INTRODUCTION. 37 



the eye, for Instance, receives a particle of sand or hay-seed, 

 the weeping of the secretions of pus are remedial measures 

 to rid it of the offending matter. Poisons are good ex- 

 amples of the manner in which animals will cure them- 

 selves. When poison is taken into the stomach, irritation 

 of the bowels is set up, followed by purging, as an effort tc 

 get rid of tne poison. Nature, however, is not always suc- 

 cessful, and the animal may die from the violent action set 

 up. Again, a sprain will be cured by this very power, 

 provided absolute and entire rest be allowed to the sprained 

 part, without any interference from medicine or art. The 

 remedial powders of nature often require assistance, as, for 

 instance, in cases of debility, when the blood is becoming 

 too watery. A few doses of iron, and In many cases a 

 little extra food, will enable the sanative powers of the 

 constitution to effect a complete cure. Often the removal 

 of an animal from the sphere of exciting causes of disease, 

 will cause the effect to cease, and the power of nature will 

 cure the affection. Hence, many persons reflect upon the 

 many instances when apparently severe cases of sickness 

 were cured by some simple substance, and much credit 

 given to a power it never possessed. Where the powers 

 of nature are left to perform a cure, let the strength of the 

 animal be maintained, because if that fail, where is the 

 chance of recovery? Blood-letting and physicking are 

 powerful and depressing agents ; so - much so, that when 

 carried to any extent, few, if any animals, by the little 

 power that may be left, w411 cure themselves. It is this 

 knowledge that enables Homoeopathlsts to continue their 

 practice ; for if it were not for this power in the constitu- 

 tion in each and every animal, Homoeopathlsts would have 

 long since ceased to practise their peculiar art. If farmers 

 and owners of horses and cattle will only cease to bleed, 



