AGRICITLTITRE AND THE HORSE. 417 



aware that the loss of six months or a year in the work- 

 ing-time of a horse is a serious matter for most men 

 who use horses. But, to such as work them simply for 

 what they can earn, this remedy is cheaper than the 

 ultimate loss of the animal altogether ; and, to those 

 who are breeding and preparing them for the market, 

 it must be economy to take hold of these defects in 

 season, and treat them promptly and summarily. Hardly 

 a local disease can be named which will not yield to this 

 summary process, and rest. If there is any check to 

 be put to cribbing, for instance, — that most mysterious 

 and unaccountable of all diseases of horses, a diseased 

 habit which is often acquired, and which I have seen in- 

 herited, — it is by instantly removing every object which 

 can be seized with the teeth, and by regulating the food. 

 So, too, of swelled legs, scratches, corns, false-quarter, 

 thrush, and other difficulties which arise from neglecting 

 either the general condition of the horse, or from inju- 

 dicious use. Into the intricacies of veterinary practice 

 I have no idea of entering ; nor do I propose to give an 

 elaborate description of diseases for the gratification of 

 curiosity or the inculcation of science. I can only 

 suggest the fundamental principles of dealing with the 

 ills to which the horse is heir, — principles which, if 

 adopted, will insure economy to the master, and comfort 

 to the animal, and the neglect of which may lead to an 

 endless train of expensive surgical experiments, and 

 complicated and incurable disorders. 



And now, Mr. Chairman, it is time that I should 



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