THE MODERN HOR§E DOCTOR. 307 



dangerous medicine. That worms should be found in such 

 horses we are not surprised ; but to set them down as the cause 

 is absurd ; for their presence in the digestive canal is merely 

 owing to perverted nutrition, and they may be found in many 

 horses whose coats are as smooth as glass. The cure of hide 

 bound, then, consists in restoring to healthy action whatever 

 organs are diseased. The general health must be improved ere 

 the coat will assume its natural sleek appearance and soft, pliant 

 feel. If no particular disease can be detected about the animal, 

 let some change be made in the diet, his body be warmly clothed, 

 and mix the following alterative in his food night and morning : — 



Powdered sassafras bark, ^ ^ 



" sulphur, £of each, 3 ounces, > 



" salt, ) ) 



" bloodroot, } e ■. n 



« balmony/j - of each, 2 ounces, 



Oatmeal, 1 pound. 



Mix ; and divide into twelve parts. 



Treatment of cutaneous Affections, — Any system of medicine 

 that contemplates the cure of cutaneous diseases must include 

 change in diet, or it is almost inert. On this subject Surgeon 

 Hunt has written as follows : — 



" Man is an omnivorous animal. This circumstance is both 

 an advantage and a disadvantage. It enables him to sustain life 

 for a short time on almost any kind of aliment, animal or vege- 

 table; but it likewise induces a necessity of a considerable varie- 

 ty of diet, or frequent change, in order that he may retain health 

 and strength for a long time together. Chemistry has not yet 

 detected the reason of this necessity ; and as the proximate ele- 

 ments of animal structure are found in bread and water, as well 

 as in milk and various other articles, it does not appear that 

 change should be necessary at all. But it is known to all gra- 

 ziers and feeders of cattle, sheep, and other animals, that change 

 is necessary and salutary for them ; and much more is it for 

 man. Patients recover under homoeopathic treatment, because 

 a rigorous system of diet is imperatively prescribed. The sys- 

 tem is not founded on any science or principles which will bear 

 a moment's examination. The things to be avoided are per- 

 fectly harmless and wholesome, but in the very absurdity and 

 strangeness of the diet prescribed consists its value. It is a 



