PECULIAR TO HOESES. 17 



TEMPER. — Should I contend that "Distemper" was contagions and 

 infectious, probably the bulk of evidence would be on my side ; in 

 fact, I was formerly led to believe that, either by infection or conta- 

 gion, distemper was propagated from the system of one animal to 

 that of another ; but experience, which is generally the only true 

 guide, has of late years led me to think differently, yet I am well 

 aware that even at the present day, in spite of the ever accumulative 

 knowledge of pathology, both the negative and afiii'mative of this 

 proposition may be logically maintained. 



Because a number of horses are attacked with distemper, in this 

 or that stable, is not positive proof in evidence of its contagious or 

 infectious element, because the season of the year may have more to 

 do with its production than some people are aware of It is well 

 known that influenza or distemper is more frequently encountered 

 in spring, than in autumn; more in autumn, in some countries, than 

 in summer, and in winter more rarely than in either of the other 

 quarters of the year. 



Then again, influenza may make its appearance at a certain stable, 

 and rapidly spread, so that a great proportion of its occupants are 

 affected with unmistakable symptoms of the malady ; but this 

 proves nothing in favor of the theory of the contagioniists, for the 

 same cause which operated to develop the malady in the system 

 of one animal, was operative (if operative at all) in the systems of 

 the others. 



In view of maintaining my argument, I offer the following perti- 

 nent case : Mr. Harbin, an extensive dealer in horses, informs me 

 that he once purchased a number of horses for a southern market, 

 and knowing that all horses at some period of their existence ought, 

 or must, have an attack of distemper, he was desirous of getting his 

 animals through the scrape ere he delivered them to his friends ; 

 and in view of delivering them in good condition, he purposely ex- 

 posed them, by purchasing a horse affected with distemj^er ; and not- 

 withstanding his efforts to communicate the disease, the animals 

 improved in condition, and not one of them appeared sick until a long 

 time afterwards when they Avere landed in a southern port, and even 

 then he disposed of the whole lot, having but one sick patient on his 

 hands; the sickness being contracted after arriving south. 



Treatment of Distemper. — The animal should be placed in a 

 comfortable location, where he can breathe pure air, and be free 

 from annoyance of every kind ; should the weather be chilly, the 

 body may be lightly clothed, and the lower part of the limbs band- 

 aged with flannel. It is very important that the surface of the body 

 be kept warm, for when cold, the equilibrium of the circulation is 

 disturbed, the blood then localizes itself about the intei'nal organs, 

 and produces congestion ; a condition very unfavorable, in view of 

 the speedy restoration of the sick creature. 



It should be understood by every husbandman that this affection 

 is of a ])rostrating nature, that the object of the treatment of the 

 malady is to husband the animal powers — T<:epp the horse alive while 

 the disease runs its course — and preserve the tone of the system by 

 administering tonics and diffusive stimulants ; a few doses of golden 

 seal and ginger, accompanied by a rational allowance of scalded oats, 

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