad forage or improper watering and feeding. 



2nd. Diseases of the chest, coughs, colds, etc. Causes. Want of 

 ventilation, overcrowding, exposure, and neglect. 



