BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 21 



have been the causes of nearly all his diseases, and of his 

 great decay as regards longevity and natural capabilities. 



7. The horse is improved and becomes more efficient as 

 his circumstances are brought nearer his condition by nature, 

 and as his wants are better understood and supplied. 



IMPORTANT FACTS TO BE REMEMBERED IN TREATING DISEASES OF 



THE HORSE. 



1. The horse is more like man, as regards general structure 

 and the pathology of his diseases, than any other animal. 



2. As a rule, though not without some exceptions, the 

 causes of disease in man operate similarly upon the horse, 

 and the same remedies are equally efficacious for both. 



3. Disease is either general or local in its character : local 

 when only some particular organ or part is afiected ; general 

 when the whole system is involved. 



4. l^early all disorders of both man and beast, whatever 

 may have been the primary or external causes, proceed from 

 obstruction and derangement of the circulation and secretive 

 functions. Therefore, to keep in health, prevent these ob- 

 structions; to restore to health, remove them. 



6. Although disease does not originate in the blood, this 

 is the medium by which it is transmitted throughout the 

 general system. 



6. One of the functions of the nervous system is to assist 

 in propelling the blood through the veins and arteries. Hence, 

 any derangement of the nerves affects the circulation, and. 

 vice versa. 



7. The size of the horse is ten times that of man. His or- 

 ganism is coarser, and the vessels of his system are larger in 

 proportion. When medicines are administered, they must be 

 of corresponding strength. 



8. Compared with man, the horse breathes only half as fast. 

 The same is true in respect to the rate at which his pulse 

 beats and his blood flows. 



9. Disease usually develops itself, and likewise abates, much 

 more slowly in the horse than in man. 



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