136 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



can infer from the fact that we get a comfortable living, that our 

 practice is, to say the least, somewhat successful — for were it 

 otherwise, Ave should not enjoy the confidence and patronage of 

 so many kind friends who have stood by us in our efforts to reform 

 the abuses that have crept into the practice of veterinary medicine. 



Practitioners seem sometimes to forget what Dr. Dixon is so 

 anxious to impress on their memories, viz. : " Nature is ever busy, 

 by the silent operation of her own forces, in curing disease. Her 

 medicines are air, warmth, food, water, and sleep. Their use is 

 directed by instinct ; and that man is most worthy the name of 

 physician who most reveres its unerring laws." Now, it is a 

 well-known fact that the drawing of blood from a vein, though it 

 lessens the volume of that fluid, does not mend. the matter ; " for 

 it does not act directly on the diseased part ; the action is only 

 indirect;" therefore it is imperfect, and positively injurious — 

 injurious, because "blood is the fuel that keeps the lamp of life 

 burning: if the fuel be withdrawn, the vital spark is extin- 

 guished." 



The fact of bloodletting having been practised from time im- 

 memorial, for the cure of this or any other disease, is certainly 

 not a clear proof of its utility, nor is it sufficient recommendation 

 that it may be practised with safety ; for " no man, however wise, 

 can tell how much blood ought to be taken in a given case." 



The indication of cure in inflammation of the bowels is, to 

 equalize the circulation, and remove irritation and obstructions to 

 vital action. This we accomplish by the aid of natural and medi- 

 cinal antispasmodics, such as we shall recommend. They are 

 simple, but efficient. We do not depend on their strength or 

 power to produce given results, such as follow the exhibition of 

 aloes, antimony, &c, (where w r e judge of the value of such agent 

 simply by its effects, without reference to the injury done to deli- 

 cate membranes.) The great secret is, to select such agents as 

 shall produce a change, or, in other words, act in concert with the 

 uncompromising laws of nature. Unfortunately, the medical 

 world, as well as horsemen and farmers, have been accustomed 

 to judge of the power of a remedy by its effects, and not in pro- 

 portion to its ultimate good. Thus, if a pound of salts be given 

 to a horse or cow, and they produce liquid stools, — operate well, 



