NATURAL HISTORY. 



so frequent there as in cold climates. It is from this- 

 therefore that the conjecture arises, tiiat this malady is 

 occasioned hy the coldness of the water, because these 

 animals are obliged to dip and keep the nose and nos- 

 trils a considerable time under it. This, however, 

 might be prevented by never giving it to them cold, 

 and by always wiping the nostrils after drinking. 

 Asses, who fear the cold more than horses, and 

 resemble them so strongly in the interior structure, 

 are, notwithstanding, not so subject to the glanders. 

 This may possibly liappen from their drinking in a 

 different manner from horses ; for, instead of dipping 

 the mouth and nose deeply into the water, they scarce- 

 ly touch it with their lips. 



I shall not speak of the other diseases of horses. 

 It would extend this Natural History too much ta 

 join to the history of an animal that of its disorders : 

 nevertheless, I cannot leave the history of the horse, 

 without regretting that the health of this useful ani- 

 mal should have been hitherto abandoned to the care, 

 and frequently absurd practice, of ignorant people. 

 The branch of physic which the ancients called V 7 ete- 

 rinarian, is at present scarcely known but by name. 

 Were some physician to direct his views this way. 

 and make this study his principal object, he would 

 soon find it answer his purpose, both with respect to 

 reputation and profit. Instead of degrading himself, 

 he would render his name illustrious ; and this branch 

 of physic would not be so conjectural and difficult as 

 the other. All causes being more simple in animals 

 than in man, the diseases ought also to be less com- 

 plicated, and conseauently treated with more gut- 

 ters. 



