20 TKEATMENT OF DISEASES 



in view, in the first place, of removing or withholding snch influence 

 as would oppose nature in its beneficent work ; and, in the second 

 place, of aiding its operations, so far as this can be done, by artifi- 

 cial appliances. Every one ought to understand this, in order that 

 he may be prepared to yield intelligent and eflBeient obedience to 

 medical suggestions and directions, in case of being placed in posi- 

 tions in which such may be required." 



The above are very excellent directions, and if fully carried out 

 in the treatment of the various diseases of the inferior orders of 

 creation, would probably save the lives of many valuable animals 

 that are constantly dying from the practice of a system of meddle- 

 some medication, and from the unwarrantable use of drugs that are 

 either injurious or actively poisonous in their character. 



CRAMP OR SPASM. 



Cramp, as it occurs in horses, is usually confined to the- muscles 

 and tendons which flex the limb. The following case will illus- 

 trate my treatment : 



Case of Cramp, or Spasm. — I was requested, a short time ago, 

 to visit a horse, said to be the subject of " stifle lameness." The 

 patient, a gray gelding, aged eight years, was put up at the stable, 

 on the evening preceding my visit, apparently in perfect health ; 

 early in the morning, ere I was called, the *' feeder" observed that 

 the horse was incapable of moving the near hind limb, and it 

 appeared to be, as I was informed, " as stiflT as a crowbar." 



On making an examination of the body of the animal, he 

 appeared to be in perfect health ; yet he was unable to raise the 

 limb, in the slightest degree, from the stable floor. The case was 

 accordingly diagnosed as cramp of the flexors. 



Treatment. — The body and lower parts of the limbs were 

 clothed with blankets and flannel bandages, and the affected limb 

 was diligently rubbed for half an hour with a portion of the follow- 

 ing liniment : 



Oil of Cedar 1 ounce. 



Sulphuric ^ther 2 ounces. 



Proof Spirit 1 pint. 



In the course of a few hours after the first application, the diffi- 

 culty had entirely disappeared. 



The owner informed me that the horse had, on the day prior to 

 the attack, been exposed to a cold and continuous rain storm, and 

 probably this operated as the exciting cause of the spasm. 



STRINGHALT. 



Stringlialt is probably a disease of the nervous system, and 

 seems to aff'ect the muscles of the hind extremities through the 



