EATSIXG. 317 



ent organs of the same aniiiia], but reaches out even to others 

 of the same species, or even of different species, particuUirly 

 if in close contact, so that an impression made on one does 

 not stop with itself, but finds a response in the others. The 

 nervous system is the medium through which this sympathy 

 acts, and as this is always exalted in its sensibilities during 

 jn-egnancy, we might reasonably expect such a result as abor- 

 tion from sympathy. Imagination, indeed, may produce abor- 

 tion, but by an entirely similar impression on the nervous sys- 

 tem to that produced by fright. Hysteria is a disease of a 

 nervous, spasmodic character, generally resulting from the 

 sympathy of the uterus, or womb, with other organs, especially 

 the stomach. The nervous system here is the medium through 

 which the morbid impression is transmitted, and this peculiar 

 organ is susceptible of being affected even by mental impres- 

 sions. 



An acquaintance, a large breeder, had several mares slink 

 their foals the same niolit. I have read of several similar in- 

 stances. These cases, which fell under my observation, were 

 caused by the owner purchasing a mare in the habit of slink- 

 ing. The first year, at Christmas, she and three others aborted ; 

 and the next year five. The third year, the habitual aborter 

 was separated from the others and followed her usual habit, but 

 all the others went to their full term, as they did ever after. 



RAISING. 



Under this head I shall treat of the management of the colt 

 from the time it is foaled up to the time it is taken up for 

 breaking, or training. There is but little to be said on this 

 subject, though there are very important matters involved in 

 it. After the colt is foaled, the mare should be allowed to 

 stand idle for three or four weeks, until she comes to her milk. 

 She also needs rest to allow her carcass to resume its proper 

 shape and strength, which must necessarily have been con- 

 siderably weakened by carrying the foal and foaling. The 



